On Wednesday, the USDA announced a $281 million investment for 106 rural water and wastewater infrastructure projects nationwide.  That funding includes a $677,000 loan and $296,195 grant to the city of Mabton, WA for a new well.

Ground water is currently pumped from two wells, delivered to an 800,000-gallon reservoir, treated by chlorination for disinfection and distributed to customers. The new well will augment water capacity, benefiting over 2,000 residents.

Representative Dan Newhouse says these federal dollars will gratly improve the reliability and delivery of water to the Mabton area.

 “In Central Washington, we are not strangers to water shortages and drought," Newhouse said Wednesday. "I am grateful to Secretary Perdue and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for prioritizing our rural communities and aiding the city to increase access to our most precious resource – clean water.”

“These investments will bring modern, reliable water and wastewater infrastructure to rural communities. They will replace deteriorating, leaking water pipes with new ones and upgrade water handling systems that are decades old. These investments create jobs and improve public health and safety for our rural neighbors,” said USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to partnering with rural communities to help them improve their infrastructure, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”


If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com

More From PNW Ag Network