The ability to distribute clean, safe drinking water is essential for rural communities to thrive. New infrastructure requires planning and the right equipment, at the right cost. Leasing can help.
By leasing equipment, tools and vehicles, you can start your projects faster and gain access to newer assets. Get exactly what you need with a repayment term that allows you to preserve cash for other projects or emergencies with options to purchase, replace or return the equipment at the end of the lease.
Learn how to transform your projects by leasing trenchers, backhoes, trailers and other tools or needed equipment.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals and Equipment
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Alabama
representing
and wastewater systems serving rural communities and towns and commercial firms which support these systems. We provide assistance to comply with State and Federal regulations, to help with management and operational problems, and to stimulate training initiatives.
Standing Together at the Crossroads: Your Voice Matters More Than Ever A Critical Moment for Rural Water Funding
ROB WHITE, IV, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear ARWA Members,
Sometimes in our work, we face moments that define not just our year ahead, but the future of rural water for generations. We’re at one of those crossroads right now, and I need to speak plainly about what’s at stake.
The House of Representatives has proposed FY2026 funding for USDA’s Water and Environmental Programs that would devastate rural water infrastructure development. Their mark of $346 million –with $109 million carved out for Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS), what many still call earmarks – leaves just $237 million for the entire nation. Let that sink in: the lowest funding level in decades for the programs that built and sustain rural America’s water systems.
After all the math is done, most states would receive less than $1 million in total grant funding. One million dollars. For an entire state. That’s not just inadequate –it’s a crisis in the making.
ALIGNING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION’S PRIORITIES
Let’s be clear: rural America helped elect this administration, and water and wastewater services remain one of the last truly bipartisan areas in our great country. Our funding request directly supports the Trump administration’s key objectives. Consider this: The President has announced “the largest artificial intelligence infrastructure project in history,” including a $500 billion Stargate initiative requiring 20 massive data centers. According to researchers at UC Riverside, a single AI query uses about 16 ounces of water for cooling. Bloomberg reports that a small 1-megawatt data center consumes up to 26 million liters of water annually, while Google’s data centers average 550,000 gallons of water
Since last June, something remarkable has happened. Through our “Rural Water Strong” campaign, over 8,000 rural water leaders from every state have pledged to support USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Programs.
per day. Where do you think these facilities will be built? Many will be in rural areas where land is available and communities welcome the jobs – but only if we have the water infrastructure to support them.
The administration has also made reshoring manufacturing a cornerstone priority, with the White House declaring that “’Made in America’ is not just a tagline – it’s an economic and national security priority.” Companies like Eli Lilly have announced $27 billion in U.S. manufacturing investments, and TSMC pledged $100 billion for new semiconductor plants, according to industry reports. But as experts at UCLA Anderson School of Management and others point out, manufacturers need reliable water and wastewater systems. Without adequate rural water infrastructure, these reshoring efforts will bypass rural communities for areas with better-funded utilities.
The Trump administration understands this connection. In his first term, according to USDA Deputy Under Secretary Bette Brand, USDA invested “a record $40 billion in rural communities in 2020” under
President Trump’s leadership, with the administration recognizing that “increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a cornerstone recommendation” for rural prosperity. This isn’t a partisan issue – it’s about keeping America competitive and ensuring rural communities aren’t left behind in the economic boom ahead.
THE REAL IMPACT ON REAL COMMUNITIES
Here’s what this means for Alabama and rural communities nationwide. When grants dry up, Rural Development can’t blend financing to make projects affordable. Without the loan-to-grant ratio that has worked for decades – historically about 70/30 – water rates skyrocket. Projects stall. Communities that desperately need safe water get pushed to the back of the line – again.
Think about your smallest, most financially strapped member systems. The ones serving persistent poverty counties. The ones where every dollar counts and a rate increase means choosing between
water, medicine, or food. Under the House proposal, after all the set-asides and formulas, there’s virtually nothing left to help them. That’s not acceptable.
