News Release

Release No.0282.99
Andy Solomon, (202) 720-4623
andy.solomon@usda.gov
La Jaycee Brown, (202) 720-9741
ljbrown@rdmail.rural.usda.gov

USDA TO FUND $210 MILLION IN SAFE DRINKING WATER PROJECTS
National Effort Will Also Boost Economies of Poor Rural Areas

WASHINGTON, July 12, 1999 -- Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today said the U.S. Department of Agriculture will fund $210 million in safe drinking water projects in 40 states. The new grants and loans announced today represent the largest package of financial assistance ever distributed under the Clinton-Gore Administration's Water 2000 program.

The 100 projects awarded funding today bolster the President's New Markets initiative, designed to help low-income communities share in the unprecedented prosperity most parts of the country are currently enjoying.

"These loans and grants are another example of how we can continue to grow our economy without endangering our environment. The need for clean water is not only a critical public health issue, it is also a key factor in promoting rural economic development," Vice President Gore said. "Without safe, reliable drinking water, no community can attract the new businesses needed to provide America's families with good-paying jobs."

"There are still areas, particularly farming communities and smaller rural towns, that are not sharing in our generally strong economy," Glickman said. "The President's New Markets tour helped demonstrate that areas like these represent a tremendous untapped potential for business investment. But before companies will invest in poverty-stricken communities, there has to be some basic infrastructure." Last week, Glickman accompanied President Clinton on his New Markets tour of the country.

According to Glickman, at least 2 million rural residents in this country who live with serious drinking water problems, including an estimated 740,000 people who have no running water whatsoever.

"That's a crime and we need to do better," Glickman said.

The USDA awards target rural communities plagued by some of the nation's worst water quality and dependability problems. Children and the elderly are at particular risk from illnesses caused by unclean drinking water. The Administration's Water 2000 Initiative, launched in August 1994, has already invested in projects to improve drinking water for more than 2.8 million Americans.

"Our Water 2000 effort to improve safe drinking water for rural Americans totals over $210 million," said Glickman "In addition, USDA's financial assistance will leverage more than $75 million from local water districts, county governments, state agencies, and other federal sources to help improve drinking water quality and dependability."

The loans and grants announced today include --

$24 million for 12 projects serving low-income, rural towns in Appalachia;
$13.7 million for seven projects in seven Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities;
$12.3 million for impoverished colonias in four Southwest states; and
$7.2 million for five projects in impoverished Mississippi Delta communities.

According to Glickman, since 1994, USDA has invested nearly $2 billion in Water 2000 projects in more than 1,600 rural communities nationwide. At least 2 million rural Americans live with critical drinking water quality and availability problems, including an estimated 740,000 people who have no running water in their homes. An estimated 5 million additional rural residents are affected by less critical, but still significant, water-related difficulties. These include undersized or poorly protected water sources, a lack of adequate storage facilities, and antiquated distribution systems.

Editor's note: The 1999 Water 2000 Rollout Projects' List is available to view here.

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