U.S. Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Ted Kaufman (D-Del.) and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on April 14 the funding of local projects designed to continue to protect public health by modernizing water quality and public sanitation services in Sussex County.
The funding, which comes through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), is expected to provide construction jobs and create infrastructure needed to support community growth through an Oak Orchard expansion project, which will receive a $5,582,000 loan and a $2,999,847 grant.
The funding announced Wednesday will provide a welcomed boost to the $16 million wastewater expansion project now underway in the Oak Orchard area of eastern Sussex County. That project will replace on-site septic systems on nearly 900 properties, furthering the county government’s aggressive efforts over the last several years to shift homes and businesses around the fragile Inland Bays from failing septic systems to public sewer. The Oak Orchard expansion project is expected to be fully operational by spring 2011.
“We appreciate the Senators’ and Secretary Vilsak’s continued support in ensuring Sussex County receives these critical federal dollars,” said David B. Baker, Sussex County Administrator. “This funding will guarantee sorely needed construction jobs in the short term, and improved water quality for our Inland Bays and reduced rates for our sewer customers in the long term.”
“Through these Recovery Act projects announced today, we are helping to achieve the Obama Administration's economic recovery goals to rebuild and revitalize the nation's infrastructure.” Vilsack said. “These investments in water and wastewater infrastructure will deliver safe drinking water and protect the quality of our environment.”
The loan and grant funding announced today totals $48.6 million to complete water and wastewater system projects. To date, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $2.46 billion in Recovery Act funds for water and environmental projects. The Recovery Act was signed into law by President Obama in February 2009.
The ARRA funding announced yesterday is being 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.
