Small Systems
Protecting public health and improving water quality are the major goals of the Clean
Water Act. Small communities, Indian Tribes and colonias often have difficulty
in achieving these goals. Many communities and tribes could avoid costly construction projects through improved management skills, adequate financing, appropriate technology, and better wastewater treatment system operation and maintenance. The following information serves as a guide in educating and informing small community officials and others.
We Offer Technical Assistance
- Do you have a technical question? We can help. Call us toll free at 1(800) 624-8301 or e-mail info@mail.nesc.wvu.edu.
Free Products
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Free downloads are provided below. To order hard copies call toll-free at
(800) 624-8301.
- 2009 Outreach Research Guide (pdf) - Inside this guide you will find descriptions of more than 80 federal agencies and national organizations and programs that have interests in drinking water issues.
- Training Products Catolog (pdf) - Both the NETCSC offers free and low-cost products for use in all phases of training, from needs assessment to delivery and evaluation.
- A Guide to Asset Management for Small Water Systems (pdf) - This 30-page booklet provides a brief overview of asset management for small water and wastewater systems lists recommended resources for implementing such a program. To order ask for product #TRBLMG06.
- Protecting Your Communities Assets: A Guide for Small Wastewater Systems (pdf) - Designed for utility managers, operators, and local officials, this guide aims to improve security and plan for emergency situations affecting wastewater treatment systems that serve less than 10,000 people. To order ask for product # TRBKMG03. Download: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- Self-Assessment Tool for Small Community Decision Makers (pdf) - Designed to be use by decision makers in small communities, is structured to identify areas where improvements can be made in the management of environmental services. This material may be reproduced with permission from the NESC.
- Regulations Affecting Small Systems (pdf) - This is a list of rules and policies which describes applicable regulations; the size of communities affected; specific rules for different size communities; and current, upcoming, and future Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act regulatory dates.
NESC's Resources
- Protecting Public Health
- Groundwater Protection
- Onsite Wastewater System Resources
- Operators
- Regulations
- Securing Small Wastewater Systems
- Small Community Links
- Sustainable Infrastructure
- Water Conservation
- Water and Wastewater Education
More Information
- The Rural Development Rural Utilities Service serves as an extension of RUS's commitment to providing technical assistance to America's small and rural drinking water treatment plants.
- Small Systems Information and Guidance - Tools, pdf downloads, affordability and rate-setting, plus information for tribes provided by the EPA.
- Small Systems and Capacity Development - EPA designed this section to help improve the technical, financial and managerial capacity of small systems. Includes a range of tools to help small water systems operators and owners understand Safe Drinking Water Act regulatory requirements and capacity-building concepts.
- Wastewater in Small Communities - This site, developed by EPA, is intended for anyone interested in improving wastewater services in small communities, including: small systems operators, community leaders, non-governmental organizations, other federal agencies and the general public.