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City of Blackshear, Georgia Making Major Wastewater Treatment Improvements with USDA's Water and Environmental Programs

Name
Deborah Callahan
City
BLACKSHEAR
Release Date

Today U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the City of Blackshear, Georgia announced plans for significant wastewater treatment facility improvements that will be funded with USDA’s Water and Wastewater Disposal Loan and Grant program.

   “Sanitary waste disposal systems are vital to public health and the economic vitality of small communities," said Jill Stuckey, USDA Rural Development Georgia State Director. 

   This $5,667,000 loan and $2,070,000 grant project will be used to construct a 1,000,000 gallon per day wastewater treatment plant and replace aging lift stations to correct National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit violations and pH violations.  The project also eases high operating and maintenance costs incurred by the outdated technology of the existing wastewater treatment plants that are now over 30 years old. Both of Blackshear’s existing wastewater treatment plants have reached their useful life and will be decommissioned. 

     The USDA Water and Wastewater Disposal Loan and Grant program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities extend and improve water and waste treatment facilities that serve local households and businesses. Good practices can save tax dollars, improve the natural environment, and help manufacturers and businesses to locate or expand operations.

Rural communities seeking funding for water and wastewater infrastructure are invited to contact the Rural Development Georgia Community Programs Division for further information at (706) 546-2171.

        President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.