U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $21,134,000 in federal investments to improve water infrastructure in Galax, Halifax County, and Greensville County. The loans were awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program, which provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage and solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage for households and businesses in rural areas. These upgrades will help better protect the health and safety of community members and the environment by preventing harmful substances from entering local waterways.

“Updated water infrastructure and wastewater treatment systems are important for our health and safety. We’re glad Galax, Halifax, and Greensville are receiving these loans to improve their water infrastructure and protect the well-being of thousands of Virginians,”  said Warner and Kaine.

The loans will be distributed as follows:

• $8,833,000 for Galax to improve the Galax water treatment plant. Specifically, the funding will be used to construct a new one million-gallon storage tank, upgrade two pump stations, replace existing water meters and two pressure reducing valves, close two current gate valves, install a zone meter, and improve telemetry to monitor the flow of water and treatment processes.
• $8,127,000 for the Halifax County Service Authority to make critical improvements to the County’s water treatment plant. The funding will be used to expand the plant’s capacity from three to five million gallons per day, renovate the building and grounds, and upgrade key components of the plant’s water treatment system. These improvements will enable the County to continue providing critical services to approximately 4,260 customers.
• $4,174,000 for Greensville County Water and Sewer Authority to upgrade and improve the county water distribution system. The funding will be used to replace approximately two miles of water lines in the Jarratt service area to enhance services to approximately 1,348 residents.

Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve water infrastructure across the Commonwealth, including announcing over $4 million in federal funding, courtesy of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law they helped pass, for clean water improvement in Virginia. They also recently announced over $2.2 million in federal funding to improve wastewater treatment in Clarksville.