We’ve seen what adequate WEP funding can do across Alabama – helping small towns replace 40-year-old treatment plants that no longer meet environmental standards, upgrading 30-year-old sewer systems with failing pumps, preventing wastewater overflows into local streams during heavy rains. These aren’t luxury projects. They’re basic necessities that protect public health and keep communities viable. Without grant funding to blend with loans, these critical upgrades become impossible dreams for the communities that need them most. (Based on USDA Rural Development project announcements for Alabama communities.)
RURAL WATER STRONG:
8,000
VOICES AND GROWING
Since last June, something remarkable has happened. Through our “Rural Water Strong” campaign, over 8,000 rural water leaders from every state have pledged to support USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Programs. These aren’t just numbers – they’re water operators, board members, mayors, and community leaders who understand that WEP funding is the lifeline for rural America.
The campaign, as detailed at ruralwaterstrong.org, emphasizes four critical themes that resonate across the country:
• Public Health: 27,500 public schools and 1,810 hospitals in rural America depend on safe water.
• Economic Vitality: Water infrastructure is the foundation that keeps businesses in rural communities.
• Affordability: Grant/loan blends are essential to keep rates manageable for low-income families.
• Sustainability: Technical assistance ensures systems operate efficiently for the long term.
But pledges alone won’t move Congress. We need every one of those 8,000 voices –and thousands more – speaking up RIGHT NOW. The Senate is drafting their version of the FY2026 Agriculture Appropriations Bill as you read this. What they decide in the coming weeks will determine whether rural communities thrive or merely survive.
YOUR MISSION: MAKE THE CALL TO ALABAMA’S SENATORS
Here’s exactly what we need you to do TODAY:
Contact Senator Katie Britt
304 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-5744
Senator Britt serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and chairs the Homeland Security Subcommittee. While her position on Appropriations limits some of her direct participation in the agriculture bill markup, she has consistently fought to bring Alabama’s federal dollars home. Your calls reinforce the importance of rural water funding as she works within the committee structure.
Contact Senator Tommy Tuberville
B40A Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-4124
Senator Tuberville serves on the Agriculture Committee and understands rural development programs firsthand. While he recently announced his campaign for Alabama governor in 2026, he remains our senator for the next 18 months and has pledged to work with President Trump to “make America great again.” Supporting robust rural water funding would certainly help Alabama – and could strengthen his gubernatorial campaign by showing his commitment to rural communities.
YOUR TALKING POINTS
When you call, here’s what to say:
1. Support $500 million base funding for USDA Water and Environmental Programs – with Congressionally Directed Spending (earmarks) funded ABOVE that level, not carved from it.
2. Rural water infrastructure drives rural economies – we create jobs, attract businesses, and keep communities viable.
3. The House level is unacceptable –it abandons rural America when we need support most.
4. Water infrastructure is essential for the Trump administration’s priorities – from AI data centers to reshoring manufacturing, none of it happens without adequate water and wastewater systems.
5. Alabama’s rural communities deserve better – mention your specific system and the challenges you face. Don’t wait for someone else to make the call. Don’t assume your voice doesn’t matter. I’ve seen what happens when our members unite – mountains move. But it takes every single one of us.
BEYOND THE NUMBERS
This fight isn’t really about line items in a budget. It’s about that young family in Coosa County deciding whether small-town life is still possible. It’s about the manufacturer choosing between a rural site with reliable water infrastructure or heading to the suburbs. It’s about whether “rural” remains a place of opportunity or becomes synonymous with “left behind.”
At ARWA, we’ve spent 47 years building relationships, providing training, and advocating for common-sense policies. We’ve weathered droughts, floods, recessions, and pandemics together. This funding crisis is just another challenge we’ll overcome – but only if we act with the urgency this moment demands.
THE PATH FORWARD
I’ll be honest: I’m concerned but not defeated. Why? Because I know you. I know that when rural water professionals see a problem, we fix it. When our communities need us, we show up. And when politicians forget about rural America, we remind them – loudly and clearly – that we’re still here, still serving, still essential.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be providing additional talking points, scheduling Hill visits, and coordinating with our national partners. We’re part of a nationwide movement – visit ruralwaterstrong.org to see testimonials from systems across America and add your voice to the campaign. But none of that matters without you picking up the phone, writing that email, or visiting that district office. Your senator needs to hear from YOU – not just from me or ARWA leadership, but from the people who know firsthand what these programs mean.
