EPA Announces $12 Million WIFIA Loan to Modernize and Improve Wastewater Infrastructure in Delaware

EPA Announces $12 Million WIFIA Loan to Modernize and Improve Wastewater Infrastructure in Delaware

December 16, 2024

EPA Announces $12 Million WIFIA Loan to Modernize and Improve Wastewater Infrastructure in Delaware

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $12 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to New Castle County, Delaware that will benefit more than half of the state's population.

This is the first WIFIA loan in the State of Delaware and will help the county modernize the Christina River Force Sewer Main, improving the reliability of wastewater service for approximately 330,000 residents while greatly reducing the likelihood of sewer overflows into the Christina River.

"Our quality of life depends on reliable water infrastructure that keeps our 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 needs upgrades to improve efficiencies, accommodate a growing population, and reduce the likelihood of sewage discharges into the Christina River. Thanks to EPA's WIFIA loan, the Christina River Force Sewer Main Project will allow New Castle County to rehabilitate their sewer system by installing approximately 2,000 feet of 84-inch force main piping, providing system redundancy, and minimizing the risk of leaks.

"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."

"We are excited about this loan which will help maintain this critical piece of infrastructure in New Castle County," said County Executive Matt Meyer. "With this investment, we'll be able to ensure the hundreds of thousands of County residents will have a safe, working sewer system for years to come."

This is New Castle's first WIFIA loan under a master agreement that will commit $40 million to develop New Castle County's force main rehabilitation project. WIFIA's flexible structure helps the county fill a financing gap for this project. It is also the first WIFIA loan in the State of Delaware and will benefit more than half of the state's population.

Since its creation, EPA's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program has announced nearly $21 billion in financing to support $45 billion in water infrastructure projects that are strengthening drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure while creating over 150,000 jobs.

Learn more about the EPA's WIFIA Program and water infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Background

Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan program administered by the EPA. The WIFIA program aims to accelerate investment in the nation's water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. The WIFIA program has an active pipeline of pending applications for projects that will result in billions of dollars in water infrastructure investment and thousands of jobs.
EPA is currently in its 8th selection round for WIFIA financing. In this round, EPA is offering $6.5 billion through WIFIA, and $1 billion through SWIFIA, which is a loan program exclusively for State infrastructure financing authority borrowers. EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans. Learn more about submitting a letter of interest for a WIFIA loan.

In addition to WIFIA loans, there are many federal funding resources available for communities and utilities to improve vital water and wastewater resources. President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation's infrastructure and competitiveness.

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