What is Illinois Rural
Water Association?

Illinois Rural Water Association was formed to coordinate water and
wastewater system programs on a statewide basis. Illinois Rural
Water Association began October 1979. The Association provides training
and technical assistance to water and wastewater systems. Illinois
Rural Water Association along with forty-five other State Associations,
form what is known as the National Rural Water Association.

The primary goal of Illinois Rural Water Association is professional, efficient
operation of water and wastewater systems through education and on-site
assistance, working on a one-to-one basis, and addressing problems from
the system level.

This goal is reached, in part, by training sessions held periodically throughout
the entire state of Illinois, phone communications with the systems, referral
to industry members, and/or personal visits to the systems by IRWA staff.
The staff works directly with the system operators, managers, board members,
and local government officials to provide the necessary materials and
problem-solving direction. Their knowledge is gained through research as well
as hands-on experience each of them has received while employed in
water and wastewater systems, prior to taking their positions with Illinois
Rural Water Association.

Illinois Rural Water Association is a non-profit, independent association.
It is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of nine people
associated with water/wastewater systems within the state. Although the
Association has an excellent working relationship with the State and Federal
Agencies, plus private industry, it is not a regulatory agency, nor do we
act as an informant for any regulatory agency.

Illinois Rural Water Association is dedicated to the improvement and
development of public and privately owned water and wastewater systems.

By becoming a member of Illinois Rural Water Association, and by pooling our
resources together, we are better able to answer the needs of water and
wastewater systems of Illinois.