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WaterOperator.org Blog

GIS Resources for POTW Asset Management | Recorded on September 8, 2026

Graphic for the recording of WaterOperator.org's webinar

In this recording of our live webinar "GIS Resources for POTW Asset Management," viewers will be introduced to how GIS can serve as a powerful asset management tool for public-owned treatment works (POTWs) and wastewater utilities. The webinar also reviews publicly available resources for developing asset inventories, collecting field data, and building maps. Finally, we demo the search tools on WaterOperator.org.

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:

September 10, 2026 By Laura Schultz Asset Management, Financial Management, Technology, Utility Management, Wastewater asset management, geographic information system, GIS, GIS resources, POTW, utility management, wastewater, wastewater operators, wastewater treatment, wastewater utility, wastewater webinar, webinar 0 0 Comment Read More »

EPA Releases a Checklist to Help States Identify and Address Drinking Water System Risks

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a guidance document designed to help state drinking water programs proactively identify and address challenges that could threaten the reliability and safety of public water systems. The checklist, announced on August 13, 2026, is intended to strengthen collaboration between EPA and state primacy agencies while supporting ongoing compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The checklist provides a practical framework for identifying systemic issues and underlying conditions that may not pose an immediate threat but could eventually disrupt service or compromise water quality if left unresolved. Examples include source water demands approaching system capacity, malfunctioning treatment equipment, recurring water main breaks, and other operational vulnerabilities. According to EPA, many of these concerns can be identified and addressed during sanitary surveys before they develop into larger public health or reliability risks.

EPA developed this resource to complement existing sanitary survey programs and emphasizes that the checklist is designed to fit within current survey processes rather than to create new regulatory requirements or administrative burdens. The guidance includes tools for documenting systemic concerns and recommendations for tracking issues through long-term resolution.

The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA), which partnered with EPA in developing the guidance, welcomed the new resource. ASDWA's Executive Director, Anthony DeRosa, noted that proactive system management is a key component of utility resilience and that the checklist offers state agencies and utilities a structured approach for identifying emerging risks, strengthening sanitary survey programs, and supporting continuous improvement across water systems of all sizes.

For water utilities, this new checklist reinforces the growing emphasis on preventative asset management, resilience planning, and early risk identification. By helping states and utilities systematically track operational concerns before they escalate, the guidance aims to support reliable service delivery, protect public health, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of drinking water systems.

The Checklist for Identifying Systemic Issues at Public Water Systems and Reporting to EPA document is highlighted on the EPA’s sanitary survey page as well as on the EPA’s SDWA capacity development state resources webpage.

September 2, 2026 By Katelyn McLaughlin Asset Management, Capacity Development, Financial Management, Utility Management capacity development, Real Water TA, sanitary surveys, technical assistance 0 0 Comment Read More »

Turning Rural Water Infrastructure Funding into Lasting Results

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Access to infrastructure funding remains one of the most significant challenges facing small and rural water systems. A new report from the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) highlights how technical assistance can help communities not only secure funding, but also successfully plan, manage, and sustain critical water and wastewater improvements.

In fiscal year 2025, RCAP and its regional partners provided assistance to 2,622 rural, tribal, and indigenous communities across all 50 states and five U.S. territories, impacting more than 4.1 million residents. The organization's network of more than 400 technical assistance providers works directly with local utilities and community leaders to strengthen technical, managerial, and financial capacity.

The report underscores the scale of infrastructure investment supported through technical assistance. Communities working with RCAP secured over $397 million in infrastructure funding awards and submitted applications for an $835.6 million in additional projects. According to RCAP, hundreds of communities completed technical and financial proposals that positioned them to pursue almost $1 billion in needed water and wastewater infrastructure investments.

Training and workforce development continued to be a major focus. RCAP delivered 567 trainings that reached more than 11,500 participants and 8,100 water systems nationwide. Operators represented the largest group of attendees, and post-training evaluations showed an average 18-point improvement in test scores, indicating meaningful gains in knowledge and skills. More than two-thirds of trainings served utilities with 3,300 connections or fewer. 

The report also highlights how technical assistance helps utilities tackle real-world operational challenges. Examples include assisting the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe in Michigan with service line inventory and GIS mapping, supporting financial sustainability efforts in Coldwater, Mississippi through a rate study and rate adjustment, helping communities improve asset mapping and stormwater management, and guiding tribal and rural systems through complex funding and compliance requirements.

Several new resources developed by RCAP may be of particular interest to water professionals, including guidance on innovative treatment technologies for emerging contaminants like PFAS, a stormwater program management guide for small communities, an asset management primer for utilities, and an e-learning course on cybersecurity for water and wastewater utilities.

