USDA’s Rural Utilities Service has more than $4 billion in loan funds and $1 billion in grant funds available for rural community water and wastewater system improvements; nearly triple the normal annual obligation.
The Water and Waste Disposal Program provides loans, loan guarantees, and grants to fund the construction, upgrade, or expansion of clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage or solid waste disposal infrastructure, and stormwater drainage in rural areas.
With the passage of the 2018 omnibus spending bill, up to $75 million is available in Louisiana this fiscal year, which concludes on September 30. The funding is available for small towns with a population of 10,000 or fewer.
USDA’s Water and Environmental Program (WEP) offers long-term, low-interest loans and grants.
USDA Rural Development State Director Dr. Carrie Castille expressed the urgency for small rural distressed water systems to take advantage of this opportunity for much-needed infrastructure that is critical for safe drinking water.
“Modern infrastructure is essential to the continued growth and prosperity of any rural community” Louisiana State Director Dr. Carrie Castille said. “It is vital that we partner together to help our communities to take advantage of this opportunity to make vital infrastructure improvements to better serve citizens experiencing problems with accessing safe and clean drinking water.”
For more information about this opportunity, contact USDA Rural Development Acting Community Programs Director Jared Hicks at (318) 473-7940 or by email at jared.hicks@la.usda.gov. Rural community leaders can apply for these funds electronically by using the interactive RD Apply tool.
