WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program has awarded the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners $150,000 to build a new water tank in the Village of Smithfield. Replacing the current tank, which does not meet current water quality storage standards, will ensure that the 584 residents of the Village of Smithfield and portions of Smithfield Township have safe drinking water.

“All Ohioans deserve clean water but too many communities are struggling to afford important investments in water infrastructure,” Brown said. “These federal resources will allow Jefferson County to improve service for residents of Village of Smithfield and Smithfield Township so they have access to safe drinking water.”

Brown is working to help protect Ohioans’ drinking water. In September, as part of the Water Resources Development Act, the Senate passed provisions of his Clean Water Affordability Act – a bill to help communities make renovations to outdated sewer systems, while improving water quality and keeping rates affordable for residents and small business. The legislation also included Brown-supported provisions to ensure safe drinking water and protect Ohioans from lead.

Brown is the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in more than 40 years. In 2014, he was part of the Senate Farm Bill Conference Committee that successfully negotiated a five-year farm bill that had been stalled for more than three years. Brown supported a strong Rural Development title in the 2014 Farm Bill to encourage economic development in rural communities.

 

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