CONGRESSMAN BOUCHER SECURES $11.8 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR WYTHE COUNTY WATER PROJECTS

$5.4 Million Will Provide Public Water Service from Rural Retreat to Wytheville and $6.4 Million Will Provide New Water Source for the Town of Wytheville

            (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Rick Boucher announced today that, at his urging, the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Rural Development Agency has provided a total of more than $11.8 million to construct new and improve existing water systems in Wythe County.

            Of that total amount, the Town of Wytheville will receive a federal grant of $2,326,000 and a low-interest federal loan of $4,105,000 for a major water improvement project that will provide a new water source for the Town. Wythe County will receive a federal grant of $2,087,000 and a low-interest federal loan of $3,316,000 to construct a new public water system to serve 178 residents and businesses between Rural Retreat and Wytheville.

            “The allocation of $11.8 million in federal funds announced today represents a significant federal investment in the future of Wythe County. With the benefit of the federal funds, public water service will be provided for the first time to Wythe County residents who live on Route 11 between Wytheville and Rural Retreat, and the Town of Wytheville will undertake a major water improvement project which will provide a new source of water for the Town. These two projects will enable more business and residential growth in Wythe County,” Boucher said.

            Currently, the Town of Wytheville relies on a water treatment plant which was constructed in 1950 and draws water from Reed Creek. Due to the plant’s age and Reed Creek’s vulnerability to contamination, Town officials have been concerned about the water system’s future reliability. To address these concerns, the Rural Development Agency has awarded $6.4 million at my urging to the Town of Wytheville. With the benefit of the federal funds, the Town will install 16,000 feet of 20 inch water line throughout the southern part of the Town, which will provide a connection to the New River Regional Water Authority water treatment plant in Austinville. In addition, the two Pine Ridge water storage tanks will be repaired and a tank mixing system will be added to improve water turnover.

            The Rural Development Agency has also awarded a total of more than $5.4 million to Wythe County to provide public water service for the first time to the 178 businesses and residents located between Wytheville and Rural Retreat along the Route 11 corridor. Currently, these residents rely on wells and springs, which are often unreliable. With the benefit of the federal funds, Wythe County will install more than 7 miles of water lines, a pump station, a 750,000 gallon water storage tank, and 178 water meters.

            “Adequate and reliable public water service is essential to maintaining Southwest Virginia’s excellent quality of life and to achieving our economic development goals for the region. Today’s announcement of $11.8 million for Wythe County represents a major step in our ongoing work to expand water systems throughout the region,” Boucher concluded.

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