**Roberta Mues, Rural Development Specialist** North Platte, Nebraska
(308) 534-2360

**Clifton Lord, Mayor** Indianola, Nebraska (308) 364-2413

**James Morris, Chairperson** Bartley, Nebraska (308) 692-3222

**Mark Harpst, Mayor** Cambridge, Nebraska (308) 697-3711

# USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROVIDES DOLLARS TO

# BARTLEY, INDIANOLA AND CAMBRIDGE TO ADDRESS WATER ISSUES

**North Platte, Neb., August 23, 2004\--**The U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development awarded on August 12, 2004 over
\$950,000 via a loan and grant to the Village of Bartley for water
system improvements that will benefit its 355 rural residents.
Predevelopment planning grants of \$5,250 have also been recently
awarded by USDA Rural Development to both the Villages of Bartley and
Indianola to perform a well field study that will facilitate the
formation of a regional water system. This system would serve the 2,000
rural residents of Bartley, Indianola and Cambridge.

"Quality and quantity of water have been pertinent issues to the
communities of Bartley, Indianola and Cambridge," stated Rural
Development Specialist Roberta Mues of USDA Rural Development. "USDA
Rural Development is pleased to assist in addressing the water problems
of these communities and in helping them to secure a sound water system.
Current rural residents and future generations will definitely benefit
from the water projects."

Residents of Bartley are experiencing pressure loss in their water
distribution system during both high and normal water demand periods.
When fire hydrants are flowing, lawn sprinkler systems fail to operate
in portions of the community. Additionally, several residences are
unable to use more than one water consuming device simultaneously in
their home. These problems are attributed to the naturally occurring
minerals found in the water supply accumulating on the pipe walls in the
distribution system which reduces the capacity of the system to transmit
water to service connections.

The USDA Rural Development loan of \$319,000 and grant of \$634,600 will
upgrade and replace Bartley's existing water distribution system.
Improvements will include the replacement of 9,000 linear feet of water
main, 2,440 linear feet of service line, valves, tees, hydrants, and the
installation of new water meters and a meter reading system. The loan
will be repaid over 40 years at 4.5 percent interest.

The City of Cambridge was awarded in June of 2004, an USDA Rural
Development grant of nearly \$333,000 to connect 11 residences to the
city's municipal water supply system. These affected households are
experiencing a significant decline in the quantity of water pumped from
their individual private wells with some rendered inoperable due to the
drought conditions. Water use is managed to keep the wells from pumping
dry due to their limited pumping capacity. As a result, non-potable uses
such as for laundry, bathing, irrigation, and washing vehicles have had
to be curtailed or not done at all. Improvements will consist of
installation of 11,700 linear feet of water main, 5 fire hydrants and 11
service connections.

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Indianola recently completed their water improvement project which USDA
Rural Development provided a \$505,000 loan and \$458,500 grant
leveraged with \$15,000 by the Village. Improvements included the
replacement of 12,000 linear feet of main, replacement of water meters,
new service connections, valves, hydrants and a pressure reducing valve.

The well field study is being conducted to locate a new water source for
Bartley, Indianola and Cambridge whose water supplies currently contain
excessive levels of arsenic and uranium. The \$10,500 in USDA grants
joined by \$10,000 via a Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
facility planning grant will pay for the study. By working together,
these three communities will reduce their capital costs of developing a
new water source by \$2.2 million.

USDA funding was provided through the USDA Rural Development Water and
Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program and through an Emergency Community
Water Assistance Grant and Predevelopment Planning Grants awarded under
this program. For additional information contact Roberta Mues at 1202 S.
Cottonwood North Platte, Neb. 69101 or phone (308) 534-2360, (402)
437-5093 (TDY). Visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ne/.

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USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider and
Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to USDA, Director,
OCR, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410.