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2020 has proven to be a challenging year, yet it has also presented an opportunity for operators to demonstrate to their communities some of the skills that they do best: innovation, adaptation, and perseverance. So far this year utilities have faced a global pandemic, driving sudden changes to operations and maintenance, sampling procedures, staff scheduling, and more. Systematic racial injustice has been brought to the forefront of all of our minds pushing us to each assess how we can do better, how we can create change. All the while, operators have continued to serve their communities — to keep the water flowing. This is a true feat, one that we should pay gratitude toward each and every day.
WaterOperator.org wants to make sure our operators, as well as all of the professionals serving the water industry, are taking time each day to care for themselves, be proud of their efforts, and enjoy the continued opportunities within the water industry. Please enjoy this month's special edition newsletter, written to take a little pressure off your day and to offer resources that will make the next one better. Thank you for your hard work and resilience.
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"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."
– Albert Pike
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Show Off Your Pride with WEF!
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 If you haven't talked to your community about your utility's commitment to services, we recommend utilizing the Water Environment Federation's (WEF) Water's Worth It: Coronavirus Toolkit. Messages such as these reassure your customers of your continued services and build appreciation for their utilities. The toolkit features social media graphics, fact sheets, teacher resources, web banners, email signature graphics, and more — all designed to showcase the essential work of water proffesionals.
Operators can also show off their pride for the industry by purchasing a WEF Water's Worth It T-shirt, polo, windbreaker, or pullover. All proceeds will be donated to support water workers worldwide.
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Water and Wastewater Utilities Are Essential Employees Too
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In this video by PollardWater, essential workers are proudly thanked for their heroic services in the water industry.
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Pandemics Can Initiate Progress?
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If there's one thing we can all attest to from our experience in the water industry, it's that water professionals make up some of the best problem solvers we know. Under a pandemic, many utilities have found creative solutions to their unique challenges. Whether its the development of a new sampling device or implementing a project to take advantage of spare hands, utilities have come up with some unique solutions to shut-down conditions:
Kansas Operator Patents an Affordable Dedicated Sampling Device
Drinking water sampling must continue, however closed businesses and the health risks of entering private homes make collection challenging. Operator Gerald Watson has developed a low-cost, easy-to-install solution.
Host: Kansas Rural Water Association
COVID-19 Is Bad for Business for Water Utilities, But Consumers May Benefit
Small systems are looking toward regionalization and consolidation to resolve financial burdens exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
Host: National Public Radio (NPR)
How Pandemics Have Changed American Cities — Often for the Better
Outbreaks in U.S. history have often lead to the increased investment in public health through water, sanitation, housing, and urban planning.
Host: WaterOnline
Danish Utility Increases Leak Detection During COVID-19
There's a lot of projects we might have had to put off during the pandemic. A utility in Denmark has taken the extra time to work on their leak detection program.
Host: WaterOnline
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"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."
– Martin Luther King Jr.
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Utility of the Future Today Precondition Program
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 Applications are now open for the fifth annual Utility of the Future Today Recognition Program. Take some time in the next month to show the Water Environment Federation (WEF) how your utility has transformed its operations through innovation and technology to achieve more efficient operations, productivity, and sustainability. Applicants will be judged on:
- Recovery and new uses of a range of resources
- Engagement in the full water cycle & broader social, economic, and environmental sustainability of the community
- Engagement in the community and formation of partnerships necessary for success when operating outside of the traditional span of the utility
- Transformation of the internal utility culture in support of these innovations
Utilities of all sizes are encouraged to apply by July 17th at 5:00 PM EDT. Applicants cannot have any major permit violations in the year prior to submission. We'd love to see Rural water show off their innovation and resource planning.
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Water in Real Life Podcast: Water Nerds Guide to Remote Work
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 Working from home can have its ups and downs. For many of us, this transition may feel like it comes with a pretty big learning curve. If you're struggling to adapt to these new conditions, the team at Rouge Water will offer you a fresh, optimistic perspective on remote working. Listen to episode 91 of the Water in Real Life Podcast to get their top 13 tips on maintaining efficiency, and having a little fun, while working at home.
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"Be patient to understand what is happening, understand how to respond to it, and understand how to get back on course to achieve the things you want."
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Just like we perform routine and preventative maintenance on our system's assets, we must also remember to do the same for ourselves. Stress can erode our enthusiasm and work efficiency if we don't make the necessary adjustments to give ourselves what we need. For any given work day, those needs might change so make sure to check in often.
We also recommend starting each day with some of the suggestions found in these two resources:
Win the Day: Making the Most of Your Workday
Build these eight simple tips into your daily routine to stay motivated and inspired at the utility.
Host: American Water Works Association
Employees: How to Cope with Job Stress and Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Essential workers can learn how to recognize stress and alleviate that stress using the CDC's suggestions for workforce resilience.
Host: Center for Disease Control
Leadership Lessons We Can Learn from Isolation
In this article we learn that we can use the pandemic as a wake up call to slow down, pay attention, support each other, and courageously face the unknown.
Host: LeadinginContext.com
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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 buying, selling, or advertising anything. You can call us at 1-866-522-2681 if you need assistance. |
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