Five South Dakota towns are sharing in nearly $155 million released through the U.S. Department of Agriculture from the economic stimulus act for water projects. The funds are in the form of direct loans and grants.

Rosholt gets a $562,000 direct loan and a $753,000 grant, while Bowdle receives a $738,000 direct loan and a $517,000 grant. Java receives a $58,000 direct loan and a $287,000 grant, while loans of $444,000 and $96,000 went to Warner and Hermosa, respectively.

In a release, the USDA says the 36 projects that were funded will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for rural towns and communities in 15 states and Puerto Rico. The agency says funding of individual recipients depends on their meeting loan or grant agreement terms.