Full Description

The Montana Public Water Supply Program (PWSP) has undergone significant changes as a result of the 1986 amendments to the SDWA. Effective traditional activities such as plan review, sanitary surveys and technical assistance are now performed primarily through contracted services rather than by program staff. Many state PWSPs similarly lack resources to address these important preventive activities. Staff now perform primarily regulatory and enforcement activities. This paper provides several significant issues that have been addressed in Montana: backlog in applications; a cumbersome plan review process; confusing and conflicting regulatory requirements; difficult and expensive plan review processes; and difficult and expensive approval protocol for small water systems. Although support for public health and environmental programs still appears to be strong, the overall political climate is not conducive to state PWSP capacity building nor to unnecessary "barriers." Plan review is consequently now performed primarily by a consultant. Although the author prefers that PWSP staff perform most or all plan review, it appears that contracted review will be necessary for the foreseeable future. Plan review procedures have been streamlined, especially for small systems. Special consideration has been given to the approval protocol for small system treatment technology.

Product Details

Published: 01/01/1995 ISBN(s): 0898678358 Number of Pages: 5File Size: 1 file , 190 KB