USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner traveled to Tyrone, New Mexico to help celebrate Earth Day with the beginning of construction of that community’s new wastewater delivery system.
During the groundbreaking event, Brunner said, “Today’s groundbreaking is significant because when completed this project will ensure that the groundwater table won’t be affected by an old outdated wastewater system.”
Brunner added, “Funding for this project is also significant because it helps fulfill a promise made by the Obama administration to provide the necessary financing for infrastructure projects in the smallest of communities in New Mexico and across the nation.”
The $3.1 million dollar project overseen by USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environment Program (WEP) will upgrade and replace portions of the original sewage system that was built in 1968. When completed the wastewater system will include a new sewage lift station and connection to Silver City’s wastewater treatment plant.
Because the Tyrone wastewater system is almost 50 years old there is a concern that the water table could be impacted by the current sewage system and that’s why the community received the necessary funding to remodeled and replace the old system.
This was one of the reasons this project is being singled for an Earth Day commemoration by USDA Rural Development because when completed it will insure the wastewater system won’t have an impact on the groundwater supply.
The basic premise of the Earth Day celebration to have communities come together to make sure the Earth is clean and healthy. This year the official Earth Day falls on Sunday April 22nd and on that day people across the nation will celebrate the day by volunteering to clean up streams, rivers and planting trees and improving the health of our forest and grasslands. It’s said these actions will ultimately help provide our nation with a clean and abundant water supply.
USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at any local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov