Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley today (Wednesday) announced that USDA is investing $192 million in 71 projects located across 29 states to improve rural water infrastructure. Nine of those projects, totaling $15.3 million, are assisting residents living in rural Iowa communities. Three of the projects are in Kimballton, Lewis and Massena.

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.

The city of Kimballton is receiving a $1,461,000 loan and $1,400,000 grant to make significant capital improvements to its municipal water system. Funds from the project will be used to replace water mains, install new piping to create a looped distribution system, construct a 50,000-gallon elevated storage tower, purchase a back-up generator and make various repairs and updates to the water treatment plant. These improvements will update the city’s aging infrastructure and improve water pressure throughout the community.

The city of Lewis is receiving a $1,041,000 loan and $1,000,000 grant to improve its wastewater collection system, including spot repairs in 14 locations, lining 5,000 feet of pipe, repairing manholes, constructing a third cell in the lagoon and adding ultra-violet disinfection to the treatment system. The repairs and new treatment will help the city meet new Iowa Department of Natural Resources testing limits.

The city of Massena is receiving a $925,000 loan and $927,000 grant to improve its wastewater treatment facility. The lagoons will be updated with a submerged attached growth reactor system, and ultraviolet disinfection will be installed. Without these repairs and updates, the treatment facility will fail to meet new compliance limitations for ammonia-nitrogen and E. coli.

The city of Dow City (Crawford County), is receiving a $557,000 loan to construct a new well. Both of the city’s current wells will be taken out of service because water from them contains high nitrate levels. The new well will ensure city residents have access to safe and reliable drinking water.