ATLANTA — A state loan will help Porterdale improve its sewer system.

The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority board of directors announced a $2,514,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to the city last month.

It was one of 19 projects awarded last month to Georgia communities totaling just under $50.8 million for water, wastewater and sewer infrastructure improvements.

The loan will finance rehabilitating and replacing sewer lines and manholes in Porterdale, which should improve the city sewer system’s efficiency.

The city will pay 1.25 percent interest on the 20-year loan. Porterdale is eligible for a reduced interest rate because it is a WaterFirst Community.

“GEFA loans help local governments improve their environmental infrastructure,” Kevin Clark, executive director of the authority, said.

“Financing water, wastewater, solid waste and energy, land and water conservation projects encourages economic growth and the stewardship of our environment.”

Porterdale received the loan federal loan program administered by GEFA.

“I want to thank Mr. Clark and GEFA for helping the city of Porterdale secure the funding they need to make these improvements,” state Sen. Tonya Anderson, D-Lithonia, said.

“These updates are critical to the future prosperity and growth of this community and we know that this would not be possible without these low-interest loans. I look forward to the completion of this project and others in the future.”

Clark said he thanked Gov. Nathan Deal, Georgia’s congressmen and members of the General Assembly for their support.

“The state’s commitment to helping cities and counties finance infrastructure projects contributes greatly to improving Georgia’s water resources,” Clark said.

“Low-interest financing from GEFA helps communities throughout the state,” White County Commission Chairman Travis Turner, the chairman of the GEFA Board of Directors, said.