Description: Many regions of the U.S. are experiencing heavier rain events, dropping more water in shorter periods of time. These events may overwhelm local stormwater infrastructure and cause problems for wastewater systems, in part because much of this infrastructure was designed using precipitation data from several decades ago when weather patterns were drier and storms were generally less intense. Aging and under-maintained infrastructure is also less able to handle these heavy rain events. How can a small stormwater or wastewater system cope with these changing conditions on top of their existing infrastructure challenges?

This webinar will share some of the latest data and tools available to help managers take more recent, and even projected, precipitation information into account when making decisions. It will also feature examples from communities that have worked to assess and incorporate heavier rainfall into their infrastructure design guidelines and maintenance regimes. An overview of potential funding sources for supporting utilities’ adaptation efforts will complete the program.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand why current infrastructure is inadequate for both current and future precipitation patterns
• Learn about data and decision support tools that utilities and communities can use to improve their infrastructure planning, decision-making, and maintenance procedures
• Learn about peer utilities that have taken steps to adapt to heavier rainfall in their stormwater and/or wastewater systems
• Learn about current funding sources that can support infrastructure upgrades

Panelists: 

Stephanie P. Dalke, Program Manager, Water Resources and Climate Adaptation, University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center

Ellen Mecray, Regional Climate Services Director, Eastern Region NOAA/NESDIS/National Centers for Environmental Information

Art DeGaetano, Professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and Director, NOAA Northeast Regional Climate Center

Steve Fries, Technical Assistance Lead, Creating Resilient Water Utilities Initiative at US EPA

Geneva Gray, Physical Scientist, US Environmental Protection Agency

Certificate: This webinar has NOT been submitted for continuing education credit approval. We can provide a certificate of attendance to eligible attendees but cannot guarantee it will meet your PDH or CEU requirements.

Who Should Attend:

• Managers, owners, and operators of wastewater systems with an average daily flow of less than 1 million gallons
• Decision-makers for wastewater utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members, and clerks
• Consultants and technical assistance providers serving wastewater systems

Partners: 

The post Webinar | Planning for and Managing the Impacts of Changing Precipitation Patterns on Wastewater and Stormwater Systems first appeared on Environmental Finance Center Network.

The post Webinar | Planning for and Managing the Impacts of Changing Precipitation Patterns on Wastewater and Stormwater Systems appeared first on Environmental Finance Center Network.

Description: This is an opportunity for you to speak with and hear from your peers. Has your water utility experienced emergency disruptions to service continuity? Are you facing long-term shocks to service from changing environmental conditions (drought, rainfall patterns, flooding), human-based threats (cyber attacks), or vulnerabilities (a shrinking workforce)? Do you plan for both emergency preparedness and longer-term resiliency?

We are inviting utility managers, operators, and decision makers to an online, interactive discussion of lessons and questions about resilience broadly defined.

USEPA has developed a substantial toolbox of free aids for risk and resilience planning. We have created a short document that provides a guide to all the tools from EPA and others and which briefly explains the broad resilience management approach we cover in our trainings. We’ll send you the current beta copy of the document and encourage you to review it before this session.

Our virtual 1.5 hour interactive discussion will aim to dive into these initial questions and beyond:

1. What tools and practices have helped you define risks to service continuity (beyond routine asset management and maintenance)? What lessons can other systems benefit from?
2. What are the chief obstacles to using risk-based resilience management tools? What supports can help (besides money)?
3. Where are the opportunities to strengthen resilience and service continuity through your day-to-day “normal” business functions as well as new practices?

Moderator:

• Dr. Jack Kartez, Emeritus Director, New England Environmental Finance Center

Cost: Free

Who Should Attend:

• Managers, owners, and operators of water systems serving less than 10,000 people
• Decision-makers for water utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members, and clerks
• Consultants and technical assistance providers serving water systems

Please Note: This Peer2Peer session has NOT been submitted for approval of continuing education credit. We can provide a certificate of attendance to eligible attendees, but cannot guarantee it will meet your PDH or CEU requirements.

Partners:

The post Peer Exchange | Interactive Resiliency Discussion for Small Water Systems first appeared on Environmental Finance Center Network.

The post Peer Exchange | Interactive Resiliency Discussion for Small Water Systems appeared first on Environmental Finance Center Network.

Description: Wastewater systems across the country are increasingly at risk from the impacts of extreme weather events, aging infrastructure, lack of funding, and an unstable regulatory environment. The growing risk of failure in wastewater systems presents a critical threat to public health. Small wastewater systems are more likely to lack the funding, staff, and resources to adapt to these changes creating an added challenge to providing effective wastewater management. This presentation takes a look at how small wastewater systems can prepare for the effects of climate change such as higher intensity storms, sea level rise, more extreme temperatures, and reduced flows from water conservation efforts. First, the presentation discusses the key ways climate change affects the operation of wastewater systems, from collections systems to treatment plants. Additionally, an overview of available EPA resources is provided, from understanding the specific climate impacts a system can expect to developing a detailed plan to combat these challenges moving forward.

