Rural Community Assistance Partnership

Practical solutions for improving rural communities
front-page-banner-img

June 2012

List of water/wastewater operator training programs by state

Posted Thu, 2012/06/21 - 10:56am by RCAP

Compiled by SmallWaterSupply.org

Go to the listing

Format: 
Website (with more resources)
Topic: 
Workforce/personnel
Source: 
Other nonprofit/organization
Audience: 
Board/council member
Mayor/town manager/elected official (local)
Plant manager

Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development tweets about water infrastructure

Posted Tue, 2012/06/19 - 3:21pm by RCAP

On June 19, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Doug O’Brien hosted June's virtual office hours for the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Twitter. O’Brien discussed the Obama administration’s efforts to create a rural America that’s built to last, through support of broadband, education, medical, and water-quality projects. In many cases, USDA works in partnership with other government entities, including Tribes, and business development organizations to create job opportunities in rural America.

Operating a water system: The technical parts explained for non-technical people

Posted Tue, 2012/06/19 - 3:12pm by RCAP

An important function of the governing body of a water utility is to oversee the work of the system’s operator(s) and the overall maintenance of the system. This involves occasionally making big decisions, which could include hiring a new operator or allocating thousands of dollars to buy a new pump. But what if you’re on the board and don’t know the technical terms for the industry or how a system is run? All members of a board should have a basic knowledge of what it takes to manage and operate a system so they can make more informed decisions about it.

Format: 
Magazine/newsletter (single article)
Topic: 
Operations (technical)
Source: 
RCAP
Audience: 
Board/council member
Mayor/town manager/elected official (local)
Related Resources: 
A Drop of Knowledge: The Non-operator's Guide to Drinking Water Systems
A Drop of Knowledge: The Non-operator's Guide to Wastewater Systems

USDA secretary announces measures to improve quality of life and foster economic opportunity for Tribal communities

Posted Tue, 2012/06/19 - 1:49pm by RCAP

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2012 (USDA) – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced June 13 the implementation of measures that will make it easier for individuals living in Substantially Underserved Trust Areas (SUTA) to obtain USDA funding to improve basic services, including water and sewer systems, broadband and electric infrastructure.

New EPA document on lessons learned from tabletop exercises in emergency preparedness

Posted Tue, 2012/06/19 - 12:31pm by RCAP

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently posted a “lessons learned” document that captures key highlights from a number of water sector-focused tabletop exercises held over the last couple of years. This document touches on topics such as:

  • Damage assessments
  • Resource requests
  • Back-up power
  • Alternate water supplies,

and includes many helpful resource links.

Summer water tip from EPA

Posted Tue, 2012/06/19 - 12:28pm by RCAP

Water wisely: A large percentage of water we use at home is used outdoors. As much as 30 percent of that outdoor water use can be wasted due to evaporation by watering in the middle of the day. Water in the morning when winds are calm and temperatures are cool. Look for the new WaterSense-labeled weather-based irrigation controller that uses local weather data to determine whether your sprinkler system should turn on.

Learn more at the WaterSense website

EPA's water-sector workforce website

Posted Mon, 2012/06/18 - 11:08am by RCAP

Water-sector professionals are vital to protecting public health through the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater treatment plants. They ensure that clean and safe water is consistently provided to the public. For this reason, the Environmental Protection Agency is concerned about predicted workforce losses to the industry through retirements.

Format: 
Website (with more resources)
Topic: 
Workforce/personnel
Source: 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Audience: 
Operator
Board/council member
Mayor/town manager/elected official (local)
Plant manager

Work for Water - Great Careers for a Great Cause (water careers recruitment website)

Posted Mon, 2012/06/18 - 11:03am by RCAP

Work for Water is a website where students and job seekers can explore careers in the water sector and utilities will find a clearinghouse of resources for recruiting in the wonderful world of water.  Developed by the American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation, the site has resources to find jobs or prepare for rewarding careers in protecting public health and the environment.

Format: 
Website (with more resources)
Topic: 
Workforce/personnel
Source: 
Other nonprofit/organization
Audience: 
Operator
Board/council member
Mayor/town manager/elected official (local)
Plant manager

AWWA has new webpage for small systems

Posted Wed, 2012/06/13 - 4:29pm by RCAP

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has launched four new pages on its website that aggregate resources on high-interest topics. The four new pages cover:

EPA announces framework to help local governments manage stormwater runoff and wastewater

Posted Wed, 2012/06/13 - 4:25pm by RCAP

WASHINGTON - On June 11, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a new framework to help local governments meet their Clean Water Act obligations. The Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework assists EPA regional offices, states, and local governments to develop voluntary storm and wastewater management plans and implement effective integrated approaches that will protect public health by reducing overflows from wastewater systems and pollution from stormwater.