Three North American research networks collaborate on rural and remote drinking water challenges. More than $8 million in funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has put a heightened emphasis on small water system research and innovation in the U.S. Together with RES’EAU-WaterNET, the Design of Risk Reducing, Innovative Implementable Small System Knowledge (DeRISK) Center and the Water Innovation Network for Sustainable Small Systems (WINSSS) Center will develop and test low-cost approaches to drinking water treatment that small communities worldwide urgently require.