Rural communities would receive more federal assistance to repair, modernize and renovate failing water infrastructure under a bipartisan bill introduced recently by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC).
“Rural water and wastewater systems across North Carolina often lack the financial capacity and resources to maintain affordable rates for their customers and make necessary improvements to their systems,” Sen. Tillis said on April 13.
The Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2023, S. 1079, which Sen. Tillis cosponsored on March 30 alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), would grant the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) additional authorities to provide low- and zero-interest loans, loan forgiveness, and loan refinancing to help upgrade rural water systems and wastewater systems across the nation, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“I am proud to work with Sen. Shaheen to introduce bipartisan legislation that will provide USDA with much-needed tools and flexibilities to ensure our rural water utilities can continue to provide safe and affordable services for rural families and businesses in North Carolina and across the country,” said Sen. Tillis.
The National Rural Water Association and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership endorsed S. 1079, which has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee.