Local drinking water systems will improve thanks to state programDate: 1/18/2022 WESTERN MASS. – Three communities locally will be benefiting from a loan forgiveness program that is aimed at improving drinking water systems.
State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, announced that more than $23.9 million in grants were awarded for 33 projects in 26 communities across the state. “The grant funds are awarded to cities, towns, counties, and water utilities most in need of financial assistance to help pay for improvements to drinking water and wastewater infrastructure,” according to information supplied by Goldberg’s office.
Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee are the Western Massachusetts communities that have received grants.
Thirty-three projects across the state are being funded by $23.9 million in low interest loans by the trust. These funds reduce the total loan amount and are meant for communities that may not be able to complete this necessary work without additional financial assistance.
“Providing these funds saves significant dollars for our local communities while protecting the environment and the health of our citizens. This $23.9 million investment is another wonderful example of the Trust’s work helping our cities and towns, and most importantly the people who live here,” Goldberg said in a written statement.
The news was welcomed by local officials. Mayor John Vieau of Chicopee told Reminder Publishing, “Treasurer Goldberg’s Loan Forgiveness program helps Chicopee improve and repair critical functions of our water pollution control systems without passing the burden onto the rate payers. We rely upon these types of programs to continue the upgrades in our plant and equipment.”
Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia said, “The city of Holyoke is thrilled to receive this grant in order to address one of our community’s most pressing issues. This represents an opportunity to make significant strides in preventing sewer overflow without burdening taxpayers. The sooner we secure additional funding sources like this to back sewer improvement projects, the sooner we can avoid harming our water sources and the community at large.”
Springfield Water and Sewer Commission Executive Director, Josh Schimmel said, “The commission is grateful for the support of the Clean Water Trust. The almost $5 million in loan forgiveness for this critical project, which will help protect drinking water quality for 250,000 people, frees up funding for other essential projects needed to modernize our aging water infrastructure.”
The projects are described as follows:
Chicopee
Jones Ferry Wastewater Pump Station Phase II Improvements. The Jones Ferry Pump Station is considered the most critical pump station in the city of Chicopee because it pumps most of the flow that is conveyed to the water pollution control facility in the Connecticut River interceptor. The Jones Ferry Pump Station has several critical vulnerabilities. One pump is offline due to impeller failure and there are no means to isolate and bypass this pump station. Further, much of the existing equipment has reached the end of its useful life. This project includes the replacement of existing wastewater pumps with new submersible pumps. Existing entry doors, roof, grating in the wet well, slide gates, and fuel storage tank and motor control center are being replaced. Upgrades to the ventilation system, oil furnace, unit heaters, and monorail system are being performed. A new sewage grinder, variable frequency drives, a rock catcher, and a magnetic flow meter are being installed.Total loan: $4,281,560; loan forgiveness: $423,874.
Solids Handling Improvements Project. This project includes the demolition and replacement of a belt filter press with a centrifuge. A redundant sludge cake pump is being installed and the primary clarifier is being upgraded. These improvements are being done by replacing the mechanisms, cross collector, and scum collector pipe along with associated electrical upgrades. The improvements will replace aged equipment, improve reliability of the solids handling process, and increase solids handling capabilities at the city of Chicopee’s Water Pollution Control Facility. Total loan $4,963,150; loan forgiveness: $491,352.
Holyoke
Phase 2A Water Main Replacement Project. This project is replacing approximately 6,000 feet of cast iron along with watermain that is undersized at four and six inches and is over 100 years old in downtown Holyoke. This work is phase 2A of the “Holyoke Water Works Capital Improvement Plan” to address high priority water main replacements. The work is also in coordination with the City of Holyoke’s combined sewer overflow abatement project happening in the same area. This replacement will improve redundancy and reliability of the water distribution system. Total loan: $2,623,924; loan forgiveness: $519,537.
Springfield
Clearwell and Backwash Pump Station Replacement. The new one million gallons per day (MGD) Clearwell and associated backwash pump station are replacing old, failing facilities that have been needed to maintain the reliable operation of the 60 MGD water production. The failing facilities are adversely impacting the water quality being produced. The failing is contributing to maximum contamination level exceedances of halo acetic acids that resulted in non-compliance with the Stage 2 Disinfection By-Products Rule.Total Loan: $25,089,000; loan forgiveness: $4,967,622.
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