"As a non-licensed professional, the AWWA membership benefits that I get the most out is the networking events and conferences. In this industry, knowing the right people makes a big difference when you’re trying to tackle any obstacle. Developing meaningful relationships and friends along the way is critical to growing as a person and as a professional!"
~ K Stamm
What are you waiting for?
Turn your activities into rewards!
Deadline to submit points is June 30, 2022
Get rewarded in three different ways for taking advantage of your many membership benefits! Check out all the details, including how to turn your activities into points and then those points into prizes and rewards!
wE-SPLASH Sponsors
To learn more about all the great sponsors above, click their logo to check out their website.
While Michele MacLauchlan does a great job as a Principal Engineer for Chesterfield County's Construction Inspection group, her real super-power lies in her willingness to serve and lead. As the former chair of the Drinking Water Quality and Research Committee, Michele asked where else she could be of service. That question lead to her becoming the chair of the Plant Operations Committee having never served on the committee before. Don't worry, she also has her water operator license so she knew how to relate to and lead this wonderful committee. Michele was instrumental in planning their flagship Plant Operations Conference last week. After being away for two years, everyone agreed the event was a huge success.
When a member of the committee was asked about Michele, here is what they had to say..."Since becoming a member of the Plant Operations committee, I have witnessed Michele’s ability and willingness to lead, solicit input, delegate, and plan/execute successful events. She is passionate about the industry and generously volunteers her time and talent to VA AWWA. She is a great asset to the Virginia Section."
THANK YOU, Michele, for being an amazing member of Virginia Section AWWA!
Registration is now open! Make sure you reserve your seat (or exhibit booth) for the premier water sector conference on the east coast. Get all the latest information, updates, and registration information from our conference website
We are back with “Thoughtful Tuesdays” – our monthly virtual event with guest speakers, facilitated discussions, case studies, podcast and Ted Talk reviews, stories, and inclusion/best practice shares for the VA AWWA community that allows us to increase awareness and education, engage our membership and have courageous conversations on DEI topics.
This Thoughtful Tuesday event is in honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (May 19, 2022) featuring the topic “Disability Inclusion Matters”. Join us on Tuesday, June 7th, at 1 pm ET for a thought-provoking session that will get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access and inclusion, and why disability inclusion matters.
Take me out to the ballgame! Take me out with the crowd! Take your family and friends and join your colleagues for a great night at the ballpark. The Nationals vs the Phillies make for an afternoon of fun starting at 4:35 pm. Gates open up earlier to get your food and beverages before the first pitch.
Cost: $12.50 per person which includes special reserved seating in the Scoreboard Pavilion plus $8 in concession credit.
Tickets need to be purchased early so sign up ASAP to make sure we save enough seats for everyone! **Sponsorships are also available! What a great way to promote your company!
If you are a student (or know one) that is looking to pursue a career in the water industry? What about a water operator that is looking to advance to the next level? Don't miss this great opportunity to apply for scholarship funds!
OneAWWA Operator Scholarship - All applications must be received by this FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022.
VA AWWA Ray A Jackson Undergraduate Scholarship - All applications must be received by next FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2022.
VA AWWA Dr. Robert C Hoehn Graduate Student Scholarship - All applications must be received by next FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2022.
The VA AWWA Nominations Committee is currently seeking nominations for members interested in serving on the Board of Trustees. We invite you to nominate yourself or a colleague that would be well suited for the following positions:
Council Trustee (2 positions available)
Secretary (1 position available)
Read more to learn more about each position. All nominations are due by Tuesday, May 31, 2022.
A recent Morning Consult poll of Americans showed a direct relationship between how much a utility communicates with its customers and customers’ level of trust in tap water. It confirmed that more communication means greater trust. We know that some utilities struggle with communications because they either don’t have anyone on staff who is trained to do it or they simply don’t have the time.
The nonprofit Virginia Health Catalyst is working on a solution. In collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water, they’ve partnered with Raftelis to create a free water quality communications toolkit, which will provide guidance, how-to’s, and customizable templates to help Virginia utilities build trust in tap water with proactive, proven water quality communications. Once the toolkit is completed, utilities will have an opportunity to attend a free training to optimize the use of the communication tools and templates.
Here are three ways you can help us make this Toolkit a successful, useful resource:
Join us in June (date TBD) for a 90-minute Zoom workshop to help us understand what you struggle with in terms of water quality communications, what you’d like for assistance, and what worries you most about proactive communications about water quality.
Sign up for a one-on-one interview (by phone) to share similar thoughts as above. We will be seeking to speak to a wide range of utility leaders and communicators (from all sized utilities, rural, urban and suburban).
Sign up to help us promote a consumer survey that will ask Virginia residents what they know – or want to understand better – about their drinking water quality. We will build the survey; you just help us get responses by sharing the link with customers.
Email Samantha Villegas (svillegas@raftelis.com) by May 31 to express your interest in any of these options and/or to learn more. We would like a mix of small and large utilities, rural and urban and in between!
Calling small water systems (under 10,000 persons served) to join us on July 28, 2022, from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM to help your utility learn how to avoid costly violations. This FREE class, including a regulatory review and a hands-on water quality lab, is provided by EPA, in partnership with SERCAP.
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:
Power Generation Mechanic
Maintenance Specialist
Senior Water Plant Operator
Water Quality Compliance Specialist
Utility Engineer
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.