Recovery Act Funds Safeguard Groundwater, Replace Aging Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, March 18, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the funding of projects in 20 states designed to protect public health by improving water quality and public sanitation services. The projects, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), are expected to provide construction jobs and create infrastructure needed to support community growth.
"Water and wastewater projects are moving forward in rural communities across the country and thanks to the Recovery Act, investments in water and wastewater infrastructure will help deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment throughout rural America," said Vilsack. "Through these projects, we are advancing the Obama Administration's economic recovery goals to rebuild and revitalize the nation's infrastructure. They will create urgently needed jobs when they are built and will support more job creation through rural economic development for years to come."
For example, the town of Norway, Maine, has been selected to receive a $385,000 loan and $1.1 million grant for wastewater system alterations that will improve sewer system efficiency, protect public health and safeguard groundwater quality. The project will replace ageing clay pipes, service lines and manholes. The new waste water system will reduce the waste water discharge from the Norway treatment facility into the Little Androscoggin River.
In Pitt County, N.C., the town of Bethel has been selected to receive a $256,000 loan and a $2.4 million grant to replace an aging water system that is constructed of iron, galvanized steel and asbestos-laden cement pipes. The tap water has a high iron level and is discolored. Pitt County is designated a Persistent Poverty County, with over 22 percent of the town's population below the poverty level. The project will improve water quality and boost water pressure.
The loan and grant funding announced today supports 60 projects and totals $159 million. To date, USDA has announced $2.3 billion in Recovery Act funds for water and environmental projects. The Recovery Act was signed into law by President Obama one year ago.
The funding announced today is being administered by USDA Rural Development's Water and Environmental Program which provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.
Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement. Below is a complete list of award recipients, by state:
Alaska
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Matanuska Susitna Borough: $48,000 loan and $714,500 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
Georgia
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City of Reynolds: $2,025,000 loan and $3,975,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Illinois
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Fayette Water Company (Herrick): $1,125,000 loan and $1,124,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Fayette Water Company (Laclede): $1,000,000 loan and $941,500 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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City of Lawrenceville: $6,040,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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City of Roodhouse: $5,470,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
Iowa
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City of Bronson $311,000 loan and $239,600 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Southern Iowa Fixed Based Meters: $1,488,000 loan and $3,433,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Southern Iowa RWA Corning/Creston: $1,971,000 loan and $774,900 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Southern Iowa SW Cass Water System: $1,794,000 loan and $5,373,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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City of Hastings: $493,000 loan and $682,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
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Eastern Iowa Regional Utility Service Systems Commission: $373,000 loan and $694,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
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Regional Utility Service Systems Commission: $419,000 loan and $1,064,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Kansas
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Consolidated RWD #5 Atchison Co.: $3,200,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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City of Nortonville: $622,000 loan and $493,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
Maine
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Boothbay Harbor Sewer District: $342,000 loan and $250,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
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Mars Hill Utility District (Sewer): $70,000 loan and $180,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
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Mars Hill Utility District (Water): $750,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Town of Norway: $385,000 loan and $1,105,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
Minnesota
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City of Pine City: $1,481,000 loan and $439,000 grant. The funding will be used for water system and wastewater system improvements.
Missouri
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City of Caruthersville: $1,500,000 loan. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
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City of Essex: $845,000 loan and $833,900 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
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Pike County PWSD #1: $2,732,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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City of Clarkton: $1,505,000 loan and $1,500,000 grant. The funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
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City of Grandin: $364,000 loan and $216,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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New Madrid County PWSD No. 6: $1,066,000 loan and $948,600 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
Montana
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Wolf Creek WSD: $399,000 loan and $1,162,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
New York
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Village of Angelica: $500,000 loan and $347,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Town of Avon: $212,000 loan and $488,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Town of LeRoy: $55,000 loan and $140,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Town of Middletown: $475,000 loan and $708,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Town of Oakfield: $420,000 loan and $338,200 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Town of Stafford Water District #5: $404,000 loan and $496,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Village of Granville: $4,700,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
North Carolina
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Town of Bethel: $256,000 loan and $2,426,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Town of Black Creek: $349,000 loan and $146,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
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Carteret County: $1,046,000 loan and $1,515,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Town of Morehead City: $4,932,000 loan and $4,869,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Belfast-Patetown Sanitary District: $1,608,000 loan and $1,392,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Eastern Wayne Sanitary District: $2,164,000 loan and $1,811,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Southeastern Wayne Sanitary District: $3,529,000 loan and $2,971,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Town of Princeton: $333,000 loan and $458,800 grant; the funding will be used for water system and wastewater system improvements.
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Town of Rose Hill: $1,585,000 loan and $1,736,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Vance County Water District Phase 2A: $2,196,000 loan and $1,622,800 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Vance County Water District Phase 2B: $3,937,000 loan and $1,987,450 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
Ohio
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Adams County Regional Water District: $736,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
Pennsylvania
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Ligonier Township Municipal Authority: $3,171,000 loan and $6,773,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
South Dakota
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Town of Oldham: $132,000 loan and $221,000 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
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City of Hoven: $311,000 loan and $216,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system and wastewater system improvements.
Tennessee
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City of Dyer: $405,000 loan and $71,000 grant; the funding will be used for water and wastewater system improvements.
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Hampton Utility District: $695,000 loan and $288,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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North Utility District of Rhea County: $660,000 loan and $420,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
Utah
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Central Utah Water Conservancy District: $5,000,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Sigurd Town: $620,000 loan and $2,266,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
Vermont
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Canaan Fire District No. 2: $491,000 loan and $1,386,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
Virginia
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Washington County Service Authority: $2,755,000 loan; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
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Wythe County Old School Road Water: $640,000 loan and $426,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
West Virginia
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City of Keyser: $4,500,000 loan and $3,100,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
Wisconsin
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City of Kewaunee: $4,904,000 loan and $2,086,500 grant; the funding will be used for wastewater system improvements.
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Village of Gilman: $550,000 loan and $155,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.
President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about the Federal government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov.
