EPA's "Small Systems" Web site provides information on Treatment Technologies, alternative treatment, compliance technology lists, AWOP and Capacity Development.
Several handbooks available from that Web site include the small systems guide to SDWA regulations (a.k.a. STEP guide series), guide to Total Coliform Rule and small entity compliance guide.
Take a look at the booklet titled, "Sources of Technical and Financial Assistance for Small Drinking Water Systems" (EPA 816-K-02-005, July 2002 1.5MB PDF). EPA points out that the booklet is not all-inclusive. Other sources of information and assistance exist at the national, regional, state and local levels. Use the information provided in the booklet as a starting point in your search for financial help. Be sure to ask any national organizations you contact about regional and local sources of assistance that may be available.
Three other handbooks posted on the Small Systems Web site are:
- Asset Management: A Handbook for Small Water Systems (EPA 816-R-03-016 September 2003, 976 KB PDF), 50 pages.
- Strategic Planning: A Handbook for Small Water Systems -- One of the Simple Tools for Effective Performance (STEP) Guide Systems (EPA 816-R-03-015, September 2003, 1550 KB PDF), 30 pages.
- Small Systems Guide to Safe Drinking Water Act Regulations: The First
STEP to Providing Safe and Reliable Drinking Water (EPA 816-R-03-017, September 2003, 3M PDF), 35 pages.
These documents are in Adobe Acrobat format. Adobe Acrobat PDF files require the FREE Acrobat Reader.
Small water systems should get involved in the Area-Wide Optimization Program and Capacity Development, and the Small Systems Web site can help.
AWOP is a program offered by the Drinking Water Branch to help higher risk systems, thereby maximizing public health protection. The benefits of AWOP include:
- Drinking water treatment plants improve performance, increasing protection against waterborne disease.
- Targeted systems receive the tools needed to comply with drinking water rules such as Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT-1) and Stage 1 Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage-1).
- Systems better understand their roles in treatment optimization and public health protection.
- A water system's operator's ability to apply new technical concepts is enhanced.
- The useful life of existing infrastructure is prolonged by optimizing performance, which reduces the need to invest scarce resources in new facilities to achieve compliance.
For more information on AWOP, visit the Drinking Water Branch AWOP site or download EPA's document "Implementing AWOPs Through the Capacity Development and DWSRF Program" (EPA 816-F-03-019, 4 pages, June 2003, 486 KB PDF Adobe Acrobat Required).
Capacity Development involves strategic planning to assess your water system's capabilities. Your water system's capabilities include looking at your technical, managerial and financial framework.
Some of the weaknesses of small water systems' capacity development may include:
Technical:
- Inadequate and deteriorated infrastructure.
- Limited/poor source water quality or quantity.
- Lack of operations and maintenance expertise.
Financial:
- Diseconomies of scale (few households = high costs).
- History of low rates = resistance to full-cost pricing.
- Limited knowledge of financing options.
- Small systems are often in economically disadvantaged areas.
Managerial
- “No time” or limited part-time management attention.
- Lack of expertise in long-term water system planning/
operations.
- Lack of focus - providing water is not the system’s primary
purpose.
Your water system may have completely different weaknesses that need focus. The Strategic Planning Handbook by EPA (mentioned above) will help identify your water system's strengths and weaknesses. Also, visit the Drinking Water Branch's Web site on Capacity Development or contact Patrick Garrity at (502) 564-2225, extension 574 in the Drinking Water Branch for more information on capacity development.
