The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $12 million loan under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) to New Castle County, Delaware. This initiative is set to benefit more than half of Delaware's population by modernizing the Christina River Force Sewer Main.
This loan marks the first WIFIA loan in Delaware and aims to enhance wastewater service reliability for approximately 330,000 residents. The project seeks to significantly reduce sewer overflow risks into the Christina River.
"Our quality of life depends on reliable water infrastructure that keeps our local waterways free of sewer discharges," stated Zach Schafer, EPA Director of Policy for EPA Water. He emphasized the Biden-Harris Administration's focus on critical infrastructure through funding that not only improves wastewater treatment but also creates local jobs.
The upgrade is crucial for New Castle County’s sewer system as it faces challenges from an increasing population and efficiency demands. With the support from EPA’s WIFIA loan, about 2,000 feet of 84-inch force main piping will be installed to provide system redundancy and minimize leak risks.
U.S. Sen. Chris Coons highlighted the importance of this investment: “This investment shows the Biden administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure that protects the environment...and safeguarding public health.” He noted that addressing wastewater contamination helps protect families' livelihoods and wellbeing across Delaware.
County Executive Matt Meyer expressed enthusiasm for the loan, stating, "With this investment, we’ll be able to ensure hundreds of thousands of County residents will have a safe, working sewer system for years to come."
Under a master agreement committing $40 million, this project represents New Castle’s first WIFIA loan. The program's flexible structure assists in bridging financing gaps for such initiatives.
Since its inception, EPA’s WIFIA program has provided nearly $21 billion in financing towards water infrastructure projects worth $45 billion nationwide. These efforts are credited with creating over 150,000 jobs while strengthening drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
For further details on EPA’s WIFIA Program and other water infrastructure investments under President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, additional resources are available online.
