Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP)

10/23/2026

Looking for cybersecurity training for your utility? RCAP offers a free e-learning course designed specifically for small water and wastewater systems: https://www.pathlms.com/rcap/courses/316131

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we are a shining light on a critical issue affecting the water and wastewater systems and services that support both Rural and non-Rural communities. Unfortunately, water systems have become a priority target for cyberattacks because of known vulnerabilities in remote access systems and industrial control environments.

RCAP has tips on how to secure your system:

- Disable unnecessary remote access to control systems
- Change all passwords and implement strong password policies
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Keep control systems off the public internet
- Verify secure conficurations of connected systems with vendors

Find more tips here: https://www.rcap.org/cybersecurity-advisory-for-small-and-rural-water-systems-issued-by-rcap-april-2026/

10/23/2026

Registration for the 2027 Virtual Operator Conference is now open! In collaboration with WaterOperator.org this free, virtual training conference offers drinking water operators a chance to learn more about timely topics, improve fundamental skills, and get support for specific challenges while earning up to 12 hours of CEU credit. Many of the speakers at this conference are from RCAP's regional partners, speaking on topics such as "Water Operator Math", "Chemistry for Drinking Water Operators", and "Building an Emergency Response Plan".

The conference will be from February 2 - 24, 2027. Please register here, https://event.gotowebinar.com/event/5c3d1b17-c4a2-4574-bd13-07c263a7f1b0.

10/22/2026

Many homeowners may not know that chemotherapy drugs can take a toll on septic systems. The drugs can break down the beneficial bacteria in systems, thus increasing the potential failure of any septic system.

Pumps for Patients, a non-profit made up of septic industry professionals, is working to bring awareness of this critical issue. Any patients who are currently experiencing chemotherapy can apply for free services to inspect their septic systems, then the organization facilitates free septic pumping for people fighting cancer. You can find more information on this initiative here, https://pumpsforpatients.org/what-we-do/.

We're sharing this resource from Pumps for Patients to raise awareness of an issue that may impact households using onsite wastewater systems.

Learn how Pumps for Patients connects septic pumpers with chemo recipients for free septic system maintenance and pumping.

10/21/2026

What would you do if you learned the water your family depends on might not be safe?

Our first episode of RCAP Voices, The Water We Take for Granted, follows a Pennsylvania family's journey to secure safe drinking water and highlights a challenge faced by millions of Americans who rely on private wells.

It's a powerful reminder that behind every conversation about infrastructure are real people, real communities, and real impacts.

The episode also features the work of RCAP Solutions and the partners who helped make this project possible, including The Chris Long Foundation, Water Well Trust, , Sperry Drilling Inc., and Xylem.

🎧 Listen now: https://rcapvoices.substack.com/p/the-water-we-take-for-granted

🔔 Follow RCAP Voices wherever you get your podcasts and subscribe for new episodes every other week at https://rcapvoices.substack.com/.

10/19/2026

Your experience could help another community succeed. Have you overcome funding challenges? Improved utility operations? Completed a successful water or wastewater infrastructure project?

Share your story at RCAP's 2027 National State Revolving Fund Workshop and help communities across the country learn from your experience.

📅 Abstracts due December 4, 2026

✈️ Submit your abstract: https://ow.ly/yUez50ZUvs3

👉 Visit the workshop website: https://ow.ly/usfc50ZUvs4

10/16/2026

On average, there are 125 natural disasters each year in the United States. These disasters can significantly strain and damage critical water/wastewater systems, potentially leaving rural communities without drinkable water for days on end. As we , RCAP and its regional partners work with a multitude of rural communities to ensure they are prepared for disasters and help communities recover from catastrophic storm damage.

With funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, RCAP was able to record a few stories directly talking about the extensive damage after a disaster and how RCAP’s regional partners stepped in to help recovery efforts.

- A video from Puerto Rico, https://youtu.be/4bD272IKA4w?si=4B-ESBkyCwRr5dJp
- A video from Kentucky, https://youtu.be/oaia8BECul4?si=mdKRaqZw5zv6iDOu
- A video from Florida, https://youtu.be/ErJBzm59N4c?si=_Y4RgOAtHc2tnclt

10/15/2026

Behind every water system improvement, infrastructure project, and community success are people who refuse to give up when challenges arise. Today, on , we're proud to launch RCAP Voices, a new podcast featuring the people, partnerships, and solutions driving positive change in rural America.

As we reflect on what life would be like without reliable water, our first episode, The Water We Take for Granted, takes listeners to Pennsylvania to follow one family's journey to secure safe drinking water and the realities facing millions of Americans who rely on private wells.

🎧Listen to Episode 1: https://rcapvoices.substack.com/p/the-water-we-take-for-granted
🔔Subscribe for future episodes: https://rcapvoices.substack.com/

If you liked this story, please share it with your friends, colleagues, and community partners to help us spread the word.

10/14/2026

Water is a necessity for all communities, especially communities. Join RCAP and its six regional partners as we on October 15. At least 2 million Americans do not have access to clean drinking water and RCAP has over 400 Technical Assistance Providers throughout Rural America to help change that. You can learn more about RCAP’s mission and programs here, https://www.rcap.org/about-us/.

10/13/2026

Water touches every part of our daily lives, but behind every tap is a story. On Imagine A Day Without Water, we're launching RCAP Voices to share stories from the communities and people working every day to improve water and wastewater services across rural and Tribal communities.

Join us October 15 for our first episode at https://rcapvoices.substack.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

10/12/2026

We're honored to receive an $11 million award from USDA Rural Development that will enable RCAP and our regional partners to continue providing hands-on technical assistance to rural, Tribal, and Colonias communities nationwide.

Thank you to USDA Rural Development for its continued partnership and commitment to rural America.

NEWS RELEASE - USDA Rural Development Announces $40 Million to Support Technical Assistance, Training to Protect, Improve Rural Water and Waste Disposal Systems USDA Rural Development sent this bulletin at 09/28/2026 01:06 PM EDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. NEWS RELEASE...