Rural Community Development (RCD) is a federal grant program that works with regional and tribal organizations to manage safe water systems in rural communities. RCD funds are used to provide training and technical assistance to:
- Help community members identify and address water and wastewater related issues, including infrastructure and accessibility needs
- Increase access for families with low incomes to water supply and waste disposal services
- Preserve affordable water and waste disposal services in rural communities with low incomes
- Train water operators to ensure water systems comply with federal regulations
- Increase local capacity and expertise to establish and maintain needed water facilities
- Increase economic opportunities for rural communities with low incomes by ensuring they have basic water and sanitation
- Utilize technical assistance to leverage additional public and private resources
- Promote improved coordination of federal, state, and local agencies and financing programs to benefit communities with low incomes and
- Help communities establish financial stability and financial reserves to maintain water delivery and wastewater disposal systems
Notice:
The RCD program does not provide direct grants to individuals; RCD does not charge a fee for receiving a grant. If you receive a message offering you an RCD grant or requesting a fee, please contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Fraud Hotline at 1-800-447-8477. For more information, visit the Grant Fraud and Scams site.
RCD Grant Recipient Spotlights
Learn about the impacts RCD funds make in communities across the country by addressing safe and clean water access, especially in communities with low incomes:
Bringing Safe Water to Rural Communities
Learn more about the impacts of the RCD Program bringing safe water to our nation's communities. View more about the program's objectives, accomplishments, and outcomes:
Current RCD Grants
Learn more about the current RCD grantees and the work they are doing to build capacity to support safe and affordable water and wastewater systems.
Need assistance for your community?
Each state is covered by an RCD grant recipient. Contact your state's recipient to learn more.
Learn about the RCD program's purpose, requirements, and highlights.
These resources help RCD grant recipients to complete annual reporting requirements and post-award activities for your grant.
Change of Key Personnel Resource
RCD presents stories of how regional and tribal technical assistance grant recipients help rural communities across the country gain and maintain access to clean, safe, and affordable water and wastewater services.
Expanding Household Access to Safe Wastewater services in Lowndes County, Alabama
Transforming Water Quality and Expanding Access to Clean Water in Ellendale, Delaware
Using GIS Tech for Water and Wastewater Systems Improvements in Corsica, SD
Building Capacity for Clean Water Assurance in Mora County, NM
Extending Sewer Service to over 30 Households in Magnolia, Mississippi, Population 2,000
Improving New Boston, Ohio’s Ancient Combined Sewer System
Technical Assistance Brings Reliable Public Drinking Water to Hobson Village, Virginia
Training Certification for the Colorado River Indian Tribes to Ensure the Health of the River
Check out RCD Policy and Guidance including:
- Grant Guidance
- Action Transmittal
- Information Memoranda
- Dear Colleague Letters
Read RCD reports that provide summaries of grant activities and accomplishments.
FY 2021 RCD Activities in Persistent and High-Poverty Areas Report (PDF)
FY 2019 and FY 2020 RCD Activities in Persistent and High-Poverty Areas Report (PDF)
FY 2018 CED and RCD Report to Congress (PDF)
FY 2017 CED and RCD Report to Congress (PDF)
Read the Legislative Authority for the RCD program.
Contacts
Office of Community Services
Phone: 202-401-9333
OCSgrants@acf.hhs.gov