FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 22, 2016
MORE THAN $375 MILLION IN LOW-INTEREST LOANS AWARDED TO FLORIDA COMMUNITIES FOR
CLEAN WATER PROJECTS
~Loans to improve wastewater treatment facilities~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has recently awarded more than $375 million in low-interest loans and loan increases to eight Florida communities for new or existing wastewater treatment facilities through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).
“Investments in water infrastructure projects offer numerous
benefits to Florida’s communities, including protecting water quality,
supporting our state’s growing population and ensuring the protection of public
health and the environment,” said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. “DEP is proud to
partner with communities to make vital investments.”
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program provides low-interest loans for planning, designing and constructing
water pollution control facilities. Recent award recipients include the following communities:
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Brevard County: Awarded $40 million to fund the expansion and upgrade of the South Central Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, including new aerators, a new 3-million gallon per day wastewater treatment facility and a new 1-million gallon storage tank and pump station.
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Charlotte County: Awarded an increase of $6.8 million to an existing loan, for a total loan amount of $22.9 million, to complete the funding of the East and West Spring Lake collection system, assisting 2,116 residential properties in the transition from septic tanks to a central system, which will reduce nutrient loading and improve water quality in the Charlotte Harbor Estuary.
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City of Largo: Awarded an increase of $24.4 million to an existing loan, for a total loan amount of $57.6 million, to fund improvements to the collection system, as well as construction of a wet weather monitoring and pumping system designed to prevent flooding during heavy rainfall.
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Lee County: Awarded $28.8 million to fund modifications to the existing headworks and oxidation ditches, an additional 1.5-million gallon oxidation ditch, a new administrative building and a new electrical building, which will enable the plant to meet permit requirements at the originally permitted capacity.
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Monroe County: Awarded an increase of $19 million to an existing loan, for a total loan amount of $120 million, to continue funding construction of an advanced wastewater treatment facility on Cudjoe Key, further assisting the reduction of nutrients and pathogens in the nearshore waters of the Florida Keys.
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Orange County: Awarded an increase of $10.5 million to an existing loan, for a total loan amount of $69 million, to fund completion of the expansion of the Eastern Water Reclamation Facility.
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Palm Coast: Awarded $30.1 million to fund a combination of force mains, a master lift station and a new 2-million gallon per day advanced wastewater treatment facility.
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Putnam County: Awarded a loan increase of $1.4 million to an existing loan, for a total loan amount of $8 million, to fund the completion of the East Putnam Wastewater System near the St. Johns River, which treats 300,000 gallons of wastewater per day, eliminating approximately 140 septic tanks and two package wastewater treatment plants near the river.
"Helping Florida's cities, counties and smaller communities to either build wastewater treatment facilities or upgrade existing ones is crucial to the environment and a priority of the department," said Trina Vielhauer, director of the Division of Water Restoration Assistance. "These CWSRF projects often take place over many years with little fanfare, but they are a vital part of Florida's water restoration efforts."
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program has awarded more than $4 billion in loans for wastewater and stormwater improvement projects since its inception in 1989, including approximately $1.1 billion for about 120 projects in the past five years. The program is funded by federal grants, state matching funds, loan repayments and interest earnings. For more information, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/waterprojectfunding/.
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