The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development agency announced $5.27 million in investment for three projects to strengthen water and wastewater systems in rural Iowa. The city of Allerton received a $27,000 grant for an engineering study addressing wastewater needs, while Lake City received a $4.8 million loan to upgrade its wastewater collection and treatment systems. The city of Randolph obtained a $442,000 loan to enhance water storage, distribution, and treatment capacity. According to USDA Iowa State Director Mike Sexton, the projects reflect ongoing federal efforts to improve rural infrastructure and public health across the state.