Hyde-Smith Lead Republican on Bill to Improve Rural Water System Resilience, Disaster Response

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13, 2025 PERMALINK

CONTACT Chris Gallegos (202) 224-6414

HYDE-SMITH LEAD REPUBLICAN ON BILL TO IMPROVE
RURAL WATER SYSTEM RESILIENCE, DISASTER RESPONSE

Bipartisan Measure Would Create Emergency Preparedness & Response
Program for Water and Wastewater Utilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) is the lead Republican on legislation introduced today to improve the ability of rural water and wastewater systems to prepare for and respond to natural disasters or other extreme weather events.

Hyde-Smith and U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) reintroduced the Rural Water System Disaster Preparedness and Assistance Act, which would establish an emergency preparedness and response technical assistance program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide grants to rural water associations.

“Our rural water associations are on the frontlines when disasters strike, and our legislation gives them critical pre-disaster assistance to strengthen their ability to prepare and respond in these situations—whether tornadoes, hurricanes, or other disasters.  It amounts to a smart investment in long-term resilience by ensuring rural water systems have the tools to address vulnerabilities and train for emergencies before disasters hit,” Senator Hyde-Smith said.  “I’m proud to renew this bipartisan effort with Senator Cortez Masto to protect our communities and improve disaster response for rural America.”

“Between increasing cyber threats and extreme weather disasters, rural Nevadans are experiencing more and more challenges, and it’s critical that their drinking water and wastewater systems are optimized to withstand such events,” said Senator Cortez Masto.  “My bipartisan legislation will help protect rural water utilities and ensure they have the resources they need to support our communities all year round.”

The new USDA technical assistance program created by this legislation would help associations that operate rural water and wastewater systems prepare and respond to natural and man-made disasters.  These associations would receive technical assistance to identify vulnerabilities, map water infrastructure, develop disaster protocols, and train employees for emergency and disaster response.

At a 2023 hearing, Hyde-Smith highlighted the critical role played by Mississippi rural water associations in responding to fatal tornado storms that caused severe damage across the state.

The Mississippi Rural Water Association, National Rural Water Association, and Rural Community Assistance Partnership endorse this legislation.

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Christopher Gallegos, communications director
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi)
202-224-6414 • https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/
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