The USDA and Environmental Protection Agency will conduct joint activities to help rural water systems continue to provide access to safe drinking water.

“We are pleased to continue this important work with EPA to support rural water and waste infrastructure,” USDA Rural Utilities Service Administrator Chad Rupe said.

“Rural water systems play a key role in the lives of all Americans," said David Ross, EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water. "Investing resources in rural system infrastructure and management supports EPA’s goal of ensuring that rural communities have the infrastructure necessary to become sustainable, protect public health and support the rural economy.”

To ensure that rural systems have a strong foundation to address 21st century challenges, the two agencies signed a Memorandum of Agreement to formalize their ongoing collaboration. The two will work together to help rural water systems face the challenges of aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, increasing costs, limited management capacity and declining rate bases.

This MOA focuses on four key areas.

This action supports EPA’s 50th anniversary celebration and its February theme of protecting America’s waters – including surface water protection, safe drinking water and water infrastructure investments.

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