U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Christy Davis on Tuesday announced that USDA is investing $79.079 million in rural Kansas communities to expand access to a clean and reliable electric grid and provide safe drinking water.
“Strong communities are rooted in their people and these infrastructure investments will attract employers to our rural towns, creating lasting economic growth for the people who live there,” Davis said. The details of the Kansas investments include: — A $4,875,000 loan to reimburse Twin Valley Electric Cooperative’s distribution system improvements between 2021 and 2024. The project helped connect 65 consumers, according to Angie Erickson, CEO of Twin Valley. Twin Valley operates in Labette, Neosho, Montgomery and Cherokee counties. These improvements maintain and improve the reliability of the electrical systems for members.
— A $519,000 loan and $89,000 grant will be used by Miami County to demolish and construct a wastewater transmission main to the existing Spring Hill wastewater treatment plant. Project activities include construction of the following approximate quantities: 32,000 linear feet of 4-inch force main, 8,000 linear feet of 12-inch force main, 18 air release valves, one wastewater lift station with backup generator and the demolition of the existing wastewater treatment facility.
— A $ 1,303,000 loan will help the city of Dexter replace its cast iron water mains, fire hydrants and water valves. The improvements will reduce system water loss, minimizing city expenses.
— A $30,566,000 loan and $15,381,000 grant will help the city of Osawatomie construct a new water treatment plant and replace the existing distribution lines. The updates will include construction of pre-sedimentation basins, flocculation basins, sedimentation basins, ozone system, filters and clear wells. Additionally, the project will construct new laboratories, chemical feed rooms and administrative space at the plant.
— A $3,700,000 loan and a $1,100,000 grant will help the city of Fowler replace and upgrade water mains and replace isolation valves and hydrants as necessary. Other equipment to be replaced includes all the existing water meters and installing an automated meter reading system, water wells will have essential rehabilitation performed and telemetry upgrades will be added.
— A $8,593,000 loan and a $3,143,000 grant will help the city of Belle Plaine replace its remaining distribution system. The overall project will construct a new 300,000-gallon elevated storage tank and a new ion exchange nitrate removal treatment plant. The proposed project will replace the entire distribution system including main line, service line, meter pit replacements, new telemetry systems and automated meter reading system.
— A $1,932,000 loan will help improve the water system of Wabaunsee County Rural Water District No 1. The improvements will include the installation of a new standpipe and 12 1/2 miles of pipeline replacement to reduce water leaks, address hydraulic deficiencies, aging infrastructure and maintenance concerns.
