WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development today announced that the Department is accepting applications for grants to help private nonprofit organizations improve water treatment and waste disposal systems by providing technical assistance to people in rural areas.

The applications are being accepted under the Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants program. This program helps rural communities improve water and waste disposal facilities for households and businesses. It is one of the many ways USDA promotes a healthy community and environment with grants that make sure children and families have clean water and safe sewer systems that prevent runoff and pollution.

The program helps qualified, private nonprofit organizations provide technical assistance and training to identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste disposal problems. It also helps communities prepare applications for construction financing, such as water and waste disposal loans and grants. Additionally, it helps associations improve the operation and maintenance of water and waste disposal facilities in eligible rural areas.

Nonprofits that have the proven ability, background, experience and capacity to provide technical assistance or training on a national, regional or state level are encouraged to apply. Eligible project areas include cities, towns and unincorporated rural areas with populations of up to 10,000 residents, including tribal lands. Special consideration may be given to projects that serve areas with populations of less than 5,500 residents or less than 2,500 residents.

Funds may be used to:
• Identify and evaluate solutions to water problems related to source, storage, treatment, distribution, collection, treatment and disposal.
• Provide technical assistance and training to improve management, operations and maintenance of water and waste disposal systems.
• Prepare water and waste disposal loan and grant applications.

Projects should be completed within 12 months.

USDA will begin accepting applications on Oct. 2, 2023. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 31, 2023.

USDA is particularly interested in applications that will advance Biden-Harris Administration priorities to:

• Reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities.
• Ensure all rural residents have equitable access to Rural Development (RD) programs and benefits from RD-funded projects; and
• Help rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.

More information about USDA Rural Development’s priority points is available at this link:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points.

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