EPA Shares New Access Info for Small System TA Grant Awardees
Most of the grantees who received grants from EPA for training and technical assistance for small drinking water systems have set up web sites as a focal point for their activities under the grants. Some of the sites are still a work in progress, but they will ultimately serve as the place to go for learning about the grantee’s services, view schedules for upcoming training sessions, access training materials and tools, view recorded training sessions, sign up for training and online courses, and find other information and resources.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTER NETWORK: http://efcnetwork.org/
The site describes the various types of training and technical assistance services offered by the EFC network, including asset management, water loss reduction, water system collaboration, fiscal planning and rate setting, energy management, funding cooperation, and managerial/financial leadership. The site allows water systems to request technical assistance, and displays a map showing where/what type of assistance has been provided to date. Scheduled training sessions (classroom-based as well as webinars) are also listed and described, with opportunities to register.
TEXAS A&M ENGINEERING EXTENSION SERVICE (TEEX): www.teex.org/safewater
The site includes a list of training topics that TEEX is prepared to offer to states who request them. It also has a link to the current list of training sessions that have been scheduled, with detailed information on the time and location of each class, and the opportunity to register. All training sessions are being offered free of charge. The TEEX site also has an “Ask the Experts” link for submitting questions to staff experts, who will respond by e-mail within 2 working days. Eventually the site will contain recorded video sessions of some of the training conducted by TEEX staff.
NATIONAL RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION (NRWA): www.nrwa.org
This site has a map with links to the state affiliate organization sites, where detailed information on specific services and training opportunities can be found. While NRWA has not established a site specifically for EPA-funded activities, the state affiliate web sites include information on all training opportunities, some of which are free to non-members, and are delivered both in classroom-based as well as online formats.
RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP (RCAP): http://privatewellclass.org
The site is intended to educate homeowners about their private wells, and offers training and informational materials on ground water hydrology, water quality, well construction, well maintenance and other topics relevant to the private well owner. A free 10-part online course is offered, as well as several free webinars which will be broadcast over the coming months.
RCAP has also sponsored a site at www.smallwatersupply.org
Under the “Tribal Resources” tab, a number of resources relevant to tribes and tribal organizations can be accessed, including the “Tribal Utility News” newsletter, a database of contacts for organizations that offer tribal assistance (“Tribal Contact Manager”), and additional resources regarding the “Native American Water Masters” program, including information on upcoming training sessions.
