By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
On December 13, Governor Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, announced that over $414 million has been allocated through the Clean Water Fund Program to 84 municipalities to improve their wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. Evers stated, “The funding will help municipalities across the state construct needed water infrastructure, including projects that reduce phosphorus discharges and address aging equipment, with a focus on small and disadvantaged communities.”
The City of Whitewater was approved for the $4,361,500 allocation that it had requested from the fund, to be used for replacing the existing Vanderlip Wastewater Pumping Station located west of Carriage Drive and removing the Fraternity Pumping Station located at Fraternity Lane and Florence Street. Pumping stations may also be called lift stations. According to Public Works Director Brad Marquardt, “The project will also include sanitary sewer replacement, spot curb and gutter replacement, updated ADA compliant curb ramps, and new asphalt pavement on Carriage Drive from Tratt Street west, Tratt Street from Carriage Drive to Starin Road, Fraternity Lane from Florence Street north and Florence Street from Fraternity Lane (to the south) to Fraternity Lane (to the north). Work is expected to begin in January 2024 and be completed in December 2024.”
The city is eligible for $2,100,000 of the principal to be forgiven, so the loan will actually be $2,261,500 with interest at 55% of the market rate. The principal forgiveness will help to offset the need for future higher wastewater rate hikes.
Marquardt concluded, “The Wastewater Utility is committed to efficiently operate and maintain all aspects of the Wastewater Utility to ensure all water returned back into the environment meets or exceeds State and Federal regulations. The Vanderlip Project achieves this commitment by removing a pumping station and its associated daily and long term maintenance costs, and replacing deteriorating wastewater piping that has begun to show signs of leaking.”
