Governor Evers Announces Funding for Aging Wastewater/Stormwater Systems; Local Communities Receiving Funds

Friday, December 15th, 2023 -- 1:00 PM

(Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) Gov. Tony Evers and environmental regulators announced Wednesday that the state is devoting a record $414 million to addressing aging wastewater and stormwater systems in Wisconsin.

According to Danielle Kaeding with Wisconsin Public Radio, the financing will be available to 84 communities for building or improving wastewater and stormwater infrastructure through the Clean Water Fund Program overseen by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The funding can be used to reduce phosphorus in discharges, which can contribute to algae formation on lakes and streams. The money can also address aging equipment, and it's being targeted to small and disadvantaged communities.

The funding is a mix of state financing under the Clean Water Fund Program with additional funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed two years ago. The vast majority of the funds will be made available as low interest loans while around $56 million will be awarded as principal forgiveness, which means it reduces the amount that must be repaid.

Some local communities receiving funds include $3,100,000 for the City of Marshfield to construct a tertiary filtration system. $341,250 to Spencer to replace sanitary sewer at Park and LaSalle Street. $227,098 to Granton to reconstruct sanitary sewer on Main Street.

$1,064,173 to Medford for an upgrade at their wastewater treatment plant. $567,823 to Wausau for a force main on Stewart Avenue. $1,375,167 will also go to Wausau for influent screens in the head works of the wastewater treatment plant. $157,010 also for Wausau to replace sanitary sewer on Eau Claire Blvd.

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