2018 Farm Bill Includes New Drinking Water Provisions in Conservation Title

Farmer_and_tractor_tilling_soilOn December 20, the President signed a $867 billion Farm Bill that includes $4 billion dollars for conservation practices that protect sources of drinking water over the next ten years. A big thank you to AWWA for helping to get these provisions included as follows:

  • An emphasis on source water protection through all Farm Bill conservation programs;
  • 10% of NRCS conservation funding directed toward source water protection, an incredible total of $4 billion over the next 10 years;
  • Authorization for water utilities to work with State technical committees in identifying priority areas in each state; and
  • Additional incentives for farmers who employ practices that benefit source waters.

ASDWA looks forward to working with our members to engage in these efforts with partners that help implement conservation practices in the most susceptible source water protection areas.