Clean Water Fund Expands
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Funding Help Available from USDA
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If you are considering developing or improving your municipal water supply and/or waste disposal facilities but don’t have the necessary funds, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program may be able to help.USDA has received additional funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and Wisconsin has been allocated $15.4 million through the USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Program. Public entities with populations of up to 10,000, including municipalities, counties, special-purpose districts, Indian tribes, and corporations not operated for profit, are eligible for funding under this program. Additional eligibility requirements apply pertaining to the ability of the public entity to fund the project.
For a community to be eligible for grant funding under the USDA program, the median household income (MHI) must be below $46,632 (based on the 2000 census). Additionally, the rates for the utility affected by the project must generally be nearing 2% of the MHI or the rates similar communities have in place. USDA Rural Development strives to use low-interest loans, grants, or a combination to maintain utility rates near this level; however, this requirement may be relaxed with the additional funding available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Funding under the USDA Rural Development program is available for a range of projects, including:
- Construction, repair, modification, expansion, or improvements to water supply and distribution systems and waste collection and treatment systems, including storm drainage and solid waste disposal facilities. Other costs relating to the development of the facilities may also be covered.
- Acquisition of needed land, water sources, and water rights.
- Payment of costs such as legal and engineering fees when necessary to develop the facilities.
