Water System Capacity
What is water system capacity?
We define water system capacity as the system's technical, managerial,
and financial capability to achieve and maintain compliance with all
relevant local, state, and federal plans and regulations. In other
words, the system has the knowledge, tools, and resources to ensure it
can provide safe and reliable drinking water now and into the future.
What are the benefits for systems that achieve a high level of
capacity?
All water systems, regardless of size or other
characteristics, can benefit from a program of continuous
improvement that includes self-assessment, strategic planning,
and monitoring for accountability and performance. Doing so
allows a system to:
- Save costs associated with minimizing liability,
prolonging the useful life of infrastructure, and running
the system efficiently.
- Protect public health by ensuring consistent compliance
with drinking water standards, including federal and state
regulations and other applicable standards of performance.
- Provide service to their existing customers and serve
new customers in the future.
- Request funds from the Drinking Water State Revolving
Fund (DWSRF) loan program.
- Enhance performance beyond compliance through measures
that bring about efficiency, effectiveness, and service
excellence.
What does a water system with capacity look like?
Technical Capacity
|
| Source Water Adequacy |
|
| System Operations |
|
| Infrastructure Adequacy
|
-
The system can reliably produce and deliver an
adequate supply of water that meets all drinking
water standards. This is because its infrastructure,
from source through distribution, is in good
condition, and hasn't exceeded its useful life.
|
Managerial Capacity
|
| Ownership Accountability |
|
| Planning and Performance
Measurement |
-
The governing board develops and periodically
revisits strategic plans, including source water
protection, water rights, emergency preparedness,
future growth demands, finances and asset management
(including short and long-term capital investment),
and service policies.
-
The governing board identifies and implements
accountability and performance measures.
|
| Staff Knowledge and
Training |
-
System personnel have adequate knowledge to
manage operations, understand applicable regulatory
requirements, and have the necessary licenses and
certifications.
-
Owners, managers, and operators receive ongoing
training to stay current on regulatory requirements
and best practices.
|
| Effective External Linkages |
-
System personnel interact regularly with their
customers and regulatory agencies.
-
System personnel build relationships with their
customers, technical assistance providers, and
regulatory agencies to increase their ability to
solve problems quickly.
|
Financial Capacity
|
| Revenue Sufficiency |
-
Rates and other water system charges cover the
full cost of service.
-
System personnel know and can measure all costs
and revenues.
-
Reserves or savings are available for unexpected
expenses.
|
| Fiscal Management |
-
System personnel keep adequate books and
records, use appropriate budgeting, accounting, and
financial planning methods, and manage revenues
effectively.
|
| Credit Worthiness |
-
The system has an established credit rating to
allow personnel to access funds for an emergency or
for implementation of a capital improvement plan.
-
System personnel can access capital for the
system through public or private sources.
|
For More Information
Please contact
Loralei Walker, Capacity Development Coordinator, at (360)
236-3097. |
