Southgate Mayor Joseph Kuspa said during the April 7 City Council meeting that the Downriver Utility Wastewater Authority received an $18 million low interest federal loan.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
SOUTHGATE – Mayor Joseph Kuspa praised an $18 million federal low interest loan to the Downriver Utility Wastewater Authority during the April 7 City Council study session.
He said he learned of the unprecedented loan as a representative of Southgate during a March 23 DUWA national teleconference, which was hosted by Environmental Protection Agency Administer Michael Regan.
Kuspa said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-13th District) and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-12th District) also participated in the call.
“The purpose of this meeting was to announce a new $18 million low interest loan from the EPA to our DUWA organization,” he said. “It is interesting to note that the DUWA system is the second largest wastewater drainage district in Michigan, and this is the first loan of this type that was provided to any entity in Michigan to be given by the EPA, and that’s why it was so significant and noteworthy.”
Kuspa said the loan proceeds will be used to make numerous improvements to DUWA’s wastewater treatment facility, most significant of which will be the renovation of the deep watering centrifuge, which helps remove water from solid material.
“This will greatly decrease our landfill cost by nearly $2 million annually,” he said. “Since acquiring the system from Wayne County, the goal of the 13 communities was to make improvements without increasing rates to our residents. We were committed to fund these improvements through the efficiencies and the effectiveness of professional management and cost efficiencies.”
Kuspa said that while this has proven true during the past two years of the communities’ ownership of DUWA, the EPA loan will allow DUWA to accelerate its capital improvement program, update its infrastructure and remain rate neutral.
“I would like to thank EPA Director Regan and his staff for acknowledging our need here Downriver, and providing access to the EPA loan program,” he said. “To our elected federal representatives, I thank you, as well, and your colleagues, for providing the funding to support this loan program.”
Kuspa also recognized the DUWA administrative staff, whom he credited with working through the arduous and comprehensive loan application process.
“Together, these collective efforts will produce major improvements to our wastewater treatment infrastructure, meeting the goals of the EPA, providing stable rates for our customers and ultimately providing a cleaner and healthier environment for all of our constituents,” he said.