Goldsboro receives $6.27 million for sewer
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on August 19, 2016 1:46 PM
The city of Goldsboro is set to receive nearly $6.27 million in Clean Water State Revolving funds as part of a $127 million funding package for communities across the state.
The city plans to use the funding for sewer rehabilitation projects, in an effort to reduce water inflow and infiltration problems, said Marty Anderson, Goldsboro chief city engineer. The funding will also help with sewer line replacements in areas with aging infrastructure, including 100-year-old sewer pipes.
"We're going to continue on with phase four of sewer rehab work and try to repair our sewer system," Anderson said. "We're trying to get a handle on our inflow and infiltration, and this money is going to go toward doing rehab on our aging sewer lines.
"I'm ecstatic that we got it and so is the utility director. What it does is it gets the work done faster."
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund will provide the city with a 20-year, zero-percent interest loan, Anderson said. The program offers $500,000 in debt forgiveness and includes a 2 percent closing cost, said Scott Stevens, city manager.
"It's good news for us," Stevens said. "It's a good deal for our utility rate payers, as well."
State officials announced a collection of grants and loans that will help towns pay for 70 water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
The majority of the funding, nearly $117.8 million, will be provided through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to 16 government-operated public utility systems, More than $5.12 million will be granted to 42 projects across the state, including two in the Wayne County area.
The town of Mount Olive will receive a $150,000 grant for sewer asset inventory and assessment, and the city of Kinston will receive $150,000 for wastewater asset management planing purposes.
Duplin County will also receive a near $1.18 million State Wastewater Reserve Project loan for sanitary sewer improvements at B.F. Grady School.
Since January 2014, the state has provided more than $695 million for similar projects across the state, according to the Office of the Governor.
"Reliable infrastructure is crucial to protecting public health, improving quality of life, and providing economic opportunities in all of our communities," said Gov. Pat McCrory, in a news release. "These projects will enhance water quality and pave the way for economic growth in towns across the state."