TOGETHER, WE FLOW FORWARD
Our magazine, The Waterline, and our mission remain the same: keeping rural water flowing, keeping it safe, and keeping
it affordable. The House proposal threatens all three. But I’ve never bet against rural water professionals, and I’m not starting now. Make the call. Send the email. Share this message. Talk to your boards, your mayors, your customers. Join the 8,000+ water leaders nationwide who’ve already pledged their support at ruralwaterstrong.org . Let’s show Congress that Rural Water Strong isn’t just a slogan – it’s a movement of professionals who refuse to let rural America be written off.
Thank you for all you do, every single day. Now let’s go win this fight.
With determination and hope, Rob White
P.S. – Remember, both our senators need to hear from you TODAY. Save their numbers in your phone and call again next week. Every contact matters. If you’ve already reached out to Congress, thank you. Now do it again –and bring a colleague. Together, we’re Rural Water Strong!
Data sources: AI water consumption figures from UC Riverside research and Bloomberg analysis (2025); Manufacturing investment data from White House announcements and industry reports (2025); USDA rural investment figures from official USDA Rural Development press releases (2020); Rural Water Strong campaign statistics from ruralwaterstrong.org; Alabama project examples from USDA Rural Development announcements; Senator contact information verified via U.S. Senate official websites
RESOURCES
Alabama Congressional Delegation Contact Information
U.S. Senators
Senator Katie Britt www.britt.senate.gov | 202-224-5744
Senator Tommy Tuberville www.tuberville.senate.gov | 202-224-4124
U.S. House Representatives
District 1:
Barry Moore (R) – barrymoore.house.gov
District 2: Shomari Figures (D) – figures.house.gov
District 3: Mike Rogers (R) – mikerogers.house.gov
District 4: Robert Aderholt (R) – aderholt.house.gov
District 5: Dale Strong (R) – strong.house.gov
District 6: Gary Palmer (R) – palmer.house.gov
District 7: Terri Sewell (D) – sewell.house.gov
Key Resources
Rural Water Strong Campaign www.ruralwaterstrong.org
USDA Rural Development www.rd.usda.gov
Alabama Rural Water Association www.alruralwater.com
USDA Rural Development Water Programs Ensure Affordability
Rural Development will continue to play a vital role in modernizing, preserving, and protecting rural America’s infrastructure and public health. You can help secure its future today by signing the pledge and sharing a testimonial video about why you support USDA Rural Development.
Providing adequate support and resources necessary to protect and enhance the environment, public health, sustainability of utilities, and economic vitality of rural America with clean, affordable, and safe water service is a primary responsibility for our federal elected officials.
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Gulf Coast Conference
Recap
The Alabama Rural Water Association hosted the 2025 Gulf Coast Technical Training Conference in beautiful Orange Beach, Alabama, May 20–22. Water systems, industry suppliers, family, and friends of ARWA gathered for three days of training, fun, and some much-needed R&R to kick off summer!
Hosted at the award winning Perdido Beach Resort, the conference brought over 500 attendees, 80 exhibitors, and 20 guest speakers. Training sessions offered a total of 10 Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) for water or wastewater operators to maintain their certifications. Speakers brought their expert knowledge on various topics, from funding outlooks to retirement plans to asset management.
Between training sessions, attendees strolled through the exhibit hall, where they chatted with friendly faces, learned about the newest technology, and entered raffles sponsored by exhibitors.
On Wednesday, after a full day of training and catching up, attendees were treated to a low country boil on the beach deck, featuring a sunset serenade by ARWA’s own Jon Lowe and a dance party following.
On Thursday, we wrapped it up with a half day of training. This year, The Utility App and nexBillPay sponsored a beach bash with refreshments, games, and a final chance to relax before heading home.
Whether learning new skills, reconnecting with industry friends, or waking up to a beautiful view of the Gulf of America, this year’s Gulf Coast Conference was a success. ARWA would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all attendees, sponsors, speakers, and hotel staff for making this conference such a memorable event. We look forward to seeing everyone in March for ARWA’s 48th Annual Technical Training Conference!
