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 Finance and Innovation 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 upgrades to the city's wastewater treatment plant.
Both WIFIA-funded projects will improve water quality in San Francisco Bay and help protect public health and the environment through better wastewater management.
"Through WIFIA, EPA is modernizing the nation's water infrastructure in a way that improves 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 ability to manage wastewater during storms, alleviate sewer overflows, and prevent discharges of partially treated water into the Bay.
San Mateo will also improve its sanitary sewer collection system by replacing pump stations, sewer mains and manholes, and constructing a new wastewater flow equalization 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 sewage overflows and enhance recreational use of San Francisco Bay, but it will also create jobs during a particularly challenging economic period," noted EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator John Busterud.
City of San Mateo Public Works Director Brad Underwood 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 EPA's WIFIA loan will fund nearly half of that figure. The remaining project funds will come from a combination of revenue bonds and system funds.
As such, 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.
