Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $13.8 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the Water Authority of Great Neck North, N.Y. to help modernize its drinking water treatment plant.
The funded Watermill Lane Water Treatment and Watermain Upgrade Projects will improve drinking water quality for the system’s 32,000 users. The projects include PFAS and 1,4-dioxane treatment system installation for three of the Authority’s wells, water main upgrades and fire protection improvements along two main corridors of the service area. Together, these projects will help ensure safe delivery of water supplies and help meet new statewide regulatory requirements for contaminants.
“For the City of Great Neck—and communities across the country—safe drinking water is foundational to health and opportunity,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “This WIFIA loan will help finance critical upgrades to Great Neck’s water treatment facility to mitigate challenges with chemicals like 1,4-dioxane and PFAS that can negatively impact our health.”
“Funding from the EPA will help offset the enormous expenses associated with developing modern treatment plants and other vital infrastructure, so the Authority can meet New York State’s newly established drinking water standards, which are among the most stringent in the country,” said Water Authority of Great Neck North Superintendent Gregory C. Graziano.
The $13.8 million WIFIA loan will finance nearly half of the $28 million initial project costs. The remaining project costs will be funded by revenue bonds and borrower cash. The Water Authority of Great Neck North will save over $1.9 million by financing the projects with a WIFIA loan. The projects construction and operation are expected to create an estimated 224 jobs and construction is expected to be completed in 2022.
SOURCE: Environmental Protection Agency
