USDA is investing in the water projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant programme
Image: The USDA will invest through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant programme. Photo: Courtesy of Levi XU/Unsplash
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it will invest $135m (£111m) in 49 projects to improve rural water infrastructure across 24 states.
The USDA will invest through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant programme. Rural cities and towns, water districts and other eligible entities can use the funding for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
USDA Rural Utilities Service Administrator Chad Rupe said: “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to partner with rural communities to address their current and long-term water needs.
“Modernizing water infrastructure will yield key health benefits and help spur economic growth – making rural places even more attractive to live and work.”
USDA is partnering to improve rural water and wastewater infrastructure
The agriculture department has agreed to provide a loan of $300,000 (£247,558) to the city of Portsmouth, Iowa, to replace a water tower and part of the city’s distribution system.
The updates are expected to eliminate water losses, while improving water pressure across the community. It will also provide reliable and affordable water system for Portsmouth’s residents and businesses.
The Charlotte Harbor Water Association in Punta Gorda, Florida will receive $7.1m (£5.86m) loan and $5.4m (£4.46m) grant to replace about 86,000 linear feet of water mains along with appropriate valves, fittings, fire hydrants and other equipment.
Northport, Washington is receiving $115,000 (£94,897) loan and a $345,000 (£284692) grant to improve its water filtration system. The improvements will lower manganese and nitrate levels in drinking water.
USDA will make the investments available across the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and West Virginia.
At the beginining of the fiscal year 2019, the USDA had announced that $2.9bn (£2.39bn) funding would be made available under the USDA Water and Environmental Program loans and grants.
In June, the USDA announced an investment of $192m (£158m) in 71 projects across 29 states to improve rural water infrastructure.