Press Release

August 23, 2010
CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE GRANT TO INCREASE CAPACITY OF SEWER SYSTEM IN ALLEGANY COUNTY
$350,000 grant will support installation of new water storage tank, construction jobs in Cresaptown




WASHINGTON. –
U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin
and
Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD)
today announced the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded
a $350,000 grant to the Allegany County Board of County Commissioners to purchase and install a high-capacity water storage tank to serve Cresaptown, Maryland. The replacement tank will result in improved services to more than 700 households and reduce the level of silt and iron in the town’s water supply.





 



“The safety and reliability of water supply systems is critically important. Rural communities often lack the resources needed to undertake necessary infrastructure improvements. This federal funding will make it possible for Allegany County to replace the existing water storage tank in the Cresaptown water system, adding additional capacity and ensuring the safety of the community’s water supply,” said
Senator Cardin, chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee.





 



 “Maryland cities and towns need to upgrade their water and sewer infrastructure but they can't do it on their own,”
Senator Mikulski said. “This grant takes the burden off local taxpayers and helps with jobs in manufacturing and construction while protecting health and safety in Cresaptown.”





 



The current water storage tank is not capable of handling the demands of the Cresaptown Water System’s customer base, currently at 760 and expected to grow by an additional 350 households by 2050. The replacement water storage tank will have the capacity to hold 500,000 gallons of water, an increase over the current 125,000-gallon tank. Replacing the older water tank will also reduce the possibility that iron and silt enter the town’s water supply.





 



In addition to ARC funds, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will contribute $350,000 in loan funds to this project. Allegany County will provide an additional $350,000 as a local match.





 




The ARC is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life.

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