Pursuing higher education is one of the most important investments a person can make in their future. But for many high school students, affordability presents a major barrier. That is why for over 20 years, the Alabama Rural Water Association (ARWA) has been proud to award scholarships to deserving students across the state through the John A. Garrett Scholarship Fund. Made possible by funds raised at the annual ARWA Golf Tournament, these scholarships
The 2025 Winners are:
help alleviate the financial burden students face when pursuing college or trade school. Each year we are impressed by the caliber of applicants – students who have excelled academically while also making time to give back through community service, work jobs to support their families, or pursue their passions through sports, arts, and other activities.
In 2025, we are excited to announce another round of exceptional scholarship
NORTHERN REGION
SOPHIA ELIZABETH HOLZER
recipients who represent the best of Alabama’s youth. These students demonstrate academic excellence, strong character, and commitment to their communities. We are honored to invest in their futures through the ARWA scholarship fund.
Applicants are evaluated on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and future goals. Numerous impressive application packages were received this year.
Sophia is the daughter of Meredith Holzer, an Engineer with the Oxford Water Works & Sewer Board in Calhoun and Talladega counties. Sophia is a 2025 graduate of Oak Mountain High School with a 3.94 GPA. Sophia is planning to attend Auburn University where she will pursue a degree in nursing.
RALEIGH BREANN THOMPSON
Raleigh is the daughter of Gregory Thompson, Manager at Greenhill Water Department & FPA in Lauderdale County. Raleigh is a 2025 graduate of Rogers High School with a 4.3679 GPA. Raleigh is planning to attend the University of North Alabama, where she will pursue a degree in Secondary Education Physics with a concentration in general science.
CENTRAL REGION
BRITTON SAMUEL PIERCE
Britton is the son of Derek Pierce, Program Manager with the Alabama Rural Water Association. Britton is a 2025 graduate of Thompson High School in Alabaster with a 4.327 GPA. Britton is planning to attend Troy University, where he will pursue a degree in physical education/special education.
JONATHAN ALLEN HODGE
Jonathan is the son of Alaine Hodge, Accounting Manager at East Alabama Water, Sewer, and Fire District in Chambers County. Jonathan is a 2025 graduate of Valley High School with a 4.3 GPA. Jonathan is planning to attend Auburn University, where he will pursue a degree in Civil Engineering.
Congratulations to all who applied and especially to those selected as the 2025 winners!
SOUTHERN REGION
ETHEN RYAN GARDNER
Ethen is the son of Randy Gardner, Water Distribution Foreman at Montgomery Water Works in Montgomery County. Ethen is a 2025 graduate of Alabama Christian Academy with a 4.27 GPA. Ethen is planning to attend the University of Montevallo, where he will pursue a degree in marketing.
KAYLEE MICHELLE FRAZIER
Kaylee is the daughter of Maranda Kervin, Office Manager at Quint-Mar Water Authority in Crenshaw County. Kaylee is a 2025 graduate of Luverne High School with a 3.90 GPA. Kaylee is planning to attend Lurleen B. Wallace Community College to pursue a degree in Nursing.
Alabama’s Water and Wastewater Operators
A Drift Crisis and How to Plug It
By Jon Lowe, ARWA Training Specialist
Alabama is witnessing a mounting attrition challenge among its certified water and wastewater operators, potentially a ticking time bomb for public health and infrastructure resilience.
SIGNS OF A GROWING CRISIS
According to ADEM’s 2024 Water Workforce Recruiting & Retention Survey, only 6% of certified operators in Alabama are in their 20s, showing few newcomers entering the field. The survey highlights two critical concerns:
• A looming shortage of certifie d talent, as most aging operators edge toward retirement.
• A bottleneck in certification, with 60% of utility managers citing a lack of certified operators as the main barrier to hiring. Although the survey doesn’t list a precise “churn rate,” these trends suggest a steadily shrinking workforce, with retirements and low hiring compounding to push churn higher each year.
WHAT’S FUELING THE EXODUS?
