Oregon City receives $16 million loan to upgrade centuries-old water infrastructure
(UI) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $16 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to Oregon City, Oregon. This funding will modernize century-old infrastructure to meet the drinking water needs of the city’s 37,000 residents while better preparing the community for wildfires. Since its creation, EPA’s WIFIA program has announced $19 billion in financing to support 110 projects that are strengthening drinking water and stormwater infrastructure while creating over 60,000 jobs.
“Oregon City – like other cities that have received WIFIA funding – is prioritizing upgrading outdated water infrastructure and securing its water system against threats such as cyber-attacks and wildfires, ensuring clean, safe, and reliable access to water for generations to come,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.
Located in a wildfire-prone region, Oregon City currently relies on water infrastructure that is over 100 years old to meet local demand. This WIFIA loan accelerates investment to modernize aging, high-risk water pipes, some of which are lined with cast iron and asbestos.
By improving this infrastructure, the city will be able to meet peak demands that meet the fire department’s water pressure and flow needs. Additionally, this loan is enabling the city to enhance the water system’s cybersecurity through a new computer system.
By completing these projects, the city will improve the reliability and resiliency of its drinking water service to meet the everyday needs of its residents and be more prepared for wildfires and other potential service disruptions.
Through the WIFIA program, Oregon City is accelerating investment in its water system while saving rate payers money. The city will increase capital investment in the next two years by 300% and save approximately $3 million. Investing in water infrastructure will create nearly 200 construction and operation jobs.
“I created the WIFIA program to invest in water infrastructure projects and job creation after hearing from local Oregon leaders that water infrastructure is one of the top issues facing their communities,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “This WIFIA funding through the EPA will help Oregon City improve their water infrastructure and strengthen the city’s resilience to wildfire. WIFIA continues to be a great model for delivering results through local and federal collaboration.”
“With voter approval combined with federal grant funds made available from the American Rescue Act, the City was able to pursue and secure a loan through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA),” said Special Projects Senior Engineer and Project Manager for the City and the WIFIA Program Manager Patty Nelson. “Funding will allow the city to address cyber security, rehabilitate and replace aging infrastructure and improve water transmission in the system to better serve its customers now and in the future.”
Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan program administered by EPA. The WIFIA program’s aim is to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects.
EPA recently announced the availability of an additional $7.5 million in WIFIA funding for 2023. This new funding builds off the success of previous WIFIA funding rounds, totaling $33 billion, and will allow EPA to finance even more high priority water infrastructure projects.
Related News
From Archive
- Tunnel boring machine ‘Clack-A-Mole’ nears one-third completion in Oregon outfall project
- Texas A&M weighs underground transit plan with Elon Musk's Boring Co. to reduce campus traffic
- Lynchburg, Va., breaks ground on largest-ever Blackwater CSO tunnel project
- Wyo-Ben’s Max Gel, Max Bore HDD system boost drilling efficiency, performance
- Federal court halts permits for 32-mile Tennessee gas pipeline project
- Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
- Elgin, Ill., joins EPA drinking water initiative to accelerate lead pipe replacement
- Dog River pipeline replacement in Oregon improves water supply with new HDPE pipe
- Leaking wastewater systems named top source of San Diego River contamination, study finds
- New Portable Welding System From Miller
Comments