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  2. Building the Capacity of Drinking Water Systems

Drinking Water Program Collaboration Resources for States

In implementing the Capacity Development program, states should carefully consider how they interact with and allocate resources to the programs included in the SDWA, paying particular attention to those programs that have significant impacts on a water system's capacity. The following resources may be helpful to states in  understanding how best to collaborate with other state and federal stakeholders, and create a more efficient Capacity Development program.

On this page: 

  • Capacity Building Fact Sheets
  • Federal Partnerships
  • Resources for Using DWSRF Set-Asides

Capacity Building Fact Sheets

  • Capacity Development and Operator Certification Collaboration: An Essential Partnership to Promote Small System Capacity (816-F-12-008)
    This document highlights three state examples of practical and effective collaboration between the Capacity Development and Operator Certification programs. 
  • Implementing Area-Wide Optimization Programs (AWOPs) through the Capacity Development and the DWSRF Programs (EPA 816-F-03-019)
    This document describes the benefits of AWOP and how the DWSRF and Capacity Development programs can help provide resources and tools to implement the AWOP program. 
  • Using Technical, Managerial, and Financial Capacity to Improve System Security - Suggestions for States (816-F-07-010)
    This document gives an overview of how water security can help build sustainable capacity of water systems.
  • Program Collaboration: Using Teamwork and Program Staff Expertise and Authority to Assist Small Systems (816-F-12-006)
    This fact sheet was prepared to help state leaders learn how to help enhance program collaboration to achieve drinking water program goals.
  • Funding Collaboration: Maximizing the Impact of Program Funding to Increase Compliance and Enhance Public Health (816-F-12-007)
    This fact sheet was prepared for state leaders to learn how funding collaboration can stretch the impact of dollars spent to maximize long-term performance of water systems.
  • Capacity Building Through Effective Meaningful Engagement. This document is intended to assist local and state government officials create or expand meaningful community engagement plans.

Federal Partnerships

  • Memorandum of Agreement between EPA and USDA: Promoting Sustainable Rural Water and Wastewater Systems 
  • Memorandum of Understanding between EPA and DHS: Framework for the EPA Funded State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program to Assist and Collaborate with FEMA Disaster Assistance Grant Programs
  • Memorandum of Understanding Partners: Reducing Lead Levels in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities 

Resources for Using DWSRF Set-Asides

  • Analysis of the Use of Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Set-Asides 
    Explore how the 50 state drinking water programs and Puerto Rico use the DWSRF set-asides to support these programs. 
  • Using DWSRF Set-Aside Funds for Capacity Development (EPA 816-F-00-011)
    An explanation of DWSRF funds that states may use to support technical, managerial and financial capacity of water systems.
  • Using DWSRF Set-Aside Funds to Assist Small Water Systems (EPA 816-F-00-014)
    An explanation of DWSRF funds for technical assistance to small water systems.
  • DWSRF Building Program Demand through Outreach and Engagement Handbook (EPA 810-K-18002)
    This handbook details four strategies for improving the success of the DWSRF program by bringing awareness to its flexibility and value. 

Additional DWSRF fact sheets and reports can be found here. 

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Building the Capacity of Drinking Water Systems

  • About Capacity Development
  • About Operator Certification
  • About Water System Partnerships
  • About Asset Management
Contact Us About Building the Capacity of Drinking Water Systems
Contact Us About Building the Capacity of Drinking Water Systems to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on March 3, 2025
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