Brandon, Osakis both get federal funds to improve water

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Two communities in Douglas County will soon have cleaner drinking water.

Brandon and Osakis will receive a combined total of $4.89 million in federal grants and loans to make improvements to their drinking water treatment infrastructure.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced the funding Monday.

“High-quality, clean drinking water is vital to ensuring the health of our communities,” said Klobuchar. “These funds will provide Douglas County residents with access to reliable and safe drinking water.”

The funding will be provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s water and environmental programs.

Rural Development has invested about $345 million since 2002 to deliver clean drinking water and efficient wastewater treatment to rural communities in Minnesota.

The city of Brandon will receive a $1,685,000 loan and a $957,000 grant. The funding will be used to replace the city’s water treatment plant, water tower, back-up well and a major portion of its water distribution system.

Brandon also will install water meters. Once completed, the city will have an adequate backup well, a full day’s worth of water storage, additional pressure and a safer treatment system.

The city of Osakis will receive a $1,275,000 loan and $975,000 grant. The funding will be used to build a new water treatment plant with a gravity filter and ion exchange.

The city will also replace an old well and most water meters.

Current estimates predict that the city will save as much as $20,000 annually in operating and maintenance expenses with a new treatment plant.

Tags: local news, news, brandon, osakis, water, grants, klobuchar