“Maryland cities and towns need to upgrade their water and sewer infrastructure, but they can’t do it on their own,” Senator Mikulski said. “They need a government that’s on their side. I'm fighting for smart federal funding that communities can use to wash away the rust and decay of crumbling water infrastructure and create jobs, protect public safety, protect the environment and protect ratepayers. I'll keep working to shine a light on the need for water infrastructure investments to make sure that Maryland's water works.”
The $2.1 million in grants and $4.7 million in low-interest loans, awarded by the USDARD, will help rural communities in six Maryland counties along the Eastern Shore to upgrade and improve their water and sewer infrastructure.
Queen Anne’s County, has been awarded a $918,000 grant for the towns Sudlersville and Barclay to help pay for a new wastewater treatment plant, which will take people off failing or outdated septic systems. Old systems can leech contaminants into groundwater and fields, polluting groundwater and food.
In Caroline County Henderson has received Maryland’s first-ever emergency USDA water grant worth $175,000 to pay for repairs to the town’s aging water system, which failed in the cold weather last February, leaving residents without water. Right now, an older well with lower quality water is being used.
Talbot County has been awarded a $233,000 grant and a loan worth $1.16 million. The funds will re-establish and improve a bio-solids and grease treatment facility, keeping waste out of rivers, lakes and the Bay.
In Dorchester County, Hurlock’s old water system is breaking down. The county has been awarded a low-interest loan of $1.1 million to replace failing water mains On Main & Academy Streets, and to connect fire hydrants.
In Somerset County, Pocomoke city’s pump station dates back to 1968. A grant of $24,000 will pay for engineering and environmental studies to rehabilitate it.
In Worcester County A grant worth $750,000 and Loan worth $2.45 million will be used to construct a pipeline to the Eagle’s Landing Gold Course, rebuilding and upgrading its irrigation.
The nation's drinking water systems face staggering public investment needs. According to the U.S. conference of Mayors, public water systems will require an average of more than $100 billion per year in funding over the next 20 years to upgrade or replace aging water infrastructure. It’s also estimated that by 2020, the forecasted deficit for sustaining water delivery and wastewater treatment infrastructure nationally, will trigger a $206 billion increase in costs for businesses. In a worst case scenario, a lack of water infrastructure investment will cause the United States to lose nearly 700,000 jobs by 2020.
The immediate and long-term dividends of investing in water infrastructure are significant. Every $1 billion invested in water infrastructure creates 28,500 jobs.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors notes that each public dollar invested in water infrastructure increases private long-term GDP output by more than $6. The Department of Commerce has found that that same dollar yields close to $3 worth of economic output in other industries.
Senator Mikulski has fought for Maryland's fair share in water and sewer infrastructure funding. In the fiscal year (FY) 2014 Omnibus spending bill, Senator Mikulski fought to protect federal grant funding to help communities improve their infrastructure so local governments and taxpayers won't have to bear the burden of paying for these critical upgrades alone. In the FY2015 Agriculture Appropriations Act, Senator Mikulski fought to increase funding for water and sewer infrastructure nationwide by $50 million over 2014 levels. Additionally, the recently-passed Farm Bill includes $150 million for USDA grants Maryland communities rely on.
6 comments:
How much do you think we will actually get? ?? Not much.
FYI, Pocomoke is in Worcester County.
There is a portion of Pocomoke that lies in Somerset - still. Babs is just a POSER!
"In Worcester County A grant worth $750,000 and Loan worth $2.45 million will be used to construct a pipeline to the Eagle’s Landing Gold Course, rebuilding and upgrading its irrigation"
Seriously? I didn't know that irrigation was so important that grants were awarded.
What a joke.
Guess Wicomico doesn't exist huh?
Bad money... tax money going to the public sector for some questionable projects. Eagles Landing, with their prices, should be able to support their own water needs, chemicals, upgrades, etc. This does not create jobs, nor does it improve the economy. Public money going to public sector is a waste. Put that money in the private sector, and then some things may get turned around.
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