WESTERLY – The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank announced Sept. 2 that it has closed on a $45 million loan to the town for the first phase of an $85 million project to modernize its wastewater treatment infrastructure.
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan will finance upgrades at the Westerly Wastewater Treatment Facility, including rehabilitation of the headworks building, odor control system, primary and secondary clarifiers, and existing aeration tanks.
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The first phase also includes two new aeration tanks, an influent wet weather bypass pipe, a carbon addition system and new buildings for water treatment materials storage. Electrical, instrumentation and nutrient pump station improvements are also planned.
The 20-year loan carries a 2.85% interest rate. According to the infrastructure bank, the financing will save Westerly ratepayers more than $6 million in interest compared with a market-rate loan.
“Wastewater infrastructure is something that people often take for granted, but it is essential to our communities, and to protecting public health and the environment,” William Fazioli, executive director of the infrastructure bank, said in a statement.
Westerly Town Manager Shawn Lacey said the upgrades are needed to support the community’s long-term health and growth while protecting the environment.
The R.I. Department of Environmental Management is also partnering on the project, which officials said will improve the reliability and capacity of the town’s wastewater system and help meet future treatment demands.
Matthew McNulty is a PBN staff writer. He can be reached at McNulty@PBN.com or on X at @MattMcNultyNYC.
