by Whitney Flach
Yesterday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making investments to improve water and waste infrastructure for 168 small towns across the United States. Four projects in Iowa are receiving a total of $3,889,000 to assist with water-related improvements.
Bill Menner State Director USDA Rural Development said, ?USDA Funds projects across the state. These projects are an important element across Iowa. Small towns have to have clean waterways and we have to protect waterways. USDA is glad to be a major part of making that happen.?
The City of Thurman will be given a $144,000 grant, and $152,000 loan to assist with improvements to its municipal water system including a new well and filtration water treatment plant. The City of Scarville will be given a $20,000 grant and $115,000 loan to assist with the construction of a new pressurized collection system and community drain field. The City of Livermore will be given a $840,000 grant and a $960,000 loan to assist with constructing a new water treatment system and replace some of the existing distribution lines in this community. Iowa Lakes Regional Water will be given a $910,000 grant $748,000 loan and to assist with the construction and installation of approximately 11 miles of pipeline to bring rural water to the City of Ayrshire.
Vilsack said, “Projects like these are critical to the economy, health and future of rural America, and today 19 million residents now have improved water and wastewater services in their communities thanks to investments USDA has made since 2009.?
Funding for each project is based upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan, grant or loan/grant agreement.
