Newsletter #4 for January 2013

Part of the TUG program includes the development of a new certification intended to create a standardized pathway for Tribal water/wastewater professionals to advance into and ascend in the field of water utility management. The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA) is developing the exam and credentialing process to establish and maintain standardization for the tribal utility management profession.

A critical component of this process is to gather input about the tasks, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively manage a tribal utility. ITCA has created a 15-minute survey and are asking that mid to upper level tribal water operators (levels 2-4) with some utility management experience complete the survey. The results will be used to help validate the materials that should be used in the exam for this new certification. As a utility manager, this is your chance to provide input into what information will be included in the knowledge base for the new certification.

Again, this survey isn't for everyone, we are asking that only operators with utility management experience participate. Your responses will be kept anonymous and confidential. If you know other tribal utility managers, please share this survey with them

Click here to take the Survey

NAWMA, the Native American Water Masters Association, is a forum to bring people with similar water system roles and responsibilities together to promote professionalism through training, education and communication. The NAWMA groups were founded in California, but the group is expanding to other states and tribal areas through EPA Regions 6, 8, & 9. The Tribal Utility Governance (TUG) trainings will be delivered at upcoming NAWMA meetings.

The State Water Resources Control Board in California has adopted proposed regulations for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification Program that extend certification reciprocity to tribal operators. It does so by formally clarifying the state's examination waiver approach and through additional language pertinent to tribes.

This is an excerpt from the initial notice of proposed regulation:
"Under the proposed regulations, the Office of Operator Certification may give qualifying experience credit for experience acquired at a facility that treats wastewater in a state other than California, in a territory, or on land within the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, provided the duties are comparable to the duties of a WWTP operator."

The State Water Board anticipates that the regulations will become effective on April 1, 2013.

Money and More: Tribal Resources Forum

February 6, 2013 | Phoenix, AZ
This FREE Multi-Agency Infrastructure & Community Development Resource Forum will provide Arizona Tribes and tribal organizations an opportunity to learn about funding programs and other assistance available for tribal infrastructure and community development projects. Learn More.

Self-Paced O&M Training for Tribes and Small Communities
Ten new training modules from the U.S. EPA help tribal and small system operators learn best practices.

Visit our blog archive for additional articles.

More News from Around the Web

In each edition of this newsletter, we'll link to some of the most interesting and relevant news articles relevant to tribal water and wastewater systems.

Comanche Tribe of Oklahoma Receives $65,000 from EPA - Grant will provide continued support for the tribe's water pollution control program.

Quechan reservation water restored - After more than 24 hours without water, residents of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation had their water restored this week.

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