“Congratulations to our partners at Miami-Dade County on closing your fourth WIFIA loan — a first for this low-interest loan program,” Fox said. “This project will improve water quality for wildlife and recreation and bolster climate resiliency while creating 2,700 quality jobs. These benefits for Miami-Dade County exemplify what the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal can deliver for communities across the country.”
Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department’s Ocean Outfall Legislation Projects include multiple efforts to improve water quality and help meet regulatory requirements by enhancing wastewater treatment processes in its north and central districts. The projects will increase the system’s climate resiliency by modernizing facilities to be better protected and able to operate during extreme weather events. The projects include improvements to wastewater treatment processes, rehabilitation of a sewer pump station, and construction of new injection well pump stations.
The announcement marks Miami-Dade County’s fourth WIFIA loan, bringing the total amount of financing provided by EPA to over $1 billion. This $424-million WIFIA loan will help finance nearly half of the $866 million of project costs for the final phase of the Miami-Dade County Ocean Outfall Legislation Project. The remaining project costs will be funded through revenue bonds and borrower cash. Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department is expected to save $79 million in interest costs through its WIFIA loan. Construction will occur between 2021-2027, with construction and operation expected to create over 2,700 jobs.