• Awareness gap: About 76% of operators believe the public doesn’t even know the profession exists, and 67% wish otherwise.
• Certification hurdles: A significant share of aspiring operators find the exam process daunting or expensive, making recruitment even tougher.
• L ack of recognition: Operators aren’t officially seen as “essential personnel,” affecting status and morale.
STRATEGIES TO STEM THE TIDE
To retain and attract talent, experts suggest several proactive steps:
1. Raise Public Awareness
Launch campaigns in high schools, community colleges, and through public media to spotlight water and wastewater operator careers, underscoring both the importance and stability of these roles.
2. Enhance Training & Exam Support
• Develop structured mentorships pairing early career operators with seasoned veterans.
• Offer subsidized exam prep courses, workshops, and refresher sessions to demystify certification, reduce costs, and bolster confidence.
3. Elevate the Profession
• Advocate for a legislative move to officially designate operators as essential personnel.
• B ring boards and utility managers up to speed on operators’ crucial role through targeted training sessions.
4. Create Clear Career Pathways
• Dev elop structured advancement ladders tied to credentials and experience.
• Intr oduce continuous learning opportunities covering emerging technologies and best - practice operations.
5. Improve Workplace Conditions & Recognition
• Offer flexible scheduling or loan forgiveness for those in rural areas.
• Provide public recognition.
• “Operator of the Month” style programs can boost morale and community respect.
FINAL WORD
Alabama stands at a pivotal juncture. Its water and wastewater infrastructure depend on a skilled and stable operator workforce. While the attrition rate may not yet be a headline, the survey’s findings point to a sector under strain, with too few fresh faces coming in to replace those soon to retire. By bolstering training investment, reducing certification barriers, and promoting professional recognition, Alabama can better retain current operators and attract the next generation, ensuring that clean water and sanitation remain in capable hands for decades ahead.
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Capacity Development is a term you may have heard since the program’s inception in 1996 but you may not know exactly what it means. You may not know how it came about. You may not know why it came about. But, luckily for you I am here to change all of that.
So first let’s define Capacity Development . Capacity Development requires each State to obtain the legal authority or other means to ensure that all new community water systems and new nontransient, noncommunity water systems commencing operation after October 1, 1999, demonstrate technical, managerial, and financial capacity with respect to each NPDW regulation in effect, or likely to be in effect, on the date of commencement of operations. (H.R.3604 – 104th Congress Title I Subtitle F)
This means that Capacity Development is a state program and as such falls under ADEM (Alabama Department of Environmental Management). As it is currently set up, a report is given to the governor’s office triennially. The report outlines the steps a system should take to find their way back to compliance.
Here is how ARWA can help:
1. Technical Assistance: This means coming in and helping with a little know-how or special skill. If you
need help with your system, chances are one of our guys has seen the problem before or at the very least knows who to call and find the solution.
2. Managerial Assistance: Everyone has found themselves in a position they didn’t expect before. In the water industry that may mean that you are suddenly a supervisor with assets to manage and employees to schedule. If you have never done any of those things… we can help. Then you may find you are more qualified than you imagined and with a little advice and a few suggestions you can come up with your own plan that carries your water system forward and sets the tone for its future.
3. Financial Assistance: Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that we are handing out free money. It does mean that we know how to help you make a plan for your revenue and to set goals moving forward and how to achieve those goals.
So, if you have any questions, if you have a plan and want help getting to a goal, or if you just want to hear how someone else may move forward put in your situation; call Alabama Rural Water Association and let’s start working to be sure that rural Alabama has the best and is prepared to move into the future with all the information and tools at our disposal. Let’s get blamed for doing something that turns out great.
Preserving Alabama’s Liquid Blessing: Water Conservation for a Sustainable Future
By Tyler Grant, ARWA Water Quality Assurance Specialist
The most critical natural resource is water because it is needed for the existence of all living organisms on the planet; however, water may eventually become scarce due to overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. It is very important to conserve this resource since it plays a central role in the health of the environment and future generations. Alabamians are indeed fortunate to have an unlimited source of water and this needs to be protected for future generations. But it is necessary to note that not all countries and locations in the world can afford such a luxury, and they deal with the water shortage and its impact daily. Water conservation matters for several key reasons:
1. Ecosystem protection: Water in rivers, lakes, and wetland plays crucial roles to various ecosystems in the world.
2. Energy savings: Less water consumption is found to require less energy for treatment as well as in the distribution process.
