Three rural cities and one tribal government in Minnesota have been awarded funding through USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.

Receiving funds this year in Minnesota are:

Red Band of Chippewa Indians. The tribal organization will receive a loan of $373,000 and a grant of $1,963,000. Funds will be used to improve the water, wastewater, and storm sewer systems serving the Northeast Area Housing Development on the Red Lake Tribal Reservation.

The Red Lake Reservation is in north central Minnesota, approximately 70 miles south of the Canadian Border. The Northeast Area Housing Development consists of 54 homes located on the eastern edge of the Red Lake community. Each has a private septic system, which are failing due to lack of maintenance. All storm sewer is localized instead of being part of a master network.

This project will help make improvements to the system infrastructure, including installation of a complete sewer system that will connect all 54 homes to the Red Lake Sewer System; improvements to the water system that will provide steady water movement to eliminate the stagnation that currently occurs and connect the remaining two homes to the system; and extension of the storm sewer into the housing area to provide improved surface water drainage.

City of Prinsburg. Prinsburg will receive a loan of $700,000 and a grant of $70,000. Funds will be used to make improvements to the water distribution system infrastructure.

This is the first step in a complete water system upgrade for the city. Water system upgrades will be made in areas of the city where county and state construction projects are taking place. Kandiyohi County is replacing the county road that runs north and south through Prinsburg, and the city is coordinating water infrastructure improvements to streamline construction of both projects.

This project will replace existing watermain that was installed in 1979 to resolve numerous breaks and high corrosion. During watermain breaks, the city has had to shut off water to various areas of the city, including the water tower, due to faulty gate valves. This project will also replace multiple gate valves and hydrants to address past flooding problems.

City of Borup. Borup will receive a loan of $720,000 and a grant of $1,175,000. Funds will help make improvements to the existing water and wastewater infrastructure in Borup.

The city's existing wastewater collection system and treatment facility are in poor condition. There are high levels of inflow and infiltration due pipe deterioration; outdated building operations at the treatment facility due to aging infrastructure; and the treatment ponds have seepage rates that are below health and safety standards. Additionally, the existing water treatment plant and distribution system are in poor condition and in need of many repairs.

This project will help to reconstruct the wastewater collection system with 6,000-square feet of new piping and liners; replace the current lift station; and upgrade the primary and secondary treatment ponds to outlet and control structures.

Project funds will also help to replace the existing water reservoir building with a new 8,000-gallon reservoir; replace existing service pumps; install a new pressure tank, fluoride injection system and new controls; and rehabilitate the existing two water wells.

City of Murdock. Murdock will receive a loan of $1,503,000 and a grant of $655,000. Funds will be used to improve the municipal water system in Murdock.

The city has two active groundwater wells, constructed in 1946 and 1974, that supply raw water to the city's system. The water tower was constructed in approximately 1938 and has a small capacity that does not meet the needs of the community.

Most of the water mains were installed in either 1986 or 1997 depending on the location, and they have become increasingly susceptible

Overall, USDA is funding 161 projects in dozens of state through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program that will benefit 467,000 residents.

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit the USDA Rural Development Minnesota state office online.

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