(1) Training for system operators covering compliance with Federal and State drinking water system requirements.

(2) Training for system operators on the administration and management aspects of operating small drinking water systems.

(3) The development and promotion of methods of pooling and joint use of technical and management staff between small water systems, including the use of public or private system management companies, as options for effectively managing small systems.

(4) Facilitate the development and approval of low-cost technologies to comply with Federal and State drinking water requirements for small systems, particularly related to water treatment and filtration.

(5) The provisions of assistance to operators to pay for or provide reduced rates for the preparation of feasibility studies and permit applications needed to comply with Federal and State drinking water requirements.

(6) The creation of a peer assistance program to solve small systems problems by matching experienced and capable small water systems operators with operators needing assistance.

(1) The department shall establish the Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center to act as a mechanism to coordinate the development and implementation of the Small Water Systems Technical and Management Assistance Program.

(2) The center shall be administered by the department and be directed by a 12-member board composed of the following:

The secretary shall have the authority to suggest and the board may by majority vote approve additional members to the board.

(3) The members shall elect a chairman by majority vote and shall serve without compensation other than reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses in accordance with Commonwealth policy or regulations and shall serve for terms fixed by the secretary. Within 30 days of the effective date of this act, the secretary and the groups required to appoint members and alternates shall make those appointments. The board shall hold its first meeting within 60 days of the effective date of this act.

(4) The role of the center shall be to give the department advice on developing the Small Water Systems Technical and Management Assistance Program, to act as a clearinghouse to coordinate ongoing training between State agencies, local governments and authorities and water industry associations and to comment on policies and regulations as they may affect small water systems.