Regulated Waterworks: Preparing for Emergencies & Training Opportunities

Virginia Department of Health sent this bulletin at 09/25/2025 03:25 PM EDT

July 3, 2025

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Preparing for Emergencies &

Training Opportunities

Hurricane Season Update

Virginia is in peak hurricane season, with two potential storms that could impact the Commonwealth next week.

What You Should Do Now

Stay Informed: Monitor storm updates at the National Hurricane Center.
Review Emergency Plans: Need help? Visit Emergency Preparedness – Drinking Water.
Join VA WARN: A mutual-aid network for utilities. Learn more at www.vawarn.org.
Know the 2-Hour Reporting Rule: For critical failures or contaminant releases, review reporting guidance on the ODW Website and call 1-866-531-3068 if needed.
Stay Connected: Keep in touch with your ODW Field Office.

Preparing for Inclement Weather: Pre-Staging Equipment

No matter your location, your utility is at risk from impacts of inclement weather. One of the most effective steps you can take is prestaging equipment.

What Is Prestaging?
Prestaging means preparing and positioning critical resources before a storm hits. For waterworks, this includes:

Taking inventory of available equipment and materials
Having part numbers ready for quick orders
Confirming suppliers can deliver during severe weather

Why It Matters:

Faster Response – Pre-identified staging areas help reduce service disruptions.
Better Coordination – Defined roles and locations improve flexibility and communication.

Reminder:
If you rely on outside partners for supplies, confirm their ability to deliver during emergencies—don’t assume they’ll be able to reach you.

ODW Webinar: Navigating the Licensed Waterworks Operator Waiver Requirements

October 8th, 2025, 11am-Noon

Hosted by the Office of Drinking Water (ODW)

Join ODW for a free webinar designed to help waterworks owners understand how to qualify for a waiver from the licensed operator requirement.

ODW staff will cover:

Eligibility criteria and key deadlines
Step-by-step guidance on the waiver process
What to do if you don’t qualify — including how to request a variance from operator attendance requirements

Register Here

Lead & Copper Webinar: Preparing Your Baseline Inventory

Recording Available

Starting November 1, 2027, the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) will take effect. This new rule requires all Community Water Systems (CWS) and Non-Transient Non-Community (NTNC) water systems to submit an updated list called the baseline inventory.

To learn more about preparing the baseline inventory for your waterworks, check out the recording and slides of the "Lead & Copper Webinar: Preparing Your Baseline Inventory:"

Upcoming In-Person Training for Water Operators

Check out upcoming in-person and hands-on trainings for water operators! These classes are designed to educate waterworks operators, whether just starting out or experienced.

Check out what's coming up this fall!

Applied Math & Basic Science for Waterworks - October 6 - 10, Richmond **Deadline to register is September 26, 2025**
Operations & Maintenance of Distribution Systems - October 27 - 31, Salem
Hands-On at a Full-Scale Water Plant - November 5 - 6, Roanoke
Monthly Broadcasts - Vrtual

Visit the Water Training Course Website (hosted by Virginia Tech) for more information and registration details.

These classes are funded by ODW through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and presented by Virgina Tech CPE.

Are you prepared for a regional water utility disruption?

Water & Wastewater Tabletop Exercise (TTX)

Lorton, VA

October 15, 2025: Noon - 4pm

The Northern Virginia Emergency Response System (NVERS) Water & Wastewater Emergency Preparedness Work Group will hold an in-person, discussion-based tabletop exercise (TTX). This exercise will focus on how water and wastewater stakeholders and community partners respond during a regional water utility disruption. After the event, a detailed After-Action Report (AAR) will be made available to exercise participants.

The intended audience of the seminar includes:

Water and Wastewater Utility Partners
Local, Regional, State, and Federal Government Partners

After registration approval, additional information, including the event address, will be shared via calendar invite. Please contact Meagan Doran-Walker at meagan.doranwalker@nvers.org with any questions.

Registration Deadline: October 8, 2025

Register Here

Back to Basics: Water/Wastewater 101 for New Staff & Elected Officials

The Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCN) has developed a free weekly webinar series on the essentials of utility management. This drop-in class includes an hour of live, online instruction as well as office hours.

Topics include: Financial Statements - Budgeting - Asset Management - Billings & Collections - Rates - Customer Service - Procurement - Grant Compliance - and more

September 25, 2025 - December 22, 2025

For more information visit:

Water & Wastewater 101 for New Staff & Elected Officials

Office of Drinking Water using GovDelivery for Communication

You are receiving this email because your email address is associated with a regulated waterworks in Virginia or you signed up to receive the newsletter. Please add this email to your "Safe Senders" list so they land in your in-box and not your spam-box.

If you need to update your contact information, please reach out to:

Julie Floyd, Operator Certification & Training Manager, at julie.floyd@vdh.virginia.gov.

Know someone who would like to receive this newsletter? They can sign up here:

Sign Up Here

VDH Office of Drinking Water

Waterworks After-Hours Emergency Call Center: 1-866-531-3068