DES MOINES, Iowa, July 27, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director for Rural Development in Iowa Darin Leach today announced that USDA is investing $2.2 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in three Iowa communities.
“Access to safe, modern water and wastewater systems is essential to the success of any community, but especially for populations in remote areas,” Leach said. “Today’s investments will help to ensure that these three communities are to provide affordable, safe water and wastewater infrastructure for years to come.”
USDA is financing the projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The investments will help eliminate outdated pipes and service lines to safeguard public health and safety in rural communities. They will improve rural infrastructure for 1,900 residents and businesses.
For example, as part of today’s announcement:
- The city of Adair is receiving a $300,000 loan and a $620,000 grant to help build a reverse osmosis water treatment plant to address the water quality concerns of ammonia and hardness. These improvements will help provide safe drinking water to nearly 800 residents.
- The city of Harpers Ferry is receiving a $467,000 loan to help replace three cell lagoons. This project will help to improve sanitation services for more than 300 residents.
- The city of Essex is receiving an $830,000 loan to rehabilitate the sewer system. These improvements will help provide safe sanitation and sewer disposal for nearly 800 residents.
Today’s investments are in coordination with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announcement that USDA is investing $307 million for rural water and wastewater infrastructure in 34 states, including: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Puerto Rico.
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 households and businesses in eligible rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less.
To learn more about these and other resources for rural areas, contact your local USDA Rural Development 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/ia. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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