The City of Hoquiam received official notice from the United States Department of Agriculture that they have received a $9,470,000 loan for the biosolids removal project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. With these funds, the City will remove over 30 years of accumulated biosolids to be land applied at an approved facility. Additionally, dikes will be installed so that a portion of the lagoon can be filled with materials from the pontoon construction site or other fill sources. The loan is for 40 years at 2.625% interest.
"This project is number one in our general sewer plan and has been the top priority and concern by our dedicated staff in the sewer department for many years," said City Administrator Brian Shay. "We are all extremely excited about the opportunity to move this project forward rather than continuing to pass on the problem to future generations." The City anticipates bidding the project within 60 days, with construction completed by the fall of 2010. A copy of the Department of Agriculture press release can be found at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome.
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