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Trump Administration Invests Nearly $3 Million to Modernize Wastewater Infrastructure in Rural New Jersey

Name
Cynthia M. O'Grady
Phone
City
Mt. Laurel
Release Date

Funding will Benefit 24 Households in the Borough of Frenchtown

Mount Laurel, NJ, August 10, 2020 – The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $2,978,228 to modernize wastewater infrastructure in rural New Jersey.

“This new sewer infrastructure for 24 homes in the Borough of Frenchtown connects these residents with a modern wastewater facility.  This new sewer project along with the wastewater treatment plant that USDA previously helped finance will improve public health and water quality within the Borough as well as those communities downstream on the Delaware. We are very happy to be part of upgrading Frenchtown’s water and sewer infrastructure,” said New Jersey State Director Michael Thulen Jr.  “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner with rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

“This funding will allow residents of the Hilltop neighborhood in Frenchtown to connect to the sewer line, which will increase water quality and public health throughout the region,” said Representative Malinowski. “I am proud that my office was able to support Frenchtown in securing this funding, and I will continue to fight each day in Congress to bring federal tax dollars back to New Jersey.”
 
“The Borough of Frenchtown is very thankful to be awarded funding from the USDA Rural Development Office. These important grant and loan funds awarded to the Borough will enable 24 residences to have access to sanitary sewer service and for former dirt roads in our hilltop streets neighborhood to be paved.   This issue has plagued the Borough since these houses were constructed dating back to the late 1960s,” said Frenchtown Mayor Brad Myhre.

The Borough of Frenchtown sits along the banks of the Delaware River in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. This $1,590,000 loan and $1,388,288 grant investment will assist the residential properties in the Hilltop Neighborhood that are currently serviced by individual, onsite septic systems. The septic systems are continually failing, causing the need for ongoing rehabilitation. Continued use of these septic systems will contribute to their deterioration and will impede their disposal capabilities. These individual systems are not large enough for replacement waivers from the State of New Jersey. Therefore, to continuously repair the septic systems is not cost effective and risks introducing wastewater into the environment. The proposed connections of the residents in Hilltop Neighborhood to public sanitary sewer is in the interest of public health and all those involved.

The addition of Hilltop Neighborhood to Frenchtown’s wastewater system, would not have been possible without the wastewater treatment plant that USDA Rural Development funded jointly with the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Bank. The new wastewater facility cost $12,813,800 of which $8,746.800 was funded by New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Bank and the remainder of $3.067,000 in low interest loans and $1,000,000 grant by USDA Rural Development. This project was completed in 2015. This joint project was necessary to meet the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Delaware River Basin Commission discharge limits.  These limits which were new in 2012, have been established for the protection of the surface water quality within the Lower Delaware River region.  The waters of the Delaware are an important source of drinking water for many communities along the Delaware River.  The protection of the water quality is a major concern for public health and the Delaware River ecosystem. This project also created a facility that was sustainable as the plant in existence was over 40 years old at the time and did not meet the capacity of the Borough. During major storm events the facility suffered damage from flooding.  The new facility was built to withstand these events. “As anyone can see these projects together are very important and it’s a priority for the Trump Administration and Secretary Perdue, to invest in rural infrastructure such as this,” said New Jersey State Director Thulen.

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.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.