Erie County, New York was recently awarded a $22 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to modernize its water infrastructure.
The funds will go towards the county’s plan of modernizing its aging treatment plants and pumping station, an EPA press release said. This includes the implementation of powdered activated carbon systems to combat the threat of algae blooms in Lake Erie.
“Erie County Water Authority Commissioners are grateful for receiving the EPA WIFIA loan as it helps our customers by lessening a financial burden as we continue to implement our strategic plan of addressing critical infrastructure needs,” Chief Operating Officer at Erie County Water Authority Russell J. Stoll said in the release. “We look forward to addressing our infrastructure needs that include providing water system resiliency, high quality and reliable water supply and a regional presence while enhancing service to all our customers.”
The loan was one of 65 WIFIA loans awarded nationwide financing over $26 billion in water infrastructure upgrades, the release said.
“Accelerating investment in our nation's water infrastructure that communities like Erie County depend on for health and opportunity, is an essential part of EPA's mission,” EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox said in the release.
The WIFIA program, established in 2014, is a federal credit program that gives assistance to eligible water and wastewater infrastructure projects. It is administered by EPA.
