The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was amended by Congress in August of 1996. The intent of this re-authorization was to provide the States with a comprehensive approach to ensure that all citizens would be provided with safe drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has elected to enforce this legislation in a flexible manner, allowing each State to work within a framework suited to its own needs and limitations.

One of the provisions of the 1996 SDWA requires that States develop and implement a capacity development (viability assessment) plan to ensure that public water supplies provide safe drinking water to their public at a reasonable cost for the foreseeable future. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has chosen to use a Self-Assessment Manual as a tool for water supplies to appraise their technical, managerial, and financial capability.

At this time, the only public water supplies required to submit the Self-Assessment Manual for review are supplies applying for State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan moneys, brand new systems, and systems designated as non-viable by the field office during a sanitary survey. The Iowa DNR, however, encourages all supplies to utilize the manual for self-evaluation.

Self-Assessment Manuals

Rural Water Associations and Municipalities
Cover page
Table of Contents, Assessing, Treatment, Etc
Budgeting Worksheets
Privately-Owned Systems, Home Owners Associations, Mobile Home Parks, Very Small Municipalities (Well Water and Hydropneumatic Tank Systems)
Cover page
Table of Contents, Assessing, Treatment, Etc
Budgeting Worksheets

• Sources of Technical Assistance for Completing the Self-Assessment Manual