JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $1.37 million in financial assistance to the city of Reeds Spring for upgrades to the city’s drinking water distribution system and water supply infrastructure. The project is estimated to cost $1.92 million and is expected to be completed by October 2017.
The project includes installation of approximately 4.5 miles of polyvinyl chloride waterlines, the renovation of the housing for two wells, fencing and emergency stand-by generator and other system improvements. The distribution system improvements will reduce water loss, which is reported to exceed 38 percent. The well house improvements will provide adequate contact time to achieve the minimum chlorine residual. The addition of a generator will provide emergency back-up power to a third well during power outages.
The funding for the project consists of a $934,500 construction grant and a $434,000 low-interest loan through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and a $56,452 engineering grant. The State Revolving Funds provide financial assistance to communities with infrastructure needs for water quality, wastewater and drinking water. The city has secured $500,000 in other funds to complete the project.
The funding package provided through the department is estimated to save the district’s ratepayers $990,952 in principal and approximately $140,000 in interest costs over the 20-year term of the loan.
The department’s Water Protection Program will administer the funds and is committed to working closely with public entities to assist with funding efforts that support water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects, as well as provide a financial savings. This project will be funded wholly or in part with monies received from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information, visit http://dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/srf/index.html.