Marshall highlights federal funding for Riley County wastewater upgrades
$1.11 million local award will replace failing septic systems and modernize sewer lines in Keats
MANHATTAN, Kan. — U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Republican, joined federal and local officials Friday to launch a wastewater improvement project that will use a $1.11 million federal award to replace failing septic systems and modernize infrastructure in the Riley County community of Keats. Speaking at the Keats Park Community Center alongside USDA Rural Development State Director Gimmie Jo Jansonius and Riley County Commissioner Kathryn Focke, a Democrat, Marshall highlighted the critical need to protect public health by upgrading aging utilities. The local grant and loan package will directly fund the demolition of 67 outdated septic tanks, the installation of 12,000 linear feet of sewer collection lines and a new lift station to ensure long-term infrastructure reliability and support future growth.
The Keats project represents a portion of $11 million in statewide investments awarded to seven Kansas communities through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Water and Wastewater Disposal Loan and Grant Program. To help other rural municipalities access clean water upgrades without overburdening local taxpayers, Marshall has prioritized water infrastructure during the annual federal appropriations process. The senator recently submitted multiple congressional funding requests to boost the Environmental Protection Agency’s clean and drinking water state revolving funds, alongside asking for increased financial backing for various USDA rural water grant and loan programs.
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