The town is among a list of local governments across North Carolina to receive loans and grants from the State Water Infrastructure Authority for infrastructure projects.
Valdese is receiving $210,692 from the ConnectNC Bond and $632,078 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan program, which is a zero-interest loan, for upgrades to the town’s water plant, according to information from the state.
Greg Padgett, town wastewater supervisor, said the money will be used for new motor control centers at the water plant.
He said the bond and loan will take care of the cost of replacing the motor control centers and the debt payments on the 20-year loan will be paid from the town’s utility fund.
Valdese also received $681,700 in a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund zero-interest 20-year loan for the town’s 2018 Water System Upgrades Project, and $500,000 in funding with the principal amount being forgiven, according to information from the state.
Padgett said the $1,181,700 total will be used to replace: » 690 linear feet on Logan Drive.
» 625 linear feet on Lakeview Acres Road.
The money also will be used to replace a control valve on Zion Road, Padgett said.
The Valdese and Rhodhiss projects were among 127 projects in the state to receive funding, according to the state.
“ From water quality to economic growth and protecting public health, we are proud to partner with North Carolina towns and cities to strengthen their communities’ access to clean water through this funding,” said Michael S. Regan, secretary of the N. C. Department of Environmental Quality.

Children are especially susceptible to lead exposure due to the higher rates at which their bodies absorb metals when compared with adults.
To ensure the safety of the children in its community, NeighborImpact tested all of the organization’s Head Start sites for lead.
"This is great news for the Head Start children, families and staff," said Patty Wilson, director of programs at NeighborImpact.
The Oregon Department of Education, Early Learning Division outlined key steps that should be taken by child care environments to keep children safe from lead in drinking water.
Identify sources of lead: Early learning environments should test all taps used for drinking or food to identify any lead problems.
Follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s 3 T’s Revised Technical Guidance to ensure that samples for lead are collected properly and from the right places.
Use an Oregon Health Authority-accredited drinking water laboratory to analyze samples for lead.
This should include shutting off taps, covering water fountains, and providing bottled water to students and staff members.
For more information about our lead testing or about the NeighborImpact Head Start program, please contact Patty Wilson at 541-323-6519 or via email at pattyw@neighborimpact.org.
NeighborImpact is a 21 Cares for Kids partner.

New Delhi, Apr 5 (PTI) The government today informed Parliament that according to 2011 census, close to 27 per cent tribal population do not have access to safe source of drinking water and 75 per cent tribal households do not have toilets.
"As per 2011 census, overall 75 per cent Scheduled Tribes (STs) households in the country were defecating in the open.
Further 26.66 per cent of total tribal population in the country did not have access to safe source of drinking water," Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi, the minister of state in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, said in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
The government said under the Swachh Bharat Mission, efforts were being made to provide access to toilet facilities to all rural households in the country.
The Mission was launched on October 2, 2014 to accelerate efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage.
The ministers reply also pointed out that 10 per cent of the annual budget allocation is earmarked for STs and the focus was on community-based collective behaviour change by massive campaigning at national and state levels.
PTI CSN CSN ABH ABH

https://us.vocuspr.com/Publish/518041/vcsPRAsset_518041_112155_fef3ddd8-3a34-461c-8cde-6982e6e31b5f_0.jpg ** EPA Announces New Funding for Water Infrastructure Projects ———————————————————— Funding will leverage public and private investments to keep lead and other contaminants out of drinking water and upgrade aging water infrastructure Media contacts: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbard, R6Press@epa.gov (mailto:R6Press@epa.gov) or 214 665-2200 DALLAS – (April 4, 2018) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of funding that could provide as much as $5.5 billion in loans, which could leverage over $11 billion in water infrastructure projects through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program.
Prospective borrowers seeking WIFIA credit assistance must submit a letter of interest (LOI) by July 6, 2018.
“EPA will play a key role in the President’s infrastructure efforts by incentivizing states, municipalities, and public-private partnerships to protect public health, fix local infrastructure problems, create jobs, and provide clean water to communities.” “Assuring access to clean water is one of EPA’s most important priorities,” said Regional Administrator Anne Idsal.
Leveraging private capital and other funding sources, these projects could support $11 billion in water infrastructure investment and create more than 170,000 jobs.
“An investment in water infrastructure is an investment in our communities,” said Dr. Andrew Sawyers, director of the Office of Wastewater Management.
“The WIFIA program helps improve water quality and protect public health while supporting the local economy.” The WIFIA program will play an important part in making vital improvements to the nation’s water infrastructure and implementing the President’s Infrastructure Plan, which calls for increasing the program’s funding authorization and expanding project eligibility.
Background Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program at EPA that aims to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects.
WIFIA credit assistance can be used for a wide range of projects, including: · drinking water treatment and distribution projects · wastewater conveyance and treatment projects · enhanced energy efficiency projects at drinking water and wastewater facilities · desalination, aquifer recharge, alternative water supply, and water recycling project · drought prevention, reduction, or mitigation projects EPA will evaluate proposed projects described in the LOIs using WIFIA’s statutory and regulatory criteria as described in the NOFA.
In 2017, for WIFIA’s inaugural round, EPA invited 12 projects in 9 states to apply for more than $2 billion in WIFIA loans.
Environmental Protection Agency, Fountain Place 12th Floor, Suite 1200 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202-2733 United States

