Newsletter #142 for November 2025

Registration for VirCon 2026 is Open!

Our team at WaterOperator.org is excited to announce the Virtual Operator Conference will return in 2026. Free registration is now open!

Over three days (February 3-5, 2026) participants can earn up to 12 continuing education hours applicable to their drinking water operator license renewal.

We are seeking approval in all relevant operator certification jurisdictions and will provide updates on the event registration page and in this newsletter!

Topics include asset management, distribution systems, GIS, and drones. Each session is delivered by a technical assistance professional from the RCAP network. Register now to save your spot!

Safeguarding Alaska’s Tribal Waters

Alaska’s vast and largely unappropriated water resources present unique opportunities and challenges for tribal nations. Unlike many western states where water rights are heavily over-allocated, Alaska’s abundance of water creates a different legal and environmental landscape.

This article from The Headwater's Report explains why Alaska stands apart and what that means for tribal water rights. Readers will learn how traditional agreements like the Winters doctrine and the Winans doctrine often don’t apply in Alaska, and what exceptions exist. The piece also explores the legal and constitutional tools available to tribes.

The article goes further by outlining practical steps Tribes can take, such as pursuing instream flow reservations under state law, despite administrative hurdles. It also highlights opportunities for Alaska to improve water management, including better stream gauging and adjudicating applications to ensure sustainable use. Ultimately, this roadmap shows how Tribes and the state can work together to balance development with the long-term protection of Alaska’s waters.

Tap Talk Episode 58

Solutions for Safety in Buildings’ Water Systems

In Tap Talk’s 58th episode, Dr. Andrew Whelton of Purdue University visits to discuss plumbing and water system safety in buildings. Dr. Whelton is the lead of Purdue’s Center for Plumbing Safety, and among many duties, he explores solutions at the intersection of water infrastructure and public health. Listen to learn about how plumbing affects water quality, how the COVID pandemic rocked the water systems of unpopulated buildings, how to keep your office’s water system safe, and more.

Shanna Yazzie: Bringing Running Water to Navajo Nation Homes

"Shanna Yazzie, Safety and Compliance Manager for DigDeep’s Right to Water Project, is celebrated as a Hydro20 honoree for her leadership in bringing running water to homes across the Navajo Nation, where one in three households lacks access to running water. 

Growing up in a Navajo family that relied on hauled water, wash basins, and strict conservation practices, Yazzie learned early the cultural importance of not wasting water. It wasn’t until her family ran out of water that she fully understood the challenges many Navajo households face.

Yazzie led teams to deliver water systems to some of the most remote homes in the Navajo Nation, where traditional infrastructure is often unavailable. Understanding the deep traditional, cultural, and spiritual connections families have to their land, she and her team built trust by clearly explaining each step of the installation process. Using visuals, they demonstrated how 1,200-gallon cisterns, water pumps, and solar-powered systems would be installed, helping families envision the transformation. 

These efforts brought life-changing access to water, creating memorable moments for homeowners and children witnessing new systems in their communities.

In her current role, Yazzie ensures that every project meets the highest standards of worker and community safety, prioritizing comprehensive training for employees working in rural areas. Her work not only transforms lives by providing reliable water access but also strengthens cultural and spiritual connections to the land. The joy of seeing families turn on a faucet for the first time remains a career highlight for Yazzie."

Find more videos like this on waterloop's YouTube Channel.

Featured Events for Tribal Water Systems

In the News

• Lytton Rancheria invests $51M in California groundwater project | Tribal Business News
  • Cadiz Inc. Secures $51 Million Tribal Investment for Mojave Groundwater Bank Project | Native News Online
• Kansas tribes navigate future water problems without representation on statewide task force | Kansas Reflector
  
• Water Knows No Boundaries | The Headwater's Report
• A tribe in Nevada finally had funding for climate resilience. Then a grant was ripped away. | Nevada Current
  
• Colorado River given personhood status by Arizona tribe | AZ Central
• Tribal Water Issues in Oklahoma | The Headwater's Report
  

Recent Blog Posts at WaterOperator.org

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