Who We Are
RCAP maintains a team of experienced Technical Assistance Providers (TAPs) who live and work throughout the communities they serve, providing local expertise and hands-on support to water and wastewater utilities. By working directly with utility staff, elected officials, and community leaders, TAPs conduct comprehensive assessments of a system’s technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) capacity to identify strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Based on these assessments, TAPs develop practical recommendations and provide targeted technical assistance, training, and guidance to help utilities strengthen operations, improve regulatory compliance, enhance financial sustainability, and build organizational resilience. Through on-site visits, workshops, one-on-one coaching, and ongoing support, RCAP helps utilities implement improvements that increase efficiency, reliability, and long-term viability.
How We Are Funded
Traditional funding for RCAP is provided through grants by the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Community Services under the Rural Facilities Grant Program, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Services are often provided at no cost to small, rural, low income communities that need assistance in developing and providing safe drinking water and sanitary sewerage services to their residents.
Who We Are
Last year, West Virginia RCAP utilized program funding to deliver technical assistance and capacity-building services to more than 262 public water and wastewater utilities, representing 426 communities across all 55 counties of West Virginia. Through a combination of on-site visits, training, technical support, and long-term project assistance, WVRCAP worked directly with utility personnel, local government officials, and community stakeholders to address critical infrastructure, operational, regulatory, and financial challenges facing rural communities.
Assistance was provided across the full spectrum of utility management and development, including capacity building, regulatory compliance, environmental health protection, facilities development, management and finance, operations and maintenance, and infrastructure planning and development. WVRCAP staff helped utilities strengthen their technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) capacity by conducting system assessments, developing policies and procedures, improving operational practices, supporting workforce development, assisting with asset management and capital improvement planning, and helping communities identify and secure funding opportunities for infrastructure improvements.
In addition to addressing immediate operational and compliance needs, WVRCAP’s efforts focused on creating sustainable, long-term solutions that improve the resilience and viability of water and wastewater systems. By helping utilities enhance service reliability, maintain regulatory compliance, improve financial stability, and plan for future infrastructure needs, WVRCAP plays a critical role in protecting public health, safeguarding environmental resources, and supporting economic development throughout the state.
The impact of these services extends beyond utility operations. Reliable drinking water and wastewater infrastructure are essential foundations for healthy communities, business growth, housing development, and overall quality of life. By providing assistance in every county of West Virginia, WVRCAP continues to strengthen local capacity and ensure that rural communities have the resources, knowledge, and support necessary to maintain safe, affordable, and sustainable utility services for current and future generations..
WV RCAP Technical Assistance Providers
Mary Hutson
State Coordinator
Email: mhutson@wvcap.org
Mat Wiseman
Field Supervisor
Email: mwiseman@wvcap.org
Kristina Ward
Technical Assistance Provider
Email: kward@wvcap.org
Alan Marchun
Technical Assistance Provider
Email: amarchun@wvcap.org
Cody Reed
Technical Assistance Provider
Email: creed@wvcap.org
Jared Brewster
Technical Assistance Provider
Email: jbrewster@wvcap.org
Sherry Luzader
Technical Assistance Provider
Email: sluzader@wvcap.org
Ashley Bailes
Compliance Lead
Email: abailes@wvcap.org
