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USDA Rural Development Invests $8.615 Million to Improve Rural Water Infrastructure in Rural Communities Across Virginia

Name
Anne Herring
Phone
City
Lexington, VA
Release Date

Investments to Help 16,414 Rural Virginians


WASHINGTON, 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.


“As people in many parts of the nation battle drought and fires brought on by climate change, there has never been a more urgent need for this assistance,” Vilsack said. “When we invest in rural infrastructure, we build opportunity and prosperity for people in rural communities. These investments support the local economy by making rural communities attractive, economically viable and safe places to live and work, therefore helping to create and save jobs by attracting and retaining employers and workers. Investing in rural water infrastructure is one of the many things the Biden-Harris Administration is doing to help the nation build back better during the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.” 


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.


In Virginia, Acting State Director Terry Rosta announced the following projects that will modernize critical water and wastewater infrastructure across the Commonwealth.  These projects include: 


•    The Town of Appomattox is receiving a $500,000 loan and a $1,125,000 grant that will be used to make improvements to the town's water distribution system.  The water distribution lines consist of galvanized steel, cast iron, ductile iron, and PVC most of which are 60 to 80 years old.  In addition, the water distribution system along Church Street has fire hydrants that are served by a four-inch diameter water line which are not in compliance with the required minimum size in accordance with the Virginia Department of Health's Waterworks Regulation 12VAC5-590-1120, Minimum Pipe Size. A middle school is located in the area, and the hydrants nearest the school are also served by this four-inch water line. In addition to the water lines not meeting the minimum size for fire flow capability, the aging lines have a buildup of mineral deposits which reduces the inner pipe size to three inches, thereby worsening fire flow capability in the project area. Construction includes the replacement of approximately 6,225 linear feet of four-inch water line with eight-inch water line and related appurtenances in the Church Street area.  1,733 Rural Virginians will be served by this project. 


•    The Town of Craigsville is receiving a $3.9 million loan that will be used to make improvements to their water distribution system. The distribution lines were originally installed in the early to mid-1930s, which makes much of the pipe material cast iron with lead joints causing a health risk. Some upgrades were constructed in the mid-1980s, but much of the original distribution system remains in service and needs to be upgraded.  Also posing a health risk are leaking distribution lines causing water loss. In addition, unless the water storage tanks are at least 50% full, the system cannot provide adequate fire protection.  Construction will include the replacement of 1,568 linear feet of four-inch water line; 15,766 linear feet of six-inch water line; 2,763 linear feet of 10-inch water line; 176 water meters; 25 fire hydrants; blow-off valves; air release valves; and related appurtenances.  990 Rural Virginians will be served by this project.      


•    The Town of Hillsville is receiving a loan of $177,000 that will be used to make improvements to the town's water distribution system.  Construction will replace approximately three miles of aging, leaking water lines ranging in size from two-inches to eight-inches in diameter, as well as the replacement of aging water meters. 2,700 Rural Virginians will be served by this project. 


•    The Town of Pennington Gap will receive a $653,000 loan and a $823,000 grant that will be used to make repairs to the water treatment plant.  Structural damage at the plant could lead to the failure of components and plant shutdowns.  These deficiencies not only threaten the structural integrity of the plant itself but have created a hazard for public safety.  Construction includes repair to the water treatment plant using the grouted pile method to stabilize the foundation and repair the cracks, spalls, delamination’s, and joints.  The project will water-proof the coating of the flocculation basins, sedimentation basins, clear wells, and adjacent troughs.  Additionally, the replacement of conduit, electrical and control wiring damaged during geotechnical explorations is included.  2,261 Rural Virginians will be served by this project.  


•    Northumberland County is receiving an $810,000 grant that will be used to make improvements at the Reedville and Callao wastewater treatment plants. Both plants experience operational issues and are in non-compliance with Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, ammonia, and zinc limits.  The Department of Environmental Quality has issued consent orders for both plants, and a health hazard currently exists.  Improvements at the Reedville plant include an influent mechanical screen with washer and compactor, an in-line equalization basin with mixing and aeration, an activated sludge enhanced nutrient removal treatment system and filter-feed pump station.  Other additions include a tertiary cloth media filtration and building, an ultraviolet disinfection system, an aerobic digestion system, an electrical motor control system and an emergency generator.  Improvements at the Callao wastewater treatment plant include an influent mechanical screen with washer and compactor, an in-line equalization basin with mixing and pump station and improvements to the membrane bioreactor system and the sludge thickening system.  1,925 Rural Virginians will be served by this project. 


•    The Town of Strasburg is receiving a $520,000 loan and a $107,000 grant that will be used to make improvements to the town's wastewater collection system.  The collection system experiences excessive inflow and infiltration which hinders the effectiveness of treatment, resulting in inefficient treatment and difficulty maintaining effluent discharge limits. Improvements include the removal and replacement of approximately 1,640 linear feet of gravity sewer pipe as well as concrete manholes; slip-lining approximately 140 linear feet of pipe; cleaning approximately 260 linear feet of sewer main; and other necessary appurtenances. This project will alleviate a health hazard and bring the system into compliance with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality regulations.  6,805 Rural Virginians will be served by this project. 


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