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WaterOperator.org Blog

Get Ready for the 13th Annual SepticSmart Week!

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What are you planning to do for this year's SepticSmart Week? This is the perfect time for communities, national organizations, local groups, and governments to come together and bring attention to the importance of caring for and maintaining septic systems through homeowner education and public outreach. 

Now is the time to start planning if you haven't already! You can peruse the SepticSmart Week page at the EPA at your own pace or check out these particular (free!) resources we recommend for reaching and educating homeowners:

We would also recommend everyone to encourage their local government leaders to sign an official SepticSmart Week Proclamation. You can find links to different proclamation templates for governors, mayors, and tribal/community leaders at the EPA webpage!

If you're interested in learning more information about septic systems, check out our sister site, DecentralizedWastewater.org! Our blog is full of resources that focus on the importance of caring for and maintaining septic systems. Check out last year's blog post all about how to prepare for SepticSmart Week!

September 1, 2025 By Katelyn McLaughlin Decentralized Wastewater decentralized wastewater, septic, septicsmart 0 0 Comment Read More »

From Waste to Resource: Biosolids Management References for POTWs | Recorded on August 19, 2025

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In this recording of our live webinar "From Waste to Resource Biosolids Management References for POTWs," viewers will discover some of the most helpful resources for supporting biosolids management and learn how to use our search tools at WaterOperator.org to find additional resources and training events.

This webinar series from WaterOperator.org covers topics relevant to wastewater operators, including funding, asset management, compliance, and water quality. Certificates of attendance will be delivered upon request to live attendees but are not available for watching this replay. 

Recordings of our previous webinars:

August 22, 2025 By Laura Schultz Wastewater biosolids, biosolids management, biosolids webinar, POTW, treatment works, wastewater, wastewater webinar, webinar 0 0 Comment Read More »

Unlocking Rural Prosperity: The Rural Funding Guide is Here

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The Rural Funding Guide has been introduced by the Partners for Rural Transformation (PRT) to address the longstanding issue of underinvestment in rural America. This guide offers practical strategies to help public and private funders effectively invest in rural communities. It emphasizes the importance of equitable systems and strong local partnerships to ensure that funding reaches the areas that need it most. The guide aims to inspire funders, policymakers, and advocates to reinvest in rural America and support its prosperity.

Below is a summary of the eight practices that inform how public and private funders can invest in rural prosperity:

  • Put Community Voice First: Ensure that the voices of local community members drive development efforts, rather than generating buy in for a pre-determined idea.
  • Build Community Adaptability: Enhance the ability of communities to adapt and respond to changing circumstances and economic conditions.
  • Support Regional Approaches: Invest in initiatives that benefit multiple communities and leverage regional strengths and assets.
  • Form Trusted Partnerships: Develop strong, trust-based relationships with local communities through direct engagement and collaboration.
  • Make Capital Accessible: Simplify the process of accessing funds to reduce barriers for rural applicants.
  • Increase Flexible Capital: Provide operational funding that allows local leaders to address specific community needs and invest in long-term solutions.
  • Grow Grant Capital: Increase the availability and scale of grants to support comprehensive community development.
  • Provide Multi-Year Support: Offer consistent, long-term funding to enable sustainable development and allow for thorough planning and implementation.

The Rural Funding Guide can help water leaders in rural communities to secure and manage funding more effectively. It promotes equitable investment, strong partnerships, and long-term outcomes. All of which are key principles for sustainable water solutions. The guide encourages funders to simplify access to capital, support regional collaboration, and prioritize community voices, making it easier for water organizations to address infrastructure, climate resilience, and staffing challenges.

By highlighting common funding barriers like complex applications and limited resources, the Rural Funding Guide advocates for flexible, multi-year support that empowers water leaders to plan and implement impactful projects. It also promotes systems-level thinking, encouraging water initiatives to align with broader goals in housing, health, and economic development.

August 22, 2025 By Katelyn McLaughlin Funding funding 0 0 Comment Read More »

Stormwater Management Resources for POTWs | Recorded July 1, 2025

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In this recording of our live webinar "Stormwater Management Resources for POTWs," viewers will discover some of the most helpful stormwater management resources for treatment works operators and learn how to use our search tools at WaterOperator.org to find additional resources and training events.

This webinar series from WaterOperator.org covers topics relevant to wastewater operators, including funding, asset management, compliance, and water quality. Certificates of attendance will be delivered upon request to live attendees but are not available for watching this replay. 

