The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Office, as well as the Glidden Sanitary District No. 1 of Glidden, Wis., celebrated a joint water project with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new water tower.
The project involved replacing Glidden's water distribution system and components of its wastewater collection system.
The $1.1 million project includes replacing Glidden' 90-year-old water distribution system, where 45 percent of the water was being lost through leakage. It included constructing 3,400 feet of 6-inch water mains, a 50,000 gallon elevated reservoir, three manholes and control valves and five new fire hydrants, as well as replacing 14 old fire hydrants and refurbishing two lift stations.
Corps' projects such as this one are authorized and funded under the Northern Wisconsin Section 154 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2001. The program is to provide design and construction assistance to local governments for carrying out water-related environmental infrastructure and resource projection projects in the four northernmost counties of the Wisconsin 7th Congressional District.
U.S. Representative David R. Obey (D-Wis) was instrumental in obtaining the federal approval and funding for this program.
"This program is good for the citizens of northern Wisconsin, and it is good for the environment," said Obey. "I am glad to have been a part of making it happen."
USDA Rural Development contributed an additional $1,463,000 for this project. This included a Rural Utility Program grant and loan in the amount of $300,000 and $1,163,000 respectively. This money was used to upgrade and improve Glidden's water distribution system and make improvements to the entire community. USDA Rural Development provides utility grants and loans to qualified communities with populations under 10,000.
"We proudly embrace our partnership with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in working toward our mutual goal of providing safe drinking water to the residents of Glidden," remarked Frank Frassetto USDA Rural Development State Director. "We are pleased to assist rural residents help rebuild their communities because it enhances their quality of life which is a key element of our mission.”
Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
