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Get Resources to Help Protect Source Water in Small Communities
The Local Government Environmental Assistance Network is offering a free kit of three reports to help small communities protect source drinking water supplies. Source water protection helps communities reduce treatment costs and comply with state and federal drinking water regulations. The reports, published by ICMA and the National Center for Small Communities, include:

• Action Guide for Source Water Funding: Small Town and Rural County Strategies for Protecting Critical Water Supplies;
  
• Source Water 2000: Funding and Assistance Programs to Protect Small Town and Rural Drinking Water; and
  
• A Small Town Source Water Primer: Building Support for Protection Programs

Get more information on these publications.

StEPP Foundation Offering Funding for Projects that Benefit the Environment
The StEPP Foundation is looking to fund projects that improve air and water quality, reduce solid waste, or connect land use to the ecosystem or public health. Projects must have significant, measurable environmental benefits. Project ideas will be kept in the Foundation's pipeline and may be matched to funding sources as available. For more information, visit www.steppfoundation.org.

EPA Releases Guidelines for Community-Wide Onsite Wastewater Management
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released new guidelines to help local governments strengthen management of septic systems and other small, privately owned wastewater treatment systems. Voluntary Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems details five management models ranging from basic homeowner awareness to the most advanced "Responsible Management Entity" approach. These onsite management models will become increasingly important for rural areas of Appalachia where traditional sewage collection systems are not feasible.

Download the Voluntary Guidelines (EPA 832-B-03-001) from the EPA site. Copies are also available by calling (800) 490-9198.

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