Ohio EPA Requests Nominations to Finance 2017 Drinking Water Projects

Washington, D.C. – January 25, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Ohio EPA is accepting nominations to finance drinking water infrastructure improvements through the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA).

In order to be considered for 2017 funding, all project nomination forms and supporting information must be submitted via email to DWAF.mail (at) epa.ohio (dot) gov by March 1, 2016.

Updates and highlights for Program Year 2017 include:

Ohio EPA will continue to offer up to $50 million in no interest loans for public drinking water systems (that use surface water as a source) for projects to treat cyanotoxins associated with Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB);
Larger water systems are encouraged to nominate large projects for funding consideration for 2017;
A no interest loan is available for all applicants needing planning loans;
Disadvantaged communities are strongly encouraged to nominate projects for principal forgiveness funding. Priority will be given to projects that consolidate small disadvantaged community systems into larger systems.
Up to 50 percent of the costs to a maximum of $10,000 in principal forgiveness will be available for emergency power needs at construction projects.
Ohio EPA may offer a limited amount of principal forgiveness for asset management planning.
The WSRLA offers below-market rate loans to eligible public water systems to fund infrastructure improvements that eliminate public health threats and ensure compliance with federal and state drinking water laws and regulations.

The program is administered by Ohio EPA with assistance from the Ohio Water Development Authority. Since 1998, the WSRLA has provided over $1.1 billion in community loan assistance, and saved its customers over $160 million in interest expense. Ohio EPA estimates WSRLA loans equate to grants of 15 percent to 38 percent of a project’s total cost when compared to conventional finance rates.

Projects may be nominated by following instructions and forms available at http://epa.ohio.gov/defa/EnvironmentalandFinancialAssistance.aspx, and http://epa.ohio.gov/ddagw/financialassistance.aspx.

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The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was created in 1972 to consolidate efforts to protect and improve air quality, water quality and waste management in Ohio. Since then, air pollutants dropped by as much as 90 percent; large rivers meeting standards improved from 21 percent to 89 percent; and hundreds of polluting, open dumps were replaced with engineered landfills and an increased emphasis on waste reduction and recycling.

PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Linda Fee Oros