USDA puts $27 million toward Alaska's villages to improve sanitation

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska's rural communities are set to receive $27 million in federal funds to help improve sanitation.

KTUU-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2bYtYSX ) that the funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program announced Tuesday will support water, sewer and solid waste projects. The money will also be used to improve technical assistance and training, preliminary engineering and planning and solid waste management.

The village of Eek in southwestern Alaska will receive $5.9 million for a water and sewer project. Western Alaska's Unalakleet is getting $6.6 million for a water source and transmission project, while Saxman, in southeast Alaska, has been awarded $3.2 million to improve its wastewater system.

Officials say the state is required to match one-third of the $27 million awarded by the federal government.

http://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/usda-puts-million-toward-alaska-s-villages/article_d6891f0a-6f7e-11e6-9fd0-0f3757f6a1d5.html (short article)