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Newsletter #411 for August 5, 2025 |
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EPA Announces $12 Million in Effort to Protect Underground Sources of Drinking Water |
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced over $12 million in grant funding to support states and tribes in developing underground injection control (UIC) programs. This funding is part of the "Powering the Great American Comeback" initiative, aimed at protecting drinking water sources while supporting industry and energy projects. States and tribes will utilize these funds to enhance permitting and oversight of underground injection practices.
Since January 2025, the EPA has approved several state applications, including those from West Virginia, Arizona, and Texas, to support state primacy of UIC programs. The grant allocation is based on factors such as population, geographic area, and the extent of underground injection practices. These funds are meant to be used for priority underground injection control activities, including program capacity, compliance, addressing high-priority Class VI wells and data submissions. This investment in safe drinking water underscores the EPA's commitment to safeguarding public health and the environment while fostering economic growth and energy development.
For more information on this grant announcement, visit EPA's Underground Injection Control Grants webpage.
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U.S. EPA's Upcoming Water Workforce Webinar |
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This free webinar will showcase a program led by the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at Wichita State University, in collaboration with multiple EFCs. This initiative aims to create a national network of career guidance counselors who will connect students with career exploration opportunities in the water industry. These counselors will utilize a toolkit of resources developed by Wichita State, along with other educational materials, to engage elementary, middle, and high school students. The goal is to help them grasp fundamental water treatment concepts and discover rewarding careers in the water treatment sector.
This webinar will highlight the following resources and tools: The Educator’s Resource Hub, The Counselor’s Guide to Great Water Careers, and other valuable resources that help utility professionals connect with local students.
Webinar Details:
- Webinar Series: Creating the Water Workforce of the Future
- Title: Bridging the Gap Between Utilities and Schools
- Date: Thursday, August 14, 2025
- Time: 2:00-3:30 PM EDT
- Register: HERE
- View the webinar Flyer: HERE
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| Register Now |
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Featured Video |
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Consumer Confidence Report
Rural Community Assistance Partnership - RCAP
"The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is a vital component of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Required by law, all community water systems in the United States must provide a comprehensive report regarding the safety of their drinking water to all residents of their respective utility. This short video outlines why the CCR is important to both utilities and water consumers."
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Free WEF Resource Kit |
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Among their selection of free resource kits, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) has “Safety & Security in Water Operations,” which serves as an introduction to protecting people, infrastructure, and data in water and wastewater operations.
The kit includes select chapters from WEF’s resource library; fact sheets and reports; biological hazard and pandemic guidance; and tools for cybersecurity, IT management, and disaster response. |
| Download the Free Resource Kit |
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Featured Video |
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Texas Bets $20 Billion On Its Water Future
waterloop
"Texas is tackling its booming population’s water demands with a bold $20 billion investment plan to secure sustainable supplies and infrastructure by 2050.
In this episode of In The Newsroom, Todd Votteler, a veteran water expert and editor of the Texas Water Journal, joins the podcast to discuss the state’s dynamic water landscape. With Texas expecting about 40 million residents by mid-century, the state is addressing urgent needs through a recently signed bill that allocates $10 billion for new water supplies and $10 billion for infrastructure upgrades, pending voter approval on November 4, 2025.
Votteler highlights the Edwards Aquifer Authority’s pioneering groundwater regulation, born from 1990s endangered species litigation, which protects iconic springs like Barton Springs while balancing growth pressures. Innovative projects, such as Corpus Christi’s seawater desalination plant and El Paso’s groundbreaking direct potable reuse facility, signal Texas’s push toward diverse water sources.
However, challenges persist, including groundwater strain in areas like Jacob’s Well and ongoing Rio Grande water disputes with Mexico. The state’s proactive approach, including a surprise veto and special legislative session, underscores its commitment to water security amid rapid growth." |
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Succession Planning for Small Water and Wastewater Systems
August 12, 2025 | 12:00 PM PDT
Environmental Finance Center Network
This free webinar will show how to develop a simple, practical process for identifying future leaders and preparing them to step into critical roles at your utility. Every utility needs a plan for leadership transitions—especially small systems where knowledge and decision-making often rest with just a few people. This webinar will help small communities take a proactive approach to succession planning, ensuring your utility remains resilient and effective when key staff retire or leave. |
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Recruiting Retiring Military Personnel into the Wastewater Sector
August 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM EDT
Rural Community Assistance Partnership
Wastewater utilities must stay in compliance in order to protect human health and the environment, and they need competent staff to achieve compliance. The wastewater and water workforce is aging, and small community utilities are likely to be impacted by retirements. One way for water systems to fill these vacancies is to encourage men and women who are retiring from military service to join the wastewater workforce.
This free webinar will describe why the wastewater sector can be an ideal fit for retiring military personnel. The webinar will also explain the process of how retiring military personnel find new jobs, including the DOD SkillBridge program. |
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Understanding Basic Wastewater NPDES Permit Parameters
August 19, 2025 | 1:00 PM EDT
Environmental Finance Center Network
This free webinar will provide a practical overview of key wastewater permit parameters required by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how parameters—such as flow, pH, dissolved oxygen, BOD, TSS, ammonia nitrogen, and more—affect system performance, environmental health, and regulatory compliance. This session will emphasize the significance of proper system maintenance and monitoring to ensure community well-being and safe water resources for future generations. |
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Recent Blog Posts at WaterOperator.org |
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Paving the Way for Sustainable Drinking Water Supply in Arizona
Read Here » |
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Learning About Safety in Wastewater Treatment Plants
Read Here » |
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RCAP's Drop of Knowledge: Article Roundup #7
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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