Washington, D.C. (March 10, 2026) – The Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP) and the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) released an analysis today examining how voluntary regional partnerships can help strengthen water and wastewater systems serving small and rural communities. Drawing on decades of on-the-ground technical assistance and system data, the analysis shows how community-led regional collaboration, supported by trusted technical assistance providers, can strengthen long-term sustainability while preserving local governance, community identity and public accountability.
Across the country, rural utilities face increasing pressure from aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, regulatory requirements and rising operational costs. The white paper, titled "Regional Partnership Program: A Community-Led Approach," underscores that federal policy must support voluntary, community-driven regionalization by ensuring communities have access to planning resources, technical assistance and investment strategies that allow them to evaluate partnership opportunities while protecting local autonomy.