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March Edition
 
AWWA and the Virginia Section celebrate Women's History Month
by recognizing the efforts and dedication of women in the water industry.  We honor their achievements.  Women break down barriers every day as water professionals, accomplishing our vision of a better world through better water.  Join us in paying tribute to the many contributions women have made to our industry and communities.
wE-SPLASH Sponsors
To learn more about all the great sponsors above, click their logo to check out their website. 
Upcoming Events
Click on a link below to get more information
2023 Corporate Sponsorship
Dec 01, 2022 - Dec 31, 2023
 
Cross Connection Devices: Inspection, Maintenance, and Testing- 40 Hours
Town of Leesburg Utility Maintenance Facility
Mar 13, 2023 8:30 AM -
Mar 17, 2023 5:00 PM
 
Lab Practices Committee Meeting
Henrico County Water Reclamation Facility
Mar 15, 2023
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
 
Roundtable Discussion - IT/OT Synergy
Mar 16, 2023
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
A National Lens on PFAS Regulations and Treatment
Online only
Mar 21, 2023
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
 
HRSD Swift Research Center Tour
SWIFT Research Center
Mar 22, 2023
10:45 AM - 2:00 PM
 
Water for People and YP Happy Hour
Ardent Craft Ales
Mar 22, 2023
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 
General Assembly Wrap Up Meeting
Virtual Meeting
Mar 30, 2023
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
 
Top Golf: Eastern VA Young Professionals Networking Event
Top Golf - Virginia Beach
Apr 13, 2023 6:00 PM
 
Richmond Kickers Networking Event
Richmond City Stadium
Apr 15, 2023 6:00 PM
 
Plant of the Future- What Will Drive Long-Term Changes?
Jepson Alumni Center
Apr 19, 2023
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
 
Lab Practices Committee Meeting
Henrico County Water Reclamation Facility
Apr 19, 2023
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
 
Earth Day Clean Ups
All parts of the State
Apr 22, 2023 9:00 AM
 
2023 Spring Distribution Systems Seminar
Henrico DPU Operations Facility
Apr 26, 2023
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
 
2023 Plant Operations Conference
Holiday Inn & Suites North Beach
May 03, 2023 - May 05, 2023
 
View entire list
General Assembly Wrap Up Meeting
 
With this year's General Assembly Session concluded, we are scheduling our General Assembly Wrap-Up Meeting.  The meeting will be held on March 30, 2023, from  2 - 3 pm.  Chris Pomeroy of AquaLaw will review the session, what was passed, what is outstanding, and what utilities need to be aware of.  
 
There is no need to register for this meeting. Please email Geneva Hudgins (geneva.hudgins@vaawwa.org) for connection information. 
 
The VA AWWA Water Utility Committee is sponsoring this meeting.  For more information about their activities, visit their committee page
 
 
 
News and Announcements
National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFOA and PFOS
On March 14th at 10 AM ET, EPA released the proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for PFOA and PFOS, along with four additional PFAS. EPA is proposing to set a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and 4 ppt for PFOS. In addition to these two MCLs, EPA is proposing to address four additional PFAS (GenX, PFBS, PFNA, and PFHxS) as a mixture using a Hazard Index. The Hazard Index is a tool typically used to evaluate potential health risks from exposure to chemical mixtures. This approach has been used in other EPA programs, such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), but this is the first time it has been used for a drinking water standard. Additionally, EPA is proposing Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for each of the six PFAS. A breakdown of the MCLs and MCLGs is shown on the table below. 
 
PFAS Compound 
Proposed MCLG 
Proposed MCL 
PFOA 
0 ppt 
4.0 ppt 
PFOS 
0 ppt 
4.0 ppt 
PFNA 
 
1.0 (unitless Hazard Index) 
 
1.0 (unitless Hazard Index) 
PFHxS 
PFBS 
HFPO-DA (GenX) 
 
Click Read More for the rest of the announcment... 
 
Read more...
Small Drinking Water Systems Webinar Series
Free drinking water-focused webinars typically held on the last Tuesday of the month from 2:00-3:00 pm ET with an optional Q&A session from 3:00-3:30 pm ET.

EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) and Office of Water (OW) host this webinar series to communicate the latest information on solutions for challenges facing small drinking water systems. The series allows EPA to communicate directly with states to provide training and foster collaboration and dissemination of information. This, in turn, provides states with information and resources needed to communicate the latest scientific advancements and current guidance to their small systems. It also provides a forum for states to share information with each other.
 
March 28, 2023 - Lead and Cooper
 
Future Webinar Schedule
April 25, 2023      Manganese
May 30, 2023Harmful Algal Blooms and Algal Toxins
June 27, 2023Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)
July 25, 2023Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5)
 
Cybersecurity for the Water Sector
EPA released a memorandum stressing the need for states to assess cybersecurity risks at drinking water systems to protect our public drinking water. The memorandum conveys EPA’s interpretation that states must include cybersecurity when they conduct periodic audits of water systems (called “sanitary surveys”) and highlights different approaches for states to fulfill this responsibility.  To learn more on this matter, EPA announced a 2-part webinar for water suppliers.  The last round of webinars is on March 28 and 30 (Noon - 3:00 pm).  Learn more and get registered
 
EPA and AWWA have released several resources and training webinars to help water systems progress to cybersecurity resilience. Check out the following links for a wealth of information. 
 
