One of the provisions of the reauthorized 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) required the state develop and implement a capacity development (also called viability assessment) plan to ensure that public water supplies provide safe drinking water to their public at a reasonable cost for the foreseeable future.

Iowa DNR’s Drinking Water Capacity Development program is designed to helping water supply personnel continually develop and improve their ability or “capacity” to serve their customers. There are three main elements of water system capacity, also known as “TMF.”

• Technical: Adequate amounts of water, well maintained infrastructure, current technology, and qualified and knowledgeable staff to operate the system.
• Managerial: An effective organization and governance, accountability, properly certified operators, and good relationships and communications between boards, councils, management and staff.
• Financial: Enough revenue to cover current costs and future needs, fiscal controls, and credit worthiness.

Every three years in September, DNR issues a “Report to the Governor” that describes the capacity development program and activities the accomplishments, challenges, and ongoing activities. This report has been developed for this three-year period, and is available at the Viability Assessment/Capacity Development website.