Guidance Manual for Regional Capacity Development Coordinator Role and Responsibilities
Revised Article
Hey there! Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of the Regional Capacity Development Coordinator Handbook. This handy guide is a lifesaver for folks stepping into the EPA Regional Coordinator role, particularly those overseeing capacity development programs for public water systems.
The handbook primarily focuses on the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and how it affects the capacity development of drinking water systems. It does this by addressing various key areas, which we'll break down below:
1. Building Capacity
The handbook highlights the importance of enhancing the technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) capacity of drinking water systems to ensure they deliver safe water and comply with the SDWA. It touches on the EPA’s Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) initiatives, supporting communities in surfacing water challenges, building capacity, and securing funds for improvements. You'll find initiatives such as battling emerging contaminants like PFAS and assisting small or disadvantaged community systems with tailored technical aid.
2. Meeting Regulatory Requirements
The handbook provides guidance to help public water systems (PWSs) understand and adhere to SDWA regulations. You'll find useful tools and resources for maintaining ongoing compliance, including assistance on risk and resilience assessments (RRAs) and emergency response plans (ERPs). Keep in mind that the America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) Section 2013 requires community water systems serving over 3,300 people to periodically review and certificate their RRAs and ERPs to the EPA.
3. Support for Smaller Communities
The handbook covers grant programs and funding opportunities targeting small, underserved, or disadvantaged communities. For example, it references grants like the Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities Drinking Water Grant, which supports TMF capacity building, treatment projects, system consolidation, household water testing, and emergency contamination response efforts. These grants aim to improve long-term drinking water solutions for systems with histories of SDWA violations.
4. Asset Management
The handbook emphasizes the importance of implementing asset management programs to sustain and enhance water infrastructure, thereby improving operational capacity and compliance with safety standards.
5. Training and Resources
The handbook offers information on training for drinking water professionals and public officials to boost knowledge and operational skills related to capacity development and SDWA compliance. This includes continuous education programs to motivate utilities to develop resilience and emergency preparedness plans, even without direct federal mandates.
6. Emerging Contaminants and Contamination Incident Resilience
You'll find initiatives within the handbook to help PWSs assess and manage emerging contaminants, improve contamination incident response, and bolster overall system resilience. The EPA's Water Laboratory Alliance (WLA) and Tackling Emerging Contaminants (TEC) programs are examples of resources offered to boost PWS capacity to handle contamination risks.
In summary, the Regional Capacity Development Coordinator Handbook offers a thorough understanding of capacity development for PWSs, SDWA compliance, assistance for disadvantaged small systems through grants and technical assistance, asset management practices, training, and addressing emerging contaminants to maintain safe drinking water and protect public health.
