Richmond wants $30 million to fund needed wastewater plant improvements

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The City of Richmond is trying to acquire $30 million in funding to help make much-needed repairs at its Wastewater Treatment Plant.

During a regular meeting on Wednesday, May 21, the Richmond City Council's Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee recommended two ordinances that, if approved, could bring $30 million in additional funding to a "Wastewater Treatment Plant Thickening and Dewatering Facilities Improvements" project.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant is a dated facility in need of several upgrades to ensure it continues to function reliably, per city documents. For example, several necessary parts are near the end of their lifetime, with maintenance on said parts becoming very costly and time-consuming.

With this $30 million, the city would be able to replace and install a variety of new parts, new instruments and controls, new HVAC equipment and new drainage and access roads. Construction of a new masonry building, a new metal building and a new large outdoor enclosure would also be possible.

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The first of the two ordinances, if approved, would simply authorize the city of Richmond to accept $1.5 million from the Virginia Resources Authority for this project. It would also amend the city budget to account for those dollars.

The second ordinance would allow the city to enter a financing agreement with the Virginia Resources Authority -- valued at $28.5 million -- to further fund the project. The funds would be given to Richmond as a loan at a rate of 0.5% up to 25 years. Per the city, total interest on this loan is expected to be about $2 million.

Richmond's aging infrastructure has remained a topic of conversation for some time. However, the state of its water system in particular has risen to the forefront in the wake of January's widespread water crisis.

Richmond City Council will review these ordinances during its next regular meeting, which will be held at 6 p.m. on May 27.