This agreement provides funding to the village of staplehurst, nebraska to implement its project to implement its water tower replacement project as directed in the 2024 consolidated appropriations act

EPA Region 7 awarded a $900,000 cooperative agreement to the Village of Staplehurst, Nebraska on December 31, 2025, to design and construct a drinking water infrastructure project under the Congressionally Mandated Projects program (CFDA 66.202), as directed in the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

The project delivers an elevated 75,000-gallon welded steel water tower with a cement foundation, painted and sealed. The anticipated outcomes include more reliable access to clean, safe drinking water supported by improved water pressure that reduces contamination risk from cross-connections, strengthened fire protection, and safer monitoring and maintenance of the new facility. The expected health benefits include lower occurrence of waterborne illnesses and gastrointestinal diseases, prevention of developmental issues in children, and reduced long-term health effects of lead exposure such as kidney damage and neurological impairments.

Performance occurs in Staplehurst, Nebraska, with an ultimate completion date of August 31, 2028. The Village of Staplehurst is the recipient; no subawards are included in this assistance agreement. Residents of the Village of Staplehurst are the intended beneficiaries.

Activities:the activities to be performed include the execution and implementation of a drinking water infrastructure construction project. Workplan activities consist of: design and construction of cement foundation with an elevated, welded steel water tower, painted and sealed. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include elevated 75,000-gallon welded steel water tower. The expected outcomes include more reliable access to clean, safe drinking water, supported by improved water pressure that reduces the risk of contamination from cross-connections. This upgrade will strengthen public health protections by lowering the likelihood of waterborne illnesses and enhancing overall community wellbeing. Cleaner drinking water from adequate pressures can help lower the occurrence of gastrointestinal diseases, prevent developmental issues in children, and reduce the long-term health effects of lead exposure, such as kidney damage and neurological impairments. Additionally, fire protection will be vastly improved, not to mention allowing safer monitoring and more efficient maintenance of the new accessible facility. The intended beneficiaries include residents of the village of staplehurst, nebraska.