Essential workers, including water operators, require support and protection during the pandemic. At the same time, COVID-19 brings into sharp focus the need to develop the infrastructure workforce for a resilient future. This 1-hour webinar will include a brief overview of long-term economic, workforce, and infrastructure investment trends, and include a facilitated discussion of participant questions with a subject matter expert. Presenter: Joseph W. Kane, Senior Research Associate and Associate Fellow – Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution, Washington, DC

 In light of increasing development and ever-changing future conditions, increasingly stressed infrastructure, and growing financial pressures, integrating hazard mitigation and water quality-focused resource management is becoming more and more important to the success of water systems and other public-serving entities. While finance and budgeting is often considered a last step in developing a project or program, incorporating a financing strategy early on in any planning process can help ensure long-term project success. In this webinar, we will provide a strategies for incorporating funding and financial strategies into integrated plans and explore various solutions for how local communities can pay for water resource project. Presented by: Matthew Konfirst, Physical Scientist, US EPA Region 3 State & Watershed Partnerships Section (3WD31)

In this 1 hour webinar, trainers will walk through critical considerations and aspects of conducting a virtual public meeting. Due to the worldwide pandemic, many communities and organizations need to hold virtual board meetings to conduct business. This webinar is intended to provide useful starting information so boards can hold successful and functional virtual meetings.  Participants will learn about the following topics:  Key legal aspects to consider and research before conducting vitural public meetings, including open meeting laws, access and public participation, and timelines for board decisions; Important technological features to consider when choosing a virtual platform; The pros & cons that RCAC trainers have compiled based on our experiences using standard virtual platforms such as Zoom, Skype, and GoTo; and finally, Virtual meeting logistics, including prep-work, handouts, and moderation

Sign up today to join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) and the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) “Small Systems Guidance for America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018” webinar tailored specifically to water utilities in the small systems category. America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018 was signed into law on October 23, 2018 and requires community (drinking) water systems serving more than 3,300 people to develop or update risk assessments and emergency response plans (ERPs). The Risk and Resilience Assessment submission deadline for water systems serving a population of 3,301 – 49,999 is June 30, 2021. The webinar will feature: An overview of EPA's NEW Risk and Resilience Assessment Checklist and Emergency Response Plan (ERP) Guidance for small systems; An introduction to RCAP’s recently released E-Learning Module on AWIA compliance; and A Q&A session. “Small Systems Guidance for America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018” is the third webinar in an EPA series, titled “Partnering for Security and Resilience.” The webinar will feature newly released guidance, developed by EPA, to help small systems comply with AWIA. The webinar will also introduce RCAP’s recently released E-Learning Modules and provide an overview of the five E-Learning Modules created […]

This 1-hour online course is intended for municipal employees, utility staff, and board members looking to strengthen their managerial and leadership skills. Please note, registration is limited to 40 participants, and participants should be prepared to work in small groups and take part in discussion. By the end of the session, attendees will: Learn techniques and skills to understand and better manage interactions with staff, board, and/or the community Learn how to use a tool to help reduce conflict Presented by: Sarah Diefendorf, Director, EFC West Questions? Contact Tess Clark, pclark@syr.edu Continuing Education Certificates: Please Note: You must register and attend individually. We cannot provide certificates to individuals watching the webinar as a group.  If you require a certificate: - Each viewer must register and attend individually, and participate for the entire duration of the webinar - Group rosters will not be accepted This webinar has not been submitted to licensing agencies for pre-approval. We recommend that you check with your licensing agency to learn about its criteria, rules, and what you need to do in order to receive credit for your attendance. It is your responsibility to verify this information with your licensing agency.  Partners:  

Topics to be covered include: how to conduct a preliminary self-assessment, how to apply for USDA funding, an in-depth introduction to water loss control, and where to go for additional assistance. Choose what training format works best for you. Training is offered as an instructor-led online course, self-paced online, or as an in-person workshop. This free training is made possible through the collaboration of AWWA, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Partnership for Safe Water.