Stimulus Could Help 400 Wastewater Projects

The U.S. stimulus package currently under debate in Congress could fast track 400 wastewater projects valued at $6 billion, which otherwise would have remained on hold due to lack of funding, according to a report by the McIlvaine Company (www.mcilvainecompany.com). McIlvaine predicts stimulus funds will likely be distributed to various community projects through the existing Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs in the form of loans and grants and will target those “ready-to-go” projects that can begin construction within 120 days of receipt of funds.

Approximately $135 million from the stimulus plan is expected to be approved for construction and upgrades for municipal wastewater and sewage treatment plants in Connecticut, according to McIlvaine.
McIlvaine says Vero Beach, Fla. is also in line for funding, as it needs to build a new wastewater plant to replace a 30 year-old facility, which is nearing the end of its life and is inadequate for present needs. The cost of this project is projected at $100 million.

Live Oak, Fla. is another example cited by McIlvaine, as this community is requesting $20 million to cover the total cost of five projects that have been permitted, engineered and awarded bids. Among the projects on tap here are the second phase of a wastewater treatment plant, the reuse line at the city’s treatment plant, the first phase of the stormwater project, the relocation of the city well fields, and the rehabilitation of the sanitary sewer system.

Other projects cited by McIlvaine include: Barre City, Vt., which is looking at the stimulus package as a way to move forward with a $5 million wastewater upgrade; the county of Hawaii, which is looking for support on $487 million of projects — some of which are wastewater related; Frederick, Md., which is looking for $40 million to upgrade its wastewater plant; and Suffolk County, N.Y., where the county’s Wastewater Task Force has announced 19 sewer-related projects, nine of which would be ready for immediate implementation for stimulus funding.