EPA-USDA Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) - Promoting Sustainable Rural Water and Wastewater Systems
Through this Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water (EPA-OW) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Rural Utilities Service (USDA-RD-RUS) support increasing the sustainability of drinking water and wastewater systems nationwide to ensure the protection of public health, water quality, and communities across the United States.
This MOA focuses on four key areas:
- The EPA and USDA will continue supporting water system sustainability and resiliency by providing resources, such as training and education, to incorporate these strategies into utility management.
- The EPA and USDA will continue supporting water system partnerships, including by educating communities and utilities on the array of tools available for supporting partnerships to increase sustainability.
- Actions under the MOA will also continue supporting the water sector workforce, in part, by continuing to raise awareness of rural water sector careers through promotional initiatives.
- The EPA and USDA will also continue supporting compliance with drinking water and clean water regulations, including by making these rural systems a funding priority.