Evergreen Rural Water of Washington

Congressman Dicks is On

As of 3/3/10 Congressman Norm Dicks (district 6) has signed on the State Delegation letter in support of rural water funding.

If you live in Congressman Dicks' district make sure to thank him for his support.

Congressman Smith & Congressman Baird to Send Letter of Support

Congressman Adam Smith (District 9) and Congressman Brian Baird (District 3) are joining forces to write a letter of support for rural water.

Both Congressman choose to send their own letter as opposed to signing on the State Delegation Letter.

If you live in either of their districts make sure to thank them for supporting rural water.

Congressman Inslee is On

Congressman Jay Inslee (District 1) has not only signed on the State Delegation letter in support of rural water funding, his office is one that is circulating the letter on our behalf.

If you live in Congressman Inslee's district make sure to thank him for his support.

Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers is On

As of 2/25/10 Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (district 5) has signed on the State Delegation letter in support of rural water funding.

If you live in the Congresswoman's district make sure to thank her for her support.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)

2010 Planning-Only Grants Now Available

Application materials for the Washington State Community Development Block Grant Program’s 2010 Planning-Only Grant will be available March 1, 2010 through October 31, 2010 (or until all funds are awarded).

Planning-Only Grants support eligible small communities and rural counties in Washington State in attaining the planning tools necessary to implement priority projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons.  Eligible applicants are Washington State cities and towns with less than 50,000 in population or counties with less than 200,000 in population that are non-entitlement jurisdictions or are not participants in a Department of Housing and Urban Development Urban County Entitlement Consortium.

$400,000 is available for CDBG Planning-Only Grants in 2010, with maximum grants of $24,000 for single jurisdiction and $40,000 for multiple jurisdiction applications.  In some cases, the maximum grant can be $35,000 for a single jurisdiction and $50,000 for a multiple jurisdiction.  This maximum amount is allowed only when projects meet all of the following criteria:

·       Project must address a public health and safety issue.

·       Project is required by a regulatory agency (such as WA State Department of Health or Ecology).

·       The community is facing a financial hardship in addressing the issue.

·       Other funding has been considered.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

CDBG Planning-Only Grants can fund a wide range of planning activities that address one of the following program priorities:

·       To address public health and safety issues.

·       To improve essential services to low- and moderate-income persons.

·       To complete a necessary step within a broader community development strategy.

·       To assist communities in meeting planning requirements that will principally benefit LMI persons.

·       To support local planning to affirmatively further fair housing.

FOR APPLICATION MATERIALS AND MORE INFORMATION

Contact Janea Eddy at (360) 725-3006 or Janea.Eddy@commerce.wa.gov.  Application materials are available at www.commerce.wa.gov/cdbg

Great Annual Conference!

Another great conference, and we couldn't have done it with out you. A big thank you to all the vendors, speakers, attendees and to both Senator Maria Cantwell for speaking at lunch and presenting our National Drinking Water Taste Test Award to Thurston PUD, and to Senator Patty Murray for sending the dvd to kick off the conference.

A big congratulations to Tim McMurrin, the winner of our grand prize...the Honda Quad.

Pictures coming soon.

Congressman McDermott is On

As of 2/12/10 Congressman Jim McDermott (district 7) has signed on the State Delegation letter in support of rural water funding.

If you live in Congressman McDermott's district make sure to thank him for his support.

Great American Water Taste - 3rd Place in the Nation!

Congratulations to Thurston PUD - Lazy Acres for not only winning the ERWoW Drinking Water Taste Test in September, but for taking 3rd place in the National Rural Water Association Great American Water Taste Test, February 10, 2010 in Washington DC.

There were over 22 entries from all across America entered into the contest. Great job Thurston PUD and Congratulations!!!

Fred Sheldon accepting the award on behalf of Thurston PUD

One Trip Down, One to Go

Executive Director Gary Rhoades and Assistant Director Tracey Hunter traveled back to Washington D.C. two weeks ago to meet with our elected officials. Discussions were about securing funding for FY2011. As our elected officials sign on our State Delegation Letter, we will post them, so you will know who is supporting rural water.

As of 2/8/10: Congressman Larsen has signed on both the EPA and USDA letters.

Just a week away!!!

We are just a week away from our 16th Annual Conference. If you haven't already done so, get your registration in. And don't forget to make your hotel reservations too.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Yakima!!!

2010 Training Calendar and Annual Conference Online!

Registration for our 16th Annual Conference & Tradeshow is available online. To view a conference agenda, including classes and to sign up as either an attendee or exhibitor visit our Annual Conference page.

