The American Public Works Association commends the House of Representatives for passing S.611, the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act. This legislation reauthorizes the Safe Drinking Water Act 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. 

“APWA commends the House of Representatives for passing S.611, which provides critical assistance to small and rural communities so that they would be able to provide safe drinking water,” says APWA President Brian Usher, PWLF. “APWA would particularly like to thank Senator Roger Wicker and Congressman Gregg Harper for their significant efforts to move this legislation. We would also like to thank Chairman Fred Upton, Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Chairman Jim Inhofe and Ranking Member Barbara Boxer for working in a bipartisan fashion to move the bill through the Congress in quick order.

“Protecting the nation’s drinking water is essential to public health and the quality of life our citizens enjoy. 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, stormwater management programs, and drainage and flood control infrastructure, among numerous other public assets,” says Usher. “As the designers, builders and operators of drinking water systems, our members are dedicated to complying with the requirements of the SDWA.” 

About APWA 
The American Public Works Association is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 28,500 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, has an office in Washington, D.C., and includes 63 chapters in North America.