Premium
Marshaling Resources to Support Drinking Water Operators
Author(s) -
Bergman Ronald W.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2008.tb09593.x
Subject(s) - agency (philosophy) , work (physics) , computer science , business , engineering , mechanical engineering , epistemology , philosophy
This article discusses efforts by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to focus expertise at the national level to provide targeted and improved support to the individuals at the local level, so that they have the best information to make the right decisions for the consumer. The article stresses the importance of collaboration and networking with partner organizations, and describes the USEPA's training efforts to maximize the number of people who can provide assistance to the utility operator. The USEPA also uses web‐based training (webcasts) to reach state field staff, technical assistance providers, and the drinking water operators in the field. When preparing for rule implementation, the USEPA works to bring together the national experts to advise utility operators and partner organizations who support them. The article focuses on compliance training for arsenic treatment technologies, and discusses the USEPA's arsenic information warehouse that offers detailed information on the following topics: various arsenic treatment options; decision trees for mitigation strategies; obtaining the necessary tools to work with vendors; and, locating vendors for different treatment technologies. The Check Up Program for Small Systems (CUPSS) is presented, which allows an operator to look at a utility holistically to determine where improvements may need to be made. Increasing concerns over operator recruitment and retention are discussed.