Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Congressman Bill Owens announced that the Town of Peru has received a Water and Waste Disposal Grant for $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The funding will be used to repair flood-related damage to the Town of Peru’s drinking water system. Specifically, during Hurricane Irene, storm runoff from the Furnace Creek washed away the Reservoir Road and deposited significant amounts of sediment into the Town Reservoir. This grant will help the Town of Peru remediate that and complements their on-going water quality improvements to the reservoir.
“When storms and floods ravage our communities like the Town of Peru and damage infrastructure, it’s important for the federal government to have their back. This USDA Rural Development funding will help the Town of Peru make critical repairs to flood-related damage caused by Hurricane Irene, and I’m glad to announce this important investment that will improve water management, safeguard public health and spur economic development,” said Senator Schumer.
“Rural communities endured some of the worst of Hurricane Irene and are still working to make repairs,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This federal grant will help the Town of Peru strengthen key water infrastructure to keep families and businesses here standing strong.”
“This USDA Rural Development funding will be tremendously helpful for the Town of Peru,” Congressman Bill Owens said. “When devastating floods happen we have to use our resources wisely and make repairs that fix the problem and increase our ability to handle future storms. I am pleased the USDA was able to help the Town of Peru in this matter.”
The USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. USDA Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports the creation of necessary community and technology infrastructure.