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Sustaining Our Nation s
Wa.ter1'hfrastructure
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'nsuring the sustainability of our nation's water and
iwastewater infrastructure is not just an EPA challenge—
it is everyone's challenge. By supporting collaborations over
conflicts and results over methods, we are working with our
utility and private sector partners to develop the solutions for
managing and sustaining our shared infrastructure assets."
Stephen L. Johnson
Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Never Take It For Granted
Every day we benefit from the environmental, public
health, social, and economic benefits that clean
and safe water provide. One of the most critical
challenges facing the nation is how to sustain our water
and wastewater infrastructure to ensure that the public
can continue to enjoy these benefits in the future.
Our wastewater and drinking water systems are aging,
with some system components older than 100 years.
Our growing and shifting population requires investment
for new infrastructure and maintenance of existing infra-
structure. Current treatment strategies, technologies,
and management approaches may not be adequate to
address emerging issues; investment in research and
development has declined; and the prospects for contin-
ued large federal investment are limited.
In the last 20 years, communities across the country
spent approximately $1 trillion on drinking water treat-
ment and supply and wastewater treatment and disposal.
While this spending is significant, it may not be sufficient
to ensure the delivery of sustainable drinking water and
wastewater services in the decades ahead.
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EPA's Clean Water and Drinking
Water Infrastructure Gap Analysis
(2002) estimated that if capital
investment and operations and
maintenance remained at current
levels, the potential funding short-
fall for drinking water and waste-
water infrastructure could exceed
$500 billion by 2020. This report also pointed out that
drinking water and wastewater systems will need to use
a combination of increased investment and innovative
management practices and technologies to close this
gap. Finally, the study noted that the funding gap would
shrink dramatically if investment by utilities were to
increase at a real growth rate of three percent per year.
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Facing the Challenge
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), led by the
Office of Water, has launched the Sustainable Water
Infrastructure (SI) initiative. EPA is collaborating with
drinking water and wastewater utility managers, trade associa-
tions, local watershed protection organizations, and state and
local officials to help ensure that our nation's precious water
infrastructure is sustainable in the future. Working as an advo-
cate and sharing information on best practices, tools, innovative
technologies, and research and development break-throughs,
EPA is working with many partners to fundamentally change the
way the nation views and manages its water infrastructure. To
learn about the most recent developments, visit
.
In addition to supporting adoption of state-of-the-art manage-
ment approaches by utilities, including management of decen-
tralized facilities, we are promoting research and development
for promising new technologies and techniques to increase
effectiveness and reduce drinking water distribution and waste-
water conveyance system costs. We also will explore new design
concepts for future systems.
EPA is only one partner in this effort. Throughout this initiative,
we will continue to focus heavily on providing information and
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tools to our state partners, third party
assistance providers, and associations
who serve as the primary deliverers of
assistance to local utility managers.
Our SI activities are organized around the
following four priority areas, or pillars.
1. Better Management—to shift the utility management model
beyond compliance to sustainability and improved performance
by focusing on utility management systems, such as environ-
mental management systems (EMS) and asset management,
capacity development for smaller utilities, and selection of inno-
vative, cost-effective technologies.
2. Full Cost Pricing—to help utilities recognize their full costs
for providing service over the long-term and to implement pric-
ing structures that effectively recover costs and promote envi-
ronmentally sound decisions by customers.
3. Water Efficiency—to promote water efficiency in the residen-
tial and commercial sector through WaterSenseSM, a new market
enhancement program for water efficient products and services.
Under this pillar, EPA also is facilitating the establishment of an
independent, national collaborative organization committed to
improving water efficiency, promoting improved building and
landscaping practices, and recognizing leadership in water effi-
ciency.
4. The Watershed Approach—to encourage the adoption of water-
shed management principles and tools into utility planning and
management practices, so that key decision makers consider
watershed-based, cost effective alternatives along with tradition-
al treatment technology investment choices. Watershed man-
agement approaches include, but are not limited to, source
water protection, water quality trading, centralized management
of decentralized systems, and smart growth approaches to
stormwater and wastewater management.
