USDA - Rural Development Supports Missouri Communities

Updated water and wastewater systems are crucial for the health, safety and economic vitality of Missouri’s rural communities and residents. However, did you know that the United States Department of Agriculturs (USDA) Rural Development partners with rural communities, water districts and sewer districts to invest in this much-needed infrastructure?

For more than 50 years, the USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program has supported rural communities by providing affordable financing options for clean and reliable drinking water systems and sanitary sewage disposal systems. The program assists qualified applicants (who are not otherwise able to obtain commercial credit on reasonable terms) acquire, construct or improve water and wastewater systems. Eligible applicants include most local governmental entities and some private nonprofits in rural areas.

Funds from this program can be used in a myriad of ways, such as financing the acquisition, construction or modernization for drinking water systems; sewer collection systems; solid waste collection; and stormwater collection systems. This program helped improve access to safe and clean water for more than 28,000 rural Missourians in fiscal year 2022 alone.

Affordable loans and grants can be used for a variety of purposes. For example:

The city of Perry, located in Ralls County, used its Rural Development investment to make improvements to the City’s wastewater system. A Rural Development loan and grant, in conjunction with funding from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), assisted the City with repairing, replacing and installing approximately five miles of wastewater collection lines. Additionally, a selection of manholes throughout the City were also repaired or replaced. Finally, the City completed major modifications to its existing lagoon treatment facility and implemented a new overall treatment process. These improvements have allowed Perry to have safer and more reliable wastewater treatment for the residents and businesses in the city of Perry.

The city of Windsor, located in Henry and Pettis Counties, worked with Rural Development to identify issues and make improvements to its water distribution system. Initially, a Rural Development Pre-Development Planning Grant (PPG) was awarded to the City and used to assist in the preparation of a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). This report was the basis of the subsequent Rural Development loans the City will use to assist with upgrading and replacing

3.5 miles of water distribution lines. Additionally, the project will aid in line looping to eliminate dead end lines. It will also allow for the installation of new water meters and end line flushing devices.

The city of Van Buren, located in Carter County, will use its Rural Development investment to make improvements to the City’s water system. A Rural Development loan and grant, in conjunction with funding from CDBG, will allow the City to replace four miles of water distribution lines, replace valves, install new flush hydrants, install two new water wells and install both a new 250,000-gallon elevated storage tank and a 60,000-gallon standpipe. The existing distribution lines are prone to low pressures and the current ground source wells are subject to contamination during high water events. By relocating the new water sources to higher elevations, the City will improve its ability to better serve customers with a more reliable and safe drinking water system.

In addition to the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, USDA Rural Development Community Program staff also administer the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. This program supports rural communities by providing affordable financing options for essential community facilities in rural areas. These loans and grants assist qualified applicants, who are not otherwise able to obtain commercial credit on reasonable terms, to develop essential services to the local community, excluding private, commercial or business undertakings. Eligible applicants include most rural local governmental entities and some private nonprofits in rural areas. Some examples of essential community facilities include public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or other equipment. Additionally, public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, and healthcare facilities are also considered essential community facilities.

Clark Thomas, USDA Rural Development’s Community Programs Director, oversees both the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program and the Community Facilities Program in Missouri. He and an experienced team of nearly 30 specialists located throughout the state are available to answer questions and share how USDA Rural Development is focused on meeting the needs of rural Missourians. For assistance, call the state office at (573) 876-9325 or reach out to your nearest USDA Rural Development Missouri office. Learn more at https:// www.rd.usda.gov/mo.