Presenter: Caitlyn Leo, Research Engineer, Environmental Finance Center at Sacramento State

Cost: Free

Please Note: This webinar has NOT been submitted for approval of continuing education credit. We can provide a certificate of attendance to eligible attendees, but cannot guarantee it will meet your PDH or CEU requirements. 

Who Should Attend:

• Managers, owners, and operators of wastewater systems with an average daily flow of less than 1 million gallons
• Decision-makers for wastewater utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members, and clerks
• Consultants and technical assistance providers serving wastewater systems

Partners: 

The post Webinar | Building Resilience in an Uncertain Future for Small Wastewater Systems first appeared on Environmental Finance Center Network.

The post Webinar | Building Resilience in an Uncertain Future for Small Wastewater Systems appeared first on Environmental Finance Center Network.

Description: We hear about “resilience” a lot these days — given the many pressures and uncertainties felt by businesses, organizations and even individuals. For lifeline drinking water utilities, business continuity and performance is a matter of health and life safety. Resilience is often first thought of in terms of emergency response and hazard recovery preparations. It extends beyond that to how business is supported in all ongoing aspects. This one-day training for water utilities in South Carolina’s Pee Dee region is an introduction to this broad approach, and a gateway to free tools and assistance available from U.S. EPA and the Environmental Finance Center Network. Also included are updates on South Carolina’s resilience efforts and financial resources

Leaning Objectives:

• Understand resilience as an ongoing function at your utility
• Access risk and resilience assessment tools to identify vulnerabilities
• Prioritize risks and deal with uncertainty
• Learn about climate resilience, cybersecurity and other emerging needs
• Learn about South Carolina programs & funding opportunities supporting resilience.
• Engage in a tabletop exercise and set goals for further action

Trainer: Jack Kartez, Senior Advisor/Emeritus Director, New England Environmental Finance Center

Cost: Complimentary.

Who Should Attend:

• Managers, owners, and operators of water systems serving less than 10,000 people
• Decision-makers for water utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members, and clerks
• Consultants and technical assistance providers serving water systems

Continuing Education Units: Eligible attendees will receive a certificate of attendance that they may self-submit for Continuing Education Credit.

Partners:

The post SC Training | Resiliency Means Business: Preparing for Risks to Drinking Water Service in the Pee Dee Region first appeared on Environmental Finance Center Network.

The post SC Training | Resiliency Means Business: Preparing for Risks to Drinking Water Service in the Pee Dee Region appeared first on Environmental Finance Center Network.

View/Download | Resiliency Resource Handout

Description: We hear about “resilience” a lot these days — given the many pressures and uncertainties felt by businesses, organizations and even individuals. For lifeline drinking water utilities, business continuity and performance is a matter of health and life safety. Resilience is often first thought of in terms of emergency and hazard recovery preparations. It extends beyond that to how business is supported in all ongoing aspects. This webinar serves as an introduction to this broad approach, and a gateway to free tools and assistance available from U.S. EPA and the Environmental Finance Center Network. Topics include: How to scan risk broadly, including the uncertainty of a changing environment; Access to tools through a downloaded guided inventory document and discussion of examples during the webinar, and; Opportunities for further one-on-one technical and training assistance from the Network.

Presenter: Dr. Jack Kartez, Senior Advisor and Emeritus Director, New England Environmental Finance Center at the University of Southern Maine

Cost: Complimentary.

Please Note: This webinar has NOT been submitted for approval of continuing education credit. We can provide a certificate of attendance to eligible attendees, but cannot guarantee it will meet your PDH or CEU requirements. 

Who Should Attend:

• Managers, owners, and operators of water systems serving less than 10,000 people
• Decision-makers for water utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members, and clerks
• Consultants and technical assistance providers serving water systems

Partners: 

The post Webinar | Resiliency Means Business! Preparing for Risks to Safe & Reliable Service first appeared on Environmental Finance Center Network.

The post Webinar | Resiliency Means Business! Preparing for Risks to Safe & Reliable Service appeared first on Environmental Finance Center Network.

• Introduction to how your organization can identify and respond to both routine pressures and acute future events, as an ongoing practice;
• Understanding the requirements of AWIA (American Water Infrastructure Act) Section 2013 for Risk and Resilience Assessment; Tools to address.
• A focus section on dealing with a changing (nonstationary) climate, uncertainty, and guidelines for developing adaptations (countermeasures and
  mitigation).
• Exercises in self-assessment; Case examples.

Trainer: Dr. Jack Kartez, Senior Advisor and Emeritus Director, New England Environmental Finance Center at the University of Southern Maine

Cost: Complimentary.

Who Should Attend:

• Managers, owners, and operators of water systems serving less than 10,000 people
  
• Decision-makers for water utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members, and clerks
  
• Consultants and technical assistance providers serving water systems

Continuing Education Units: Pending Approval.

Partners:

The post ID Online Training | Resiliency Means Business! Introductory Training for Small Water Systems On Preparing for Risks to Safe & Reliable Service first appeared on Environmental Finance Center Network.

