Small and Rural Water Systems/National Rural Water Association Announces Consolidation Guiding Principles
October 15, 2025
By:
Walter G. Wright
Category:
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Download PDF
The National Rural Water Association (“NRWA”) has issued what it describes as its:
Consolidation Guiding Principles (“CGP”).
NWRA states that it believes:
…that consolidation can be an effective voluntary solution for rural and small water systems to provide safe, affordable water for their communities. The viability and potential benefits vary considerably between communities and are best determined by local decision-makers.
The CGP emphasizes that the community’s rights to make local decisions about consolidation must be protected. It also states in part:
- A significant amount of misinformation is being spread about consolidation.
- Previous efforts to compel small, rural systems to consolidate under the guise of guaranteed benefits have caused confusion and mistrust.
- NRWA supports transparency and complete information on this critical topic.
NRWA poses the four following “Guiding Principles” on consolidation:
- Consolidation Must be Voluntary
- Trusted Local Partner Support
- Funding for Communities Most in Need
- Consolidation Incentives for High-Performing Utilities
The NWRA describes itself as a:
…non-profit organization dedicated to training, supporting, and promoting the water and wastewater professionals that serve small communities across the United States.
Membership is stated to include over 31,000 utility system members across all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
A copy of the CGP can be downloaded here.
The Between the Lines blog is made available by Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. and the law firm publisher. The blog site is for educational purposes only, as well as to give general information and a general understanding of the law. This blog is not intended to provide specific legal advice. Use of this blog site does not create an attorney client relationship between you and Mitchell Williams or the blog site publisher. The Between the Lines blog site should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.