WIFIA loan for Morris Forman project marks MSD commitment to community

WIFIA
April 16, 2021

The April 15 announcement of a $97 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to Louisville MSD marks a commitment to safe, clean waterways for the community while also saving money.

MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan, Kentucky’s Secretary of Energy and Environment Rebecca Goodman, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, and other officials for the announcement conducted via video conferencing.

Regan said the loan would finance almost half of the $197.8 million project costs for improvements on processing biosolids at Morris Forman Water Quality Treatment Center (WQTC), the oldest and largest wastewater treatment plant in Kentucky.

“This WIFIA partnership shows how water infrastructure can help communities build back better under the American Jobs Plan by strengthening public health and environmental protection while creating jobs and supporting water affordability,” Regan said.

The improvements will create the capacity to produce 40,000 dry tons of exceptional quality biosolids per year for beneficial reuse, reducing reliance on landfills. This will significantly increase energy production—bringing the facility closer to energy independence—and improve system operations and reliability while maintaining affordable wastewater services for the community.

“So, our local environment benefits, as do the residents who live nearby. I join our fantastic MSD team, community partners and the EPA leadership in celebrating the EPA’s WIFIA loan to help make much-needed improvements,” said Mayor Greg Fischer.

Parrott said the loan’s low interest rate and long repayment schedule would save ratepayers about $15 million in interest. “We could not get this rate from any other lending institution. The improvements to our solids handling process will result in a win for our customers and the environment for generations to come.”

The video conference can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3gaNpc6.