Water System Capacity
Water system capacity is the technical,
managerial, and
financial capability of a water system to achieve and maintain compliance with drinking water standards and consistently provide safe drinking water.
What is Capacity Development?
Capacity development is a fundamental component of the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments. The SDWA Amendments provide a framework for states and water systems to work together to protect public health. Every state has developed a Capacity Development Program to assist public water systems in building Technical, Managerial, and Financial (TMF) capacity.
Any water system can implement capacity development activities to increase their TMF capacity. Small systems can especially benefit from capacity development. The Oregon Health Authority is committed to helping small water systems provide safe drinking water through publications, training, and technical and financial assistance.
Local officials and consumers play an important role in helping small water systems meet regulatory requirements and protect public health. Besides protecting public health, communities that support their water systems are making long-term investments in sustainable communities and economic well-being.

Technical Capacity
Technical capacity refers to the physical and operational ability of a water system. This includes assessing and assuring the adequacy of source water and physical infrastructure as well as the technical knowledge and ability of system personnel to properly operate and maintain the system.
- Explore the menu on the left of this page to find technical resources available on the Drinking Water website.
- Oregon’s Circuit Rider Program funded through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund provides on-site technical services for community water systems serving populations under 10,000, as well as not-for-profit transient and non-transient water systems. For these water systems, services are free.