Nebraska Ag Connection - USDA Invests in Nebraska Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

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USDA Invests in Nebraska Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
Nebraska Ag Connection - 12/10/2018

Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett has announced that USDA is investing $1.2 billion to help rebuild and improve rural water infrastructure for 936,000 rural Americans living in 46 states. Two Nebraska communities received a total of $3.3 million.

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

USDA is providing financing for 234 water and environmental infrastructure projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. The 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 on the interactive RD Apply tool, or they can apply through one of USDA Rural Development's state or field offices.

Below are the Nebraska investments USDA is making:

- The Village of Edison will receive a $100,000 loan to fund a cost overrun for an urgent replacement of the lift station which has surpassed its useful life. This infrastructure improvement will eliminate health concerns and allow the village to efficiently provide wastewater services to its 133 residents. Additional funding was a USDA Direct loan to the village of Edison for $206,000.

- The City of Edgar will receive a $981,000 loan and $2.3 million in grant funds to improve the water system in the city. The city has 224 residential and 19 commercial users on the water system that is dangerously high in nitrates. The proposed project will construct a transmission main to interconnect Edgar to the nearby city of Fairfield. Fairfield's wellfield lies in a natural drainage area surrounded by unfarmed ground, so nitrates remain low. The project will ensure a safe water source for Edgar and help spread the costs associated with operating a water system over more users. The project came to fruition after many discussions between the two neighboring towns.

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