A key takeaway from the report is that infrastructure dollars alone are not enough. Rural utilities often need support navigating funding programs, conducting planning studies, improving utility management practices, and building local leadership capacity. RCAP argues that combining infrastructure investment with technical assistance produces more sustainable outcomes, helping communities develop systems that remain compliant, financially viable, and resilient for years to come. 

For water sector professionals, the report serves as a reminder that successful infrastructure projects depend not only on funding availability but also on the technical, managerial, and financial capacity needed to transform investments into long-term community benefits.

Need assistance? 

Small and rural communities can connect with RCAP's network of regional partners for technical assistance related to drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, funding applications, asset management, operator support, utility planning, and more. Learn more and find your regional RCAP partner on RCAP's website.

July 10, 2026 By Katelyn McLaughlin Asset Management, Financial Management, Utility Management, Water News RCAP, rural water systems, technical assistance 0 0 Comment Read More »

Energy Optimization and Cost‑Saving Strategies for Wastewater Utilities | Recorded on March 31, 2026

Promotional graphic for the WaterOperator.org webinar recording

In this recording of our live webinar "Energy Optimization and Cost‑Saving Strategies for Wastewater Utilities," viewers will receive an overview of energy efficiency best practices to reduce operational costs at wastewater facilities. It also includes a review of publicly available resources to explore cost-saving improvements and a demonstration of our search tools at WaterOperator.org to find additional free 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:

March 31, 2026 By Laura Schultz Energy, Financial Management, Utility Management, Wastewater cost-saving, energy, energy optimization, financial management, operational costs, POTW, treatment works, utility management, wastewater, wastewater operators, wastewater utilities, wastewater webinar, wastewater workforce, webinar, workforce 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 »

What is the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)?

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The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a resource for communities looking to improve water quality and infrastructure. Established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the CWSRF provides low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality projects. The CWSRF operates as a federal-state partnership, offering financial assistance to communities for projects that protect and improve water quality. This includes decentralized wastewater treatment systems, energy efficiency improvements, water reuse projects, security measures at publicly owned treatment works, and more. It can be a long process to obtain these funds but if you aren't sure where to start, we have included some first steps below:

  1. Identify Eligible Projects: The first step is to determine if your project is eligible for CWSRF funding. Eligible projects include wastewater treatment, stormwater management, water conservation, green infrastructure initiatives, and more.
  2. Contact Your State CWSRF Program: Each state manages its own CWSRF program. Reach out to your state’s CWSRF office to get specific information on application procedures, deadlines, and requirements. They can provide guidance tailored to your project and location.
  3. Prepare Your Application: Gather all necessary documentation and complete the application forms. This typically includes project plans, environmental reviews, and financial information. Your state CWSRF office can assist with this process to ensure your application is complete and accurate.

If you're looking to learn more about the CWSRF, the Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCN) offers an in-depth webinar series on their YouTube channel. This series is designed to help communities, water systems, and wastewater systems navigate the complexities of the CWSRF funding process. Each session covers essential topics such as project planning, working with engineers, setting project milestones, and financial management. You can watch the 12-video series on EFCN's YouTube channel.

November 8, 2024 By Katelyn McLaughlin Financial Management, Funding Clean Water State Revolving Fund, CWSRF, funding, how to 0 0 Comment Read More »

RCAP's Drop of Knowledge: Article Roundup #5

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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.

September 6, 2024 By Katelyn McLaughlin Asset Management, Drinking Water, Financial Management, Operations and Maintenance, Small System O&M, Technology, Utility Management communication, drinking water, operations, technical assistance, training 0 0 Comment Read More »

Funding Wastewater Infrastructure Projects | Recorded on July 23, 2024

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In this recording of our recent live webinar "Funding Wastewater Infrastructure Projects" viewers will discover some of the most helpful wastewater funding 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. 

August 2, 2024 By Katelyn McLaughlin Financial Management, Funding, Wastewater funding, funding resources for wastewater operators, wastewater 0 0 Comment Read More »

RCAP's Drop of Knowledge: Article Roundup #4

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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.

July 30, 2024 By Katelyn McLaughlin Asset Management, Capacity Development, Compliance Monitoring, Financial Management, Innovative Technology, Operations and Maintenance, Small System O&M, Utility Management, Wastewater asset management, drinking water, smoke testing, wastewater 0 0 Comment Read More »

RCAP's Drop of Knowledge: Article Roundup #3

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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.

July 2, 2024 By Katelyn McLaughlin Asset Management, Capacity Development, Emergency Response, Financial Management, Operations and Maintenance, Small System O&M, Utility Management, Workforce communication, community development, emergency response, infrastructure, workforce 0 0 Comment Read More »
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