State Director for Rural Development Edd Hargett today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing almost $7 million to improve rural water infrastructure in Texas.
“The Water and Waste Disposal program is a vital funding source available to rural communities to help them keep pace with the needs of their rising populations,” said Hargett. “We are pleased to assist these communities with funding to improve water services.”
USDA is making the investments through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Rural cities and towns, water districts and other eligible entities can use the funds for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
In Texas:
- The city of Crockett will use a $661,000 loan as additional financing to construct a concrete ground storage tank, rehabilitate elevated storage tanks and replace the water meters with a drive by Automatic Meter Reader system. These improvements will address the concentration of Trihalomethanes (TTHM) in the city's drinking water. In addition, the water meter replacements will allow the city to better manage its water loss and billing issues. The city previously received a $3,127,000 Rural Development loan.
- The city of Clarksville will use a $3.4 million loan and a $2.7 million grant to construct a new water well and rehabilitate an older water well, repaint and refurbish the existing ground and elevated water storage tanks, the replacement of old leaking pipes, and the replacement of all residential water meters. Upon completion of this project the city will have a sufficient water supply and adequate water storage to comply with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulations and a significant reduction in the water loss.
USDA had $2.9 billion available for USDA Water and Environmental Program loans and grants at the beginning of fiscal year 2019. USDA will make additional funding announcements in coming weeks.
View the interactive RD Apply tool or contact one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices for application or eligibility information.
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. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.
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.