WAYNE COUNTY, MI — At a virtual event with Governor Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell and Rashida Tlaib, and local elected and administrative officials, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced an $18-million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the Downriver Utility Wastewater Authority in Wayne County, Michigan, to support critical upgrades for the second largest wastewater system in the state. EPA’s WIFIA loan provides timely financing and significant cost-savings to support infrastructure upgrades while helping control costs.

“EPA is working to build back better by investing in water infrastructure to ensure that all people — no matter how much money they have in their pockets, the color of their skin, or their zip code — have access to clean and safe water,” Regan said. “Our partnership with Downriver Utility Wastewater Authority shows that investment in water infrastructure can protect public health and the environment, create near-term jobs, and support long-term economic development.”

The Downriver Utility Wastewater Authority serves 13 communities in southeastern Michigan — including small, disadvantaged cities like Ecorse and River Rouge. This project and EPA’s WIFIA loan will improve system operations and reliability while helping maintain affordable wastewater services. Along with other critical updates, this project will upgrade the system’s biosolids handling, which will reduce system operation costs by approximately $1.8 million annually. The WIFIA loan will save the Downriver Utility Wastewater Authority an estimated $5 million. EPA’s WIFIA loan enabled Downriver Utility Wastewater Authority to expedite its project timeline — reducing costs sooner.

“Since my first day in office, I've been committed to fixing our state's crumbling infrastructure while ensuring that every Michigander has access to clean water,” Whitmer said. “This WIFIA loan is another fantastic example of the benefits that come when we make bold investments in infrastructure. This loan will increase access to clean water and help bolster our economy by creating new jobs."

EPA’s WIFIA loan will finance nearly half of project costs of $36.4 million. Through WIFIA, EPA is playing a key role in efforts to build back better by improving and upgrading the nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure in communities across the country. With this loan closing, EPA has announced 46 WIFIA loans totaling more than $9 billion in credit assistance to help finance over $19 billion for water infrastructure projects while creating more than 47,000 jobs.