USDA Grants $3.5 Million to Secure Rural Water Access

Qualified households can now access loans of up to $15,000 to construct or rehabilitate private water systems. These funds, provided through the Decentralized Water Systems program, carry a 1% interest rate with repayment terms spanning up to 20 years. To qualify, applicants must reside in a USDA-designated rural area, maintain the property as their primary home, and have a household income at or below 60% of their state’s median non-metropolitan level.

Since its inception, the Water Well Trust has facilitated the completion of 974 wells and 170 wastewater projects across 44 states. The initiative targets a persistent, often invisible crisis: an estimated 2 million Americans currently lack dependable access to clean water. By focusing on decentralized infrastructure, the program offers a sustainable alternative for residents who fall outside the reach of public utility grids.