Yuma, Arizona (AZ Family) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $21.6 million to improve water infrastructure for more than 300 homes in Yuma County.

Specifically, the funds will be used to construct a wastewater system in the Orange Grove and Rancho Mesa Verde subdivisions, both rural areas located three miles east of Somerton.

Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small toured the neighborhood Friday morning and spoke with residents who expressed concerns.

“Residents here rely on septic tanks, and aging infrastructure creates environmental problems due to high water tables,” Small said.

Until six years ago, people living in subdivisions did not have access to public water. Until then, residents had relied on private companies, but residents say the service was unreliable.

“My neighbors and everyone had water issues. No water pressure,” said Fausto Montes, who lives in Somerton.

Neighbors said their drinking water had improved since the city took control. Still, they rely on septic tanks, which are expensive for homeowners and can also contaminate groundwater.

“This investment will allow us to install a system that connects to our wastewater treatment facility,” Small said.

Once the new sewer system is built, the county will be able to begin its next task: repairing nearby dirt roads.

Officials say more funding is needed, but county supervisors say they will find a way to make it happen.

“We didn’t have the ability to seek funding to pave the road because our septic system, Hillline, is under the road,” Small said.

USDA said it will continue to identify rural areas in Arizona and across the country to ensure everyone has equal access to clean water.

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