Farm Bill Enables Record USDA Investments in Rural Water Systems

The USDA celebrated Earth Day by announcing its largest investment to date in rural water and wastewater systems.

Nearly $387 million is being awarded to 116 recipients in 40 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The department is providing $150 million in grants through the 2014 Farm Bill, plus $237 million in loans and grants from USDA’s Water and Environmental Program.

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“Having reliable, clean and safe water is essential for any community to thrive and grow,” says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “I am proud that USDA helps build rural communities from the ground up by supporting water infrastructure projects like these. I am especially proud that we can help communities that are struggling economically and those that have urgent health and safety concerns due to their failing water systems.”

Sixteen of the Earth Day projects are in areas of persistent poverty. Twenty-nine are in communities served by the USDA’s StrikeForce Initiative For Rural Growth And Opportunity, a USDA initiative to reduce poverty by increasing investments in rural communities through intensive outreach and stronger partnerships with community leaders, businesses, foundations and other groups that are working to combat poverty.

Climate change is putting more stress on municipal water systems. Many areas around the country have seen changes in rainfall, resulting in more floods, droughts, declines in snowpack, intense rain, as well as more frequent and severe heat waves. All of these are placing fiscal strains on communities, causing them to make more frequent (and often more expensive) repairs and upgrades.

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Among projects funded this year, the city of McCrory, Ark., is receiving $2.1 million to build a water treatment facility and two water supply wells and refurbish its two water storage tanks. The improvements will reduce high manganese and iron levels in the water supply to provide safe drinking water to McCrory’s nearly 800 residents. McCrory is in Woodruff County, a persistent poverty area that is part of USDA’s StrikeForce Initiative For Rural Growth And Opportunity.

Paintsville, Ky., is receiving a $4.9 million loan and $2.1 million grant to rehabilitate its sanitary and stormwater sewer systems. This is one of 10 projects funded by USDA that will improve water infrastructure in rural areas of Kentucky. The Paintsville project will serve nearly 2,300 residents and businesses and protect the ecosystems of Paint Creek and nearby lakes.

The city of San Joaquin, Calif., is receiving a $1 million loan/grant combination to replace a contaminated well. The city had to shut down one of its three wells due to high levels of bacteria. Once completed, this project will ensure San Joaquin residents have clean drinking water.

In Ohio, the Erie County Commissioners will use $3 million in loans and nearly $3 million in grants to replace individual on-site waste treatment systems that discharge into and pollute the Sandusky Bay and surrounding areas. The commissioners also will build a wastewater collection system for the Village of Bay View and the neighboring Bay Bridge area. The Bay View peninsula is a vital ecological and economic area in the Western Basin of Lake Erie.

Since the first Earth Day celebration in 1970, the event has expanded to include citizens and governments in more than 195 countries. President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment in rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way.

The USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has a portfolio of programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

Source: USDA

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