Real WaterTA Initiatives
EPA RealWaterTA initiatives are available for utilities, municipalities, and Tribes to receive direct technical assistance to maintain regulatory compliance, identify infrastructure solutions, and build utility technical, managerial, and financial capabilities. The following table provides various EPA initiatives and resources for utilities and Tribes. For more details on RealWaterTA and to request assistance, go to Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA).
| RealWaterTA Initiatives | Focus |
|---|---|
| Closing America's Wastewater Access Gap | Expand the services provided in the Closing America's Wastewater Access Gap pilot initiative to provide technical assistance to approximately 150 disadvantaged communities (as defined by states) with failing or outdated septic systems (or no wastewater infrastructure at all). |
| Get the Lead Out (GLO) Initiative | Expand the services provided in the Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators pilot initiative to provide lead service line replacement technical assistance to additional small and disadvantaged water utilities (as defined by states) to accelerate LSLR. |
| Engineering Support | Provide communities with the engineering expertise needed to apply for EPA funding for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects. |
| Tackling Emerging Contaminants (TEC) | Provide technical assistance to drinking water systems serving small or disadvantaged communities (as defined by states) to assess and address drinking water contamination from emerging contaminants and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). |
| Environmental Finance Centers (EFCs) | EFCs provide technical assistance services to support communities to develop water infrastructure needs, develop funding applications, and address other capacity needs. The 17 Water Infrastructure EFCs support access to IIJA resources and facilitate effective national implementation. |
| Training and Technical Assistance for Small Systems | Assist small drinking water utilities with Safe Drinking Water Act compliance, support improved water quality efforts for small and decentralized wastewater systems, and support private drinking water well owners to improve water quality. |
| Rural, Small, and Tribal (RST) Technical Assistance for Wastewater Systems | Support rural, small municipalities, and Tribal governments to access finance/funding and support rural, small, and Tribal centralized and decentralized wastewater systems to build capacity to protect water quality and comply with the Clean Water Act. |
| Strengthening Water Infrastructure for Tomorrow (SWIFT) | Work directly with drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities to increase system resilience against threats such as supply chain interruptions, cyber-attacks, and natural hazards. |
Additional Programs
EPA has additional programs that provide information and technical assistance to help utilities improve their operations.
| Additional Programs | Focus |
|---|---|
| PFAS Out | Targeted outreach initiative to direct drinking water systems to technical assistance and financial resources. |
| Utility Workforce Development | Webinars, case studies, and grant programs to support innovative workforce development practices at water and wastewater utilities. |
| Water Infrastructure Center | Provide financing information (e.g., a Clearinghouse of funding opportunities, State Revolving Fund 101 and other learning modules, and webinars) to help utilities make decisions for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. |
| Cybersecurity | Offer online and in-person courses on water sector cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, consequences, best practices, resources, and program development. Additionally, the EPA offers free, confidential assessments and cybersecurity technical assistance to interested drinking water and wastewater utilities. |
| Drinking Water Rule Implementation and Compliance Assistance | Provide on-site and webinar-based training that includes rule overviews and/or specific technical requirements to states and water system operators. The EPA also conducts virtual sanitary survey training for states. |
| Drinking Water Capacity Development | Provide tools and resources to help water systems build their technical, managerial, and financial capacity, maintain certified operators, and establish partnerships. |
Additional Technical Assistance Initiatives
In addition to the technical assistance provided by EPA's Office of Water, multiple technical assistance initiatives are available from other EPA offices and federal agencies. These include initiatives from EPA’s:
- Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM)
- Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations (OCIR)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Indian Health Service (IHS) also offer robust technical assistance initiatives.
Many states provide technical assistance services for water utilities through State Revolving Fund set-aside funding.
For more information
- Visit Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA)
- Contact RealWaterTA@epa.gov
- Join EPA's Water Finance Center email list