Washington, D.C. – Congressman G. K. Butterfield today announced nearly $23 million in federal funding for water system improvements in eastern North Carolina.
 
Butterfield announced that six projects in Pitt, Wayne and Vance counties were among the 60 announced nationwide today by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The projects are being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and are expected to provide construction jobs and create infrastructure needed to support community growth.
 
“Water and wastewater projects are moving forward in rural communities across the country and thanks to the Recovery Act, investments in water and wastewater infrastructure will help deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment throughout rural America,” Vilsack said.
 
Vilsack said the projects are designed to protect public health by improving water quality and public sanitation services.
 
“Strong and modern infrastructure is a critical component of future success in eastern North Carolina,” Butterfield said.

The loan and grant funding announced today supports 60 projects and totals $159 million nationwide. To date, USDA has announced $2.3 billion in Recovery Act funds for water and environmental projects.
 
Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement. Below is a complete list of award recipients in counties represented by Butterfield:

• Town of Bethel: $256,000 loan and $2,426,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Bethel will replace an aging water system that is constructed of iron, galvanized steel and asbestos-laden cement pipes. The tap water has a high iron level and is discolored. The project will improve water quality and boost water pressure.

• Eastern Wayne Sanitary District: $2,164,000 loan and $1,811,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Eastern Wayne Sanitary District (EWSD) is part of the North Carolina 13 county capacity use area that is required to reduce its ground water withdrawals significantly between 2008 and 2018. In order to accomplish this requirement the EWSD has had to find an alternate source of water.
 
EWSD plans to purchase water from Southeastern Wayne Sanitary District and Goldsboro. Relative to the purchase agreements for water they will then begin mixing water from a surface water treatment facility with the water they produce from wells. Likewise, the proposed funding from USDA will cover the ammonia feeds system needed at eight existing wells, one booster pump station, a SCADA system and an automatic meter reading system.

• Southeastern Wayne Sanitary District: $3,529,000 loan and $2,971,000 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

The existing portion of the Southeastern Wayne Sanitary District (SEWSD) was constructed in the early 1990’s. The upgrade that is proposed for the water treatment plant will allow SEWSD to sell water to two water districts that are mandated by State law to reduce their groundwater withdrawals.
 
The SEWSD will upgrade their water system through the installation of ammonia feed equipment on three existing wells, installation of SCADA electrical control equipment at existing wells, elevated tanks, booster pump stations and water treatment plant, installation of automatic meter read water meters, the installation of a booster pump station to allow SEWSD to transport water to adjacent Eastern Wayne Sanitary District and Belfast-Patetown Sanitary Districts, and expansion of its existing iron removal water treatment plant to increase its capacity to produce water. The booster pump station will be built on an existing site presently containing an elevated storage tank. All other planned improvements will be on existing sites.

• Vance County Water District Phase 2A: $2,196,000 loan and $1,622,800 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Currently, Vance County does not provide public water service to its rural residents. The county created the Vance County Water District in order to provide water service to the county’s rural areas. The Phase 2A service area includes all of Dabney and half of Williamsboro.
 
The residents in this area depend on private wells as a source of drinking water. Many of these wells suffer contamination from runoff from individual septic tanks and/or underground fuel storage tanks. The District will purchase potable water from the City of Henderson, which purchases water from the Kerr Lake Regional Water System. This project will provide a safe and dependable water supply to 565 residential users.

• Vance County Water District Phase 2B: $3,937,000 loan and $1,987,450 grant; the funding will be used for water system improvements.

Currently, Vance County does not provide public water service to its rural residents. The county created the Vance County Water District in order to provide water service to the county’s rural areas. The Phase 2B service area includes all of Townsville and half of Williamsboro.
 
Residents in this area depend on private wells as a source of drinking water. Many of these wells suffer contamination from runoff from individual septic tanks and/or underground fuel storage tanks. The district will purchase potable water from the Henderson that purchases water from the Kerr Lake Regional Water System. This project will provide a safe and dependable water supply to 883 residential users.
 
The funding will be administered by USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program which provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.
 
President Obama signed ARRA into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation’s economy, create or save millions of jobs and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.