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USDA Invests $9.1 Million in Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements in Iowa

Name
Matthew Doyle
Phone
City
Des Moines
Release Date

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand today announced that the department is investing $281 million in 106 projects to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural communities in 36 states and Puerto Rico. USDA is funding the projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.

“These investments will bring modern, reliable water and wastewater infrastructure to rural communities. They will replace deteriorating, leaking water pipes with new ones and upgrade water handling systems that are decades old. These investments create jobs and improve public health and safety for our rural neighbors,” Brand said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to partnering with rural communities to help them improve their infrastructure, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

USDA is funding projects in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Eligible applicants include rural cities, towns and water districts. The funds can be used for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities that meet population limits. 

Below are the water and wastewater projects awarded in rural Iowa communities that will receive over $9.1 million in loan and grant funding:

  • The City of Griswold will use a $419,000 loan investment to construct two pipeline segments to improve a stormwater handling system. Project funds are needed to correct health and sanitary conditions and to prevent further flood damage to private property and city infrastructure.
  • The City of North English will use a $4,990,000 loan and $2,661,000 grant investment to make improvements to the City of North English's wastewater system including the construction of a three-cell aerated lagoon to replace a treatment plant. Ultraviolet disinfection and lining of the collection system, replacement of a lift station and replacement of deteriorating service lines will also be completed.  The improved facilities will extend the service life of the sanitary collection system and west lift force main. 
  • The City of Lewis will use a $100,000 loan and $100,000 grant investment to partially fund an update to the community's water treatment plant, replace the system's water meters and replace approximately 3,500 feet of water mains. 
  • The Gowrie Municipal Utilities will use a $500,000 loan investment to rehabilitate one of the city's two wells. During inspection it was determined that the well casing was severely deteriorated with large areas of grout exposed. The well will be re-cased to allow for continued use. The city's second well has been running continuously and is showing signs of fatigue. It is imperative that both wells be operational for city use.
  • Malvern City will use a $400,000 loan investment to cover a portion of the cost of constructing and improving the municipal water system.  The improvements include a new water treatment plant, well house improvements, and force main sewer piping to transport waste generated at the water treatment plant to the city's sewer collection system.  Also included are elevated water tower improvements and equipment, distribution system piping replacement and other items related to the water system.

For application or eligibility information, view the interactive RD Apply tool or contact one of USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices.

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.

If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

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