Five Iowa communities will receive federal aid to improve water and sewer systems with funding announced today by the USDA. The loans and grants are part of $281 million awarded through the Water and Wastewater Disposal Loan and Grant Program. One hundred and six projects in 36 states and Puerto Rico received funding. The Iowa communities that received assistance are:

• Griswold: a $419,000 loan to build two pipelines to improve the city’s stormwater system.
• North English: a $4.99 million loan and a $2.66 million grant to upgrade its wastewater treatment system.
• Lewis: a $100,000 loan and a $100,000 grant for updates to its water treatment plant.
• Malvern City: a $400,000 loan to help with construction and improvements to its water treatment plant and water tower improvements.
• Gowrie: A $500,000 loan to rehabilitate the city’s two wells.