Abraham announces $27 million in USDA Rural Development funding to support 9 water systems in Louisiana’s Fifth District

WASHINGTON - Congressman Ralph Abraham, M.D. R-Alto, today announced that nine projects in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District will receive more than $27 million in combined loans and grants from the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

The investments will help upgrade, install or construct nine water system projects in Caldwell, Grant, Jackson, Winn, Catahoula, La Salle, St. Landry and West Feliciana.

“This funding provides these areas with the means to make necessary enhancements to their water systems that might not be possible otherwise,” said Dr. Abraham. “The people who live in our rural communities deserve access to safe, affordable and clean drinking water.” 

This funding comes as a part of a $1.2 billion investment by the USDA Rural Development to help rebuild and improve rural water infrastructure in 46 states. Investments are used for drinking water, storm water drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 of fewer residents.

East Columbia Water District, in Caldwell Parish, will receive $3.28 million to construct two ground water wells, a treatment plant, booster station, a 200,000-gallon ground storage tank, two miles of water mains, and replace the existing water meters with a drive-by radio-read meter system. 

West Grant Water Association, in Grant Parish, will receive $337,000 as continued funds for an original project to construct two new wells, an elevated storage tank and renovated pump stations. 

Two projects in Jackson Parish will receive a combined $2.3 million. The Village of North Hodge will receive $255,000 to complete various projects to bring their water system into compliance with the Louisiana Department of Health. The Village of Hodge will receive $2.1 million to restore their sewer collection system.

The Hudson Gaars Mill Water Systems Inc., in Winn Parish, will receive $1.8 million to produce and treat its own water at lower costs. 

The Black River Water Inc., in Catahoula Parish, will receive $3.7 million to install one groundwater well and rehabilitate another two wells. 

The Belah-Fellowship Water System Inc., in La Salle Parish, will receive $4.1 million to refurbish a water treatment storage and distribution system.

The Town of Melville, in St. Landry Parish, will receive $4.39 million for improvements to its water system by constructing or rehabilitating system components. 

Consolidated Waterworks No.13, in West Feliciana Parish, will receive $7.7 million to make upgrades to the water systems chemical feed equipment in wells to meet current industry standards.

To learn more about these projects and other infrastructure projects funded through the USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program, click here.
 

###