by Cami Koons
Iowa Capital Dispatch
Rural Iowa communities have received more than $8 million in grants and loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development for the improvement of water and safety systems.
The grants and loans will be used to purchase firetrucks, warning sirens and to upgrade wastewater and water distribution systems in 20 Iowa counties, according to a news release Thursday from the department.
More than $7 million of the total announced awards went to water improvement projects in Russell, Ricketts, Pisgah and the unincorporated community of Green Mountain in Marshall County.
The City of Russell received a more than $2 million loan and a $1.3 million grant to update old water pipes to meet modern standards and reduce water loss.
The City of Pisgah was awarded a nearly $1.4 million loan and a $1.1 million grant for the construction of a new piping, electrical gear, pumps and controls at its wells and ground storage sites. The funding will also go toward emergency standby systems, replacing lead elements in service lines, building hydrants and main lines through parts of the city.
The City of Ricketts received smaller grants and loans through the same Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program to line its sewers, seal manholes and build a new discharge lagoon for its wastewater treatment system. The city received a $200,000 loan and a $900,000 grant for the improvements.
Iowa Regional Utilities received $650,000 total in grants and loans to build the first-ever centralized sewer system in the unincorporated community of Green Mountain.
North Iowa Area Council of Governments and the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity received grants of slightly less than $65,000 each to assist with improvements to low-income housing.
Communities received a cumulative total of $192,400 in grants to upgrade public safety equipment.
The cities of Ashton and Miles will use the funding to purchase new siren and warning system. Waukon, Albia and Clarion received higher grant amounts to purchase a K9 law-enforcement vehicle, a fire rescue truck and a law enforcement patrol vehicle.
The cities of Epworth and Sabula will use their grants, to obtain firefighting equipment.
Michael Sexton, the state’s rural development director, said the administration is “championing” infrastructure projects that give rural and agricultural communities “more solid footing for the future.”
“USDA recognizes the unique challenges faced by smaller Iowa communities as the need for clean water and emergency response grows in places that support our nation’s essential food supply chains,” Sexton said in the news release.
Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com.
