SALT LAKE CITY, Sep. 25, 2020 – The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $34 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in five rural Utah communities.
“Upgrading a city’s infrastructure has lasting effects on economic development, public health, and meeting the critical need for housing growth, which all fit in USDA’s mission of rural prosperity,” said Randy Parker, Utah State Director for USDA Rural Development. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural Utah in building stronger and healthier communities.”
USDA is funding six projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. These investments will help to improve rural water infrastructure for 10,500 residents.
- Aurora City in Sevier County is receiving $2,390,000 in loan and $500,000 in grant funds to make culinary water system and storage improvements. The town utilizes springs, all with reduced capacity in recent years. To help improve supply the city will drill a new well and replace an old storage tank with a new one.
- Garland City in Box Elder County is receiving $5,514,000 in loan and $1,382,000 in grant funds to construct and install a wastewater treatment facility. This project will reduce overall resident costs and allow for advancement and necessary growth.
- Lewiston City in Cache County will use $8,263,000 in loan and $400,000 in grant to make necessary upgrades to the culinary water system. This project will update the system, providing necessary looping of water lines to allow additional flow, improve fire flows, and replace deteriorating components, while providing an improved level of service to residents.
- Lewiston City is also receiving $2,052,000 in loan and $483,000 in grant to upgrade and update the community’s aging wastewater system. The current system is outdated and originally set up poorly without favorable flow. This project will remedy all inadequacies as well as meet state environmental quality standards.
- Millville City in Cache County is receiving $5,011,000 in loan and $2,949,000 in grant to install a new wastewater collection system. The residents of Millville are currently using individual septic tanks, which prevents residential growth. A new collection system will allow for new development and remove health risks.
- Mt. Pleasant in Sanpete County is receiving $4,220,000 in loan and $980,000 in grant to build a culinary water treatment plant. This project will also help the city add transmission piping and drill an additional well to ensure successful, reliable water distribution and treatment.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, interested parties should contact the USDA Rural Development Utah state office.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ut.
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