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Overview of the Four Pillars
Better Management
Effective utility management is key to achieving sustainable water
infrastructure. Effective management can help utilities enhance the
stewardship of their infrastructure, improve performance in many
critical areas, better control costs, and respond to other challenges.
EPA's goal is that, by 2020, utilities will have adopted, or be in the
process of adopting, sustainable management systems and practices and
cost-effective technologies. EPA is focusing on the following areas:
Utility Management Systems—We have signed a major agreement with
six national water and wastewater associations to promote more effective
utility management practices through the use of environmental manage-
ment systems and other innovative approaches like asset management.
In addition, we will continue to directly support training and information
sharing on proven management tools like EMS, asset management,
and others.
Capacity Development and Assistance for Small Systems—Working closely
with states and other technical assistance providers, we are supporting
small and disadvantaged communities with technical, managerial, and
financial assistance to help improve their capacity to meet regulatory
requirements, enhance performance, and promote long-term sustainability.
Cost-Effective Technology Selection—We are sharing technical information
to help utilities evaluate, select, and operate technologies for optimal
performance and minimal life-cycle costs.
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Full Cost Pricing
On average, each person in the United States uses 100 gallons of
water a day and pays $1.30 per day for water and wastewater serv-
ices. The Full Cost Pricing pillar is helping utilities recognize the
full cost of providing efficient and environmentally sound service and to
implement a pricing structure designed to recover costs and promote
water efficiency. We are focusing on the following areas:
Techniques for Recognizing and Implementing the Full Cost of Providing
Service—Full cost pricing is generally interpreted to mean factoring all
costs—past, present, and future operations, maintenance, and capital
costs—into prices and rate structures. We are initiating a campaign to
educate and assist utilities, government leaders, and the public on the
importance of full cost recognition. We have convened an expert work-
group to fully develop a conceptual model and have published case
studies and a guide on full cost pricing for small drinking water utilities.
Options for Achieving Greater Cost
Efficiency—Some systems are
concerned about the willingness
of their customers to pay the
full cost of service. We will con-
tinue to work with these sys-
tems and state agencies to help
them engage their customers in
a dynamic discussion regarding
the level of service and perform-
ance customers expect and the
cost at which that level of serv-
ice can be delivered.
TOTAL WATER CHARGES
Water Questions? Call the WaterCompany
01222-333-4444
WaterTlouble? Call 222-333-4444 {24 hours]
Office Hour*: Mondaythni Friday W» am to 4i30 pm
ACCOUNT INFORMATION
TOTAL SEWER CHARGES
Sewer Questions? Call Department ofEnvironnlental
Services at 222-333-4444
Sewer Trouble? Call 222-333-4444124 hours]
Office Hours: Moixlaythni Friday &00 am to 4«K)pm
WATER AND SEWER BILLING SUMMARY
John Doe
1234S.BenningtonSt
03/26/00
I-1OO8001-A
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Water Efficiency
Improved water efficiency can reduce the strain on aging water and
wastewater utilities and can sometimes delay or even eliminate the
need for costly new construction to expand system capacity. We are
working to foster a national ethic of water efficiency, so that water is
valued as a limited resource that should be used wisely. To accomplish
this, we are focusing on the following areas:
WaterSenseSM Market Enhancement Program—
We have launched WaterSenseSM, an innovative
partnership program to promote water-efficient
products and services. The WaterSense label will
identify products that have undergone third-party
testing to ensure both their performance and water
efficiency. The program also includes a public outreach campaign.
A
US. EPA H^
WaterSense
National Organization to Foster Water Efficiency—We are supporting the
formation of the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE). This new national
organization will promote product improvements and support research
into new technologies for saving water.
