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Contact: Vincent M. Perez
(202) 225-4831
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Congressman Reyes announced $2.8 million in federal grant funding to provide access to potable water to El Paso County residents
El Paso,
Sep 3 -
Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) today joined Paco Valentin, State Director of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in presenting $2.8 million in federal grant funding to provide access to potable water to residents who currently lack services in El Paso County
The USDA Rural Development awarded El Paso County a $1,150,000 grant toward the construction of a new water distribution system in Schuman Estates Community, and for the purchase of water from El Paso Water Utilties (EPWU) Public Service Board (PSB) that will subsequently prevent possible groundwater contamination from individual water wells that are in proximity to their septic system.
An additional grant of $1,582,000 and a $272,000 loan was awarded to NuWay and Mayfair Communities in El Paso County to create another water distribution system. Residents have had to use individual groundwater wells or haul their water by truck to store in tanks in their lots. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has determined that the current private water supply contains high arsenic levels that exceed minimum containment limits.
“For too long, residents in Canutillo have been denied access to clean water,” said Congressman Reyes. “Water is something that all of us take for granted, yet many people in our community still lack access to potable water. I have worked with the USDA for many years to secure these funds, and I am pleased that this day has finally come."
The Department of Agriculture instituted the Rural development program to address and fund vital public facilities and services like water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities and electric and telephone service. The Rural Development seeks to fund communities through outreach programs, grants and loans.
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