U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky State Director Hilda Legg today announced the USDA is investing over $8 million in four water and wastewater projects across rural Kentucky.
“Clean water and reliable wastewater infrastructure are part of the backbone of rural economic development and good quality of life,” said Legg. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, we are committed to investing in this critical infrastructure, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Big Sandy Water District
This $540,000 Rural Development investment ($395,000 loan/$145,000 grant) will be used to complete the rehabilitation of eight existing storage tanks, construction of a new pump station, rehabilitation of five existing pump stations and the replacement of approximately eight miles of distribution lines. This will alleviate potential health and sanitary issues and reduce water loss in the system. The project also includes the construction of a new 3,000-square-foot office building to replace a 20-year-old double-wide trailer that has become inadequate for the district's needs. These improvements will benefit approximately 4,756 existing customers in rural Boyd County.
Larue County Water District No. 1
This $3.8 million Rural Development investment ($2.8 million loan/$1 million grant) will be used to construct a new elevated water storage tank, a booster pump station, and a new office/maintenance building. It will also refurbish two existing tanks and make numerous connections and loop lines to improve flow, pressure and water quality throughout the system. The office building is necessary to provide better and safer customer access to the drive-thru window, which currently backs onto the roadway during peak periods. These improvements will benefit 3,380 existing and 10 new customers in rural Larue County.
City of Falmouth
This $2.214 million Rural Development investment ($1.66 million loan/$554,000 grant) will be used to construct a wet-weather basin to retain flows that exceed the wastewater treatment plant's capacity during heavy rainfall events to be treated at a later date. This is a corrective measure in response to an Agreed Order from the Kentucky Division of Water, which was placed on the city for failure to meet discharge limits. In addition, the city will remove the existing coating system and repaint the interior and exterior of a 250,000 gallon water storage tank. This is in response to an inspection that revealed a majority of the coating was failing and in poor condition, with exterior coating containing high levels of lead. This is also a corrective measure in response to a Notice of Violation from the DOW for failure to inspect or clean the tank in a timely manner. These actions will ensure a safe, sanitary, means of waste disposal for 955 sewer customers and a safe, dependable, water supply for 959 customers in rural Pendleton County.
Simpson County Water District
This Rural Development investment ($1.529 million loan) will be used to construct approximately four miles of four-inch, eight-inch, and 12-inch waterline; replace approximately six miles of existing deteriorating waterline; and construct a new pump station and master meters. These improvements will alleviate the loss of water and revenue as well as meet the demands of current and future customers. In addition, the system will be able to accommodate the demands of the new Fritz Winter North America foundry and production facility, which is anticipated to use approximately 10% of the system's daily water production. This project will ensure a safe, dependable, water supply for 3,399 existing and four new customers in rural Simpson County and encourage more industry to locate in the area, boosting the local economy and bringing employment opportunities.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
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.