Turning Rural Water Infrastructure Funding into Lasting Results

Access to infrastructure funding remains one of the most significant challenges facing small and rural water systems. A new report from the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) highlights how technical assistance can help communities not only secure funding, but also successfully plan, manage, and sustain critical water and wastewater improvements.

In fiscal year 2025, RCAP and its regional partners provided assistance to 2,622 rural, tribal, and indigenous communities across all 50 states and five U.S. territories, impacting more than 4.1 million residents. The organization's network of more than 400 technical assistance providers works directly with local utilities and community leaders to strengthen technical, managerial, and financial capacity.

The report underscores the scale of infrastructure investment supported through technical assistance. Communities working with RCAP secured over $397 million in infrastructure funding awards and submitted applications for an $835.6 million in additional projects. According to RCAP, hundreds of communities completed technical and financial proposals that positioned them to pursue almost $1 billion in needed water and wastewater infrastructure investments.

Training and workforce development continued to be a major focus. RCAP delivered 567 trainings that reached more than 11,500 participants and 8,100 water systems nationwide. Operators represented the largest group of attendees, and post-training evaluations showed an average 18-point improvement in test scores, indicating meaningful gains in knowledge and skills. More than two-thirds of trainings served utilities with 3,300 connections or fewer. 

The report also highlights how technical assistance helps utilities tackle real-world operational challenges. Examples include assisting the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe in Michigan with service line inventory and GIS mapping, supporting financial sustainability efforts in Coldwater, Mississippi through a rate study and rate adjustment, helping communities improve asset mapping and stormwater management, and guiding tribal and rural systems through complex funding and compliance requirements.

Several new resources developed by RCAP may be of particular interest to water professionals, including guidance on innovative treatment technologies for emerging contaminants like PFAS, a stormwater program management guide for small communities, an asset management primer for utilities, and an e-learning course on cybersecurity for water and wastewater utilities.

A key takeaway from the report is that infrastructure dollars alone are not enough. Rural utilities often need support navigating funding programs, conducting planning studies, improving utility management practices, and building local leadership capacity. RCAP argues that combining infrastructure investment with technical assistance produces more sustainable outcomes, helping communities develop systems that remain compliant, financially viable, and resilient for years to come. 

For water sector professionals, the report serves as a reminder that successful infrastructure projects depend not only on funding availability but also on the technical, managerial, and financial capacity needed to transform investments into long-term community benefits.

Need assistance? 

Small and rural communities can connect with RCAP's network of regional partners for technical assistance related to drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, funding applications, asset management, operator support, utility planning, and more. Learn more and find your regional RCAP partner on RCAP's website.

The Latest in FOG News

It’s long been known that the place to dispose of fats, oil, and grease for private individuals or small businesses is not down the kitchen sink or other plumbing, whether that plumbing is connected to a sewer system or a septic system. And yet, the issue of FOG (fats, oil, and grease) clogging up wastewater systems remains a worldwide issue. 

For those involved in the wastewater field, the unpleasant reality of FOG buildup and the massive fatbergs it can lead to is part of day-to-day life, and it probably isn’t something anyone wants to spend more time thinking about than necessary. But widely sharing the stories of why FOG pollution is such an issue might be one of the best things we can do to help homeowners and industries to reverse the tide of inappropriate substances flushing into wastewater systems. And, as technology advances, more and more technological solutions for FOG management are being explored!

In this post, we’ve collected links to recent news stories covering FOG challenges in municipal sewer systems, both domestically and internationally. Consider sharing them with people you meet who might not know why they shouldn’t put bacon grease down the drain or flush their wet wipes, and find some hope in the pursuit of technological fixes!

What are fatbergs and why are they a problem?

