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USDA Seeks Applications to Improve Water and Waste Infrastructure in Rural Communities Across the Nation

Release Date

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden today announced that USDA is accepting applications for programs to improve water and waste disposal infrastructure for communities across the nation. 

As part of today’s announcement, USDA is accepting applications through the Solid Waste Management Grants program and the Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants program. These programs are examples of the many ways USDA promotes healthy communities and environments.

Through the Solid Waste Management Grants program, USDA expects to make available approximately $4 million for organizations that offer technical assistance or training to help rural communities manage solid waste sites and eliminate water pollution. 

Eligible applicants include public bodies, nonprofit organizations, federally recognized Tribes and academic institutions supporting rural areas and towns with 10,000 or fewer residents. Special consideration may be given to projects serving areas with fewer than 5,500 or 2,500 people, multiple states or lower-income populations. 

Funds may be used to evaluate current landfill conditions to identify threats to water resources. Funds may also be used to provide technical assistance or training to enhance the operation and maintenance of active landfills; help communities reduce the amount of solid waste coming into a landfill; and prepare for the closure and future use of a landfill site. 

Through the Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants program, USDA expects to make available approximately $35 million through the program helps small communities improve water and waste treatment facilities for households and businesses. 

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 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 are encouraged to apply that have the proven ability, background, experience and capacity to provide technical assistance or training on a national, regional or state basis. Eligible project areas include cities, towns, unincorporated rural areas, and tribal lands with populations of up to 10,000 residents. 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. They can be used to provide technical assistance and training to improve management, operations and maintenance of water and waste disposal systems. They also can be used to prepare water and waste disposal loan and grant applications. 

USDA will begin accepting applications for both programs through Grants.gov on Oct. 1, 2024. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 31, 2024. 

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. 
  • Additional information for both programs is available on Grants.gov. 

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