The City of Houston stands to gain about $1.75 million in federal stimulus money to construct a new wastewater treatment plant to replace its aging facility, according to a Missouri Department of Natural Resources draft plan.
The funds – along with as much as $1.75 million in a low-interest loan and another $500,000 coming from a rural sewer grant – will help residents who earlier approved up to $3.5 million in revenue bonds that required an increase in sewer fees. With the financial package tentatively put in place, Houston sewer customers won’t be holding the bag for as much of the costs. The loan carries an interest rate of less than 2.25 percent. The total financial package is dependent on the cost of the overall project.
The city’s engineering firm, Hood-Rich Architects in Springfield, is expected to seek bids later this month. Upon the opening of the proposals, the city will seek permission from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
The city undertook the project after it learned new, tougher standards would make it impossible to comply using the 1970s-era complex situated north of Walnut Street along Brushy Creek.