Do small water systems have the resources or know-how to participate in the Partnership?
Yes. Generally speaking, though, small systems have fewer staff with more daily obligations outside of the water treatment plant. As a result, some small systems but not all will need additional help in completing certain steps in the Partnership. DEP s Water System Outreach Program is available to assist small systems with basic computer skills and offers other types of technical support. In addition, before 2004, DEP has loaned equipment as an incentive for small water system involvement (systems serving less than 10,000 people) if the system did not already have the equipment. This equipment includes turbidimeters and recorders as well as computers capable of operating the Partnership software and communications software. DEP s surface water treatment specialists will especially help small water systems under the premise that these systems will remain optimized for the long haul if their operations staff learn from the Partnership experience.
