Given these frustrations, many towns now want to help solve their own water problems. The process is closely guided by private engineering expertise and government assistance. By helping themselves, these communities cut costs, achieve faster results, control the selection of reliable technologies that meet their needs, and gain community self-reliance. STEP welcomes a full range of options, from construction of individual and community-scale wastewater systems to works connected to regional systems. The program seeks to use the best, most cost-effective system for the task.
Communities actively direct their projects and provide labor for facility construction.
Not all communities can or will want to use self-help. STEP coordinators help judge if a community has the capacity and readiness to initiate a project. Towns must have widespread agreement that a problem exists and a resolve to fix it through self-help. A strong community leader is needed to guide the project. While some technical tasks may be beyond a town's abilities, many shortcomings are resolved by STEP on an individual basis.