Between 1972 and 1994 we invested $126 million to construct a wastewater treatment plant and related facilities to eliminate wastewater discharges to the Merrimack River which runs through the center of our City. This water pollution abatement work was financed through a partnership of federal, state and local governments. We all recognized that the problem being addressed was a national problem and the involvement of the national government was required and appropriate.
That plant has been operational for 23 years and has significantly reduced the pollution of the Merrimack River. My City is extremely proud of that achievement and views the River as one of the major assets that sustain the quality of life we have. We are now undertaking a major riverwalk park development program, in the heart of our City, that will enable us to improve access and use of the River. The Merrimack has always played a key role in the history of the City and we anticipate this asset will play a key role in the revitalization of our downtown and our economic future.
As mentioned, Manchester was built with combined sewers, the state of the art at the time. Our combined system discharges up to 40 times a year at 26 locations. Several years ago, Manchester was contacted by the EPA and told that it was now the time to address the problems associated with a combined system. The Agency was seeking the total elimination of all discharges from our combined system. The early estimates were that these improvements would cost almost $300 million, a mind staggering amount. As Mayor, I am constantly challenged to find ways to meet the needs of schools, ensure the public safety, and maintain our infrastructure, while constantly trying to minimize taxes and maintaining support for the many responsibilities a City has. Asking the citizens to spend nearly $300 million in the face of the many other demands upon them is difficult. Asking them to spend it to correct a problem that happens only a few times per year and is only transitory in nature, is absurd. My citizens rightly wanted to know where is the common sense in asking us to spend that amount of money, so that we can swim in the Merrimack River four more rainy days per year when there is presently no swimming now due to natural constraints.
Fortunately, with the strong support of the entire New Hampshire delegation and Governor Shaheen, we were able to negotiate a more reasonable innovative solution to address our CSOs with the EPA and NH Department of Environmental Services. However, this plan will require more than $60 million in capital improvements in a ten year first phase, with the ultimate CSO Program cost potentially being double the cost of the first phase. Sixty million dollars is equivalent to the sum of 3 new schools, 1 new police station, 2 new fire stations and 150 miles of street resurfacing. In the face of litigation and given our communities strong environmental awareness, we have agreed to that program knowing that the federal and state government's participation would be limited to slightly discounted loans we hope to receive through the State Revolving Fund.
As a result, sewer rates in my community will nearly double in ten years to implement this program's first phase. The doubling of our sewer rates will slow Manchester's growth by driving industries into the surrounding communities that do not have the expense of the CSO issue.
I am here in support of S.914 and the efforts of the CSO Partnership because it seeks to restore the historic partnership that has been so critical to the clean water successes we have had to date. The program that Manchester is undertaking fits within the procedural provisions of the S.914 in terms of the implementation schedule. We need the federal funding authorized by S.914 to help meet this federal mandate. Clean water is a national goal, one the citizens of Manchester fully support. However, with many other claims on our resources, my City and I believe that most cities cannot fulfill this federal mandate without financial assistance. The grants provided through S.914 will ensure that sewer rates in my community remain affordable and do not choke off economic development. I hope that the members of the Committee will act quickly on this bill and help all CSO communities resolve this national problem.
I am happy to answer any question that members of the Committee may have. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak.