USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT WATER PROGRAMS’
IMPACT IN ACTION
Frankton and Eaton, Indiana
Like many rural communities across the United States, the towns of Frankton and Eaton, Indiana have relied on USDA Rural Development for infrastructure upgrades. Watch the video to learn more about how these vital programs saved these rural communities.
Mni Wasté Water System, South Dakota
Being located in a very rural area brings many challenges for a water company. The challenges are amplified when the area is also one of the most economically disadvantaged areas of the country.
The Mni Wasté Water Company is a tribally chartered entity with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe serving 14,000 members in the Dewey, Meade, and Perkins counties on the Cheyenne River Lakota Reservation in western South Dakota. The company currently processes an average of one million gallons of water per day, with peak demand near two million gallons daily. But Director Leo ‘Earp’ Fischer said Mni Wasté is capable of processing more than four-point-four-million gallons per day.
This increased capacity and ongoing updates have been made possible through the help of USDA Rural Development. Fischer said that Rural Development’s nearly $90 million investment in the Eagle Butte area through the Water and Environmental Program was vital to Mni Wastés success.
Mni Wasté continues to update existing pipe and extend to new areas to deliver quality water to residents and businesses across the region. The system maintains 5.5 gallons of water in storage capacity and over four million gallons throughout service lines. The company manages more than 1,600 miles of pipe, delivering water to more than 1,600 customers across the reservation, with plans to extend from Highway 63 North to serve the town of Timber Lake. Future plans include upsizing lines to the west along Highway 212, and eventually providing bulk water to Perkins County Rural Water.
Fischer said Rural Development’s programs have only improved over time, making them even more valuable to rural communities.
Osawatomie, Kansas
The city of Osawatomie, Kansas, is currently in the design phase of a $38 Million total infrastructure improvement project that includes construction of a new water treatment plant. Osawatomie’s current treatment plant is unable to meet modern Surface Water Treatment Rule and Disinfection Byproduct Rule requirements. The water plant serves Osawatomie’s 4,255 citizens and the Osawatomie State Hospital, plus the Miami County Rural Water Districts No. 1 and No. 2.
The current water plant was built in 1939, some components are original. The plant has not had major upgrades since 1968. There is no automation, so every valve turn and chemical dosing adjustment must be made by hand.
The plant was not designed with the Stage 2 Disinfection Byproduct Rule (DPB) in mind, so compliance has been a challenge. The new $19 million plant design addresses DBP formation and cryptosporidium removal, which the city detected in its source water and must meet strict turbidity requirements to remove. In addition to water plant improvements, the city is planning $19 million in infrastructure upgrades to its aging distribution system. Parts of the system were constructed over 100 years ago.
The project's preliminary design is 69% complete. The project is currently on hold due to the uncertainty of USDA Rural Development funding, which will pay for 55% of the project costs; the other 45% will be paid for with grant funds. Rural Development programs are critical to the project; the low-interest loans and extended repayment period are the only tools to make the project affordable for the citizens of Osawatomie, a town with a poverty level of 17.5%, 31% higher than the Kansas average of 12%.
The water infrastructure improvements are crucial to the area's economic development. A new water plant with a larger capacity will serve as an economic development tool because, in addition to its relative proximity to Kansas City, the city owns its electric utility, which some companies find attractive when evaluating locations for their businesses.
Without the Rural Development programs, the Osawatomie water improvements are not affordable, leaving the current plant to limp along and the citizens of the city and rural areas to wait for the old plant to finally fail.
Prairie City, Oregon
Prairie City, Oregon, has been plagued with ongoing and severe drought conditions over many years. In 2019 and 2021, the city ran out of water, making basic hygiene, such as flushing a toilet or washing one’s hands, impossible. In March 2020, the pandemic hit, requiring people not to go to work or school, which resulted in a significant increase in water use at home. The additional water usage added more strain and pressure on Prairie City’s domestic water needs and infrastructure. The city was not able to pass the cost of repairs to the citizens because they were already considered low-income. On top of that, many could not work due to the pandemic, which increased the financial strain. Prairie City utilized the Emergency Community Water Assistance (ECWAG) grant through USDA to haul water from neighboring cities to maintain water service to the community.
Rural America Deserves Rural Development
Has your system used USDA Rural Development Loans and Grants to make infrastructure improvements? We would love to showcase your story! Submit your impact stories by clicking the button below and help us save these vital programs.