Leesburg Receives Sewer Project Loan From USDA
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By M.J. [email protected]
The funds will be used for the construction of a the new sewer system and a recirculating sand filter treatment facility.
Indiana State Director for Rural Development Robert White said, "USDA Rural Development is providing millions of dollars to rural communities nationwide today to support the efforts of rural cities and towns like Leesburg to improve their water and wastewater disposal systems. Congratulations to the residents of Leesburg for making this important commitment in conjunction with Earth Day to protect the environment and well-being of your community."[[In-content Ad]]Like many small rural communities, Leesburg relies on individual septic systems and private wells for their sewage treatment and drinking water. With lot sizes being a quarter of an acre or less, this does not leave any room to meet today's health requirements if a septic system fails. Failed septic systems can lead to serious health issues including e. coli contamination.
E. coli is what the Kosciusko County Health Department found during routine water sampling from the basins and ditches surrounding Leesburg. The source of this contamination was sewage from individual septic systems discharging into the area ditches.
The levels of e. coli found exceeded both state and federal limits. These high levels caused concern with both the Kosciusko County Health Department and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Due to these health issues, Leesburg entered into an Agreed Order with IDEM in 2005.
Leesburg representatives contacted USDA Rural Development for financing in August 2005. With the financial assistance of Rural Development, grants from the Office of Community & Rural Affairs, Kosciusko County and Leesburg's contribution, the town will construct and install a low-pressure grinder pump system for collection, and the treatment will be regionalized by the city of Warsaw. The new wastewater collection and treatment system will strengthen the infrastructure of Leesburg by removing a health risk.
In addition to the USDA Rural Development loan, $1,050,000 will be raised through grants: Leesburg, $200,000; Kosciusko County, $350,000; and OCRA, $500,000.
The OCRA grant is dependent upon receiving the necessary easements for grinder pumps from individual property owners. Town officials encourage those who have not returned their easements to do so as soon as possible.
Single family home loans, rural rental housing, water and waste water facility funding, business and industry loan, and community facility loans and grants are financial resources available from USDA Rural Development. For more information, contact the USDA Rural Development, Plymouth Local Office, 2903 Gary Drive, Plymouth, or call 574-936-2024, Ext. 4
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The funds will be used for the construction of a the new sewer system and a recirculating sand filter treatment facility.
Indiana State Director for Rural Development Robert White said, "USDA Rural Development is providing millions of dollars to rural communities nationwide today to support the efforts of rural cities and towns like Leesburg to improve their water and wastewater disposal systems. Congratulations to the residents of Leesburg for making this important commitment in conjunction with Earth Day to protect the environment and well-being of your community."[[In-content Ad]]Like many small rural communities, Leesburg relies on individual septic systems and private wells for their sewage treatment and drinking water. With lot sizes being a quarter of an acre or less, this does not leave any room to meet today's health requirements if a septic system fails. Failed septic systems can lead to serious health issues including e. coli contamination.
E. coli is what the Kosciusko County Health Department found during routine water sampling from the basins and ditches surrounding Leesburg. The source of this contamination was sewage from individual septic systems discharging into the area ditches.
The levels of e. coli found exceeded both state and federal limits. These high levels caused concern with both the Kosciusko County Health Department and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Due to these health issues, Leesburg entered into an Agreed Order with IDEM in 2005.
Leesburg representatives contacted USDA Rural Development for financing in August 2005. With the financial assistance of Rural Development, grants from the Office of Community & Rural Affairs, Kosciusko County and Leesburg's contribution, the town will construct and install a low-pressure grinder pump system for collection, and the treatment will be regionalized by the city of Warsaw. The new wastewater collection and treatment system will strengthen the infrastructure of Leesburg by removing a health risk.
In addition to the USDA Rural Development loan, $1,050,000 will be raised through grants: Leesburg, $200,000; Kosciusko County, $350,000; and OCRA, $500,000.
The OCRA grant is dependent upon receiving the necessary easements for grinder pumps from individual property owners. Town officials encourage those who have not returned their easements to do so as soon as possible.
Single family home loans, rural rental housing, water and waste water facility funding, business and industry loan, and community facility loans and grants are financial resources available from USDA Rural Development. For more information, contact the USDA Rural Development, Plymouth Local Office, 2903 Gary Drive, Plymouth, or call 574-936-2024, Ext. 4
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