Newhouse Applauds USDA Investment in Rural Water Infrastructure
City of Mabton to receive nearly $1 million to drill a new well
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement applauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture's investment to improve water infrastructure in Mabton, Washington:
"These federal dollars will greatly improve the reliability and delivery of water to the city of Mabton," said Rep. Newhouse. "In Central Washington, we are not strangers to water shortages and drought. 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."
The city of Mabton was awarded a $677,000 loan and a $296,195 grant to drill a new well. The city owns and operates a domestic water system that serves 632 active, metered connections. 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.
In addition to the project in Mabton, USDA funded 105 projects in 36 states and Puerto Rico through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.
"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."
Background:
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force's findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic.