Rural Water Systems : Challenges & Drinking Water Needs

According to the Census Bureau, approximately 27 percent of the U.S. population lives in a rural area. The smallest water systems account for 77 percent of all systems, and many water systems are not in compliance with drinking water regulations. Seven federal agencies provide funding or technical assistance to rural communities in developing drinking water and wastewater systems and complying with federal regulations. The nation faces costly upgrades to aging and deteriorating drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Many rural communities face significant challenges in financing the costs of replacing or upgrading aging and obsolete drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. This book focuses on the federal agencies that provide funding or technical assistance to rural communities and fiscal year 2014 funding; and issues identified that affect rural communities'' ability to obtain funding for water and wastewater infrastructure. Furthermore, this book summarises the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and its major programs and regulatory requirements.