A federal infusion of cash will help propel plans for a renovated wastewater treatment plant in Williamsburg, said village administrator Patti Bates.

Nearly $400,000 was recently obtained by Congresswoman Jean Schmidt’s office for the project, which will go a long way toward fixing an aging facility up to become a viable, and more importantly, permitted plant for the future of the village.

“There is some federal funding, $394,000, to go for the renovation of our wastewater treatment plant,” said Bates. “We plan to do that in three phases, and this money will be for phase one. Phase one will cost about $1.5 million. The village has a contribution and we’ve applied for grants and loans to contribute.”

Two main factors are fueling the renovation effort, one being stricter operating standards that are expected to be handed down by the environmental protection agency. The second is good old fashioned growth, which is increasing output.