Water Efficiency Leaders—The Water Efficiency Leaders program recog-
nizes organizations and individuals who are providing leadership and
innovation in the efficient use of water. Intended to inspire and moti-
vate others, this awards program will enable EPA to document best
practices, share information, and create a network of water efficiency
leaders.
Water Efficiency in Buildings and Landscapes—We are working with stake-
holders in the home building industry to establish guidelines for the con-
struction of water-efficient new homes. We are also working to incorpo-
rate water-efficiency elements into building rating systems, such as the
U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System®.
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Watershed Approach
Utilities and other decision makers need to evaluate a broad array
of traditional and other watershed-based tools as they make key
water infrastructure decisions. EPA is striving for a more integrat-
ed approach to watershed planning that helps reduce future infrastruc-
ture costs or, in certain cases, provides alternatives to traditional infra-
structure approaches. Examples of our current focus areas include:
Source Water Protection—Watershed approaches can reduce pollutant
loadings and contamination of drinking water sources, thereby reducing
the need for expensive treatment systems. Watershed approaches can
also be used to ensure adequate water supplies.
Water Quality Trading—We are working closely with states and offering
guidance on how to promote innovative trading approaches to maximize
the benefits of actions within a watershed where they realize the
highest gains.
Decentralized Onsite Infrastructure Management—Decentralized onsite
approaches can be used to cost-effectively manage wastewater and
stormwater systems. Many communities are successfully using manage-
ment strategies in combination with conventional infrastructure solutions.
Watershed Approaches to NPDES Permitting—EPA is providing guidance
on how utilities can incorporate a watershed approach to NDPES per-
mits to maximize the benefits of a coordinated basin-wide approach.
Sustainable Watershed Financing—The Office of Water is working closely
with EPA's Environmental Finance Advisory Board and Environmental
Finance Centers to develop tools, case studies, and demonstration proj-
ects to implement innovative watershed-based financing strategies.
Watershed Approaches to Restoring Impaired Waters—We are developing
case studies, models and other tools to help states and local govern-
ments restore impaired waters using the watershed approach. We have
published the Draft Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to
Restore and Protect Our Waters and will provide training and workshops
on watershed planning techniques and approaches.
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RURAL WATER
RRWA 6
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Sustainable Water Infrastructure
Contacts
Sustainable Infrastructure Coordinator
Andy Grassland
Municipal Support Division
U.S. EPA Headquarters
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mail Code: 4204M
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 202-564-0574
E-mail: crossland.andy@epa.gov
EPA Headquarters Pillar Coordinators
Better Management
Jim Home
Office of Wastewater Management
U.S. EPA Headquarters
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mail Code: 4204M
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 202-564-0571
FAX: 202-501-2338
E-mail: horne.james@epa.gov
Water Efficiency
Cynthia Simbanin
Office of Wastewater Management
U.S. EPA Headquarters
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mail Code: 4204M
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 202-564-3837
E-mail: simbanin.cynthia@epa.gov
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Full Cost Pricing
Peter E. Shanaghan
Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water
U.S. EPA Headquarters
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mail Code: 4606M
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 202-564-3848
E-mail: shanaghan.peter@epa.gov
Watershed Approach
Robert L Goo
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and
Watersheds
U.S. EPA Headquarters
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mail Code: 4503T
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 202-566-1201
E-mail: goo.robert@epa.gov
Cindy Mack
Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water
U.S. EPA Headquarters
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mail Code: 4604M
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 202-564-6280
E-mail: mack.cindy-y@epa.gov
Research and Development
Dan Murray
U.S. EPA Facilities
26 West Martin Luther King Drive
Mail Code: 689
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Phone: 513-569-7522
E-mail: murray.dan@epa.gov
EPA Regional Liaisons
Region 1
Jackie LeClair
U.S. EPA Region 1
1 Congress Street
Suite 1100-CMU
Boston, MA 02114-2023
Phone: 617-918-1549
FAX: 617-918-0549
E-mail: leclair.jackie@epa.gov
Region 2
Stephen R. Vida, P.E.
