Denmark Gets State Grant for Water Upgrades

December 02, 2019

Rural Infrastructure Authority Awards $1.65 Million for Denmark Water Upgrades

DENMARK, SC, November 29, 2019 -- The South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved $1.65 million in grant assistance to the City of Denmark to fund improvements in the city’s aging water system.

The funds will be used to rehabilitate, upgrade and modernize the city’s public water system.  Upgrades and improvements will include replacement of all drinking water well treatment systems, replacement of aging water lines throughout the system and installation of new water lines and automatic flushing devices to improve flow and water quality.

“The RIA’s mission is to work in partnership with communities to make them stronger and more sustainable by investing in their infrastructure foundation,”  Bonnie Ammons, Executive Director, said. “These investments help maintain health and environmental standards for residents and open the door to new economic opportunities.”

Denmark Mayor Gerald Wright thanked the RIA for its financial support to improve the city’s water system.

“The City of Denmark, along with our economic development partners, has taken an aggressive approach is pursuing funding for an extensive modernization program that will upgrade all major parts of the water system,” Mayor Wright said.  “We need a new water system with the latest technology, new piping, state-of-the-art pumps and fresh new tanks.  While Denmark’s drinking water is safe, the system is old and needs a complete upgrade.”

Wright said a modernized water system is essential to serving existing residents and to attracting new industry and jobs to Denmark. 

The S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) was created to help communities with financing for qualified infrastructure projects. Infrastructure refers to water and waste water systems as well as storm water drainage and other public facilities. RIA grants are awarded twice a year through a competitive process that considers the need for improved public health, environmental protection, community sustainability through regionalization and economic development. 

The Denmark grant is among $10.8 million in assistance for 24 projects in the RIA’s 19-county area.