Gov. Pillen Recognizes Plattsmouth for Improvements to Drinking Water & Wastewater Infrastructure for Residents

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Carla Felix, DWEE, (402) 471-4223

Gov. Pillen Recognizes Plattsmouth for Improvements to Drinking Water & Wastewater Infrastructure for Residents

PLATTSMOUTH, NE - Today, Governor Jim Pillen recognized Plattsmouth for its efforts in improving water infrastructure for its residents. Speaking at the Plattsmouth Public Library, the Governor was joined by Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) Director Jesse Bradley, NEMA Recovery Section Administrator Donny Christensen, and Plattsmouth Mayor R. Paul Lambert.

Plattsmouth has partnered with DWEE to improve its drinking water and wastewater infrastructure following the devastating flooding in 2019. Flooding left the city's water and wastewater facilities inundated and inoperable for months. Through the state's State Revolving Fund (SRF), DWEE was able to provide bridge funding for Plattsmouth to make repairs as soon as possible until FEMA funding could be provided.

"Plattsmouth has shown extraordinary resiliency in the aftermath of the flood, and it continues to do so as it builds drinking water and wastewater infrastructure that will serve its citizens into the future," said Gov. Pillen.

The State's Drinking Water (DW) and Clean Water (CW) SRF programs provide low-interest loans and loan forgiveness to communities for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects, respectively.

Plattsmouth received $23 million in DWSRF funds to connect its drinking water to the Metropolitan Utilities District of Omaha to secure reliable, safe drinking water, relieving the city from relying on wells and treatment that is vulnerable to flooding. The city also received $37.9 million in CWSRF funding to construct a lift station to send wastewater to its new treatment facility that is protective of the 500-year floodplain.

"The 2019 flooding caused devastating damage to Plattsmouth's wastewater facility," said DWEE Dir. Bradley. "Now, Plattsmouth is looking ahead and building resilient infrastructure for its future."

Plattsmouth received this SRF funding at a 0% interest rate to remain in compliance with the SRF's memorandum of understanding with FEMA to ensure there is no duplication of funds.

"Recovering from a disaster of this scale takes time, coordination, and strong partnerships," added NEMA Administrator Christensen "Through the coordinated efforts of local, state, and federal partners, funding was secured to support critical repairs and help Plattsmouth restore essential water and wastewater services while building greater resilience for the future."

Infrastructure improvements like Plattsmouth's help protect the health and safety of Nebraska residents, improve resiliency, and help strengthen Nebraska's economy, all while keeping the financial burden on taxpayers to a minimum.

"Today, we celebrate far more than a wastewater plant or a water project. We celebrate resilience. We celebrate partnership. And we celebrate a future built on infrastructure that will serve the citizens of Plattsmouth for generations to come," said Mayor Lambert. "Together, we are building more than infrastructure. We are building Plattsmouth's future."

Since their inception, Nebraska's SRF programs have provided more than $1.75 billion in assistance across 713 loans to 326 communities. DWEE expects to fund roughly 40 new projects over the next two years, totaling approximately $220 million. These programs operate as a revolving fund, so repaid dollars continuously cycle back into the program to benefit additional communities.

"Safe drinking water and proper wastewater treatment are fundamental to the health of our communities and the strength of our economy," said Gov. Pillen. "This project is about more than pipes, valves and equipment. It's about protecting public health, supporting the community, and investing in Plattsmouth's future."