NOLA invited to apply for WIFA loans

DALLAS – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Oct. 22 that the Sewerage and Water Board (SWRB) of New Orleans is among 38 projects, across 18 states, that have been invited to apply for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans. Together, 38 projects will be applying for some $6B in loans to help finance $12B-plus in water infrastructure investments and potentially create about 200,000 jobs. SWRB is invited to apply for $112M to fund the Sewer System Evaluation and Rehabilitation program. This program aims to minimize sanitary system overflows, reducing polluted discharges into Lake Pontchartrain and improving public health. Repair to the sewer system will also help New Orleans to comply with an existing consent decree regarding sanitary sewer overflow violations. EPA’s WIFIA loans allow communities across the country to implement projects to address national water priorities. (Source: EPA 10/22/19) https://www.epa.gov/wifia/wifia-selected-projects