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Federal, State and Local Officials to Break Ground on $16M in Improvements to Springfield, Mo., Wastewater Treatment Facility

Release Date: 02/12/2010
Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, 913-551-7557 or 816-719-6375 (cell for event only), lancaster.kris@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Feb. 12, 2010) - Ground will be broken Wednesday, Feb. 17, for a $16 million project that will improve the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant in Springfield, Mo. The project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The wastewater project will utilize energy-efficient technologies and green innovations that will lead to sustainable economic recovery. EPA is working with community leaders and the public to develop innovative solutions for managing and financing wastewater infrastructure.

The project is creating 30 new jobs and is expected to be completed by spring of 2012.

Included in the wastewater treatment plant improvements are measures to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption. A new ozone disinfection system will reduce energy consumption resulting in future energy savings of approximately $4 million over 20 years. The ozone system also will reduce maintenance requirements resulting in savings of about $2 million over 20 years.

This is one of a series of EPA events occurring across the nation marking the one-year anniversary of President Obama signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. EPA is awarding $7 billion in stimulus funds for core projects that meet both economic and environmental needs.

News media representatives are welcome to join invited participants EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks, Missouri Department of Natural Resources Deputy Director Dru Buntin, Mayor of Springfield Jim O’Neal, and Executive Director of the Upper White River Basin Foundation John Moore at Wednesday’s ceremony.

WHAT: $16 million Green Energy Efficient project

WHERE: Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant, 3301 S. FF Highway, Springfield, Missouri

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 17, 2010 (A tour of the facility for visiting officials and the news media will take place at 11:10 a.m.)

President Obama has directed that the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at www.recovery.gov. The Recovery Act seeks in part to spur technological advances in science and health and to invest in environmental protection and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits. As part of the Act, Missouri received $146 million for drinking water and wastewater projects.