According to Agri-Pulse, a new GAO report found that rural communities will need $140 billion worth of drinking water and wastewater system upgrades in coming decades. There are seven federal agencies which provide rural communities with needed funding and technical assistance for their utilities. However, these agencies are facing more than $1 billion in reduced spending in fiscal year 2015. For rural communities that rely on these funds to provide clean water to citizens, these cuts can be devastating.