DODD, LIEBERMAN ANNOUNCE RECOVERY ACT GRANT TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AND SERVICES IN WOODSTOCK

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that the Town of Woodstock has been selected to receive a $786,000 loan and a $614,000 grant to provide wastewater system improvements for Woodstock Academy. The project will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and is expected to provide construction jobs and invest in infrastructure needed to support the community’s growth.

“As Woodstock Academy continues to expand, this important federal funding will help ensure that the school has the resources it needs to provide a clean and safe wastewater system to its students and staff, in addition to creating jobs,” said Dodd.  “I look forward to working with the school and the town to ensure that Woodstock successfully meets the criteria for this funding.”

“These funds bring much-needed construction jobs to Connecticut and make critical investments in our infrastructure,” Lieberman said.  “The upgrade of Woodstock Academy’s wastewater system will allow the school to continue to grow while protecting the health and safety of the students, faculty, and neighboring community.”

Woodstock Academy serves as the public high school for residents of Woodstock, Eastford, Brooklyn, Pomfret, Canterbury, and Union, Connecticut.  Other communities from Connecticut and neighboring states enroll their students as well.  As the population and student enrollment increases, additional capacity for sanitary disposal will be needed. The existing on-site wastewater system was designed for a maximum flow of 6,000 gallons per day and the current flow has reached 5,800 gallons per day.  This project will connect the Woodstock Academy wastewater system to the Town of Woodstock wastewater system, accommodating the growing needs of the system.

The ARRA funding announced today is being administered by USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program which provides loans and grants to ensure that the necessary investments are made in water and wastewater infrastructure to deliver safe drinking water and protect the environment in rural areas. Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.