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Newsletter #139 for August 2025 |
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Understanding the Growing Backlog of Indian Water Rights Settlements |
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Since 1978, Congress has approved 35 tribal water rights settlements, with four more resolved administratively by the United States Departments of Justice and Interior. Yet as of summer 2025, a record 12 settlements remain pending, leaving Tribal Nations unable to access critical funding or implement vital water infrastructure projects. These settlements are essential for quantifying tribal water rights, establishing enforceable agreements, and securing long-term water access and management.
While bipartisan support is growing, funding remains a major hurdle, especially as Tribes seek over $12 billion in federal resources. With new proposals for mandatory funding and existing programs like the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund and the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund, the path forward hinges on congressional action.
Read the full article on The Headwaters Report to learn more about the settlement process, key stakeholders, and what’s at stake for tribal communities.
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Register for Next Week's Free Webinar! |
| From Waste to Resource: Biosolids Management References for POTWs
August 19, 2025 | 10:00 AM CDT
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 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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| Register Today |
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EPA Grants Yurok Tribe Authority to Develop Water Quality Standards for Their Lands
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted the Yurok Tribe in Northern California the authority to develop and enforce water quality standards on their reservation, recognizing them with “treatment in a similar manner as a state” under the Clean Water Act.
This milestone empowers the Yurok Tribe to directly manage and protect their water resources, particularly the lower Klamath River, which holds deep cultural and ecological significance. The decision supports tribal self-governance and is part of EPA’s broader initiative to promote cooperative federalism. With this approval, all Klamath River Basin tribes in EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region now hold this designation.
Read the full press release to learn more about EPA’s decision and its impact on tribal water quality management.
Further Reading...
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Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project is on track for completion at the end of 2029 |
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"The project, which would bring fresh water to over 200,000 people, was authorized under the Obama Administration in 2009. The federal government is contributing $2.2 billion to the project."
Further Reading...
Find more videos like this on KSUT Tribal Radio's YouTube Channel. |
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Tap Talk Episode 55
A Look at Progress and Needs in the Decentralized Wastewater Industry
This is an exciting episode for Tap Talk: it's our first episode fully dedicated to decentralized wastewater and septic systems! Steve and Jennifer welcome Dr. Sara Heger, an industry expert, researcher, and trainer from the University of Minnesota’s Onsite Sewage Treatment Program. Whether you’re a water professional or a homeowner with a septic system, listen for an introduction to the recent progress, needs, and issues in the decentralized wastewater industry. |
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Indigenous Communities and Water: Navigating Challenges and Ensuring Access
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"This session was part of the Water For Food Global Conference held April 28-May 2, 2025 in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA.
This conference session, "Indigenous Communities and Water: Navigating Challenges and Ensuring Access," presents a compelling panel discussion on water rights and land management from an Indigenous viewpoint. The speakers collectively underscore that water transcends being a mere resource; it is considered a sacred entity, a relative, and a profound teacher, intrinsically linked to Indigenous governance and sovereignty. The session also sheds light on the historical injustices, including forced displacement and resource exploitation, that continue to impede Indigenous communities' access to clean water and their traditional agricultural practices.
Furthermore, the discussion delves into legal frameworks such as the Doctrine of Discovery and the Federal Reserved Water Rights Doctrine, highlighting how these have historically marginalized Indigenous voices. Despite these obstacles, the resilience of Indigenous peoples and the vital importance of their involvement in policy-making and land reclamation are strongly emphasized. The speakers advocate for a comprehensive, intergenerational approach to land and water stewardship, urging non-Indigenous institutions to acknowledge and honor Indigenous sovereignty and knowledge."
Find more videos on Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute's YouTube Channel. |
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Featured Events for Tribal Water Systems |
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A Tribal Specific Webinar: Navigating Lead in Drinking Water Compliance and Funding Challenges
August 20, 2025 | 1:00 EDT
120Water
This free webinar will provide an overview on the variety of funding mechanisms that are available to support EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) and the Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations for tribal water systems. Case studies highlighting how Tribal water systems and Tribal consortiums are navigating these complex regulatory and funding challenges will be featured. |
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Safe Drinking Water Act for Tribes
August 27, 2025 | 9:00 AM PDT
Rural Community Assistance Corporation
This free training is based on the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for tribal water systems aiming to educate tribal leaders, water operators, and other stakeholders about the law’s requirements, its application to tribal systems, and the steps needed to ensure compliance with water quality standards. The training is designed to build the capacity of tribal communities to manage and maintain safe drinking water systems. |
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NAWMA Eastern Arizona: Water Operations Merging Theory with Practice
September 9-10, 2025 | TBD, AZ
Rural Community Assistance Corporation
As our knowledge of the world around us increases, so does our awareness of risks to our public health. It is vital for operators to stay up to date with the latest information to protect public health. This free training will focus on merging theory with practical experiences, preparing the operator to pass their certification test as well as perform their job critically in the field. |
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Recent Blog Posts at WaterOperator.org |
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Texas Water Supply Endangered by Workforce Shortage
Read Here » |
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Pathways for Career Development in Wastewater Treatment
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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Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, Champaign, IL 61820, United States |
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