Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades - Page last updated June 8, 2023.
Click on the image below to view the complete preliminary plan for Phase 2 upgrades to the Wastewater (sewer) Treatment Plant.
Project Budget Total Estimated Costs - $9,500,000 Grants received to reduce costs to citizens -5,000,000 (MO Dept of Natural Resources, American Rescue Plan Act Funding) Remaining balance to be financed $4,600,000 (includes additional $100K for inflation and increased construction costs) Ballot question on 4/4/23 election to finance balance via Revenue Bond was passed by the Voters of Salem.
Timeline Details for the Wastewater Treatment Plant
2004 - Spring Creek was placed on EPA’s 303d list of impaired waters.
2010 - Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study of contaminants was completed on the stream.
April 2022 - TMDL Study was updated and new levels for discharge to the stream were set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The City of Salem has been working with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) continually during this time to develop a reasonable and affordable solution to meet the new TMDL levels.
Completed - Phases 1 A and B of upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant.
Submitted – Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Plan for future upgrades to MDNR detailing a phased improvement plan to meet the new TMDLs.
Estimated Cost of new WWTF upgrades - $9,500,000
November 2022 – City of Salem awarded MDNR ARPA Grant for upgrades of $5,000,000 – Funds must be spent by December 31, 2026
March 2023 – City of Salem to apply for MDNR State Revolving Fund (SRF) grant of $2,000,000
April 2023 – Sewer Bond in the amount of $4,600,000 was approved by voters on ballot during municipal election.
Spring 2023 – Application to MO Department of Economic Development for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for $750,000
Bond financing is lower cost than traditional financing.
IF THE BOND PASSES –$2,000,000 SRF grant is almost guaranteed
IF THE BOND PASSES AND WE GET THE CDBG GRANT OF $750,000 –The Bond will close at about $1,800,000 instead of $4,600,000
WITH THE IFS IN THE ABOVE LINE – $9,500,000 – 5,000,000-2,000,000-750,000 = $1,750,000. This amount to be financed through the bond funding and payback will be through increased sewer rates
Sewer Bond is anticipated to close Fall of 2024.
In the meantime, City Staff are continuing to look for and vet additional funding sources to potentially reduce the amount of the bond (future liability) even further.
