The Village of Fair Haven and Town of Sterling will receive almost $400,000 in federal grant and loan money to improve their waste water systems.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will award the Cayuga County Water and Sewer Authority a $230,000 grant and a $165,000 loan to go toward addressing issues with the two communities' septic treatment systems, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer announced Wednesday.

The funds will be administered as part of the USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan Program, which is meant to help lower the costs for rural communities to improve their sewer and water infrastructure. The grants can be used to improve supply and distribution systems, acquire land and water sources, or cover legal and engineering fees, according to Schumer's office.

“In this weakening economy it is critical that we continue to invest in our infrastructure to create jobs and boost the local economy,” Schumer stated in a press release.