Rural Community Assistance Partnership

Practical solutions for improving rural communities

August 2012

New urban waters outreach toolkit to encourage homeowners to install rain barrels

Posted Fri, 2012/08/17 - 9:38am by RCAP

EPA, through the Anacostia Watershed Outreach and Education Project, has released a comprehensive toolkit that EPA regional offices, watershed organizations and others who promote green business can use to encourage homeowners to install rain barrels to prevent contamination in their local rivers.

New information about harmful algal blooms online

Posted Fri, 2012/08/17 - 9:34am by RCAP

EPA has published a new web page on harmful algal blooms to help inform states, tribal and local governments, other federal agencies, and the public about key issues regarding cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, blooms in recreational waters and drinking water.

Harmful algal blooms cause fouling of beaches and shorelines, economic and aesthetic losses, taste and odor problems in drinking water, and direct risks to human, fish and animal health.

EPA issues U.S.-Mexico border water infrastructure program report

Posted Fri, 2012/08/17 - 9:32am by RCAP

EPA has issued the U.S.-Mexico border water infrastructure program's annual report for 2011. The report highlights the significant impacts that the program is having in border communities by providing first-time access to drinking and wastewater infrastructure, improving public health and the environment, and creating jobs.

Effectively Managing Your Water System (Construction) Project

Posted Thu, 2012/08/02 - 3:32pm by RCAP

This training module is designed for a trainer or community leader who can deliver a training session using a PowerPoint show. This presentation is meant to be delivered to community leaders, such as the town council or the governing body of a drinking water or wastewater system. Staff of a city or existing water system would benefit from it as well.

Format:

Training module

Topic:

Infrastructure

Finance

Management

Construction

Loans/grants

Planning

Board/council

Source:

RCAP

Audience:

Board/council member

Mayor/town manager/elected official (local)

Plant manager

Financial manager/accountant/bookkeeper

Project (construction) manager

Rep. Blumenauer introduces the Water Protection and Reinvestment Act

Posted Thu, 2012/08/02 - 2:54pm by RCAP

Would provide desperately needed investment in America’s clean water infrastructure

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) introduced the Water Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2012 (HR 6249) on Aug. 1, a bill that will provide a deficit-neutral, consistent, and protected source of revenue to help states replace, repair, and rehabilitate critical wastewater treatment facilities.