• Beneath the surface: the rise of fatbergs and the cost of what we flush away | Smart Water Magazine, 3/20/2026
• Burger King worker caught red-handed pouring gallons of grease into storm sewer. How fatbergs cost U.S. taxpayers millions | MoneyWise, 4/28/2026

Recent FOG stories in the United States

• Tyler targets fats, oils, grease as leading cause of sewer backups (video) | KLTV, 5/25/2026
• The price of grease disposal going up for Evansville restaurants | 14 News, 5/4/2026
• Guam Waterworks Authority seeks changes to fat, oil and grease disposal program | Guam Daily Post, 3/6/2026

“Supersized” 2026 fatberg in Sydney

• Supersized fatberg clogging Sydney sewer blamed for mysterious debris balls on beach | Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2/10/2026
• Sydney Water blames food outlets for illegally adding to fatberg. But restaurants say ‘if it’s a problem, it’s their problem’ | The Guardian, 1/26/2026
• Behind this door is the huge fatberg that can’t stop depositing poo balls on Sydney’s beaches | The Guardian, 4/9/2026
• Engineering a solution to Sydney’s fatberg crisis | Engineers Australia, 3/5/2026

Fatbergs in London

• How oil collection keeps London’s kitchens running smoothly | London Post, 6/19/2026
• Alan Carr plunged into crisis as workmen make shocking discovery under his multi-million pound home | The Sun, 4/10/2026
• Heathrow Airport sewer produces 500-metre fatberg | London Now, 3/20/2026
• New 100 tonne fatberg uncovered in Whitechapel, dubbed ‘the grandchild’ of the 2017 fatberg | Water Magazine, 12/23/2025
• The world’s largest city museum is opening in London this year with more than seven million objects on display — featuring Banksy, Roman treasures and the Whitechapel Fatberg | Secret London, 6/18/2026 

Solutions on the rise

• ‘Fatbergs’ are taking over city sewers — scientists are fighting back | BBC, 5/12/2026
• Yorkshire Water completes trials of ‘fatberg’ buster | The Press, 6/3/2026
• Southern Water uses AI to prevent pollution in Hampshire | Hampshire Chronicle, 4/29/2026
• Miami-Dade launches $300,000 search for water tech solutions | Smart Water Magazine, 5/25/2026

Prior coverage of FOG at the WaterOperator.org blog

• FOG in Sewer Systems vs. Septic Systems
• Flushable Wipes: The Bane of the Wastewater Industry
• Fatbergs, the Icebergs of a Wastewater Collection System

AWWA's 2026 State of the Water Industry Report

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has released its 2026 State of the Water Industry report. The report describes a water sector that remains generally stable today but is facing growing long term challenges. It highlights that the industry’s five year outlook has dropped to its lowest point in nearly a decade, which reflects concern about future resilience for the sector. Aging infrastructure is identified as the most critical issue, alongside difficulties securing sustainable funding and ensuring reliable long term water supplies. Many utilities are struggling to recover rising costs through rates and fees, leading to financial gaps that are then worsened by external pressures such as economic uncertainty, political factors, supply chain disruptions, and natural hazards.

Water quality concerns are also intensifying, particularly due to emerging contaminants like PFAS, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals, which are increasing treatment complexity and costs. At the same time, utilities are investing in infrastructure upgrades, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, and workforce development, all of which strain already tight budgets. While some utilities are exploring new technologies such as artificial intelligence, they remain cautious due to risks. Additionally, water supply reliability remains uncertain, with many systems operating near stress limits and lagging in climate adaptation planning. 

Overall, the report emphasizes that addressing these interconnected challenges will require strategic investment, innovation, and forward-looking planning. It underscores the importance of strengthening infrastructure, improving financial sustainability, adopting technology responsibly, and building resilience against climate and economic uncertainty to ensure safe and reliable water services in the future.

Read the Executive Summary of the Report.

Download and View the Full Report.

Cybersecurity Risks Rising for Water Utilities

In early March 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the following alert to ensure water system owners and operators take necessary steps to strengthen their utility's cybersecurity measures in light of activities in the middle east:

"Iranian government–affiliated and aligned cyber actors have previously demonstrated the ability to exploit internet‑exposed operational technology devices at U.S. water and wastewater systems, in some cases forcing temporary reversion to manual operations and causing operational impacts. EPA urges utilities to adopt a heightened security posture and promptly report suspicious activity to CISA and the FBI.

Mitigations

All drinking water and wastewater systems are strongly encouraged to implement the following mitigations immediately to enhance resilience against low-level cyberattacks:

• Reduce Operational Technology Exposure to the Public-Facing Internet 

• Replace All Default Passwords on Operational Technology Devices with Strong, Unique Passwords 

• Implement Multifactor Authentication for Remote Access to Operational Technology Devices 

Systems that outsource technology support may need to consult with their service providers for assistance with these mitigations. 

