(September 26, 2007)—A bill passed by Congress this week includes a $16 million authorization for Charleston Water System's massive sewer tunnel replacement project.
The funds are included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) bill, which sets the budget and goals for the major projects of the US Corps of Engineers. The Charleston project now awaits appropriation of funds by Congress. Congressmen Henry Brown and James Clyburn and Senator Lindsey Graham have worked to include the sewer tunnel project in the WRDA bill.
With an estimated total cost of $212 million, replacing the deep sewer tunnels is the single most costly project in Charleston Water System's history. The tunnel system is being replaced in phases, with the third and fourth phases currently under construction. To date, Charleston Water System has funded the project by issuing revenue bonds and raising sewer rates to repay debt.
"Getting federal funds for this project will help ease the burden on our ratepayers by reducing the amount of future rate increases," said David Rivers, Vice Chairman of Charleston Water System's Board of Commissioners. "This is good news for the citizens of Charleston, and we thank Congressman Clyburn, Congressman Brown, and Senator Graham for their tireless efforts to secure funding."
The sewer tunnel replacement project began in 1998 after engineers discovered deterioration inside the 100-foot-deep tunnel system that carries wastewater to Charleston's treatment plant. The deterioration caused sections of the tunnel to collapse, threatening to block the flow of wastewater in the tunnel and result in sewer overflows if not replaced.
"The importance of this project to our quality of life and public health cannot be overstated," said Kin Hill, P.E., Charleston Water System CEO. "We are grateful to Congressmen Brown and Clyburn and Senator Graham for their efforts to secure this $16 million authorization."
-End-
Back to press releases |
