New York Rural Water Association

The Fiscal Year 2000 'Water 2000' Presidential Initiative was celebrated on July 10 across the nation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Utilities Service (RUS) targeted and coordinated its resources and efforts with state, local, businesses, non-profit organizations, private citizens and other federal agencies to take action in addressing serious drinking water problems. The premise driving 'Water 2000' is basic--safe, affordable drinking water in virtually every home is necessary to improve the health and productivity of our nation's rural communities, and to control long term public costs related to drinking unsafe water. RUS operated the 'Water 2000' initiative under the following guiding principles:

Federal interest and investment in expanding drinking water service is a pressing matter of enhanced basic public health, life quality and economic opportunity. Investment and technical assistance will be targeted to remote, high poverty areas with well-documented histories of unsafe drinking water supply and quality problems. The effort must be coordinated with many in-state partners (state government agencies, non-profit organization, citizens groups, businesses) adapted to meet changing local needs and dedicated to empowering communities to find their own solutions. Efficient, effective customer service delivery over the short term and sound, lasting, self-sustaining public investment for the long term is necessary.
Leveraging RUS grant and loan funds with other public and private resources will extend service to more rural residents and lower the federal cost per community.

I am pleased to report that USDA announced that over $224.6 million was obligated to improve drinking water and wastewater service in America's rural areas. The funds -- a combination of grants and loans--benefited 113 projects in 41 states, totaling over $312 million. I am extremely happy that this Administration's 'Water 2000' Initiative allowed us to fund $12.5 million in project value for New York State. Of that amount, $5.2 million is being leveraged by USDA Rural Development, realizing a 42 per cent leveraging of "other" funds. New York State ranked third nationally for the number of projects awarded with this 'Water 2000' designation.

Projects awarded were:

St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Water Filtration Plant (Franklin Co.) Town of Henderson Water District #1 (Jefferson Co.) Town of Owego Water District (Tioga Co.) Town of Owego Wastewater District (Tioga Co.) Town of Ridgeway Water District No. 4 (Orleans Co.) Town of Wawarsing-Hamlet of Napanoch Water District (Ulster Co.)
Village of Round Lake (Saratoga Co.)

Our funding partners included: USEPA; Indian Health Service; Native American HUD; HUD Small City Block Grant; NYSERDA; NYSDWSRF; ARC; and the private sector. This was truly a team effort. The Initiative also drew upon "set-aside" funds from USDA Rural Development that included Indian set-aside, Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Zone and our national office reserve funds. The photographs included with this article capture the moments of celebration.

Your community could also share in this initiative. I look forward to your call at (315)-477-6427 or e-mail at david.miller@ny.usda.gov.