In addition to these immediate actions, drinking water and wastewater systems are encouraged to adopt the actions outlined in the CISA, EPA, and FBI Top Cyber Actions for Securing Water Systems Fact Sheet to further reduce cyber risk and improve resilience against malicious cyber activity.

If you have questions about any of the information in this alert, including assistance with the mitigation steps, submit a request to EPA’s Cybersecurity Technical Assistance Program for the Water Sector. Organizations are encouraged to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at IC3.gov or to CISA via CISA’s Incident Reporting System."

Additionally, a new WaterISAC report breaks down the repeatable tactics these actors use to gain access, stay hidden, and cause disruption. This is often accomplished by exploiting weak credentials, using phishing emails, and taking advantage of unpatched systems rather than through sophisticated malware.

The report highlights how attackers increasingly abuse legitimate tools, cloud services, and trusted access to blend into normal operations, with a growing emphasis on identity based attacks and large scale disruptive campaigns. It also outlines practical, utility focused mitigations aligned with WaterISAC’s 12 Fundamentals to help organizations reduce risk right now.

Read the full report for a deeper look at real world tactics, recent incidents, and clear steps utilities can take to strengthen their defenses.

Want to turn these insights into practical knowledge you can use right away? We’ve got an easy place to start! 

Brush up on your cybersecurity knowledge, with our free, self-paced cybersecurity course.

In just one hour, course participants will learn about water sector threats, basic cybersecurity measures, incident response, system resilience, and valuable resources, with the goal of fostering a culture of cybersecurity within their organizations. 

Regardless of the size of the water system, this course empowers everyone, from field workers to office staff, to contribute to maintaining a reliable and resilient water system.

This course was developed with MassDEP funding through a partnership with UMass. The course content was created by Andrew Hildick-Smith. Please note that Massachusetts operators should take this version of the course.

All students will receive a 1-hour class certificate for their participation.

Idaho and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe reach historic water rights agreement

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe and the state of Idaho have finalized a historic water rights settlement, ending decades of litigation and resolving more than a century of uncertainty dating back to the creation of the reservation in 1873. Tribal Chairman Chief Allan and Governor Brad Little celebrated the agreement as a major step toward protecting Coeur d’Alene Lake and ensuring long-term water reliability. The settlement concludes complex adjudication efforts that began in 2008 and affirms that the tribe holds senior federal reserved water rights (some with priority dates reaching back to “time immemorial”).

The agreement was shaped through extensive negotiations involving the tribe, the federal government, and more than 300 regional stakeholders, including local governments, property owners, and major employers. Under the settlement, the tribe recognizes and protects all existing state‑based water rights dated on or before September 6, 2023, while the state secures room for future growth and protection of most existing water allocations. In exchange, the tribe receives judicially defined quantities of water under its reserved rights and retains authority to manage water resources within the reservation, including establishing a tribal water supply bank.

This settlement brings long‑awaited certainty to water users across North Idaho and sets the stage for collaborative resource management. While the state provides no direct funding to the tribe, the agreement includes state support for federal legislation that could bring up to $500 million in water infrastructure investments. Leaders on both sides emphasized that the agreement not only protects tribal homelands but also benefits the broader community. A sentiment that is underscored by the late tribal leader Felix Aripa’s words: “Water is life for all of us.”

In the News: Idaho reaches historic water rights agreement with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe | KREM

Texas Water Supply Endangered by Workforce Shortage

Texas is facing a critical challenge that could eventually impact its water supply and infrastructure. A recent report highlights a growing concern for Texas' water supply due to a significant labor shortage in the water and wastewater utilities sector. 

The Texas Water Foundation and Texas Rural Funders released the report, compiled by Jobs for the Future, which underscores the critical role of skilled workers in maintaining the state's water infrastructure. This shortage poses a serious threat to the state's ability to maintain and repair its water systems, which are already under strain from climate change and a growing population.

The report warns that the next failure in Texas' water system could be exacerbated by workforce issues, such as unfilled positions leading to delayed repairs or inadequate training. The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is among the agencies facing these challenges, with a substantial portion of their workforce nearing retirement and a shortage of qualified replacements.

