USDA announces $18.3M for U.S. East wastewater infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $18.3 million in investments to protect the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Delaware River Basin.

The funding will support clean water infrastructure in rural Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

“USDA Rural Development’s federal funding has made the updating of many water and wastewater projects more economically feasible, resulting in significantly improved water quality in both the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay watersheds,” said USDA Rural Development Delaware and Maryland State Director David Baker. “These wastewater and water projects throughout the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, DC, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware have benefited us all by ensuring safer drinking water, better recreation, and improved seafood and tourism business.”

For instance, in Maryland, USDA is investing $7.9 million under the Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan and Grant program in the following communities:

• The town of La Plata is receiving a $2.7 million loan to provide additional funds to improve the town’s sewer system. The town will build a central regional pumping station and install a 24-inch sewer line to the wastewater treatment plant.
• The town of Grantsville is receiving a $141,000 loan and a $419,000 grant to improve the sewer system and address infiltration issues and inflow spikes caused by heavy rain. This project will benefit people living in the town and other parts of Garrett County.
• The town of Emmitsburg is receiving a $1 million grant to replace a sanitary sewage pumping station on Creamery Road. The new pump station will limit overflows and eliminate the risk of violating state mandates.
• Fahrney-Keedy Memorial Home is receiving a $1.1 million loan to help build a stormwater management system for the Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village Campus. The project will improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and reduce stormwater pollution.

In Pennsylvania, the Loysville Municipal Authority will receive a $1.3 million loan and a $7.1 million grant under the Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan and Grant Program to build a new garage and upgrade the wastewater treatment plant’s sewer interceptor along Weavers Mill Road and its collection system.

In West Virginia, the town of Romney is receiving a $1.6 million loan and an $865,000 grant under the Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan and Grant Program to upgrade the water distribution and treatment system and replace approximately 3 miles of water line. Funds also will be used to replace valves, meters, pumps and more.

In New Jersey, the borough of Woodbine is receiving an $800,000 Water and Waste Disposal Direct Grant to upgrade the water treatment plant. The project will help fix lime tanks, a chlorinator and other deteriorated equipment. Funds also will be used to replace heaters and the roof, and cover engineering design and inspection fees.