(TLP:CLEAR) EPA Releases Systemic Issues Checklist to Help States Strengthen Drinking Water Systems
Created: Thursday, August 27, 2026 - 15:26
Categories: Federal & State Resources, General Security and Resilience
Summary: Earlier this month, EPA released a Systemic Issues Checklist to help state drinking water agencies identify, track, and resolve problems at public water systems before they threaten service reliability or public health. The guidance was developed in partnership with states and the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators.
Analyst Note: According to EPA, this guidance was developed to help state agencies identify, track, and address systemic issues. Systemic issues are problems that could eventually lead to a disruption of water services if a failure were to occur. These problems could include demand in source water nearing capacity, malfunctioning treatment equipment, or frequent water main breaks. Systemic issues like these can often be identified during routine public water system assessments and resolved before drinking water is jeopardized. The checklist offers a structured framework for proactive system management that complements EPA’s broader support ecosystem, including the RealWaterTA technical assistance initiative, more than $6.5 billion in Drinking Water State Revolving Fund allocations, and approximately $11 billion in WIFIA financing — with WIFIA covering up to 80% of project costs for small and rural communities.
The Systemic Issues Checklist is available on EPA’s sanitary survey page as well as on EPA’s SDWA capacity development state resources webpage.
In addition, water and wastewater utilities are encouraged to review EPA’s Office of Water and Emergency Response (OWERC) free resources, products, and services that can help with strengthening operational resilience. In particular, OWERC’s Strengthening Water Infrastructure for Tomorrow (SWIFT) Program is intended to help water and wastewater utilities strengthen their resilience to natural hazards and disasters.
Original Source: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-issues-new-checklist-help-states-proactively-strengthen-drinking-water-systems
Additional Reading:
Related WaterISAC PIRs: 16 & 17