Written By: Matt Cassedy, Connecticut State Manager

BACKGROUND: Aging infrastructure is a reality for many communities facing needed projects and improvements. Asset management, inventory tools, GIS and funding programs have increased substantially to meet industry and community needs. Financially, these communities are experiencing larger projects with increasing project costs with longer terms ranging from 20-40 years. Many small communities have functioned without the need to consider larger projects that address entire distribution systems or treatment overhauls. Focusing on having a certified operator, emergency power, tank maintenance, pump replacement, lab testing, flushing, and dealing with emergencies have been consistent priorities. Priorities for many small communities have been added, replacing lead service lines and potentially sections of main pipe to remove lead sections and affected areas. Replacing services and primary piping is a large step in more ways than one. Often, for small communities, the location and available access to all the assets like service lines and mains are difficult, especially without ways to isolate or redirect water service to limit multiple customer impact. Large projects for small systems with limited revenue sources is where help is needed the most and where RCAP can help. For School Hill Water Association (School Hill) in Broad Brook, CT, the funding hurdles needed to address the infrastructure projects seemed too big. School Hill is a Public Water System (PWS) that serves 31 residential homes in Broad Brook, CT. Faced with major infrastructure replacement the board of School Hill sought assistance from CT State Revolving Fund (SRF). After reviewing the project, cost calculations, estimates and timeline the CT SRF loan department worked with School Hill and stakeholders on preliminary figures.

THE CHALLENGE: Funding programs that have a matrix for disadvantaged criteria look at specific data to assess the eligibility, approval, and terms of loans and programs. Official data used to assess the need for funding assistance don’t always accurately represent smaller communities. Broad Brook is a Census Designated Place (CDP) within the town of East Windsor, CT. The data used to represent School Hill would incorporate all Broad Brook CDP. CDPs are typically an identified area with a population concentration and used for statistical purposes. School Hill, as a PWS with only 31 homes, does not meet the same criteria to use census data from Broad Brook. School Hill needed data that represented a real financial snapshot and assessment based on their unique community data.

RCAP and CT SRF met and discussed School Hill’s project plans and RCAP services to provide a disadvantaged criteria assessment. Prior to the assessment, RCAP and CT SRF agreed that an income survey to the customers of School Hill water system would provide a much-needed piece in the assessment.

THE APPROACH & SOLUTION: RCAP Solutions worked with CT SRF and School Hill to provide an income survey to the community. The survey was completed within a month and a final report provided additional data used in the disadvantaged criteria assessment. The income survey targeted all 31 homes and resulted in statistically accurate and sound results used to determine community impact from proposed projects and loans. Additional consideration addressed user rates, operational fees, debt service, project information, loan data and economic trends. Between the start and completion of the assessment alone, costs from various vendors and suppliers were increased. The final income survey and disadvantaged criteria assessment provided real data, calculations, and considerations representative to the community of School Hill, so that CT SRF could make determinations on disadvantaged criteria loan terms.

THE IMPACT: Connecting programs and funds to communities that can benefit from much needed system improvements and upgrades is the center of what RCAP provides to small communities. Through technical, managerial, and financial assistance, RCAP works with industry partners, funders, and primacy agencies, to positively impact water communities. Within RCAP’s expertise there is no limit to how the application of services can build and sustain communities. With various state approaches to small and/or disadvantaged criteria, RCAP curtails outcomes and priorities to meet the unique needs of individuals and communities. RCAP’s essential role in water infrastructure improvements and healthy communities shows with improved infrastructure stability, operational resiliency, and community support.

The post Case Study: From a Disadvantage to an Opportunity – Assessing Community Needs & Capacity first appeared on RCAP Solutions.

2022 was a year marked by growth, development, and ultimately rejuvenation as RCAP Solutions began its rebound from a tumultuous and transformational time. View our 2022 Impact Report to learn more about last year’s accomplishments and check out stories from the people we serve!

We thank our partners and continued supporters and invite you to join us as we continue to work towards a collective vision of a world made up of strong and resilient communities and individuals, confident in their potential and with ownership of their success.

We look forward to a productive 2023 as we remain steadfast in our commitment to fulfilling our mission: To foster personal and public self-reliance and improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and the communities in which they live.

The post RCAP Solutions’ 2022 Impact Report is here! first appeared on RCAP Solutions.

Rebekah Novak is her name and wastewater is her game, among several other skills and subject interests. Rebekah has a versatile background; she’s worked in several municipal surveying, engineering, and wastewater operations roles – making her an extremely valuable addition to the Community & Environmental Resources team at RCAP Solutions.

She began her career as an intern for the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts’ engineering department, eventually becoming a full-time employee and earning the title of Municipal Surveyor. During her time with the city of New Bedford, Rebekah was responsible for transferring paper maps into digital GIS (Geographic Information System) versions. She also worked in the field overseeing road reconstruction and improvement projects.

Two of Rebekah’s passions are learning and helping. While she was working as a surveyor, Rebekah continued to expand her knowledge, pursuing her wastewater operator’s license and eventually earning a grade 5 license. Rebekah had always been fascinated with water re-use and environmental sustainability. Turning wastewater into treated effluent (sewage that has been cleaned and discharged back into the environment) is a necessary process for communities of all sizes, and this process piqued Rebekah’s interest.

After working as an associate engineer for several years, Rebekah eventually dived head-first into wastewater (not literally), first working at the Ashfield Wastewater Treatment Plant, a few years later at the city of Northampton, Massachusetts’ Wastewater Treatment Plant, and later at Green Wastewater Solutions as an operator/installer of Orenco wastewater treatment systems.

Rebekah prided herself in being a female who was tackling these surveying, engineering, and wastewater roles – as the fields are often male-dominated. It was difficult, but her determination and drive helped her excel in these fields. “Being a woman straight out of college was super intimidating,” she said, “but I still did it. I still showed up and did my best.”

Rebekah eventually joined RCAP Solutions in 2019, where she works with small communities in Massachusetts, providing technical assistance and training to help them improve both their wastewater and drinking water operations. Rebekah lives in a small, rural community herself, so she recognizes the struggles that these communities face when it comes to limited resources and not knowing the answer to everything. Advice she gives to the communities she serves – as well as her co-workers – is to embrace trial-and-error, “Get comfortable with not knowing exactly what to do, it’s okay not to know. [You have to] jump in the muddy water and figure out how to do it.”

During the pandemic, Rebekah was instrumental in transitioning in-person trainings and workshops into a virtual format. She embraced new software and became a leader for her colleagues, constantly offering them support and assistance with the new technology. In addition to managing numerous training events, she also has anywhere from 10 to 13 of the aforementioned technical assistance projects active at a time.

Rebekah’s contributions were noted by Jim Starbard, Regional Director (MA/CT/RI), who said, “Rebekah is an exceptional team member who goes the extra mile for the communities she works with. She is highly skilled in wastewater – both centralized and decentralized, GIS, and is a great trainer. Rebekah’s contributions to the Southern New England Team and RCAP Solutions as a whole are greatly appreciated and highly regarded.”

In addition, Rebekah is passionate about many causes including local farming, sourcing food locally and humanely, and supporting small businesses. She has experience volunteering at a homeless shelter and during her free time enjoys gardening, arts and crafts, and spending time with her husband, two cats, and “Hoss” – her 180-pound Neapolitan Mastiff-Great Dane mix.

Andrew Evans, fellow Community Specialist, added, “Rebekah’s organizational capability, attitude, and attention to detail makes her one of my favorite people to work with. Whatever the project or training she is always seeking the best product or outcome possible for our clients. The way she approaches her work has helped me be a better technical assistance provider and trainer.”

Fun Facts About Rebekah:

• Hometown: Conway, Massachusetts
• Favorite Book: Harry Potter series by series by J. K. Rowling
• Favorite Movie: Tremors directed by Ron Underwood
• Favorite Hobbies: Gardening (flowers & vegetables), arts & crafts (dot art painting, jewelry making)
• Place She’d Like to Travel to: Alaska

The post Synergy Spotlight: Meet Rebekah Novak, Community Specialist first appeared on RCAP Solutions.

