In the Fall 2009 issue of Aqua Talk, the division ran an article on how collaboration amongst small utility boards, operators, and the public helps ensure communities are provided with clean, safe drinking water. We thought it would be a good time to revisit this information and highlight its importance.
A water board’s primary responsibility is to provide consistently safe drinking water to its community. There are various elements the board must implement to ensure that happens.
- The water board must retain a Certified Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) that holds a certificate in a class equal to or higher than the class of the water system;
- Foster a water system that is protective of its source water;
- Employ treatment techniques appropriate to the quality of the raw water;
- Prevent recontamination in storage takes and distribution lines;
- Meet all regulatory monitoring and reporting requirements;
- Provide consumers with water quality information;
- Notify consumers of any health threats; and
- Obtain approval prior to the construction of new facilities.
Clear communication between the board, the ORC, and the state is a collaborative effort and is necessary to provide the community with clean, safe drinking water. Clear communication means establishing and maintaining well-defined duties and expectations, operation and maintenance manuals, standard operating procedures, well-organized records, and financial planning for future repairs, upgrades, and emergencies.
A well-organized board of directors has established procedures for the recruitment, selection, and orientation of new members. The board should have a mission statement, bylaws, and personnel and procurement policies that are regularly updated. The board must protect its community by providing adequate liability insurance, financial procedures and oversight, and strategic planning. Boards should meet regularly, provide minutes of meetings, retain an organized file of copies of all system records, and continually monitor the performance of the water systems’ services and compliance records.
Strategic planning is an approach that systematically shapes the future of a water system. It creates a framework for establishing goals, working towards those goals, and evaluating progress that can increase the water system’s efficiency and effectiveness. Strategic planning also helps ensure that the water system has the funds available to support ongoing repair and maintenance needs and to fund capital improvements, as necessary. The development of a strategic plan should be done in cooperation with the system’s operations staff, the board, and members of the community. Strategic plans are never “finished” and the board should make sure that it revisits its strategic plan at least annually.
A board should understand the basics of its water system’s facilities and equipment so it is able to make informed decisions and provide leadership that increases the system’s quality, efficiency, and sustainability. It is important to note that unless certified, board members should never attempt to operate the water system or make process control and/or system integrity decisions as those are reserved to the ORC. Only certified operators may perform operations, adjust the water system, or supervise the repair and replacement of system components. The board’s function is to ensure the water system has the required staff, equipment, guidance, and financial support.
If you would like to receive water board training to help build your board's technical, managerial, and financial capacity please fill out a drinking water coach request form.
Source: Water Board Basics for Small Water Systems in Colorado, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
➽ Jessica Morgan, Facility and Operator Outreach and Certification Board Liaison
