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Newsletter #397 for February 4, 2025 |
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Register for Our Upcoming Webinar!
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Enhanced Nutrient Removal and Harmful Algal Bloom Control Resources
February 25, 2025 | 10:00 AM CST
WaterOperator.org
In this webinar participants will discover some of the most helpful resources for enhanced nutrient removal and harmful algal bloom control and learn how to use our search tools at WaterOperator.org to find additional resources and training events.
This continues our webinar series covering topics relevant to wastewater operators, including funding, asset management, compliance, and water quality.
Certificates of attendance will be delivered upon request. Check with your certification body for acceptance criteria.
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Tap Talk |
Resources for Well and Septic Owners to Face Florida’s Changing Climate
This week on Tap Talk, Jennifer and Steve chatted with Dr. Andrea Albertin and Dr. Yilin Zhuang of the University of Florida Extension’s Florida Well Owner Network (FWON). From intensified hurricanes to rising sea levels to eroding coasts, climate change has brought a number of significant environmental challenges to Florida. The state’s millions of well and septic users — common in urban areas as well as the typical rural ones — face unique struggles in equipping their properties to face these challenges and responding to the damage they wreak. FWON works to provide education, resources, and support to these homeowners as Florida’s landscape evolves.
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Toilet-to-Tap in Tucson, AZ |
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Tucson is taking a significant step towards water sustainability by building its first facility to turn recycled wastewater into drinking water. This project, often referred to as “toilet-to-tap,” is funded by the Bureau of Reclamation and aims to reduce the city’s dependence on Colorado River water.
The initiative is part of a broader vision to create a hydro-local community that values and stewards local water resources. The new facility will treat recycled water to meet EPA drinking water standards, adding diversity to Tucson’s water supplies and addressing increasing PFAS contamination in local groundwater wells. This project is a proactive response to required cuts in Colorado River water allocations, showcasing Tucson’s commitment to water conservation and sustainability.
Watershed Management Group (WMG) envisions a hydro-local Tucson, where local water resources are prioritized over distant aquifers and rivers. By reusing water multiple times locally, Tucson can extend the use of its limited water supplies and contribute to the health of both local rivers and the Colorado River system. Tucsonans have been reducing their water usage, with the current average at 74 gallons per person per day. WMG aims to further reduce this to 40 gallons per person per day, which could potentially eliminate the need for Colorado River water entirely. Recycled water is already being used to enhance flows in the Santa Cruz River, recharge aquifers, as well as irrigate schools and parks. WMG advocates for prioritizing groundwater recharge and river flow over less critical uses, like golf course irrigation.
Read the full article: Toilet to tap: How recycled water can advance a hydro-local water future (Guest opinion) | Tucson Sentinel
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Featured Video |
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Wastewater Math Basics: Solving for Area (Circle, Sq/Rect, and Trapezoid)
The Wastewater Enthusiast
"Today we solve for Area of a Circle, Square or Rectangle, and a Trapezoid. These are basic building blocks for math on all wastewater exams. Since this is a beginner level math lesson, it would relate most to those taking their Grade I, Grade II, or Class C exams." |
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Water and Wastewater Sector Threat Briefing |
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience Division (WICRD), in partnership with the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence & Analysis (I&A), is offering a virtual threat briefing that
will be held on February 27, 2025 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST. Registration closes on February 26, 2025.
This briefing will provide an overview on the following topics related to water and wastewater sector security threats and preparedness:
- Potential threats to critical infrastructure (cyber and physical)
- What to do in the event of a cyber or physical intrusion
- Water security and preparedness products and services
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
- Drinking water and wastewater owners and operators
- State, Local, Tribal and Territorial drinking water and wastewater program personnel
- Water sector association and organization representatives
- EPA Regional personnel
- Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies
For questions or additional information please email WaterSectorBriefing@gdit.com. |
| Register Now |
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Featured Video |
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Wastewater Math Basics: Volume in cubic feet and gallons
The Wastewater Enthusiast
"Today we solve for Volume of a Circle, Box or Cube, and a Trapezoid shaped flow channel. These are basic building blocks for math on all wastewater exams. Since this is a beginner level math lesson, it would relate most to those taking their Grade I, Grade II, or Class C exams."
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It's Not Too Late to Join Us |
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We are currently hosting the 2025 Virtual Operator Conference where participants can earn up to 12 continuing education hours applicable to their drinking water operator license renewal! Topics for this free, online event include PFAS, Excel for compliance reporting, cybersecurity, chlorine meters, how to create a flushing program, and more. Each session is delivered by a Technical Assistance Professional (TAP) from the RCAP network.
CEU Information
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Currently pre-approved in: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawai'i, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
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Currently acceptable in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Idaho, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia, as well as for Tribal water system operators through IHS
Approval in process for all other jurisdictions.
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Virtual Office Hours on SRF Technical Assistance: CWSRF Eligibilities
February 10, 2025 | 2:00 PM EST
Environmental Finance Center Network
Join EFCN and experts from Quantified Ventures for Ask Me Anything SRF Office Hours. Designed to expand your knowledge and enhance your ability to navigate the SRFs. These sessions are tailored for state agencies, utility operators, and stakeholders who support water infrastructure projects. Submit your questions in advance or bring them to the session for real-time support from our experts. |
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Cybersecurity Overview and Tabletop Exercise for Mississippi’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities
February 19, 2025 | 10:00 AM EST
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA's Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience Division is offering a free virtual Cybersecurity Overview and TTX for Water and Wastewater Utilities in Mississippi. A registration link will be sent directly to the targeted audience. For more information on this event, please contact WICRD-outreach@epa.gov. |
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Data and Digital Security for Water & Wastewater Treatment Plants
February 25, 2025 | 11:00 AM CST
Smart Energy Design Assistance Center
Join SEDAC and guest speakers for a discussion of how public water infrastructure can prepare for and protect against data security risks. Industry experts will present common mistakes and key protections, such as strong access controls, network segmentation, regular backups, and robust incident response plans, all while considering potential data security threats to critical community infrastructure. We’ll also discuss how additional automation for energy efficiency impacts considerations for data security, and what you should be thinking about when looking at automating public water facilities. |
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Recent Blog Posts at WaterOperator.org |
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Small Drinking Water Webinar Series 2024 Recap
Read Here » |
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RCAP's Drop of Knowledge: Article Roundup #6
Read Here » |
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Groundwater & Well Care for Public Water Systems is a free online course from WaterOperator.org. Certificates are provided and the course is currently pre-approved for 2 hours continuing education credit in a number of states.
Click here to learn more. |
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WaterOperator.org is a free service, grant-funded to support small community water and wastewater operators with comprehensive resources and information in one easy-to-use place. We also serve the 800+ training, primacy, and technical service organizations, by helping operators get to their information. We aren't selling or advertising anything. Call us at 1-866-522-2681 for assistance. |
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