EPA provides loan to Morro Bay city of California for new wastewater treatment plant

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $62mWater Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the City of Morro Bay, California to replace its 63-year-old wastewater treatment plant.

The loan will help the city to install a new treatment and water recycling facility.

These improvements are expected to cut down discharges into the ocean and boost water supply and flood resilience.

Morro Bay with a population 10,600 is the first small community across the country to secure a WIFIA loan.

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said: “This WIFIA loan will help improve water quality in Morro Bay, while using advanced water reuse technology to help provide an enduring source of water to the small community of Morro Bay.

“Through WIFIA, EPA is playing a key role in President Trump’s efforts to improve and upgrade our nation’s water infrastructure. With this loan closing, EPA has now issued 17 WIFIA loans totaling $3.7 billion in credit assistance to help finance $8.4 billion for water infrastructure projects while creating more than 16,000 jobs.”

EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator John Busterud said: “Communities like Morro Bay experience real, on-the-ground benefits when they are able to improve critical infrastructure for clean water and flood protection.

“EPA is committed to continuing our support through low-interest, flexible financing that improves quality of life and protects the environment.”