State Director of Rural Development John Rounsaville today announced that USDA is investing $29 million dollars in projects to help rebuild and improve rural water infrastructure throughout the state of Mississippi.
“These investments will assist local officials, businesses, and water associations by giving them the funding they need to ensure residents have access to safe drinking water and modern waste disposal systems, improving the health and quality of life of Mississippians.”
USDA is providing $1.2 billion in financing for 235 water and environmental infrastructure projects in 46 states through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. The funding can be used for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
Eligible communities and water districts can apply online on the interactive RD Apply tool, or they can apply through one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices.
Among the projects funded in Mississippi:
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The City of New Albany will use $14.1 million in loans and grants to rehabilitate the city's existing sanitary sewer collection system and construct a new mechanically-based wastewater treatment facility located north of the city. The combination of these two efforts will provide a balance between improved and expanded treatment capacity and a reduction in excessive infiltration into the collection system, thus leading to a more cost-effective and long-term solution for the city's wastewater needs, providing safer, more sanitary sewer service for the city's 3,390 sewer customers.
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The Hayes Creek Water Association will use a $1.2 million loan to construct a new, 300 gallons-per-minute water well with a 10,000-gallon Hydro-Pneumatic tank, treatment equipment, water distribution lines, and generator for the Lodi System. The Lodi System, which is 34 years old, is one of seven public water systems that Hayes Creek Water Association operates. The project will provide a backup source of water for the 993 existing residential and non-residential customers should the existing well cease to operate.
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The Bond Water Association Inc. in Miss., will use a $1.4 million loan to upgrade its water system. It will build a 300-gallon-per-minute well and replace 28,200 feet of distribution lines. Also, new radio read meters will be installed and the two water treatment plants will be rehabilitated. These improvements will serve 470 customers.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.