Restructuring small systems

Physically interconnecting small water systems with larger ones or creating networks of shared management and other expertise might provide a long-term solution to the problems facing small water systems. Using a geographic information system to display results and screen for geographic barriers, the authors analyzed restructuring potential in 17 states by calculating distances between small and nearby larger water systems and applied screening criteria to indicate whether the restructuring option would be cost-effective. Physical interconnection with a large system may be economically feasible for up to 35 percent of small community water systems, although in most states examined it would be cost-effective for only 10-20 percent of them based on the criteria used here. However, the potential for large systems to provide satellite services to small systems is high in the states evaluated. These results cannot be used to implement any particular restructuring option, but they provide insight into overall restructuring potential.