by Sami Stroud | Apr 15, 2026 | Small Water Systems, Workforce Development
Small water systems are the backbone of safe and reliable drinking water for millions of Americans, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Yet behind the infrastructure lies a growing concern: the sustainability of the workforce needed to operate,...
by Sami Stroud | Apr 7, 2026 | Communications and Outreach, Community Engagement
Image generated by ChatGPT, courtesy of Sarah Diefendorf, Capacity Collaborative. Click here to read Part 1: Building a Strong Social Media Foundation Once you’ve established a strong foundation, the next step is building deeper connections and ensuring your social...
by Sami Stroud | Apr 7, 2026 | Communications and Outreach, Community Engagement
Image generated by ChatGPT, courtesy of Sarah Diefendorf, Capacity Collaborative. Community engagement is essential for small water systems—it builds trust, improves transparency, and helps you better serve residents—especially concerning challenging issues. But with...
by Sami Stroud | Dec 2, 2025 | Asset Management, Infrastructure Renewal/ Replacement, Rates, Small Water Systems, Utility Management
Photo from Mississippi State University archives. Aging Water Infrastructure: The Challenge Facing Rural Systems in 2025 Rural water systems across the nation are facing a familiar and growing challenge: aging infrastructure. Many water treatment plants are now...
by Sami Stroud | Dec 1, 2025 | Asset Management, Capital Improvement Planning, Wastewater
One of the biggest challenges many wastewater utilities—especially small systems—face is striking the right balance between responding to urgent, unexpected issues and planning for long-term needs. Without a clear strategy, resources often get consumed by emergencies,...