vvEPA FACT SHEET Tackling Emerging Contaminant (TEC) Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) The presence of emerging contaminants and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water poses risks to public health in communities nationwide. The objective of the Tackling Emerging Contaminants (TEC) Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) initiative is to support small or disadvantaged communities assess and address emerging contaminants and PFAS in drinking water, help connect more communities to historic federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and help communities to comply with the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. TEC aims to further administration of the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) grant program by delivering direct, community-centered technical assistance tailored to meet the unique needs of each water system, ensuring public understanding, and addressing public concerns through engagement and outreach. Technical Assistance Services TEC WaterTA assists small or disadvantaged communities nationwide to assess and address emerging contaminants and PFAS challenges in their public water system. The initiative offers no-cost services to help water systems develop: • Sampling and analysis activities, including initial diagnostic monitoring, sampling plans, laboratory analyses, and water quality evaluation reports. • Technical plans, including alternatives analysis, preliminary engineering reports, and source water contaminant identification, mitigation evaluations and plans. • Implementation support / funding deliverables, including identifying funding options and preparation of funding application materials such as cost estimates or preliminary engineering reports. • Operational training support, including sampling training, operator training for new treatment systems, operation manuals, and standard operating procedures. • Community engagement plans, including developing outreach and engagement strategies in collaboration with the water system, identifying community-based partners and stakeholders, identifying and hosting public events and other opportunities to engage with and solicit feedback from community members, and sharing relevant and accessible information with the public. Additionally, EPA will develop tools and case studies to share information and best practices between the Agency, state and Tribal programs, water systems, and community leaders. TEC WaterTA initiative offers services that help build capacity for a community to apply for funding; it does not provide direct funding. Eligibility Communities that meet the EC-SDC grant eligibility requirements may be considered to receive technical assistance through EPA's TEC initiative. A community is considered 'small' or 'disadvantaged' when it meets at least one of the following criteria: • "Disadvantaged Community" is one determined by the state to be disadvantaged under the affordability criteria established by the state under section 1452(d)(3) of the Safe Drinking Water Act or may become a disadvantaged community as a result of carrying out a project or activity under the grant program. • "Small Community" is one that had a population of less than 10,000 individuals and lacks the capacity to incur debt sufficient to finance a project or activity. EPA 810-F-24-043 ------- For More Information For more information about EPA's ongoing technical assistance programs, please visit www.epa.gov/waterta. Communities can request TEC WaterTA assistance by completing the WaterTA request form at: https://www.epa.gov/waterinfrastructure/forms/water-technical-assistance-request-form. Page 2 of 2 ------- |