A Drop of Knowledge: Saving Our Most Valuable Asset with Safety Training

This Drop of Knowledge (DOK) article from RCAP emphasizes the importance of safety training for employees in the water and wastewater treatment industries. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these industries have a high rate of injuries, with 5.4 out of every 100 employees sustaining injuries in 2022. 

This DOK article highlights the need for comprehensive safety training to prevent and respond to work-related illnesses and injuries. It discusses various formats of safety training, such as on-the-job equipment training, classroom seminars, online training, and videos. 

Trainings provided should be tailored to the specific needs of employees, covering topics like: 

• Proper use of equipment

• Safe storage practices

• Handling hazardous materials

• Reporting procedures

• Responding to injuries

The ultimate goal of comprehensive safety training is to maintain a zero-accident record and ensure the well-being of employees and the communities they serve.

Apply by July 31, 2025!

The Hawkins, Inc. Apprenticeship Scholarship is sponsoring ten (10) $3000 scholarships to be used for costs associated with apprenticeship. This scholarship specifically supports smaller utility systems that might not be able to participate in apprenticeship without this support. 

Official Rules

• An eligible utility is a sewer or water system that meets the following requirements:

  • Eligible system serving population of 2500 or less; and/or: USDA- 80% or less of SMHI

  • A member in good standing with their State Rural Water Association (SRWA).

  • Located in a state with an active Registered Apprenticeship program. Click here to view if your state has a program.

  • Either has signed a Participating Employer Agreement with the SRWA, or agrees to sign the Participating Employer Agreement, by doing so, agrees to abide by the SRWA Standards of Apprenticeship.

• An eligible system does not have to have an apprentice placed at the time of selection but agrees to have an identified apprentice within six months of the award.

• The utility/system is responsible for completing the scholarship application on time.

To apply for the Hawkins Apprenticeship Scholarship, a utility representative must complete the form. 

Applications are due July 31, 2025, with no exceptions.

Solutions for Control: Distribution Maintenance & Repair Techniques to Avoid System Shutdown

July 8, 2025 | 1:00 PM CDT

Hydra-Stop Solutions for Control

This free webinar educates water and sewer industry professionals on how valve insertion techniques can reduce risks and costs while providing a more productive method of maintaining and repairing distribution systems without complete system shutdown. Proper application of these techniques and other benefits will also be discussed.

Tools and Techniques for Precise Odor Assessment

July 10, 2025 | 1:00 PM EDT

Water Environment Federation

This free webcast is designed to provide the steps taken from the moment an odor complaint is received, to understanding the source, odorants, and concentrations - all necessary inputs for the selection of an appropriate and effective odor control strategy. WEF's expert speakers will guide you through systematic complaint analysis and documentation techniques that help establish patterns and prioritize investigations.

RCAP Finding the Right Fit: How to Vet Grant Opportunities and Dissect a NOFO

July 21, 2025 | 1:00 PM EDT

Rural Community Assistance Partnership

This free session will guide participants through the process of vetting funding opportunities to ensure they align with local goals, capacity, and compliance requirements. Participants will also learn how to assess whether a proposed project meets key planning criteria and how to break down the structure of a NOFO to determine if it’s a good fit before investing time in the application process.

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.