Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced a $981,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for Hastings in Oswego County. This federal funding will be used to improve the town’s sewage system, which includes many on-site disposal systems that could potentially harm nearby groundwater. The USDA grant will help Hastings avoid wastewater failure and protect the local environment.
“Access to an effective waste-water system is critical to public health and the environment,” said Senator Schumer. “This federal investment will have a profound impact on the lives of many Hastings residents and will help the entire town grow and prosper.”
“This is a smart investment for Hastings families and businesses,” said Senator Gillibrand. “When we build new waste waterlines, we can protect the health of local families, and help attract new businesses to grow our economy. And when this funding comes at the federal level, that helps reduce the burden on local taxpayers.”
Many properties in Hastings currently rely on on-site, subsurface disposal systems. Subsurface systems are prone to failure during wet weather and as a result, pose a threat to local groundwater and the environment. This USDA grant will install an 8” gravity sewer, a pressure collection system, and a duplex submersible grinder pump station. Sewage will then be conveyed to a wastewater treatment plant in Fort Brewerton. This project will create a clean sewage system for residents that are compliant with regulations and compatible with area wide economic development initiatives.
USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and waste-water infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas.