CONGRESSMAN BOUCHER SECURES MORE THAN $3 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR NEW WATER SYSTEM IN WISE COUNTY

Federal Funds Will Provide New Water Source for the Western Portion of Wise County

            (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 $3 million to the Wise County Public Service Authority, which will enable the Public Service Authority to construct a new water system which will provide a new water source for the Western portion of Wise County. Of that total amount, the Rural Development Agency is providing a federal grant of $1,648,000 and a low-interest, federal loan of $1,400,000.

            “The federal funds announced today will both improve water quality for Wise County residents and enable the Wise County public water system to operate more efficiently. With the benefit of the funding, the Wise County PSA will establish a connection between the water systems serving the Powell River community, the Blackwood community, the Dunbar community and Appalachia Elementary school, which will enable the provision of public water service to the Western portion of the County and will improve the water quality in the Dunbar community,” Boucher said.

            Currently, the Wise County Public Service Authority must purchase water from the City of Norton in order to provide water service to residents in the Western portion of the county. With the benefit of the federal funds, Wise County will install 81,100 feet of water lines and one 200,000 gallon water tank to establish a looped water system for the County. The connection will eliminate the need to purchase water from the City of Norton to provide service in Western Wise County.

            In addition, the quality of water available in the Dunbar community will be significantly improved. Currently, a well and an aging water treatment plant is the source of water for public water service in this area of Wise County.

            “Adequate and reliable public water service is essential to maintaining Southwest Virginia’s excellent quality of life and essential to achieving our economic development goals for the region. Today’s announcement represents a significant step forward in our efforts to improve the region’s public water infrastructure,” Boucher concluded.

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