On September 30, 2021, Proclamation 20-23.16 Ratepayer Assistance and Preservation of Essential Services, more commonly called the no shut-off order, is lifted. State leaders and utility operators estimate over half a million Washingtonians have overdue water or electrical bills that could result in their services being shut off. While customer assistance and payment plan options will vary across water systems, the new Washington Water Assistance program is one option for customer’s over 150 percent of the federal poverty limit.
What: Free virtual workshop When: Thursday, September 16 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Who: Brian Sarensen, Washington State Department of Commerce Where: Microsoft Teams Meeting
We will cover the new federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) and what steps are required by water systems to take part. Brian will share how Washington State is implementing this federal program through Washington Water Assistance.
For further information on this topic, please see our updated Customer Assistance website at doh.wa.gov/DWCAP.
Webinar: Water Recommendations for the Next Administration America is at a crossroads. We can continue to overlook the nation’s water problems, even as scarcity, pollution, and climate changes increase risk, or we can take steps to make our water systems more effective, resilient, and equitable. Join us on November 18th for a discussion of the Pacific Institute’s water recommendations for the next administration with Pacific Institute President Jason Morrison, President Emeritus Dr. Peter Gleick, and Director of Research Heather Cooley. The webinar will include an overview of America’s current water woes and practical solutions for the incoming administration, on issues ranging from aging infrastructure to inequitable water access and climate change’s effects on water resources. Wednesday November 18 I 1:00-2:00 PM PT Register for free here. About UsVideosBlog Pacific Institute We create and advance solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges. 510-251-1600 info@pacinst.org
During these challenging times when we cannot meet in person, we plan to send a monthly newsletter to keep our members up to speed with water news. We’ll send this newsletter to our email list and post it on our website. We aim to provide an easy place to find all the month’s news and upcoming events.
News from Whidbey Island Water Systems Association
Our September Quarterly members meeting was held via zoom. Guest speaker Jeff Tasoff of Davido Consulting Group gave a talk on Small Water System Asset Management, focusing on the equipment inventory part that many small systems find challenging. Jeff’s talk was a great preparation for our forthcoming RCAC Asset Management workshop
Past president of WIWSA Jim Patton is stepping down from the board to focus on running his own water system. This leaves us with a vacancy on the board. Ideally we’d like to take this opportunity to boost the representation of Group B water systems in the association by having a Group B member system join the board. Please read the full announcement here.
Our next Quarterly Member Meeting will be December 10th, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm via Zoom. Please save the date. We’ll post an agenda and send a reminder email closer to the meeting.
Upcoming Events
RCAC is holding a free workshop on Asset Management Planning and Resources on November 10th. Save the date, and look for an email with details and a registration link in the next few days.
Who: Decision Makers, Managers and Operators When: Tuesday – November 10, 2020 Session 1: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM Session 2: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Where: On-line Training Go to Training (GTT)
Understand how Asset Management impacts your budget
Laptop exercises and free spreadsheets provided
Learn what funders need during your project
Network with and learn from other communities
Registration Information Don’t Wait!! Space is limited!! Register Online
Please register early as space is limited. Once we receive your registration, we will send you confirmation. If you need to cancel, please contact Heather so a space can be provided to someone else. Thank you!
Online Registration
Details to follow
Contact Information Heather Cannon RCAC Cell: (360) 236-3116 Dan Bannier RCAC Cell: (509) 860-5846
The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment — air, water and land — upon which life depends.RCAC provides technical assistance, training and financing so rural communities achieve their goals and visions.
Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 8:00 AM PDT -to- Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 12:00 PM PST Add to Calendar
Where
This is an online event.
Contact
Jeff Lundt Washington WARN 2064775582 jeff.lundt@kingcounty.gov
2020 Emergency Preparedness Workshop – Online
Part 1 Planning – Wednesday October 28th
Part 2 Preparation, Training & Response – Wednesday November 4th
Both workshops start at 8:00 AM PDT and run till 11:45
These are independent sessions you can sign up for either or both and get 0.3 CEU credit
Water & Wastewater CEU Approved!
Two half-day presentations that provides a basic understanding of emergency preparedness, and the response of water and wastewater utilities in the event of emergencies and disasters. Assessing risks, planning and preparedness will lead to utilities that function better in emergencies, work more efficiently to restore service to customers and are better able to maintain service and water quality.
Part 1 – Planning will include:
Water Utility Emergencies
Emergency Case Studies
Emergency Action Plan
Risk & Resilience
Water & Wastewater Agency Response Networks
Business & Operational Continuity
Part 2 – Preparation, Training & Response will include:
Incident command system
Public Outreach During Emergencies
Tabletop & Field Exercises, Other Training
Personal Preparedness
Facility Security
Cyber Security
Planned instructors include:
Tom Vane – Alderwood Water & Wastewater District
Sarah Lingley. – HDR Engineers
Seth McIntosh – City of Spokane
Jeff Lundt P.E. – King County WTD
0.3 CEUs Water & Wastewater CEU (pending) for each part
Cost for each session is $60 for AWWA & WEF members and $120 for non-members. If you or your utility are AWWA, WEF or PNCWA members you qualify for member rates.
Workshops run from 8:00 AM to 11:45 AM PDT each day. Register Now!
Scholarships for small utilities and students – To encourage participation from small utilities (<500 connections) two scholarships for small system operators are available. To receive the small system scholarship, please register and pay the registration fee. Indicate on the form the name of your utility and number of connections. If your registration is one of the first two received, your registration fee will be refunded following completion of the workshop. Receipt of your payment marks your spot in line for the limited number of scholarships. First Come – First Served.
Cancellation Policy – If a registrant is unable to attend the workshop and a substitute within the organization can attend, please contact Jeff Lundt at jeff.lundt@kingcounty.gov to update the information. If unable to attend or send a substitute contact the above at least one week before the workshop for a refund (minus a $10 processing fee). Refunds after that time will not be given.
If the workshop is cancelled due to lack of registration or another reason, full refunds will be given.
Please note that the on-line registration system requires a unique email address for each registrant. If you do not have a work or home email call Jeff Lundt (206/477-5582) for a work-around.
2019 Emergency Prearedness Workshop in Coupeville WA
Friday October 25th starting at 8:00 AM
at the Coupeville Recreation Hall, Coupeville WA
A one-day presentation that provides a basic understanding of emergency preparedness, and the response of water and wastewater utilities in the event of emergencies and disasters. Asessing risks, planning, and preparedness will lead to utilities that function better in emergencies and are better able to maintain service and water quality.
Topics include:
Water utility emergencies
Emergency case studies
Emergency Action Plans
Risk & resilience
Incident command system
Public outreach during emergencies
Business and operations continuity
Water/Wastewater Agency Response Networks (WARNs)
Tabletop & field exercises, other training
Facility security
Cybber security
Instructors will be:
Allen Fitz – Engineer
Jeff Lundt P.E. – King County WTD
0.7 CEUs Basic Waterworks presentation
(Water & Wastewater CEUs APPROVED!)
Cost is $25 for WIWSA members, $80 for AWWA, WEF & PNCWA members and $105 for non-members. If you, or your utilityare WIWSA, AWWA, WEF or PNCWA members you qualify for the member rates. Lunch and refreshments are included. $20 surcharge for registering after Monday October 14th. Registration closes Friday October 18th.
