The EPA Has Allocated (A Mere) $15 Million to Assist Small Drinking Water Systems
Addressing An Urgent Need, The EPA Is Providing Training and Assistance to the Nation’s Many Small Water Systems
More than 97 percent of the nation’s 157,000 public water systems serve fewer than 10,000 people, and more than 80 percent of these systems serve fewer than 500 people.
This is an often ignored fact. It is also overlooked that most of the regulatory energy of governmental agencies is directed toward the large treatment systems that serve metropolitan centers. EPA standards do not apply to the many small systems that fall under the regulatory radar.
Many small systems face unique challenges in providing reliable drinking water and wastewater services that meet federal and state regulations. These challenges can include a lack of financial resources, aging infrastructure, management limitations and high staff turnover.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded nearly $15 million in funding to provide training and technical assistance to small drinking and wastewater systems – those serving fewer than 10,000 people – and to private well owners. The funding will help provide training and tools to improve small system operations and management practices, promoting sustainability and supporting EPA’s mission to protect public health and the environment.
“Small systems form the backbone of our nation’s public water system and it is a priority for EPA to help them to meet water quality standards and provide clean water to communities,” said Nancy Stoner, EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water. “This funding and technical assistance is part of EPA’s continuing efforts to promote sustainability and public health protection for communities served by small systems.”
For more information on EPA’s programs and tools to help small water systems, visit:http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/sdwa/smallsystemsrfa.cfm
