USDA Rural Development Nebraska State Director Karl Elmshaeuser today announced that $1.3 million will bring water improvements to Rural Water District No. 2 Richardson County.
“Water infrastructure is important to rural communities both in quantity and quality,” said Elmshaeuser. “USDA is assisting Rural Water District No. 2 Richardson County with an expansion that will serve residents now and into the future.”
The Rural Water District No. 2 in Richardson County, NE received funding of $1,327,000 to expand the existing water infrastructure. Seventy-two new users will be hooked up to the Rural Water District’s existing system serving southeast Richardson County. Currently these users experience water quantity shortage and high nitrates. The Rural Water District purchases water from Falls City. The distribution system pipeline will be expanded using two-inch and three inch PVC piping, branching off the new six-inch line that will be constructed from Falls City to Indian Cave State Park. The new infrastructure will meet applicable health standards.
For more information on the Water and Environmental Program Loan and Grant Program contact your local Nebraska Water and Environmental Program Specialist.
Elmshaeuser’s announcement is in coordination with U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary of Rural Development Donald ‘DJ’ LaVoy’s announcement of USDA investing $144 million to improve rural water infrastructure in 25 states.
“Modern and reliable water and wastewater infrastructure systems are foundational to economic growth and quality of life in rural communities,” LaVoy said, “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to investing in this critical infrastructure, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $1 million grant to expand water infrastructure in Richardson County, Nebraska, as part of the department’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program:
“Nebraskans in Richardson County who are experiencing water shortages will now have access to the clean, safe water they need. This USDA grant will expand infrastructure to help further strengthen rural communities in southeast Nebraska.”
USDA is investing in 45 projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Eligible applicants include rural cities and towns, and water districts. They can use the funds for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
