Reynolds Announces $300,000 to Provide Safe Drinking Water in Batavia and Stafford

Press Release

Reynolds Announces $300,000 to Provide Safe Drinking Water in Batavia and Stafford

Congressman Thomas M. Reynolds (R-Clarence) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved $300,000 in funding to help provide safe drinking water to residences in Batavia and Stafford. The funding comes in response to recent well contamination that has made drinking water unsafe for more than 60 residents along Ellicott Street and Townline Roads in Batavia and Stafford.

"This funding will help restore access to safe and usable drinking water for these residents," Reynolds said. "I'm pleased this funding is on its way to Batavia and Stafford, and I will continue to push for more funding so all homes and families have access to safe and clean water as soon as possible."

Batavia and Stafford applied for the grant funding through the USDA Rural Development Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Grant Program (ECWAG) after area wells were contaminated in early April 2007, likely due to the spread of manure on fields accessible to the local groundwater supply. Immediately after the contamination incident, Reynolds sent a letter to the USDA urging quick approval of the funding, stating that the "USDA needs to approve these grant application sooner rather than later to give peace of mind to residents." Reynolds said today he will continue to monitor the situation and push for more funding to respond to the tainted wells. Both towns will receive $150,000 through the ECWAG, but Reynolds said he is hoping more funding will be on its way soon.

"I'm pleased the USDA has approved this grant request to help families whose daily lives have been disrupted by these contaminated wells," Reynolds said. "I will continue to watch to make sure Batavia and Stafford get all the funding they need to provide safe water to residents."

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