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Wilmington committee reviews $30 million bond plan to install PFAS removal at Porter plant
Summary
Deputy Public Works Commissioner Vince Scrudato told the Finance & Economic Development committee the city proposes a roughly $30 million, 20-year general obligation bond (2% interest) to fund phased PFAS treatment construction at the Porter Filter Plant, with about $7.5 million in principal forgiveness and a target completion by 2031 to meet EPA requirements.
The Finance and Economic Development committee on June 8 reviewed a proposal to issue approximately $30 million in general obligation bonds to fund installation of PFAS removal equipment at Wilmington’s Porter Filter Plant.
"This is a 20-year loan at 2% for $30 million; out of that $30 million, approximately 7 and 1/2 million in principal forgiveness will drop off the debt service at the end of the project," said Vince Scrudato, deputy commissioner in the Department of Public Works, who presented the ordinance to the committee.
Scrudato said the bond would finance phased construction: electrical improvements, chemical-feed storage, site work, a new PFAS treatment facility and a transfer pump station. He described the project as complicated because the treatment must be integrated into an older, space‑constrained site.
Councilwoman Oliver expressed support for the project as "overdue," saying she backed measures that protect drinking water. Scrudato said the city must meet an EPA deadline—now extended—to complete construction by 2031.
The committee did not take a final vote; Scrudato indicated procurement activity (including an electrical improvements bid package) was forthcoming and that the bond proposal will appear on the June 18 full council agenda.
What’s next: the ordinance will be considered by the full City Council on June 18; city staff will proceed with bidding for early work packages and refine project schedules and financing details ahead of final approval.
