Blumenthal, Murphy, Courtney Announce USDA Assistance for Putnam and Brooklyn Water Treatment

(Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Congressman Joe Courtney (D-2) announced today millions of dollars in U.S. Department of Agriculture grant and loan funds to assist the towns of Putnam and Brooklyn in efforts to improve their water treatment systems.

Putnam will receive a $1.03 million grant and a $2.97 million low-interest loan to complete a series of upgrades to the town’s ten sanitary pump stations, required through a consent order issued by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Brooklyn will receive a $374,000 grant and a $1.12 million low-interest loan to complete its collection systems improvement project. The effort will upgrade the town’s two pump stations, which are used to transport waste for treatment. The funds will also be used to upgrade inflow and infiltration systems, drain valves and hydraulic analysis capabilities.           “These grants and low-interest loans will help Putnam and Brooklyn make necessary improvements to their water treatment and sanitary systems with limited financial impact to residents. I applaud the USDA for this critical investment, and I will continue to advocate for additional funds on behalf of all small towns in Connecticut,” Blumenthal said.

“Funding these upgrades and improvements is incredibly important for Putnam and Brooklyn,” said Murphy. “The USDA's Rural Development grants will help keep water clean and safe for these communities, and I'm hopeful we can secure additional grants for other towns in Connecticut that are in need of similar improvements.”

“I applaud USDA’s award of these grants and loans to Putnam and Brooklyn,” said Courtney.  “Since joining the House Agriculture Committee in the 111th Congress, I have aggressively advocated for USDA Rural Development programs because I have seen the benefits for the Second District firsthand. These funds will provide both service requirements for residents and fulfill upgrade guidelines set by the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Once again, we see the importance of Rural Development programs, which bridge the needs of residents with the finances of small communities.”  

“Putnam is blessed to have Senator Blumenthal, Senator Murphy and Congressman Joe Courtney representing Putnam. The help and continued support that these gentlemen provide to us is going to go a long way in providing the resources that are needed to update our pump stations.  I am very thankful for their continued efforts to make sure that Putnam is kept in the forefront when requesting financial assistance to the USDA.   Putnam is truly blessed to have these gentlemen looking out for our best interest,” said Putnam Mayor Richard "Peter" Place.

Brooklyn First Selectman Austin Tanner said:   “We need to upgrade our sewer system and this grant and loan allows up to complete these necessary upgrades. We are very appreciative that Brooklyn will be receiving this assistance.”

Brooklyn Water Pollution Control Authority Chair David Fuss added:  “The Brooklyn W.P.C.A. is pleased to have received this USDA Rural Development Loan. With this loan the W.P.C.A. will be able to upgrade the collection system and provide sewer service to the community with a minimal impact on the rate payers. These USDA loans are important to small communities like Brooklyn, without this loan the impact to the rate payers would have been much greater.”