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Kansas water projects receive $12.9 million in funding

The drinking water and wastewater treatment projects were funded by the USDA Rural Development.

November 3, 2020

3 Min Read
Metal pipe with valve leaking in water treatment plant
PROJECTS FUNDED: Funds from USDA Rural Development have been allocated to four projects in rural Kansas improve drinking water and wastewater handling infrastructure projects including replacing water mains, treatment facilities and storage towers. olando_o/Getty Images

Four drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in rural Kansas are receiving a share of $12,902,000 in funds from USDA Rural Development through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program.

“Upgrading the infrastructure that delivers safe drinking water and modern wastewater management facilities will improve public health and drive economic development in our small towns and cities,” says Lynne Hinrichsen, rural development state director for Kansas.

Projects that have received funding include:

Russell. Rural Water District No. 3 will use a $5.014 million loan and a $2.783 million grant to improve existing water system infrastructure. Project funds will replace existing water mains and improve the system hydraulics, allowing the system to operate off one centralized elevated storage tank and one standpipe. This project will help to reduce water loss, greatly reduce maintenance needs, and provide adequate storage for the District.

Dickinson. The City of Chapman will use a $3.368 million loan to improve wastewater treatment infrastructure. This project will relocate and replace a main wastewater lift station, install new force main, construct a new two-cell non-discharging wastewater lagoon system, and demolish the current wastewater treatment plant. 

Once complete, the city will be back in compliance with the National Pollution Discharge Environment System permit to continue protecting the groundwater and streams from contamination, as well as provide efficient and sustainable wastewater service for the city's 1,393 residents. This partnership is made possible with a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Linn. Rural Water District No. 2 will use a $1.516 million loan to install water lines and construct a 50,000-gallon elevated storage tank for customers currently getting water from individual water wells, lake water and/or hauling water for their daily use. Several customers currently have systems that do not meet Safe Drinking Water Act standards. 

The District's existing distribution pipeline does not allow all new customers to be served economically, and the water tower is at capacity and unable to accommodate new customers. By expanding the District, these new customers will have access to safe and economical water for years to come. This partnership is made possible with a $160,000 contribution from the applicant.

Rush. The City of Liebenthal will use $97,000 loan and a $124,000 grant to replace their outdated pump station with a new pump station within the existing wetwell, increasing efficiency and streamlining maintenance. Additionally, modifications to the existing wastewater treatment lagoons include removing the berm between two of the cells and using the excavated soil to repair the side slopes. 

Improvements will help the city to continue providing efficient and sanitary wastewater treatment for the local 103 residents. This partnership is made possible with a $220,850 Community Development Block Grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce.

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, interested parties should contact the USDA Rural Development office at 785-271-2700 or rd.usda.gov/ks.

Source: USDA Rural Development, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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