Wolf Point Receives USDA Funds For Water Project
U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced August 5 that the City of Wolf Point will receive a $109,000 loan and a $56,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to replace existing water mains in their water system. City Clerk/Treasurer Marlene Mahlum told the Northern Plains Independent that additional loan/grant/ matching funding is in the works for a total main repair/ replacement expense of approximately $755,000.
“The current loan is $109,000,” said Mahlum. “We are getting $355,000 from a [Rural Development] Grant and $56,000 grant if needed. The city also has to contribute $235,000 of its own money. A new engineer’s estimate indicates that it is more than the $755,000.”
Mahlum said the project timeline is currently on hold.
“We are waiting for Rural Development to approve the plans and specifications. Once that approval is received, the city can call for bids. Once we get the bids, we will know more how much more money may be needed. Wait and see.”
Tester said the funding is especially important during the pandemic.
“Whether it’s for our schools, our main street businesses, or our families, clean water is critical to Montana’s communities, especially during these unprecedented times,” said Tester. “This investment will help Wolf Point improve conditions for small business owners, farmers, and families, protecting clean water and their pocketbooks.”
The city will receive the funding as part of the USDA Rural Development Loan Program to replace water mains in the district. The existing mains were first installed by the city in approximately 1900 and 1950 and have reached the end of their effective life span and need to be replaced. The mains beneath the railroad tracks have been experiencing leaks recently and when the leaking mains were excavated for repair, the condition of the existing pipe was identified as having significant deterioration and corrosion.
Tester recently secured the above-mentioned $335,000 for Wolf Point and $533,000 for Scobey to update outdated water mains.
