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Newsletter #406 for June 3, 2025 |
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Missed our last webinar? Watch the recording! |
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Understanding Wastewater-Based Epidemiology: Highlighting the Top Free Resources
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.
For informational purposes only. We are unable to offer certificates for watching a video recording.
Recordings of our previous webinars:
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Tap Talk |
Understanding Water Audits for Small Utilities (Part 2)
It’s the final episode of Season 5! To wrap up this great season, we have the second installment of our conversation with Glenn Barnes, the director of Water Finance Assistance — a consulting agency that provides finance-focused training and technical assistance to water systems. This episode focuses on the role of technical assistance providers in performing water audits and how to develop useful recommendations for water systems’ stakeholders.
Thank you for listening with us this season, and we will be back again with Season 6 before you know it! |
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Don't Miss this Free EPA Webinar on the Water Workforce |
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Workforce Development - National Challenges & Supporting Resources
June 5, 2025 | 12:00 PM EDT
The webinar will offer an overview of current workforce challenges and the ‘Key Pillars’ for developing an effective workforce, as described in EPA's 2024 Report to Congress on the Water Workforce. The Key Pillars provide an essential framework that can help utilities identify workforce development approaches that meet their needs. Attendees will be provided with an overview of programs and resources that are available to support those needs, highlighting several currently available through the federal government and various water sector partners.
The key objectives of this webinar will include:
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Underscoring the importance of workforce development and its relationship with the broader concept of utility capacity.
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Exploring the Key Pillars of an affective workforce and some examples of what they look like in practice.
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Highlighting specific resources that are available to help utilities with workforce needs.
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Equipping attendees with the knowledge and information for better connecting utilities with tools and resources that support their workforce needs.
Registration is free.
For any questions about this webinar, please contact Edward Viveiros.
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Featured Video |
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Unlocking Energy Efficiency for Small Wastewater Treatment Plants
Environmental Finance Center Network
"Small wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) face increasingly complex challenges from tightening regulatory requirements to rising energy demands and escalating electricity costs. For small WWTPs energy expenses are often among the highest operational costs. This webinar explores practical strategies for reducing energy consumption through targeted efficiency measures, energy audits, and available rebates and incentives. Actionable tools and resources empower attendees to enhance efficiency, lower energy costs, and achieve long-term financial gains.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand where and how energy is consumed in small wastewater treatment plants.
- Learn the basic energy terms used in the industry.
- Learn methodologies to initiate an energy audit using available tools and resources.
- Identify low-cost and long-term energy-saving opportunities in WWTP operations.
- Access financial resources, rebates, and technical assistance to support energy improvements."
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Apply for the Hawkins Apprenticeship Scholarship! |
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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
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An eligible utility is a sewer or water system that meets the following requirements:
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Eligible system serving population of 2500 or less; and/or: USDA- 80% or less of SMHI
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A member in good standing with their State Rural Water Association (SRWA).
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Located in a state with an active Registered Apprenticeship program. Click here to view if your state has a program.
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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.
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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.
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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 |
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Featured Video |
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How Can America SURVIVE Without Enough Water Treatment Operators?
waterloop
"What happens when half your water operators retire—and no one knows the job exists?
Matthew Watts is confronting this workforce crisis head-on. As Treatment Planner for Middlesex Water Company, he’s leading a grassroots push to inspire the next generation of licensed operators. By bringing engaging demos and real-world water science into schools—from elementary to college—Matthew is planting the seeds for future careers in water operations.
His message: this isn’t just a job, it’s one of the most fulfilling roles in public service." |
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Improving Cyber Resilience Against the Rising
June 5, 2025 | 11:00 AM MDT
American Water Works Association
This free webinar, presented by Fortinet, will focus on bad actors which see utilities as targets for sophisticated cyberattacks. This has elevated the importance of cyber readiness for water and wastewater utilities. During this panel discussion, experts will discuss strategies for preparing for, responding to, and recovering from cyberattacks as a part of any business continuity plan. Leveraging insight from peers and a leading cybersecurity supplier to water and wastewater entities, attendees will gain advice and best practices for building a readiness plan in case of a cyber-attack. |
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What to Expect When Your Wastewater Plant Is Inspected
June 12, 2025 | 12:00 AM EDT
Environmental Finance Center Network
Join EFCN for this no-cost webinar with Mike Tate, a seasoned expert with 35 years of experience inspecting wastewater treatment facilities. You’ll get an inside look at how inspections are conducted, why certain areas receive special attention, and how to prepare with confidence. Gain practical insights to reduce stress, strengthen compliance, and ensure your facility is inspection ready. |
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Income Surveys: A Tool for Improving Drinking Water Funding in Small Communities
June 17, 2025 | 1:00 PM EDT
Rural Community Assistance Partnership
Income surveys can expand funding opportunities for small communities by providing an accurate representation of household incomes and the need for increased financial assistance. This free presentation will cover general steps for conducting an income survey, how these studies can improve funding options for communities, and strategies for creating an effective survey utilizing newer, more modern technology.
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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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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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