Staff photo by Fritz Busch U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, (D-MN) announced Thursday they have secured $1 million in federal funding from the Fiscal Year 2023 budget to improve drinking water access in Lafayette. The City of Lafayette water treatment plant on Main Street is pictured.

LAFAYETTE — U. S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced Thursday they have secured $1 million in federal funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 budget to improve drinking water access in Lafayette.

Money will be used to expand the city’s drinking and wastewater services to all residents within the city limits. Funding is expected to be received in the next few months, according to a news release.

“I am proud to have worked with local leaders to secure this funding. I know these resources will make a real difference in Lafayette,” said Klobuchar.

“Securing this funding for water treatment infrastructure will benefit people living in Lafayette by lowering costs and keeping their water free from contamination,” said Smith.

“I am proud of the work we did with local lenders to make this project possible. Keeping our water clean and safe is important for public health,” Smith added.

Lafayette mayor Sandi Peterson praised the work of Lafayette City Utility Superintendent Al Fox who found the grant that will be used for a $2.7 million reverse osmosis project.

“We’re glad we got this grant. We have very hard water with magnesium and iron that we have to clean up,” said Peterson. “We talked with SEH Engineering about a plan to add on to our water plant. We will soften the water. Our city council is very proactive on this, which I’m happy about.”

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).