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Building the Capacity of Drinking Water Systems

EPA-USDA Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) - Promoting Sustainable Rural Water and Wastewater Systems

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water (EPA-OW) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development Rural Utilities Service (USDA-RD-RUS), through this MOA, support increasing the sustainability of drinking water and wastewater systems nationwide to ensure the protection of public health, water quality, and communities across the United States through this MOA.

This MOA focuses on four key areas:

  1. The EPA and USDA will continue supporting sustainability and resilience by providing resources such as training and education to incorporate these strategies into utility management.
  2. The agencies will continue supporting water system partnerships, including by educating communities and utilities on the array of tools that are available to support partnerships that can increase sustainability.
  3. Actions under the MOA will also continue supporting the water sector workforce, in part by continuing to raise awareness of rural water sector careers through promotional initiatives.
  4. The EPA and USDA will also continue supporting compliance with drinking water and clean water regulations, including by making these rural systems a funding priority.
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