Capacity Development Resources for States and Small Systems

Many organizations across the country provide technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) assistance to public water systems.

On this page:

• EPA Resources
• State Programs and Organizations
• Federal Agency Programs
• Utility Organizations
• Training and Technical Assistance Organizations

EPA Resources

• Water Technical Assistance
  Find information and updates on EPA's free Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) services. 
• Water Finance Clearinghouse
  Web-based portal to help communities locate financial resources that will assist them in making informed decisions for their drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure needs.

State Programs and Organizations

• State Capacity Development Programs 
  Provide state-specific compliance assistance and training opportunities for small systems.
• Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) 
  Professional association serving state drinking water programs that have small systems as their principal audience or those with a separate small system focus.

Federal Agency Programs

• U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development: Rural Utilities Service
  Provides loans, grants, and loan guarantees for drinking water, sanitary sewer, solid waste, and storm drainage facilities in rural areas, cities, and towns of 10,000 or fewer customers.
• U.S. Department of Commerce: Economic Development Administration Public Works and Economic Development Program
  Provides grants and resources that support planning and design, workforce development, green infrastructure, and more. 
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Community Development Block Grants Program
  Grant program to support community development activities that address a variety of needs including infrastructure and disaster recovery. 

Utility Organizations

• The American Water Works Association (AWWA)
  Offers resources, workshops, and other assistance to public water systems.

Training and Technical Assistance Organizations

• Environmental Finance Centers (EFCs)
  Provide states, local officials, water systems, and small businesses with advisory services including education, publications, and training. 
• Appalachian Community Technical Assistance and Training (ACTAT)
  Program that provides training and assistance to small, rural communities to resolve drinking water and wastewater issues. 
• The National Rural Water Association (NRWA)
  Supports state rural water associations in providing training programs and on-site assistance in areas such as water system operation and maintenance.
• The Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP)
  Offers training and technical assistance through six regional organizations for facilities development, management, finance, and planning.
• WaterOperator.org
  Supports water and wastewater operators with resources and information.