Projects range from mitigating flooding risks to improving water quality through innovative stormwater treatment methods in the general landscape of improving wisconsin cities infrastructure. In the latest update from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Clean Water Fund Program stands out, allocating a substantial $414.4 million to 84 municipalities across the state. This funding, aimed particularly at smaller and underserved communities, targets essential upgrades in stormwater and wastewater infrastructure, addressing critical issues like phosphorus discharges and aging equipment. The program, backed by a record-breaking financial aid, comprises primary forgiveness and reduced-interest-rate loan funding, totaling $561.3 million and $358.3 million, respectively. Examples include Superior’s efforts to combat abnormal flow and Denmark’s focus on phosphorus reduction. Such initiatives align with Governor Tony Evers’ vision of ensuring access to clean drinking water for all Wisconsinites and underscore the state’s commitment to meeting environmental regulations and preparing for future challenges.
Wisconsin DNR’s Clean Water Fund Program: Boosting Infrastructure Upgrades Across Municipalities
Through the Clean Water Fund Program, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has given 84 municipalities $414. 4 million to upgrade their stormwater and wastewater infrastructure.
With a focus on smaller and underserved communities, the funding will assist municipalities throughout the state in building necessary water infrastructure, such as projects that reduce phosphorus discharges and address aging equipment.
The program received a record amount of financial aid, totaling $414.4 million. The DNR is allocating $561.3 million in primary forgiveness and $358.3 million for subsidised, reduced-interest-rate loan funding.
The next year of Supplemental Wastewater Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding is represented by the 2024 Clean Water Fund Program Funding List.
Impactful Projects Under Wisconsin DNR’s Clean Water Fund Program: Enhancing Infrastructure and Water Quality Across Municipalities
Examples of funded projects include the following:
- The funding for the city of Superior is $3,767,373, including $1,130 and 212 in general principal forgiveness, with the remaining funds coming from a loan with lower interest rates. This money will be used to lessen flooding and abnormal flow to the wastewater treatment plant during inclement weather. A best management practice will be used to treat stormwater in order to enhance water quality. In the upcoming months, municipalities will receive the funding, which will be distributed as ready costs are incurred.
- The village of Denmark will receive $5 million in funding, of which $1 million will go toward phosphorus reduction priority principal forgiveness and $832,500 will be used to pay off the remaining debt in the form of a loan with lower interest rates. To lower phosphorus concentrations in the effluent from the village’s wastewater treatment plant, Denmark will use the funding to build a primary treatment process.
- The Soldiers Grove village is receiving $386,000 in funding, of which $215,774 are general principal forgiven and $54,040 are priority principal forgiveness for phosphorus reduction, with the remaining funds being provided by a loan with lower interest rates. This money will be used to replace and modernize outdated equipment as well as to lower phosphorus concentrations in the effluent from the village’s wastewater treatment plant.
Wisconsin’s Clean Water Fund Program: Safeguarding Public Health and Water Quality Through Infrastructure Support
For wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects that safeguard and enhance public health and water quality for current and future generations, the Clean Water Fund Program offers municipalities in Wisconsin inexpensive financial assistance.
Every Wisconsin resident has access to good, safe, and clean drinking water from their tap, according to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.” Helping communities replace and modernize ageing systems to ensure they meet national and state regulations is a crucial part of our work.” and continued “These funds will assist communities in ensuring they have the infrastructure they can rely on to deal with stormwater and wastewater, as well as being also better equipped to handle any potential future challenges.