Access to FEMA Assistance

May 24, 2013 by Leave a comment

Hopefully, it won’t happen, but if your community suffers a “declared disaster” according to Federally-defined guidelines, there are several ways that your citizens can apply for FEMA assistance – by phone, website, or mobile device.  Keep these numbers and links handy – just in case!

  1. Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov
  2. Apply via a smartphone at m.fema.gov
  3. Apply by phone:

Filed under Communication & Outreach, Emergency Response Planning, Tools

Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolbox Now on the Web

May 17, 2013 by Leave a comment

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an updated web-based version of the Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolbox.   The toolbox provides water systems with a practical guide for what to do and how to communicate during drinking water advisories.  It can also provide useful tools that states can use when assisting water systems with advisories.  The web-based version makes navigating the toolbox simple, and provides more than 40 downloadable and customizable tools and templates. The toolbox was a collaborative effort between CDC, EPA, and AWWA, with input from ASDWA and state representatives.

Filed under Capacity Development, Communication & Outreach, Emergency Response Planning, EPA, Partners, Tools

EPA Hosting Lead & Copper Rule Webinar Series

May 15, 2013 by Leave a comment

EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water is hosting a three part webinar series on the Lead & Copper Rule.  Part 1 in the series begins with a review of LCR requirements before an action level exceedance; the second webinar will cover the LCR requirements after an action level exceedance, and part 3 will examine reporting requirements and compliance determination under the LCR.

PART 1:  LCR 101:  Requirements before an Action Level Exceedance

DATE:  May 22, 2013

TIME:  1:00-3:00PM (eastern)

JOIN:  https://epa.connectsolutions.com/leadandcopper101/

NOTE:  1. You do not have to register in advance for this event.

                 2. You must have computer speakers for the audio portion.  There is no dial in access.

This  webinar provides an overview of key provisions of the rule including lead and copper tap monitoring requirements, how to calculate the 90th percentile level, requirements to inform the public, water quality parameter monitoring requirements, and requirements related to long term treatment changes and new source additions.

Information about other webinars in the series will be provided at a later date.  If you have any questions about this webinar please contact EPA’s Francine St Denis via email at st-denis.francine@epa.gov.

Filed under Capacity Development, Compliance, Tools, Training, Webinar Announcements

NEIWPCC Looks at Operator Discipline

May 6, 2013 by Leave a comment

The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) is a not-for-profit interstate agency that supports state drinking water and wastewater programs in New England and New York.

At the request of its Drinking Water Administrators Workgroup, NEIWPCC completed a survey report about the varied state approaches to disciplining drinking water operators.  Coordinating with workgroup members, NEIWPCC developed 12 survey questions covering the range of the disciplinary process, from improper actions, to hearings, punitive action, appeals, and potential reinstatement.

NEIWPCC distributed the survey to their members as well as to state drinking water programs nationwide, thanks to the cooperation of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA).

Survey results were compiled and summarized in the report linked below, along with additional resources related to drinking water operator discipline.

NEIWPCC wants to emphasize that this information has been collected at the request of their Drinking Water Administrators Workgroup. The compiled information is not intended to be used for decision-making purposes.

Click this link Drinking Water Operator Discipline Survey Report to view the Report.

 

For more information about NEIWPCC and its programs, go to http://www.neiwpcc.org

 

Filed under Capacity Development, Compliance, Guidance, Operator Certification

Webinar on Best Practices for Schools & Child Care Facilities

May 3, 2013 by Leave a comment

EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water is hosting a Drinking Water Best Management Practices for Schools and Child Care Facilities webinar.

DATE:  Wednesday, May 8

TIME:  2:00-3:00PM (eastern)

REGISTER:  https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/647305334

This webinar will cover the best management practices for drinking water in a school or child care facility. Specifically, the webinar will describe practices a school or child care facility can implement to reduce lead and bacteria in their facility, how to avoid cross contamination, protect their water source, and water conservation tips.

