State Agencies Supporting Water System Partnerships

Maryland Department of the Environment

Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration

State Policies and Programs Regarding Water System Partnerships

DWSRF PRIORITIZATION OF CONSOLIDATION PROJECTS

In 2012, Maryland Department of the Environment published an integrated project priority system for drinking water capital projects, which outlines the criteria for prioritizing projects for funding through the Maryland water quality financing administration. In the priority system, 40 points are assigned to projects that include the consolidation of two or more PWSs. Projects that extend water service to an unserved area will receive 30 points. Projects that address acute water quality problems also receive 40 points. 

TMF ASSESSMENTS

The Capacity Development Program provides TMF assessments that in part determine whether systems are eligible for DWSRF funding. Systems that are determined to lack capacity, and therefore are ineligible for DWSRF funding, are often counseled to consider consolidation, which would be eligible for funding. 

STATE ORDERED CONSOLIDATION OR RESTRUCTURING

Maryland environmental article 9-221 provides authority for the Maryland Department of the Environment to require non-compliant water systems to install a new water or sewage system, or to alter the system to another system in order to address non-compliance (§9-221). 

Helpful Links to State Resources

• Drinking Water Program: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/water/water_supply/pages/index.aspx
• Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Water/WQFA/Pages/drinking_water_fund.aspx
• Capacity Development: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Water/water_supply/CapacityDevelopmentResources/Pages/index.aspx
• Operator Certification: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Water/Water_Supply/Pages/OperatorInformation.aspx/Pages/OperatorGuidance.aspx

Table 2: PWS Statistics 2001-2013