With only 1 percent of the world's water supply considered to be safe for drinking, many rural Americans depend on CoBank's water customers every time they turn on the tap. Not only are many of our customers in the business of providing clean, safe drinking water to rural areas, but others also process wastewater and deliver other services.

CoBank works with water cooperatives, wastewater companies and others to provide the funding required to meet their needs, whether it's expanding rural water systems to accommodate a growing population or updating aging wastewater infrastructures. A large part of this country's water delivery system dates back to the years shortly after World War II when the federal government was building out the nation's infrastructure. But during the past couple of decades federal money for those systems has been reduced and each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the estimated price tag for patching up the infrastructure rises. It's been estimated that more than $335 billion would need to be spent over the next 20 years to upgrade the U.S. water infrastructure.

Meet one of our customers

Lewis & Clark Regional Water System