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City of Pueblo (Colo.) recognized for using solar power at wastewater treatment facility

Release Date: 09/27/2011
Contact Information: Richard Mylott, 303-312-6654

200 kW solar array to reduce energy costs, air pollution

(Denver, Colo. – September 26, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today presented a Clean Water State Revolving Fund award to the City of Pueblo, Colo., for improvements to the community’s wastewater treatment system. Diane Sanelli, director of EPA’s state revolving fund program in Denver, presented the award to City Council President Ray Aguilera at a town council meeting.

In 2009, the City of Pueblo received $1.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for the installation of a solar photovoltaic power system at the James R. Dilorio Water Reclamation Facility. The project award was made through the State of Colorado’s Clean Water Revolving Fund, which is funded by EPA.

”Pueblo is one of several Colorado communities that have used Recovery Act funds to make innovative, long-term investments in public health and the environment,” said Sanelli. “The 200 kilowatt array is making the City’s operations more sustainable by reducing pollution and operating costs.”

The water and wastewater industry consumes 7 percent of the electricity generated globally. EPA’s efforts to help water utilities transition to renewable sources helps boost energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

EPA’s state revolving fund program provides low-interest subsidized loans for water and drinking water projects. The CWSRF program is available to fund a wide variety of water quality projects including nonpoint source, watershed protection or restoration, and estuary management projects, as well as more traditional municipal wastewater treatment projects. The program also emphasizes providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities. Nationally, CWSRFs have leveraged $74 billion for water quality protection, providing over 24,688 low-interest loans to date.

For more information on the Recovery Act and water and drinking water projects in Colorado, visit: https://www.epa.gov/region8/eparecovery/recoveryactsrf.html