USDA Advances Rural Water Resilience with New Five-Year Circuit Rider Contract to National Rural Water Association

(Washington, D.C., May 7, 2026) - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service announces it is awarding the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) a five-year contract for the Circuit Rider Technical Assistance Program.

"The renewal of the Circuit Rider contract is an achievement that speaks to the strong partnership between NRWA and USDA," said USDA Rural Utilities Service Assistant Administrator Michele Brooks. "Circuit Riders are often the first line of defense for small, rural water systems, and their unwavering support builds a lasting impact on each community they serve. We eagerly anticipate our continued collaboration to provide access to clean, safe drinking water across rural America."

NRWA is a non-profit organization operating nationwide to train and support water and wastewater professionals who work in and serve rural and remote communities. The organization uses USDA's Circuit Rider Program to ensure rural infrastructure is safeguarded and protected by personnel trained in the day-to-day operational, financial, or managerial needs specific to rural systems.

"Circuit Riders are an essential resource for our nation's small and rural drinking water systems," said NRWA Chief Executive Officer Matt Holmes. "The recognition by USDA Rural Development of our boots-on-the-ground experts throughout the country and the work they accomplish is truly gratifying. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the agency and to helping ensure small and rural communities have access to safe drinking water."

Circuit Riders may help with regulatory compliance, water treatment, loan application and reporting, and more. This professional assistance is provided by NRWA in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Through the Rural Utilities Service, USDA provides hundreds of millions of dollars each year to modernize and build water and waste facilities in rural communities. These improvements are critical to ensuring the nation's smallest communities enjoy resilient infrastructure, secure drinking water, and plan for future growth.

Questions about how you can access assistance in your state or area may be directed to your local USDA RD office or the National Rural Water Association State Association page.

For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway . The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making RD's investment data accessible to the public.

To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, sign up at the GovDelivery subscriber page.