NRWA congratulates Radhika Fox on being appointed the EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water by the Biden Administration.  She will serve as the Acting Assistant Administrator for Water, the agency’s top water official.  Fox is well qualified to take the position, formerly serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Water Alliance, a national nonprofit organization advancing policies and programs that build a sustainable water future for all.  NRWA was an original member of the Alliance when it was formed in 2008 and has participated in policy discussions, meetings, and publications through the years.

“Radhika is a courageous leader in the water sector,” said NRWA CEO Matthew Holmes.  “We have worked together to tackle the most difficult problems facing rural Americans, including historically underserved communities, which unfortunately tend to have higher concentrations of minority residents.  Radhika maintains a fair and honest mind when working to address these water issues, even when people disagree on the best path forward.”

NRWA participated in a dialogue hosted by Fox and the U.S. Water Alliance examining Utility Strengthening Through Consolidation. Industry leaders were brought together for an important discussion, including two small water system managers representing an economically distressed community and a Tribal water and sewer department.  This dialogue resulted in an industry-wide agreement that local decisionmakers are in the best position to determine what is best for their communities, including consolidation. “As Acting Assistant Administrator, she will understand the value of these discussions is bringing people together to understand each other’s viewpoints and create conversations that were not there before,” Holmes said.  “NRWA looks forward to continue working with her in her new role.”