Champaign, Oct. 14, 2021 – Acting State Director Molly Hammond today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $5.2 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for people living in rural communities across Illinois. This is part of a nationwide USDA investment of $272 million in 37 states and Puerto Rico.
“Rural water infrastructure is crucial to assist Illinoisans from engaging in flooding recovery on the banks of our large rivers to combating community fires in our homes, farms, and towns.” Hammond said. “When we invest in rural infrastructure, we build opportunity and prosperity for people in rural Illinois. Investing in rural water infrastructure is one of over forty programs Illinois Rural Development offers to help the nation build back better during the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
USDA is financing 114 projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. These investments will help improve rural infrastructure for 270,000 people and businesses.
Background:
The Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage. The program serves people and businesses in eligible rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less.
USDA is announcing investments today in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming and Puerto Rico.
For example, as part of today’s announcement:
- McClure-East Cape Girardeau is receiving a $154,000 grant to provide additional funding for water tower rehabilitation. Rehabilitation will include painting and emergency riser pipe replacement for the water tower, water meter replacement, water main replacement, and office site improvements. This project will allow the water district to complete this project to ensure safe potable water to all users.
- The village of Brownstown is receiving a $60,000 loan to provide additional financing for the water main replacement project. This project will replace two-inch service line, install and replace 21,500 LF of water main (part of which contains asbestos), and install radio read meters and miscellaneous associated appurtenances. These improvements will bring the system back up to IEPA minimum standards and eliminate health and sanitary concerns.
- Fayette Water Company is receiving a $282,000 loan to install 12.98 miles of four-inch water mains. The mains will be connected to the water main located in the project area. This project will address the immediate health and sanitary issues caused by the contamination of individual wells currently used as a water source.
- Village of Bethany is receiving a $2,900,00 loan and $722,000 grant to renovate an elevated water tower, replace the water main, and provide extensions to correct undersized section locations. Renovations also include hydrant performance improvements to historically leaking locations, water treatment plant improvements, and a full renovation of the aerator/detention tank. Additionally, the project will provide an automatic transfer switch for the emergency generator and wells number six and seven, chlorine gas neutralization equipment, dehumidification equipment for the water plant’s interior, and nitrate testing equipment as required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The project will also replace concrete floors at the water softener equipment and provide 2,400 linear feet of raw water main pipeline at six water main creek locations.
- Raleigh Water District is receiving a $170,000 grant to help Raleigh Water District complete their water system improvements of tank painting, acquiring a tank mixer, and installing fencing and other appurtenances. The project will also connect directly to Saline Valley for water purchase and will include remote master meter readings and chlorine monitoring.
- EJ Water Cooperative Incorporated is receiving a $940,000 loan to install 26 miles of water main to connect additional users. The proposed four-inch and six-inch polyvinyl chloride water mains will connect to the current lines and complete loops to help enhance and reinforce water flows. The project will alleviate a health and safety hazard caused by the contaminated wells currently being used.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, contact a USDA Rural Development state office.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, tribal and high-poverty 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.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.