Local governments in North Carolina have until March 1 to apply with the state for the latest round of low-interest loans intended to pay for improvements to wastewater treatment plants and other environmentally beneficial projects.
The N.C. Division of Water Quality makes low-interest loans available twice a year through its Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The loans help local municipalities and counties pay for such things as wetland and stream restoration, stormwater management, and improvements to publicly-owned infrastructure such as wastewater treatment plants and sewer collection systems.
The deadline for applications each year is March 1 and Sept. 1. The state agency reports that at least $100 million is available for projects during the current round. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which is administered by the N.C. Division of Water Quality, is made up of funds from the federal government and a 17 percent state match.
The clean water fund also provides opportunities for municipalities and other government units to receive a special zero-percent interest rate on green projects such as stormwater management structures and systems that capture and reuse rainwater. In addition, certain small government units may be eligible for forgiveness of half of the principal of the loan.
The awards for the current round of funding will be announced around the end of March.
Local governments who wish to apply for loans through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund should review application and guidance information on the Division of Water Quality’s website.
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Showing posts with label Wastewater Treatment Plant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wastewater Treatment Plant. Show all posts
Friday, February 17, 2012
Monday, October 10, 2011
Hillsborough to break ground on Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion
The Town of Hillsborough will officially break ground on the upgrade and expansion of the Hillsborough Wastewater Treatment Plant at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 11.
Mayor Tom Stevens will shovel the first dirt. Construction is expected to be completed in the spring of 2014. This first phase of construction, expected to cost $16.5 million, will bring much-needed upgrades to the plant, which was built in the mid-1970s. The upgrades by Choate Construction Company of Atlanta, Ga., include:
• New tertiary filters capable of removing nitrogen and phosphorous.
• New screenings (trash) removal system at the beginning of the treatment process.
• Installation of new clarifiers (settling basins).
• Upgrades to biological treatment basins.
• New solids treatment and handling facilities.
• New backup power generator.
• Updated plant security and controls.
The upgrade is being funded through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan program. The $18.9 million loan — which also will cover some design costs, construction administration, inspections and contingency funds — will result in annual payments of $1.2 million for 20 years, beginning in Fiscal Year 2015. These payments will result in an 8.8 percent annual increase in sewer rates over six years, beginning with this fiscal year, which started in July.
A second phase of construction will provide extra flow capacity to accommodate planned land uses and projected population growth. Due to stricter state limits, the current plant already has reached its treatment capacity.
Both phases of construction will provide the plant with the capabilities needed to meet new, stricter state limits on discharged water. These new rules — called Falls Lake Rules — will become effective in 2016 and are intended to protect and restore the water quality of Falls Lake, which is on the EPA’s list of impaired waters. Planning for the second phase will begin when the first phase of construction is complete. The start of construction for that phase will be determined by the town’s growth rate, with a likely start in seven to 12 years.
The Wastewater Treatment Plant is located at 355 Elizabeth Brady Road.
Mayor Tom Stevens will shovel the first dirt. Construction is expected to be completed in the spring of 2014. This first phase of construction, expected to cost $16.5 million, will bring much-needed upgrades to the plant, which was built in the mid-1970s. The upgrades by Choate Construction Company of Atlanta, Ga., include:
• New tertiary filters capable of removing nitrogen and phosphorous.
• New screenings (trash) removal system at the beginning of the treatment process.
• Installation of new clarifiers (settling basins).
• Upgrades to biological treatment basins.
• New solids treatment and handling facilities.
• New backup power generator.
• Updated plant security and controls.
The upgrade is being funded through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan program. The $18.9 million loan — which also will cover some design costs, construction administration, inspections and contingency funds — will result in annual payments of $1.2 million for 20 years, beginning in Fiscal Year 2015. These payments will result in an 8.8 percent annual increase in sewer rates over six years, beginning with this fiscal year, which started in July.
A second phase of construction will provide extra flow capacity to accommodate planned land uses and projected population growth. Due to stricter state limits, the current plant already has reached its treatment capacity.
Both phases of construction will provide the plant with the capabilities needed to meet new, stricter state limits on discharged water. These new rules — called Falls Lake Rules — will become effective in 2016 and are intended to protect and restore the water quality of Falls Lake, which is on the EPA’s list of impaired waters. Planning for the second phase will begin when the first phase of construction is complete. The start of construction for that phase will be determined by the town’s growth rate, with a likely start in seven to 12 years.
The Wastewater Treatment Plant is located at 355 Elizabeth Brady Road.
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