Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced this week that the USDA will disperse $445.3 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funding to 89 projects to improve water quality and sanitation.  The USDA has provided $3.26 billion in Recovery Act funding for water quality and environmental projects since the Act was enacted in 2009.

While touring project sites today, Secretary Vilsack said, “Investments in water and wastewater projects like this one in Berlin [Maryland] will help deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment throughout rural America.  These projects advance the Obama Administration’s economic recovery goals to provide reliable services in rural America.”

The 89 projects are varied in their scope.  However, all deal with public and environmental health.  One project in rural Minnesota, for example, aims to reduce the amount of wastewater flowing into the Minnesota River by replacing a sewer main, upgrading a lift station, and improving a wastewater treatment facility.  Another project in rural South Carolina will receive a $2.8 million loan and a $2.5 million grant to provide safe drinking water to 200 individuals who do not currently have public water service.

You can find more information about the USDA’s Recovery Act efforts at www.usda.gov/recovery.