3. Agriculture sustainability: Water conservation is sustainable for the provision of food security in the future.
4. Urban resilience: As it has been seen, conservation plays a great role in preventing cities to fail in handling droughts or population increase. Luckily, there are many measures that a person can take to ensure that they use minimal water in their everyday life. Some of the ways are that people should repair the leaks as soon as possible, reduce shower time, and water the lawns properly. Innovations have also been of
immense influence in water usage through conserving it in the best way possible. Low-flow showers, faucets, toilets, water efficient washing machines and smart irrigation systems have significantly cut down on the amount of water consumed in homes. These innovations not only reduce water usage but also energy, and hence the utility bills, making the innovations in the best interest of consumers and environmental conservation.
Conserving water therefore is not only in terms of the quantity, but also in terms of the quality of water as well. Preventing water pollution from the fertilizers used in agriculture, chemicals released by industries, and stormwater runoff from cities and towns is important in preserving the water bodies and the inhabitants’ well-being.
The importance of water conservation does not end with the amount of the precious liquid that is conserved. It decreases
the pressure placed on water treatment plants, cuts back on greenhouse gas emissions associated with water using energy, supports the conservation of ecosystems and provides a contribution toward the alleviation of some effects of climate change. The modern world’s climate and population changes make water resource management a critical factor in maintaining both ecological and social equilibrium.
When it comes to the conservation of water, every effort that is made is worthy. This means that people should voluntarily avoid wastage of water, adopt technologies that conserve the commodity besides striving to improve the quality of water for future generations. With the complexities of the current century’s problems, water conservation is seen as a corner of the environmental care and sustainable development.
Where to Look for Water Loss and How We Can Help
WBy Justin Gardner, ARWA Circuit Rider
ater loss is a critical challenge for water system operators. Water, our most precious resource, is often undervalued, yet aging infrastructure – typically over 40 years old – leads to significant leaks and ine ciencies. These issues cost systems time, electricity, treatment resources, and increased wear on equipment, not to mention the labor involved or the water lost to the ground before reaching homes.
Many water systems experience substantial water loss, often due to deteriorating pipes and equipment, leading to significant revenue loss and potentially higher customer rates. Water systems lose water through various issues, such as overflowing tanks, broken mains, service line ruptures, leaking valves, water theft, or malfunctioning backflow preventers that drain treated water back into wells.
Another often-overlooked issue is inaccurate meters, which track water pumped into the system for sale. Over time, meters lose accuracy and may fail to record the “liquid gold” passing through. Annual calibration of well meters is critical, as their accuracy serves as the benchmark for the system’s performance.
When called to assist with a leak survey, I first ask, “How many gallons are you losing each month?” This data, found in the
Monthly Operation Report (MOR), is key. Comparing MOR data with gallons sold, alongside reviewing SCADA system data and operational records, helps us identify discrepancies and pinpoint issues. I also ask whether all water valves function properly and can be operated with a valve key, as faulty valves can hinder leak isolation. Next, we locate the leak using advanced tools from the
Alabama Rural Water Association (ARWA). The most effective is a leak detection listening device, which detects the sound of water moving through pipes with high precision. We configure the system’s hydraulics to ensure water flows in one direction, then isolate sections of the line by closing valves and partially reopening them, listening for the loud noise of water rushing against the valve face, which indicates a leak beyond the isolation point. This process is repeated until the leak is pinpointed. If the leak isn’t on the main line, we check meters along the isolated section. Some leaks are elusive. Water can travel underground, surfacing far from the source, or remain hidden in areas like creek crossings, branch crossings, or dense soil layers, where water may not reach the surface. For this reason, I recommend installing valves on both sides of bridges to isolate potential leaks in these vulnerable areas. Water loss is a costly problem, but ARWA’s experts are here to help. If your system could benefit from ARWA’s membership services, contact us today. We’re eager to assist in reducing water loss and saving your system thousands of dollars.
