Three webinars and an important regulatory meeting, scheduled in the coming weeks, will address topics of importance to drinking water utilities:
Post-Disaster Power Restoration in the Water Sector
Presented by WaterISAC, October 2, 2:00-3:15 p.m. ET
To register, visit www.waterisac.org/events.
When storms and other natural disasters knock out electricity, power companies deploy crews and resources to restore service as quickly as possible. Who and what determines when your water or wastewater system's power is restored? Where does your treatment plant rank among the power company's other high priority customers? WaterISAC, in partnership with the Electricity Sector-ISAC (ES-ISAC), will host a webcast on power restoration following natural disasters to answer these questions.
Speakers from the ES-ISAC, North American Electric Reliability Corporation and the Emergency Preparedness & System Storm Center for the Va.-based power utility Dominion will discuss how power companies and county emergency operations centers determine priorities for restoring services to water sector facilities and other customers. Speakers will also discuss the process and challenges involved in repairing damaged power company assets and share relevant past experiences.
Climate Ready Water Utilities Webinar Series
Presented by EPA’s Climate Ready Water Utilities program, in coordination with the Water Utility Climate Alliance, beginning September 18
Registration information is available under the “Training” tab on EPA’s CRWU webpage.
The series of webinars starting this fall and running through early 2014 will “cover a range of strategies being used by water utilities for adaptation planning and decision-making.” The first session, “Sustainability and Adaptation,” is scheduled for September 18. Webinars will include utility presentations and overviews of tools available to assist in adaptation planning in response to climate change.
Harmful Algal Blooms
Presented by EPA’s Watershed Academy, September 25
To register, visit www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts.
The webcast on the link between nutrient pollution and harmful algal blooms (HABs), entitled, "Linking Nutrient Pollution and HABs: State of the Science and EPA Actions," will begin with Professor Hans Paerl from the University of North Carolina providing a review of the scientific evidence. EPA's Ellen Gilinsky and Mario Sengco will continue with a discussion of the relevant work of the EPA in mitigating the problem, including both the Framework for State Nutrient Reductions and the development of numeric nutrient criteria. They will conclude with suggestions for the public on how to minimize nutrient contributions from everyday activities.
National Drinking Water Advisory Council Meeting
Presented by EPA, October 9 (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET) and 10 (8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET) at EPA’s Potomac Yard Conference Center in Arlington, Va.
The meeting notice indicates potential revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule will be a primary focus of discussions along with “other program issues.” A full agenda for the meetings will be made available later this month.
The NDWAC meetings provide a good opportunity for the public to get the latest information on EPA’s drinking water agenda, and AMWA staff will be in attendance to report any new developments. Registration information for those wishing to attend the meetings (phone lines are not usually made available for NDWAC meetings), the agenda (when posted) and additional information about NDWAC are available through EPA’s NDWAC webpage.