Solving Solid Waste Disposal Problems

firehouse, technical assistance could be solicited. For example, the county supervisor of the Farmers Home Administration might be called in to discuss that agency's requirements regarding financing for public water and waste disposal facilities. Farmers Home is authorized to provide financial assistance to rural "associations" for the purpose of installing community domestic water and waste systems in rural areas. Associations eligible for this assistance include rural towns, water districts, nonprofit corporations, and other similar groups organized to develop a feasible system to serve farmers and rural residents. Although the association need not be incorporated to apply for a loan, legal organization must be complete before closing the loan. Each association is responsible for selecting its engineer, a selection that should be made very carefully. Ideally, an engineer should be chosen who has successfully designed and completed construction on several systems similar to the one you contemplate building. Any registered engineer, however, who has suflBcient experience, capital, equipment, and staff to design the system may contract with the local group. By working together, the local association, the consulting engineer, and the Farmers Home county supervisor can design, finance, and build a water or waste disposal system that will make life safer, more pleasant, and less worrisome, and at the same time open new possibilities for community growth. In summary, rural communities can now enjoy the convenience and savings provided by central water and waste disposal facilities formerly enjoyed only by city residents. Simply because the community is small or the families isolated or of low income is not sufficient reason for ruling out a domestic water or waste disposal facility. Farmers Home has financed many isolated, unincorporated communities with adequate water systems where the families averaged a quarter of a mile apart or more. Technical and financial assistance can be located, but only after you, the local resident, step forward to provide the community with the leadership it needs to get things started.