Willmar receives $7.4 million USDA loan to modernize water system

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Minnesota Brad Finstad says the agency is investing $21 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in rural Minnesota.

Olivia, Minn. will use a $7.4 million loan to continue the city’s Depue Avenue Improvement Project to improve water, storm and sewer system infrastructure.

Improvements will address health and sanitation issues by replacing cracked piping, old valves and corresponding infrastructure that was originally constructed in the 1930s. Wastewater pipelines will be replaced to address infiltration and inflow between the wastewater and storm water collection systems and no longer require the city to bypass the treatment plant during wet weather periods.