Challenges faced by small-water systems that might indicate such a system needs to consider consolidating its management with larger water systems that have more resources were presented at an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) webinar held Aug 27, 2024.

“‘Failing drinking-water systems’ is a phrase used to describe small-water-systems that consistently fail to provide a safe source of drinking water,” said Chad Fischer, a supervising engineer with the California State Water Resources Control Board, which has used the Safe and Affordable Funding or Equity and Resilience (SAFER) program to help struggling water systems to continue providing safe drinking water.