Pamplin receives $1.3 million grant to build sewer system

The town of Pamplin in Appomattox County received more than $1 million in federal funds to build a public sewer system, a news release issued by Congressman Tom Perriello’s office stated Monday.

The $1.3 million grant, along with a $275,700 loan, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development fund will enable the town to began construction on a sewer system as early as November, said Pamplin Mayor Bob Mitchell.

The project’s price tag is about $2.8 million. The latest funding boost adds to the grants and loans already garnered from various federal and state agencies to pay for the system, Mitchell said.

Once completed, the project will provide sewer access to 62 residential and commercial users in the eastern part of the town, Mitchell said. The town has about 200 residents.

The future users of the system are currently hooked up to private septic systems which are “failing and contaminating surface water,” the release said. The new setup will allow for a “sewage collection and treatment system to prevent future water pollution.”

The sewer system is also intended to spur economic growth in the town, Perriello, D-5th District, said in the release.

“Not only will this project create jobs for local contractors, it will also attract entrepreneurs and homeowners because the new sewer system will provide safer and healthier water for the citizens of Pamplin.”

The sewer system is expected to be complete by the end of 2010, Mitchell said.

He added that the town plans to request addition federal funds later on to extend sewer use to citizens in western Pamplin.