USDA Invests More Than $11 Million to Improve Rural Water Infrastructure Across Kansas
(Topeka, Kan., April 14, 2026) – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kansas State Director Gimmie Jo Jansonius today announced that the agency is investing $11,018,000 to modernize critical water infrastructure in rural communities across Kansas.
“Upgrading the infrastructure for community water systems will improve public health and drive economic development in our small towns and cities,” said Jansonius. “USDA and the Trump Administration are dedicated to rural communities through long-term commitments to economic prosperity; because when rural America prospers, all of America prospers.”
Background:
USDA is making this $11 million investment through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, which funds vital water infrastructure that directly benefits the health, economic vitality and environment of rural America.
The specifics of these Kansas projects are:
- A $420,000 grant will help purchase and install standby emergency generators at two critical pumping facilities for the city of Stafford. The generators will make the drinking water and wastewater utilities more resilient during future disasters.
- A $335,000 grant will help purchase and install Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system upgrades and a standby emergency generator at one water well pumping facility for the city of St. John. The generator and SCADA upgrades will make the drinking water utility more resilient during future disasters.
- A $78,000 grant will help install standby emergency generators at two water well pumping facilities for the city of Burdett. The pumps will make the drinking water utility more resilient to severe winter storms.
- A $1,000,000 grant and $3,500,000 loan will help the city of Linn Valley install a water transmission line from the City of La Cygne and distribution lines and meters throughout Linn Valley. Additionally, the city is constructing a 250,000-gallon elevated water storage tank.
- A $492,000 grant and $618,000 loan will help Riley County upgrade and install approximately 12,000 linear feet of 4-inch and 8-inch collection lines, 43 manhole replacements, 67 septic tank demos, five grinder stations, and surface removal and replacement. It also includes a new lift station, a new wet well, 4-inch sewer force main connection, electrical work, backup generator, discharging lagoon and an irrigation pump station.
- An $813,000 grant and $3,684,000 loan will assist the city of Mankato with their Phase II Water Project including installation of approximately 22,000 linear feet of water mains, 173 service connections with domestic water meters, 28 fire hydrants, 2-inch commercial water meters, a new water tower and a new chlorination building.
- A $622,000 grant and $211,000 loan will help the city of Toronto construct approximately 41,000 linear feet of water line pipes. The project will also include 74 gate valves, 28 fire hydrants, 170 water meter assemblies, and interior and exterior coating of the existing water tower.
For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway. The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making Rural Development’s investment data accessible to the public.
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