Bill to strengthen rural water system resilience, disaster response reintroduced

WASHINGTON (VDN) — U.S. Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) have reintroduced the Rural Water System Disaster Preparedness and Assistance Act, which would establish an emergency preparedness and response technical assistance program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide grants to rural water associations for long-term resilience.

“Our rural water associations are on the front lines when disasters strike, and our legislation gives them critical pre-disaster assistance to strengthen their ability to prepare and respond in these situations—whether tornadoes, hurricanes, or other disasters,” Hyde-Smith said. “It amounts to a smart investment in long-term resilience by ensuring rural water systems have the tools to address vulnerabilities and train for emergencies before disasters hit. I’m proud to renew this bipartisan effort with Sen. Cortez Masto to protect our communities and improve disaster response for rural America.”

The legislation would create a USDA technical assistance program to help rural water and wastewater associations prepare for and respond to natural and man-made disasters. The program would provide technical support to identify vulnerabilities, map water infrastructure, develop disaster protocols, and train employees for emergency response.

At a 2023 hearing, Hyde-Smith highlighted the role of Mississippi’s rural water associations in responding to tornadoes that caused severe damage across the state.

The Mississippi Rural Water Association, National Rural Water Association, and Rural Community Assistance Partnership have endorsed the bill.