What is Michigan RCAP?

Since 1980,
Michigan RCAP is part of the Great Lakes Region. Efforts by Great Lakes RCAP have resulted in new and improved water, wastewater or solid waste systems in over 900 communities. In addition millions of dollars have been leveraged for facility development.

Michigan Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP), and the parent Great Lakes Rural Community Assistance Program  assists rural low-income individuals and underserved populations in developing and maintaining community infrastructure to improve rural quality of life through a network of community action agencies.

Michigan RCAP and GLRCAP are part of a national network of regional non-profit agencies that provide technical assistance to help small communities address their drinking water, wastewater and community development needs. Great Lakes RCAP stretches across a seven-state area of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Technical Assistance
  • Provide information on sources of funding & assist with applications.
  • Coordinate activities between funders, community leaders, as well as regulatory agencies.
  • Community mobilization & prioritization of needs.
  • Facility development, identify affordable alternative methods.
  • Development of rate structure
  • Assist in creation of rural water districts
  • Assist community with public notices and meetings
 Training & Education
  • Regulations including the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act.
  • Community education projects.
  • Alternative technologies.
  • Local, state and regional workshops.
  • Board Training, etc.
  • Small System Safety and Security

 

Michigan RCAP and Great Lakes RCAP receives federal funding under the following programs to provide free technical assistance to communities.

Health and Human Services - Office of Community Services
Program seeks to improve the living conditions of rural poor by providing access to safe drinking water and sanitary wastewater treatment in communities under 10,000.

EPA Wastewater
Funds RCAP to provide outreach and on-site technical assistance to address wastewater treatment issues in rural areas under 3,300.

EPA Safe Drinking Water
Funds RCAP to help water systems that serve less than 3,300 customers to achieve compliance with federal drinking water standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

USDA - Rural Utilities Service - Technitrain Program
RCAP assists communities under 10,000 in the development and management of water and wastewater facilities.
 

Our Mission: To empower and assist rural low-income communities and people to improve the quality of life.