City will expand its wastewater treatment system
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 22, 2021 - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources awarded $6 million in financial assistance to the city of Centralia for upgrades to its wastewater treatment system. The project’s total cost is estimated at nearly $6.8 million and is expected to be completed by September 2022.
This project will convert the city’s wastewater treatment system, which currently involves discharging to waterways and overland flow fields and partial land application, to a completely non-discharging land application system. The conversion will include construction of two large wastewater storage cells, installation of new higher-velocity pumps and adding or replacing approximately 50,000 feet of sewer mains.
The funding assistance will also allow the city to prepay the prior loan for the purchase of about 140 acres for additional land application. By adding supplemental land application capability to the existing treatment system, the city can eliminate overland flow discharge to Missouri waterways and recycle nutrients back into the soil. Also, adopting a complete no-discharge system will reduce the need for sampling and minimize the need for upgrades to comply with future Clean Water Act requirements.
“Missourians rely on essential infrastructure like wastewater treatment systems that support safe and healthy places to live and work,” said Governor Mike Parson. “We are committed to helping communities maintain and improve those key systems, so they can continue to grow and succeed.”
“We are proud to offer communities like Centralia funding assistance vehicles that can help them undertake water and wastewater improvement projects,” said Dru Buntin, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. “We can tailor assistance programs for cities of all sizes so they can improve their treatment systems, which help protect public and environmental health while reaping extraordinary economic benefits.”
The project’s funding consists of a $5 million loan, a $1 million grant through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $668,719 in city funds. The funding provided by the department is estimated to save the city’s ratepayers $1 million in principal and approximately $1million in interest over the loan’s 20-year term.
The department is committed to assisting Missouri communities with water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects. Through its Financial Assistance Center, the department provides funding opportunities for communities with water quality, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure needs. This project will be funded wholly or in part with monies received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information on wastewater and drinking water funding opportunities, visit dnr.mo.gov/water/business-industry-other-entities/financial-opportunities/financial-assistance-center.