The wastewater treatment plant in Norwich is in need of roughly $16 million for reconstruction and repairs, a quarter of which was approved for bonding by the city's common council Tuesday. (Photo by Shawn Magrath).

NORWICH – The Norwich Common Council has approved a measure to bond $4 million for repairs to its wastewater treatment plant, setting in motion what’s likely to be a years-long endeavor to get the facility up to standard.

City officials unanimously passed the measure at a special meeting of the Common Council on Tuesday. The resolution authorizes work at the wastewater treatment plant to be paid through a series of low or zero interest loans, with intent to seek additional grant funding to lessen the city’s financial hit as work progresses.

The city still has a long way to go in order to fund the scope of work needed at the wastewater facility. Financing approved by the Common Council covers only a fourth of the total $16 million worth of construction needed to keep the plant operational. City officials anticipate that state and federal grants will become available to fund at least half the project, but sources for the remaining $8 million are uncertain.

According to Norwich DPW Superintendent Edward Pepe, the 40-year-old wastewater treatment plant is simply showing its age. Although the city’s in compliance with health and safety regulations, key components of the plant are wearing out fast and must be replaced.

The $4 million approved by the city will get the project rolling by fixing key issues first, explained Pepe.