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Newsletter #409 for July 15, 2025 |
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Rural Water Systems & Cybersecurity Training |
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A recent hands-on training hosted by Communities Unlimited (CU) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) highlighted the vulnerability of rural water systems to cyberattacks. The event, held in Alexandria, Louisiana, brought together operators, city officials, and local leaders to learn about crisis response and collaboration. Participants were guided through a fictional cyberattack scenario which emphasized the importance of cybersecurity in protecting critical infrastructure.
“We tend to have a narrow view of cybersecurity — like it’s just about protecting pumps or computers — but this training went further. It covered things like losing billing data, the importance of recent backups, and what happens if you're relying on someone else to manage your systems. If they drop the ball, you’re the one who suffers,” said Catherine Krantz, Area Director of Broadband at CU.
Read the full story to learn more about the training and its impact on rural communities.
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Missed our last webinar? Watch the recording! |
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Stormwater Management Resources for POTWs
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:
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AWWA is looking for your feedback! |
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Do you wish you had some resources for water systems and customers about in-home water treatment and the potential water quality issues that are related?
A working group is looking into developing some resources and would appreciate your response to their 5-question survey.
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| Fill Out the Survey |
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Featured Video |
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A Quick Guide to Responding to a Notice of Violation for Small Drinking Water Utilities
Rural Community Assistance Partnership - RCAP
"Notices of Violation are sent to public water systems out of compliance with safe drinking water standards. As a leader responsible for a public water system, you're right to be concerned if your utility receives one. In this quick guide, we'll show you how to effectively respond."
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Don't forget to apply! |
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The Hawkins, Inc. Apprenticeship Scholarship 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.
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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Regional Water Rural Water Association meeting gets heated over mandatory water restrictions
KETV NewsWatch 7
"Residents in Avoca, Iowa, engaged in a heated discussion with regional water manager Tom Kallman over the implementation of a red advisory, which enforces strict water usage limitations." |
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RCAP Finding the Right Fit: How to Vet Grant Opportunities and Dissect a NOFO
July 21, 2025 | 1:00 PM EDT
Rural Community Assistance Partnership
This free session will guide participants through the process of vetting funding opportunities to ensure they align with local goals, capacity, and compliance requirements. Participants will also learn how to assess whether a proposed project meets key planning criteria and how to break down the structure of a NOFO to determine if it’s a good fit before investing time in the application process.
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Community Engineering Corps Program: Real World Application
July 23, 2025 | 11:00 AM MDT
American Water Works Association
This webinar session will discuss the Community Engineering Corps program process, utilizing project examples to depict the real-world application of the program. The process will feature the capacity-building components offered by AWWA Training Services, completing Preliminary Assessments, and connecting our clients to AWWA resources.
This webinar is free for members, $25 for non-members.
View membership information on AWWA's website.
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Process Controls Strategies for Troubleshooting Lagoon Operations
July 24, 2025 | 1:00 PM EDT
Rural Community Assistance Partnership
This free webinar is designed to equip operators and wastewater professionals with practical tools and strategies to troubleshoot common problems in lagoon systems. Participants will learn how to interpret key process indicators, implement diagnostic sampling and monitoring techniques, and apply targeted control measures to restore and maintain system performance.
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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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