Questions?  Please contact Francine St. Denis at st-denis.francine@epa.gov or call 202-564-3829.

Filed under Communication & Outreach, Compliance, EPA, Partners, Sustainability, Technical Assistance, Tools, Webinar Announcements

NRWA Offers “Operations App” for iPhones and Androids

April 24, 2013 by Leave a comment

The National Rural Water Association has developed and is offering a new Operations App.  The app contains a suite of functions designed to aid operations specialists in the water and wastewater industry…14 different water operations calculators including those for pipe disinfection, filtration rates, detention time and other common water functions. It also includes an NRWA news feed and access to the NRWA on-line Resource Center.  To learn more and to download the app onto your iPhone or Android, please go to:  http://www.nrwa.org/app/

Filed under Capacity Development, Compliance, Partners, Technical Assistance, Tools

Quarterly CUPSS Community Calls – Save the Date!

April 16, 2013 by Leave a comment

Asset management is an essential practice for any water system that desires to achieve sustainability, and EPA’s free asset management software is a great tool to help small systems implement an effective program.  The “Check Up Program for Small Systems” (CUPSS) software program guides small water systems through the asset management process, from the initial steps of setting up an asset inventory, to scheduling and tracking maintenance tasks, to establishing a financial system to budget and track expenses and revenue. 

Are You Part of the CUPSS Discussion?

To support the growing community of CUPSS users and trainers, EPA has set up quarterly interactive webinars to give updates on CUPSS enhancements, present case studies, suggest tips for trainers, and to feature presentations by speakers who have used the CUPSS software, either as a water system operator, a technical assistance provider, or state regulator. 

The next CUPSS Community quarterly call is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30, from 2:00 to 3:00 (eastern).  Click here https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/455728230 to register and participate in this free event.  The April 30 call/webinar will feature Jean Holloway, Circuit Rider with the Delaware Rural Association, who will share her experiences in assisting Delaware communities as they get started with CUPSS.  There’s also a time set aside for questions. 

Be Part of the CUPSS Community

The “CUPSS Community” includes small water and wastewater system personnel, state drinking water and wastewater regulatory program staff, technical assistance providers, community or water association members, or anyone interested in sustainable water infrastructure.  Please let your colleagues, water systems, TA providers and other interested people know about this great opportunity!  For further information, feel free to contact the CUPSS staff at cupss@epa.gov.

The flyer (below) has more information about the CUPSS Community and its activities.  Calls are also scheduled for July 31 and October 31.

CUPSS Community Call Flyer_2013 rev 4-13

 

 

Filed under Asset Management, Communication & Outreach, CUPSS, EPA, Tools, Training, Webinar Announcements

EPA Posts Partnership Webinars

April 8, 2013 by Leave a comment

In 2012, EPA and USDA conducted a series of webinars promoting the range of water system partnerships.  The webinars featured partnership case studies and highlighted the roles and perspectives of state regulatory agencies, funders, system decision-makers and technical assistance providers.

All four webinars are now available on EPA’s website at http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/sustain/partnerships.cfm.  For state drinking water programs, ASDWA will also  post these presentations in the library section of the CapCert Community.

Water System Partnership Webinar Series:

  • Partnering Over Time: Vinton County Water Joins Jackson County Water (10/26/2011) – Featuring the partnership between two water systems in Ohio and how the nature of their partnership evolved from informal cooperation to interconnection.
  • Communicating to Gain and Maintain Buy-in: The Logan Todd Regional Water Commission (2/29/2012) –  Featuring a regional water commission formed by 12 water systems that each kept their own identities.
  • Facilitating Partnerships: State and Funder Perspectives (8/8/2012) – Featuring Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Washington Department of Health and USDA Mississippi State Office discussing ways they encourage partnerships.
  • Troubleshooting the Partnership Process (11/5/2012) – Featuring representatives from two water system partnerships in New Mexico, the Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority and El Valle Water Alliance, discussing different aspects of the water system partnering process. Other panelists include USDA New Mexico State Office, New Mexico Finance Authority, New Mexico Environment Department Drinking Water Bureau, New Mexico Office of State Engineer, and the Rural Community Assistance Corporation.

