Lee, TDEC Announce $231,000 Loan for Plateau Utility District Water Improvements

Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Commissioner David Salyers today announced a $231,000 loan for the Plateau Utility District to improve water infrastructure.

The Plateau Utility District, serving Wartburg and Sunshine, receives the loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program. It will address the planning and design for wastewater treatment plant improvements and advanced treatment. The loan has a 5-year term at 1.13 percent interest. The Plateau Utility District received $115,500 in principal forgiveness with the remainder of the loan amount to be paid back as principal.

Through the State Revolving Fund Loan Program, communities, utility districts, and water and wastewater authorities can obtain loans with lower interest rates than through private financing. These low-interest rate loans can vary from zero percent to below market rate, based on each community’s economic health.

“Tennessee continues to support infrastructure investments for a growing state, including water quality improvements,” said Lee. “We are pleased these funds will make projects affordable to deliver important resources for Tennesseans across the state.”

“Water quality is one of the most important priorities we have in protecting natural resources,” Salyers said. “The low-interest loans help make water improvements possible, and we are glad the community will benefit.”

This fiscal year, TDEC has awarded $58,534,982 in drinking water loans and $75,951,597 in clean water loans to meet the state’s infrastructure needs. During fiscal year 2024, TDEC awarded $54,108,182 in drinking water loans and $85,350,843 in clean water loans for a total of $139,459,025.

Tennessee’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program has awarded more than $2 billion in low-interest loans since its inception in 1987. The state’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program has awarded more than $300 million in low-interest loans since its inception in 1996.