84115701

Description: NRWA will implement a two-year training and technical assistance (T/TA) program for tribal, small, and rural public water systems (PWS) to promote compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and improve capacity for achieving long-term sustainability.

This program is based on the Circuit Rider model and will use NRWA's fully staffed state affiliates to deploy full-time training specialists (SPECIALISTS) to provide T/TA in all 50 states, tribal communities, and U.S. territories.

Activities: Specialists will provide classes to operators and decision-makers to build technical, managerial, and financial capacity, including assistance with applying for DWSRF and strengthening resiliency to natural/manmade disasters and malevolent acts.

Specialists will provide in-person classroom training sessions for tribal, small, and rural PWS operators and decision-makers.

NRWA training classes will include topics such as the Ground Water Rule, Disinfectant Byproducts Rules, Revised Total Coliform Rule, LCRR, creating resilient water utilities, risk and resilience assessments, emergency response plans, identifying potential funding sources (e.g., DWSRF), and addressing microbial, nitrate/nitrite, arsenic, radionuclides, and disinfection byproducts contamination.

Training courses will include operator certification topics to help PWS operators earn CEUs and obtain/maintain certification.

Additionally, NRWA will provide T/TA that includes but is not limited to:

(1) Diagnosing and troubleshooting system operational and compliance-related issues;

(2) Providing guidance on LCRR and topics related to lead in the water, including TA for LSL inventories and removal;

(3) Identifying needs and providing assistance for DWSRF applications;

(4) Helping systems prepare for climate-related disasters;

(5) Identifying and responding to natural disasters and cybersecurity threats;

(6) Developing risk and resiliency assessments and emergency response plans, especially systems serving populations fewer than 3,300 that are not required to certify these plans but can receive CEU credit for voluntary action;

(7) Solutions to address microbial, nitrate/nitrite, arsenic, radionuclides, PFAS, disinfection byproducts contamination, and other emerging contaminants;

(8) Identifying cost-effective solutions; and

(9) Assisting communities in preparing for the AWIA RRAS and ERPs, which are due during this program period.

Subrecipient: Activities implemented through subawards include staff training and on-site T/TA in each state; training and technical assistance in U.S. territories.

Outcomes: Expected outcomes include:

Key anticipated environmental outcomes:

- Increased knowledge and competency of small PWS operators in the areas of regulatory requirements and water system operations;

- Increased knowledge and competency of small PWS operators in their ability to plan for and respond to threats from natural disasters and malevolent acts;

- Increased number of communities submitting DWSRF applications to improve infrastructure;

- Improved drinking water quality and public health among small and rural communities, reflected in an increased number of PWSs in compliance with SDWA and NPDWR; and

- Increased number of tribal communities in compliance with health-based standards.

Intended beneficiaries include: Operators, managers, and decision-makers.

Deliverables will include focus stories and provision of training and technical assistance.

National Rural Water Association

5 - ENSURE CLEAN AND SAFE WATER FOR ALL COMMUNITIES 5.1 - ENSURE SAFE DRINKING WATER AND RELIABLE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

66.424 - Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Demonstrations, and Training Grants - Section 1442 of the Safe Drinking Water Act

Office of Grants and Debarment (OGD) [EPA - HQ]

Office of Water (OW) [EPA - HQ]

Duncan, Oklahoma 73533-9086 United States

Single Zip Code

Training and Technical Assistance to Improve Water Quality and Enable Small Public Water Systems to Provide Safe Drinking Water (EPA-OW-OGWDW-24-04)