Specifically, the recipient will provide training and technical assistance to rural, small and/or tribal municipalities for: 1) planning, developing, and acquisition of financing/funding for cwsrf…

The University of New Mexico's Office of Sponsored Projects received a $10.74 million Project Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Water under the Technical Assistance for Treatment Works program (CFDA 66.446) on January 5, 2026, with completion targeted for December 31, 2028. This award funds comprehensive technical assistance and training services to rural, small, and tribal municipalities to strengthen their wastewater systems' technical, managerial, and financial capacity. The primary deliverables include in-person and virtual training programs; site-specific technical assistance ranging from light-touch guidance to intensive on-site support; operator and manager certification programs; development of educational materials and webinars; funding application support; asset management planning; and facilitation of peer-to-peer learning networks. The project emphasizes building system ownership, promoting asset management practices, and increasing community access to financing mechanisms such as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).

The prime recipient has established a multi-institutional sub-award network including the University of Tennessee System Office, Moonshot Missions Inc., Colorado State University, Wichita State University, University of Maryland College Park, and Morgan State University. These sub-awardees deliver specialized services spanning asset management and climate resilience training, outreach and needs assessments for struggling water systems, regulatory compliance assistance, nutrient removal guidance, financial and managerial capacity building, and technical support for decentralized wastewater systems. The collaborative approach leverages expertise across engineering, finance, community engagement, and environmental research to provide tailored technical assistance to underserved water infrastructure systems across multiple EPA regions and tribal nations, with particular emphasis on supporting communities in securing sustainable financing and achieving long-term infrastructure viability.

Specifically, the recipient will provide training and technical assistance to rural, small and/or tribal municipalities for: 1) planning, developing, and acquisition of financing/funding for cwsrf eligible activities; and, 2) improving water quality and achieving and maintaining water quality compliance to rural, small and/or tribal publicly owned treatment works, municipalities, and decentralized wastewater systems. Activities:this project provides comprehensive technical assistance to small, rural, and tribal communities to strengthen their wastewater systems' technical, managerial, and financial capacity. Activities include in-person and virtual support ranging from light-touch guidance to in-depth, on-site assistance; training for operators, managers, and elected officials; development of educational materials and webinars; support for funding applications; and facilitation of peer-to-peer learning and stakeholder collaboration. The project also emphasizes building system ownership, promoting asset management, and increasing access to funding opportunities like the clean water state revolving fund (cwsrf). Subrecipient:the subawardees will deliver specialized training, technical assistance, and capacity-building support to small, rural, and tribal communities to improve their water infrastructure systems. Drawing on their wide range of expertisemdash; ranging from engineering and finance to community engagement and environmental researchmdash; each partner will contribute to strengthening technical, managerial, and financial capacity; increasing access to funding; and promoting long-term viability. These efforts will include direct on-the-ground support, peer-to-peer learning, policy analysis, and the development of educational resources tailored to local needs.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include development of training and technical assistance programs. Anticipated outcomes include an increased number of communities with stronger financial, technical, and managerial capacity that understand water quality standards and how to achieve compliance with those standards, and an increased number of communities that receive federal funding for cwsrf eligible projects. The intended beneficiaries include individuals who participate in the program, the general public, and rural and small communities.