FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2015
DEP AWARDS MORE THAN $71 MILLION TO CAPE CORAL
FOR WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES
~Replacing on-site water facilities will improve quality of life and reduce environmental impacts~
TALLAHASSEE – This
week the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Clean Water State
Revolving Fund disbursed an additional $14,261,486 to Cape Coral, bringing the
total project loans to $71 million, to enable the city to expand its potable
water, sanitary sewer and irrigation water infrastructure to meet future
demands of its growing community.
“The department
is proud to support projects like this one, which benefit both our natural
resources and communities,” said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson.
This
project will provide potable water and municipal sewer services to
approximately 5,200 residential lots, which are currently served by on-site
septic tank/drainfield systems and potable water wells. Residents will have access
to a more reliable water supply and sewer system. Moreover, water resources
will be better protected by utilizing the city’s unified water supply and pollution
control program, a 25-year effort by Cape Coral officials and the South Florida
Water Management District to safeguard residents’ quality of life while also
protecting natural resources.
In
addition to pumping stations and other equipment, this project consists of more
than 700,000 feet of irrigation and wastewater lines that will improve water
reuse and reduce impacts to the environment by reducing overall withdrawals
from natural freshwater aquifers and minimizing potential groundwater pollution
in both canals and drain fields.
“The state
revolving funds allow the city of Cape Coral to continue moving forward with
these essential utilities projects,” said Paul Clinghan, Cape Coral’s utilities
extension program manager. “These loans enable the City to keep the
overall costs to our property owners lower than other available financing
options.”
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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