Loebsack Announces More Than $2.4 Million for Water and Waste Disposal Project in Barnes City
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that Barnes City will receive a $835,000 loan and a $1,599,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Water and Waste Disposal Project.
“Investments in infrastructure, particularly in the state’s rural areas, are key to rebuilding Iowa’s economy,” said Loebsack. “I am pleased that Barnes City is receiving the funding to make these necessary improvements.”
The funds will be used to upgrade the existing distribution system and replace the existing ground storage and hydropneumatic storage tanks in Barnes City. Barnes City’s distribution system is approximately 50 years old and constructed from asbestos piping, which is deteriorating and has numerous leaks. The Mahaska County Board of Health has issued a letter detailing the health problems resulting from such asbestos material being ingested with the water or inhaled as airborne particles by maintenance personnel. Low water pressure due to the line breaks causes pressure fluctuations, which was also detailed by the Board of Health as a health and sanitary problem. It is estimated that 93 rural customers will benefit from the upgrades.