The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed S.611, the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act. This legislation reauthorizes the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Technical Assistance Program, which helps small and rural communities comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act. The House bill would authorize $15 million annually from 2015 through 2020 for training and technical assistance for rural drinking water utilities.
“Protecting the nation’s drinking water is essential to public health and the quality of life our citizens enjoy,” said Brian Usher, PWLF, president of the American Public Works Assn. (APWA). “APWA’s 28,700 public works members play a critical role in providing clean and safe water to their communities, which are large and small, urban and rural. Chief among their responsibilities are to plan, design, build, operate and maintain water supply and wastewater treatment systems, storm water management programs, and drainage and flood control infrastructure, among numerous other public assets. Our members include public works professionals from cities, counties and special districts, as well as their private sector partners. As the designers, builders, and operators of drinking water systems, our members are dedicated to complying with the requirements of the SDWA.”
Source: American Public Works Assn.
