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RCAC's Morales-Sanchez Appointed To National Water Council

May 9, 2008

West Sacramento, Calif. — Olga Morales-Sanchez, a rural environmental specialist working for Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC), has been appointed to the National Drinking Water Advisory Council.

The National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC) is a Federal Advisory Committee that supports the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in performing its duties and responsibilities related to the national drinking water program.

NDWAC has 15 members who serve as Special Government Employees. Members serve three-year terms. Five members each are appointed from appropriate state and local agencies concerned with public water supply and public health protection; water-related or other organizations and interest groups having an active interest in public water supply or public health protection; and the general public. Two of the 15 members must represent small, rural public water systems.

As an RCAC rural environmental specialist, Morales-Sanchez provides technical assistance and training to small, rural water systems throughout southern New Mexico. Blanca Surgeon, another RCAC rural environmental specialist previously served two three-year terms on the council.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to learn more about federal policies that will affect the small drinking water systems we serve,” Morales-Sanchez said. “I hope to be able to positively influence rural water policies and decisions. 

The council meets twice a year, in the spring and fall. They may also hold conference calls on which a majority of the members must participate. The council holds open meetings and provides opportunities for the public to make statements or to file statements and comments before or after such meetings. 

Morales-Sanchez said she has already received a tentative agenda for her first NDWAC meeting, which will take place this June in Tucson, Arizona.

Founded in 1978, RCAC provides a wide range of community development services for rural and Native American communities, agricultural workers and community-based organizations in 13 western states. RCAC offers expertise in housing, environmental infrastructure (water, wastewater and solid waste), leadership training, economic development and financing. RCAC is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and operates a $65 million Loan Fund that finances affordable housing, community facilities, and water and wastewater systems. For more information, visit www.rcac.org.

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