Our 2010 Training Calendar is available for viewing on our Training page. Classes are not availble for online registration, yet, but you are welcome to call our office if you see a class you would like to register for.

Attention College Students...Or Those Soon To Be!

Evergreen Rural Water of Washington (ERWoW) will be giving away two $500 Scholarship Awards to students in pursuit of higher education for the 2010-2011 academic year! Dependent children and stepchildren of ERWoW Members are eligible to be considered. Scholarship awards are not limited only to first year college students. Please make sure all interested parties are aware of this opportunity.

Applications to be considered MUST be submitted or postmarked by
February 5, 2010.

Download the scholarship details & requirements.

Download the scholarship application.

Exhibit Hall Online!!

The 2010 Annual Conference & Tradeshow exhibit hall is online. View the exhibit hall, see who is coming to the show, register to exhibit.

Red Flag Rule Deadline November 1, 2009

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has now announced that it will postpone the enforcement of the red flag rules until November 1, 2009. All utilities are required to comply with this regulation. 

The Red Flag Rule requires any entity where there is a risk of identity theft, to develop and implement an Identity Theft Prevention Program.  This includes all utilities.

The Program must include reasonable policies and procedures for detecting, preventing, and mitigating identity theft.  The rule was issued by the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Trade Commission, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Thrift Supervision. 

National Rural Water has created a free template for you to use to ensure you meet this deadline.

Calling All Speakers!

If you are interested in presenting a one to three hour class at our Annual Conference & Tradeshow, February 16-18, 2010 in Yakima, WA, download our "Call for Presentations" and send it to our office no later than November 20, 2009.

Evergreen Rural Water Recognized at National H2O-XPO

LOUSIVILLE, Ken. – Representatives from Evergreen Rural Water of Washington walked in front of a cheering crowd to accept their award at the National Rural Water Association’s Tribute to Excellence ceremony, held on October 7, during the H2O-XPO in Louisville, Ken.
               
ERWoW won the Training and Technical Assistance Excellence Award and the National Legislation Excellence Award for its outstanding efforts in 2009. Washington was recognized out of the 48 state rural water associations in NRWA’s membership. These state affiliates support 26,696 water and wastewater utility members in all 50 United States and Puerto Rico.
               

ERWoW Partners with FCS Group. New Training Classes Available!

Evergreen Rural Water is partnering with FCS Group and going on the road with a new training class: Comprehensive Utility Financial Planning During Tough Economic Times. This class is a must for all water and wastewater systems no matter your size.

USDA Rural Developement National Assistant Administrator Visits ERWoW's Fall Conference

This past week we had the honor of visiting with Ms. Jacki Ponti-Lazaruk, USDA RD National Assistant Administrator for Water and Environmental Programs. Ms. Ponti-Lazaruk was invited to our Fall Conference by NRWA President Fred Sheldon. During her opening remarks she spoke of the stimulus funds and the money that USDA has available to small systems through their loan and grant program.

While she was in town she visited the Hoquaim Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Central Park Water District.

From Left to Right: NRWA President Fred Sheldon, USDA National Assistant Administrator Jacki Ponti-Lazaruk, USDA Gayle Hoskison, Hoquiam WWTPO, ERWoW Executive Director Gary Rhoades.

New Member Benefit!!

If you are a member of Evergreen Rural Water you can now receive 25% off any books or videos you purchase at the AWWA online store. Call our office to receive your discount code!

• ERWoW members can receive a 25% discount off the non-member price on books and videos
• The program starts August 1, 2009 and ends July 31, 2010
• The ERWoW member must place the order through the online AWWA bookstore ( www.awwa.org/bookstore ) using a credit card and supplying the promotional code in the lower left hand corner of the coupon.
• There is no limit to the number of books and/or videos that any customer wishes to purchase
• There is no limit as to how often an ERWoW member may use the discount through the program period
• The discount coupon CAN NOT be used for purchases from the Water Library
• The discount CAN NOT be used in conjunction with any other discounts and CAN NOT be applied to earlier purchases

100% Congressional Support!

Congressman Reichert (District 8) has signed on the Rural Water Dear Colleague Letter. With his signature we now have 100% congressional support for rural water funding from the State of Washington.

If you live in Congressman Reichert's district make sure to let him know you appreciate his support.

Department of Health's Basic Course - Help!

If you have a copy of WA Department of Health's Basic Course for small public drinking water systems and you are having problems it may be because you have Flash 10 player. The software was designed for Flash 9 player. Please use this link to complete the course online.

http://www.waterhelp.org/wa/basics