Water Well Trust receives $3.525 million grant for rural water systems

The Water Well Trust has received a $3.525 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve reliable water access for rural households. The funding, provided through the USDA's Decentralized Water Systems (DWS) program, will support the construction and rehabilitation of household water wells and septic systems for eligible low-income homeowners. This marks the 13th USDA grant awarded to the Water Well Trust since 2014.

For rural families, a failed or contaminated well can mean losing access to a basic necessity. The Water Well Trust assists homeowners without access to public water or sewer services who may lack the financial resources to repair or replace their private water and wastewater systems. To date, the program has improved water access in 44 states, supporting the drilling or rehabilitation of over 974 water wells and 170 wastewater projects.

Under the new grant, qualified homeowners can receive long-term, low-interest loans of up to $15,000 per project for constructing or improving water wells and septic systems. These loans carry a 1% interest rate and can be repaid over terms of up to 20 years. Eligibility requirements include owning and occupying the property as a primary residence for at least one year, lacking access to a public water supply or sewer system, and having household income at or below 60% of the state's median non-metropolitan income. The property must also be current on taxes and be deemed rural by the USDA.

The Water Well Trust, established by the Water Systems Council, aims to address the significant, though often unseen, challenge in the U.S. of millions of Americans lacking reliable access to safe drinking water. The organization also demonstrates how decentralized, well-based water systems can provide sustainable and cost-effective solutions for rural households and communities.