FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 17, 2015
DEP AWARDS $58 MILLION IN LOANS TO ORANGE COUNTY FOR EXPANSION OF WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY
~DEP loan allows expansion of wastewater
treatment facilities~
TALLAHASSEE - The
Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Clean Water State Revolving Fund
(CWSRF) is providing an additional $30 million loan to Orange County, bringing the total to more
than $58 million, to expand its Eastern Water Reclamation
Facility.
“Projects
like these are important to supporting our state's growing economy and
protecting our water resources by reducing wasted drinking water and increasing
water reuse,” said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson.
Pre-construction
for this project began in 2013 and construction is anticipated to be completed
by May 2018. The expanded facility will protect Florida’s valuable drinking
water supplies, reduce the environmental impact caused by wastewater and bring
in millions of dollars to Central Florida’s economy as construction continues
and domestically manufactured products are purchased as part of the expansion.
Moreover, Florida’s recently revised CWSRF loans offer lower interest
rates, 1.9 percent in this case, saving Central Florida taxpayers more money over conventional loans.
The project
consists of constructing the Phase V expansion of the Eastern Water Reclamation
Facility, a necessary addition to expand the treatment capacity by more than 20
percent to meet increases in demand. The improvements will include a new preliminary treatment
structure, additional disk filters, an additional chlorine contact chamber, a
new dewatering facility and an expansion of the existing effluent pump station.
“Low
interest SRF loans are a great tool to finance our very important environmental
projects, and DEP staff provide outstanding service throughout the loan
application process,” said Andres Salcedo, assistant director of Orange County
Utilities.
The Clean
Water State Revolving Fund program was established in 1989 to provide
low-interest financing for the planning, design and construction of wastewater
and stormwater facilities, in compliance with the Clean Water Act. This program
has awarded nearly $4 billion in loans since its inception, providing more than
$1.4 billion in funding for 96 projects in just the past five years. Funded by
federal grants, state matching funds, loan repayments and interest earnings,
state revolving fund loans are offered at low interest rates. Repayments from
earlier loans are used to make new loans, allowing the program to continue
operating.
For more
information on the State Revolving Fund program, click here.
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