The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program accelerates investment in our nation's water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects. WATER RECLAMATION PROJECT BORROWER: City of Morro Bay LOCATION: Morro Bay, CA WIFIA LOAN AMOUNTS: $61.7 million TOTAL WIFIA PROJECT COSTS: $125.9 million POPULATION SERVED BY PROJECT: 10,600 NUMBER OF JOBS CREATED: 403 jobs PROJECT DESCRIPTION The City of Morro Bay, a small community, will replace its over 60-year-old Morro Bay-Cayucos Wastewater Treatment Plant which discharges into the estuary. The new advanced water treatment reclamation facility will recapture and recycle wastewater to help supplement the City water supply. As a result, the City will reduce its reliance on imported water and improve groundwater quality in the local aquifer by adding highly treated water. In addition, the new facility will be moved inland to increase its resiliency and reduce the risk of flooding. PROJECT BENEFITS • Produces .97 million gallons per day of recycled water that will meet indirect potable reuse standards • Helps the City meet the California Coastal Commission's requirements by relocating the facility inland and producing more locally-sourced water • Saves the City of Morro Bay ratepayers an estimated $28.6 million by financing the project with a WIFIA loan compared to a bond issuance WIFIA PROGRAM City of Morro Bay £% United States Environmental Protection kl m % Agency WEBSITE: www.epa.gov/wifia EMAIL: wifia@EPA.gov ------- |