EPA expanded its Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Community Initiative to include 150 additional communities. The initiative in partnership with USDA will provide communities with free technical assistance to assess community wastewater needs and identify wastewater infrastructure options. Interested communities can apply for technical assistance by filling out the WaterTA request form, found here. On Feb. 22, 2024, EPA also announced it is expanding its WaterTA program to include engineering services, including the development of project needs assessments, preliminary engineering reports, and other studies communities need in order to submit applications for State Revolving Loan Funds. Communities will be selected for assistance under the WaterTA program on a rolling basis.