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March 2021 Edition

Upcoming Events
2021 Corporate Sponsorship
Dec 01, 2020 - Dec 31, 2021
 
VOSH COVID-19 Permanent Standard Made Simple Webinar
Online only
Mar 16, 2021
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
 
Strengthening Customer Relationships through Social Media
Online only
Mar 17, 2021
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
 
Water Loss Control and Accessing Funding to Improve Small Systems
Online only
Mar 23, 2021 9:00 AM -
Mar 24, 2021 12:00 PM
 
2021 Achieve & Maintain Compliance with the SDWA
Online Only
Mar 29, 2021 12:30 PM -
Mar 30, 2021 4:30 PM
 
Cybersecurity and Accessing Funding for Small Systems
Online only
Apr 15, 2021 9:00 AM -
Apr 16, 2021 12:00 PM
 
2021 Spring Distribution Seminar
Online Only
Apr 21, 2021 8:00 AM -
Apr 28, 2021 11:30 AM
 
Setting Effective Rates for Small Systems
Online only
Jul 13, 2021 9:00 AM -
Jul 14, 2021 12:00 PM
 
View entire list
News and Announcements
VDH Waterworks Operation Fee (12 VAC 5-600)
This is a reminder that the Waterworks Operations Fee has been posted.  VA AWWA encourages all water utilities to carefully review the notice and comment as is appropriate for your utility.  Please note the public comment period deadline is March 17, 2021.  Comments can be submitted here: https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/Comments.cfm?periodicreviewid=2019

Click Read More to access a link to the full Executive Order.    
 
Read more...
2021 Virtual Water Matters! Fly In
It is time for Virginia to register their delegates for the AWWA Water Matters! Fly-in.  This annual event allows members to meet with their legislative representatives to discuss water issues and concerns and informing them of the importance of water and water-related funding on the federal level.  We invite you to participate in these congressional meetings to ensure your voice is heard.  
 
If you have never participated in a Fly-In before, no worries - you will be provided with resources to guide the conversation by AWWA's Government Affairs office staff.  Also, virtual meetings will be scheduled in advance, all you need to do is join the virtual meeting from your location.  This is a GREAT opportunity for Young Professionals who would like to get more involved in the legislative process and making an impact on the water industry.  
 
To sign up, please email Geneva Hudgins at geneva.hudgins@vaawwa.org by March 25th
 
Note:  Photo was taken pre-pandemic. 
Earth Hour
You have heard of Earth Day, but have you heard of Earth Hour?   March 27th beginning at 8:30 pm is Earth Hour!  Join others around the world and take this opportunity to turn off your lights and unplug for 1 hour.  Play games, tell stories, take a walk, or just enjoy some quiet time. Visit the Earth Hour link for more ideas and information:  
https://www.earthhour.org/  
 
But don't stop there!  Click "read more" to learn from the VA AWWA | VWEA Sustainable Utilities Committee about celebrating Earth Day 2021!  
 
 
Read more...
EPA Extends Revised Lead and Copper Rule (LCR)
EPA Region III notified the Office of Drinking Water that the agency will extend the effective date of the Revised Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) from March 16, 2021, to June 17, 2021.  This will allow the EPA to seek further public input, particularly from communities that are most at risk of exposure to lead in drinking water.  
 
During this time, EPA is seeking public comment on a second action to extend the effective date further - until December 16, 2021 - and to also extend the compliance deadline to September 16, 2024, so states have the full three years to take actions to achieve regulatory compliance. 
 
 
 
Drinking Water Week - May 2 thru 8
For more than 30 years the American Water Works Association (AWWA) 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. To commemorate the week, water utilities, water organizations, government entities, environmental advocates, schools, and others throughout North America and beyond are encouraging consumers to learn more about the importance of water and water infrastructure, especially in times of crisis. This year’s celebration will be May 2-8, 2021, and observes the essential nature of our water utilities with the theme of “There When You Need It.”
 
