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USDA Invests $17.2 Million In Clean Drinking Water and Safe Wastewater Infrastructure in 6 Rural Iowa Counties

Name
Cecilia Lynch
Release Date

State Director Greenfield announces Water & Wastewater Investments in Carroll, Harrison, Ida, Humboldt, Plymouth, Pottawattamie & Shelby counties

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 2, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that USDA is investing $3,370,000 in grants and $13,854,000 in loans for critical water infrastructure projects in six Iowa counties to help ensure that thousands of rural Iowans have clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater systems for years to come.

“Our rural neighbors throughout Iowa need reliable drinking water and sanitary disposal systems to grow their businesses, their families, and their futures,” said Director Greenfield. “These water infrastructure investments announced today will promote prosperity and reassure residents in our hometown communities that they are not forgotten. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is working to ensure that all people, regardless of where they live, have the support they need to grow and thrive.”

USDA is administering the funds through Rural Development’s Water and Wastewater Disposal Loans and Grants program.

The six recipients are:

-Harlan Municipal Utilities in Shelby County is receiving a $5,364,000 loan to help make water system improvements. This project will construct four new alluvial wells with well houses in the well field. The project will also install a fiber-optic communication system and a new electrical loop to connect all wells to a backup power generator at the treatment plant. These improvements will bring the system into compliance with water standards and promote the health and safety of the 4,766 residents of this rural community.

-The city of Oakland is receiving a $5,875,000 loan to help make water treatment facility improvements. This project will construct two primary lagoon cells at the controlled discharge lagoon treatment facility. The project will also install a generator at the main lift station, upgrade piping, and remove sludge in existing lagoons. These improvements will bring the system into compliance with water standards and promote the health and safety of the 1,527 residents of this rural community in Pottawattamie County.

-In Carroll County, the city of Lanesboro is receiving a $1,384,000 grant and a $454,000 loan to help connect its water distribution system to the water distribution system of nearby Lake City. This project will replace an aging system that has poor well and water tower conditions. Once completed, the water distribution system will bring the city of Lanesboro into compliance with water quality standards and promote the health and safety of 121 townspeople and many residents of the surrounding rural area.

-The city of Mondamin is receiving a $704,000 grant and a $708,800 loan to help make water treatment improvements. This project will construct a water treatment plant, two new municipal water supply wells, and 500 linear feet of transmission main piping in rural Harrison County near the corporate city limits. The project will also replace some hydrants, valves and water distribution pipes, and install a new looped piping system. Once completed, the project will reduce the amount of water loss in the municipal water system and better safeguard the health of 407 townspeople as well as some residents of the surrounding rural area.

-In Ida County, the city of Galva is receiving a $ 478,000 grant and a $416,000 loan to help make sewer system improvements. This project will replace the wastewater treatment facility with a covered aerated lagoon system and polishing reactor to comply with effluent permit standards. An ultraviolet disinfection system will be installed to meet E. coli limits. This project will replace outdated equipment, bring the city into compliance with sanitary standards, and promote the health and safety of the 434 residents of this rural community.

-In Plymouth County, the city of Westfield is receiving a $804,000 grant and a $1,037,000 loan to help replace its water treatment plant with a new treatment facility. This project will construct a new deep well, rehabilitate the existing well, sandblast and recoat the standpipe, install new meters on service connections, and purchase a propane generator to provide backup power during emergency conditions.

Contact USDA Rural Development

USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a state office in Des Moines, along with area offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Iowa, call (515) 284-4663 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

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.

 

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.