(via NRWA)
EPA is developing a survey using an approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to assess the economic and operational challenges faced by drinking water and wastewater utilities across the country due to the COVID-19 national health emergency. Through the national health emergency, and as communities recover and reopen, the services provided by water utilities have been vital to supporting public health and protecting the environment.
The 2020 COVID-19 Water Sector Survey will help identify and evaluate certain impacts to water utilities during this challenging time. This survey will facilitate the collection of useful information in a uniform format to guide the development of technical and other forms of assistance which could help sustain water utility operations and to support planning for the future.
The survey will be administered on-line and consist of questions that address workforce, cybersecurity, supply chain, financial, and analytical impacts. Survey activities managed by EPA will include, but not be limited to: drawing the sample, sending the survey to systems, responding to requests for technical assistance, and processing the data.