FREEBORN — State funding is assisting the city of Freeborn in a project city leaders said will finish in July and ensure safe drinking water.

To assist in the replacement of its watermains and water meters, Freeborn received a $646,800 principal forgiveness loan from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority in spring 2015.

A $161,700 loan was also accepted through the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority in spring 2015 for connecting water services from Freeborn to Hartland, said Freeborn Clerk and Treasurer Nicole LaFrance.

The process to receive the two funding sources began in 2014 when the city of Freeborn applied for additional funding for the project. The funds weren’t originally available from the Rural Development Agency, according to LaFrance. The city wrote letters to the state Legislature asking them to contact entities to apply for more funding for the project. The state then got the Public Facilities Authority to pay for a portion of the development with the Rural Development Agency. The state then divided the project into two portions, one in the city and one outside to make the project more affordable.

LaFrance said the loans allow the city to conduct the projects without placing a heavy burden on the local taxpayers.

LaFrance said the water main and water meter project should be completed this summer. The project is the last step before Freeborn and Hartland combine water services.

LaFrance said the project, established as a top priority by the Minnesota Department of Health in September, became critical at the state level because arsenic was found in the city’s water.

“It’s basically recognizing that we have an issue here, and we’re trying to get it solved,” LaFrance said of the state’s response.

The city received a $1.18 million Rural Development loan, a $1.4 million rural development grant and $630,000 in Small Cities Development funding in 2013 in association with the connection. The Small Cities funding was part of a larger $980,000 grant given to the city — the largest given out by the state through the program.

The cities will share ownership and share the costs of the facility’s upkeep.

A water treatment facility has been built in the city of Hartland to pump water from Hartland to and from the city of Freeborn.The facility presently is used to ensure safe drinking water for Hartland.

Hartland received a $1.23 million U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development loan and a $1.25 million Rural Development grant to help cover the city’s costs in the project.

Out of 271 projects in the Minnesota Department of Health 2016 priority list, here’s how some local projects ranked: 

13: Connect water from Stables area to city of Albert Lea

44: Replace water treatment plant in Alden

51: Put in a new tank that holds water and air under pressure in Myrtle

59: Put in a new pump and generator in Myrtle