Michigan RCAP Resources
View the below links and documents for helpful RCAP resources. Other material can be obtained by contacting RCAP staff at 1-800-775-9767.
Rural Sewer Management Solutions
Management of Wastewater Canvas
This one-pager succinctly documents key components for developing sewer service in an unserved area. Use this template and fill it out according to your community's situation. Here's a generic example. Use the link below and make it your own.
Management of Wastewater Template
USDA Soil Survey
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has soil maps and data available online for more than 95 percent of the nation’s counties and anticipates having 100 percent in the near future. Soil surveys can be used for general farm, local, and wider area planning. Onsite investigation is needed in some cases, such as soil quality assessments and certain conservation and engineering applications. The data available here is a great starting point for preliminary planning.
RCAP Funding Scenario Spreadsheet
Compare funding up to seven funding scenarios
RCAP USDA/RD Funding Scenario Spreadsheet
Compare financing scenarios for USDA/RD projects
National RCAP reference library
Helpful material for rural water and wastewater systems
Items to Consider when Calculating a Water Tap Fee
Costs to include such as labor, equipment, etc.
Tips for Defending Rate Increases
How to communicate rate increases to the community
Non-Revenue Water Analysis Worksheet
Helpful for tracking water use
Technology Cost Calculator
There have been several developments such as small diameter sewers, fixed media treatment units, affordable U/V disinfection that have made treatment simpler, easier to operate, and more affordable for some communities.
Water Environment Research Foundation’s Decentralized Planning Tool's development was led by John Buchanan at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville.
This tool can be useful in helping communities begin to understand the potential costs involved in establishing a wastewater utility.
Additional guidance regarding the tool and the Options by Process Charts (pgs 22-24) are available here.