Alabama’s Diverse Land Cover and Its Impact on Water Quality and Supply
By Andrew Baumhauer, ARWA Source Water Protection Specialist
Alabama has one of the country’s most diverse varieties of land coverage types, from the historical agriculture found in the Black Belt in central Alabama to the wetlands of the southern coastal region to the vast array of forests that encompasses the entirety of the state. Alabama also has one of the most varied drainage networks, with 16 primary river basins that include close to 130,000 miles of rivers and streams. The connection of the two is not only a scenic representation of the Yellowhammer state, but critical for natural infrastructure for water systems throughout Alabama, especially rural water systems that rely on groundwater wells, surface water intakes from bodies of water, or a combination. Source water protection is key in establishing a connection between the two and has many ways to be implemented.
In Alabama, 67% of the land cover type is encompassed by forested land cover, and 16% is used for agricultural purposes, both being a driving force in the state’s culture and livelihood. However, it holds another responsibility for water usage through the natural landscapes properties to improve water quality and quantity for water systems, especially rural communities. Infiltration through the soil of natural landscapes replenishes aquifers and sustains regular water flow
during droughts that can occur, and moderates water flow during times of excessive rainfall. Root systems of the natural species in these forested lands act as a natural filter that removes pollutants that may occur when penetrating the aquifer. Along with filtration of the soil, root systems of native plants and trees prevent runoff of most soil types during instances of flash flooding, especially with the vast history of extreme weather that occurs in the southeastern United States. Wildlife population and biodiversity also experience benefits from the natural filters throughout the state.
In a way, forested landscapes act as natural BMPs (Best Management Practices) for source water protection for water systems throughout Alabama that rely on high water quality and quantity for their communities. Also, as a preventative measure in the case of flash flooding that can occur during times of inclement weather. Preserving and managing these landscapes through practices like forest stewardship, riparian buffers, and agricultural BMPs is essential for safeguarding our water quantity and quality, particularly where rural water systems rely directly on surface or groundwater sources.
Society of Water Professionals Membership Summary
The Society of Water Professionals offers membership to various water industry professionals, including Board Directors, Managers, Treatment Operators, Administrative Staff, Field Crews, and Supplier Representatives. Annual membership dues are $75 for one year or $130 for two years, which are considered legitimate system expenses. Members receive valuable benefits, including free local training for water operator needs (non-members pay $50 per session), certification renewal assistance, and continuing education hours (CEH) management.
Additional benefits include a $7,000 accidental death and dismemberment policy, various insurance coverage options at group rates (such as cancer expense coverage, heart attack benefits, and life insurance plans), and a 10% discount on ARWA member services. The organization maintains a detailed CEH database to help operators track their continuing education requirements for certification renewals.
The membership process includes receiving training documentation, submitting attendance records to the Society office, and entering CEHs into the management database. Two-year memberships are encouraged for all state-certified operators, with renewal invoices sent approximately one month before expiration to help keep memberships current.
TURNING YOUR TRUCK INTO A HARDWARE STORE ON WHEELS
Top 10 Tools a Water Tech Can’t Leave Home Without
By Darrell Brewer, ARWA Circuit Rider
1. THE VALVE WRENCH (THE KEY TO THE SYSTEM) AND METER WRENCH
The valve wrench isn’t just a tool, it’s the key to the water system. A good valve wrench doesn’t just turn valves. You use it to control flow throughout the system, isolate areas to fix leaks, and open blowoffs to flush the system. Not having a valve wrench is like going fishing without a pole.
The meter wrench is used not only to turn off meters when customers have leaks, but mostly when customers don’t pay their bills, to discontinue service and bring them to the watering trough.
2. THE TRUSTY SHOVEL (THE MANUAL BACKHOE)
If you don’t have a shovel on your truck in Alabama, you’re not really working. Whether you’re digging through Alabama red clay or that sticky “gumbo” that “if you stick with it through the summer, it’ll stick with you the rest of the year,” your shovel is your constant companion for fixing leaks or excavating around meters buried deeper than Jimmy Hoffa.
