2022 Drinking Water Week Nominations Now Open!

Washington StateDepartment of Health Office of Drinking Water Are you proud of a water system? Do you know an outstanding waterworks operator?Does someone you know in the drinking water industry do an amazing job?Honor them during Drinking Water Week!Nominations now open through February18, 2022. Anyone can nominate someone in the water industry for an award. Fill out the Drinking Water Week nomination form online. Some of the categories we use are below. Sometimes, we adjust categories for special situations. Above and Beyond. Recognition for going above the normal call of duty and/or to provide assistance to neighboring water systems. Commitment … Continue reading 2022 Drinking Water Week Nominations Now Open!

ODW Updates: PFAS and Staffing

Washington StateDepartment of Health Office of Drinking Water PFAS Update: We are excited to announce that after four years of hard work and coordination with utilities, communities, and other state and federal partners the Washington State Board of Health approved updates to Drinking Water Regulations for Group A Water Systems Chapter 246-290 WAC. These updates helped clarify processes by which the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) addresses unregulated contaminants in public water systems. It also establishes PFAS state action levels (SALs) that require water systems to test for PFAS compounds and report to the state and their customers if … Continue reading ODW Updates: PFAS and Staffing

2021 Water Storage Basics Workshop – Online

When Thursday, November 18, 2021 from 7:30 AM to 3:45 PM PSTAdd to Calendar Where This is an online event. Contact Jeff LundtNorthwest Washington Subsection AWWA206-477-5582jeff.lundt@kingcounty.gov 2021 Water Storage Basics Workshop – Online  Tuesday October 9th starting at 7:30 AM Workshop will end at 3:45 PM Presented by the Northwest Washington Subsection of PNWS-AWWA A presentation that provides a basic understanding of potable water storage.  Certified for 0.7 CEUs.  Topics include: Water Storage Basics Soils & Seismic Considerations for Design Structural Considerations for Design Piping Connections Pressure Tanks Reservoir Water Quality Large Reservoirs  Inspection of Water Storage Facilities Sanitary Surveys of … Continue reading 2021 Water Storage Basics Workshop – Online

Welcome New Leadership! (from DOH Office of Drinking Water)

Washington StateDepartment of Health Office of Drinking Water Hello Drinking Water Partners: I hope this message finds you, your families, and utilities well.  This summer flew by and as we move into fall, I want to update you on the Office of Drinking Water’s recent hiring. We have recruited for the five open leadership positions in the office since this summer. Four of these positions have filled, and new faces will be starting in the office soon. We are still in the midst of the Field Operation Manager recruitment and hope to have someone on board in that position permanently … Continue reading Welcome New Leadership! (from DOH Office of Drinking Water)

Reminder: Emergency Preparedness Workshop – Online – November 2021

WhenTuesday, November 9, 2021 from 7:30 AM to 3:45 PM PSTAdd to Calendar     Where This is an online event. This program is designed to provide a basic understanding of emergency preparedness and the response of water utilities in the event of an emergency or disaster.  Assessing risks, planning, and preparedness will lead to utilities that function better in emergencies, work more efficiently to restore service to customers, and are better able to maintain water quality.   Topics will include: Water Utility Emergencies Emergency Case Studies Emergency Action Plan Risk & Resilience Incident Command System Public Outreach During Emergencies … Continue reading Reminder: Emergency Preparedness Workshop – Online – November 2021

PFAS Strategic Roadmap: EPA’s Commitments to Action 2021-2024

PFAS Strategic Roadmap: EPA’s Commitments to Action 2021-2024 | US EPA On October 18, 2021, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap—laying out a whole-of-agency approach to addressing PFAS. The roadmap sets timelines by which EPA plans to take specific actions and commits to bolder new policies to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable. The actions described in the PFAS Roadmap each represent important and meaningful steps to safeguard communities from PFAS contamination. Cumulatively, these actions will build upon one another and lead to more enduring and protective solutions. Read an overview … Continue reading PFAS Strategic Roadmap: EPA’s Commitments to Action 2021-2024

Imagine a day without water

Washington StateDepartment of Health Office of Drinking Water Hello Drinking Water Partners: We all know that water is essential, reliable, and invaluable. Without water our communities would not thrive. Most of your customers don’t think about what happens behind the scenes when they turn on the tap. You do. You know that the infrastructure you’re in charge of is vulnerable to aging, vandalism, and natural disasters.  October 21 is national Imagine A Day Without Water. We encourage you to participate through social media posts, a news release article, or any other way you can think of.  We have free graphics and bill stuffers … Continue reading Imagine a day without water

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Construction Loan

The DWSRF Program is accepting Construction Loan applications.  Submit your application using the DWSRF on-line system, WALT. The program guidelines, application worksheet, EZ-1 Form, and WALT Users Guide are available on the DWSRF Webpage.  Application deadline is November 30, 2021. NOTE:   Pre-registration is required to access WALT. If you’re already in the WALT system, no action is needed. For WALT Pre-registration, please email dwsrf@doh.wa.gov. Join us for our next MS Teams meeting on the Construction Loan program Nov 17, 10 AM to noon. The MS Teams meeting link is available on the DWSRF Webpage. Please forward this email to anyone … Continue reading Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Construction Loan

Customer Assistance Program FREE Webinar

Washington StateDepartment of Health Office of Drinking Water Hello Drinking Water Partners: On September 30, 2021, Proclamation 20-23.16 Ratepayer Assistance and Preservation of Essential Services, more commonly called the no shut-off order, is lifted. State leaders and utility operators estimate over half a million Washingtonians have overdue water or electrical bills that could result in their services being shut off. While customer assistance and payment plan options will vary across water systems, the new Washington Water Assistance program is one option for customer’s over 150 percent of the federal poverty limit.  What:  Free virtual workshopWhen: Thursday, September 16 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.Who:   Brian … Continue reading Customer Assistance Program FREE Webinar

Free RCAC Workshops

  Northwestern Washington   Asset Management for Small Water & Wastewater SystemsSeptember 15th at 9:00am 0.5 WA CEUs awarded Online ∙ Register Here   Google Earth Pro Mapping & Asset Management for Water & Wastewater Systems September 22nd at 9:00am 0.3 WA CEUs awarded Online ∙ Register Here     Asset Management for Small Water & Wastewater Systems September 14 – 16, 2021 ∙ 9:00am – 3:00pm Pacific TimeJoin us to learn the basics of developing an Asset Management Plan. You will learn what an Asset Management Plan (AMP) is, how it impacts your budget and future potential funding opportunities, … Continue reading Free RCAC Workshops