This week, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced that USDA is investing $201 million to improve rural water infrastructure in 31 states through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program, including in two RCRC member counties.
Calaveras County will receive $5,000,000 in loans and $1,000,000 in grants to replace more than 13,000 manual read water meters with radio-read meters. Additionally, Squaw Valley Mutual Water Company, in Placer County, will receive $4,223,660 in loans to help replace 6,500 feet of old cement, water lines with new pipes, and booster pump stations. The investment will also make additional upgrades to the infrastructure facilities to ensure safe and clean water delivery to all their rural customers. The funds will be distributed through the USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan Grant program, designed to invest in projects that improve drinking water, stormwater drainage, and waste disposal systems in rural communities