EPA funds $12 million upgrade for Delaware wastewater infrastructure
(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $12 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to New Castle County, Delaware, marking the first WIFIA loan in the state.
This investment will support the modernization of the Christina River Force Sewer Main, enhancing wastewater service reliability for approximately 330,000 residents.
The project aims to reduce sewer overflows into the Christina River and improve overall system efficiency. The upgrades include installing 2,000 feet of 84-inch force main piping to provide system redundancy and minimize the risk of leaks.
“Our quality of life depends on reliable water infrastructure that keeps local waterways free of sewer discharges,” said Zach Schafer, EPA Director of Policy for EPA Water. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda prioritizes critical infrastructure in counties like New Castle by providing funding for wastewater treatment improvements that also create local jobs.”
New Castle County’s sewer system has faced challenges due to aging infrastructure and population growth. The WIFIA loan will allow the county to address these issues while safeguarding public health and the environment.
“This investment shows the Biden administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure that protects the environment of the lowest-lying state in the nation and safeguarding the public health of the most vulnerable Delawareans,” said U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus. “Wastewater contamination is a common source of disease, and investing in our communities by modernizing our sewer system will protect the livelihoods and wellbeing of families throughout our great state.”
County Executive Matt Meyer expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting, “With this investment, we’ll be able to ensure hundreds of thousands of county residents have a safe, working sewer system for years to come.”
This loan is part of a broader $40 million master agreement under WIFIA to finance New Castle County’s force main rehabilitation project. The EPA’s WIFIA program has supported nearly $45 billion in water infrastructure projects since its inception, creating over 150,000 jobs nationwide.
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