The City of Marion is among 18 Kansas communities that will share in nearly $7 million in water and sewer grants through the federally funded Community Development Block Grant program.

The city will receive $102,703 in grant funds to replace water lines on South Coble, South Freeborn, South Roosevelt, and Highland streets.

“According to City Administrator David Mayfield, the water line replacement will hopefully remedy problems some water customers have in that area.

“This area has older, steel pipes,” he said, that could be contributing to low water pressure and discolored water.

Steel lines will be replaced with plastic.

The city will have to provide $115,000 in matching funds for the project, which is not in the city’s budget but attainable through a bond.

The grant is administered through Kansas Department of Commerce.