State Revolving Fund Team Leader
U.S. EPA, Region 2
290 Broadway - 24th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Phone: 212-637-3862
Fax: 212-637-3891
E-mail: vida.stephen@epa.gov
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Region 3
Don Niehus
SRF Team Leader
Water Protection Division
U.S. EPA Region 3
1650 Arch Street
Mail Code: 3WP50
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 215-814-5705
FAX: 215-814-2782
E-mail: niehus.don@epa.gov
Region 4
Bob Freeman
AFC 15th Floor
U.S. EPA Region 4
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303-8960
Phone: 404-562-9244
E-mail: freeman.bob@epa.gov
Region 5
Russ Martin
U.S. EPA Region 5
77 West Jackson Boulevard
Mail Code: WN-16J
Chicago, IL 60604-3507
Phone: 312-886-0268
E-mail: martin.russell@epa.gov
Region 6
Maurice Rawls, Chief
SRF & Projects Section
U.S. EPA Region 6
1445 Ross Avenue
Suite 1200
Mail Code: 6WQ-AP
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214-665-8049
E-mail: rawls.maurice@epa.gov
Region 7
Morris Holmes
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 North Fifth Street
Mail Code: WWPDDRWM
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-9421
FAX: 913-551-9421
E-mail: holmes.morris@epa.gov
Region 8
Elaine Lai
U.S. EPA Region 8 (8P-W-WW)
999 18th Street, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-312-6263
E-mail: lai.elaine@epa.gov
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Region 9 Region 10
John Ong Dan Steinborn
U.S. EPA Region 9 Office of Water and Watersheds
75 Hawthorne Street U.S. EPA Region 10
Mail Code: WTR-3 1200 Sixth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94105 Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 415-972-3403 Phone: 206-553-2728
FAX: 415-947-3537 FAX: 206-553-0165
E-mail: ong.john@epa.gov E-mail: steinborn.daniel@epa.gov
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water (4204M)
August 2006
www.epa.gov/water/infrastructure
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Sustainable Water Infrastructure
Tools & Resources
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There are a many tools and other resources to help educate utilities, states,
and the public on various aspects of sustainable infrastructure. The list
below identifies some of the most important. To learn more about this
important topic we encourage you to obtain copies of these tools and to consult
EPA's sustainable infrastructure Web site at .
Contents
Better Management 2
Full Cost Pricing 4
Water Efficiency 5
Watershed Approach 6
Additional Web Resources... ,...6
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water (4204M)
EPA-832-F-06-026
August 2006
www.epa.gov/water/infrastructure
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Better Management
"Attributes of Sustainably Managed Utilities" List and Utility Profiles
In July 2005, EPA hosted a meeting with a number of leading utilities to dis-
cuss ways to encourage other utilities to adopt sustainable management
approaches. A major output of that meeting was a list of "Attributes of
Sustainably Managed Utilities" and a series of profiles of several leading utili-
ties. A summary of this meeting along with the Attributes and Utility Profiles is
available at .
An Environmental Management Systems Handbook
for Wastewater Utilities
The EMS Wastewater Handbook provides a step-by-step guide for wastewater
utilities to use when developing an environmental management system (EMS)
for their operations. The handbook provides case examples, data, sample docu-
mentation and other tips from several wastewater utilities that have successful-
ly implemented EMSs. Access the handbook at , the
Office of Water Resource Center at , or the
Public Entity Environmental Management System Resource (PEER) Center at
.
PEER EMS Local Resource Centers
Eleven PEER EMS Local Resource Centers are operating around the country
that can help water and wastewater utilities, as well as other local government
operations implement environmental management systems for their facilities.
These centers offer a range of training and other forms of technical assistance.
A full description of the PEER Resource Centers can be found at
.
