Virginia Governor Announces Water Improvement Grants

Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has announced $1,440,261 in grants to projects throughout Virginia to improve water quality and benefit community development efforts, the Washington Continent reported.

The grants, the last allocation of funds through the Southern Rivers Watershed Program, will fund projects in the counties of Charlotte, Lee and Tazwell, the city of Roanoke and the town of Appalachia. The town of Vinton will receive a planning grant for future projects.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development administers the Southern Rivers Watershed Enhancement Program.

“These projects bring us closer toward our goal of ensuring access to clean and safe water sources for all Virginians,” Kaine said. “Through the Southern Rivers program, approximately $17 million has been allocated to bring water quality improvements throughout the Commonwealth.”

The five projects are expected to install more than 33,000 linear ft of sewer line, connect more than 200 homes to public wastewater systems, construct or expand wastewater treatment facilities and reduce sewage flowing into several waterways that the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has deemed impaired.