“We are aware that there are people who are trying to beat the system, so we hope the fines will discourage them,” Mayor Georges Bourelle said.
If it’s a hot summer, for example, and a water meter is registering an unusually low consumption of drinking water, it is flagged and an inspector pays a visit to see if the (device) is properly connected.” The hike in fines also applies to people who contaminate the water system.
A homeowner will be fined $1,000 for the first offence, $1,500 for the second offence and $2,000 for a subsequent offence.
Buildings that are not individual residences, such as office buildings or commercial enterprises, will be fined $2,000 for the first offence, $3,000 for the second offence and $4,000 for a subsequent offence.
The bylaw on the use of drinking water gives city workers and inspectors the right to access private property to check drinking-water devices supplied by the municipality.
Fines have also been increased for people who contravene any one of the regulations listed in the bylaw, be it for watering the lawn outside of regulated hours, failing to equip an automated watering system with the required sensors or placing a watering device so that water runs onto a neighbouring property.
The fine for contravening a regulation for individuals is $100 to $300 for the first offence, $300 to $500 for the second offence and $500 to $1,000 for a subsequent offence.
The fines for other buildings, be it office buildings, businesses or multi-unit buildings, are $200 to $600 for the first offence, $600 to $1,000 for the second offence and $1,000 to $2,000 for a subsequent offence.
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Wednesday urged the French government to provide safe drinking water, sanitation services, and emergency shelter for migrants who remain in the areas along the northern French coast, including Calais, Grande-Synthe, Tatinghem, and Dieppe.
"It is estimated that up to 900 migrants and asylum-seekers in Calais, 350 in Grande-Synthe, and an unidentified number at other sites elsewhere along the northern French coast are living without adequate emergency shelter and proper access to drinking water, toilets or washing facilities," the UN body’s statement read.
READ MORE: Paid Leave: France Offers Migrants €2,500 to Return Home Heller also stressed that France had made some efforts to resolve the issue, however, that they were not sufficient.
According to the statement, since 2017, the French authorities have taken temporary efforts to provide migrants with emergency shelter, drinking water, and sanitation, including hosting about 200 migrants in a sports center in Grande-Synthe.
Migrants are entitled to human rights regardless of their status, the organization stressed, adding that by dismantling migrant camps France was violating its international human rights obligations.
France, as well as a number of other European states, has been significantly affected by the ongoing migration crisis.
One of the French northern-coast cities, Calais, which is located near the French side of Channel Tunnel connecting the country with the United Kingdom, has for years been home to hundreds of migrants trying to cross the border.
In 2016, the migrant camp in Calais was dismantled due to the horrible living conditions there.
READ MORE: Belgian MP: Italy Gov’t Misreads Its People in Slamming France on Migrant Search In 2017, over 100,000 migrants and refugees applied for asylum in France, which became the highest number in the past 40 years.
In January, French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said that around 26,000 illegal migrants were sent back in 2017, noting that forced returns had increased by 14 percent compared to previous years.

