Talbot Co. to receive $600K from USDA wastewater infrastructure investment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Thursday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $272 million to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for 270,000 people living in rural communities across 37 states and Puerto Rico.

Locally, Talbot County is receiving a $600,000 investment as part of this funding through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The USDAA is financing a total of 114 projects through this program.

Acting State Director for Rural Development Delaware – Maryland Scott Kessel says that investments like these are what helps the people of our rural communities the most.

“The $600,000 investment in Talbot County is another example of the capabilities that we at Rural Development have when it comes to providing for our communities,” said Kessel. “We saw the importance of this program last year when small communities in Maryland were in desperate need of assistance for their water supply needs and we were able to step in and help. We look forward to seeing more applicants for this program as we move forward and hope that we can help as many people as possible.”

We’re told the investment for Talbot County will be used to replace the belt filter press and pump at the Region II Wastewater Treatment Plant located in the county. The ability to completely dry the sludge will result in increased processing efficiency at the plant, and eliminate the need to have the unprocessed sludge sent off-site for treatment, which resulted in additional costs for hauling and disposal.