July 2022
Conferences & Events
One Day Training Sessions
Register for Leadership Summit
Plan to join us for 2 days of focused learning specifically for water & wastewater utility decision-makers, July 27 & 28 in Bloomington at the Monroe County Convention Center!

Topics will include:
  • Planning for an uncertain future
  • The Great Resignation
  • The benefit of benefits
  • Latest on Lead & Copper Rule Revisions
  • Ratemaking 101
  • & so much more!

Just $195 for Both Days! (member pricing)
 
Registration includes both days of classes, networking, and meals.

Earn 10 General W & WW Contact Hours!
Attendees will also receive a certificate of completion.
Did you know?
We also post industry jobs on our website! This service is included with your Alliance membership. Send us your openings today to alliance@inh2o.org!
2022 Regional Water Taste Tests
We have just two more "regional" taste tests before the "Best Tasting Water in Indiana" Competition during our conference this fall. The City of Fort Wayne was the proud winner of the 1st Regional Taste Test held at our Spring Conference and Garrett Water Works was the winner of the 2nd Regional Taste Test in Akron at the Northern Operator Expo. Congratulations to them!

2022 Regional Taste Test Schedule
March 17th - French Lick @ Spring Conference
May 26 - Akron @ Operator Expo
July 13 - Bourbon @ training
(date + location change)
August 24 - Connersville @ training
*Systems may choose to compete in any of the regional competitions. Submissions MUST NOT have any major violations of bacteriological testing or chemical monitoring for two years prior to the Taste Test. Winners from each region will advance to compete in the “Best Tasting Water in Indiana” at our annual Fall Conference, October 26 & 27, 2022 in Fort Wayne, IN. 
(Regional winners will receive one free fall conference registration)
Indiana to Receive Investment in Lead Service Lines and Water Infrastructure
Indiana will receive $127 million in federal funding every year for the next five years from the recently passed infrastructure law to address lead pipes and wastewater issues. Indiana is one of the first states to access the new EPA funds...

See "EPA Upcoming Trainings & Webinars" below for a webinar on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and learn how this can potentially help your community!
EPA Upcoming Trainings & Webinars
Water Infrastructure Funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Webinar
Wednesday, July 13
1:00-2:00pm ET
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites communities to join their July 13 webinar to learn how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding can help communities improve their water and wastewater infrastructure.


19th Annual EPA Drinking Water Workshop
Monday, August 29 - Thursday, September 1
Northern Kentucky Convention Center
The free workshop, which will be held as a hybrid of in-person and virtual, will provide in-depth information and training on solutions and strategies for handling small drinking water system challenges, with a focus on monitoring, distribution, source, and treatment topics.


EPA Water Research Webinar Series
A webinar will be offered every other month that will focus on EPA water research. The 2022 schedule is at the link below.

If you attend EPA webinars, you must submit the certificate and the credit form yourself. If you do not submit the form with the verification document, you will not get the credit.
(EPA Webinars must also be pre-approved to obtain wastewater credit.)
2022 Indiana Legislative Update
The following bills could affect our water/wastewater industry and will likely be of interest to you:
 
House Bill 1002 – Repeals the utility receipts & utility services use tax.
 
House Bill 1245 - Charging a capacity or tap fee. Exemptions for connecting to regional sewer district.
 
Senate Bill 272 – Wastewater infrastructure.
Send us pictures for our 2023 Calendar!
We're working on creating our 2023 Alliance Calendar, and we'd love to feature photos from our members! Pictures of your water plant, staff working on a project, scenic pictures of a local water tower, fire hydrant...you name it, we want it!

Send us your photos with the subject line "Calendar Photo Submission" to alliance@inh2o.org, and your picture might just be featured! Please also include who took the picture and the location of the photo.
Welcome New Alliance Staff Member!
Miranda Bergen
Accounting Director
Miranda started with us in May and is managing the financial aspects of the organization, as well as executing Human Resources duties. She received a Bachelor of Science in General Studies in 2009 from IU East and an MBA from CTU in 2012. Miranda has been married to her husband Charlie for 20 years, and they have five children, all between the ages of 11 to 27. Welcome aboard, Miranda!
Operator Expos Recap
Last month, we gave you a snapshot view of the Operator Expos that took place in Huntingburg and Akron. We wanted to share that the recap and photos of both events are up on our website and our Facebook. Check 'em out!

Cybersecurity Tips for Water & Wastewater Systems
"Whether a utility serves 300 people or hundreds of thousands with water and wastewater service, the importance of protection and security are the same. What’s important to remember is that while federal agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are keenly concerned about the impact of large water system outages and their effect on particular regions, a cyber-attack at the smaller system is just as damaging to life and the economy on a local scale...."

Indiana Finance Authority Regional Water Planning Meetings 
Regional Water Planning Meetings for the Indiana Finance Authority dates and locations are now available on the IFA website. Please review the map to find the meeting scheduled for your area and plan to attend.
 
As a reminder, utilities are required to attend at least one regional meeting a year. If you have questions, please email WaterResources@ifa.in.gov.
Click link below for resources from NRWA + 120 Water
July 2022
  • Lake Appreciation Month: The growing population, continuous development, and invasive species put stress on our local lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. As you get out on the lakes to cool down this summer, take time to appreciate this body of water.

  • Smart Irrigation Month: Smart irrigation practices provide our population with several social, economic, and environmental benefits. Take this time to educate your community about the many opportunities to efficiently use water outdoors. Host workshops, share how-to videos on your website and post tips on social media and in bill stuffers!
Affinity Partners/Programs & Services Portfolio
As the only affiliate of National Rural Water Association in the state, the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water is proud to offer our members an array of products and services that have been vetted and specifically chosen as partners that work well with and for rural water and wastewater utilities. If you have any questions about any of these programs, please contact our office at 888-937-4992 or ask your circuit rider.  

Don't forget to check out the latest version of our membership magazine, the Hoosier Pipeline! Stay tuned for our Summer/Fall edition, which will be out soon!
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