Asset Management: A Handbook for Small Water Systems
(EPA 816-R-03-016, September 2003)
EPA has developed a "Simple Tools for Effective Performance" (STEP) Guide
that emphasizes how effective asset management is a key element of small
system sustainability. Various sample worksheets are provided to help small
systems organize data and determine the best approach to maintenance and
replacement of major physical assets. An electronic copy of the document can
be found by at .
Taking Stock of Your Water System: A Simple Asset Inventory Guide for
Very Small Drinking Water Systems (EPA 816-K-03-002, October 2004)
EPA has developed a STEP Guide to assist very small systems in conducting a
simple inventory of infrastructure for capital planning purposes. This STEP
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Guide can help these types of water systems run properly and ensure that the
drinking water they produce is reliable, safe and affordable. An electronic copy
of the document can be found at .
Strategic Planning: A Handbook for Small Water Systems (EPA 816-R-
03-015, September 2003)
EPA has developed a STEP Guide to assist small systems in strategic planning.
The guide provides worksheets and related tools to help systems organize data
and systematically assess their strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and oppor-
tunities. This guide is based on the strategic planning workshops held around
the country in 2000. An electronic copy of the document can be found at
.
Sources of Technical and Financial Assistance for Small Drinking
Water Systems (EPA 816-K-02-005, July 2002)
EPA has developed a guide that identifies major sources of technical and
financial assistance specifically targeted at small drinking water systems. Each
listing describes the source's mission and types of assistance that can be pro-
vided, and lists contact information. An electronic version of the document can
be found at .
TEAMS (Total Electronic Asset Management System) Asset Management
Software for Small Utilities
Developed by the Maryland Center for Environmental Training (MCET), this
software is targeted for small wastewater utilities and is accompanied by a
training tool kit which includes training modules on a range of asset manage-
ment topics. The software can be obtained by visiting the MCET Web site and
submitting an e-mail request at and click on "Training Workshops."
WERF's Sustainable Infrastructure Management Program Learning
Environment (SIMPLE)
EPA has collaborated on the development of an intuitive and interactive Web-
based asset management strategy tool, SIMPLE, which has been developed
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under the aegis of a Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) research
project (03-CTS-14). SIMPLE contains a set of user-friendly online processes
and practice guidelines, templates, and decision support tools that utilities and
wastewater industry professionals can apply to asset management. For more
information, visit and click on "interactive tools."
NACWA's Managing Public Infrastructure Assets to Minimize Cost and
Maximize Performance
This handbook, funded by EPA, establishes an understanding of asset manage-
ment principles and program benefits and assists public water and wastewater
utilities with the development of asset management programs. To obtain a
copy, visit .
IPWEA's International Infrastructure Management Manual
(2006 Edition)
Published by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia, the 2006 edi-
tion of the International Infrastructure Management Manual is the premier
handbook on asset management practices and provides a detailed road map for
preparing an asset management plan. The manual contains extensive informa-
tion on benchmarking, condition grading, valuations, asset hierarchy structures,
and information systems. It presents simple economic evaluation tools and
other techniques for project decision-making and prioritization. To obtain a copy
of the manual, visit .
Full Cost Pricing
Setting Small Drinking Water System Rates for A Sustainable Future
(EPA 816-R-05-006, January 2006)
This document helps water utilities consider whether their rate structures suffi-
ciently address the costs of ensuring safe and clean water. Written for owners
and operators of small community drinking water systems serving 3,300 or
fewer persons, this guide explains the full costs of providing a safe and ade-
quate supply of drinking water to customers, and how to set water rates that
will support these costs. Systems that will find this guide useful are small pub-
licly or privately owned entities whose primary business is providing drinking
water, as well as homeowner associations and manufactured housing commu-
nities. An electronic version of the document can be found at and .
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Consolidated Water Rates: Issues and Practices in Single-Tariff Pricing
(EPA 1999)
This report addresses the full cost pricing pillar by providing an overview and a
discussion of the complex trade-offs involved in implementing consolidated
ratemaking. Jointly published by EPA and the National Association of
Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), this report can be accessed at
.
