USDA’s Water and Environmental programs will help the City of Fairfield make enhancements to its wastewater facility that will improve the water quality in southeast Iowa.

“The recent flooding in Iowa and other parts of the country has demonstrated just how important high-functioning wastewater systems are to our communities. Sanitary waste disposal systems and safe drinking water are vital not only to public health, but also to the economic vitality of rural America,” Vilsack said. “Building and maintaining water infrastructure creates jobs, boosts the economy, provides rural families with safe and reliable water, and this particular investment will help to minimize the impact of future flooding on homes and businesses in southeast Iowa.”

The water plant was built in 1966 and updated in 1984 and 2013, but is still not able to handle the heavy rains.  Rural Development is lending the City of Fairfield $24,995,000 to bring the plant into compliance with Iowa Department of Natural Resources requirements.

The loan is the largest USDA Water and Environmental Programs loan ever given in Iowa.  The funds will be used over the next 10 years to improve the treatment plant, repair much of the collection system and address high flow during rains.  Repairs to the plant include new trash screens, new grit removal systems and pumps and an enlarged flow equalization basin- all at historically low interest rates.