EPA Water Security Division Publishes ‘WHAT’S GOING ON’ Electronic Update

As many of you know, our colleagues at EPA’s Water Security Division are working diligently to make sure that you have the best available tools, training, and strategies to enhance your resiliency and water security posture.  To help showcase ‘what’s going on’ at WSD, they have published an electronic newsletter that contains lots of great info.  Please see below:

Is Your Water Utility Prepared to Handle Contamination Incidents?

The Water Quality Surveillance and Response System Exercise Development Toolbox (EDT) helps drinking water utilities test, evaluate and improve their investigation and response procedures for distribution system contamination incidents. The toolbox can also serve as a database for procedures and future exercises. The EDT is available at:  http://www.epa.gov/waterqualitysurveillance/water-quality-surveillance-and-response-system-exercise-development-toolbox

Training Resources to Build Your Water Resilience Knowledge

The EPA provides opportunities to help build water resilience knowledge within the water sector. Some trainings offer continuing education units/credits for operator certification requirements. To find out more and stay informed on training opportunities, please visit and bookmark http://www.epa.gov/waterresiliencetraining

Want to Know the Costs and Consequences of an Emergency?

Watch and share EPA’s newly released video about the Water Health and Economic Analysis Tool (WHEAT). The video demonstrates how WHEAT helps water and wastewater utilities estimate the economic costs and public health consequences of a water emergency. The video is available at: http://www.epa.gov/waterriskassessment/find-out-about-health-and-economic-impacts-water-utility-emergencies

Lab Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) — Get Free Training

Is your lab well prepared to continue with essential activities if a major operational disruption occurs? Every lab should have an effective COOP in place. Join the free online training July 21, 2016 at 1 p.m. EST — and take a big step toward enhancing your lab’s resilience! Register here http://www.eventbrite.com/e/us-epa-wlas-continuity-of-operations-plan-coop-template-training-tickets-20739688968

Boost Your Lab’s Stature: WLA Prospective Member Webcast

Do you want to enhance your lab’s visibility and credibility in the water analytics community and water sector at large? Learn about the benefits and process of becoming a Water Laboratory Alliance (WLA) member: Participate in the WLA Prospective Member Webcast on June 15, 2016 at 1 p.m. EST. To register, click here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/us-epa-wla-prospective-member-webcast-tickets-21115629416

View the Webinar on Free Preparedness Tools

If you missed the May 11, 2016 webinar on “Free Preparedness Tools for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities,” hosted by the EPA, you can still catch it online! Tools featured include: Drought Response and Recovery Guide for Water Utilities, Hazard Mitigation for Natural Disasters, Water Quality SRS Exercise Development Toolbox and others. View the webinar at: http://epawebconferencing.acms.com/p84fwh79d4f/.