PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY 

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

PURPOSE

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (Commission) recognizes the challenges facing 

smaller municipal water supply systems to keep abreast of current regulatory requirements. 

Through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 

(PADEP), the Commission initiated the Public Water Supply Assistance Program (PWSAP) 

in 2012 to assist small municipal systems in meeting the Commission’s regulatory 

requirements. In addition to targeted system-specific assistance, the Commission is also 

providing general outreach and education on regulatory requirements, training on the 

preparation and implementation of aquifer testing plans, groundwater withdrawal 

application preparation, and other educational programs specifically for public water supply 

systems. 

WHAT TYPES OF SYSTEM SPECIFIC ASSISTANCE DOES 

THE COMMISSION PROVIDE?

The Commission assists participating systems in the areas of data collection methods, 

procedures related to the aquifer testing process, planning for renewal of expiring approvals, 

or adding new water supply sources. The Commission’s assistance may include:

 reviewing existing data, identifying data gaps, recommending data collection methods 

and developing a schedule for obtaining the missing data prior to submitting renewal 

applications; 

 explaining the Commission’s provisions for “grandfathered” sources (those uses that predate Commission regulations); 

 reviewing projected growth and water demands to determine if current sources can meet 

those demands and evaluating the need for or impacts of adding new water sources to the 

system; 

 identifying other issues such as unaccounted for water loss, metering, and monitoring 

that may arise while developing an action plan and recommending ways to address or 

mitigate those issues;

 assistance in developing metering and groundwater elevation monitoring plans; and

 completing a pre-drill well site review for the addition of new sources.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE SYSTEM-SPECIFIC 

ASSISTANCE?

PWSAP is a no-cost assistance program for small municipal public water suppliers (serving 

up to approximately 10,000 people) that have Commission approvals expiring in the next 

five to eight years or systems seeking the addition of a new water source.

Susquehanna River Basin Commission n 4423 N. Front Street n Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110 n (717) 238-0423 n srbc.net

July 2017
Susquehanna River Basin Commission

HOW DOES A PRE-DRILL WELL SITE REVIEW PROVIDE 

ASSISTANCE FOR THE ADDITION OF NEW SOURCES?

The Commission uses the pre-drill well site review process to assist in the selection of 

appropriate well sites. New source locations should be selected to enhance economic growth 

while affording appropriate protection to the environment and avoiding conflicts with other 

users. Through the PWSAP, Commission staff reviews potential well sites, providing 

guidance on groundwater availability, and potential impacts to surface water features and 

other ecological concerns, such as rare, threatened, or endangered species. The normal project 

review fee is waived for eligible participants and the Commission provides a discounted 

aquifer test plan review fee for well sites with a completed pre-drill well site review (see the 

Commission’s Regulatory Program Fee Schedule for more information).

WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS OF THE PROGRAM? 

Through this program, Commission staff cannot complete withdrawal applications or aquifer 

testing plans for public water supply systems. A knowledgeable, competent consultant will be 

needed to prepare and submit an aquifer testing plan and an application. This program is not 

intended to replace or eliminate the need for appropriate consulting services, nor will 

Commission use the funds to cover consulting or contractor costs. 

RECENT PROGRAM ACTIVITY

In the spring of 2016, the Commission offered two day-long workshops on Developing Aquifer 

Testing Plans and Groundwater Withdrawal Applications. The purpose of the workshops was to 

provide guidance to small public water suppliers and their consultants on how to best evaluate 

their groundwater resources in accordance with the Commission’s aquifer testing process. The 

workshops contained presentations from both PADEP and Commission staff and were wellattended and received by participants.

In the Fall of 2016, the Commission hosted a workshop titled Water Resource Management 

Considerations for Public Water Supply Managers. This workshop partnered with public water 

supply systems to conduct routine training sessions to foster understanding between the 

Commission and public water supply systems, address common misconceptions that exist 

within the regulated community, clearly communicate the purpose of the regulatory program, 

and help systems plan for and work through the regulatory process.  

For 2017, the Commission is partnering with the PADEP Operator Outreach Assistance 

Program to present a three-part instructional series on Water Loss Management. In the Fall 

of 2017, the Commission is planning another workshop in the ‘Water Resource Management 

Considerations for Public Water Supply Managers’ Series in Williamport, PA. The workshop will 

include the 2017 National Groundwater Association McEllhiney lecturer, Michael 

Schneiders, P.G., presenting Defining the Operational Age of a Well: Predicting Mechanical 

Issues in Advance of Failure.

To stay up to date on the program and workshop offerings, visit www.srbc.net/programs/pwsap.

htm.