Recordings of our previous webinars:

July 8, 2025 By Laura Schultz Sanitary Sewers, Stormwater, Wastewater POTW, stormwater, stormwater management, stormwater webinar, treatment works, wastewater, wastewater webinar, webinar 0 0 Comment Read More »

Enhanced Nutrient Removal and Harmful Algal Bloom Control Resources | Recorded on February 25, 2025

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In this recording of our live webinar "Enhanced Nutrient Removal and Harmful Algal Bloom Control Resources," viewers will discover some of the most helpful resources for enhanced nutrient removal and harmful algal bloom control and learn how to use our search tools at WaterOperator.org to find additional resources and training events.

This webinar series from WaterOperator.org covers topics relevant to wastewater operators, including funding, asset management, compliance, and water quality. Certificates of attendance will be delivered upon request to live attendees but are not available for watching this replay. 

Recordings of our previous webinars:

June 17, 2025 By Laura Schultz Wastewater algal bloom control, nutrient removal, wastewater, wastewater webinar, webinar 0 0 Comment Read More »

Understanding Wastewater-Based Epidemiology | Recorded on May 27, 2025

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In this recording of our recent live webinar “Understanding Wastewater-Based Epidemiology” viewers will discover some of the most helpful wastewater epidemiology resources and learn how to use our search tools at WaterOperator.org to find additional resources and training events. 

This webinar series from WaterOperator.org covers topics relevant to wastewater operators, including funding, asset management, compliance, and water quality. Certificates of attendance will be delivered upon request to live attendees, but are not available for watching this replay. 

Recordings of our previous webinars:

May 28, 2025 By Laura Schultz Wastewater diseases, epidemiology, wastewater epidemiology, wastewater webinar, webinar 0 0 Comment Read More »

Essential Skills for Modern Wastewater Operators

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One of the greatest selling points of a career in wastewater treatment is the lack of requirement for a college degree in order to enter the field. However, that in no way means that working in a wastewater treatment plant is an unskilled occupation. There is a vast array of skills that are needed in the day to day operation of a plant. How many of them any individual operator needs varies on the size and other particularities of the plant and staff, interests of the operator, and desire to progress further up the career ladder.

Here, for the benefit of those trying to determine if wastewater treatment is the field for them, we take a look at the broad categories of skills that operators must have and a couple more that are a great benefit in addition. We will also include example training resources and events for each category of skills that can be found on WaterOperator.org.*

*Sample training events will likely have already occurred, and serve as examples as types of events to look for in the future.

Operation & Maintenance of Machines and Other Equipment

Wastewater treatment plants are composite mechanical networks of pipes, pumps, machines, and other equipment. In order to operate and maintain each essential piece of the network, a plant’s employees need to be able to work with and understand machines, tools, technology, and heavy equipment. While prior experience in this area is not generally required, it can certainly help new operators.

Training resource: “Operator Certification: Mechanical Systems” Webinar from the Environmental Finance Center Network
Training events: “Mechanical Maintenance and the Operator” from Maryland Center for Environmental Training, “Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants” from Pennsylvania Rural Water Association, “Wastewater Pump School” from Smith and Loveless

Math & Science

Math is one of the most important skills in wastewater treatment. Operators use mathematical formulas to determine flow levels, chemical concentration, and other treatment requirements. Understanding the chemistry and biology of the treatment process, and even the physics of water, is also a significant advantage for operators.

Training resources: “Sidney's Big Book of Water and Wastewater Math” from the Indigo Water Group, “Problem Solved: Pump Discharge Rate” — or any other wastewater math video by the American Water College, “Microbiology of Wastewater Treatment” Webinar from the US EPA
Training events: “Wastewater Math” from the Environmental Finance Center Network, “Disinfection in Water and Wastewater” from Enviro-Clear, “Wastewater Microbiology and Microscopy” from the Wisconsin Wastewater Operators Association

Analysis

Another prominent duty in wastewater treatment plants is sampling, testing, inspecting, evaluating, and analyzing water quality, machinery, and overall process control. Some plants may have their own labs for water quality testing, and even a dedicated lab staff, but even if not, the everyday job of an operator requires attention to detail and the ability to carefully analyze the treatment process in a number of different ways.

