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Newsletter #424 - January 21, 2026 |
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Join the 300+ already registered for VirCon 2026! |
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This free, virtual training conference offers drinking water operators a chance to learn more about timely topics, improve fundamental skills, and get support for specific challenges while earning up to 12 hours of CEU credit.
While there is no substitute for in-person training, this online event was created to specifically target operators of small and rural public water systems who may not have the means or ability to travel. Conference instructors are technical assistance providers from the RCAP network.
CEU Information
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Currently pre-approved in: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming
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Currently acceptable in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Idaho, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia
Approval in process for all other jurisdictions! |
| Register Now |
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Apply for the WEF Operator Scholarship today! |
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The WEF Operator Scholarship provides funding up to $5,000 dollars for individuals who are seeking water sector operator education, training, or certification to enter the industry or to advance their knowledge, skills, abilities or license.
Application Requirements and Criteria:
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Individuals seeking an entry-level operator’s license
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Or, an entry or experienced operator seeking professional development in the following areas:
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Completed online application including a brief essay on your experience and career goals.
Applications are open until March 31, 2026, and will close at 11:59 PM ET |
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Undecided? More Questions? Attend the Webinar!
WEF Operator Scholarship 101 Webcast
February 5, 2026 | 12:00 PM ET
Water Environment Federation
Join WEF for a free webinar to learn more about this opportunity! This webinar will highlight key points and updates to the Operator Scholarship Application for 2026. It will be helpful for anyone considering applying to the scholarship as it will provide several examples of how to fill out the application based on your needs for specific categories like travel, books, classes, exams/licenses.
Additionally, this webinar will provide the most common mistakes people make when filling out the application as well as a live Q&A!
A recording will be posted for those unable to attend live. |
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Tap Talk |
Build Trust Before a Crisis: Communication Basics for Water Systems (Pt.1)
Tap Talk Season 6 concludes with another two-part series! This is the first episode of the set: “Build Trust Before a Crisis: Communication Basics for Water Systems.”
Mike McGill, founder and president of water utility communications & PR firm WaterPIO, joins Jennifer and Steve to discuss the shifting landscape of communicating in the water sector. Between the longstanding issue of lead pipes, the ever-growing threat of PFAS contamination, and looming possibilities of natural disasters and other crises, the task of communicating with the public is harder than ever for utilities to avoid.
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Featured Video |
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RCAP Training Video | Understanding Unregulated Contaminants
Rural Community Assistance Partnership - RCAP
"This microlearning video introduces small rural water system board members and technical service providers to unregulated contaminants in drinking water, such as personal care products, pharmaceuticals, lithium, pesticides, and herbicides.
It explains how these substances enter water sources, the potential health concerns, the current regulatory landscape, and practical steps rural systems can take to monitor and reduce contamination. Designed to empower communities to protect water quality through simple, proactive actions."
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The 2026 Private Well Conference |
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Our sister program, PrivateWellClass.org, is hosting their 6th National Private Well Conference and Stakeholder Meeting this year! This conference aims to bring together experts to share their successes and experience for the benefit of the private well community at large.
Save the date for the 2026 Private Well Conference, to be held May 19-21, 2026, at the Holiday Inn Downtown in Missoula, Montana.
The Private Well Conference is specifically for practitioners, providing information and insights that can be taken home and used locally with the well owners they serve. Most of the work providing outreach and education to well owners is done locally and this conference is geared to support the thousands of professionals who work with well owners every day, including health department staff, lab personnel, cooperative extension educators, well drillers, environmental health professionals, researchers, and other private well stakeholders. |
| Learn More |
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Featured Video |
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Industrial Water Reuse Is On The Rise: What's Driving The Change
waterloop
"Explosive growth in data centers, semiconductors, and power generation is driving unprecedented industrial water demand, pushing reuse from niche to necessity across the U.S.
In this episode, Bruno Pigott of the WateReuse Association, Courtney Tripp of Grundfos, and Jim Oliver of Black & Veatch unpack their joint report, Accelerating Industrial Reuse, spotlighting proven and sustainable strategies to meet that demand.
They highlight how existing technologies enable up to 75–90% water savings through fit-for-purpose treatment—treating water only to the quality needed for its next use while minimizing energy and costs. Landmark projects illustrate the impact, from Intel’s Arizona campus recovering nearly all water and brine to support thousands of jobs, Chevron’s California public-private partnership conserving potable supplies for tens of thousands of homes, and Koch Industries’ Oklahoma plant treating municipal effluent to preserve freshwater for community growth.
The experts point to low-hanging fruit like operational tweaks for quick gains, alongside rising water rates, bipartisan tax incentives, and progressive state frameworks that are turning reuse into a business and resilience imperative. Looking ahead, they envision widespread adoption nationwide through industrial symbiosis, better salt management, and collaborative models that transform water constraints into economic and environmental opportunities.
Access the report: https://bit.ly/IndReuseReport" |
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Finding a Unicorn! Small Wastewater System Funding Series | State Revolving Funds: Navigating CWSRF for Your Project
January 27, 2026 | 1:00 PM ET
Environmental Finance Center Network
This free session will provide the basics to demystify the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) programs administered by EPA. These programs provide financing for many types of water infrastructure projects and are implemented by state agencies. While every location will have differences in implementation, there are some fundamental requirements to be aware of when getting started. |
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Virtual Office Hours on SRF Technical Assistance: DWSRF Eligibilities
February 4, 2026 | 11:00 AM ET
Environmental Finance Center Network
Join EFCN and experts from Quantified Ventures for the free 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. Each session will open with a specific theme, providing clarity, strategies, and practical insights for preparing and managing an SRF-funded project. The remainder of the session will be devoted to ‘Ask Me Anything.' Participants can attend all sessions or select those that best meet their needs. Submit your questions in advance or bring them to the session for real-time support from our experts.
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PFAS in Public Water Systems
February 5, 2026 | 1:00 PM ET
Rural Community Assistance Partnership
This free presentation will focus on where PFAS are found in public water systems and to what intensity and the concentrations that exists in drinking water. The presentation will review the current EPA regulations for public water systems containing PFAs and related EPA actions. Some major PFAS funding sources and support that exists for public water systems that have been contaminated with high concentrations of PFAS will be discussed. |
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Recent Blog Posts at WaterOperator.org |
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Essential Safety Resources for Wastewater Operators
Read Here » |
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Preparing for LCRI Compliance: Key Insights from NRWA
Read Here » |
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Community Engagement Resources for Wastewater Utilities
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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