The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved $240 million in Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans to support major water and wastewater upgrades across Oregon and Washington, reinforcing efforts to deliver safe, reliable water services to communities in the Pacific Northwest.
The newly approved financing will benefit King County, Washington, the City of Medford, Oregon, and northwest Oregon, helping modernise ageing systems, improve water quality, and strengthen long-term infrastructure resilience. Loan repayments will ultimately reimburse the U.S. Treasury, ensuring the programme remains financially sustainable.
EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer said the WIFIA programme continues to accelerate water infrastructure investment nationwide by finalising new loans, disbursing funds under existing agreements, and opening new funding rounds. Since its launch, the programme has grown into a critical financing tool supporting communities and the broader U.S. economy.
Breakdown of Approved WIFIA Loans
In King County, Washington, the EPA approved a $65 million WIFIA loan to modernise wastewater infrastructure. The project will replace and construct key system components, extend the useful life of parts of the wastewater pipeline by up to 50 years, and benefit thousands of residents and businesses. This marks King County’s fifth WIFIA loan, bringing total WIFIA-backed wastewater investment in the county to more than $1 billion.
In Medford, Oregon, a $147 million loan will support infrastructure upgrades benefiting around 166,000 people. The project aims to protect water quality in the Rogue River, one of the region’s most significant waterways, while generating