U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri State Director Jeff Case today announced that USDA is investing over $21 million in to improve vital water and wastewater infrastructure throughout the state. Over 26,000 rural Missourians will benefit from the funding.
“Safe, modern and reliable water and wastewater systems are critical for the health, safety and economic vitality of our rural communities,” said Case. “USDA is pleased to partner with rural communities throughout the state providing funding to improve their essential infrastructure needs.”
USDA is providing the funding through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. 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 with 10,000 or fewer residents.
Case announced the following communities will receive funding:
- The City of Caruthersville will receive a $4.9 million loan to make improvements to the city's water and wastewater systems. Caruthersville's Water Treatment Plant No. 1 is not currently able to meet the city's daily production demand and the wastewater system needs renovation. When complete, this project will better provide city residents with safe, reliable water and wastewater services.
- Scott County Public Water Supply District No. 4 will use a $4,833,000 loan and $1,746,800 grant to finalize construction on a new water distribution system. Water service will be extended to unserved areas in the northeastern portion of the district east of Interstate 55 and small areas south of Benton and north of Oran, Mo. Over 60 miles of water distribution lines will be constructed and once complete, the expanded service area has the potential to serve an additional 531 customers in rural Scott County.
- A $2,374,000 loan and $3,293,000 grant will be used by the City of Hayti to make improvements to the city's wastewater system. Planned improvements include repairing and upgrading the existing lagoon, collection system, and lift stations. Upon completion, the city's wastewater system will be safer and more reliable for all Hayti residents and businesses.
- The City of Campbell will use a $1,788,000 loan and $1,062,000 grant to make improvements to the city's aging wastewater system. Planned improvements include upgrading the existing wastewater treatment plant, repairing wastewater lines, and rehabilitating the lift station to provide better service for the city’s nearly 2,000 citizens.
- A $330,000 loan and $251,000 grant will assist Stoddard County Common Sewer District No. 1 in making improvements to its wastewater treatment facility. This funding will be used to purchase and install an Ultraviolet Disinfection Unit in the existing lagoon so that the facility can meet E. coli effluent limits. Disinfection will allow the district to not only meet this standard, but continue to provide its users with a safe, reliable wastewater system.
- The City of Naylor will use a $316,000 loan and $230,750 grant to make improvements to the city's elevated water storage tank and water distribution system. When completed, the improvements will provide all users in this truly rural community with safe, efficient, and reliable water service.
- A $187,000 loan and $346,310 grant will assist the City of Laredo in making improvements to the city's wastewater system. The system was constructed in the 1980s and needs upgrades to meet ammonia standards. When complete, the improvements will alleviate a health and safety matter for Laredo's residents.
Today’s announcement came as part of a larger statement in which USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced that investing $201 million to improve rural water infrastructure in 31 states.
“Modern, reliable and accessible infrastructure is critical to economic development and quality of life,” LaVoy said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to partnering with rural communities to help them improve their infrastructure, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Contact USDA Rural Development
Information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mo or by calling (573) 876-0995.
USDA Rural Development has 25 offices across the state to serve the 2.2 million residents living in rural Missouri. Office locations include a state office in Columbia, along with local offices in Butler, Charleston, Chillicothe, Clinton, Dexter, Eldon, Farmington, Higginsville, Houston, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Moberly, Neosho, New London, Poplar Bluff, Richmond, Rolla, Sedalia, Springfield, St. Joseph, Troy, and West Plains.