EPA Launches Initiative to Strengthen Support for Water Systems, Maximize Impact to Ensure Clean, Safe Water for All
March 4, 2026
Contact Information
EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)
WASHINGTON – On March 4, 2026, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA) initiative, a back-to-basics approach to support drinking water and wastewater systems using proven, best-practice approaches that will most effectively address local needs while partnering with states and Tribes.
In a memorandum from EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer, the agency issued a call to action to align all technical assistance for drinking water and wastewater systems with tried-and-true services, such as engineering and design expertise, operational support, workforce development, and financial management. The goals of RealWaterTA focus on public health and compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act. It also prioritizes accountability for technical assistance providers and real-world results. This initiative will benefit Americans nationwide, especially in rural areas where small systems face challenges operating and maintaining vital water infrastructure.
“RealWaterTA ensures that EPA is stewarding taxpayer dollars responsibly with a laser-focus on water quality improvements and high-impact public health protection. It will yield tangible results by providing technical assistance to water systems working day-in and day-out to deliver clean and safe water,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer. “This effort will have a positive impact across the country, especially in rural America where water systems face significant challenges and need on-the-ground technical and managerial support.”
The memorandum issued today rescinds a March 2023 memo that undermined the practical nature of technical assistance by broadening the scope of work, making it less effective at water quality improvements and public health protection. The 2026 RealWaterTA memo refocuses federal funding and resources back to the core tenants of technical assistance for water infrastructure under the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act.
RealWaterTA will focus on eight priorities when helping water systems reliably provide safe drinking water and effectively treat wastewater over the long term. RealWaterTA will:
- Support returning to and maintaining compliance;
- Focus on traditional and innovative water infrastructure;
- Define the scope of technical assistance;
- Strengthen technical, managerial, and financial management;
- Empower the water workforce;
- Improve financial readiness and access to financial assistance;
- Reduce inefficient costs; and
- Drive real-world results.
“NRWA applauds EPA and Assistant Administrator Kramer for the launch of the RealWaterTA initiative, refocusing on what rural utilities truly need. Returning to the core intent of the statutory requirements will restore trust, strengthen compliance, reduce public health violations, and deliver real benefits to rural communities,” said National Rural Water Association (NRWA) CEO Matt Holmes. “Congress has long supported grassroots, hands-on, onsite technical assistance through trusted peer-to-peer partnerships that result in creative, locally driven, and community supported solutions. NRWA looks forwards to continuing our work with EPA and small and rural communities across the country to deliver effective, efficient assistance they want and need.”
“RCAP welcomes EPA’s Assistant Administrator Kramer’s RealWaterTA initiative and EPA’s renewed ‘back-to-basics’ approach to technical assistance for drinking water and wastewater systems,” said Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) CEO Olga Morales-Pate. “We never left the fundamentals. For more than 50 years, our locally based Technical Assistance Providers have helped small, rural, and Tribal systems strengthen compliance and build lasting capacity. We stand ready to serve as a key implementation partner for RealWaterTA and help translate this vision into measurable results on the ground.”
“ASDWA applauds EPA’s RealWaterTA initiative and its back-to-basics focus on the support systems need most - engineering, operations, workforce, and sound financial management,” said Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) Executive Director Anthony DeRosa. “Aligning technical assistance around real-world results will help communities, especially small and rural systems, protect public health and sustain long-term compliance. ASDWA looks forward to partnering with EPA to support effective implementation of this important initiative.”
“NACWA appreciates EPA's efforts to continue refining its principles that are the foundation of its technical assistance program for the water sector,” said National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) CEO Adam Krantz. “EPA plays a critical role in partnering with water utilities through technical assistance to help address the growing array of water quality challenges that under-resourced drinking water and wastewater utilities across the country face. RealWaterTA will help strengthen this important work.”
To read the memorandum and learn more about RealWaterTA, visit the RealWaterTA website.
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