BOZEMAN, Mont., May 18, 2022 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Montana State Director Kathleen Williams today announced several USDA Rural Development investments which will help build and improve water and wastewater infrastructure in Montana’s rural areas.
“USDA Rural Development is helping fund critical infrastructure in rural areas to provide safe drinking water and reduce waste pollution in our rivers and groundwater," Williams said. “We often take for granted that we’ll get clean water when we turn on the tap, and that our toilets will work, but all that takes focused investment and expert operation of drinking water and wastewater systems. We are honored to be part of these solutions in rural Montana, and commend the dedicated experts who operate these systems."
Projects include:
- The City of Thompson Falls receiving two loans, for a combined total of $3,050,000, and a grant for $6,495,000, through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program. This funding will aid the city in upgrading their wastewater system and support the continuation of developments that are currently under construction. These funds will be used to connect 137 benefitted parcels to the city's upgraded lagoon wastewater treatment system. With this implementation, the city will increase revenues which will be used for the wastewater infrastructure's operation and maintenance costs. These Rural Development funds will support wastewater improvements which should lessen the operators' exposures to hazardous conditions and mitigate the back up of raw sewage into homes and other infrastructure as a result of failing septic systems.
- The City of Choteau receiving a loan for $2,000,000, and a grant for $1,042,000, through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program to improve the water system by upgrading and replacing 6,000 linear feet of aging waterline, developing a new water supply source, and constructing 6,200 lineal feet of 12-inch transmission main to connect the new source to the system. This project will also result in replacing 5,200 linear feet of asbestos cement pipe with PVC pipe, replacing 4,200 linear feet of ductile iron pipe with new PVC, and replacing water meters on individual water service lines. Rural Development funds, along with state and local funds, will support these water improvements and should help the city create a reliable and safe water supply for this rural community.
- The Town of Valier receiving a loan for $210,000 through the Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program to improve their wastewater system by installing influent screening, removing accumulated sludge, replacing 1,900 linear feet of collection main, and installing three required manholes. Rural Development funds, along with state and local funds, will support wastewater improvements which should lessen the operators' exposures to hazardous conditions, increase the total lagoon volume, and mitigate the back up of raw sewage into homes, the town's school and other community infrastructure.
USDA Rural Development is an investor, ally and advocate for rural America and 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/mt.
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