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Newsletter #404 for May 6, 2025 |
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EPA Announces $49 Million in Technical Assistance for Wastewater Challenges |
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made a significant funding announcement, awarding $49 million to technical assistance providers to tackle wastewater infrastructure issues. This funding specifically aims to support rural, small, and tribal communities in addressing infrastructure challenges through the Rural, Small and Tribal Clean Water Technical Assistance Grant Program.
The $49 million in funding will be distributed to various technical assistance providers, including the National Rural Water Association and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership. This funding aims to help communities with planning, designing, and funding essential wastewater infrastructure upgrades, ensuring compliance with the Clean Water Act. Matt Holmes, CEO of the National Rural Water Association, highlighted the necessity of funding for hands-on assistance programs to address significant water and wastewater challenges and Olga Morales Pate, CEO of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, expressed excitement about working with the EPA to further capacity-building efforts for rural and tribal utilities across the nation.
Many rural, small, and tribal systems encounter distinct challenges, such as outdated infrastructure and a shortage of skilled workers. Technical assistance providers will deliver training on best practices for water infrastructure and management in order to aid communities in securing federal and state funding for dependable infrastructure solutions.
For more information on accessing support from TA providers, visit EPA's WaterTA page.
Disclosure: A small fraction of this funding supports wastewater content at WaterOperator.org |
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Tap Talk |
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. |
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Missed our last webinar? Watch it now! |
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In this recording of our recent live webinar "Enhanced Nutrient Removal and Harmful Algal Bloom Control Resources" viewers will discover some of the most helpful resources for enhanced nutrient removal and harmful algal bloom control and learn how to use our search tools at WaterOperator.org to find additional 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 to live attendees but are not available for watching this replay.
Recordings of our previous webinars:
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Featured Video |
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Can Report Cards Save America's Water?
waterloop
"Drinking water infrastructure is critical—and largely out of sight. In this episode of H2O Minute News, Manny Teodoro of the University of Wisconsin wants to change that with the Wisconsin Water Works Excellence Project, a first-of-its-kind statewide effort to grade all 572 regulated water utilities.
Using detailed public data, the team created school-style report cards on water quality, infrastructure, finance, and communication. The goal? Empower communities, increase transparency, and spark smarter investment—before a crisis or rate spike.
“This could change the conversation in Wisconsin—and become a model for the nation,” says Teodoro." |
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ACE is next month! Register today! |
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Have you registered to attend this year’s American Water Works Association Annual Conference & Expo (ACE) yet?
This year’s ACE will be held from June 8-11 in Denver, Colorado, at the Colorado Convention Center, and will be focused on exploring how to ELEVATE the future of water.
ACE is one of the largest gatherings for the water sector. It features an exhibit hall, dozens of educational sessions, annual competitions, and much more! ACE offers plenty of networking and professional development opportunities, including certificates of completion for all our sessions.
Reserve your spot now to discover the latest strategies, technologies, and tools to address prominent challenges water systems face around the world.
You do not need to be a member to register for ACE. If you have an account, you will be asked to log in. If you do not, you will be asked to create a free account to register for the conference. |
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Featured Video |
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Austin-area water experts explain direct potable reuse
KVUE
"The Austin Water Task Force recently announced the possibility of studying direct potable reuse, commonly known as 'from toilet to tap.'"
KVUE asked two experienced water experts – Dr. Robert Mace, director of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, and Jeremy Mazur, the director of infrastructure and natural resources policy for Texas 2036 – to discuss direct potable reuse and some factors that water leaders should be mindful of when considering whether "toilet to tap" initiatives will work for their communities. |
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PFAS Removal: Novel Adsorbents and Process
May 8, 2025 | 11:00 AM MDT
American Water Works Association
At this free webinar, attendees will be introduced to a novel solution to PFAS treatment that could be used in a range of applications within the water industry. You'll learn how these new technologies can handle low to high concentration PFAS waters while producing high-quality micro-filtration effluent water.
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360° Resilience Readiness for Your Water System’s Service Continuity
May 15, 2025 | 12:00 PM EDT
Environmental Finance Center Network
This free webinar will lead you through a quick scan to check on your all-around needs for resilience to protect water service continuity in the face of disruptions and stressors. In this webinar you’ll use a 360 approach to identify needs to strengthen resilience in multiple areas including, but more than, natural hazards such as cybersecurity, fiscal readiness, workforce and more. You’ll leave the webinar with a punch list of any priority needs, and opportunities to connect to further training and technical assistance. |
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Addressing Contamination Incidents in RRAs and ERPs
May 27, 2025 | 11:00 AM EDT
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This free webinar is meant to help community water systems (CWS) learn how to address contamination incidents in their risk and resilience assessments (RRAs) and emergency response plans (ERPs). Intentional contamination is one type of malevolent act that CWSs may want to address in their RRA and ERP. In this webinar, EPA will provide examples of how CWSs can address contamination incidents in their RRA and ERP. |
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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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