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USDA announces funding for Revere, Red Rock Rural Water systems

$1.5 million loans, $402k area grants

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Tuesday that it is investing $1.2 billion to help rebuild and improve rural water infrastructure for 936,000 rural Americans in 46 states.

Recipients include the City of Revere, on U.S. Highway 14 in southern Redwood County. Funds include a $402,000 grant and $161,000 loan to be used to improve aging water infrastructure.

The current system is experiencing high (20 percent) water loss due to aged pipes and the city does not offer any water treatment options except adding fluoride to the water.

The elevated storage tank (water tower) has exceeded its useful life and needs extensive repairs. Water system connections currently do not have meters. The project will replace aged distribution lines, connect the City of Revere’s water system to the Red Rock Rural Water System, a southwest Minnesota regional system.

In addition, water meters will be installed for nearly 100 residents and businesses in the city. The total project cost is $1,175,500 in the form of a $161,000 Water and Waste Disposal Loan and a $402,000 Water and Waste Disposal Grant, a $12,500 SEARCH Grant and a $600,000 Small Community Development Grant through the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development.

In addition, Red Rock Rural Water will receive a $1,400,000 loan to rehabilitate three water towers and replace 1,600 water meters in the Red Rock Rural Water System. Improvements are related to aging infrastructure (replacement/rehabilitation of existing infrastructure), that are at the end of useful life, and do not satisfy health or sanitary concerns. This Project will allow the Red Rock Rural Water System to reliably supply potable water to its customers.

“Access to water is a key for economic opportunity and quality of life in rural communities,” said Anne Hazlett, Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development. “Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, the USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities in building prosperity through modern water infrastructure.”

The USDA is providing financing for 234 water and environmental infrastructure projects thought the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Funding can be used for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.

Eligible communities and water districts can apply online with interactive RD Apply Tool or through of the USDA Rural Development’s state or field offices.

For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

fbusch@nujournal.com

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