RCAP's Drop of Knowledge: Article Roundup #6

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:

• An Elementary Look at Water Pollution
• Colonias in Texas: Improving the Quality of Life One Flush At a Time
• Investigating Inflow & Infiltration
• Water and Wastewater Utility Asset Management: Vehicles
• Wastewater Maintenance: Drawdown Pump Test
• When the Going Gets Rural: Five Challenges Technical Assistance Providers Can’t Escape

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

The Impact of Winter Weather on Water Systems

With winter weather upon us, water systems face increased challenges. The combination of freezing temperatures, increased water demand, and potential infrastructure vulnerabilities can significantly impact the quality and reliability of drinking water. Understanding these challenges and how to mitigate them is crucial for ensuring safe and consistent water supply during the colder months.

Freezing Temperatures and Infrastructure

One of the primary concerns during winter is the risk of pipes freezing and bursting. When water inside pipes freezes, it expands, which can cause pipes to crack or burst. This not only leads to water loss but also poses a risk of contamination if the integrity of the water system is compromised. To prevent this, water utilities often implement measures such as:

• Insulating Pipes and Infrastructure: Ensure that pipes are properly insulated and that heating systems are in place to maintain a stable temperature in critical areas.
• Regular Maintenance: Conduct regular inspections and maintenance of water systems, including checking for leaks and ensuring that all equipment is in good working order.
• Heating Systems: Installing heating systems in critical areas to maintain a stable temperature.
• Communication with Customers: Encourage homeowners to be proactive about protecting their pipes from freezing in colder months.

Increased Water Demand

Winter weather can lead to increased water demand for various reasons, including the need for heating systems that use water, such as boilers and radiators. Additionally, people tend to use more water for hot showers and baths during colder months. This increased demand can strain the water supply system, making it essential for utilities to manage resources efficiently.

Contamination Risks

Snow and ice can carry pollutants, like salt for de-icing roads, that may enter the water supply through runoff. When snow melts, it can pick up contaminants from roads, agricultural fields, and other surfaces, which then flow into water sources. To address this, water treatment facilities must be equipped to handle higher levels of pollutants and ensure that the water is safe for consumption.

Mitigation Strategies

To ensure the reliability and safety of drinking water systems during winter, several strategies can be employed. Organizations should establish a comprehensive cold weather safety plan. This plan should outline precautions to take before, during, and after the onset of freezing temperatures. Key elements include: 

• Winterize water systems and ensure that exposed plumbing is properly drained. 
• Inspect building heating systems to keep areas with plumbing above 40°F. 
• Clear access to fire hydrants, sprinkler system rooms, and life safety equipment.
• Monitor and manage snow accumulation on roofs and around facilities to prevent damage and ensure safety.
• Review emergency evacuation procedures to ensure that snow, ice and cold weather conditions are adequately addressed.

Winter weather presents unique challenges for water systems, but with proactive preparation and effective management, these challenges can be mitigated. By understanding the risks and implementing appropriate strategies, we can ensure that our drinking water remains safe and reliable throughout the winter season.

The Importance of Preparedness for Water and Wastewater Systems

National Preparedness Month (NPM) is observed each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could impact water and wastewater systems. In recognition of NPM, we have linked some valuable resilience resources below. These resources were created by U.S. EPA to help systems better navigate disasters and emergencies.

Develop a Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA)

It's important for utilities to prepare for both natural and human-made disasters by assessing for the greatest risks. Developing a Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA) helps you systematically assess your utility's risks. 

• EPA has two tools to choose from to help you develop an RRA: the Small System RRA Checklist (recommended for small systems) and Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool (recommended for large systems.)

Prepare an Emergency Response Plan (ERP)

Once you assess for risks to your utility, the next step is to create an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) to outline how you will prepare for, or respond to, the risks identified in your RRA. 

• EPA's ERP Template and Instructions will walk you step-by-step through how to develop your ERP. 
• Read our blog post on WaterOperator.org for more resources on emergency operations and preparing an ERP

Community drinking water systems serving more than 3,300 people are required to have both an RRA and ERP that are updated every five years. However, EPA encourages all water and wastewater systems to plan for disasters they may face by developing an RRA and ERP!

Minimize the Impact of Weather-Related Disasters

EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU) Storm Surge Inundation Map can help your utility prepare for the effects of a hurricane. The map has been updated to provide the most current information on past and present storms. The “real-time” map shows storm surge projections as advisories are released, complementing the “worst-case” surge projections and enhancing disaster preparedness.

EPA also has a mobile app, Water Utility Response On-The-Go App Plus, that provides information and tools that water utilities can use to prepare for an emergency. Users can track severe weather, contact response partners, and find up-to-date information on local emergencies. Once the disaster has passed, the tool can be used to assess damage and complete incident action checklists.

