Rural Water is the largest water
and wastewater utility membership organization in the nation
representing in excess of 26,242 utility members. It is this
voice and relationships on the local state and national level
coupled with technical issues that took center stage at last week’s
Rural Water/EPA Summit meeting.
The importance of the meeting was underscored by the attendance of
Stephen Johnson, EPA Administrator, the Administrator’s Chief
Counsel, EPA’s Chief Financial Officer, the Assistant Administrator
for Water and his top two advisors, five Regional EPA staff and an
assortment of Drinking Water Officials. Representing Rural
Water was NRWA President Rodney Tart; Senior VP Fred Sheldon; State
Rural Water Association Executive Directors Tommy Duck, Texas Rural
Water; Gary Rhoades, Evergreen Rural Water of Washington; Dennis
Sternberg, Arkansas Rural Water; Elmer Ronnebaum, Kansas Rural
Water; Gary Larimore, Kentucky Rural Water; and Source Water
Technician Sara Devries from Arkansas, along with CEO Robert Johnson
and staff.
State Rural Water
Associations provided presentations showcasing their work in
training and technical assistance, source water planning and
response to emergency situations across the country. Relationships
with regional offices were also discussed during the course of the
meeting. Technical issues included the need to consider
rural and small system concerns in relation to rules and
regulations. These included the forthcoming Chemical Security
Rule, Vulnerability Assessments and the Total Coliform Rule.
A discussion was held regarding water efficiency with an emphasis on
water loss and the impact on energy as well as conservation and the
pending shortage of qualified water system personnel. Rural
Water committed to working on this special initiative in cooperation
with the Office of Water.
Pictured
are: Left to right, Larry Wright, EPA Region 6, Fred Sheldon,
NRWA Senior VP, Robert Johnson, NRWA CEO, Rodney Tart, President NRWA,
Stephen Johnson, EPA Administrator and Ben Grumbles, EPA Assistant
Administrator, Office of Water
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