JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $990,860 in financial assistance to the city of Pierce City to upgrade the city’s wastewater treatment facility and sewer collection infrastructure.
"This funding provides Pierce City the opportunity to update their wastewater treatment facility and sewer infrastructure while potentially saving the community more than $540,000 over the life of the loan," said Harry Bozoian, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. "These updates will ensure that the facility and sewer infrastructure are operating in a safe and healthy manner for both the local citizens and the surrounding environment."
The project includes the installation of an ultraviolet disinfection system and a fine screening structure, the replacement of two clarifier skimmer arms to the existing treatment facility, along with the replacement of an inadequate lift station that receives the majority of the flow from the city. This will result in improved water quality for Clear Creek and extend the life of the wastewater treatment facility. The new lift station should reduce the number of sanitary sewer overflows experienced by the city’s customers and more efficiently move wastewater to the treatment facility.
The project is estimated to cost $990,860 and is expected to be completed by August 2017. The funding for the project consists of a $494,860 grant and a $496,000 low-interest loan through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which provides financial assistance to communities with infrastructure needs for water quality, wastewater and drinking water.
The $990,860 funding package is estimated to save the city’s ratepayers $494,860 in principal and approximately $140,000 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/.