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The 4th biennial tribal drinking water conference
WATER AND WASTEWATER NEWS
By Angela Hengel, rural development specialist - environmental
Keynote speaker Corrine Li at
the opening plenary session.
The 4th Biennial Tribal Drinking Water Conference, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 (US EPA R9) and Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC), took placed this May in Tempe, Arizona, at the beautiful Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. This year’s conference welcomed more than 150 tribal water operators, water managers, environmental compliance managers and water board and tribal council members for four days of comprehensive training on the “Multiple Barrier” approach to protecting tribal drinking water. Various agency members, technical assistance providers and contractors also participated in this highly informative event.
The conference began with a plenary session featuring keynote speaker Corine Li, manager of US EPA’s R9 Drinking Water Program. Li provided an in-depth look at the challenges of providing safe drinking water in Indian Country and the agency’s goals for meeting those challenges. Training, technical assistance, targeted enforcement and increased water infrastructure funds were cited as part of US EPA’s strategy for achieving their expected outcomes.
After the plenary session, a networking reception was held in the Grand Ballroom where the exhibitors were located. The exhibits provided a focal point for networking and exposure to the latest technologies, products and services available. The networking session was an ideal opportunity for tribal attendees to meet with and interact with US EPA project managers and other agency and technical assistance providers. The reception was made possible in part due to the generous support of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT), the Pala Band of Mission Indians, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. and Pureflow Filtration Division.
Attendees in a breakout session of
the 2010 tribal conference.
In the evening, several planning and coordination meetings were conducted. Here, USEPA project managers, Indian Health Service (IHS) engineers, representatives from USDA Rural Development (RD), Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA), RCAC and Rural Water Association of Arizona (RWWA) met to discuss the best approach for serving the environmental needs of tribal communities.
The Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon electives offered participants 10 technical sessions to choose from. The elective sessions complimented the core curriculum and explored more detailed aspects of the multiple barrier approach. Guest presenters provided expertise on a wide variety of fields which included engineering, management, security, safety, regulations and operations and maintenance. Participants who completed two full days of training were eligible to receive 14 contact and professional development hours.
Special guest presenter David Saddler, Tohono O'odham Utility Authority manager.
The Thursday morning general session featured special guest presenter David Saddler, Manager of the Tohono O’odham Utility Authority, who presented a case study entitled “How to Form an Effective Tribal Utility.” Mr. Saddler’s successful case study illustrates the progress that tribes have made in developing programs that promote sustainable economics and self determination.
As always, RCAC requests specific feedback from attendees to ensure that RCAC events are of the highest quality. This year was no exception. Conference evaluations were overwhelmingly positive. Ninety five percent of the participants ranked the overall conference as either very good or excellent. Some of the comments included:
- "Every class was excellent.”
- “The conference was well balanced, classes were well thought out, great job!”
- “This conference was well spent for someone new to water.”
- “Very informed speakers and conference session leaders.”
- “Great job! I attended all of my classes and had a great time.”
Plans for the 2012 Tribal Drinking Water Conference are already underway! With the success of the Tempe conference still fresh in everyone’s mind, US EPA and RCAC are excited about the prospect of another highly successful and well received tribal drinking water conference. More details for the 2012 conference will be made available in the coming months.
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