In 1976,
eight states formed the National Rural Water
Association (NRWA) to represent rural and small
community water and wastewater systems in the
halls of Congress to ensure the availability of
funding and technical resources.
That same year the Safe Drinking Water Act was
passed requiring standards based on large
metropolitan systems. However, the majority of
systems in the nation (94%) serve less than
10,000 people and lack the economics of scale.
Since then, NRWA, through its State Affiliates,
has grown to represent over 27,000 water and
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wastewater
utilities and is now the largest utility
membership association in the nation.
 In December, Hawaii Rural Water will be
officially formed and will become a full fledged
member of the NRWA. With Hawaii on board NRWA
will represent utilities in all 50 states.
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Member
utilities in Hawaii will elect a Board of
Directors who will then elect a Director to
serve on the National Board. Each state has one
member on the National Board providing equal
input.
Hawaii Rural Water will administer training and
technical assistance programs and direct the
association's future at the state level to meet
local needs with programs, services and
products.
Hawaii Rural Water, with your support and
involvement, will become a major player ensuring
resources and directing water policy on a
national level in Washington, D.C. |