EPA backs small water utilities with $30 million for compliance, PFAS
(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $30 million in grant funding to help small and rural drinking water and wastewater systems improve operations, meet federal regulations and strengthen long-term infrastructure management.
The funding, provided through EPA's Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA) initiative, will support training and technical assistance for small public drinking water systems, publicly owned wastewater utilities, decentralized wastewater systems and private well owners. Assistance will include improving system operations, financial planning, asset management, PFAS testing and treatment, and lead service line inventories.
EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jessica Kramer said the funding is intended to help communities that often face limited resources and aging infrastructure.
"Small and rural communities are the backbone of this country, and water systems serving these areas often face unique challenges in delivering clean and reliable water," Kramer said.
EPA plans to award approximately $14.58 million to the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), $9.1 million to the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) and $7.02 million to the Southwest Environmental Finance Center at the University of New Mexico, pending completion of administrative requirements.
According to EPA, the grants will help utilities improve regulatory compliance under the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act, strengthen technical, managerial and financial capacity, and support sustainable operation of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
Matthew Holmes, CEO of the National Rural Water Association, said the funding will expand hands-on assistance for small utilities.
"We are proud to continue providing practical technical assistance that helps small and rural water systems strengthen their technical, managerial and financial capabilities," Holmes said.
RCAP Chief Executive Officer Olga Morales-Pate said the funding will help utilities address aging infrastructure, limited staffing and financial challenges while improving long-term system resilience.
Since 2012, EPA has provided more than $200 million through the program to organizations that deliver technical assistance to small water and wastewater systems nationwide.
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