Rhinelander receives $5.5 million in funding for sewer work

The City of Rhinelander's sanitary sewer collection system will soon undergo significant improvements after receiving USDA Rural Development funding for more than $5.5 million.

The project will address capacity limitations, bypass and overflow potential, and under-pitched pipelines, while replacing key infrastructure components. One component scheduled for replacement is the North Interceptor, which was originally installed with a relatively flat slope, thereby reducing its carrying capacity. It contains several pipes that are under-pitched or contain a negative pitch causing a severe capacity limitation.

Rhinelander is currently undergoing a major sewer reconstruction project and recently completed a waste water treatment plant improvement that required a loan from the State Clean Water Fund Program. To keep from overburdening its residents to pay for these upgrades, the City of Rhinelander applied for and received a Water and Waste Disposal loan ($3,559,000) and grant ($2,031,000) combination from USDA Rural Development.

"The City is the thrilled to receive the USDA Rural Development support that will allow the City to make vitally needed sewer line repairs, while minimizing sewer rate increases in an effort to recognize that many of our City residents are on fixed incomes," said Blaine Oborn, City Administrator.

Brian Hudson, USDA Rural Development Area Director, said the community will benefit from the improvements for decades.

"This project gives the City of Rhinelander an opportunity to upgrade its systems without causing unnecessary financial strain to its residents. The upgrades will streamline the sewer systems, provide additional health and sanitary measures, and insure the sustainability of the community for many years," Hudson said. "We are pleased to be part of this project and looking forward to its completion."

USDA Rural Development's Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Programs provide water and waste financing to rural communities. Recipients of the funding may build, repair, and improve public water systems, and waste collection and treatment systems in rural communities with up to 10,000 in population.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As the lead federal agency for rural development needs, USDA Rural Development returned over $558 million dollars this past year to rural Wisconsin communities. Funds are used to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technological infrastructures.

More information on USDA Rural Development programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting rurdev.usda.gov/wi.