 
Cybersecurity 101 Training provided by EPA (recorded 30 mins session) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2QDbgrojb0
Earth Day Clean-Ups
Presented by VWEA/VA AWWA Sustainable Utilities, YP & RAC Committees
Date: April 22nd
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 AM
 
Join the Sustainable Utilities, YP & RAC committees for Earth Day Clean-ups! Give back to the Earth while having a fun time with friends, family and industry peers!
The event is free, but registration is required.
 
Be on the lookout for your local cleanup location and details which will be available by March 22nd. Make sure to include which region of VA you would like to volunteer at!
 
 
Time to Get Out and Network!
 
Spring is the time to get out of the house/office and hang out with friends!  We have many great opportunities to help you do just that.  Join us at one (or all) networking events coming up.
Members, prospective members, colleagues, family, and friends are all welcome to attend.  Check out the details online and RSVP!  
 
**Sponsorship opportunities are available for each event. 
Thoughtful Tuesday Recording Now Available

Advancing Woman Leaders through Mentorship/Allyship

In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Thoughtful Tuesday workstream hosted an interactive workshop on “Advancing Woman Leaders through Mentorship/Allyship” to provide the tools and resources that women, people who identify as women, and all allies need to enhance their networks, advocate for their achievements, and increase their visibility and success in their organizations.
 
View the recorded session or download the presentation to learn more about mentorship, coaching, and emotional intelligence. 
 
Plant of the Future: What Will Drive Future Changes

Please join us for VA AWWAs Drinking Water Quality and Research Committee’s annual spring seminar: 

Plant of the Future: What Will Drive Future Changes 

This year's seminar will be held on April 19th, 2023, at the University of Richmond, Jepson Alumni Center.  A full day of relevant and future-facing presentations covering a wide range of current and emerging topics, regulations, and innovations in the water treatment industry. 5.5 hours of CPE are anticipated.  

For more details and to register, please visit https://vaawwa.org/events/dwqr-spring-seminar-2023/ 

Drinking Water State Revolving Funds
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is pleased to announce several opportunities for funding drinking water infrastructure.  ALL applications may be submitted year-round; however, VDH will conduct one round of evaluations submitted by the deadlines.  Applications postmarked/received after the due date will be considered for funding in the following round.  Funding is possible through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Program, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Water Supply Assistance Grant Fund (WSAG) Program (if funds are available).  
 
The deadline for the following funding types is May 5, 2023.
  • Public Comments and Set-Aside Suggestions Invited
  • Construction, Consolidation, and Refinance Fund Requests (BIL and DWSRF)
  • 1452(k) Source Water Protection Initiatives
  • LSL Replacement Program: (BIL and DWSRF Application Construction)
    Note: Lead Service Line (LSL) Replacement Program: (BIL and DWSRF Application Inventory deadline is Quarterly)
Planning and Design Funds are accepted year-round.
 
Learn more on Virginia Regulatory Town Hall - https://townhall.virginia.gov/l/ViewNotice.cfm?GNID=2555
 
Time to think about.... GOLF!
The weather is changing, flowers blooming, birds chirping!  Time to think about... GOLF!
 
29th Annual Water For People Golf Tournament
 
Come join us and help support Water for People while enjoying a round of golf at either the prestigious Kingsmill Resort (The Woods Course) or The Westfields (NOVA).
 
Sign up individually or as a foursome. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. All proceeds are donated to Water for People. Full details are available on our website.
 
Monday, May 8, 2023 (morning tournament)
1010 Kingsmill Road
Williamsburg, VA
 
Thursday, May 18, 2023 (afternoon tournament)
13940 Balmoral Greens Ave
Clifton, VA
 
Call for Microcystin Data from Freshwater Lakes and Reserviors
The Virginia Water Resources Research Center at Virginia Tech is seeking microcystin data from freshwater lakes and reservoirs in Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland. Microcystin is a class of toxins produced by certain freshwater cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae.
 
If you have microcystin data from freshwater lakes and reservoirs in Virginia, North Carolina, and/or Maryland or know of someone who may, please contact Jane Walker with the Virginia Water Resources Research Center at janewalk@vt.edu or (540) 231-4159 by April 15, 2023
 
Please click Read More to view the rest of this information. 
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    Career Center
     
    Are you looking for a new job opportunity? Are you an employer looking for great candidates?  Either way, check out our newly updated Career Center for opportunities in Virginia. 
     
    Here is a list of the most recent job posted:
    • Laboratory Technician
    • Principal Plant Operator - Mechanic
    • Water Systems Inspector Coordinator
    • Director of Public Utilities
    • Utility Operator
    • Water/Wastewater Engineer (E.I.T.)
    The webpage contains a summary of current job postings... but check back frequently for new positions posted daily/weekly. 
     
     
     

    Check out the latest issue of
    Tap Into Virginia!

    Click on the link below to view the latest edition online.  

     

    Want to advertise with us? Check out the details in our 2023 Media Kit or contact
    Dave Gill at david@kelman.ca


    Mark your calendars for WaterJAM 2023 - The Power of Water

    September 11 - 14, 2023  | Virginia Beach, VA

    Registration opens May 17th

    Thank you for your membership!