Training resources: “A Look at the Wastewater Treatment Plant Laboratory” from the Tennessee Department of Utility Districts, “Biosolids and Sludge PFAS Sampling Guidance” from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Training events: “Wastewater Lab Series” from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, “Wastewater Sampling and Preservation” from the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership

Safety

Safety is of the utmost importance in a wastewater treatment plant. Staff must know and follow all safety rules and regulations, know how to administer first aid, and be able to handle chlorine and other hazardous substances.

Training resources: See our recent “Learning About Safety in Wastewater Treatment Plants” blog post!
Training events: “Water and Wastewater Workplace Safety” and “Operator Health & Safety Survival Guide” from the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association, “Confined Space Awareness” by Hardin Associates & Consulting, “OSHA Basics and Beyond” from Tighe and Bond

Physical Capacity

This last category is really a set of personal capacities that cannot generally be taught. First and foremost, a wastewater treatment operator must be willing to work with and around human waste — and all of the odors and mess that entails. An operator also needs the ability to work with their hands on physical tasks and to be willing and capable of working in unpleasant weather conditions. If these are unacceptable working conditions for you, wastewater treatment is not likely to be your path!

•••••

 

Another technical skill that can be hugely beneficial in a treatment plant, but isn’t so much a requirement, is electrical handling. Electricity is an important component of plants, and while not everyone needs to be an electrician, basic knowledge and ability can only help you. Check out resources like “Combined Heat and Power Microturbines” and “Power Resilience Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities” to get a sense of the importance of electricity in wastewater treatment, or look for events like “Basic Electricity for Water and Wastewater.”

Finally, much like nearly any job, having good people skills (or “soft” skills) can go a long way in this field as well, especially if you’re interested in progressing up into management. Communication, networking, conflict resolution, leadership, problem-solving, time management: All skills to develop that make nearly any job easier to handle!

Sources:

April 25, 2025 By Laura Schultz Wastewater, Workforce wastewater, wastewater operators, wastewater skills, wastewater treatment, wastewater workforce 0 0 Comment Read More »

Learning About Safety in Wastewater Treatment Plants

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Establishing, following, and training for rigorous safety protocols is critical to the successful operation of a wastewater treatment plant. Not every safety incident is as severe as the 2006 Bethune Point Wastewater Plant Explosion that’s detailed in the video above, but that incident is an effective example of how horribly wrong things can go when safety protocols are lax and safety training for operators is minimal.

If you are seeking to learn more about safety in the wastewater treatment industry, a good first stop would be the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (better known as OSHA), a division of the US Department of Labor. It was created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, which also laid out a set of federal standards for workplace safety.

However, the act also allows individual states to submit and operate their own safety plans and requirements (which are generally fairly close to the federal plan anyway). State plans may cover all workers in a state, or may only cover state and local government workers only.

Here’s the breakdown of each state’s OSHA classification:

No state plan, follows federal OSHA plans:  
Alabama, American Samoa, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin

OSHA state plans covering only state/local government workplaces:
Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Virgin Islands

OSHA state plans covering private and state/local government workplaces:
Alaska, Arizona, California*, Hawai’i, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan*, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon*, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming

*California, Michigan, and Oregon are the three states in which the state OSHA plans contain substantial differences from the federal OSHA plan.

Find more information about your state’s OSHA plan here >>
Find your state OSHA office here >>

If you are in need of assistance in identifying and/or fixing workplace safety issues, most states do have consultation services available for free as part of the On-Site Consultation Program. Other OSHA programs workplaces can participate in include the Alliance Program, the OSHA Strategic Partnership Program, the Voluntary Protection Programs, and the OSHA Challenge Program.

Read more about the OSHA cooperative programs here >>

A great introduction to OSHA and other safety regulations through the lens of wastewater treatment is this recorded webinar in the Environmental Finance Center Network’s wastewater operator certification series.

The main topics covered in the webinar include common hazards in wastewater treatment plants, personal protective equipment (PPE), confined space entry, equipment lockout/tagout procedures, hazardous chemical communication and safety data, excavation safety, and blood-borne pathogen standards.

Other common safety challenges to be cognizant of in wastewater treatment plants include slips and falls (due to the abundance of water in a facility), caught or crush hazards from moving machinery, and general good hygiene standards.

Finally, below is a sample of resources from our WaterOperator.org Resource Library covering safety in wastewater treatment. Search for others using our category and keyword filters!

