Clay City, Clinton, Montezuma and Vermillion County will receive federal grants related to water treatment and stormwater control, the state of Indiana announced today.
More than $7 million in federal grant funding for three programs was awarded to rural Hoosier communities, according to a news release from Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). More than $6 million for projects in 12 communities were awarded under the Wastewater Drinking Water Program (WDW), $1.5 million was awarded to three communities from the Stormwater Improvements Program (SIP) and $400,000 to one community under the Public Facilities Program (PFP).
Applications for Round 1 of the federal Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) were due to OCRA on June 10, with 16 Indiana communities receiving funds, a news release stated. The state of Indiana distributes CDBG funds to rural communities in an effort to ensure health and safety and improve the quality of life for citizens.
The goals of the WDW are to protect the health and environment, reduce utility rates for low-to-moderate income communities and to improve rural infrastructure to enable long-term economic growth. Eligible WDW projects include many aspects of wastewater improvements and drinking water system improvements.
The town of Clay City has been awarded $550,000 to improve their water treatment plant by installing a new Aeralator gravity filter to reduce the high levels of iron within the water. The new filter includes a new retention tank which can be placed behind the water treatment plant, allowing for the inside of the building to be better utilized.
Clinton has been awarded $450,000 for improvements at the town's wastewater treatment plant to address new regulatory requirements related to phosphorous and meet compliance requirements regarding cross connection control of the water supply to the plant.
The town of Montezuma has been awarded $600,000 for a water improvement project which includes replacing valves and hydrants and improving the distribution system to both come into compliance with the Ten State Standards as well as provide customers with increased fire protection, better water quality and increased water pressure.
Vermillion County has been awarded $550,000 for a water improvement project for the Hillsdale Water Corporation which will include the installation of hydrants and valves, and improvements to the water treatment plant, well field, storage facility, and distribution system. This project will improve water quality with concerns of odor and discoloration, water reliability, water pressure and will help maintain the system at the required standards.
SIP strives to reduce flooding, to cut stormwater treatment and energy costs, to protect rivers, lakes and vital landscape and to generate jobs and spur economic revitalization. Types of activities that are eligible for grant funding from SIP include storm water improvements as well as demolition and/or clearance.