|
Newsletter #407 for June 18, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scholarship Opportunity for Apprenticeships! |
|
The National Rural Water Association has announced the Hawkins, Inc. Apprenticeship Scholarship in support of the NRWA Apprenticeship Program through the State Rural Water Affiliates (SRWA) and their utility members.
Hawkins, Inc. 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. |
| Apply Now |
|
|
|
|
 |
Don't Miss This Month's Free Webinar! |
|
Stormwater Management Resources for POTWs
June 24, 2025 | 10:00 AM CDT
In this webinar participants will discover some of the most helpful resources for stormwater management from the treatment works perspective. Plus, 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.
For informational purposes only. We are unable to offer certificates for watching a video recording.
Recordings of our previous webinars:
|
| Register Now |
|
|
|
|
Featured Video |
 |
Your Path to a Water Industry Career Starts with ADEQ
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ)
"Hey new graduates! Is a career in water right for you?
Arizona needs drinking water and wastewater operators – and certification may be closer than you think. Becoming a certified operator is a vital first step into a growing career in water treatment and distribution–and it can be achieved in just a matter of weeks!
Visit azdeq.gov/OpCert today to learn how to get started. Join us in protecting public health and ensuring clean water for all Arizonans."
|
|
|
|
|
Featured Video |
 |
America’s Water Crews: Essential, Invisible — and Underpaid
waterloop
"The unsung frontline of water: utility collections crews.
Eric Velasquez manages collections and distribution in Altamonte Springs, where the silver tsunami is hitting hardest. As older workers retire, utilities struggle to hire and retain the next generation for these essential underground jobs—maintaining pipes, clearing sewer backups, and keeping systems running during storms. Many new hires leave after a year or fail to obtain licenses, creating constant turnover.
Eric’s team is building a career track that ties pay increases to licensing and experience — one year, three years, five years — to stabilize and grow the workforce. 'These are essential first responders,' says Eric. 'When a main breaks or a hurricane strikes, people realize how critical this work is.'" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal Water Policy Updates: The Here and Now - Part 2
June 25, 2025 | 1:00 PM EDT
Water Environment Federation
In this free webinar, WEF staff will provide updates on President Trump's FY26 Budget for water infrastructure funding and policies, EPA regulatory changes and the current situation in Congress. Finally, WEF members from Maine, Missouri, and Montana will offer insight about their experience at the 2025 National Water Policy Fly-In. Hear what the last few months in Washington have meant for the water sector and what to expect in the coming months. |
|
|
|
Water Contamination Incident Remediation Plan
June 26, 2025 | 11:00 AM EDT
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This free, one-hour webinar covers an overview of the The Water Contamination Incident Remediation Plan (WaterCIRP) and how it can be used, in addition to a hands-on walkthrough to demonstrate use of the plan.
The WaterCIRP is a step-by-step tool designed to assist drinking water and wastewater systems in the aftermath of a contamination incident. Sections of the plan detail how remediation actions can be implemented, monitored, and evaluated for effectiveness. |
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recent Blog Posts at WaterOperator.org |
|
|
 |
|
Paving the Way for Sustainable Drinking Water Supply in Arizona
Read Here » |
|
|
 |
|
Learning About Safety in Wastewater Treatment Plants
Read Here » |
|
 |
|
RCAP's Drop of Knowledge: Article Roundup #7
Read Here » |
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
Visit our other websites: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click here to unsubscribe | Sent to: _t.e.s.t_@example.com
Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, Champaign, IL 61820, United States |
|
|
|
|
