National Rural Water Association through its State Rural Water affiliates is the nation’s largest water and wastewater utility membership association with over 31,000 members.

Apprenticeship Program

It takes more than 380,000 highly skilled water and wastewater personnel to ensure the public supply of safe drinking water and to protect our lakes, streams and groundwater. Advancements in water treatment and supply technology have increased the skills and training required of this workforce. Water professionals are ultimately responsible for meeting stringent regulatory standards, replacing aging infrastructure, recruiting and training new operations specialists, and responding to and recovering from disasters.

Learn How NRWA is Training the Next Generation of Water and Wastewater Professionals

Technical Assistance and Training

Rural Water is the premier trainer of the water and wastewater industry. State Rural Water Associations train over 100,000 people annually. Rural Water training and technical assistance helps communities comply with the the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act. Our Association believes in empowering local entities by providing the knowledge and resources they need.

Support Rural Water

NRWA is a grassroots organization founded on the principle of neighbors helping each other. Membership dues allow NRWA to provide critically-needed assistance to rural and small communities, and represent their interests in Washington, D.C. Get involved with great people, stay on top of events that affect you, and support America’s water and wastewater professionals! Become a member of NRWA today.

News:

EPA Announces Partnership to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposure at Schools and Childcare Facilities

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further support efforts that reduce lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities. In recognition of Children’s Health Month, the commitments made in this MOU will provide safer and healthier environments for children across the country. “The Trump Administration is prioritizing efforts…read more →

EPA Administrator Addresses Agency Goals with Water

U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler delivered the keynote presentation to kick off Opening Session at the 2019 WaterPro Conference in Nashville, Tennessee with more than 2,100 in attendance. Administrator Wheeler addressed NRWA members about the agency’s goals both domestically and internationally to elevate the importance of water issues and commended Rural Water on the differences they are making in the…read more →

Oklahoma Sets Industry Leading Precedence by Signing Strategic Alliance Agreement

August 22nd of 2019 was a day that should be noted in Oklahoma history as the first Strategic Alliance Agreement was formally signed between the Oklahoma State Secretary of Energy and Environment, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, and the Oklahoma Rural Water Association, and was ratified by the Governor of Oklahoma Kevin Stitt. The formal signing…read more →

IRWA Breaks Ground for Technical Training Facility

Idaho Rural Water Association (IRWA) broke ground on its almost 11,000 square foot Technical Training Center located in Boise, Idaho on August 8, 2019. This facility will be used to train incoming apprentices and help with emergency response hands-on education that will benefit small communities and rural areas all across Idaho. It will house both indoor and outdoor areas to…read more →

EPA Administrator Will Deliver Keynote at WaterPro Conference

The National Rural Water Association welcomes U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler as its keynote speaker at WaterPro Conference in Nashville, Tennessee on September 9, 2019. Wheeler will be the first EPA Administrator to attend WaterPro and to address America’s water and wastewater leadership of rural areas and small communities. WaterPro is the annual conference of the National…read more →