Original Broadcast: August 1, 2018

Slide Decks:

• ASDWA Intro
• USDA-NRCS-NWQI Webinar – August 1, 2018

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and EPA have made a change to the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) this year (for FY ’19) that includes a new pilot program specifically aimed at protecting drinking water supplies, including groundwater. This is a great new immediate opportunity for state drinking water and source water protection programs to reach out to your NRCS State Conservationists and state Clean Water Act programs to collaborate on proposing SWP areas and specific projects for the pilot that are due by September 14, 2018.

In this webinar, NRCS and EPA staff provide an overview of the NWQI and the new Source Water Readiness Pilot. During the webinar, they will share program objectives, the process for watershed selection, and information about financial assistance, deadlines/important dates and the vision for states and other partner collaboration.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Please view the “Dispatch” document and read the May NRCS NWQI Bulletin.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:  Following are some resources that can help you with this collaboration, particularly if you are not already working with your State Conservationist.

• Source Water Collaborative Toolkit on How to Work with NRCS State Conservationists:  This toolkit was specifically developed with NRCS for this purpose and includes six simple steps. Step 2 and step 3 will be particularly helpful for setting up a meeting with them.
  • Step 2 of the toolkit provides details about the information you should have ready before meeting with your State Conservationist such as SWP delineated maps, data, and source water assessments with ideas for potential and/or ready to go projects.
  • Step 3 of the toolkit includes tips to help you set up a meeting as well as draft talking points for your meeting.
  • NWQI Watersheds:  List of current NWQI FY 2018 approved watersheds
• State Contacts:
  • NRCS State Offices Directory – to find your State Conservationist.
  • State Source Water Protection Contacts – ASDWA is maintaining this list that has been provided to the NRCS State Conservationists, so they may also reach out to you. Please let us know if the contact list needs to be updated for your state.
• New AWWA Guide for Water Utilities, USDA Tools to Support Source Water Protection:  This new guide by AWWA highlights opportunities for water systems to leverage USDA conservation programs to expand the effectiveness of community partnerships and protect drinking water sources.