USDA recently announced it is investing $635 million in 122 projects to improve water systems and wastewater handling services in rural communities in 42 states. USDA Rural Development is funding the projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. Projects in the Iowa communities of Albia, Ellsworth and Sac City are receiving a total of $12.4 million in loan and grant funds.

“These investments will bring reliable infrastructure to rural communities,” says Donald LaVoy, USDA deputy undersecretary for Rural Development. “They will replace old, fragile, leaking water pipes with new ones, and allow upgrades to water handling systems that are decades old, boosting water pressure and cutting water losses. Working with our partners, these investments create jobs and improve public health and safety.”

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.

“Rebuilding and upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure is vital to the future of rural communities,” says Grant Menke, state director of USDA Rural Development in Iowa. “We are proud to partner with the cities of Albia, Ellsworth and Sac City on water infrastructure modernization projects, which will yield key health benefits and help spur economic growth, making these rural Iowa communities even more attractive places to live and work.”

The cities and their projects receiving funding include:

Albia. The city in Monroe County, population 3,766, will use a $9 million loan and $813,000 grant to make improvements to the north and west wastewater treatment facilities. A submerged attached growth reactor system will be constructed for the removal of ammonia for post-lagoon nitrification. An ultraviolet disinfection system will also be added.

Ellsworth. The city in Hamilton County, population 531, will use a $200,000 loan to provide additional financing for the construction of a stormwater system. These improvements will benefit the community by alleviating reoccurring flooding, which poses serious health and safety concerns. The system will replace an antiquated drain-tile system, which is unable to handle large water flows.

Sac City. The city in Sac County, population 2,220, will use a $1.12 million loan and a $1.28 million grant to make wastewater improvements to rehabilitate parts of the collection system; replace sewer mains along two streets; and update telemetry systems at the lift station and treatment plant to computer hardware control and operating systems, as well as data acquisition software. The updates will address collection system surcharging and discharging from manholes, as well as sewer backup into basements, causing health and sanitary issues.

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

Contact USDA Rural Development

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 information on programs available through USDA Rural Development, visit rd.usda.gov/ia or call 515-284-4663.

USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across Iowa to serve the 1.7 million people living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a state office in Des Moines and area offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.

Source: USDA, 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.