Rural areas given grants to improve wastewater systems

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        Petersburg and Oaktown are among six rural communities in the state which will benefit from investments totaling nearly $31 million. The money is being distributed to improve wastewater systems.

        The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the investments funded by the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.

        Petersburg received two grants, one for just over $4600 and another for just over $7500.  It will be used to add two new trickling filters to the existing wastewater treatment plant; replace two clarifiers and add a new transfer lift station at the plant.  Also a new equalization basin/lagoon will be built on and a new solar array field will be added to the site to offset power purchases. The Petersburg Wastewater Utility service area currently includes the city of Petersburg as well as up to 80 rural customers residing in Washington Township and serves nearly 3200 residents.

        Oaktown is getting $475,000 to upgrade their drainage systems with a new storm sewer, inlets and ditches in some critical areas.  The work will increase storm water runoff capture and send the storm water to appropriate outlets and decrease ponding and flooding recently experience by the towns 608 residents.

        Other rural communities receiving grant funds for various wastewater improvement projects were Cannelton, Newport, Knightstown and Henryville.

 

Read the full news release from the USDA here