This video from from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) highlights technical assistance we provided to the community of Broad Top, Pennsylvania! RCAP Solutions has worked with this small, rural community since 1994 – addressing their challenges of sanitary wastewater disposal and clean drinking water resources.

The post Increasing Wastewater Treatment Access in the Community of Broad Top, Pennsylvania first appeared on RCAP Solutions.

Check out this testimonial from the Borough of Midland, Pennsylvania! Our team in the Keystone State has been working this community to improve their water and sewer infrastructure through GIS mapping, application assistance for funding programs, and more.

Midland is a small, rural community located on the edge of western Pennsylvania. A former manufacturing giant, the borough has been attempting to drive small businesses back to the area in the wake of their steel mill’s closure, which once played a major part in Midland’s economy and workforce.

The consultant for the authority, Brigid Darbut, has been working with RCAP Solutions as well as several other community organizations and leaders to introduce revitalization efforts in the town, not only through improved water infrastructure, but through economic development, shared services, and more.

The post Testimonial – Borough of Midland, Pennsylvania first appeared on RCAP Solutions.

In March 2020, RCAP Solutions and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) hosted a Regional Collaboration Summit in State College, Pennsylvania. Beginning with a tour of the Bellefonte Wastewater Treatment Facility and ending with a full-day workshop, we engaged with many stakeholders including; local government officials, agency staff, small communities, and others that play a role in water and wastewater utility management.

The post Pennsylvania Regional Collaboration Summit – Highlight Reel first appeared on RCAP Solutions.

Wells River is a small, rural village in northern Vermont, located along the Connecticut River and directly next to the neighboring state of New Hampshire. The community has a population of approximately 400 residents.

Wells River recently completed a $3.4 million water system improvement project, which included a new manganese treatment system, a new water storage tank, and replacement of some of the water piping. This was the community’s first major investment into its water infrastructure since the original construction during the 1890s.

Thanks to funding from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, RCAP Solutions has been working with the community to build capacity, maintain compliance with regulations, and to find additional funding for further system improvements, so that the village can continue to supply clean drinking water to its residents.

To celebrate this tried-and-true work, we were joined by Dr. Lanikque Howard, Director of the Office of Community Services, who participated in a walking tour of the village and engaged with representatives from the community to discuss the project and potential further investments.

The post Providing Technical Assistance to the Village of Wells River, Vermont to Improve Water System Operations first appeared on RCAP Solutions.

Check out this testimonial from the chair of Grafton, Vermont’s Water/Wastewater Study Commission! RCAP Solutions assisted the town in completing two surveys of their drinking water quality and wastewater management. Because the town has no central community system, residents rely entirely on individual water sources and wastewater disposal systems.

Through the Vermont Department of Health, our staff was able to acquire drinking water test kits, at no charge, for residents who rely on private wells. Fortunately, the water tests did not identify any contamination issues.

Nonetheless, RCAP Solutions encouraged the town to take a closer look at high-priority properties throughout the area. The town continues to improve their water and wastewater infrastructure, with RCAP providing strategic guidance and recommendations for state and federal funding opportunities.

This work is made possible because of the generous support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The post Testimonial – Town of Grafton, Vermont first appeared on RCAP Solutions.

Gosnold is a town which encompasses the Elizabeth Islands in Dukes County, Massachusetts. The community has a population of about 70 residents, making it the least populous town in Massachusetts. Most of these residents live on the outermost island, Cuttyhunk.

The beautiful landscapes and ocean views make this community a well sought-after travel destination and the year-round residents have a deep appreciation for the island. However, the island’s seclusion poses several challenges for infrastructure improvements. Personnel, equipment, and materials must be brought to the island via boat, significantly increasing costs.

Cuttyhunk Island’s drinking water comes from an underground aquifer, which is drawn from a series of groundwater wells. These wells, and the island’s distribution system water mains, were constructed in the 1960s. Due to the age of this infrastructure, the community has had frequent problems with leaks and breaks in the water mains.

To address these issues, the community began planning a significant water system improvement project to replace the groundwater wells, upgrade their water pumping station, and improve their storage tank site. In addition, several thousand feet of water mains would be replaced or repaired to ensure residents across the island had continued access to clean drinking water.