To address these issues, the report suggests developing regional training programs, integrating water careers into existing education initiatives, and establishing a dedicated water fund for infrastructure. SAWS has implemented a policy to retain employees by offering raises for new certifications, aiming to keep skilled workers within the organization.

The labor shortage in Texas' water and wastewater utilities sector is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. By developing regional training programs, integrating water careers into education initiatives, and establishing a dedicated water fund for infrastructure, Texas can work towards a sustainable solution. The efforts of agencies like SAWS to retain skilled workers through incentives are steps in the right direction.

Toilet-to-Tap Project in Tucson, AZ

In a time where water scarcity is becoming an increasingly pressing issue, the potential of recycled water to revolutionize sustainable development cannot be overstated. By integrating advanced wastewater treatment systems into urban planning, cities can address critical environmental challenges and ensure a reliable water supply for future generations. The innovative use of recycled water stands as a beacon of hope, promising a more resilient future for communities worldwide.

Tucson is taking a significant step towards water sustainability by building its first facility to turn recycled wastewater into drinking water. This project, often referred to as “toilet-to-tap,” is funded by the Bureau of Reclamation and aims to reduce the city’s dependence on Colorado River water. 

The initiative is part of a broader vision to create a hydro-local community that values and stewards local water resources. The new facility will treat recycled water to meet EPA drinking water standards, adding diversity to Tucson’s water supplies and addressing increasing PFAS contamination in local groundwater wells. This project is a proactive response to required cuts in Colorado River water allocations, showcasing Tucson’s commitment to water conservation and sustainability. 

Watershed Management Group (WMG) envisions a hydro-local Tucson, where local water resources are prioritized over distant aquifers and rivers. By reusing water multiple times locally, Tucson can extend the use of its limited water supplies and contribute to the health of both local rivers and the Colorado River system. Tucsonans have been reducing their water usage, with the current average at 74 gallons per person per day. WMG aims to further reduce this to 40 gallons per person per day, which could potentially eliminate the need for Colorado River water entirely. Recycled water is already being used to enhance flows in the Santa Cruz River, recharge aquifers, as well as irrigate schools and parks. WMG advocates for prioritizing groundwater recharge and river flow over less critical uses, like golf course irrigation.

Tucson's approach to water recycling exemplifies a forward-thinking commitment to sustainability and resource management. By transforming wastewater back into our most valuable resource, the city is not only addressing immediate water scarcity challenges but also setting a precedent for other communities to follow. The "toilet-to-tap" initiative underscores the importance of local water stewardship and the potential for recycled water to secure a resilient future. As Tucson continues to reduce its water usage and prioritize local resources, it paves the way for a hydro-local model that could revolutionize water management practices nationally.

The Impending Workforce Shortage in the Water Sector

There's a lot to think about when it comes to threats to our drinking water systems. Climate change, aging infrastructure, and cybersecurity are hot-button, current issues that we've all heard plenty about over the past few years. While these issues continue to threaten the safety and security of our drinking water, there is another issue on the horizon that we must not lose sight of. This is, of course, the impending workforce shortage in the water sector. We have highlighted some key takeaways from Bloomberg's December 2024 article "America’s Next Water Crisis? A Lack of Experienced Workers."

"Nationwide, many of the roughly 1.7 million people employed in the water sector have hit or are nearing retirement age. In total, between 30% and 50% of the workforce will retire in the next decade and there aren’t enough younger workers in the pipeline to replace them. A Brookings Institution analysis of 2021 data found that 88% of treatment plant operators were aged 45 or older, compared with 45% nationally."

The National Rural Water Association (NRWA) has been surveying water workers to get an idea of how widespread the shortage is and they're finding that succession planning hasn't been happening as much as it needs to be across the country, but specifically in rural areas. Many rural municipalities cannot afford to hire more than one water operator and sometimes one operator is responsible for the water systems of multiple small communities. This makes it difficult to hire an apprentice or operator-in-training since the budget may not always allow for that.