Want to celebrate but don’t know where to start? The Water Awareness and Outreach Committee is crafting a VA AWWA Drinking Water Week toolkit to help! The toolkit will include sample social media graphics and posts, a press release, K12 educational materials, and a few ideas to show employees appreciation during the week. Be on the lookout for more information in the next few weeks.
 
 
Attention: Water License Holders
In a meeting on Monday, March 8th, DPOR shared some Licensing and Exam Updates.  Here are a few of the highlights:
  • Effective, January 1st, Virginia began using the updated (2019) exam for all Water Operator Licenses.
  • The time allowed to complete the exam for (Class 1-4) is 4 hours as of September 2019
  • Waterworks CPE Audits will begin mid-June - Make sure your documentation is in order.
  • DPOR Waivers Currently in Effect to 30 days beyond the end of the emergency declaration
    • Waiver to extend exam eligibility deadlines
    • Waiver to extend licenses, certification, and other authorizations
  • Exam sites are open and operating at 50% capacity with increased sanitation measures and health screening protocols.
  • NEW, DEDICATED phone number for waterworks and wastewater works operator questions:  833-256-1420
 
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) Public Comment Period
Today’s Federal Register contains a notice of the proposed Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) and seeks public comment by May 10, 2021.
 
EPA is proposing an SDWA rule that would require public water systems to collect national occurrence data for 29 PFAS and lithium. This proposed rule would require all community and nontransient non-community water systems serving 3,300 or more people, and a representative sample of smaller water systems, to conduct monitoring. PFAS and lithium are not currently subject to national primary drinking water regulations, and EPA is proposing to require the collection of the data to inform EPA decisions. This proposal fulfills a key commitment in ‘‘EPA’s 2019 Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Action Plan’’ (USEPA, 2019a) by proposing the collection of more drinking water occurrence data for a broader group of PFAS. This proposal identifies three analytical methods to support water system monitoring for a total of 30 contaminants, consisting of 29 PFAS and lithium.
 
 
WaterJAM Fresh Ideas Young Professional Poster Contest
Present your professional work and research to leading professionals in the water and environmental industries at the annual WaterJAM conference! Create a poster that showcases your innovative projects, research, and interests in the drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and environmental fields. Young professionals and students are encouraged to participate!
 
The top poster in the drinking water category will win $1,000 and be invited to present at the 2022 AWWA Annual Conference and Exposition in San Antonio, Texas.  The top poster in the wastewater/stormwater/environmental category will win $1,000 and be recognized at the 2021 Water Environment Federation’s Exhibition and Conference.
 
Submit your 125-word poster abstracts to the poster contest committee by August 6th, 2021. To participate or for more information, please contact
Sarah Shay (sshay@hazenandsawyer.com),
Rusty Rouilier (rrouillier@hazenandsawyer.com),
and Sarah Busch (sbusch@hazenandsawyer.com).
WaterJAM Attendance Justification Advice
So, you have heard about the great benefits of WaterJAM (both virtual and in-person versions!), and you are interested in attending this year!  Your next step may be to justify the value of your attendance to your manager/boss/supervisor.  Sound overwhelming?  Well, we hope that the advice below will help you develop your plan and will result in your attendance at WaterJAM 2021 in Virginia Beach!
 
 
Read more...
Corporate Sponsorship
It's not too late to be recognized as a VA AWWA Corporate Sponsor! Corporate sponsors are invaluable to our organization as we strive towards our vision of being Virginia's leading association dedicated to promoting safe and sustainable water.
 
Corporate Sponsors are recognized in the following ways:
  • Corporate Sponsor listing on the VA AWWA website and Sponsor Highlight. 
  • Recognition in the “Tap into Virginia” magazine.  
  • Recognition in publicity materials for VA AWWA/VWEA Joint Annual Meeting (JAM)
  • Recognition at all Seminar and Conference events. 
The cost to become a Corporate Sponsorship is only $450!
 
 
  
 
 
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!