Wastewater and stormwater systems in 84 communities across Wisconsin will benefit from state spending of $414 million. The money will target the building or improvement of water infrastructure systems through the Clean Water Fund Program overseen by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
In a press release, Gov. Tony Evers said the funding will include projects that reduce phosphorus discharges and address aging equipment. The state will focus on small and disadvantaged communities, he said.
“Helping communities replace and modernize aging systems to ensure they meet federal and state regulations is a critical part of our work to ensure every Wisconsinite has healthy, safe, and clean drinking water from their tap,” said Gov. Evers. “These dollars will help communities ensure they have the infrastructure their residents can trust to address wastewater and stormwater and be even better prepared to handle any future challenges that may arise.”
The governor’s office highlighted sample projects:
- The village of Soldiers Grove is receiving $386,000 in funding, including $215,774 of general principal forgiveness and $54,040 of phosphorus reduction priority principal forgiveness, with the remainder through a loan with a reduced interest rate. This funding will be used to reduce concentrations of phosphorus in the effluent from the village’s wastewater treatment plant, as well as to replace and upgrade aging equipment.
- The village of Denmark is receiving $5 million in funding, including $1 million of phosphorus reduction priority principal forgiveness and $832,500 of general principal forgiveness, with the remainder through a loan with a reduced interest rate. Denmark will use the funding to construct a tertiary treatment process to reduce phosphorus concentrations in the effluent from the village’s wastewater treatment plant.
- The city of Superior is receiving $3,767,373 in funding, including $1,130,212 of general principal forgiveness, with the remainder through a loan with a reduced interest rate. This funding will be used to reduce excessive flow to the wastewater treatment plant in times of wet weather, as well as reduce flooding. Stormwater will be routed to a best management practice for treatment to improve water quality.
A complete list is available here.
Source: Office of the Governor, State of Wisconsin
