Milford water system improvements to get $2.8 million in grants and loans
Milford. U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced the new federal funding for upgrading and improving the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Milford's public water system.
Milford /
| 04 Dec 2019 | 04:49
U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-08) in late November announced new federal funding to improve the infrastructure that supplies water to thousands of families in Pike County.
The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Milford will receive $413,300 in grants and $2,428,000 in loans through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Rural Development that will go toward upgrading and improving the authority's public water system.
Planned upgrades include modernizing the outdated cast-iron water mains, replacing the existing influent pumping station, and installing a new water storage tank. The funds will also cover an extension of the water main to the existing Keystone Park Subdivision, which is currently served by private wells that contain groundwater with elevated levels of harmful chemicals such as sulfur, iron and manganese.
“Up-to-date infrastructure fosters thriving communities,” said Cartwright. “These new resources will help the Borough of Milford make important improvements to its water systems so it can deliver safe, clean water to its residents and businesses. I commend the good people of the Milford Municipal Authority for their diligent efforts to ensure a high-quality water system that positions them for economic growth.”
Cartwright is a member of House Democratic Leadership and the House Committee on Appropriations. He serves as vice chair of the Commerce-Justice-Science Subcommittee and is a member of Financial Services & General Government and Military Construction-VA Appropriations Subcommittees. He also serves on the Committee on Natural Resources. Pennsylvania’s Eighth Congressional District includes Lackawanna, Wayne, and Pike Counties and portions of Luzerne and Monroe Counties.
A statewide effort to bolster rural water infrastructure
The funding comes from the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program, which provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.
It is managed through the USDA’s Office of Rural Development, which extends funding through loans and grants to assist with the expansion of economic opportunities and job creation in rural areas. This assistance supports improvements in infrastructure, business development, housing, and community facilities, such as schools, public safety, and health care.
The USDA is investing $635 million in 122 projects to improve water systems and wastewater handling services in rural communities in 42 states. Eligible applicants include rural cities and towns, and water districts, which can use the funds for drinking water, stormwater drainage, and waste disposal systems in rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.
Pennsylvania is investing more than $30 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.
