CITY RECEIVES $7.4 MILLION IN STIMULUS MONEY FOR SEWER WORK

(Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009) – The City and County of Honolulu has received $7.4 million in federal stimulus money for wastewater infrastructure improvements.

      “We’re very grateful to President Obama and Hawaii’s Congressional delegation for supporting the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help stimulate our economy and invest in our infrastructure,” Mayor Mufi Hannemann said.  “This one appropriation will support 35 jobs while enabling the City to make more progress in fixing our sewers.”

      The money is earmarked for the Waimalu Sewer Rehabilitation/Reconstruction, Phase I.  This project involves installing new high-density polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride pipes to replace sagging lines in the collection system caused by long-term soil settlement.  It will offer more protection against infiltration of rainwater and help prevent spills.  The existing sewer lines range in age from 27-53 years old. 

      Approximately 5,820 linear feet of sewer lines will be replaced by open-cut trenching and another 630 linear feet by trenchless microtunneling.  The work takes place on Kanuku, Pahemo, Lokowai and Lii-ipo streets, along with Olepe Loop.  These lines flow to the Waimalu Wastewater Pump Station, which feeds the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

      Phase I of the Waimalu project was awarded to Frank Coluccio Construction Company and is estimated to take 820 days.  The federal stimulus money covers a portion of the $45 million project.

      The state Department of Health is managing the ARRA funds as part of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program.  The director of DOH has authorized zero interest and zero loan fee loans with principal forgiveness of the entire loan amount for ARRA funds.  Additional funds from the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund may also become available for the Waimalu project in the form of a loan with a favorable interest rate.

      The $7.4 million to the City and County of Honolulu is one-quarter of the total stimulus money divided amongst the four counties for various projects. 

      Approximately 120 projects are underway on Oahu in August, focused on wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, and the collection system.  These projects are part of $516 million of ongoing wastewater projects that include planning, designing, construction, project management and equipment project phases.

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Contact:

Bill Brennan, City Press Secretary, 768-6928

Markus Owens, ENV Public Communications Officer, 768-3454