FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (NewsDakota.com) – Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley announced that USDA is investing $192 million in 71 projects located across 29 states to improve rural water infrastructure.
“President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue were very clear when they directed Rural Development to identify and meet rural water needs as a foundational pillar in improving rural infrastructure,” Baxley said. “Safe and reliable water infrastructure is critical to the health, safety and economic vitality of rural America. Without access to safe water and functional wastewater treatment, sustainable growth in rural areas is not possible.”
USDA is making the $192 million investment through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Rural communities, water districts and other eligible entities can use the funds for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
North Dakota communities receiving funding include Beach, Medina, and LaMoure.
Medina will be granted $537,000 and loaned $668,000 that will replace water mains in certain locations throughout the city. Fire hydrants, gate valves, and water services will also be replaced. Sewer improvements include the re-lining of sewer mains and replacing the sewer services. Manholes will be rehabilitated or replaced, depending on their condition. This project will ensure that the town has a healthy infrastructure system, which is important to the well-being of the city and its residents. Additional funding includes a $3,465,000 United States Army Corps of Engineers grant.
LaMoure will be granted $803,000 and loaned $997,000 The project will remove the 50,000-gallon tower and install a 300,000-gallon concrete at-grade tank at a different location in the northeast section of the city.
“The location was chosen due to both the additional elevation of the site and the proximity to the Southeast Water Users (SEWU) water line that provides water to the city. From the new location, the tank would feed the city’s water system by piping it into town and connecting at the existing SEWU connection point as well as an existing dead-end line in the northeast part of the city. As part of the plan, the city would take the pump house and 120,000-gallon tank offline. Deficiencies within one of the structures and an overall lack of sufficient water storage have caused the city to seek financing assistance.”