MTAC provides technological assistance to small public water systems. The Center is a collaborative effort of the Environmental Council and the Illinois Water Resources Center at the University of Illinois and the Illinois State Water Survey. The mission of the Center is to provide small system administrators and operator with the information necessary to make informed decisions on planning, financing, and the selection and implementation of technological solutions to address their needs.

MTAC requests proposals in the following research areas:

• Development and demonstration of technologies to assist small systems in meeting health-based standards, especially arsenic and microbial rules;
• Measures to improve the technical, managerial, or financial capacity of small systems; and
• Measures to strengthen source water protection for small systems in USEPA Region 5.

Contingent on receipt of federal funding, up to four projects will be selected. It is hoped that at least one proposal will be funded in each area. Projects should commence after January 2003 with an18 month duration to be completed before August 2004. Grants will not exceed $50,000 and, while matching funds or in-kind services are not required, such contributions will be considered when evaluating the proposals. Grant dollars should not be used for major capital investments and preference will be given to grants that go to universities, local governments or other not-for-profit groups.

Please see the RFP for more specific information.