The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) services

We live in an information-rich society whose demands for timely and accurate data touch every aspect of our lives – from the number of steps we take a day to the complex algorithms that provide us with location-specific weather forecasts up to the minute. As demands for data transparency and access focus increasingly on public health and individual wellness, the importance of high-quality environmental and public health data, too, grows. As easy as it is to check for rain in the next hour or have a cup of coffee delivered to our doors, how accessible is information about the water quality coming from our taps?

Capacity Development is a process for water systems to acquire and maintain adequate technical, managerial and financial (TMF) capacity. TMF capacity enables water systems to have the capability to consistently provide safe drinking water to the public. Capacity development is a fundamental component of the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments. The SDWA Amendments provide a framework for states and water systems to work together to protect public health. Every state has developed a Capacity Development Program to assist public water systems in building TMF capacity. Any water system can implement capacity development activities to increase their TMF capacity. Small systems can especially benefit from capacity development. EPA is committed to helping small water systems provide safe drinking water through publications, training, and technical and financial assistance.