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Monday, March 05, 2012

EPA announces new help for small water systems

The Environmental Protection Agency will provide up to $15 million for training and technical assistance to drinking and wastewater systems that serve fewer than 10,000 people, according to a press release. About $14.5 million will be dedicated to training and technical assistance to help small systems comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act and improve water quality.

According to the press release, about 97 percent of the 157,000 water systems in the U.S. serve 10,000 or fewer people, and more than 80 percent serve 500 or less. There are several challenges to "providing reliable drinking water and wastewater services" in these areas, including lack of financial resources, aging infrastructure, management limitations and high staff turnover. The agency is accepting applications from communities until April 9, and hopes to award financial assistance this summer.

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