Rural Community Assistance Partnership

Practical solutions for improving rural communities
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August 2013

Back to basics: Building a budget

Posted Mon, 2013/08/05 - 3:00pm by RCAP

Every water system needs a budget, no matter how small your system is. An annual operating budget is a 12-month financial plan. The operating budget coincides with the fiscal year of your system and is simply a one-year forecast of your utility’s expected revenues and expenses. 

Format: 
Magazine/newsletter (single article)
Topic: 
Finance
Source: 
RCAP
Audience: 
Board/council member
Mayor/town manager/elected official (local)
Financial manager/accountant/bookkeeper

The Importance of an Operator in a Community’s Water Systems

Posted Sun, 2013/08/04 - 9:30am by RCAP

Format: 
Video
Topic: 
Operations - technical operations of facilities and infrastructure
Management
Board/council
Workforce/personnel
Source: 
RCAP
Audience: 
Board/council member
Mayor/town manager/elected official (local)
Financial manager/accountant/bookkeeper
Related Resources: 
Building the skills of water system operators and recruiting new operators to the workforce
Brochures for recruiting drinking water and wastewater operators

Preparing Your Wastewater System for Disasters and Emergencies

Posted Fri, 2013/08/02 - 8:31pm by RCAP

Format: 
Video
Topic: 
Operations - technical operations of facilities and infrastructure
Infrastructure
Regional cooperation
Security/emergency-response planning
Source: 
RCAP
Audience: 
Operator
Board/council member
Mayor/town manager/elected official (local)
Plant manager
State/federal decision-maker

Energy Efficiency at Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Posted Fri, 2013/08/02 - 8:28pm by RCAP

  • Are your community’s utility costs rising faster than revenues?
  • Are you afraid or unwilling to raise your rates?
  • How would you like to cut your utility’s energy bills by 10 to 40 percent or more?

Facts:

Format: 
Video
Topic: 
Operations - technical operations of facilities and infrastructure
Energy use
Planning
Conservation
Source: 
RCAP
Audience: 
Operator
Board/council member
Mayor/town manager/elected official (local)
Plant manager
Financial manager/accountant/bookkeeper

Small On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems

Posted Fri, 2013/08/02 - 8:18pm by RCAP

Approximately 25 percent of homes in the United States are not connected to centralized sewer systems. These homes and businesses collect and treat their wastewater on their own property using systems that are referred to as onsite wastewater treatment systems, septic systems, or decentralized systems.

Format: 
Video
Topic: 
Operations - technical operations of facilities and infrastructure
Source: 
RCAP
Audience: 
Operator
Board/council member
Mayor/town manager/elected official (local)
Plant manager
Financial manager/accountant/bookkeeper
Project (construction) manager
Customers/public
Related Resources: 
How do we get clean, safe water?
A Drop of Knowledge: The Non-operator's Guide to Wastewater Systems
Septic system basics for homeowners, community leaders, planners and realtors
What is an onsite or decentralized wastewater system?

Wastewater Collection Systems: More Than Meets the Eye

Posted Fri, 2013/08/02 - 8:14pm by RCAP

Format: 
Video
Topic: 
Operations - technical operations of facilities and infrastructure
Source: 
RCAP
Audience: 
Board/council member
Mayor/town manager/elected official (local)
Customers/public
Related Resources: 
How do we get clean, safe water?
A Drop of Knowledge: The Non-operator's Guide to Wastewater Systems
What is an onsite or decentralized wastewater system?
Septic system basics for homeowners, community leaders, planners and realtors

Your Role as a Customer in Your Community’s Wastewater System

Posted Fri, 2013/08/02 - 5:40pm by RCAP

How many times a day do you use your community's wastewater system? Every time you use your kitchen or bathroom sink, flush the toilet, take a shower, or wash dishes or clothes, you are creating wastewater. It leaves your home to be treated (cleaned) and returned to the environment. This treatment is a critical service that many communities (its government or a utility) provide for their residents.

Format: 
Video
Topic: 
Customer relations/service
Source: 
RCAP
Audience: 
Customers/public
Related Resources: 
What not to flush down the toilet
A Drop of Knowledge: The Non-operator's Guide to Wastewater Systems
Wastewater Collection Systems: More Than Meets the Eye
Septic system basics for homeowners, community leaders, planners and realtors
What is an onsite or decentralized wastewater system?