Midwest Assistance Program (MAP) has been helping communities and tribal nations find solutions to their infrastructure and development needs through information, resource management, expertise, and technical assistance since 1979. MAP provides solutions to rural communities and tribal nations each year in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Communities are revitalized through help from MAP which then strengthens the future and vitality of rural America.

New Resources for Water & Wastewater Operators!

Water and wastewater operators can now access thousands of tools and resources tailored to small community needs at WaterOperator.org. Originally launched in 2010 under the name SmallWaterSupply.org, the mobile-friendly web portal includes technical documents, links to training opportunities, information on tribal assistance providers and certification program resources.

New Private Wells Program Available

The Individual Well Program (IWP) is funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency on a national scale to develop and utilize a new assessment tool and host educational workshops on how to identify potential well issues, including contamination threats. MAP will provide assistance and essential tools needed to  protect and improve the water quality of wells in unregulated well owner communities. For more information about private wells, Click Here.

How Do We Get Clean, Safe Water?

Despite using and benefitting from drinking water and wastewater systems multiple times every day, most of us don't even think about or know how these systems work. It takes a lot, in terms of natural, human, financial and other resources, as well as physical, chemical and biological processes, to bring clean, safe drinking water to your home or to deal with the waste you produce from a toilet or washing machine. RCAP has created animated diagrams with short videos to explain some of what is required in treating water. The videos are meant to make non-operators more comfortable with the vocabulary and terms that a plant's operator uses and to help a utility's decision makers understand what is required to operate a dependable and sustainable water utility. Here is a link to RCAP's video channel on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/134849908

On-Site Wastewater Systems - Be Prepared for Winter.
By: RJ Inskeep

To people living in colder climates and people new to rural living, on-site wastewater treatment systems can be a bit of a mystery. Most of the time the systems are not visible, and as long as the toilet flushes, everything is fine. On-site wastewater systems can freeze, partially and entirely, causing malfunctions.
To continue reading, click here.

MAP's New TAPs - Jeff Kormann and Jerry Popp

            Midwest Assistance Program welcomes Jeff Kormann to the Field Staff.  Jeff will provide Technical Assistance primarily in Missouri, with his office being in Jefferson City, MO.  Jeff brings lots of benefits to MAP in regards to an established network, technical assistance experience, formal education and sincere appreciation for rural communities.  Chris Jewett (Regional Field Manager for MAP Missouri Staff) expressed, “I feel it’s important for our staff to have a good understanding of the challenges faced by the rural communities.  Coming from a small rural community, Jeff has that understanding and additionally has a sincere care factor and passion to see them obtain sustainability.”
            Jeff has a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Central Missouri and is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute.  He achieved a successful 30 year career with the Missouri Department of Economic Development, and recently worked as a Senior Grant Administrator for the Meramec Regional Planning Commission.  During his tenure with the Missouri Department of Economic Development he spent extensive time in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.  His support team consists of his wife Pamela, Son Chris and Pearl the family cat.  Jeff’s personal interests include his church, following baseball, reading and walking.  "I'm truly happy for the opportunity to join the MAP team," stated Kormann.  "I've admired this organization for many years while working toward common goals of assisting rural communities with their water and wastewater needs.  I look forward to serving in this new capacity to offer technical assistance and training that will help folks achieve these important objectives."
            “I can already tell that Jeff’s impact on the systems he will be working with will be productive and beneficial.  Based on introductions to key agency personnel, I can tell his prior work precedes him, and everyone is excited to have him supporting their areas of responsibility,” stated Jewett.


           Midwest Assistance Program also welcomes Jerry Popp to the Field Staff. Jerry will provide Technical Assistance to rural communities in Wyoming. Jerry brings more than 30 years of engineering experience to MAP. He designed and provided construction management for a wide variety of public works projects including water and wastewater systems, community development projects, and industrial projects. He has land and mineral surveying experience and has provided engineering design and monitoring of directional drilling for oil & gas exploration. Jerry has a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wyoming, is a Registered Professional Engineer and he serves on the Glenrock Area Solid Waste Disposal District board. 
           A Wyoming native, he and his wife have raised their family in the communities of Wyoming and live in Glenrock. When Jerry was asked how he thought his prior work experience would be beneficial to MAP, Jerry stated: “Most of my career has been either in private practice or working for local consulting firms, providing me with many opportunities to work very closely with communities to understand their particular needs.” It is very important to work individually with rural communities. Most of the communities MAP works with know their Technical Assistance Providers on a first name basis. When asked what Jerry looked forward to the most in working for MAP, he said “I really look forward to interacting with the citizens and leaders to help them in their work to sustain and improve these great Wyoming communities.” 

Upcoming Trainings

Backflow Training - 10/6/16
​Columbus, NE - For more information, contact Marty at 402-389-0900.

​Backflow Training - 10/27/16-10/28/16
Gretna, NE - For more information, contact Marty at 402-389-0900.

​Private Well Workshop - 11/19/16
​Grand Island, NE - Please click here for more information.

​Upcoming EPA Lead and Copper Trainings! Click here for more details!
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Surface Water Treatment Rule

One of our staff, Brian Day, was featured in the newest addition of A Drop of Knowledge RCAP Publication talking about the Surface Water Treatment Rule. To read more, please click here.

Information on Becoming an Operator

Find out how to become a water/wastewater operator in your state. Click here to view the brochures.