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Date: 1/9/2024
AMHERST — With additional funding under consideration for 2024, the town of Amherst has been awarded a 2023 State Revolving Fund loan with principle forgiveness for the Centennial Water Treatment Facility in Pelham.
Amherst received a loan of $15 million through the 2023 SRF, with an initial principle forgiveness of $2,970,000 to build the plant. Another $597,000 was added to that in August 2023.
The SRF loan program is a joint federal-state financing loan program that provides subsidized interest rate loans to improve or protect water quality and infrastructure systems in the commonwealth.
According to a release from the town of Amherst, the recently released 2024 Draft SRF Intended Use Plans includes an additional $4,930,000 loan to the town to complete the Centennial plant. The 2024 SRF loan would include principle forgiveness of $976,140.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said the funding would have a significant impact, decreasing costs for those making use of the town’s water supplies.
“These funds come at a crucial time as we continue to replace critical infrastructure for the town,” he said. “This work must be done so we can continue to provide an adequate supply of clean drinking water to town residents and our institutional partners well into the future.”
In 2018, the facility went offline after lightning struck and damaged significant electrical components. Until that time, the plant filtered about one million gallons of surface water daily for Amherst.
The existing facility was already considered in need of replacement, due to its age and a decrease in the effectiveness of water treatment.
Amy Rusiecki, assistant superintendent of Public Works acknowledged the benefits the plant’s continued operation would bring.
“Having this facility online gives us the resiliency we need to overcome things such as climate change that might impact our water system in the future,” she said. “The town has five groundwater production wells and four surface water reservoirs that supply an average of 3 million gallons per day of safe drinking water to the residents and businesses as well as Amherst and Hampshire Colleges, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and parts of Pelham, Belchertown, Leverett and Hadley.”
By providing low-interest loans and grants to cities, towns and water utilities through the Massachusetts State Revolving Funds, the Clean Water Trust helps communities build or replace water infrastructure that enhances ground and surface water resources. ensures the safety of drinking water, protects public health, and develops resilient communities.
SRFs finance water infrastructure projects in order to ensure the safety of drinking water, protect public health and develop resilient communities.
The SRF programs are partnerships between the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the commonwealth. To date, the trust has financed approximately $8.25 billion for nearly three hundred borrowers, serving 97% of the commonwealth’s population.