Today we welcome the fourth CEO of NRWA, Matthew Holmes!“I still remember my first day working for NMRWA, when I went into the field with Circuit Rider Lupe Aragon and Wastewater Technician Leon Romero. On that day, they told me what the organization was all about, and I have never forgotten their words. I have […]
NRWA is advocating for additional tools from USDA Rural Utilities Services to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis and help foster economic development and public health protection. Read NRWA’s call to action to learn more about the importance of this request.
Over the past year, a lot of change has taken place at NRWA. Your association has grown to meet many new challenges facing the water sector, including expanding the NRWA Apprenticeship Program, submitting a proposal for a national Credit Union for water utilities, taking a legal stand on PFAS contamination and increasing our investment in […]
By: Mark Court, Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems First published in Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems magazine, The Wyoming Connection Who said work isn’t fun? I enjoy the many projects and challenges that come with this line of work. One of my favorites, though, is when I get to go into our schools […]
On Monday May 11, 2020, Project Rebound delivered masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant to local small businesses in Marion County, Kentucky. The state will begin a process to reopen businesses throughout the state in May and June. The Governor of Kentucky outlined specific businesses to reopen safely and effectively during the initial stages. These businesses, […]
The National Rural Water Association is pleased to announce that the partnership between the Environmental Protection Agency and NRWA has produced a simplified checklist for small systems to utilize for remaining compliant with the risk and resilience assessments under America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA). This guidance is intended for small community water systems […]
Written by: Johnny Walker & Kevin Gilliam of TAUD At approximately 1:52 a.m. on March 3, 2020, a deadly EF-4 tornado touched down and ravaged several neighborhoods in Putnam County, Tennessee, particularly in the Double Springs Utility District service area. The tornado took several lives in this community and completely devastated a number of neighborhoods […]
National Rural Water Association honors the life and accomplishments of a Rural Water Hero, Pat Williams. His years of service and commitment to the Rural Water Industry will be remembered and celebrated for years to come. From California Rural Water Association Executive Director Dan Demoss: Greetings to you all… It is with a heavy heart […]
National Rural Water Association recently conducted a national survey of small and rural utility systems. NRWA estimates small water and wastewater systems will lose $998 million in revenue by mid-July. This loss in revenue will not be recovered by utilities and does not include emergency operational costs such as staging additional shifts, isolating staff, modifying […]
In response to the Presidential Declaration of a National Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak, USDA Rural Utilities Service, Water and Environmental Programs declared the Circuit Rider Drinking Water Technical Assistance Contract to be an essential government service. Presidential Policy Directive PPD-21 identifies the water and wastewater systems sector as being a “critical […]
These are trying times for our nation and for the people who work at our public water and wastewater utilities. Without a doubt, Americans rely on safe and clean water being provided to their homes. Water utilities provide an essential service every day of the year; now, that service is necessary for people isolated in […]
The National Rural Water Association continues to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and recommends all water and wastewater utilities review the best and latest information on the following trusted websites: CDC: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html OSHA: www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/controlprevention.html#solidwaste WHO: www.who.int/publications-detail/water-sanitation-hygiene-and-waste-management-for-covid-19 CISA: www.cisa.gov/insights At this time, existing safe management techniques in both drinking water and sanitation apply to COVID-19. Extra […]
On Tuesday February 25th, the National Rural Water Association filed a federal class action lawsuit against PFAS manufacturers. NRWA took this action for a simple reason: their rural water and wastewater systems are not responsible for manufacturing or introducing these man-made chemical compounds into communities and environments. They should not have to bear the burden for the costs of […]
Initially, Circuit Riders were clergy assigned to travel around specific geographic territories and deliver a sermon or religious address to settlers and organize congregations in the earliest years of the United States. The National Rural Water Association (NRWA) pioneered the concept of a “Circuit Rider” for the water industry in 1980 in cooperation with the […]
By Dennis Berkey, Sixth Grade Teacher, Westview Elementary Originally featured in Alliance of Indiana Rural Water’s Hoosier Pipeline. Students at Westview Elementary School are becoming experts in water. This rural school with a large Amish population is located in LaGrange County. Sixth graders are building “pond” ecosystems and monitoring the water quality. Teachers and students […]
Today, the water and wastewater industry is more complex than ever before. Economics, increased complexity in regulatory requirements and a changing society are crafting the water and wastewater systems of tomorrow. As our industry changes, there is a strong need to recognize the individuals who provide management leadership to the industry and create a standard […]
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Rural Water Association opened the 2020 Rural Water Rally with approximately 280 rural water professionals in attendance on February 4 in Washington, D.C. VIP speakers Senator Roy Blunt from Missouri and DJ LaVoy, Deputy Undersecretary for USDA Rural Development, spoke to Rural Water Rally attendees. Blunt expounded on the importance […]
Washington, D.C. – North Marshall Water District, located in Benton, Kentucky, claimed the 2020 title of America’s Best Tasting Drinking Water at the 21st Anniversary of the Great American Water Taste Test, held on February 5, 2020 in Washington, D.C. as part of the Rural Water Rally. The Silver Medal was a tie between Mapleturn […]
Originally featured in Kentucky Rural Water Association’s magazine Waterproof. By Matt Glass, Source Water Specialist Drinking water sources are subject to a variety of contaminants and Source Water Protection (SWP) can be considered the front-line defense against the impacts of the pollutants. The fact that water utilities spend a significant amount of money each year […]
Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) kicked off its new Apprenticeship Program on January 17, 2020! This program aims to offer training to new and less experienced operators in water and wastewater treatment. This program ensures that apprentices receive the training and work experience necessary for receiving the Class C license. However, apprentices are encouraged to […]
Oklahoma City, Okla. – NRWA and ORWA hosted a Mexican delegation of water utility managers and senior staff in Oklahoma City, November 14 – 15, 2019, to discuss the operations and management of small water and wastewater systems in the US. NRWA was contacted by the US Department of State, Global Ties because of its […]
An article from the Wall Street Journal November 24, 2019 Hackers homed in on smaller electricity providers in proximity to critical infrastructure; FBI investigating By Rebecca Smith and Rob Barry More than a dozen U.S. utilities that were targets in a recent wave of cyberattacks have been identified by The Wall Street Journal. Some of the utilities, most […]
DUNCAN, Okla. – The National Rural Water Association has opened a call for abstracts for the 2020 WaterPro Conference, to be held September 14 – 16, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. NRWA is looking for experienced professionals and outstanding leaders to present on a wide variety of current challenges and opportunities for our attendees. Those interested […]
On May 28, 2019, a devastating tornado ripped through the City of Linwood, Kansas that would need long-term assistance from Kansas Rural Water Association (KRWA). Vehicles were flipped over, homes severely damaged or destroyed and debris spread out everywhere. One consequence, some might not think about, would be the harm that debris could cause the […]
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further support efforts that reduce lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities. In recognition of Children’s Health Month, the commitments made in this MOU will provide safer and healthier environments for children across the country. “The […]
