The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced the availability of up to $30.7 million in grant funding for technical assistance and training to support small and/or rural drinking water and wastewater systems. The grant provides funding to organizations that work side-by-side with water systems by giving them the necessary tools and training to ensure communities have safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment systems.
Small water systems often face unique financial and operational challenges, including aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, increasing costs, and declining rate bases. Many small systems also serve disadvantaged communities.
USEPA is seeking applications to fund grant projects that will benefit small and rural communities. Eligible applicants for this competitive agreement are nonprofit organizations, nonprofit private universities, and colleges and public institutions of higher education. The application period for these competitive grants is now open.
Questions about applying for USEPA funding for training and technical assistance must be received by January 18, 2024, and applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on February 2, 2024. USEPA expects to award these cooperative agreements by summer of 2024 and encourages all eligible organizations who have an interest in these projects to apply.
The funding opportunity will remain open for 60 days on Grants.gov. For more information on the grant, visit EPA’s website on Training and Technical Assistance for Small Systems Funding.