by Sami Stroud | Feb 10, 2026 | Access to Wastewater Funding Sources, Access to Water Funding Sources, Access to Water/ Wastewater Funding Sources, Additional Support Organizations, Managerial & Financial Leadership, Small Water Systems
Staff at rural, small, and tribal (RST) water utilities often operate in remote, hard-to-reach areas, and face aging infrastructure with limited financial resources. These challenges threaten their core mission of providing safe, reliable, and affordable water...
by Sami Stroud | Jan 9, 2026 | Small Water Systems, Workforce Development
Small water systems play a crucial role, serving millions of people across rural and suburban communities in the U.S. These systems consistently face pressures from aging infrastructure, limited staffing, and rising regulatory demands. As digital technologies advance,...
by Sami Stroud | Dec 2, 2025 | Asset Management, Infrastructure Renewal/ Replacement, Rates, Small Water Systems, Utility Management
Photo from Mississippi State University archives. Aging Water Infrastructure: The Challenge Facing Rural Systems in 2025 Rural water systems across the nation are facing a familiar and growing challenge: aging infrastructure. Many water treatment plants are now...
by Sami Stroud | Nov 10, 2025 | Compliance with Drinking Water Regulations, Infrastructure Renewal/ Replacement, PFAS, Pollution & Water Quality, Small Water Systems
Image created using the Grok AI image generator, courtesy of Mike Rivera, SW EFC. Introduction: New EPA Regulations Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a class of durable, synthetic chemicals linked to adverse health outcomes. Their persistence in the...
by Sami Stroud | Oct 20, 2025 | Asset Management, Financial Management, Small Water Systems, Uncategorized
Managing capital assets is vital for small water districts. All the programs and interactions involved in providing services for their customers depend on public assets. The EPA has estimated that the total 20-year infrastructure need for approximately 40,000 small...
by Sami Stroud | Aug 21, 2025 | Asset Management, Small Water Systems, Utility Management
Image Source: Matt Ziegler, Southwest Environmental Finance Center Valves are critical control points in any water distribution system. Regular valve exercising keeps these critical components in working condition and ensures you can isolate areas quickly during...
