Copy
Newsletter #293 for May 20, 2021
View this email in your browser

Customer Debt and Declining Revenues: The Financial Impacts of COVID-19 on Small Community Water Systems

The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on everyone, especially small community water systems. There are over 45,000 small community water systems across the country that serve roughly 53 million people. These small systems play a big role in maintaining the health and safety of people and the environment. Despite the essential role that these systems play, they are often underfunded and overlooked by the federal government.  

The Pacific Institute, the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, and the Rural Community Assistance Corporation came together to look more closely at the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on small community water systems and recently published a report on their findings. The report looks at how the pandemic worsened the challenges that the systems were already facing like high water bills, cybersecurity, and rising costs of treating new contaminants in their water and wastewater. Recommendations are offered at the end of the report to help make small systems more resilient to financial challenges they are currently facing and may face in the future. 
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward

Drink More Tap: Pouring it into Song

The Water Department in Philadelphia partnered with Mural Arts Philadelphia and 
AFROTAINO to celebrate Water Week this year by holding a series of visual and performing arts events called Drink More Tap. The events focused on promoting the safety, affordability, and sustainability of Philadelphia tap water. This is a great way to help community members understand the importance of safe drinking water.

Check out some of the recorded sessions.

Value of Water Photo Contest on Instagram

San Diego County Water Authority is celebrating this Water Awareness month of May by holding a value of water photo contest on Instagram. They are interested in photo submissions that show what the value of water means to you. 

To enter, post your photo on Instagram between May 1-31. Be sure to follow and tag the Water Authority @sdcwa and use the #ValueOfWater hashtag in your post. 
Multiple entries will be accepted.

EPA Awards Over $17 Million to Benefit Small Water Systems

On May 12, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced over $17 million in grant funding to better protect the public health and environment in small communities. This funding will focus specifically on improving the drinking water and wastewater operations in these communities. This money helps provide funding for WaterOperator.org and the newsletter your reading right now! 

Featured Tool

Check out this WEF Skills Builder that uses quizzes to test your knowledge of math, safety, and various other wastewater topics. 
WEF Skills Builder

Free Resources

A Basic Emergency Response Plan Template for Systems Serving Populations under 10,000 People
 


Louisiana Rural Water Association


This 45-page document is a template for small system emergency response plans. The document outlines the Louisiana Administrative code and federal requirements for emergency response plans. The document lists the steps involved in creating your own plan and includes templates and blank forms to fill in with your system's information.
Download the Document
Have a different question?
You can find thousands of helpful resources in our database.

Free Webinar

Asset Management: Long Term Sustainability of Your Small System

May 25, 2021, at 10:00 A.M. Central Daylight Time

Minnesota Rural Water Association

During this webinar, attendees will learn the five core components of asset management:
1. Assets
2. Service Level
3. Criticality
4. Life Cycle
5. Funding

Learn More and Register
Want to find additional training opportunities for operators,
including events in your area? Search the training calendar.
Jamie Eichenberger on the Need for Water Infrastructure Funding

Words On Water #184

This episode of Words on Water features Jamie Eichenberger, the president-elect of the Water Environment Federation. In it, he discusses the importance of investing in water infrastructure. 

“Flushable” wipes are ruining sewage plants

Verge Science explains why "flushable" wipes are not actually flushable. 

Posts from WaterOperator.org

Water Operator Vaccination Update
Vaccination of our essential workers, including water sector professionals, is an important step towards fighting the pandemic.

Screens: An Important First Step in a Wastewater Treatment Plant
Choosing the correct option for a headworks screen is important not only in protecting downstream equipment but also for efficient, effective solids removal.

Increasing Attention to Significant Noncompliance Dischargers
Learn about the EPA National Compliance Initiative for reducing significant noncompliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.

Featured Video: Why Are 96,000,000 Black Balls on This Reservoir?
Learn about the shade ball cover used to reduce bromate formation, water evaporation, algae growth, and chlorination costs at the Los Angeles Reservoir.

Best Practices for In-Person Training During COVID-19
WaterOperator.org has put together "best of" guidelines to help training providers protect operators during the resumption of in-person training opportunities.

Reading Selections

The Hidden Role of Water Infrastructure in Driving a COVID-19 Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the crucial role that water plays in public health and the need for greater investment in the country's failing infrastructure. 

Nation’s Water Infrastructure is a Public Health Crisis, Dr. Mona to Tell Congress
The pediatrician in Flint, Michigan that found high levels of lead in the blood of children is taking her concerns about water infrastructure to the House Committee. 

Louisiana Boil Water Notices Paint a Picture of the State’s Failing Drinking Water Infrastructure
The numerous boil water orders over the past few years point to degraded water infrastructure that desperately needs to be addressed. 

Much of NH’s Water Infrastructure 50-100 years Old – Replacement Costs in Billions
New Hampshire's aging and failing water infrastructure need serious investments. 

Fixing America’s Water Crises
The Senate approved $35 billion in funding to replace lead pipes and improve wastewater systems across the country.  

Survey: Among Environmental Issues, Americans Most Worried About Water Quality
A poll conducted over 21 years found that Americans are more concerned about water quality than they are about any other environmental issue.

Water Professionals Deserve Your Appreciation
Workers in the water industry are a backbone of society and they deserve more appreciation for all the work they do. 

California Construction Firm to Pay $2 Million in Penalties for Clean Water Act Violations
Kernen Construction Co. construction firm charged after discharging contaminated storm water into the Mad River.

‘I’m scared of getting sick from the water’
Many rural communities across California have been experiencing contaminated drinking water for almost a decade. 

Wildfires are Contaminating Drinking Water Systems, and it’s More Widespread Than People Realize
The large numbers of predicted wildfires this year due to the continued widespread drought pose a great threat to drinking water systems. 

Jackson Water Crisis Demands Significant Infrastructure Investment
Jackson, Mississippi residents have experienced three collapses in their water infrastructure in the last decade but they are hopeful about the new American Jobs Plan will help them. 

Did you miss our last newsletter? Click here to view the archive.
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.

About WaterOperator.org

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.
Copyright © 2021 WaterOperator.org, All rights reserved.


unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences 

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
Website Website
Twitter Twitter
Facebook Facebook
LinkedIn LinkedIn
YouTube YouTube