RCAP Solutions leapt into action to assist the community in finding and securing funding for the system improvements. After reviewing the community’s plan and engineering report, RCAP Solutions determined that the best funding option available would be through the United States Department of Agriculture.

RCAP Solutions acted as a liaison between the community’s board of selectmen and the USDA staff. The RCAP Solutions team worked alongside the board of selectmen every step of the way, from the initial application to implementation, ensuring the necessary paperwork was submitted and deadlines were met. In addition, RCAP Solutions persists to be an available resource for the community, providing them with continued technical assistance, resources, and training opportunities.

In total, approximately $5.7 million was leveraged for the project, including around $3 million from USDA Rural Development and around $2.7 million from various state programs and town matching funds. To celebrate this milestone, the community held a groundbreaking event and walking tour as construction on the project began.

The post RCAP Solutions Helps Cuttyhunk Island Leverage Funds for Significant Water System Improvements first appeared on RCAP Solutions.

Timothy Morse, Jr., Vice Chair of the RCAP Solutions Board of Directors, recently announced his retirement from the Board after dedicating 7 years to the support and growth of the organization.

As the Sales and Customer Service Representative with Miles Press in Worcester, Massachusetts, Tim has extensive experience in the field of printing, having worked for several large firms throughout Worcester County. He got his start working for his parent’s company, Spencer Printing, which closed in 1984.

Tim is a third-generation printer but didn’t always see himself going into the family business. “I always saw myself as a doctor,” he remarked. “It was something I wanted since childhood. I enjoyed science and math in high school and went to college for a degree in biology, with the intention of continuing in medicine.” He left college after two years and focused on a lifelong career of getting to know every aspect of the printing business.

Tim’s success in an industry that is constantly evolving can be credited to his exceptionally likable and calming demeanor, paired with a strong and professional presence. He brings his passion and spirituality into everything he is involved in. “Everything I do is in relation to that,” he states. “Professionally, in sales and customer service, I enjoy my many interactions with numerous people. I like to have easy exchanges and keep a direct focus on what’s important.”

Tim joined the Board in October 2016 after meeting members of the RCAP staff at a Worcester Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at a Worcester Bravehearts baseball game. Tim has a clear passion for supporting families and making a difference in the community he works and lives in. He mentions that he “was first drawn to volunteer with RCAP Solutions because of the mission of helping people and communities in great need.” He continues, “many people debate about social programs that help people and how government funds are spent. There used to be safety nets that would help others in their time of need. I believe people need to be helped and provided with resources to get on their feet and sustain themselves.” He concludes by saying “I believe that the real value of RCAP’s services is in helping to restore dignity to those who need support.”

In his free time, Tim enjoys golfing and gardening, but especially loves spending time with his family and seven grandchildren. When he’s not busy with family he enjoys making rosary beads. “I typically make at least one per day or about 10 each week,” he noted. He started the hobby of making prayer beads as a gift for kids that were about to be confirmed. He explained, “the next year a teacher asked me to make some, then a priest, and it just kept growing from there.” He describes his process almost as a meditative activity. “I have a signature style,” he commented. “I use a heavy cord and wooden beads, making 58 knots and praying on each one, and finishing with a crucifix.” He ends by saying “I will do it until I can’t do it anymore. I close my eyes, so I don’t have to see what I’m doing.”

When describing his seven years of experience with RCAP Solutions, Tim states, “there are so many things that I enjoyed about being on the board. Many volunteers have come and gone since I started, and I found that working with a diverse group of likeminded people with the same passion for supporting others was extremely rewarding.” He said that one thing he has always tried to do is ask a lot of questions. “There are no dumb questions,” He states. “I’m not a trained accountant and reviewing financials for a large organization can be very intimidating, especially for new board members or those who are not used to working with complex budgets. I ask questions without the risk of feeling uncomfortable, and it helps to empower others who might be afraid to ask. One question might lead to another and asking challenging questions is important for a board to move forward. I’ve never been afraid of asking the tough questions.”

We thank Tim for his time, talents and many thoughtful contributions in his seven years as a member of the RCAP Solutions Board of Directors.

The post Timothy Morse, Jr. Retires from RCAP Solutions’ Board of Directors first appeared on RCAP Solutions.