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ODW Webinar: This Tuesday!
LCRI Mandatory Tap Sampling Requirements -
Preparing for Service Line Inventory-Based Compliance Sampling
February 17, 2026, 10:00 - 11:00am
(Rescheduled from January)
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Changes to sample collection under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) will begin in November 2027. Now is the time to learn, plan, and prepare so that your waterworks will be ready in time. Join us as we host TruePani, Inc for a webinar on the next step of getting ready for the LCRI.
In the webinar you will learn:
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Where you will have to collect samples. This will be based on your inventory.
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How you will collect the samples (1st and 5th liter samples)
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Sample Tiers - what they are and what they mean
- What to do when there is lead exposure?
This will be essential for community and non-transient noncommunity (NTNC) waterworks, especially schools and daycares. There will be time for questions during the presentation.
The webinar will be recorded and posted on the ODW website within two weeks of the session. Attendees are eligible to earn 1 Contact Hour.
If you registered for the original date in January, you should have received an updated invite. Check your email and calendar. If you're not sure, feel free to register again.
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Update: Federal Funding and Upcoming Deadlines
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ODW is still experiencing delays in receiving federal funding. These delays began during the Federal Government Shutdown and have continued due to uncertainty in the federal budget process.
While much still remains to be worked out, we would like to share the following updates:
- The EPA’s federal budget has now been finalized.
- However, EPA has not yet released the funding allocation amounts that determine how much funding VDH will receive and can distribute to drinking water projects.
- EPA has indicated that VDH should expect this information in April 2026.
If VDH receives the allocation details in April as expected, we plan to:
- Send funding offers to successful FY2026 applicants in May 2026
- Send notifications to unsuccessful FY2026 applicants in May 2026
Funding Already Awarded
- All SA‑HMW “Hurricane Helene” funding has been awarded.
- All General Assembly House Bill 1600 funding has been awarded.
Lead Service Line Replacement Projects
- VDH plans to issue funding offers for BIL/IIJA Lead Service Line Replacement Projects in March 2026.
- These projects can move forward because they will be funded using a previous year’s EPA allocation that VDH has already received.
FY2027 Funding Solicitation
- The deadline for this year’s funding solicitation is August 7, 2026, because of the delays in receiving federal funding information.
- VDH intends to provide information about last year’s funding decisions before applicants need to submit applications for this year.
- The Financial & Construction Assistance Programs (FCAP) webpages will be updated, and a Virginia Town Hall notice for the FY2027 solicitation will be posted by March 31, 2026.
Thank you for your continued interest in our funding programs. Please contact us with any questions – we’re here to help.
Anthony Hess
FCAP Division Director
Financial & Construction Assistance Programs (FCAP)
Office of Drinking Water
anthony.hess@vdh.virginia.gov
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Time to Prepare Your 2025 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
Community waterworks should begin preparing their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for calendar year (CY) 2025.
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Key points to help you get started:
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2025 CCR preparation guidelines are now available on ODW’s CCR webpage.
- Review your water quality sample data and any violations in the Safe Drinking Water Information System, accessible through the Drinking Water Viewer.
- There are no new requirements for the CY 2025 CCR.
For Wholesale Waterworks
- Community waterworks that sell water to consecutive systems must provide CCR data to those systems no later than April 1, 2026.
Draft CCR Review Support
- ODW Field Office staff are available to review draft CCRs before publication.
- Please share your draft CCR with your Field Office as early as possible, and no later than May 1, 2026.
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Spring Is Almost Here!
Time to Refresh Your Customer Service Skills
by Lee Strickland, Jr., ODW Sustainability Coordinator
Lee.Strickland@vdh.virginia.gov
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In less than a month, we’ll finally say goodbye to winter’s frigid temperatures. Warmer days mean more interactions with customers and an increase in routine inspections by VDH staff. As we head into spring, here are some simple, effective tips to help strengthen customer service and build positive connections.
Customer Service Tips for the Season
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Offer a friendly greeting and take the lead in starting the conversation.
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Arrive early to meetings with customers or VDH staff so you have time to prepare and organize the information you want to share.
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Use open‑ended questions to start conversations. Build rapport based on shared surroundings.
