EPA Releases New Checklist to Help States Strengthen Drinking Water Systems

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new guidance document to help state partners ensure public water systems meet drinking water standards. The checklist is designed to help state agencies identify, track, and address systemic issues that could lead to disruptions in water services. These issues can include demand in source water nearing capacity, malfunctioning treatment equipment, or frequent water main breaks. The EPA encourages state agencies to track and resolve issues identified during routine public water system assessments, known as sanitary surveys, to prevent systemic issues from becoming a threat to public health. The agency's voluntary guidance provides a series of checklists to supplement existing sanitary survey programs and recommends long-term resolutions for systemic issues. This resource is part of the EPA's efforts to support state and local efforts to upgrade and maintain water infrastructure, including funding opportunities through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan program.