The Northwestern Water and Sewer District will address manhole corrosion issues in Bloomdales sanitary sewer system, reducing infiltration and inflow of storm water that causes overflows. The sewer district is funding the project with a low-interest loan from Ohio EPA.
Bloomdale is served by a wastewater collection system that is prone to the buildup of hydrogen sulfide, which corrodes manholes. The manholes will be lined and new seals installed to eliminate the infiltration and inflow, reducing the overflows which can degrade water quality.
Created in 1989, the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) provides below-market interest rate loans for communities to improve their wastewater treatment systems. Northwestern Water and Sewer District is receiving a reduced interest rate on this $100,538 loan, saving the district an estimated $21,000 when compared to a conventional, market-rate loan.
Besides improvements to publicly owned treatment works, WPCLF loans have been provided for agricultural best management practices, home sewage system improvements, landfill closures and water quality-based storm water projects. The WPCLF provides technical assistance to public wastewater systems in a variety of areas from the planning, design and construction of improvements to enhancing the technical, managerial and financial capacity of these systems. WPCLF loans also make possible the restoration and protection of some of Ohios highest quality water bodies through the funds Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program.
Ohio EPAs revolving loan funds are partially supported by federal grants and designed to last indefinitely through repayment of loans and investments in bonds. The loan program is managed by Ohio EPAs Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance, with assistance from the Ohio Water Development Authority. Ohio EPA is responsible for program development and implementation, individual project coordination, and environmental and other technical reviews/approvals of projects seeking funds. The Ohio Water Development Authority provides financial management of the fund.
More information about the WPCLF is available at: epa.ohio.gov/defa/EnvironmentalandFinancialAssistance.aspx.