The U.S. Department of Ag­­ri­­culture (USDA) last week an­nounced that it was investing $15.3 million in nine projects in Iowa to improve rural water infrastructure.

The investments are part of a USDA program to invest $192 million in 71 projects located across 29 states to improve rural water infrastructure.

The Iowa water improvement projects are:

• The city of Sigourney (Keokuk County) is receiving a $3.8 million loan to update its wastewater treatment system.

• The city of Ellsworth...