The Department of Agriculture announced a $124 million investment Tuesday to help rebuild and improve rural water infrastructure in 23 states.
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett made the announcement in Louisiana, which is receiving funding for five projects. USDA is providing the funding through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. It can be used to finance drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents. USDA notes that Congress has provided a “historic level” of funding for water and wastewater infrastructure for fiscal year 2018.
The 2018 Omnibus spending bill includes $5.2 billion for USDA loans and grants, up from $1.8 billion in FY 2017. Eligible rural communities and water districts can apply online for funding to maintain, modernize or build water and wastewater systems.
Learn more about the grants and the projects receiving funding online at https://www.rd.usda.gov/.
Source: National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.