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Newsletter #136 for May 2025 |
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EPA Announces $49 Million in Technical Assistance for Wastewater Challenges |
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made a significant funding announcement, awarding $49 million to technical assistance providers to tackle wastewater infrastructure issues. This funding specifically aims to support rural, small, and tribal communities in addressing infrastructure challenges through the Rural, Small and Tribal Clean Water Technical Assistance Grant Program.
The $49 million in funding will be distributed to various technical assistance providers, including the National Rural Water Association and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership. This funding aims to help communities with planning, designing, and funding essential wastewater infrastructure upgrades, ensuring compliance with the Clean Water Act. Matt Holmes, CEO of the National Rural Water Association, highlighted the necessity of funding for hands-on assistance programs to address significant water and wastewater challenges and Olga Morales Pate, CEO of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, expressed excitement about working with the EPA to further capacity-building efforts for rural and tribal utilities across the nation.
Many rural, small, and tribal systems encounter distinct challenges, such as outdated infrastructure and a shortage of skilled workers. Technical assistance providers will deliver training on best practices for water infrastructure and management in order to aid communities in securing federal and state funding for dependable infrastructure solutions.
For more information on accessing support from TA providers, visit EPA's WaterTA page.
Disclosure: A small fraction of this funding supports wastewater content at WaterOperator.org |
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Register for Our Free Webinar! |
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Understanding Wastewater-Based Epidemiology: Highlighting the Top Free Resources
May 27, 2025 | 10:00 AM CDT
In this webinar participants will discover some of the most helpful resources for understanding wastewater-based epidemiology 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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The legacy of water rights on the Ak-Chin reservation
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"It is a legacy that flows through our entire community. Last month, ABC15 brought you the story of Leona Carlyle-Kakar, a trailblazing leader for the Ak-Chin Indian Community who is credited with negotiating a landmark water rights agreement with the federal government 40 years ago. We wanted to dive deeper, bring you more context, and show you how that historic agreement has paved the way for growth on the Ak-Chin reservation and beyond."
Find more videos on ABC15 Arizona's YouTube Channel. |
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Tap Talk Episode 52
Exploring Best Practices for Online Operator Training
Next up on Tap Talk, Steve and Jennifer welcome Dr. Sidney Innerebner of Colorado-based Indigo Water Group to the show. Sidney is certified as an engineer and as both a wastewater operator and industrial operator in Colorado and has been working in various aspects of the environmental services field since 1990. At Indigo, much of her work revolves around operator training, both in-person and online. Best practices in online training to enable meaningful learning is a particular passion, which she explores in depth on the show. |
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Safe Water Needs: Water Treatment Plant Operators |
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In this video, water intern "Josh Janiga shares his experience as a water treatment plant operator in his community."
A video like this can help to illustrate the typical job duties of an operator and potentially spark interest for people looking to change careers or enter the water sector.
Find more videos on Water First Education & Training Inc.'s YouTube Channel
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Featured Events for Tribal Water Systems |
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Utilizing Appropriate Customer Classes for Tribal Wastewater Rate Setting
May 20, 2025 | 1:00 PM EDT
Rural Community Assistance Partnership
Many tribal utilities charge rates to their customers to cover the cost of providing wastewater and water service. One key aspect of setting rates for customers is utilizing appropriate customer classes.
This free webinar will discuss why it is appropriate to charge different types of customers different rates for utility service, especially if charges are not based on usage. The webinar will identify the potential customer classes that Tribal utilities can utilize and will also explain how to calculate rates based on Equivalent Residential Units or ERUs.
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Learning About Lead In Drinking Water – Elevated Lead Levels
May 22, 2025 | 1:00 PM CDT
United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.
The EPA 3Ts modules (training, testing, and taking action) provide guidance to remove lead from drinking water and encourages short-term and long-term remediation ensuring safe drinking water at tribal schools, daycares, and other common children’s gathering places.
This free training will cover remediation activities from flushing to service line replacement. We encourage tribal leaders, health and environmental officials, and educators to attend this training. |
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Recent Blog Posts at WaterOperator.org |
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Texas Water Supply Endangered by Workforce Shortage
Read Here » |
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Pathways for Career Development in Wastewater Treatment
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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Visit our other websites: |
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View archive of past issues. | Click here to unsubscribe | Sent to: _t.e.s.t_@example.com
Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, Champaign, IL 61820, United States |
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