The U.S. Department of Agriculture presented a check for $4.8 million to Karnes City officials during a ceremony at city hall January 31.

The big, ceremonial hunk of cardboard represented a very real grant-loan the USDA has issued Karnes City to help fund a major overhaul of the town’s wastewater treatment system.

USDA Rural Development State Director Bryan Daniel was on hand to present the check to the mayor and council.

"The USDA rural development water and waste disposal programs target public health benefits and economic opportunities in America’s rural communities," he said. "Projects such as this one in the City of Karnes will help make the environment cleaner and protect the public health for local residents."

Thirty-five percent of the $4.8 million is free money to Karnes City. The other 65 percent will be paid back through a low-interest loan.

Karnes City has in recent years been in the process of moving away from their lagoon sewage-treatment system after increased state regulations said it was no longer environmentally friendly.

The old system pooled sewage waste into several large ponds while bacteria decomposed it through several different phases before finally filtering and dispensing it into the ground.

The new mechanical system will liquefy sewage waste, then dry it out into a solid form which can then be safely disposed of.