The City of Cascade Locks is receiving funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development to make major, long-planned improvements to its water system, announced State Director Vicki Walker today. This project will not only address the system’s repair needs but also increase its capacity, enabling it to better meet the requirements of its customers and providing improved water flow in fire emergencies.
“It can be a struggle for small, rural communities to finance significant infrastructure projects,” said Walker. “Cascade Locks has lacked the funding for these improvements for more than 20 years. It is my pleasure to announce this loan from Rural Development to help the city ensure adequate utilities for its residents and businesses and to set the foundation for future growth.”
Under optimum conditions, the current system is marginally able to meet the water demands of its customers, which includes the commercial, residential, and Port industrial areas of this community of 1,235 people located along the Columbia River. However, the system does not have the ability to deliver adequate fire flows to critical areas within the city and lacks sufficient infrastructure to facilitate growth.
With assistance from a USDA Rural Development loan of $3.7 million provided through the Water and Waste Disposal Program, the city will replace deteriorated and inadequate distribution lines, develop a well, and replace a water storage tank. These upgrades will address the maintenance and repair needs of the system. In addition, they will increase its capacity, which will provide firefighters with adequate water pressure during fire emergencies, as well as meet the needs of current and future residents and businesses.
President Obama's historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his 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.