Need more Water System Partnership case studies?

http://water.epa.gov/type/drink/pws/smallsystems/upload/2009_10_21_smallsystems_pdfs_casestudies_smallsystems_gainingoperational.pdf

http://water.epa.gov/type/drink/pws/smallsystems/upload/publichealthstudyv1.pdf

http://water.epa.gov/type/drink/pws/smallsystems/upload/publichealthstudyv2.pdf

 

Filed under Capacity Development, Communication & Outreach, EPA, Partners, Restructuring/System Partnership, State/EPA Collaborations, USDA-RUS

RCAP’s Distribution Guide Can Help with RTCR

March 28, 2013 by Leave a comment

RCAP is already assisting small water systems with RTCR compliance. In 2012, RCAP published Protecting Water Quality by Optimizing the Operations and Maintenance of Distribution Systems, that focuses on “…how to maintain water quality in drinking water distribution systems and treated-water storage facilities by concentrating on common problems and challenges and identifying potential improvements and solutions.”   The Guide can serve as a resource for a small system operator or can be used as part of a more formal training session.  In fact, RCAP and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment partnered last year to host a series of five-day, intensive training sessions throughout the state coupling the Guide with hands on training.

The Guide begins with the concept of multiple barriers for public health protection and a regulatory overview and then moves through main breaks, disinfection, operator roles, measuring chlorine residual, asset management and emergency planning, inspection, monitoring, and managing water in storage facilities and closes with discussions on how to recognize operational problems and the difference between routine and proactive oversight.

This Guide is particularly valuable for RTCR training in that it addresses key elements of the Rule, including the need for creative solutions for small systems, the value of effective operators in compliance, and triggered assessments of the distribution systems.  The Guide presents examples of sanitary defects which could trigger assessments, and provides instruction on both preventive maintenance and efficient response to identified defects.

To download a copy of RCAP’s guide, Protecting Water Quality by Optimizing the Operations and Maintenance of Distribution Systems, or to learn more about RCAP’s resources, please go to http://www.rcap.org/commpubs and scroll down to reach the appropriate title. For more information on this training, contact Joy Barrettjbarrett@rcap.org.

Filed under Capacity Development, Compliance, Technical Assistance, Tools, Training

Making Those Cap Dev-Op Cert Connections

March 26, 2013 by Leave a comment

Can’t figure out how to get your small system operators to remember when to take their samples…or, for some, HOW to take those samples properly?  Wondering what else you can do to help small systems avoid generating high ETT scores?  Feeling frustrated because you just cannot seem to help some of your small systems to understand WHY it’s important for them to perform certain tasks?

Look to your peers for some good ideas.  For more than a year, a state-EPA workgroup looked at ways to take advantage of the mutual strengths that exist between state operator certification and state capacity development programs and build on them to provide a better support framework for their small systems and small system operators.  The result was a nine page document that highlighted the efforts of Rhode Island, Mississippi, and Colorado to close the gaps between systems and operators and their needs.  Capacity Development & Operator Certification Collaboration: An Essential Partnership to Promote Small System Capacity (PDF) showcases these three state efforts and features collaborative activities between the Capacity Development and Operator Certification programs to help determine gaps in operator skills and knowledge, promote operator training and improve system performance.

For additional information on state-based tools, best practices, strategies, and guidances related to operator certification, capacity development, and other small system programs, states are encouraged to log in to the ASDWA CapCert Community resource library.   If you are not yet registered for access, please contact Anthony DeRosa aderosa@asdwa.org for assistance.

Filed under Capacity Development, Communication & Outreach, Compliance, EPA, Guidance, Operator Certification, Partners, State/EPA Collaborations

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