  • Safety Manual: Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation and Sewage Collection Systems
    • This 20-page manual from the Kentucky Public Service Commission covers safety practices for wastewater systems.
  • Safety Issues in the Treatment Plant
    • This presentation from the 2017 National Association of Wastewater Technicians Conference goes through safety threats in wastewater treatment plants like chemical, atmospheric, & biological hazards; confined space; flammability; machine guarding; fall hazards; vehicle dangers; and PPE.  
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant Safety & Health
    • This presentation given to the Wisconsin Chapter of the Central States Water Environment Association relates OSHA rules and standards to treatment plant operation and maintenance, and provides additional resources.
  • Wastewater Safety
    • This presentation from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reviews general hazards, discusses safety practices, and focuses most tightly on confined spaces, trenches, and PPE.
  • Personal Protective Equipment: Respiratory Protection
    • This presentation from the Operator Training Committee of Ohio focuses on OSHA requirements for respiratory protection. Given in 2020, the presentation contains detailed guidance on types of masks and how to care for them.
  • Electrical Safety & Arc Flash Awareness
    • This presentation from the Wisconsin Wastewater Operators Association details in great depth the few simple guidelines that are essential to maintaining personal safety when working with electrical hazards. Different types of hazards such as arc flashes and arc blasts are explained.
  • General Safety in Lagoon Environments
    • This presentation given to the Michigan Water Environment Association explores the safety hazards of wastewater lagoons. These include confined spaces, oxygen deficiency/gases/vapors, pathogens, slips/falls/drowning, and even zika virus.

 

March 21, 2025 By Laura Schultz Operator Safety, Wastewater occupational safety and health administration, operator safety, OSHA, safety, wastewater, wastewater operators, wastewater safety, wastewater treatment, WWTP 0 0 Comment Read More »

Paving the Way for Sustainable Drinking Water Supply in Arizona

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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has announced the approval of the Advanced Water Purification (AWP) rules by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council. This new regulatory framework aims to ensure a sustainable and reliable drinking water supply for Arizona communities amid rising demand and drought conditions. The AWP program allows cities and water providers to apply for permits to purify treated water for potable use, incorporating strict safeguards to protect public health. 

“Water reliability is the foundation of a thriving community, and the approval of these rules paves the way for new opportunities to strengthen our supply,” said Phoenix Water Services Director Troy Hayes. “Phoenix is prepared to integrate advanced water purification into our long-term strategy, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and resilience.”

Key Requirements Include:

  • Initial Source Water Characterization
    • Initially identifying all problem constituents in the treated wastewater source.
  • Pathogen Control
    • Mandatory removal well above the 99 percentile.
  • Site-Specific or Custom Chemical Control
    • A robust and apt approach based on the Initial Source Water Characterization.
  • Enhanced Source Control
    • Chemical Control at the pollutant’s source, if necessary.
  • Rigorous Minimum Design Criteria
    • Tailored to the findings of the Initial Source Water Characterization.

The approval follows extensive public engagement and technical reviews, with major cities like Phoenix and Scottsdale actively supporting the initiative. The press release states that "the new rule outlines the technical and operational requirements for AWP systems, drawing on best practices, input from the ADEQ-formed external Technical Advisory Group, and feedback on both ADEQ’s AWP Proposed Program Roadmap and Rule." The AWP rules took effect on March 4, 2025, and will be published in the Arizona Administrative Register soon.

Further Resources...

Read the full press release: Advanced Water Purification (AWP) Approved | ADEQ
 

March 14, 2025 By Katelyn McLaughlin Drinking Water, Innovative Technology, Sustainability advanced water purification, arizona, sustainable drinking water 0 0 Comment Read More »

RCAP's Drop of Knowledge: Article Roundup #7

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Drop of Knowledge is a monthly digital article from Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP.) The articles focus on topics like wastewater, drinking water, policy, and infrastructure in rural America. It contains how-to’s, tips, and guidance from more than 300 technical assistance providers (TAPs) across the country. Some featured articles are linked below:

Looking for something else? Find more articles and subscribe to A Drop of Knowledge.

March 7, 2025 By Katelyn McLaughlin Asset Management, Decentralized Wastewater, Drinking Water, Financial Management, Tribal Systems, Utility Management, Wastewater fluoride, rate increase, rate review, septic system, technical assistance challenges, tribal, wastewater 0 0 Comment Read More »