Investments in water and wastewater infrastructure are working to eliminate long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve and to prevent short-term advisories from becoming long-term.
They were: Finally, one drinking water advisory on a public system in Big Grassy River First Nation in Ontario became long-term on March 1.Indigenous Services Canada is working with the community on an action plan to restore safe drinking water to the community with projected lifting date of June 2018.
Quote "Everyone in this country deserves access to clean drinking water.
I am pleased to see a number of both long-term and at-risk short-term advisories lifted in March 2018, continuing the progress being made by communities and Indigenous Services Canada together.
We remain on track in our commitment to lift all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve by March 2021."
The Honourable Jane Philpott Minister of Indigenous Services Quick Facts Budget 2016 provides $1.8 billion over five years to significantly improve on-reserve water and wastewater infrastructure, ensure proper facility operation, maintenance, and support training of water system operators.
Budget 2018 proposes an additional $172.6 million over three years to help accelerate progress on lifting drinking water advisories, and to ensure more infrastructure projects can be completed by 2020 instead of 2021.
Since November 2015, 57 long-term drinking water advisories (those lasting one year or more) have been lifted from public water systems through the work done in partnership with First Nation communities and partners.
Thirty drinking water advisories were added during that same time.
Indigenous Services Canada is working to address both long-term drinking water advisories affecting public systems on reserve and drinking water advisories at risk of becoming long term.

[JURIST] UN human rights experts on Wednesday urged France [press release] to provide adequate emergency shelter, access to drinking water and sanitation facilities, to thousands of migrants living in camps on the northern French coast.
"Migrants, regardless of their status," the experts stated, "are entitled to human rights without discrimination, including access to adequate housing, education, healthcare, water and sanitation as well as access to justice and remedies.
By depriving them of their rights or making access increasingly difficult, France is violating its international human rights obligations."
Last year, France’s highest administrative court ordered [JURIST report] ordered the French government to provide sanitation, health and safety services to migrants.
The UN experts found that although France has taken temporary steps to improve living conditions for migrants, many still face substandard conditions.
EU member states have received ongoing criticism [JURIST report] for their response to the migrant crisis.
UN experts have previously called for comprehensive solutions [JURIST report] to address the depth of the crisis.

AJAX — A section of the town without drinkable water is hoping Ajax officials can help them get municipal services.
About 100 people live on a portion of Range Road and Ontoro Boulevard outside the Town’s urban boundary and inside the provincial Greenbelt.
Under provincial rules, municipal services can’t be extended into the Greenbelt.
Ana Marple said to Ajax council, “We are a community in crisis.
“I would drill a new well if it would lead to good quality potable water,” she added, noting the water isn’t treatable without expensive technology.
I cannot drink my water and I cannot cook with my water.” “The daily stress is never ending,” she said.
Providing water is a Regional responsibility and Marple spoke with Regional councillors recently about the situation.
Regional council approved works staff speaking with the Province about providing water service to the homes.
A report is expected in May on possible options.
“Finding a treatable water source is no longer possible,” she said.

GENEVA (4 April 2018) – UN human rights experts* are urging the Government of France to do more to provide safe drinking water, sanitation services and emergency shelter for migrants and asylum-seekers in Calais, Grande-Synthe, Tatinghem, Dieppe and other areas along the northern French coast.
“Migrants and asylum-seekers along the northern French coast, including those not admitted to the sports centre in Grande-Synthe, are facing an inhumane situation, with some living in tents without toilets and washing themselves in polluted rivers or lakes,” said Léo Heller, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to water and sanitation.
“Some efforts have been made, but not enough.
The situation along the northern French coast is emblematic of the need for much more attention from national and international authorities on this issue.” Since last year, the French Government has taken temporary steps to provide access to emergency shelter, drinking water and sanitation for some migrants and asylum seekers.
By depriving them of their rights or making access increasingly difficult, France is violating its international human rights obligations.” The experts also called for action to end harassment and intimidation of volunteers and members of NGOs providing humanitarian aid to migrants.
The Special Rapporteurs have already contacted the Government of France to seek clarification about the issues highlighted.
The UN experts: Mr. Léo Heller Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation; Mr. Felipe González Morales Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; Mr. Michel Forst Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.
Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.
Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world.
The Universal Declaration – translated into a world record 500 languages – is rooted in the principle that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” It remains relevant to everyone, every day.