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February Edition

Did You Know?

 
Are you looking to learn about emerging issues or research a water topic that is affecting your profession? Your membership in Virginia Section AWWA provides access to all of this and more. Check out Virginia Section’s Tap into Virginia or AWWA’s Journal and Opflow articles. All of these publications are available online to AWWA and VA AWWA members every day!
 
What are you waiting for? 
Turn your activities into rewards!

Get rewarded in three different ways for taking advantage of your many membership benefits!  Check out all the details, including how to turn your activities into points and then those points into prizes and rewards! 
wE-SPLASH Sponsors
To learn more about all the great sponsors above, click their logo to check out their website. 
As we celebrate African-American History Month, we recognize the many contributions the African-American community has made to our industry, country, and world.  We honor their achievements which help us accomplish our vision every day: a better world through better water.
Upcoming Events
2022 Corporate Sponsorship
Dec 01, 2021 - Dec 31, 2022
 
Cross Connection Devices: Inspection, Maintenance, and Testing- 16 Hours
Town of Leesburg Utility Maintenance Facility
Mar 22, 2022 8:30 AM -
Mar 24, 2022 5:00 PM
 
People, Purpose, and Passion: The Pathways to Customer Success!
Virginia Beach Holiday Inn-North Beach
Mar 30, 2022 - Apr 01, 2022
 
2022 Drinking Water Quality and Research Seminar
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Apr 19, 2022
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
 
2022 Spring Distribution Systems Seminar
Henrico DPU Operations Facility
Apr 27, 2022
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
 
28th Annual Water for People Golf Tournament - Northern Virginia
Westfields Golf Club
May 10, 2022 7:00 AM
 
View entire list
Look for these additional events in 2022.  More details will be available soon!
  • Water for People Golf Tournament
    Williamsburg, VA
    May 2, 2022

     
  • Plant Operations Conference  
    Virginia Beach, VA
    May 11 - 13, 2022

     
  • Cross Connection Device: Inspection, Maintenance, and Testing - 16-hours
    Location - TBD
    May 18 - 20, 2022

     
  • Cross Connection Device: Inspection, Maintenance, and Testing - 40-hours
    Location - TBD
    July 11 - 15, 2022

     
  • Good Lab Practices Conference
    Charlottesville, VA  
    July 25 and 26, 2022

The World's Premier Water Conference
In-person or online – ACE22 has you covered
Register Online!

News and Announcements
VA AWWA has a new Training Coordinator
Please join me in welcoming Cynthia Barnes to the Virginia Section as the new Training Coordinator. 
 
Cynthia is a lifelong learning specialist with over 25 years of experience providing workforce education to adults. With a Master’s degree in Career and Technical Education, she has acted as a training coordinator for Chesterfield County’s Adult Continuing Education program and the Community College Workforce Alliance, part of the Virginia Community College System. 
 
With experience in implementing professional development and industry-certification classes, she is skilled in instructional design for in-person and online formats. She coaches instructors to incorporate best practices to create an engaging classroom environment.  In addition, she works closely with stakeholders to develop customized content, leading the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) process from needs assessment to analysis of outcomes.
 
Cynthia will be working with many different committees, specifically, those that organize a training event for the Section, as a support to them as they continue the excellent events they hold annually.  She will also be facilitating our specialized training events, such as the Cross Connection Control, EPA and USDA grants, and developing new possibilities for our members. 
 
Cynthia lives on Lake Chesdin with her husband Paul, enjoying paddle sports and long walks along the river.  She looks forward to using her background in education to support the water supply professionals of VA AWWA.  She can be reached by email (Cynthia.barnes@vaawwa.org) or phone (434.238.5131).
 
 
We need your help!
 
We are in need of a few great volunteers to serve as judges for the VA AWWA Science Fair awards at regional and state science fairs across the state.  
 
This year most regional science fairs and the Virginia State fair are still being held despite COVID-19 but will be virtual (except for one in-person). Most will be judging projects between February 22 - March 19 except for the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair which will be in early April. See below for more updated details. Being virtual you will have the flexibility to review projects from home and at any time. You can even judge at fairs anywhere in Virginia.
 
