ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of some of the more prominent technical assistance and training programs that drinking water system personnel access to meet America’s community’s needs. With the passage of the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments by the US Congress, drinking water providers saw some sweeping changes. Small community water personnel face a number of needs including: changing regulations; emerging technologies; operation and maintenance issues; management and finances; continuing education and training; and public education opportunities. Resources and training materials are available to small systems in order to meet the requirements of the SDWA. National Drinking Water Clearinghouse (NDWC) was started in 1991 with a technical assistance and training grant from what was then the Farmers Home Administration of the US Department of Agriculture. The NDWC is emerging from its primary functions of being a clearinghouse and national knowledge base to also serving as a catalyst and facilitator to enhance public awareness and professional skills.
