TEMPLE, Tx, Oct. 14, 2021 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $272 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for 270,000 people living in rural communities across 37 states and Puerto Rico. Acting State Director Daniel Torres announced that six of those projects totaling $13.4 million are located in Texas.
“Every community needs safe and reliable water and wastewater systems,” said Torres. “USDA is investing in water infrastructure in rural and colonia communities that need it most to help them build back better and stronger.”
USDA is financing six projects in Texas through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. These investments will help improve rural infrastructure for 17,585 people and businesses.
Background:
The Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage. The program serves households and businesses in eligible rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less.
For example, as part of today’s announcement:
- El Sauz Water Supply Corporation (WSC) is receiving a $3.2 million grant to improve the quality of the drinking water for the system's residents. These improvements include the addition of chemical injection equipment, replacing metal service lines, rehabilitating a 24-year-old standpipe, and replacing the internal and external coating systems. Upgrades also include electrical, valve and pump replacements at two booster stations and the extension of a new four-inch waterline along Sanchez road to provide first time water service to 25 new connections. A new automated meter reading system will assist with improving operator efficiency and reducing operation costs. This project will improve the quality of life for 1,260 people living in colonias the WSC serves.
- Bruni Water Supply Corporation will use a $3.6 million grant for the construction of a micro-filtration system to correct the arsenic levels in the drinking water and bring the system into compliance with the Texas Commission on Environment Quality. This project will improve the quality of life for 265 people who call Bruni, a recognized colonia, home.
- Falcon Rural Water Supply Corporation is receiving a $3.8 million grant and $393,000 loan to improve the quality of the drinking water for the system's residents. These improvements include the replacement of the water distribution system in the community of Salineno and installing hydro-pneumatic tank and construction of a new ground storage tank at the Chihuahua booster station. In addition, a new ground storage tank will be constructed to increase water storage reserves at the water treatment plant and rehabbing the river intake station. This project will improve the quality of life for 2,180 people in colonias the WSC serves.
- Marilee SUD will use a $1.5 million loan to construct a 300,000-gallon elevated water storage tank. The tank will provide redundancy during power outages, pump maintenance, and air compressor and pressure tank inspections. This project will improve the quality of life for 5,900 people the SUD serves.
- The city of Floresville is receiving a $427,000 loan to replace the plaza well, complete an interconnect for emergency purposes with Oak Hills Water Supply Corporation and rehabilitate the B Street well and the ground storage tank at the hospital well site. This project will improve the quality of life for 6,450 people who call Floresville home.
- Siesta Shores W.C.I.D. will use a $220,000 grant to replace the collapsed tank at the water plant. Siesta Shores W.C.I.D. provides water to a colonia community that has an aged water system in need of repairs and replacements. The improvements also include repairing the 500,000-gallon standpipe, replacing the high service/raw water pumps and the addition of the 350 gallon per minute filters that will bring the system into compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulations. This project will improve the quality of life for 1,530 people the W.C.I.D. services.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, contact a USDA Rural Development state office.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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