Small Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems to Get Funding
The EPA will be giving $12.7 million in grants to help small drinking water and wastewater systems, including private well owners throughout the entire U.S.
According to the EPA, more than 97 percent of the entire nation’s public water systems provide water for fewer than 10,000 people. That’s why the Agency will be awarding $12.7 million in grants to help small drinking water and wastewater systems, including private well owners throughout the entire U.S. Because of the small size of these systems, unique challenges must be faced in order to meet state and federal regulations.
“Ensuring safe drinking water for all Americans, whether they live in a small town or a big city, is a priority for EPA and these grants will help smaller systems in communities across the country,” said Joel Beauvais, Deputy Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water.
Here is the EPA’s list of selected grantees:
· $4.0 million each to the National Rural Water Association and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership to help small public water systems across the country achieve and maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.
· $1.8 million to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to improve the financial and managerial capabilities of small public water systems across the country.
· $1.2 million to the National Rural Water Association to improve operational performance at small publicly-owned wastewater systems and decentralized wastewater systems, thereby improving public health and water quality.
· $1.7 million to the Rural Community Assistance Partnership to inform private drinking water well owners about protecting their drinking water supply and improving water quality.