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Communicate openly and warmly—make eye contact, smile, and be approachable. Be mindful of your body language.
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Listen actively, giving your full attention to the person speaking.
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Be authentic and attentive by repeating key points to show understanding.
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Come prepared and stay open to new connections—breaking down small barriers leads to great customer service.
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
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 2026 Waterworks Training
VDH Office of Drinking Water is pleased to announce the 2026 Waterworks Training Program. This series of in-person and online courses is being offered through a contract with Virginia Tech. It is designed to prepare individuals to take initial or advanced licensing exams as well as learn more about what it takes to own and operate a public waterworks.
Water Operations Math (Online)
March 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 2026
This course is designed to help licensure candidates and experienced operators strengthen their understanding of the applied math used in the operation of conventional water plants and small water systems. Licensure candidates in particular will find this course helpful when preparing to face the math portions of Class 6 - Class 1 certification exams. Participants will receive 2.0 CEUs (20 contact hours) for successful completion of this course.
Hands-On Training at a Full-Scale Water Plant
March 24 - 25, 2026 Newport News, VA
This program focuses on hands-on exercises at a full-scale plant in Virginia. Designed to demonstrate and supplement lessons learned in the annual summer short courses at Virginia Tech, this course is perfect for any water operator, Class 1 - 6. Participants will receive 1.35 CEUs (13.5 contact hours) for successful completion of this course.
Registration Deadline: March 14, 2026
Course Registration: Hands-On Course Registration
Physical and Cybersecurity Training
April 7 - 8, 2026, Winchester, VA
This course covers physical and cybersecurity for water systems, including risk and hazard analysis. Participants will learn about current security threats, available resources, and how those resources support utilities during security events. The class also includes information on funding opportunities.
Experts from the FBI, EPA, CISA, WaterISAC, VDH‑ODW, VDEM, and the Fusion Center will participate. Tabletop exercises will help attendees learn how to prevent security incidents and respond effectively if they occur. Participants will earn 16 contact hours upon successful completion.
Registration Deadline: March 28, 2026
Course Registration: Physical & Cyber Security Registration
Monthly Water Broadcast Series
Join us for our free monthly broadcasts featuring water industry speakers. The interactive broadcasts will cover a range of fundamental and emerging topics. Since it is delivered online, you will have the opportunity to ask questions of presenters and participants and participate in discussions.
All broadcasts are delivered online via Zoom on Wednesdays from 12:00-3:00 pm.
Participants receive 3 contact hours for successful completion of each workshop. Registration is required to receive credit for attending broadcasts.
February 18, 2026 Broadcast: "Emerging Contaminants and PFAS in Groundwater Wells in Southwest VA"; Leigh Keometis, Associate Professor, Biological Systems Engineering, VIrginia Tech.
March 18, 2026 Broadcast: "Bridging the Gap: Transforming Water Audit Data into Reliable Loss Reduction Planning" Presented by Drew Blackwell and Ashlee Hollifield, experts in the field of water audits.
Broadcast Registration: Info for Water Broadcast Series.
Visit the Water and Wastewater Training Course Webpage for a full listing of courses scheduled for 2026. Information will be updated as details are finalized for each course.
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 Cross Connection Devices: Inspection, Maintenance, and Testing- 40 Hours
March 2 - 6, 2026, Williamsburg, VA
This five (5) day training course is offered in support of the Safe Drinking Water Act and Virginia Waterworks Regulations. It is designed to prepare participants to test, inspect, and provide in-line maintenance of reduced pressure zone and other backflow prevention devices. Training includes both classroom and hands-on instruction with actual devices.
Course Info & Registration: VAAWWA Course Website
Registration Fee: $625
This training program is being presented by the Virginia Section AWWA with support from the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water. Limited scholarships available for very small waterworks.
ODW is Hiring!
The Office of Drinking Water provides regulatory oversight and technical assistance to public waterworks across the state. Our team is made up of staff with broad experiences and background including biology, engineering, geology, administrative support, water operations, and laboratory experience. Check out our open positions at:
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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:
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VDH Office of Drinking Water
Contact Us | Website
Waterworks After-Hours Emergency Call Center: 1-866-531-3068
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