RCAP's Drop of Knowledge: Article Roundup #5

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:

• Pembroke Township Public Water System Training and Assistance for Drinking Water Operators
• Communicating About Lead in Drinking Water
• Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck – GIS Mapping
• Board Relationships: Navigating the Waters of Governance and Operations
• The Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) Helps Island Community Retain Local Water System Ownership
• Big Changes for a Small Water System

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

Wastewater System Condition Assessment and Rehabilitation Resources | Recorded on August 20, 2024

In this recording of our recent live webinar "Wastewater System Condition Assessment and Rehabilitation Resources" viewers will discover some of the most helpful wastewater system condition assessment and rehabilitation 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.

RCAP's Drop of Knowledge: Article Roundup #4

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:

• Resolving Inflow and Infiltration Issues in a Growing Community
• The Beginner’s Guide to Geospatial Asset Management
• How Smoke Testing Can Help Your Small Wastewater Collection System
• Red Cliff Wastewater Treatment Plant Compliant Treatment Process
• Meeting the October 2024 Deadline: A Quick Guide for Water Utilities Struggling to Get Started with Lead Service Line Inventory Compliance
• What is the Most Important Business in Your Community?

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

RCAP's Drop of Knowledge: Article Roundup #3

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:

• Assessing Your Collection System with a Pipeline Camera System
• Water System Achieves Compliance In One Year With Communities Unlimited’s Assistance
• Administrative Professionals and Their Continuous Contributions to Water and Wastewater Systems
• Staff in Nebraska is Helping to Build a Sustainable, Resilient Utility Workforce
• System Vulnerability Assessments and Emergency Response Plans
• Effective Communication with the Community

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

RCAP's A Drop of Knowledge: Recent Article Roundup #2

A 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 recent featured articles are linked below:

• Effective Communication with the Community | RCAP
• System Vulnerability Assessments and Emergency Response Plans | RCAP
• Staff in Nebraska is Helping to Build a Sustainable, Resilient Utility Workforce | RCAP
• Administrative Professionals and Their Continuous Contributions to Water and Wastewater Systems | RCAP
• Assessing Your Collection System with a Pipeline Camera System  | RCAP
• Removing Arsenic from A Tribal School's Water System | RCAP

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

Asset Management for Water and Wastewater Utilities

Asset management is the management of resources to allow water and wastewater systems to be sustainable and efficient, as well as be able to make business decisions that allow you to have the money to run and maintain your system at a desired level of service. Resources (assets) include infrastructure, personnel, equipment, knowledge, and money.

We have over 3,300 resources (and counting) on Asset Management in our Documents Database that provide valuable information on this topic. You can search for documents that explain how to maintain and manage the large, expensive components of your system, how to create an asset management plan, how to build an asset management team, and many other useful guides that will help you to deliver safe and clean water to utility customers. 

To access the wealth of Asset Management knowledge within our database just select "CATEGORY" in the dropdown then choose "Asset Management." Once you make that selection, a second dropdown will appear where you can choose "HOST," “TYPE,” or “STATE” to narrow the search even further. If you have a specific search term in mind, use the “Keyword Filter” search bar on the right side of the screen.

This is part of our A-Z for Operators series.

Asset Management Video Resources

We have over 200 videos on Asset Management in our Documents Database that provide valuable information on how to maintain and manage the equipment, buildings, land, personnel, and any other large, expensive components that are needed to deliver safe and clean water to utility customers. 

Below, we have featured three informative videos/ webinars that can be found in our database. However, if you are interested in looking through videos and webinars on other topics just select "TYPE" in the dropdown then choose "Videos." Once you make that selection, a second dropdown will appear where you can choose "CATEGORY" then select whatever topic you are interested in seeing videos or webinars about (the example image above shows "Asset Management" selected.) The last step is to click the "Retrieve Documents" button to see your results.  

Asset Management Overview

This short video from the WSU Environmental Finance Center provides an overview of asset management components and how they can be applied to fit your utility's needs. 

Asset Management 101 – Finding Financial Assistance for Infrastructure Upgrades

This 1 hour 30 minute U.S. EPA webinar recording from the Technical Assistance Webinar Series: Improving CWA-NPDES Permit Compliance, provides a high-level orientation to the core concepts of asset management, how to prioritize system needs, how to secure funding, what resources are available for small communities, and who to go to for help.

The speakers discuss case studies and highlight tools that small communities will find helpful in preparing long term plans and successfully implementing them. 

Asset Management Plans and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)

This webinar from U.S. EPA discusses the components of asset management plans, how State CWSRF programs are implementing them, and various incentives that borrowers receive for funding projects that include asset management plans.