The post ID Online Training | Resiliency Means Business! Introductory Training for Small Water Systems On Preparing for Risks to Safe & Reliable Service appeared first on Environmental Finance Center Network.

Resilience can come from a variety of approaches and actions, including understanding how to plan for an uncertain future, partnering with others (both traditional partners and non-traditional partners), accessing state and federal funding, planning for long-term capital needs, evaluating financial health, and considering supply chain issues and potential actions that can be taken to address them.

With all of the upcoming infrastructure funding a logical question is “how do you get your piece of the pie?” This training will help you answer that question.

Leaning Objectives:

• Are you ready for the next crisis? Attendees will learn actions they can take to prepare for the next crisis and increase resilience.
• How do you get your piece of the pie? Attendees will learn what funding is available to them, how it has increased, and how to apply for it. Attendees will also learn how funding can increase resiliency and better prepare you for the next crisis.
• Do you understand the power of partnership? Attendees will learn how partnerships can help prepare for the next challenge and about non-traditional partnerships.

Trainers: Heather Himmelberger, Director; and joni palmer, Project Director, Southwest Environmental Finance Center at the University of New Mexico

Cost: Complimentary.

Who Should Attend:

• Managers, owners, and operators of water systems serving less than 10,000 people
  
• Decision-makers for water utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members, and clerks
  
• Consultants and technical assistance providers serving water systems

Continuing Education Units: Pending approval.

Partners:

The post TX Training | Managing Your Water System into the Future: Building Resilience to Handle the Next Major Challenge first appeared on Environmental Finance Center Network.

The post TX Training | Managing Your Water System into the Future: Building Resilience to Handle the Next Major Challenge appeared first on Environmental Finance Center Network.

View the recording here.

Download Presenter Biographies.

Download David Zimmer’s Presentation Slides.

Download Chris Sturm’s Presentation Slides.

Description: Small water utilities across the country are recognizing the need to build resilience in the face of an uncertain future. In this webinar for New Jersey small water systems, participants will learn best practices for understanding climate risks, assessing vulnerabilities, prioritizing assets, planning for impacts, and funding resilience projects.

Hosted by the Syracuse University and University of Maryland Environmental Finance Centers, the session will feature presentations by Chris Sturm, New Jersey Future, David Zimmer, New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, and Andy Kricun, Moonshot Missions.

Presenters will share strategies for small systems to integrate projected flooding and other climate risk into decision-making. They will discuss how small systems can make smart, cost-effective infrastructure investments to prepare for climate impacts and achieve long-term financial health.  The session will also feature a discussion of the federal bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and its possible impacts on small systems in New Jersey.

Who Should Attend:

Managers, owners, and operators of small water systems in New Jersey serving less than 10,000 people, including local government systems and tribal systems, as well as all other types of water systems, such as homeowners associations, mobile home parks, resorts/campgrounds, prisons, and schools.

If you require a certificate: Each viewer must register and attend individually and participate for the entire duration of the workshop. We cannot provide certificates to individuals watching the webinar as a group.

Partners:

The post NJ Online Training | Building Resilience and Planning for an Uncertain Future: New Jersey Small Water Systems Training first appeared on Environmental Finance Center Network.

The post NJ Online Training | Building Resilience and Planning for an Uncertain Future: New Jersey Small Water Systems Training appeared first on Environmental Finance Center Network.

The Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCN) invites you to join us for a brief web meeting as we kick off our Building TMF Capacity for Small Wastewater Systems project. The EFCN has received $1 Million of funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to provide training and technical assistance to small wastewater and decentralized wastewater treatment works in all 50 states, tribes, and territories. In this case, small is defined as treating less than 1 Million Gallons Per Day of wastewater. (This flow rate roughly translates to a community of approximately 10,000 people or fewer.) The assistance can include training (in person or virtual) as well as direct technical assistance in technical, managerial, or financial capabilities.

Please join the EFCN for this informative webinar to learn more about this assistance opportunity and to share with the EFCN specific areas of interest for assistance in tribal country. These areas may include specific training topics or specific direct technical assistance ideas that would benefit wastewater entities in tribal country. We would like to ensure that our training and technical assistance is best tailored to meet the specific needs of tribal entities.

The post Webinar | Building TMF Capacity for Small Wastewater Systems in Tribal Country: Kick-Off Webinar first appeared on Environmental Finance Center Network.

The post Webinar | Building TMF Capacity for Small Wastewater Systems in Tribal Country: Kick-Off Webinar appeared first on Environmental Finance Center Network.

Please join the EFCN for this informative webinar to learn more about this assistance opportunity and how the EFCN can help wastewater entities in your jurisdiction.

Please view the recording on GoToWebinar

A pdf of the slides can viewed or downloaded by clicking HERE.

The post Webinar | Building TMF Capacity for Small Wastewater Systems: Kick-Off Webinar first appeared on Environmental Finance Center Network.

The post Webinar | Building TMF Capacity for Small Wastewater Systems: Kick-Off Webinar appeared first on Environmental Finance Center Network.