Contact: Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Thursday, August 26, 2004

MILAN, MO - U.S. Senator Kit Bond today met with state and local officials on the importance of a reliable source of water in Milan and the surrounding communities.

"Many issues impact our economic health including tax rates, litigation, health care, and education. Sometimes, the conditions that have the greatest impact are as basic as the need for water," said Senator Bond.

Currently, north central Missouri is an area without ground water supplies and aging and undersized impoundments and treatment plants. This pressure on water supplies has been a limiting factor to the regional economy.

Bond stressed that the region needs a long term fix. There have been temporary successes in easing this water problem, including the water line between Milan and Trenton and the recent Milan grant to enhance pumping out of East Locust. The North Central Regional Water Supply Lake project offers a long term solution. This project will ease the water pressures by delivering reliable water supplies across all of north central Missouri. As many as ten counties from the Iowa boarder to the Mississippi River will be served.

Bond told the area stakeholders that he will continue his support for the North Central Regional Water Supply Lake project. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations VA-HUD Subcommittee, Bond secured $500,000 for the project in a previous fiscal year.

"The community and region have come together behind this important lake project," said Senator Bond. "This project will not only ensure that our homes have a steady supply of water, but will also bring economic and job growth to the region."

Kit Bond is Missouri’s senior Senator and is now in his third term after having served the state previously during two terms as Governor.