WIFIA
PROGRAM
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.
COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOW PHASE IMA FACILITIES
BORROWER: Narragansett Bay Commission
LOCATION: Providence, Rl
WIFIA LOAN AMOUNTS: $268.7 million
TOTAL WIFIA PROJECT COSTS: $548.4 million
POPULATION SERVED BY SYSTEM: 161,000
NUMBER OF JOBS CREATED: 1,755 jobs
Bucklin Point Wastewater Treatment Facility
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Combined Sewer Overflow Phase 111A Facilities project is the third phase of projects to
contain the combined sewer overflows during rain events so that the stored flows can be
returned to the wastewater system for treatment after storms. During heavy rain storms, these
combined flows frequently exceed the capacity of the sewer system and overflow into local
rivers and Narragansett Bay. These overflows carry pollutants in the form of sewage solids,
metals, oil, grease and bacteria which can affect the health of those who swirn in polluted
water or eat shellfish contaminated by these materials. The Phase III Facilities include a long
deep rock tunnel, two work shafts, four drop shafts, a tunnel pump station, and several
improvements to the wastewater collection system.
PROJECT BENEFITS
•	Protect the water quality in Narragansett Bay, contributing to reducing annual
combined sewer overflow volumes by 98%
•	Achieve an 80% reduction in shellfish bed enclosures
•	Supports reaching compliance with Narragansett Bay Commission's Consent Agreement
with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
•	Saves Narrangsett Bay Commission's ratepayers $99.6 million financing the project with
WIFIA loans compared to a bond issuances.
United States
Environmental Protection	WEBSITE: www.epa.gov/wifia
Agency	EMAIL: wifia@EPA.gov

-------