State Agencies Supporting Water System Partnerships

New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)

State Policies and Programs Regarding Water System Partnerships

DWSRF APPLICANTS REQUIRED TO CONSIDER INTERCONNECTIONS

Systems that apply for DWSRF funding must carefully consider interconnection if it will address the scope of the project with respect to its priority health ranking. According to a 2017 NYS DWSRF Intended Use Plan, if a system decides not to pursue a possible interconnection, it has to provide detailed justification "that the interconnection is a technically, financially, or managerially disadvantageous option." In addition, the State Small Systems Technical Assistance set-aside encourages small water systems to consider collaborative/regional approaches like consolidating, forming partnerships, O&M agreements.

DIRECT CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

The NYSDOH's Small Systems Program assists communities in applying for DWSRF funding and performing technical assessments. In addition, the Small Systems Program encourages small water systems to consider collaborative or regional approaches to water supply services, such as consolidating, forming partnerships, and initiating contract operation and maintenance agreements.

IDENTIFYING POSSIBLE SYSTEM CONSOLIDATIONS

The NYSDOH uses a data management system to evaluate system capacity against certain “criteria established in the Capacity Development Program Strategy Report.” This helps identify which systems are in need of capacity development. In consultation with local health department staff, select systems identified as being in “critical” need of capacity development are given direct assistance from either the state or local health department, or from one of NYSDOH’s partners. Such assistance may include engineering support, training, system consolidation, or help with applying for financing.

Helpful Links to State Resources

• Drinking Water Protection Program: http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/
• Operator Certification: http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/operate/opcertfs.htm
• Capacity Development: http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/capacity/
• Final Intended Use Plan – Drinking Water (Issued April 1, 2020): https://www.efc.ny.gov/2020-DW-IUP