EPA has made available online information on the uses and benefits of decentralized wastewater treatment and examples of where they have played an effective role in a community's wastewater treatment infrastructure. Decentralized wastewater treatment consists of a variety of onsite approaches for collection, treatment, dispersal, and reuse of wastewater and can be a sustainable and appropriate option for communities and homeowners.

WASHINGTON (EPA) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invited communities on Sept. 19 to apply for technical assistance to foster sustainable growth in their area. Communities that adopt sustainable-growth strategies have been shown to expand economic opportunity and protect people’s health and the environment. EPA is offering assistance through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program, which offers tools that can be applied in rural, suburban, and urban areas, including:

DES MOINES, IOWA (USDA)—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Sept. 13 funding for rural water projects to create jobs and improve rural water and wastewater systems in 16 states.

WASHINGTON (EPA) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Sept. 6 almost $1.5 million in funding to three universities to develop sustainable drinking water treatment methods.  The research grants are funded through EPA’s Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program. These grants, which supplement last year’s grants to eight other universities, are intended to provide innovative treatment methods to protect people’s health by keeping harmful contaminants out of drinking water.