Capacity Development for Small Public Water Systems

Capacity Development is a very important concept for the long term viability of public water systems. A key component of maintaining a viable public water system is ensuring that water system assets and finances are sustainable. This was the rationale behind the Department’s new statutory requirement for small community water systems to develop individual fiscal and asset management plans.

PWS Capacity Development

A Capacity Development Strategy considers the technical, managerial and financial (TMF) needs of public water systems (PWSs) as shown here:

Technical capacity refers to a PWSs ability to operate and maintain water system infrastructure and includes elements such as source water adequacy, infrastructure condition and the technical knowledge of its operators.

Managerial capacity refers to a PWSs ability to properly administer water system operations and includes elements such as organizational structure, asset management programs, capital improvement planning, operator training, record keeping, customer service and an understanding of regulatory responsibilities.

Financial capacity refers to a PWSs ability to properly manage system financial obligations while generating sufficient reserve funds to maintain infrastructure and includes elements such as rate structure, budget preparation, collection services and credit worthiness.

Small Community Fiscal and Asset Management Plan Requirements – NEW!

Pursuant to the new Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) §19a-37e, all small community public water systems serving < 1,000 year-round residents shall complete a fiscal and asset management plan for all capital assets by no later than January 1, 2021. To aid small CWS in the development of the initial fiscal and asset management plan, a Fiscal & Asset Management Plan Template, Instructions and Guidance Document have been prepared and are available at the links below.

• Fiscal and Asset Management Plan Template for Small Community Public Water Systems (PWS)
• Fiscal and Asset Management Plan Template Instructions
• Fiscal and Asset Management Plan Appendix A: For Community PWS applying for DWSRF loans
• Fiscal and Asset Management Plan Guidance Document
• Example of Completed Fiscal and Asset Management Plan Template – Coming Soon

The template has been designed so that a PWS owner working with their certified operator should be able to complete the plan based on their water system records.  This asset and fiscal plan is due by 1/1/2021, must be updated annually and also must be made available to the department upon request. DPH staff will request to see a copy of the completed Fiscal & Asset Management Plan for Small Community PWS at the time of the PWS’s next sanitary survey after the 1/1/21 due date.  A list of the small PWS required to complete a plan is available at the link below.

• Small Community PWS Serving <1,000 Year Round Residents Required to Complete F&AM Plan

The statute also includes requirements to determine unaccounted for water loss at small community PWS.  This concept has been included as Section 4 of the template.  While many small community PWS may not be calculating unaccounted for water regularly due to the lack of customer metering, this is a very important exercise that will help small community PWS in many ways including identification of main breaks/leaks and service line leaks and to maximize use of limited supply capacity during drought periods, for example.      

Hydropneumatic Storage Tank Assessment Requirement

CGS §19a-37e has an additional requirement that each small community water system shall make the assessment of its hydropneumatic pressure tanks (excluding bladder type pressure tanks) its initial priority in its preparation of the fiscal and asset management plan. A small community water system that maintains a hydropneumatic storage tank as part of their water system must complete and submit to the department a hydropneumatic tank assessment no later than May 2, 2019 using the Hydropneumatic Storage Tank Fiscal and Asset Assessment Form below.

• Hydropneumatic Storage Tank Fiscal and Asset Assessment Form
• Hydropneumatic Storage Tank Fiscal and Asset Assessment Form Instructions
• Hydropneumatic Tank Fact Sheet 

The plans and assessments above are an important step for small community PWS to prepare for long term success. Additional capacity development information and resources are available below.

• DPH/EFCN Small Community Capacity Webinar Series for CT PWS
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Generator and Small System Loan Program
• Capacity Assessment Tool (CAT)
• Water Utility Coordinating Committees (WUCCs)
• Community PWS Generator and Emergency Contingency and Response Plan Requirement

Helpful Resources to Build PWS Capacity

• EPA STEP Guide Series Step by Step guides for Building the Capacity of Drinking Water Systems
• EPA Drinking Water Capacity Website many resources available for systems of all types
• RCAP – Resources for Communities and People – EPA Technical Assistance Contractor that can provide technical assistance to public water systems for compliance and financial and managerial capacity topics
• EFCN – Environmental Finance Center Network – EPA Technical Assistance Contractor that can provide financial and managerial assistance to public water systems