Water Well Trust Awarded $3.525 Million to Help Rural Families Gain Reliable Water Access

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- More rural families struggling with failed wells, unsafe drinking water, and inadequate wastewater systems will be able to receive assistance through a new $3.525 million grant awarded to the Water Well Trust (WWT) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The funding, provided through USDA's Decentralized Water Systems (DWS) program, will help finance the construction and rehabilitation of household water wells and septic systems for eligible low-income homeowners across the country.

The award marks the 13th USDA grant received by the Water Well Trust since 2014.

For families in rural areas, a failed or contaminated well can mean losing access to one of life's most basic necessities. The Water Well Trust works with homeowners who do not have access to public water or sewer service and who may not have the financial resources to replace or repair their private water and wastewater systems.

USDA-supported WWT projects have already made a significant impact nationwide. To date, the program has helped improve water access in 44 states, with WWT participating in the drilling or rehabilitation of more than 974 water wells and 170 wastewater projects.

Under the new grant, qualified homeowners may receive long-term, low-interest loans of up to $15,000 per project to construct or improve water wells and septic systems. Loans carry a 1% interest rate and may be repaid over terms of up to 20 years.

To be eligible for assistance, applicants must own and occupy the property as their primary residence for at least one year, have no access to a public water supply or sewer system, and have household income at or below 60% of their state's median non-metropolitan income. Income eligibility is based on all residents of the household.

In addition, the property must be current on all taxes and must be deemed rural by the USDA.

Homeowners interested in the program can determine their eligibility and begin the application process by completing the submission form available through the Water Well Trust website.

The Water Well Trust was established by the Water Systems Council to help address a challenge that remains largely unseen in many parts of the country: Americans living without dependable access to safe drinking water. An estimated 2 million Americans lack access to clean drinking water, not including tribal communities, where one in 10 Indigenous Americans lacks access to safe water or basic sanitation.

Through its work, WWT also demonstrates how decentralized and well-based water systems can provide sustainable, cost-effective solutions for rural households and communities.

For more information visit waterwelltrust.org.

Contact: 

Margaret Martens, Executive Director
Water Well Trust
[email protected]
202-625-4383

SOURCE Water Well Trust