U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced funding for three projects in western Iowa to improve water quality and public sanitation services. The money is from the federal stimulus program.
The Southern Iowa Rural Water Association will get a $1.48 million loan and $3.4 million grant to replace water meters. The association, headquartered in Creston, serves residents and businesses in Adams, Adair, Cass, Clarke, Decatur, Madison, Ringgold, Taylor and Union Counties.
The construction of the fixed-based meter system will improve the identification of water leaks, reducing the amount of water loss and the potential for contamination of the water supply.
The association also will receive a $1.8 million loan and $5.4 million grant for a water system project in southwest Cass County. The planned improvements include the expansion of rural water service to 269 customers over 145 square miles, including Cold Springs State Park near Lewis.
About 170 miles of 2-inch pipe will be put in as part of the distribution system along with 17 miles of 8-inch pipe to help bring water from Corning. A 150,000-gallon water tower will be built to meet the area’s average-day water needs.
The City of Hastings will get a $493,000 loan and $682,000 grant to build wastewater collection, water main and lagoon treatment systems to help correct health and sanitary problems.
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