Schumer Announces Federal Dollars Coming To Village Of Heuvelton

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that a loan of $1,484,000 and a grant of $500,000 have been awarded to the Village of Heuvelton in St. Lawrence County. The funds are being awarded through the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development program as a Water and Waste Disposal Grant and Loan. Federal funds will be used to rehabilitate and upgrade the present wastewater treatment facility.

"This is great news for the Village of Heuvelton," Schumer said. "The water system is critical to the livelihood of the community and the health of local residents. Clean drinking water is a basic need and this funding will help the community meet that need, improving the quality of life for everyone in the area."

The Village of Heuvelton will use federal funds to rehabilitate and upgrade the present wastewater treatment facility, the majority of which is thirtyeight years old. Much of the plant is beyond its useful expected life. The major item of concern is a transmission line that goes under the Oswegatchie River to the plant. The line is cracked and allows inflow and outflow of material into the River.

The USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Grant and Loan program provides funds to reduce water and waste disposal costs to a reasonable level for rural users. The grant program also sends funds to help develop water and waste disposal systems in rural areas and towns. Grants can be used to construct, repair, modify, expand, and improve water supply and distribution systems; acquire needed land and water sources; and pay for legal and engineering fees when necessary to build facilities.