|
Newsletter #140 for September 2025 |
|
|
|
|
 |
Get Ready for the 13th Annual SepticSmart Week! |
|
What are you planning to do for this year's SepticSmart Week? This is the perfect time for communities, national organizations, local groups, and governments to come together and bring attention to the importance of caring for and maintaining septic systems through homeowner education and public outreach.
Now is the time to start planning if you haven't already! You can peruse the SepticSmart Week page at the EPA at your own pace or check out these particular (free!) resources we recommend for reaching and educating homeowners:
We would also recommend everyone to encourage their local government leaders to sign an official SepticSmart Week Proclamation. You can find links to different proclamation templates for governors, mayors, and tribal/community leaders at the EPA webpage!
If you're interested in learning more information about septic systems, check out our sister site, DecentralizedWastewater.org! Our blog is full of resources that focus on the importance of caring for and maintaining septic systems. Check out last year's blog post all about how to prepare for SepticSmart Week! |
|
|
|
|
 |
Missed our last webinar? Watch the recording! |
|
From Waste to Resource Biosolids Management References for POTWs
In this webinar, participants will discover some of the most helpful references to support wastewater treatment systems in biosolids management. Plus, learn how to use our search tools at WaterOperator.org to find additional resources and training events.
Topics will include: biosolids processing technologies/methods, starting a biosolids land application program, resource recovery from biosolids, and emerging contaminants in biosolids like PFAS and microplastics.
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:
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Tap Talk Episode 56
Bridging the Gap with Technical Assistance
U.S. EPA’s WaterTA program is an umbrella for a range of services that directly serve the regulated community. In this episode we’re chatting about how the program is reducing barriers to capacity development, including funding accessibility, by matching water system requests with local technical assistance providers. Our guests, Rebecca Kowalski and Isabelle Horvath, are from Region 5.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Getting Grant Ready Webinar Series for Tribes: Developing a Budget and Budget Narrative |
 |
|
"This webinar provides guidance on developing a budget that accurately reflects your project needs and creating a clear budget narrative that aligns with those needs. Participants will learn how to justify allowable budget items and demonstrate fiscal responsibility in their proposals.
Learning Objectives:
-
Learn the components of an effective grant budget, including identifying allowable and reasonable costs for your project.
-
Understand how to create a detailed budget narrative that explains the necessity and justification of each budget line item.
-
Develop skills to align your budget with project objectives, ensuring your financial plan supports your project's success and satisfies funders' requirements."
Find more videos like this on Environmental Finance Center Network's YouTube Channel. |
|
|
|
|
Featured Events for Tribal Water Systems |
|
|
|
Choosing Tank Linings That Save Budgets
September 18, 2025 | 11:00 MDT
American Water Works Association & Indian Health Service
This free webinar offers attendees a comprehensive overview of advanced 100% solids lining systems for water tanks, which eliminate the traditional tradeoff between durability and sustainability. Participants will learn how these high-build coatings—epoxies and elastomeric polyurethanes—reduce VOCs, extend maintenance cycles, and deliver long-term performance in harsh conditions. With service lives reaching up to 30 years, these linings help utilities and municipalities lower lifecycle costs, meet environmental goals, and improve worker safety. |
|
|
|
Wastewater Collection Systems, Pumping, and Lagoon Training
September 23, 2025 | Hayward, WI
Indian Health Service
This free course provides operational knowledge of basic lagoon chemistry, process control, and lift stations. It also covers safety procedures, troubleshooting collection system operations and maintenance [O&M], and an overview of sewer mains and force mains. This course relies heavily on hands-on activities and classroom participation to enable operators to apply troubleshooting techniques and employ long-term O&M practices to optimize the longevity of their wastewater facilities. |
|
|
|
Built Tough, Field Ready
September 23, 2025 | 11:00 MDT
American Water Works Association & Indian Health Service
Join top engineers and utility leaders in the drinking water industry as they explore how long-term infrastructure performance is shaped by engineering decisions, material selection, installation practices, and maintenance strategies.
This free session will highlight utility case studies where systems have withstood decades of service, even under challenging conditions such as seismic events, corrosive soils, and wildfires. Attendees will learn how real-world challenges have shaped best practices in designing durable, low-maintenance water systems. |
|
|
|
Water 2050: The Value of Regionalization or Consolidation
September 24, 2025 | 11:00 MDT
American Water Works Association & Indian Health Service
Water and wastewater utilities are facing increased operational and financial pressures. Regionalization or consolidation of water and wastewater utility services can help certain communities leverage economies of scale and improve service delivery.
If your utility or region is considering regionalization or consolidation, this free webinar offers a valuable opportunity to learn from seasoned and skilled practitioners. Find out what it takes to successfully implement water and wastewater utility regionalization or consolidation and explore different opportunities or solutions available to support your efforts. |
|
|
|
Developing Predictive Models for Service Line Inventories
October 8, 2025 | 11:00 MDT
American Water Works Association & Indian Health Service
This free webinar is designed to provide utility professionals and consultants with essential knowledge and practical guidance on leveraging machine learning to develop service line inventories in compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). With increasing regulatory pressure to accurately identify, manage, and mitigate lead service lines, predictive modeling offers a powerful tool to streamline the inventory process, reduce uncertainties, and enhance public health protection.
Attendees will learn how predictive modeling can be effectively utilized to support the development of lead service line inventories required for LCRI compliance, gain insights into data requirements, modeling processes, and best practices for selecting and implementing machine learning solutions tailored to their unique needs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recent Blog Posts at WaterOperator.org |
|
|
 |
|
Texas Water Supply Endangered by Workforce Shortage
Read Here » |
|
|
 |
|
Pathways for Career Development in Wastewater Treatment
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: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
