E.P.A. Provides $15 Million to Help Small Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems Across the Country/Funding will help small systems better serve local communities

WASHINGTON - The E.P.A. announced today that it will provide up to $15 million in backing for training and technical assistance to small drinking and wastewater systems, defined as systems that serve fewer than 10,000 people, and private well owners. The backing will help provide water system staff with training and tools to enhance system operations and management practices, and supports EPA's continuing efforts to protect public health, restore watersheds and promote sustainability in small communities.

Most of the funding, up to $14.5 million, will provide training and technical assistance to small public water systems to achieve and maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and to small publicly-owned wastewater systems, communities served by on-site systems, and private well owners to enhance water quality.

In excess of 97 percent of the nation's 157,000 public water systems serve fewer than 10,000 people, and In excess of 80 percent of these systems serve fewer than 500 people. 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.

E.P.A. expects to make accessible up to $500,000 to provide training and technical assistance to tribally-owned and operated public water systems.

Applications must be received by E.P.A. by April 9, 2012. E.P.A. expects to award these cooperative agreements by Summer 2012. For more information about these competitive announcements, visit:
http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/sdwa/smallsystemsrfa.cfm

For more information on EPA's programs and tools to help small water systems, visit:
http://water.epa.gov/type/drink/pws/smallsystems/index.cfm

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