The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $49 million in funding to technical assistance providers to help communities address wastewater challenges through the Rural, Small and Tribal Clean Water Technical Assistance Grant Program. UTK, through ISSE and the Tennessee Water Resources Research Center (TNWRRC), has a new subaward from the Southwest Environmental Finance Center for EPA’s Rural, Small, and Tribal Clean Water Technical Assistance Grant Program via the University of New Mexico. The total subaward amount to UTK is $692,381—$390,646 for Priority Area 1 and $301,735 for Priority Area 2. 

Priority Area 1 concerns “Acquisition of Financing/Funding: Training and technical assistance for rural, small, and Tribal municipalities for planning, developing and acquisition of financing/funding for eligible activities”; Priority Area 2 is to “Protect Water Quality and Compliance Assistance: Training and technical assistance for rural, small, and Tribal publicly owned treatment works and decentralized wastewater systems to help improve water quality and to achieve and maintain compliance”. TNWRRC’s workplans for both Priority Areas are to (1) Provide Technical Assistance, (2) Develop and Deliver Trainings, (3) Develop Durable Resources, (4) Outreach and Marketing, and (5) Project Reporting.

Many rural, small, and tribal systems face unique financial and operational challenges, such as aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, increasing costs, and declining rate bases. The technical assistance providers receiving EPA’s grant funding will help address the most pressing water challenges in communities, provide training on water infrastructure and management best practices, and help communities navigate the application process for federal and state water infrastructure financing and strategically invest in reliable infrastructure solutions.

This funding is helping hundreds of communities with wastewater infrastructure and Clean Water Act compliance projects that advance the agency’s Powering the Great American Comeback initiative by ensuring that all Americans can rely on clean air, land and water.

“Small and rural communities are the backbone of this great country, and EPA is committed to partnering with them to provide clean and safe water that supports healthy people, agricultural production, economic opportunity, and vibrant ecosystems,” said EPA Senior Advisor Jessica Kramer. “With $49 million, more communities will receive assistance for planning, designing and funding essential wastewater infrastructure upgrades.”