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Free PFAS Monitoring Support for Small Waterworks
To help meet the upcoming PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) requirements, the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water (VDH ODW) is offering no-cost PFAS sampling and analysis for community (C) and non-transient noncommunity (NTNC) public water systems that rely on groundwater and serve populations of 10,000 or fewer.
Under the federal PFAS Rule, small groundwater waterworks must complete two sampling rounds at each entry point to the distribution system (EPTDS), spaced 5–7 months apart. The initial monitoring and reporting compliance deadline is April 27, 2027. Waterworks must complete the initial monitoring and reporting, including reporting the analytical results to VDH ODW by this deadline.
Through a partnership with TruePani Inc., participating systems receive free:
- Sample collection by trained field staff
- Laboratory analysis through a certified lab
- Results reporting
If you have already completed one sampling round, TruePani can complete your second round at no cost. Sampling typically takes 15–30 minutes per entry point.
To sign up, scan the QR code above or visit truepani.com/vapfas.
Take advantage of this free service to achieve compliance and protect your community’s water quality.
Visit the ODW PFAS Webpage for more information about PFAS in Virginia.
DCLS has been accredited to The NELAC Institute (TNI) standards for PFAS analysis in drinking water utilizing EPA method 533 and EPA method 537.1 (rev 2). Both methods are acceptable for reporting initial and compliance monitoring under the PFAS rule. Any public water system that would like to utilize DCLS for analysis can call 804-648-4480 ext. 171 or email DCLS_DW_Repeats@dgs.virginia.gov to initiate an order request.
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As compliance deadlines approach, now is a great time to review America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) section 2013 to ensure your system is on track. AWIA requires all community water systems serving more than 3,300 people to complete a certified Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA) and update their Emergency Response Plan (ERP) within the established five‑year cycle. To assist with this, U.S. EPA continues to offer tools, templates, and technical assistance to help systems strengthen physical security, cybersecurity, and overall resilience.
Below is a reminder of the upcoming deadlines to help you stay in compliance and plan ahead:
Risk and Resilience Assessments (RRA)
Due by June 30, 2026
Emergency Response Plans (ERP)
Due six months after your RRA submission
If you have already submitted or certified completion of your plans, no further action is needed at this time.
Further Resources:
NOTE: Systems that serve less than 3,301 people are not required to certify the completion of these plans to U.S. EPA but are encouraged to conduct RRAs and ERPs in order to prepare for potential risks or emergencies.
For help with this, reach out to your Field Office contact.
Thanks to WaterOperator.org for this article!
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Update: Federal Construction Funding and Upcoming Deadlines
March 17, 2026
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Office of Drinking Water (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
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.
For more details or if you are interested in applying for construction funding, see the full announcement: Update: Federal Construction Funding and Upcoming Deadlines
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
Anthony.hess@vdh.virginia.gov
Financial & Construction Assistance Programs (FCAP)
Office of Drinking Water
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If you’re beginning your Waterworks Operator licensing journey in Virginia—or aiming for a higher‑level license—we’ve pulled together the resources to help you get started.
Visit our Training Webpage and click the “Operator Licensure Prep Resources” tab to find:
- Information about DPOR, the agency that manages the licensing process
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ODW webinar recordings you can watch anytime
- Courses available through VDH contracts
- Links to additional resources and Technical Assistance Providers who can support you along the way
It’s a one‑stop hub to help you move forward with confidence.
Let us know how we can help,
Julie Floyd
Operator Certification & Training Manager
julie.floyd@vdh.virginia.gov
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.
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
Applied Math and Basic Science for Waterworks Operators
June 1 - 5, 2026, Roanoke, VA
This course covers the math and science of real-world, water treatment applications. It is an intensive course that builds from introductory, basic skills to the application of many important principles. Topics may include the calculation of chemical feed rates, interpreting pump curves, interpreting water quality data, selecting the best coagulant dosage, calculating filter rates, interpreting water treatment regulations, and much more.
Participants will receive 3.5 CEUs (35 contact hours) for successful completion of this course.
Registration Deadline: May 22, 2026
Course Registration: Applied Math and Basic Science 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.
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.
April 15, 2026, Broadcast: "Addressing Disinfection Byproducts: Challenges, Opportunities, and Implementation" Presented by David Dawson, Engineering Field Director in the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water, Abingdon Field Office, and chair of the VDH Virginia Optimization Program Committee.
Broadcast Registration: Info for Water Broadcast Series.
Visit the VT CPE 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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Exam Preparation:
Using the ABC Water Treatment Formula Table
Virginia Western Community College is offering “Using the ABC Water Treatment Formula Table”, a live, online math course for water treatment operators, during the spring semester from March to April. The course is intended to familiarize operators with the ABC formula table, used for the closed-book state certification examinations, and the treatment processes associated with each formula. Cost: $85
For more information, see the Course Announcement or contact course instructor Robert Canova, Adjunct Instructor and VA AWWA Life Member, at rcanova@virginiawestern.edu.
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2026 has started off with a number of hazardous weather events impacted waterworks across the state. In order to get information out to you, our customers, in a more efficient manner, the Office of Drinking Water Division of Emergency Preparedness has begun using GovDelivery to send out preparedness and situation-critical information to waterworks. We want you to have the best, timely information so that you can make decisions for preparing your utility in advance of a variety of hazards.
So, add ODW@public.govdelivery.com to your "Safe Senders" list so these bulletins land in your in-box and not your spam.
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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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