EPA issues $281M loan to modernize wastewater plant in Kansas
(UC) — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a $281 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to Johnson County to make upgrades at the Nelson Wastewater Treatment Plant, Kansas television station WDAF-TV Fox 4 reported.
The treatment technology at the Nelson Wastewater Treatment Facility is currently not up to code to meet future water quality standards. As the oldest treatment facility in the county, much of the infrastructure is at or near the end of its useful service life.
The loan will make a dent in the total cost of the upgrade, which is estimated to cost $574.4 million. The completed facility is expected to save the county approximately $80 million and create roughly 1,800 jobs.
“Johnson County is to be commended for successfully earning this WIFIA loan,” EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister said. “Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law we will soon be delivering billions of dollars for water infrastructure to more communities, including overburdened communities that have traditionally found it difficult to compete for federal funding.”
In the first phase of construction, the existing system will be reconfigured to allow the plant to remain operational during the second phase of construction. The remaining upgrades for the plant include adding auxiliary treatment facilities to treat water during peak wet weather flows and implementing biological nutrient removal upgrades.
Outside of creating jobs, this makeover will help Johnson County reduce nitrogen and phosphorus discharges to comply with standards set by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
“We appreciate the opportunity to utilize low interest cost WIFIA financing, a key part of funding optimization, for the Nelson Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements project,” Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chair Ed Eilert said. “Community benefits of this important project include replacing aging infrastructure, supporting community growth and redevelopment, improving wet weather management and improving water quality.”
Upon completion, the facility will be able to treat 15 million gallons per day during average daily flows and 52 million gallons per day during peak flows. The system will also provide an additional 87 million gallons per day of wet weather auxiliary capacity to allow Johnson County to meet future demand.
Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2024, with an anticipated completion date in 2029.
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