Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) is proud to announce that, in partnership with the federal government, the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority has awarded loans totaling $18.9 million to three communities in Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District. These federally-supported loans will finance infrastructure improvements for water, sewer, and filtration systems throughout the region.
 
“Many often do not realize the role the federal government, and the EPA, have in financing the water infrastructure necessary to build up our communities and ensure access to clean drinking water,” said Congressman Bishop. “I applaud this federal partnership with the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, which supports needed improvements to sewers, pump stations, water meters, and filtration systems throughout Middle and Southwest Georgia.”
 
The City of Albany was awarded a $15,000,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan for the rehabilitation of the westside and eastside interceptor sewers. The project will prevent line failures of the reinforced concrete sewer pipe and prevent spills into the Flint River.
 
The City of Ellaville was awarded a $501,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan for the replacement of water meters with an automatic meter reading system. This will reduce water loss, enhance system reliability, and lower operation and maintenance costs.
 
Schley County Utilities Authority was also awarded a $406,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan for the installation of a filtration system at the Goolsby-Stevens Road well. This will improve overall water quality for the Schley County community.
 
In a partnership between the EPA and Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund combine federal funding with state and local support for projects that support health-related water supply and water conservation projects, water quality improvements, conservation, wastewater treatment, as well as repairs to sewer and storm water projects.
 
Congress established the Clean Water State Revolving Fund in 1987, and it has provided over $65 billion in assistance for water infrastructure projects since its establishment. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund was established by Congress in 1996. Congress has appropriated the program approximately $20 billion since its establishment, supporting over 12,400 projects.
 
The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority has funded more than 1,600 projects and provided more than $3.7 billion in loans for water, solid waste, and sewer improvements since 1985.