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USDA Invests $281 Million in Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements in 36 States and Puerto Rico

Email
justin.wilkes@usda.gov
Phone
(601) 965-4316
City
Jackson
Release Date

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand today announced that the department is investing $281 million in 106 projects to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural communities in 36 states and Puerto Rico. USDA is funding the projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.

“These investments will bring modern, reliable water and wastewater infrastructure to rural communities. They will replace deteriorating, leaking water pipes with new ones and upgrade water handling systems that are decades old. These investments create jobs and improve public health and safety for our rural neighbors,” Brand said.

USDA is funding projects nationwide, with several projects being funded in Mississippi. Eligible applicants include rural cities, towns and water districts. The funds can be used for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities that meet population limits. 

Below are examples of water and wastewater projects in Mississippi communities that will receive funding:

  • The City of New Albany will use $1,250,000 in loan funding to construct a new mechanical wastewater treatment plant and to renovate the existing wastewater collection system. This will provide the balance between improved and expanded capacity and a reduction in flows.  This is additional funding to the original loan of $7,886,000 and the $6,214,000 grant funded in August 2018.
  • Adams County Water Association will use $1,543,000 in loan funding for the construction of a 1500-gallons per minute water well, a chlorination plant, the replacement of six non-functioning gate valves, and the installation of a supervisory control and data acquisition controlled altitude valve - all to enhance operational capabilities of the system.
  • Romola Water Association will use a $175,000 loan and grant combination award to replace 330 radio read meters and upgrade the automatic read meter system.
  • Holcut-Cairo Water will use a $2,950,000 loan and grant combination award to improve the water system including: digging a new well, constructing a 100,000-gallon water storage tank and renovating the water treatment plant. The project will provide an additional water source and make necessary improvements to the distribution system that will allow the water to be adequately distributed to the existing 2,486 customers.
  • Rawls Springs Utility District will use a $2,343,500 loan to increase the certificated area, adding approximately 30-metered customers and improving the dependability of the system by replacing old brittle asbestos cement waterlines, upgrading elements of the well sites and constructing a new administration building.

For application or eligibility information, view the interactive RD Apply tool or contact one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices.USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

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