Infrastructure Improvements for Rural Water and Wastewater

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The Biden-Harris Administration invests $307 million in improving rural water and wastewater infrastructure in 34 states and Puerto Rico. Community Health Infrastructure Projects to Address Barriers Communities of Color Face Accessing Public Health in Rural America.

Secretary Vilsack announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $307 million to upgrade rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 34 states and Puerto Rico.

Today’s announcement follows President Biden’s announcement last week of a Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework that will make the largest investment in clean drinking water ever made in the United States. The Framework will replace all of the nation’s lead pipes and service lines, which will reduce barriers faced by communities of color, Native Americans, and rural Americans.

“Every community needs safe, reliable, and modern water and wastewater systems,” Vilsack said. “Decades of disinvestment in physical infrastructure have disproportionately impacted communities of color. This is why USDA is investing in water infrastructure in rural and tribal communities that need it most – to help them rebuild better, stronger, and more equitably than ever before.”

The projects are funded by a loan and grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Investments will help protect public health and safety in rural communities by replacing outdated pipes and service lines. 250,000 people and businesses will benefit from rural infrastructure improvements.

USDA is publishing investments in 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.

For example, as part of the announcement:

In southwestern Minnesota, Red Rock Rural Water System will receive a $905,000 loan and a $445,000 grant to build a water treatment plant. Additionally, an onsite ground storage reservoir and outdated control equipment will be replaced. Nearly 16,000 residents will now have access to safe drinking water.

A wastewater treatment plant is being built on Pueblo land in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, with a $610,000 loan and a $1.6 million grant from the Ohkay Owingeh. As a result of this project, water treatment capability will be increased from 235,000 to 350,000 gallons per day and services will be extended to residents who are not currently served. 1,143 residents will benefit from these improvements.

Gallia County’s Board of Commissioners received a $1.5 million grant and a $887,000 loan for a wastewater collection system in parts of Green and Springfield townships in Ohio. Approximately 1,154 residents of rural Appalachian communities of Rodney and Quail Creek will benefit from this project, which is expected to improve their water quality and economic development opportunities.

Background:

In addition to providing funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage, the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program also provides funding for storm water drainage. Homes and businesses in rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less are eligible for the program.

Source: USDA

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