Water projects receive funding

LINCOLN -- Two cooperative water projects are among those sharing more than $2.1 million in Community Development Block Grant funding announced by Gov. Dave Heineman.

Bartley and Indianola will use a combined $393,000 to construct a well field and transmission mains as part of a regional water system, providing water for residents in Bartley, Cambridge and Indianola. The regional system will help reduce contaminants in area water supplies and boost water pressure. USDA-Rural Development has awarded additional loan and grant funding of $231,000 for Bartley and $2.1 million for Indianola to complete the project.

Holbrook will receive $250,000 to install a water transmission line linking the village with the Arapahoe water system, where the village will also begin purchasing water.

The project also will replace a cast-iron water main, install water meters for all users and renovate a local water tower. The existing water system has concentrations of contaminants, which requires the village to find an alternative water source. The USDA-RD has awarded additional loan and grant funding of $886,000.

"These grants will help some of our smallest communities upgrade aging water systems that are not only vital to ensuring the availability of clean water, but also to the future growth of these communities," Gov. Heineman said.

The funding is part of Nebraska's annual allocation from the community development grant program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development administers the program.

The application process for water and wastewater grants involves several agencies, including DED, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, the Nebraska Health and Human Services System and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.

Other water improvement projects that will receive CDBG funding include: Boelus/Howard City, $250, 000; Colon, $250,000; Cordova, $250,000; Plainview, $250,000; Talmage, Wilcox, $250,000.