WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced that Lee and Wise Countieswill receive $259,000 and $22,500 in federal funds, respectively, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for water improvement projects.

“We are pleased to announce these federal dollars to improve water infrastructure in these communities,” said the Senators. “These projects aim to improve water quality for Virginia families.” 

The Wise County Public Service Authority in Wise, Va. will receive $22,500 from the USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grant program to prepare and evaluate a solids-handling system and an upgrade of the raw water pumps at the Carfax Water Treatment Plant. The report will also study the replacement of the oldest section of water line along Coeburn Mountain at Pole Bridge Road and the hydraulics of the Bond Gap tank system to ensure the two tanks are operating as designed.

The USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grant program assists low-income communities with initial planning and development of applications for the USDA’s Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal direct loan/grant and loan guarantee programs.

The Woodway Water and Sewer Authority in Pennington Gap, Va. will receive $259,000 from the USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program to make improvements to the Authority's water system, which includes replacing approximately 103,000 linear feet of 3/4-inch to 8-inch water line, installing 96 gate valves and 64 fire hydrants, and associated equipment. The existing Woodway water storage tank will be abandoned, and the water system will be reconfigured so that the Twin Prison tanks will supply the Woodway community. In addition, the project will correct the high risk of cross-contamination with groundwater in the surrounding area and meet the Virginia Department of Health's Ten-State Regulations – which are used as a standard for the minimum number of valves that should be provided on water mains to minimize inconvenience and sanitary hazards during repairs. 

The USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program 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.

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