EPA, USDA to Form Drinking Water Partnership for Rural US

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is to form a national partnership to improve rural drinking water and wastewater systems in the US.

The agencies help rural utilities to improve their operations and develop long-term water quality plans and sustainable management practices.

The EPA and the USDA will also facilitate the exchange of successful recruitment and training strategies.

The USDA’s administrator for rural utilities service Jonathan Adelstein said that by working together, the agencies will strengthen their capacity to provide rural residents with safe, clean, well-managed water and wastewater systems for years to come.