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Council hears wastewater treatment upgrade: $27.8M project wins 14.9% loan forgiveness from Clean Water Trust
Summary
Public works staff reported a $27.8 million wastewater treatment plant upgrade to improve efficiency and meet phosphorus limits; the project received 14.9% loan forgiveness from the state's Clean Water Trust and a subsidized 1.5% interest rate.
City wastewater officials briefed the council on a $27.8 million treatment plant upgrade designed to improve process efficiency, meet anticipated phosphorus limits and rehabilitate critical infrastructure; the project will receive 14.9% loan forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (Clean Water Trust) and a subsidized loan at about 1.5% interest.
Commissioner Fox said the funding package includes $4,150,000 in loan forgiveness and is substantially cheaper than municipal bond financing. He said the upgrade will replace rental centrifuge practices (the meeting recorded a rental cost of about $250,000 per month for temporary units) with three permanent centrifuges that should reduce processing time and process upsets.
Why it matters: The upgrade aims to improve regulatory compliance, reduce operational instability and lower long-term operating costs for the wastewater enterprise; the Clean Water Trust subsidy improves project affordability.
Supporting details
- Project scope ($27.8M) includes new centrifuges, chemical delivery upgrades, rehabilitation of aging infrastructure and compliance work for new phosphorus discharge limits. - Loan forgiveness of 14.9% equates to roughly $4.15M; loan interest noted at about 1.5% versus higher municipal bond rates. - Staff said additional sewer separation phases and CSO work are planned and that Lowell's status as an environmental justice community helps prioritize Clean Water Trust funding.
Next steps and council requests
Staff will continue design and procurement work; a consultant is preparing a conceptual report on future odor-mitigation projects and staff said that report should be available in the next few months. Councilors asked staff to report back on odor-control options and employee facilities at the plant.
Ending
Councilors praised the wastewater team and asked for regular updates as the project advances through design and SRF financing steps.
