USDA Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer today announced funding to make essential improvements to the water and wastewater infrastructure in the cities of Bovey, Coleraine and Taconite located in north central Minnesota.
“Investing in rural infrastructure results in jobs and economic development opportunities for Greater Minnesota,” said Landkamer. “These funds ensure the health and safety of sanitary wastewater treatment for local residents well into the future.”
After more than 31 years of pumping and treating wastewater for the cities of Bovey, Coleraine and Taconite, the existing force main pipeline system has started to deteriorate. Used to pump wastewater discharge from a lower elevation to a higher ejector point, force main pipelines start to corrode as the pumps slow over time causing wastewater to sit for longer and longer periods of time. As the wastewater sits, it becomes septic and emits a highly corrosive hydrogen sulfide gas, causing damage and breakage.
Replacement of three miles of deteriorating force main pipeline will help make the essential repairs necessary for the cities to mitigate any potential health and safety issues for the nearly 3,200 local residents.
Today’s funding comes in the form of a $3.1 million loan and a $201,000 grant through USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested over $393 million in loans and grants to build or improve over 330 water and wastewater treatment facilities throughout rural Minnesota.
Rural Development also invests in housing, community facilities, rural small businesses, renewable energy and broadband. To learn more about Rural Development programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mn and contact your local area office.