Jump to main content.

Small Drinking Water System Initiative

Did You Know–

•	Small systems have unique challenges: they cannot take advantage of the economies of scale which lower costs for large water systems and have limited financial resources; they often lack full-time staff to manage the system; they may be geographically isolated; many have no computer capabilities, and have less technical training.

•	The majority of New England's public drinking water systems serve relatively small populations. Small systems provide drinking water to less than 3,300 people and very small systems provide drinking water to less than 500 people. 90% of New England's drinking water systems, about 10,000 systems, are very small systems; and most use ground water sources.

•	The vast majority of systems (> 85%) which are not complying with drinking water regulations are very small systems.

What is EPA Doing to Help Small Systems?

•	Provide Technical Assistance on New Technologies Technology Advisory Board. The board is made up of state, regional and national experts that provide a mechanism to advise regulators on new drinking water technologies. The Regional Board is a forum for informational exchange and special projects, including innovative technology research. Environmental Verification Technology Program. The goal of the program is to verify the performance characteristics of commercial-ready environmental technologies through the evaluation of objective and quality-assured data. This program will provide necessary information to potential buyers and drinking water regulators. EPA's Center for Environmental Industry and Technology is working to expand opportunities and create incentives for using innovative technologies to provide clean, safe, cost-effective drinking water to local communities.

•	Update Sampling Guide for Small Systems Sampling Guide for Small Systems. Working through a grant from EPA's New England Office, the New England Water Works Association will develop and produce an updated "Sampling Guide for Small Systems." This system-focused guide will include specific instructions on how to take samples. To the extent practicable, new rules and appropriate sampling techniques will be included.

•	Improve System Management Asset Management Tools and Training: An important part of running a water supply is planning for future infrastructure needs. This includes both planning for the purchase on new equipment and planning for the maintenance of existing equipment. Asset management is a way to inventory and analyze the assets that your water system has and needs and to plan adequately for their care and purchase. A number of tools exist to help with this task, walking you through this process step by step. The EPA will be providing training for New England water systems in how to start an asset management program, and how to use the available tools.

How Can I Receive Further Information
About These Efforts?

•	For further information about the EPA New England Office's Small System projects, please contact Jane Downing (downing.jane@epa.gov), the EPA New England Office's Associate Director for Drinking Water.

Serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, & Tribal Nations

Jump to main content.