At the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, we know that rural water and waste facilities have their work cut out for them. Keeping your utilities running and ensuring your customers, who are also your neighbors, have safe and reliable water and waste disposal resources is a full-time job. So, when you do have time to think about the future of your system, we imagine it can be daunting.
USDA recognizes that the challenges associated with managing a water or waste system do not end once a facility becomes operational. Keeping rural water and waste systems sustainable means a lot more than it used to. Today, rural administrators not only need to consider the physical strength and capacity of their systems, they also need to consider the cyber security of their facilities and the resiliency of the infrastructure if it were to be impacted by a natural disaster.
USDA Financing
USDA stands ready to help rural water and waste utilities bridge the capital divide and put in place the technological advances that will drive efficiency, resiliency, health, and safety. USDA's Water and Environmental Programs can help finance the construction or improvement of infrastructure through loans, grants, and loan guarantees.
These programs were recently expanded. Guaranteed loans are now available to smaller communities that have the financial strength to take advantage of conventional credit, as well as to larger communities with populations of up to 50,000.
Applications are due by June 15, 2021.
USDA-supported Technical Assistance
We also have technical assistance resources available through several partnering organizations. USDA leverages a vast network of industry experts, technical assistance grant recipients, and revolving funds to help rural water and waste systems benefit form hands-on troubleshooting, training, workforce development, and several other initiatives.
USDA's resources are not limited to communities that have already received a loan or grant through Rural Development. Any water or waste disposal system in an eligible rural area may benefit from technical assistance, such as:
- The National Rural Water Association circuit rider program, which can assist systems with general troubleshooting and support.
- Training courses and other technical assistance on a variety of topics that are offered by the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, American Water Works Association, and other providers.
- Circuit riders and technical assistance providers that can assist with reviewing, updating, and implementing emergency response plans and vulnerability assessments.
At USDA, we believe that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives. We encourage rural water and waste system administrators in Nevada to reach out to Cheryl Couch, Community Programs Director, at (775) 443-4760 or cheryl.couch@usda.gov, to find out more about the resources available to their communities.