The Infrastructure Task Force (ITF) has identified operations and maintenance funding including support of tribal capacity development as a barrier to increasing access to safe drinking water and wastewater disposal in Indian country. Understanding operations and maintenance (O&M) costs of tribal drinking water and wastewater systems is an important step in understanding the financial capacity of tribally operated utilities. This capacity directly impacts: a tribe’s ability to maintain water system regulatory compliance and the longevity of the infrastructure funded by extensive national investment.   The proposed survey will assess the difference in O&M spending levels at benchmark tribal utilities deemed to be adequately funded to a random sample of tribal utilities.

• Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities: Recommended Approach to Assessing Operations and Maintenance Costs (PDF)(83 pp, 1 MB, 7/8/14)
  Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities: Recommended Approach to Assessing Operations and Maintenance Costs