The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of up to $30.7 million in grant funding aimed at providing technical assistance and training for small drinking water and wastewater systems, particularly those serving rural communities. The funding is also intended to help private well owners improve water quality.
In the United States, more than 90 percent of drinking water systems serve fewer than 10,000 people. These small systems often face challenges such as high operator turnover, aging infrastructure, and financial constraints. Wastewater systems in small communities encounter similar issues. The EPA's grant program seeks to support organizations that collaborate with these systems to ensure safe drinking water and responsible wastewater treatment.
"Dedicated water champions, working at thousands of small drinking water and wastewater systems across the country, ensure that their communities can rely on clean and safe water," said Bruno Pigott, EPA’s Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water. "Accomplishing this vital mission day-in and day-out with limited resources is challenging."
The EPA is inviting applications for grant projects that will benefit small and rural communities. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, nonprofit private universities and colleges, and public institutions of higher education. The agency expects to award four to five cooperative agreements totaling up to $30.7 million in federal funds.
These agreements aim to provide training and technical assistance in areas such as compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), managerial or financial topics for public water systems, improving water quality for decentralized wastewater systems, and assisting private well owners.
Since 2012, Congress has funded this program annually, enabling the EPA to allocate over $170 million in funding to technical assistance providers. This initiative aligns with President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which aims for 40% of certain federal investment benefits to reach disadvantaged communities affected by underinvestment and pollution.
This grant is part of the EPA’s broader Water Technical Assistance program (WaterTA), designed to assist communities in identifying water challenges and solutions while building capacity. Since 2022, approximately 5,000 communities have received technical assistance through this program.
The application period for these grants is currently open. Questions about applying must be submitted by November 11, 2024, with applications due by November 25, 2024. The EPA plans to award these cooperative agreements by summer 2025.
This notice of funding opportunity underscores the EPA's commitment to rural communities. Recently, the agency also announced $49 million in technical assistance for rural, small, and tribal communities addressing wastewater challenges.
For more information on this grant opportunity visit: Training and Technical Assistance for Small Systems Funding.
