Using stakeholder comments, USEPA is creating guidance and information to smooth implementation of SDWA capacity development provisions. The capacity development provisions of the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act offer a flexible framework within which states and water systems can work together to ensure that systems acquire and maintain the technical, financial, and managerial capacity needed to consistently achieve the public health protection objectives of the act. Capacity development is related to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) in two important ways: states may set aside funds from their DWSRF allotments to develop and implement capacity development programs, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is required to withhold DWSRF funds from states that fail to implement the capacity development provisions. USEPA's implementation of the capacity development provisions is being guided by an unprecedented process of stakeholder consultation and involvement.

Full‐value or ‐cost pricing and conservation pricing as demand‐side management tools are examined along with the benefits of maintaining responsive and transparent government and the benefits realized as a result of such practices.

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