Case Studies of Sustainable Water and Wastewater Pricing
(EPA 816-R-05-007, December 2005)
Communities all across the country, both rural and urban, are making efforts
towards sustainable pricing for drinking water and wastewater systems. This
document provides real-world examples of how eight drinking water systems
made decisions on determining and establishing appropriate rates that will
help them to better recover the costs of running their systems. Access these
studies at .
Water Efficiency
American Water Works Association's (AWWA) WaterWiser interactive
Web site
This water efficiency clearinghouse was developed and launched under a cooper-
ative agreement with EPA and provides information about water conservation,
efficiency, and demand management to utilities, water managers, and the public.
California Urban Water Conservation Council's (CUWCC) H20USE Water
Saver Home Web Site
This Web site was developed under an EPA cooperative agreement for home-
owners and other consumers to learn about water saving opportunities.
Guidelines for Water Reuse (EPA 625/R-04/108, September 2004)
These guidelines present and summarize water reuse for utilities and regulatory
agencies. The guidelines cover water reclamation for non-potable urban, indus-
trial, and agricultural reuse, as well as augmentation of potable water supplies
through indirect reuse. Technical, regulatory, legal, funding, and public involve-
ment issues related to water reuse are discussed. These guidelines are available
at .
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Water Conservation Plan Guidelines (EPA-832-D-98-001, August 1998)
These guidelines provide information to water systems planners to help them
develop local and statewide water conservation plans. These voluntary guide-
lines provide information on water conservation planning, criteria, guidelines
and measures, as well as how to incorporate water conservation into infrastruc-
ture planning. These guidelines are available at .
Implementing Water Quality Trading through NPDES Permitting
This document is currently in draft form and has not yet been published. It
will describe the concept of water quality trading and illustrate several options
for incorporating trading into NPDES permits. The guidance will show a step-
by-step process starting with the decision by stakeholders that a trade is feasi-
ble and a trading framework is in place, to the final permit. It will also include
an appendix of 16 actual trades that illustrate the options.
Additional Web Resources
Sustainable Water Infrastructure for the 21st Century
The Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Gap Analysis estimates the
funding gap from 2000 to 2019 for drinking water and wastewater systems.
The report considers both capital investment and maintenance and explains
how the projections are calculated. Approximately 54,000 community water
systems and 21,4100 noncommunity water systems are covered, as well as
16,000 publicly owned water treatment works.
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New Development: Smart Growth
The Smart Growth initiative addresses how and where new development should
be accommodated based on the economy, the environment, and the communi-
ty. Healthy communities, economic development, and jobs, strong neighbor-
hoods, and good transportation choices are priorities.
Drinking Water Capacity Development Web Site
States and water systems work together through capacity development to
ensure that safe drinking water can be provided consistently, reliably, and cost-
effectively. The collaboration also works to achieve the health objectives of the
1996 Safe Drinking Water Act. Using capacity development, states can target
the technical, financial and managerial needs of the many small systems that
account for the majority of public water systems.
EPA's Water Efficiency Web Site
This site provides information on the benefits of water efficiency and strategies
for the long-term conservation of water resources through the employment of
water saving technologies.
Effective Water Sector Utility Management Statement
EPA and several partners issued a statement to explain the efforts they will
make to promote effective utility management in order to sustain the Nation's
water and wastewater infrastructure. The partners include both government
and industry representatives.
Dawn of the Replacement Era: Reinvesting in Drinking Water
Infrastructure
This report discusses the findings of a study conducted by the American
Waterworks Association on best practices for replacing and maintaining
the infrastructure.
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dEPA
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water (4204M)
EPA-852-E-06-004
August 2006
www.epa.gov/water/infrastructure
nted with vegetable oil based inks on 100% postconsumer,
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