An investment of more than $20 million by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program will help rebuild and improve five rural water infrastructure projects in North Dakota, according to Congressman Kevin Cramer and Sen. John Hoeven.

The North Dakota communities receiving the funds are Langdon, New Rockford, New Salem, Mercer and Dodge.

New Rockford has received $9.26 million in the form of a $4.734 million loan and a $4.526 million grant for the city’s water main replacement, water tower painting, water treatment plant improvements, and storm water improvements. New Rockford will contribute $1 million to replacing its aging infrastructure.

Mercer has received a $508,800 investment in the amount of a $287,000 loan and a $221,800 grant to construct a new city lift station and repair sanitary sewer lines. This will correct a health and sanitation issue identified by the North Dakota Department of Health. The new lift station will pump water from a nearby wetland, which will lower its level and allow the lagoon to discharge into it. Currently, lagoon flooding allows raw, untreated sewage to enter the wetland. In addition to the lagoon issues, other aged city sanitary sewer lines that are either broken or compromised will be replaced.