Small Water Systems: Technical Assistance and TMF Capacity Development

The federal Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 (SDWA) was signed into law in part because of the significant problems of small public water systems (SWS) providing safe, reliable drinking water to their customers. The SDWA emphasized prevention and assistance—both financial and technical—to resolve the problems. The Act includes mandates to the states to deal with SWS concerns through prevention of new non-viable systems and development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy to assist public water systems (PWS) in obtaining adequate capacity.  It also includes the resources and flexibility to accomplish the end objective.

In a comprehensive report prepared for the Legislature in January 1993, the Department of Health Services (now CDPH) concluded that SWS had a significant problem complying with drinking water standards. Thus, populations served by these systems were placed at greater public health risk than the general population. The report concluded that (1) SWS lacked adequate technical and financial capacity to assure the reliable delivery of a pure, safe, and adequate water supply, and (2) the state lacked an effective institutional framework to provide technical and financial assistance and promote regional solutions to public water supply needs.

In 1997 Senate Bill (SB) 1307 became law, enabling the state to effectively implement the provisions of the federal SDWA. This statute establishes a new financial assistance program, the State Revolving Fund (SRF), which enables the state to create a comprehensive technical assistance program for small systems. This legislation also prevents the formation of new PWS (either through creation of a totally new system or change of ownership) unless that system has been certified by the State as having adequate technical, managerial and financial (TMF) capacity to ensure safe, reliable drinking water on a long-term basis.

CDPH has developed TMF capacity criteria based on guidance provided by US EPA, experience in CPDH's Drinking Water Program and Local Primacy Agencies, and experiences of other states. Input has also been received from affected stakeholders and the public.

Go to the TMF Tune-Up.

For more information, contact

Robin Belle Hook, phone: (916) 449-5627, fax: (916) 449-5656, e-mail: robinbelle.hook1@cdph.ca.gov

or write us at:

Technical Support Unit
Drinking Water Program
Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Avenue
P.O. Box 997377, MS 7418
Sacramento, CA  95899-7377

TMF Forms, Assistance, and Other Material: