Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced that $13.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds will pay for additional improvements to wastewater treatment plants and collection systems in Norton, Lexington, Richlands, Pulaski, Wise County and Tazewell County. ARRA funding for these projects has become available after bids for previously announced projects came in below estimated costs.
“Because of Virginia’s competitive business environment, we will be able to improve water quality in more localities without having to increase the water and sewer rates paid by our citizens,” Governor Kaine said. “Using the almost $77 million authorized this spring in ARRA water quality funds, we have been working to create or save jobs on 32 projects so far. Being able to fund additional projects means more jobs to Virginians and improved water quality across the state.”
Localities and projects that will now be receiving funding are:
· Tazewell County Public Service Authority, Baptist Valley East Sewer System
· Wise County, Stephens/Guest River Interceptor
· City of Norton, Guest River Interceptor Replacement Phase 2
· City of Lexington, Sewer Line Rehabilitation
· Town of Richlands, Birmingham Area Sewer System Installation
· Town of Pulaski, Peak Creek Sewer Rehabilitation
In April, the State Water Control Board approved $76.9 million in grants funded by the ARRA. Now that the bids for several of those construction projects have been received, $13.9 million still is available for other projects that were approved by the board on a contingency list in case of lower than expected bids. Projects that came in under bid include the combined sewer overflow projects in Lynchburg and Richmond, as well as wastewater collection system construction in Wythe County and the towns of New Market, Big Stone Gap, Orange and Hillsville.
“Safe and reliable wastewater systems are essential to maintaining Southwest Virginia’s excellent quality of life and critical to meeting our economic development goals for the region, said Ninth District Congressman Rick Boucher. “For these reasons, early this year I urged that any stimulus legislation should include robust funding for rural infrastructure, including funding to assist communities construct new water and wastewater systems, and a total of $10.2 billion was included in the Economic Recovery Act for this purpose nationwide. I am pleased that with the additional economic recovery funds announced today for wastewater systems, the Ninth Congressional District has received more than $50 million to date to construct new or improve existing water and wastewater systems,” said Boucher.
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