Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Commissioner David Salyers announced on Tuesday a $10,671,200 loan for the Hamilton County Waste Water Treatment Authority (WWTA) to improve water infrastructure.

The loan is one of two approved by the Tennessee Local Development Authority, with loans for Hamilton County WWTA and the Town of Bell Buckle totaling $11.6 million.  

“We are pleased to provide these funds through the State Revolving Fund Loan Program,” Governor Lee said.

“This program shows our commitment to modernizing infrastructure across the state.”

“This loan program allows us to assist communities in a significant way,” Mr. Salyers said. “We look forward to the improvements that will result from this action.” 

The Hamilton County loan comes from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program. It will address infiltration and inflow correction for the East Ridge Rehabilitation Basin, repairing over 38,000 feet of sewer lines, associated connections, and manholes. The loan has a 20-year term at 1.47 percent interest.

The second loan is for $886,000 to the Town of Bell Buckle from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program. The loan is associated with a pilot project to develop asset management plans for small community water infrastructure systems. It will include demonstration and education components aimed at helping small communities meet planning needs across the state. The pilot will also benchmark water conservation practices in schools.

Through the State Revolving Fund Loan Program, communities, utility districts, and water and wastewater authorities can obtain loans with lower interest rates than through private financing. These low interest rate loans can vary from zero percent to below market rate, based on each community’s economic health.

This fiscal year, TDEC has awarded $2,371,100 in drinking water loans and $110,971,200 in clean water loans to meet the state’s infrastructure needs. During fiscal year 2019, TDEC awarded $13,345,300 in drinking water loans and $83,324,500 in clean water loans for a total of $96,669,800.

Tennessee’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program has awarded more than $2 billion in low-interest loans since its inception in 1987. The state’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program has awarded more than $300 million in low-interest loans since its inception in 1996.