The federal government is investing $331 million in 85 projects to improve improve water and wastewater infrastructure in the rural U.S.
According to AgriNews, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s program will span 39 states and American Samoa. All told, the Obama Administration has invested almost $14 billion to support rural water efforts. That includes nearly 6,000 water and waste infrastructure projects that currently benefit almost 20 million rural residents.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says water upgrades protect the health and safety of those who live and work in rural areas. He added that good water is “especially critical given today's aging infrastructure in areas that have not fully benefited from rural America's economic rebound.”
The USDA is providing $264 million in loans and $67 million in grants to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems for communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
