ARWA Executive Director Highlights Rural Water at U.S. Senate Farm Bill Hearing

This article was originally published in the Rural Water Wire e-newsletter.

Executive Director of Alabama Rural Water Association (ARWA) Rob White testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on July 19 entitled "Rural Water: Modernizing our Community Water Systems." The hearing was part of the Senate Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy and allowed for White to provide recommendations for the Farm Bill on behalf of Rural Water.

Modernizing community water systems is a priority for the U.S. Senate as they approach their reauthorization of the 2023 Farm Bill, and White seized the opportunity to offer tangible examples of Rural Development investments throughout his testimony and provided suggestions to enhance this landmark legislation.

First, White explained the importance of the Circuit Rider Program and asked the Committee to reauthorize this program as a part of the Farm Bill. In 2022 alone, Circuit Riders provided nationwide assistance that impacted 41% of rural Americans.

"Water Circuit Riders offer a wide range of services such as hands-on training, certification licensing, financial management, environmental compliance, disaster assistance, governance, and on-site technical aid," White said. "These efforts ensure that facilities operate effectively, safeguarding the community and government's investment."

Throughout the year, Circuit Riders and other State Rural Water Association staff provide disaster relief response, and in most cases, at the expense of the State Association and non-federal resources, White said. He proposed that the Committee extend authority to enable and enhance emergency preparedness activities.

"These efforts could include assisting utilities in planning and preparing by identifying vulnerabilities, mapping infrastructure, developing disaster protocols, coordinating with statewide emergency networks, and registering utilities on hazard mitigation lists," White said. "Additional training could focus on real-world, hands-on disaster response for water and wastewater systems."

White also mentioned the importance of documentation after a disaster to be able to access recovery funding from agencies, but many utilities lack the administrative resources necessary for this documentation.

Many small and rural systems also lack the funding and expertise to protect themselves from cyber threats, White said. He recommended the Committee provide funding to add a Cybersecurity Circuit Rider to help systems protect themselves and their customers from cyber-attacks.

Next, White asked the Committee to consider making zero to one-percent interest loans available to disadvantaged or economically distressed communities, similar to those already offered by the Environmental Protection Agency and the USDA Rural Housing Authority.

"Whether the communities face financial constraints due to low-income availability for utility bills or the financial hardship caused by the closure or relocation of commercial entities, these flexible options would shield these communities from excessive, costly, and burdensome utility bills and potential default on community financial commitments," White said.

In addition to suggesting low-interest financing to communities in need, White also suggested the committee take steps to make voluntary utility consolidation a viable option for communities.

"We recommend advancing voluntary consolidation of rural communities by allowing a contiguous system to apply for a grant or a loan on behalf of a neighboring or underserved community," White said. "This authority should be narrowed and ensure that the additional subsidy is targeted entirely toward the community in need."

Another program White noted is the ongoing Closing America's Wastewater Access Gap Community Initiative, which is a pilot program with ARWA, USDA, and EPA. The purpose of the program is to provide wastewater treatment solutions in communities that lack sufficient sewer services. White said that an estimated $1.4 billion is needed to implement wastewater treatment solutions in Alabama's Black Belt alone.

Finally, Mr. White ended his testimony by stating the importance of USDA Rural Development program investments, especially to rural America. Many communities in Alabama and across rural America have access to safe and affordable water service today that their grandparents never had, thanks to the resources authorized by the Farm Bill.

"USDA's Rural Development Water and Environmental Programs are critical to keeping water and wastewater service areas economically viable while also providing the funding and resources to address underserved communities," White said. "These programs work together to advance the mission to provide safe, sustainable, and affordable water and wastewater services throughout rural America."