April 22, 2013

Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce USDA Project Funding for Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), along with Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.), Monday announced the award of more than $1 million in federal grant and loan monies for water infrastructure in Lincoln County.

“Clean running water is important to the health and safety of our families, businesses, and communities, as well as our State’s future economic growth,” said Rahall, top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  “This spending on infrastructure – like most such spending on community and business development – is under attack in our Nation’s Capitol, but you can be certain I will fight like I have all the forces of Mother Nature combined to defend precious infrastructure dollars from short-sighted budget cuts."

“Access to clean water is critically important, especially with the summer months coming up,” said Rockefeller. “Supplying more reliable water service to our rural communities, including new fire hydrants, will improve overall health and safety. Launching a project that provides more West Virginians with one of our most important natural resources is a smart and needed investment in Lincoln County.”

“Improving our public water systems is critical to protecting the health and wellbeing of West Virginians across the state, especially in our rural communities,” Manchin said. “Developing our state’s infrastructure was one of my top priorities as your governor and remains so as your United States Senator. Access to a safe and reliable source of water is a commonsense way to improve the quality of life and the overall health of our residents. This is tremendous news for Lincoln County, especially on Earth Day.”

The funding includes a $747,000 grant and a $533,000 low-interest loan provided by the USDA Rural Development to the Logan County Public Service District for the Frances Creek Waterline Extension project, which will bring water service to 84 additional households in the communities of Frances Creek and Kiah Creek.  Project construction includes approximately 40,300 feet of new waterline, one water storage tank, one pressure reducing station, 22 fire hydrants, valves, and other related appurtenances. 

Residents currently must use ground wells as their only source of water, the majority of which are known to contain high levels of iron and bacteriological contamination due to failing septic systems in the area.

-30-