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Newsletter #149 for June 2026 |
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Register for EPA's 2026 National Cyber Drill |
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Join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the 2026 National Cybersecurity Drill on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT. This year’s exercise is designed to challenge drinking water and wastewater utilities to maintain critical system functions in an environment where telecommunications and internet access are no longer available.
"The exercise is built around a simulated scenario in which cyber and/or physical incidents degrade or disable commercial telecommunications infrastructure, internet service providers, and associated systems. As a result, participating organizations must operate in a “disconnected” environment with limited or no access to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) remote connectivity, cloud-based services, email, Voice over IP (VoIP), and other digital communication tools. This exercise is designed to strengthen sector-wide resilience by testing operations under progressively degraded conditions. It enables participants to identify barriers and dependencies while reinforcing continuity of safe and reliable water and wastewater services in the absence of telecommunications and internet connectivity."
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be provided in most states.
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Register for this month's free webinar! |
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Monitoring, Sampling, and Data Management for NPDES Compliance
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CDT
WaterOperator.org
This free webinar provides a practical overview of wastewater monitoring, sampling, and data management as they relate to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. Participants will explore common compliance challenges, review best practices for collecting and managing discharge monitoring data, and learn about publicly available resources to support permit compliance. The session also includes a demonstration of our free search tools at WaterOperator.org to find additional free resources and training events.
This webinar series from WaterOperator.org covers topics relevant to wastewater operators, including funding, asset management, compliance, and water quality.
Certificates of attendance will be delivered upon request. Check with your certification body for acceptance criteria. |
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Tap Talk Episode 66
Understanding PFAS and Private Wells (Part 2)
In this episode we’re concluding a two-part series exploring PFAS and their impact on private well users. Our conversation with Dr. Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson and Jennifer Hoponick Redmon dives further into their research efforts and potential applications. Together these episodes offer important foundational understanding as well as new insight on PFAS exposure via well water.
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Water Operators – What They Do
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This video, created by the North Shore Mi'kmaq Tribal Council, highlights the essential role of water and wastewater operators in keeping communities safe. It shows how they test and treat drinking water, manage wastewater, respond to emergencies, and ensure systems run 24/7.
A video like this helps to illustrate the critical work that water and wastewater operators do to protect public health in their communities.
Find more videos like this on the North Shore Mi'kmaq Tribal Council's YouTube channel. |
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Featured Events for Tribal Water Systems |
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Basic Electrical Controls for Water and Wastewater Operators
June 16, 2026 | Albuquerque, NM
Indian Health Service
This free course provides operational knowledge of basic electrical concepts and exposure to common electrical components used in water and sewer utility control systems. In this popular course, operators learn to use electrical meters and apply elementary trouble shooting techniques while constructing and testing actual pump control panels. This course relies heavily on hands-on activities and classroom participation. |
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Apply Today! USDA Funding Applications for Tribes 2-Part Training Series
July 13, 2026 | 1:00 PM AKDT
Rural Community Assistance Corporation
This free, two-part training will cover the essential elements of USDA Rural Development funding readiness including technical, managerial and financial preparedness for federal funding opportunities.
Participants will gain a clear understanding of the key requirements needed to strengthen eligibility, improve organizational readiness and navigate the funding process with confidence. By the end of the training, attendees will leave with a practical checklist of action steps to support future funding success. |
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Water Project Permits: Virtual Roundtable
July 15, 2026 | 11:00 AM MDT
American Water Works Association, Indian Health Service
This free, interactive dialogue with leaders from water utility, legal, and the consulting sectors will take a closer look at key aspects and strategies for successfully managing the challenges in navigating federal permitting and review processes for water utility projects.
As water utility leaders know, large capital projects often trigger federal environmental review requirements, either because they require a federal permit or because they might receive federal funding. In addition, requirements have shifted significantly due to Supreme Court decisions, regulatory overhauls, executive orders, and more.
This program will provide attendees with up-to-date information from experts on permitting aspects of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), and more. Practitioners will share how they’ve overcome the risks and challenges of permitting to deliver essential infrastructure projects. |
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Recent Blog Posts at WaterOperator.org |
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Lagoon Wastewater Systems Practical Tools and Resources for Compliance
Read Here » |
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Energy Optimization and Cost‑Saving Strategies for Wastewater Utilities
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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View archive of past issues. | Click here to unsubscribe | Sent to: _t.e.s.t_@example.com
Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, Champaign, IL 61820, United States |
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