FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Missouri Department of Natural Resources approves more than $200,000 in grants for five communities to evaluate wastewater system improvements
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, NOV. 26, 2019 - The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded a total of $216,000 in Small Community Engineering Assistance Program grants to five communities to evaluate their wastewater systems. The grant offers funding to qualifying small communities to help cover engineering costs for evaluating wastewater system improvements.
Receiving grant funding are the cities of Mendon ($32,000), New Florence ($50,000), Rockaway Beach ($40,000), Seneca ($44,000) and Wheaton ($50,000). Each city will use the grants to identify improvements needed to reduce inflow and infiltration of stormwater into sewer collection pipes. Mendon will also evaluate wastewater facility upgrades necessary to provide reliable treatment of wastewater. Engineering reports funded through the grant will be complete within the next two years.
"Every citizen and every community deserves clean water," said Ed Galbraith, director of the department’s Division of Environmental Quality. "These grants help communities identify improvements to protect our water while keeping utility rates affordable."
The department is committed to assisting Missouri communities with water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects. Through its Financial Assistance Center, the department provides funding opportunities for communities with water quality, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure needs.
For more information about wastewater and drinking water funding opportunities, visit dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/srf/index.html.