ST. PAUL, Oct. 29, 2020 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Minnesota Brad Finstad today announced that USDA is investing $21 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in rural Minnesota.
“Modern water infrastructure provides opportunities for economic growth and protects the health and safety of people who live and work in rural areas,” Finstad said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner to rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
These nine projects will help improve rural water infrastructure for 4,800 residents. The projects are being funded through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program.
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 to households and businesses in eligible rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less.
For example:
- The city of Ironton is receiving a $2.2 million loan and a $1.4 million grant to construct a water treatment facility to replace a vertical pressure filtration system originally installed in 1947. The current system is eroding, causing concerns with structural integrity. This project will correct health and sanitary issues caused by aging infrastructure and outdated technology.
- In the city of Clinton, a $300,000 loan and a $505,000 grant will be used to improve water and sewer infrastructure. Water system improvements will include rehabilitation of the existing water treatment facility to address chemical contaminants and structural damage, replacing a well, addressing water quality and pressure concerns with new watermain piping and valves, and installing a backup generator to ensure water service during power outages and a new electrical motor control center for service pumps. Wastewater system improvements will replace deficient sanitary sewer main piping and manholes, a new lift station, a portable generator to ensure uninterrupted service and repairs to the existing stabilization pond.
- The city of Grey Eagle is being awarded a $150,000 loan and a $425,000 grant to replace aging sanitary collection infrastructure and address corresponding health and safety issues. The current sanitary sewer system is experiencing blockages, which have resulted in back-up conditions and the lift stations were originally built in the 1950s. This project will replace deteriorating piping and expired lift stations.
- In Gary, the city is receiving a $175,000 loan and a $406,000 grant to improve the water distribution system. Current water tests show high levels of iron, manganese and sulfate, exceeding acceptable levels for drinking water. To address this, the city will install two new wells, an elevated storage tank and replace deteriorating water main piping. Installation of an elevated water storage tank provides additional benefits like pressure for firefighting, continued water supply during power outages, and decreased residential homeowner’s insurance premiums. A gravity filter water treatment plant will be constructed to remedy health and safety concerns with the current drinking water.
- The city of Badger will use a $2.2 million loan and a $1.3 million grant to expand the existing water and sewer systems, which include replacing one well and improving a second, as well as modernizing the water treatment facility operating system with a control panel and board. Additionally, structural modifications will be made to the overhead water storage tank, corroded water mains will be replaced and extended, and new water meters will be installed for individual water services. All improvements will help resolve contamination concerns and bring the city back into compliance with health and sanitation designations.
- Olivia, Minn. will use a $7.4 million loan to continue the city’s “Depue Avenue Improvement Project” to improve water, storm and sewer system infrastructure. Improvements will address health and sanitation issues by replacing cracked piping, old valves and corresponding infrastructure that was originally constructed in the 1930s. Wastewater pipelines will be replaced to address infiltration and inflow between the wastewater and storm water collection systems and no longer require the city to bypass the treatment plant during wet weather periods.
- In Northome, the city will use a $494,000 loan and a $99,000 grant to replace deteriorating water lines and valves that were installed approximately 80 years ago. The water tower will be improved to replace lead-based paint. Improvements will provide adequate water pressure emergency fire hydrant use and address several safety concerns raised by the Minnesota Department of Health.
- The city of Wahkon will use a $541,000 loan to replace existing sewer main piping with new and larger capacity piping. These improvements will address health and safety concerns, such as the four untreated wastewater discharges reported to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in 2019.
- Iowa Lakes Regional Water will use a $2.1 million loan and a $1.1 million grant to continue developing the Osgood water source including a well field, raw water pipeline, treatment plant and transmission mainline. The project will increase service capacity to residents in Jackson County, Minn.
Today’s investments are in coordination with Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand’s recent announcement that USDA is investing $876 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for more than 785,000 rural residents in 43 states, including: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, interested parties should contact their local area office.
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/mn.
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