The capital cost estimates were developed for both of the collection alternatives and the total costs were very close, however, the operation and maintenance costs for the low-pressure system were higher. Therefore, the cost for the gravity collection system is included in the wastewater treatment alternative costs in the table on the following page. There are three different costs associated with any of the alternatives. This is the cost to design, construct, and finance the collection and treatment system. To help defray the capital costs, the project is eligible for subsidized financing through the Clean Water Fund Program managed by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.
Towns use various methods to pay back the loan.
For example, some towns repay the loan through general taxation and other towns repay the loan through a benefit assessment charge paid by the sewer users over a number of years. The DEP has indicated there is a possibility of constructing the project in phases to help minimize the short-term impact of the costs. The WPCC and Earth Tech are currently reviewing various methods of financing. This is a one-time cost to install the sewer on the property. This is the cost to operate and maintain the system on a daily basis.