The U.S. EPA announced that it expects to issue by Oct. 15th a $21.7 million grant funding opportunity to support small drinking water and wastewater systems in rural communities across the U.S.
According to the EPA press release, EPA’s funding will improve public health and environmental protection. This work includes ensuring drinking water in these communities is safe and that wastewater is properly treated and returned to the environment.
“Small towns and rural America are the backbone of our country and we must invest in the water infrastructure and the water workforce that support these communities,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox in the EPA press release. “Through this grant program, EPA is able to meet the specific needs of small drinking water and wastewater systems to help improve water quality that supports health, recreation, and the rural economy.”
The funding opportunity announcement will solicit projects that will provide training and technical assistance to small public water systems, small wastewater systems, and private well owners, reported EPA. The goal is for these systems to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act. The projects will also help inform private drinking water well owners about their drinking water supply.
Eligible applicants for this agreement are expected to be: nonprofit organizations; nonprofit private universities and colleges; and public institutions of higher education.
EPA expects that the grant solicitation will be posted on Grants.gov by Oct. 15th and applicants will have 60 days to apply. EPA also expects to award these cooperative agreements by Spring 2022 and encourages eligible organizations to apply.
This grant program comes after an announcement earlier this year of recipients for $12 million in new grant funding to support small, rural, and Tribal wastewater systems.
More information can be found here.
