OLPE — The City of Olpe was selected by the USDA Rural Development for a water infrastructure improvement, the USDA announced late Thursday.
The funds are provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus funds), said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Olpe was selected to receive a loan of $355,000 and a grant of $570,000 for an upgrade to their water distribution system.
“Agency funds will be complemented by a Community Development Block Grant of $500,000 from the Kansas Department of Commerce,” the news release stated.
Olpe will use the funds to complete Phase II of a two-phase project of installing approximately 28,000 feet of distribution line and 30 fire hydrants.
“The current distribution system is undersized for the current needs of distribution and fire protection,” the news release stated. “Approximately 80 percent of the city’s lines are less than six inches in diameter and many fire hydrants are installed on these undersized lines. Current state regulations require a minimum of six inch diameter lines to serve fire hydrants and provide fire protection.”
Eight Kansas projects were selected for the funds for a total of $5,007,400. The other communities are the City of Burlingame, City of Muscotah, Osage County Rural Water District, City of Parker, City of Smolan, City of Wier and the City of Woodston.