Sens. Marshall, Moran and Rep. Mann Announce Almost $2 Million in USDA Funding for City of Alden

(Washington, D.C., July 7, 2021) – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. and Jerry Moran and U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) announced a $512,000 USDA Rural Development low-interest loan as well as a $1,431,000 grant awarded to the city of Alden to rehabilitate the wastewater collection system, in turn bringing the facility in compliance with the city’s Water Pollution Control Permit and protecting citizens’ private water wells from contamination.

“Through this USDA grant and loan, the City of Alden will be able to rehabilitate a 60-year old wastewater collection system,” said Senator Marshall. “Residents must have confidence that their water supply is both safe and reliable. This vital update to the city’s aging infrastructure will provide Alden residents with confidence in the safety of the water they are consuming for years to come.”

“This federal investment will bring Alden’s wastewater system up to code and help make certain they have reliable access to safe water,” said Senator Moran. “As a member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over USDA, I will continue to advocate for programs that are important to improve the quality of life in our rural communities.”

“I am pleased to hear the City of Alden is a recipient of a $1.43 million USDA Rural Development grant, which will assist in the revitalization of the city’s wastewater system,” said Representative Mann. “Modernized wastewater collection is vital to the health and safety of a community and I will continue to advocate for quality water supply systems in rural Kansas.”

Background:

This USDA Rural Development investment will be used to rehabilitate the wastewater collection system, via pipe lining, manhole rehabilitation via cementitious liner, replacement of the lift station, and improvements to the gates, valves and weir plates at the lagoon treatment facility. The current facility is not in compliance with the city’s Water Pollution Control Permit, and they have set forth a schedule of compliance. The excessive inflow and infiltration is contributing to health, safety, and compliance issues. This wastewater system consists of vitrified clay tile pipe that is 60 years old. This is also of critical concern, because the properties in the City are all on private wells, which are susceptible to contamination due to the shallow groundwater issue.

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