BISMARCK, N.D. Oct. 14, 2021 – Mark Wax, acting state director for USDA Rural Development in North Dakota announced today that $9.5 million is being invested to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for 3,500 people living in North Dakota.
“These rural water investments will create economic opportunities,” said Wax. “They support the local opportunity in addition to creating and saving jobs. These projects will provide a sustainable water system for years to come.”
Across the nation, USDA is financing 114 projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. These investments will help improve rural infrastructure for 270,000 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 people and businesses in eligible rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less.
USDA is announcing investments today in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming and Puerto Rico.
For example, as part of today’s announcement:
- Shelby County Ohio is receiving a $6.1 million loan and a $5.2 million grant to improve and expand the Lake Loramie Wastewater Treatment Plant. The improvements will provide reliable water and sewer services to 2,000 people. They are needed to bring the county into compliance with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency regulations. The Biolac Cell 1 will be converted into a digester, and the improved plant will use Orbital Oxidation Ditch technology. The facility will be capable of handling 600,000 gallons per day.
- The village of Baldwin, Wis., is receiving a $14.5 million loan and a $3.6 million grant to replace its wastewater treatment plant, improving service for nearly 4,000 people. The current plant is too small to support essential community facilities and economic development in the community. Additionally, much of the equipment is reaching the end of its useful life. The new plant will bring the community into compliance with state Department of Natural Resources pollutant discharge elimination standards.
- The city of Russell, Iowa, is receiving a $495,000 loan and a $296,000 grant to upgrade its municipal sewer system. The city will construct a Submerged Attached Growth Reactor treatment system and an ultraviolet disinfection treatment system. It also will upgrade the collection system
In North Dakota:
- The city of Hunter is receiving a $553,000 loan and $447,000 grant to finance upgrades to a water tower and various water system maintenance items. The removal and replacement of the interior and exterior coatings, structural repairs on the water tower, a new mixer and monitoring system will help with the deficiencies within the water system. The manholes have been sinking progressively in the last few years to the point that sewage is not flowing properly. By replacing them, this will assist with deficiencies within the sewer system.
- The city of Rugby is receiving a $4,934,000 loan and $1,650,936 grant to replace a portion of the city’s water, sanitary, sewer, and storm sewer lines. Large water mains will be used to provide the system with the capacity to accommodate fire flow demands. This project is the first of a multi-step plan to update the city’s lines, which provide 2,876 residents with a sustainable system for years to come.
- The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians are receiving a $2,000,000 grant to install a new water supply and sewer system pipe for the residents. The water mains are mostly asbestos cement pipe, and the sewer mains are clay tile/asbestos cement, which have been failing. With the completion of this project, the city of Belcourt will see improved water supply and sewer 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/nd.