Where: Town of Lind, Adams County, Washington

Problem: Rural communities face challenges accessing funds for public health-critical utility improvements.

Solution: Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) staff helped the town apply for USDA funding and meet eligibility requirements for other state funding.

The Town of Lind is a small farming community of 570 outside of Ritzville in Adams County, Washington. The median housing income is $60,938, and the town serves 259 drinking water connections. The town has very limited resources and staff, and lacks the capacity needed to acquire State Revolving Funds (SRF) for critical drinking water system upgrades, including a new reservoir and well, a well backup generator, upgraded fire hydrants and some repiping.

RCAC began working with Lind in December 2022 after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s office requested that it help the town complete paperwork for their Vulnerability Assessment (VA) and Emergency Response Plans (ERP), which USDA requires before providing grants. The state Department of Health (DOH) also requested that RCAC help the town update its Small Water Drinking System Management Program (SWSMP).

RCAC assisted by gathering information, prioritizing tasks, completing documentation and submitting them on time. Small utility staff face unique challenges when collecting data. RCAC helped Lind overcome these obstacles through regular meetings and by providing guidance and support when necessary. The Town of Lind submitted its VA and ERP to the USDA in January 2023. State health officials have assured RCAC and the town that they will review the SWSMP before funding applications open in fall 2023.