EPA Research Partner Support Story: Resources for Small Drinking Water Systems
Partners: Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) and other state contributors
Challenge: Providing information, technical assistance, and training on solution to challenges facing small drinking water systems to states, territories, Tribes, and system owners and operators
Resource: Annual workshop and monthly webinars
Project Period: 2004 – Present
Small drinking water systems tend to have fewer resources than larger systems and can face enormous challenges in consistently providing safe and reliable drinking water. EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) and Office of Water (OW), in partnership with ASDWA, host a free annual workshop to provide small system managers with current technical and regulatory information and resources; new information and training on cost-effective treatment technologies, methodologies, and processes; and interactive, in-depth training needed to help in building small water system capacity and with providing access to safe drinking water. For over 20 years, the workshop has brought together professionals from states and territories, Tribes, federal agencies, academia, non-governmental organizations, local agencies, system owners and operators, and others.
“ASDWA is pleased to partner with EPA in the sharing of resources and organizing opportunities that bring together the drinking water sector. During an era of rapid regulatory movement, it is imperative for the advancement of public health protection that the water industry works in tandem to learn from each other and share ideas through our partnership that encompasses all levels of government.” – ASDWA Senior Policy Government Affairs Manager Kevin Letterly
The 2024 workshop was limited to EPA; ASDWA; and Tribal, state, and territory primacy agencies (within the United States) and focused solely on PFAS and lead (Pb) topics. There were 242 participants at the 2024 workshop, including 141 attendees from 41 state primacy agencies in 40 states, two attendees from one territory (Guam), and 98 attendees from ASDWA and EPA program offices and regions. The workshop helps EPA establish positive relationships with personnel at state, territory, and Tribal drinking water agencies and allows EPA to gain a better understanding of challenges that confront them. It provides a forum to optimize training and engagement between EPA and primacy agencies and to encourage agencies to discuss challenges and successes with each other. The workshop also allows EPA to gain a better understanding of challenges that confront states, territories and Tribes and encourages ongoing collaboration between the primacy agencies. Access past workshop information.
As an extension of the annual workshop, EPA ORD and OW host a monthly webinar series to communicate current research, regulatory information, and solutions for challenges facing small drinking water systems. Webinar topics vary each month and are primarily designed for Tribal, state and territory government agencies responsible for drinking water regulations compliance and treatment technologies, permitting and for water utility owners and operators. Others may also benefit from the webinars including technical assistance providers, local government personnel, academia, and private sector. New to 2024, most of the technical session presentations from the workshops will be included in the series as extended training webinars and held in partnership with ASDWA. In 2024, the series attracted over 19,000 attendees from all 50 states and 6 territories, including representatives of 60 Tribal Nations, 130 state/territory agencies, hundreds of drinking water systems, and other organizations. Presenters are typically from EPA and state/territory agencies to help encourage communication between EPA and the states/territories and between the states/territories themselves. Access the webinar series schedule, registration, and recordings.