Below is a listing of dates and locations where VA AWWA will be offering a special award.
To volunteer or ask questions, please contact Sherry Williams at swilliam@nnva.gov or 757-234-6723. 
 
 
Be on HIGH ALERT for Cyber Attacks
WaterISAC and the USEPA are alerting the water and wastewater systems sector to new information regarding a potential cyber threat to United States critical infrastructure. All water and wastewater system owners and operators should read this alert and the attached advisories and adopt the recommended mitigation actions if needed.
 
Read more...
Attention all Laboratories and Vendors!!
 
The joint VWEA/VA AWWA Laboratory Practices Committee (LPC) presents two opportunities to learn and network on topics for wastewater and drinking laboratory professionals.  With so many hot topics: UCMR5, TNI 2016, PFAS, Lead and Copper, Method Update Rule……. you won’t want to miss these conferences.
  • 28th Annual Good Laboratory Practice Conference (GLPC) July 25th-26th, 2022, Charlottesville, VA at the Omni Hotel
  • WaterJAM LPC Workshop September 12th, 2022, Virginia Beach, VA at the Virginia Beach Convention Center
The LPC needs a few more abstracts, so if you are interested in presenting, please contact Alicia Connelly, Laboratory Manager, Newport News Shipbuilding  Alicia.A.Connelly@hii-nns.com  ASAP
 
 
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund - Accepting Applications
The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) was created by Congress to offer financial assistance for water system capital improvements and technical assistance.  This along with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law assists waterworks and offers low-interest loans.  The Office of Drinking Water is currently accepting applications for both the FY 2023 DWSRF and FY 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The closing dates to have the applications completed and returned is April 8, 2022, for BIL funding and May 6, 2022, for SRF funding.
 
 The web pages have been updated and are listed below.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Kelly Ward at Kelly.Ward@vdh.virginia.gov.
 
 
Laboratory Analyst Award Nominations
One of the best ways to acknowledge exceptional performers is by nominating them for an award. For laboratory analysts, WEF offers the Annual Laboratory Analyst Award.  If you have an exceptional analyst who has direct responsibilities for analytical bench testing and/or field- testing of drinking water or wastewater samples, consider recognizing them by completing the nomination form by March 31st, 2022.  For information and forms, contact Lea Brooks, Chesterfield County Proctors Creek WWTP Brooksl@chesterfield.gov
 
2022 Drinking Water Week - Save the Date!
For more than 40 years the American Water Works Association and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week – a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives. For the 2021 celebration, the VA AWWA Water Awareness and Outreach Committee created a toolkit for Virginia utilities. The toolkit included logos and banners, social media posts with graphics, press release templates, children’s activities, and ideas for employee appreciation and celebration.
 
Drinking Water Week will take place May 1-7, 2022! Mark your calendars now and start planning for a great week of celebrations, community engagement, and employee appreciation! The VA AWWA Water Awareness and Outreach Committee will be updating the toolkit with fresh resources for Virginia utilities to use. Stay tuned for updates soon!
 
 
 
Legislative Updates
 
Do you have an interest in what is happening at our State Capital? Have you been monitoring what new bills might affect the water industry? 

If so, visit our new Legislative and Regulatory Updates webpage.  It contains a summary of bills of interest, along with updates and modifications to existing bills throughout the current General Assembly Session.  
 
           
 
 
  
 
Career Center
 
Are you looking for a new job opportunity? Are you an employer looking for great candidates?  Either way, check out our newly updated Career Center for opportunities in Virginia. 
 
The webpage contains a summary of current job postings... but check back periodically for new positions as they become available. 
 
 
 

Check out the latest issue of
Tap Into Virginia!

Click on the link below to view the latest edition online.  

 

Want to advertise with us? Check out the details in our 2021 Media Kit or contact
Dave Gill at david@kelman.ca


Thank you for your membership!