USDA and West Rutland Celebrate Groundbreaking Of New Water and Wastewater Expansion Along Route 4

During a groundbreaking ceremony for West Rutland’s water and sewer expansion project Thursday, local officials and representatives of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) called the project a relief to homeowners and businesses along U.S. Route 4 struggling with inadequate water and sewer service. West Rutland is utilizing $2,209,067 in USDA Rural Development loans and grants to make the upgrades.

“West Rutland’s water and sewer expansion will improve the quality of life for rural Vermonters while at the same time creating construction jobs and long-term economic opportunities,”  Ted Brady, Vermont State Director for USDA Rural Development. “A local engineering firm designed the project, a local contractor is building the project, and local businesses will benefit from the long-term availability of dependable water and wastewater. Most importantly, residents will know their water is safe and drinkable.”

According to West Rutland officials, the ground water between Rutland Center and West Rutland has tested positive for pollutants stemming from a contaminated site in the area. Landowners have been left with inadequate on-site water and wastewater systems which have prevented property improvements and business investment.

Following a 2013 feasibility study initiated by the Rutland Economic Development Corporation and carried out by Otter Creek Engineering, the Town of West Rutland decided to extend their water and sewer mains to provide service to the 1.5 miles of unserved homes and businesses.  The Belden Company, a Rutland based construction company, will carry out the line extension.  Construction will be completed by next summer.

USDA Rural Development funded the municipal water and sewer extension project through its Water and Environment Program with a combination of $797,067 of Water and Waste Disposal Grants and $1,412,000 of Water and Waste Disposal Loans. The loans will be repaid by the Town of Rutland over a 30 year term at a 3.25 percent interest rate. The project will provide an estimated 25 property owners access to clean water and sewer and the residents of the Rutland Town Fire District with wastewater services.

Mary Ann Goulette, West Rutland Town Manager, described the project as an opportunity for Rutland Town and West Rutland to work together to address the blight in the area. She noted that “the construction of these utilities will provide the missing ingredient to revitalize this area.  This is a unique opportunity to solve what has been a long-held problem at a reasonable cost.” 

In order to ensure that the development facilitated by the water and wastewater access is appropriate and fitting, the Town of West Rutland has received a Smart Communities Better Connections Grant from the Vermont Agency of Community and Commerce Development and Vermont Agency of Transportation to explore guidelines for land use and transportation planning in the newly served area.

“Businesses in this area have been stuck without access to these services,” said Rick Lantman, owner of Poultney Pools, the site of Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony. “With clean water and a wastewater system, the opportunities for businesses in this area are limitless.  This project will really turn this area around.”  Lantman, who owns the largest pool and spa showroom in Vermont, noted that he is already planning an expansion to his own business.

USDA, through its RD mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $210 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural areas. For more information on Rural Development visit the Vermont Rural Development website (www.rd.usda.gov/vt) or call (802) 828-6000.