Another issue is that it's not just about finding workers who can pass the necessary certification exams and requirements, the sector needs workers who have real life work experience. It is urgent that the water sector starts to recruit now so the incoming workforce has the opportunity to get hands-on training and learn from their more experienced colleagues. There are some efforts underway to try and get younger workers interested in the water industry. "The National Rural Water Association, through its state affiliates, has launched an apprenticeship program. Veolia North America, formerly known as Suez, opened Veolia Academy, its in-house training program, to the public in 2023 to help water workers pass state certification exams."

It is important to promote this field of work to younger generations who may not know that water jobs even exist. Many who work in the water sector find that they end up in the industry incidentally, and hadn't necessarily known this was a career path until they stumbled upon it. Some great things to advertise about water jobs are:

• Competitive pay rates: The 25th annual Water and Wastewater Utilities Compensation Survey showed that from 2021 to 2022, large utilities’ salaries increased 1.7% and small utilities’ salaries increased 1.9%. Medium-sized utilities’ salaries showed the most significant increase at 8.7%.
• 53% of water workers have a H.S. Diploma: This means that many water jobs don't require much formal education in order to earn a living.
• Not a traditional desk job: The jobs that need to be filled include construction style work such as repairing water mains, working in water treatment facilities, and managing wastewater.

It is crucial to increase visibility of the industry if we want to stop the workforce shortage before it becomes a bigger problem. Water is "out of sight, out of mind,” said Shannan Walton, who runs workforce development for NRWA. “Even in disasters, the heroes are the linemen because you can see them climbing the poles and they're fixing everything for the communities. Water and wastewater is invisible."

Flushable Wipes: The Bane of the Wastewater Industry

In the video below, featured on Icon Water's YouTube channel, they test a "flushable" wet wipe to see how well it dissolves in water compared to toilet paper, wet wipes (not labeled flushable), and paper towels. All 4 products are spun for 30 minutes in water to display how well each of these products breaks down when you flush them. 

Flushable wipes have been the plague of the wastewater industry for years due to the problems they cause for systems. Not only can they clog pipes, damage equipment, and harm the environment, but they require increased maintenance for utilities. 

The most recent legislation regarding flushable wipes is the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act. This bill was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2024. This act "would require the Federal Trade Commission to create a uniform label for products that have and/or require a 'Do Not Flush' label" in order to reduce consumer confusion and help to protect wastewater systems. Additionally, Michigan recently passed a law in July 2024 that prohibits manufacturers from marketing wipes as “flushable.”

Further Reading...

• Oregon To Require Do Not Flush Labeling On Wipes | Nonwovens Industry
• These ‘flushable’ wipes shouldn’t be flushed, plumbers say | The Hill
• Hanford city warns residents against flushing non-flushable wipes | YourCentralValley.com
• WIPPES Act - Set To Create National Standard For Wipes Labeling | Nonwovens Industry
• New Michigan law bans ‘flushable’ label on most bathroom wipes | MLive

Water Rights for Cash in Nevada

Many landowners all over the state of Nevada are choosing to surrender their water rights​ in exchange for cash payments. The constant drought conditions combined with over pumping have depleted the groundwater that communities depend on, and many landowners have made the decision to sell their water rights rather than drilling a new well or extending an existing well. 

The Voluntary Water Rights Retirement Program​ was allocated $25 million in funding and was created to purchase groundwater rights from private landowners in over-pumped, over-appropriated basins in several Nevada communities. The Central Nevada Regional Water Authority​ is an agency that proactively addresses water resource issues in this region, and they report that there are "25 over-appropriated groundwater basins, eight of which are also over-pumped."

As of May 2024, the program has "received commitments to retire more than 25,000 acre-feet of groundwater annually...which is about the average amount of water in both the Boca Reservoir and Donner Lake any given year." Water regulators have until September 2024 to enter into contracts and acquire water rights.

Most of the funding will likely go to Diamond Valley, NV which is the state's only "critical management area." This means that "the valley’s groundwater levels are rapidly declining, and groundwater rights holders in the area are required to create a plan to address over-pumping or risk losing their rights...If all sales go through, the state expects to retire about 30% of the annual groundwater yield in Diamond Valley," said Jeff Fontaine, Executive Director of the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority and the Humboldt River Basin Water Authority.

Due to the success of this limited program, water managers and conservation groups in the state have expressed the need to make Voluntary Water Rights Retirement a permanent, statewide program.