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Newsletter #32 for September 13, 2016
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Corps Suspends Construction of Dakota Access Pipeline Despite Judge's Order

Photo by Robyn Beck, AFP news agency.  
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced last week that they will temporarily halt construction of a portion of an oil pipeline that the Standing Rock Sioux and others say has disrupted sacred sites and could contaminate local water supplies. The announcement came minutes after a federal judge rejected the tribe's request to order the halt. 

At the same time, government officials acknowledged that the concerns of tribal nations had not been fully heard before federal officials approved the pipeline. In a joint statement from the Crops and the Justice and Interior departments, officials said, "This case has highlighted the need for a series discussion on whether there should be nationwide reform with respect to considering tribes' views on these types of infrastructure projects." The tribe in turn called the federal order "a game changer" in a statement. 

The articles below provide additional information on the halt and the large-scale protest surrounding the decision. 

Events for Tribal Water Systems

Safe Drinking Water Act Compliance and Maintenance
September 20-22 | Suquamish, Washington

Hosted by Indian Health Service 

This three-day course is designed to provide an overview of the Safe Drinking Water Act and to provide tools to maintain compliance. Topics will include the multi-barrier approach, total coliform rule, revised total coliform rule, groundwater rule, stage 2 disinfection by-products rule, long term 2 enhanced surface water treatment rule, lead and copper rule, disinfection methods, and cross connections. | Click here for more information.

Water Operator Workshop
September 28 | Window Rock, Arizona
Hosted by the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency

Topics covered include PWSSP drinking water new regulation, Revised Total Coliform & assessments, lead & copper rule, public notice, and site sampling plans. | Click here for more information.

Sanitary Survey Essentials: Hands-On Field Training
September 28 | Loon Lake, Washington
Hosted by the Rural Community Assistance Corporation

This five hour workshop will provide participants with an overview of the sanitary survey requirement. Participants will learn: to identify and correct common deficiencies; what a significant deficiency is; what records are needed during a sanitary survey; and how to successfully prepare for routine sanitary surveys. Click here for more information.

Asset Management for Small Tribal Water Systems
October 4 | Petoskey, Michigan
Hosted by the Environmental Finance Center Network and Indian Health Service 

Water system managers and decision-makers, in particular, will benefit from this workshop. In the current climate of increasing regulations, decreasing revenues, and aging and decaying infrastructure, an asset management approach is vital. This workshop will provide you with tools to begin the process and understand the benefits. Click here for more information.
Want to find additional training opportunities for operators,
including events in your area?
Search the Training Calendar

Featured Resource

Decentralized Systems Technology Fact Sheet: Mound Systems
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

This 7-page factsheet describes mound systems for wastewater treatment and provides information on technologies, advantages and disadvantages, design criteria, operation and maintenance, and costs. 

Click here to download.
Have a different question?
You can find thousands of helpful resources in our database.
Search the Document Database

In the News


Chandler Pays $43 Million for Some of Gila River Tribe's Water
The Chandler City Council reached a deal last month to pay the Gila River Indian Community nearly $43 million for rights to a portion of the tribe's Central Arizona Project water.

Utes Awarded $9 Million to Upgrade Water System
The U.S. Department of Agriculture as awarded the Ute Mountain Ute tribe $9 million to upgrade water infrastructure and wastewater facilities on tribal land. 

Arsenic in Hopis' Water Twice the EPA Limit, and It May Be Making Them Sick
Two new, deeper water wells have been drilled on the Hopi Reservation in Arizona to help remedy high-levels of arsenic in the tribe's drinking water. 

Toxic Water Rule Delayed After Seminole Tribe Sues
Florida environmentalists are hoping that a legal challenge by the Seminole Tribe will be the catalyst to force state regulators to revisit a controversial rule that raises the levels of some of the toxins allowable in the state's water bodies.

State of Nation Address Asks Citizens to Protect Environment 
During his delivery of this year's State of the Nation address, Cherokee Nation Principle Chief Bill John Baker highlighted tribal actions to make lasting environmental changes, including authorizing officials to carry out a comprehensive plan to reduce water pollution within the Nation's boundaries. 
WaterOperator.org—formerly SmallWaterSupply.org—is a free, grant-funded service 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 buying, selling, or advertising anything. You can call us at 1-866-522-2681 if you need assistance.

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Developing a Better Understanding of Drinking Water Technology Approval: WINSSS Center Project B1
When EPA in 2014 chose to fund the National Centers for Innovation in Small Drinking Water Systems, their vision for the Centers was much more than developing new drinking water technologies. This post walks through the non-treatment pieces of the vision. 
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