The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $38 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the Mountain Regional Water Special Service District, which serves the Park City area of Summit County, Utah.
According to the EPA, enhanced water infrastructure will benefit approximately 24,000 local residents and help expand water treatment capacity and processes in preparation for the winter games. EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer said, "Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games is an exciting opportunity, putting Utah back on the world stage while boosting the local economy. At EPA, we are thrilled to support this effort and help ensure the 2034 Games are a shining success. That means enhancing and expanding water infrastructure in the greater Park City area, especially near the three ski venues, to support an influx of visitors. I am proud that EPA’s role in this project – through its $38 million WIFIA loan – will provide support for the Olympics as well as the long-term health of Utah’s economy."
The Mountain Regional Water Special Service District plans to use WIFIA financing to double water treatment capacity and address emerging contaminants at its Signal Hill Water Treatment Plant. The Signal Hill Water Treatment Plant-Optimization and Expansion Project aims to ensure quality water services for current and future residents while supporting increased demand from visitors during the 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Mountain Regional Water General Manager Andy Garland said, "This project will double the current treatment capacity, helping meet growing demand while ensuring safe, reliable drinking water for Mountain Regional Water customers. The WIFIA loan provides long-term, low-cost financing that allows Mountain Regional Water to make critical infrastructure improvements while minimizing impacts on customer rates. We are fortunate to have partners at the EPA who recognize that federal financing tools, like WIFIA, are essential to helping local utilities maintain affordable water rates while making the investments necessary to serve our growing communities."
The EPA’s WIFIA program offers additional financial flexibility for small communities with populations of 25,000 or less. Because Mountain Regional serves a small community, it can finance almost 80% of eligible project costs instead of being limited to 49%. The program also allows principal payments on loans to be deferred until several years after construction is substantially complete.
Since issuing its first loan in 2018, EPA’s WIFIA program has announced $23 billion in financing for projects strengthening drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure while creating over 168,000 jobs. More information about this initiative is available according to the official roster page.
