HOT TOPICS
EPA’s LCRI Update
October 8, 2024 – The EPA announced an update on LCRI. The press release goes into some detail about what the Biden administration will be looking to put in place for the next ten years and offer some funding opportunities to help communities provide safe drinking water to all homes and schools.
“The EPA’s new lead rule will begin to reverse the massive public health disaster of lead-contaminated tap water that has affected generations of our children. Every person has a right to safe and affordable drinking water, no matter their race, income, or zip code,” said Manish Bapna, president and CEO of NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “NRDC has had the privilege of working with residents of Flint, Newark, Chicago and beyond to help secure this meaningful rule and stop the flow of toxic lead from the tap into water glasses in homes across the nation.”
Follow the link below for the EPA press release:
Water is Worth It!
The May/June 2023 issue of the New Hampshire Town and City magazine is now available for viewing and downloading on the virtual issuu platform here.
See NHWWA article on page 30 that recognizes public water workers for a century of service, and makes recommendations for protecting our water supply for the next 100 years. Thanks to Tim Fortier of the NH Municipal Association for working with us to share information about public water with our municipal leaders!
VIDEO: A Career in Public Drinking Water
Employment in the drinking water profession provides a wide range of rewarding and stable careers with above-average compensation, interesting work, and colleagues committed to public health and service. See how a career in public water offers a wide range of jobs for a diverse team of professionals, and how American military veterans have found rewarding careers in public water at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e_nGo18q7db7gdp3Lrq3TT8O8SyhnZ43/view?usp=sharing.
Water is Worth It – Win with Water!
Public water professionals are public health professionals. Without clean water to drink, we cannot survive more than a few days. Without fire protection, property and people are endangered. After a century of hidden, uninterrupted, high-quality, and affordable service, public water has become an integral and constant part of daily life.
After reading some or all of this series, you know more about the diverse community of workers dedicated to keeping clean water in your tap to protect your health and cleaning wastewater to protect the environment. We hope this new knowledge motivates you to make water a more conscious part of your daily routine.
Anyone can help steward drinking water, from informed consumerism to local advocacy for source water sustainability. We are united by the water that covers roughly 70% of the Earth, as well as makes up a similar percentage of our bodies. Coincidence? We think not!
Water is fascinating, unifying, and indispensable. Coming together to be part of how we use water is a meaningful way to transcend personal barriers and social differences. Get to know the people that provide your water services and take time to appreciate and support public water services in your community.
Win with Water! is an informational series to raise awareness and provide actionable steps to public water system managers, administrators, and policy makers.
‘Tis the Season – Budgets and Bonds
‘Tis the season for local budgets, and have we got a deal for you! Following a 40-year drought in federal funding, New Hampshire is receiving substantial support for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure investment. With proper planning and appropriate authorization, your town can bring critical infrastructure up to date and prepare for the next 40 years of safe, affordable, and dependable public water services.
URGENT! Towns should work closely with their water departments to assess their needs. Public water services projects are complex and expensive, and the first wave of funding must be encumbered by December 2024 and spent by December 2026. Authorization to accept federal funds and expend required match should be approved at Spring 2023 town meetings.
The NH Department of Environmental Services is doing a great job building capacity to meet critical community needs through numerous loan and grants programs. Talk to your water services staff and partners and prepare your town to take advantage of this generational opportunity!
Win with Water! is an informational series to raise awareness and provide actionable steps to public water system managers, administrators, and policy makers.