WWD technical assistance & training grants

This $443,000 federal Project Grant award was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service under the Water and Waste Technical Assistance and Training Grants program (CFDA 10.761). The grant supports the delivery of technical assistance and training services focused on improving water and waste disposal infrastructure in rural communities. Key products and services to be provided include:

• Development of utility operations training modules on topics like PFAS, disinfection byproducts, and water/wastewater treatment
• Regional and utility-specific trainings to help rural communities identify and evaluate water/waste solutions, prepare infrastructure grant applications, and improve management/operations of facilities
• High school student curriculum development to promote water/wastewater workforce development
• Assistance with partnership development, funding opportunities, and sharing lessons learned with a national audience

The prime recipient is the West Virginia University Research Corporation, which will collaborate with sub-awardees including the University of Tennessee, University of Kentucky Research Foundation, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University to execute the project activities.