PFA Approves $6.1 Million for Minnesota Water Projects

ST. PAUL – The Public Facilities Authority (PFA) approved $6.1 million in water projects for the cities of Houston, Lucan, and Sacred Heart. The funding will support projects ranging from a new drinking water plant in Houston to the rehabilitation of the sanitary sewer lines in Sacred Heart.

“Communities across Minnesota face serious water-quality challenges,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “This funding supports improvements that will give residents of Houston, Lucan, and Sacred Heart access to the clean drinking water they deserve.”

“These projects are a good investment for Minnesota cities,” said Shawntera Hardy, PFA board chair and commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. “By utilizing PFA programs to address their water and sewage infrastructure needs, Minnesotans are helping residents and local businesses now and in the future.”

Details on the individual projects are below:

Houston $3.10 million

This projects will involve the construction of a new drinking water plant to treat for radium, iron and manganese as well as the modification of two wells and the demolition of the existing well houses.

Funding comes in part from a 1 percent 30-year loan of $500,200 from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund, this will save an estimated $158,975 when compared to a traditional loan. The rest comes from a $323,016 grant also from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund, a $1,677,784 grant from the Water Infrastructure Fund, and a $600,000 Small Cities Development Program grant from the Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Lucan $1.65 million

Lucan will use this project to upgrade its wastewater facility. Funding for this project comes from a $455,000 Water Infrastructure Fund grant and the rest comes from the USDA Office of Rural Development in the form of a $250,000 grant and a $947,000 loan.

Sacred Heart $1.37 million

This project focuses on the rehabilitation of the sanitary sewer lines in the city. A $797,630 Water Infrastructure Fund grant will make up a portion of the funding. The rest will come from the USDA Office of Rural Development in the form of a $429,496 grant and a $152,092 loan.

The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority helps communities build and maintain infrastructure to protect public health, the environment and promote economic growth. The PFA financed $4.5 billion in public infrastructure projects throughout Minnesota since its inception in 1987. Read more at the PFA’s website.