FRUITLAND — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $2.6 million in additional support for the extension of public water to the Morris Mill community following the discovery of groundwater contamination in private wells.

State officials announced Friday that $2.6 million in USDA Rural Development funds would go toward the extension of public water from Fruitland to the Morris Mill community. The $8 million project, which already received $2.4 million in USDA loans and grants last year, is expected to get underway in August.

“We’re very excited to be here,” said Tony Hernandez, administrator of the USDA Rural Development program. “Two-hundred-and-seventy-plus families are going to get access to better water. We’re going to change people’s lives. That’s a big deal.”

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