As Vermont’s drinking water system infrastructure continues to age and degrade, the shortfall between the available money and the money that is needed to properly operate, maintain, repair, and replace this infrastructure grows. Yet customers still expect plentiful, safe, inexpensive drinking water. This presents significant challenges for people managing and operating these systems. An effective Asset Management Program can help systems meet these challenges and become more sustainable. In a 2022 survey completed by about 53% of the public community drinking water systems (CWSs) in the State, “creating or updating an asset management program, water system master plan, or other tools to help manage the water system” was identified as a top priority. To help address this priority, the Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division (DWGPD), is seeking proposals for a contractor to create a curriculum and conduct several workshop series that help participants develop and implement an Asset Management Program for their water system. Staff from CWSs in Vermont will be eligible to attend. Specifically, the successful bidder will: 1. Submit a detailed outline and draft workshop series curriculum for review and approval by the DWGPD. 2. Develop materials for the workshop series, including those to be used by the trainer and participants. The materials will be reviewed and approved by DWGPD staff prior to the first workshop. 3. Conduct the workshop series in two locations in Vermont, each location consisting of staff from 4-10 different water systems. 4. Submit final curriculum and workshop materials.
