The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $13 million to expand access to rural water infrastructure and create economic opportunities for people who live and work in colonias or rural and Tribal communities.
The investments include more than $9 million to help nearly 14,000 people located in socially vulnerable communities.
“USDA believes that people everywhere, regardless of where they live, should have peace of mind using basic community infrastructure, whether that means drinking safe water or having equipment to learn skills for a new career,” Xochitl Torres Small, USDA’s Under Secretary for Rural Development, said. “Thanks to the leadership of President Biden, Vice President Harris, Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and Members of Congress like Congressman Ruiz, USDA can help invest in this peace of mind and build opportunity and prosperity for the people who call rural America home.”
Torres Small highlighted investments that USDA is making in two programs specifically designed to help people and communities in rural areas. These programs are Water & Waste Disposal Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands and Colonias and Appalachian Regional Commission Grants. A colonia is defined as a rural community within the U.S.-Mexico border region that lacks adequate water, sewer, housing, or a combination of all three.
The funding will benefit more than 19,000 people in six states. It reflects the many ways USDA Rural Development addresses economic development, infrastructure and social service needs for rural residents and communities. It will help build and improve water and wastewater infrastructure for people living in colonias and Tribal lands. It will also allow colleges to upgrade campus buildings and services.
As part of the funding, Coachella Valley Water District in California is receiving a $1.5 million Water and Waste Disposal colonias grant to replace the water main pipeline and three booster stations. This investment will help the district provide adequate water service to customers by increasing the amount of water pumped through the pipeline distribution system.
North Dakota’s Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is receiving a $3 million Water and Waste Disposal tribal grant to install a water main from Kenel, S.D., to the North Dakota border to extend rural water service to about 250 people on the reservation.
The awards announced today are being made in Arizona, California, Kentucky, Maine, New Mexico and North Dakota.
