Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
San Mateo County will benefit from improved water quality after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $85 million Water Infrastructure Innovation and Financing Act (WIFIA) loan to the City of San Mateo for a project that will reduce sewer overflows.
The action complements a $210 million loan announced in November of this year for improvements to the city's wastewater treatment plant.
Thus, both projects - funded by WIFIA - will improve water quality in the San Francisco Bay and help protect public health and the environment through better wastewater management.
"Through WIFIA, the EPA is modernizing the nation's water infrastructure in ways that improve public health and environmental protection while creating jobs and supporting local economies," said agency administrator Andrew Wheeler.
Importantly, the loan will help the City of San Mateo protect public health and water quality by increasing its capacity to manage wastewater during storms, alleviate sewerage overflows and prevent partially treated water discharges into the bay.
Similarly, San Mateo will improve its sanitary sewer collection system by replacing pumping stations, main sewers and manholes, and building a new wastewater flow compensation facility.
The project is designed to meet regulatory requirements, eliminate waste discharges and correct conditions that cause sanitary sewer overflows, the EPA said in a statement.
"This project will not only reduce wastewater overflows and improve recreational use of the San Francisco Bay, but will also create jobs during a particularly challenging economic period," said EPA Southwest Pacific Regional Administrator John Busterud.
Brad Underwood, Director of Public Works for the City of San Mateo, said, "EPA's support means our taxpayers feel less burdened as we make our environment cleaner for all city residents, and for the fish, birds and mammals that live in San Francisco Bay.
This project will cost $173.7 million and the EPA WIFIA loan will finance almost half of that figure. The remaining project funds will come from a combination of revenue bonds and system funds.
Thus, the WIFIA loan will save the city of San Mateo an estimated $15.4 million and the construction and operation of the project is expected to generate more than 500 jobs.
