Central Washington Communities Receive Federal Dollars To Address Water Issues

On Tuesday, the USDA announced the City of Ritzville and the Greater Bar Water District received federal monies to address water issues.  The federal loans and grants come through the USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal program.  The aim of the program is to improve water systems and waste water handling services in rural communities by ensuring reliable infrastructure.

Ritzville received $3,907,000 in grants and $3,465,000 in loans to construct a new municipal well and pump house. The funding will be used to rehabilitate two existing wells, re-coat the existing water reservoir, and replace the water line, Funding will also be used to install a new electrical panel and fence at the Koch Well Pump Station.

The Greater Bar Water District in Douglas County was awarded $165,000 in grants as well as a $55,000 loan to add a secondary back up pump, controls, and infrastructure to an existing well to provide the needed redundancy to ensure district customers do not lose water in the event of any failure to other wells. This will ensure both wells flow properly and support the water system as a whole.

“Rural communities in Central Washington rely heavily on strong infrastructure for clean drinking water and waste disposal,” said Representative Dan Newhouse. “In an area where water is already a scare resource, this financing will greatly improve the ability of Adams and Douglas counties to provide and deliver water to communities.”

The Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.  The USDA says the program helps small, financially distressed rural communities extend and improve water and waste treatment facilities that serve local households and businesses. Good practices can save tax dollars, improve the natural environment, and help manufacturers and businesses to locate or expand operations.

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