Pro tip: Get one with a fiberglass handle. Those wooden ones generally give up when you’re digging out that big limestone rock or prying up a concrete meter box in mid-July during a drought.
3. FLASHLIGHT
(THE BEACON IN THE DARK)
Water problems don’t observe business hours, and valve boxes are apparently designed by people who hate light. You’ll need a light with serious power down in the hollers of North Alabama.
Finding and fixing those after midnight leaks can be a challenge without a bright light. Bonus: It doubles as a good coon hunting light.
4. CHANNEL LOCK PLIERS (THE GRIP OF A CHAMPION)
Channel lock pliers are like that reliable friend who’s always there when you need them. They grip, they twist, and they occasionally serve as a hammer when your actual hammer is missing. They’re called channel locks because they lock into channels to prevent slipping. Use them on meter nuts, pipe fittings, and bolts.
Warning: They’ll pinch the fire out of your finger if you’re not careful. Channel lock pliers have solved more problems than a therapist and complained a whole lot less.
“ Remember: the best water tech is the one who shows up prepared for everything, including the stuff that shouldn’t be possible but somehow always is.”
5. CHLORINE TEST KIT (ADEM’S FRIEND)
Nothing says “professional” like being able to test chlorine levels on the spot. It’s also handy for customers who are convinced the water system is trying to poison them. A quick test showing proper chlorine levels can turn a three-hour argument into a three-minute explanation. Always keep fresh reagents, you’ll always run out when you need it most.
6. SAFETY GEAR (MAKE IT HOME WITH ALL YOUR PARTS)
Safety Vests: Make you visible to traffic and instantly identify you as someone who knows what they’re doing (even if you don’t).
Hard Hats: Protect your head from low-hanging branches, occasional wasps, and flying debris (like channel lock pliers when they pinch your partner’s finger).
Gloves: Your hands’ best friend. Without them, you’ll be picking splinters and doctoring blisters and cuts. Wear gloves, your hands will thank you.
Safety Goggles: Essential when cutting pipe and you don’t want to explain to the ER why you have PVC or metal shavings stuck in your cornea.
Water and Cooler: Stay hydrated. You don’t want to show up at the hospital with your kidneys shutting down.
7. TUBING CUTTERS (THE WATER SCALPEL)
When you need to cut tubing, you need to cut it right. Not sort of cut it, not mostly cut it, not “I’ll just bend it till it breaks.” Don’t be the one who says, “A hacksaw will do.” Wrong answer. That cut will look like a beaver gnawing through an oak tree, with shavings everywhere. Clean cuts prevent leaks, prevent clogged regulators, faucets, and shower heads, and keep customers happy instead of waking you at 2:00 am. Good tubing cutters are like a good haircut, you don’t appreciate them until you see what happens when the barber uses the wrong tool.
8. PRESSURE GAUGE (THE WATER TECH’S STETHOSCOPE)
Water pressure is like the pulse of the water system; without it, the system is dead. The pressure gauge tells you what’s happening in the pipes. Pressure drops? Possible leak. Pressure is too high? PRV could be acting up or a valve may be closed. It can also diagnose customer side issues like faulty valves or regulators, or let customers know their pressure is actually normal when they swear it’s been low for months.
FYI: They still won’t believe you!
9. PEN AND NOTEPAD (MEMORY BACKUP)
BONUS TOOLS (PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT IN THE WATER WORLD)
You won’t find these tools in your toolbox, at Lowe’s, or even Harbor Freight, but they’re essential for any water tech:
Determination: You’ll need it when that 12" water main decides to blow at 2:00 am during a thunderstorm, and you’re knee-deep in mud with lightning popping everywhere.
Dedication: Someone has to keep the water flowing while everyone complains about their water pressure during their morning shower.
Patience: When that 12" main blows at 4:00 pm on July 4 in 100-degree heat, and Mr. Jones is hollering that his chickens are dying and going out in a couple days.
Your brain is full of important information like meter readings, water sample procedures, valve locations, and what you’re eating for lunch. Don’t trust it with work details too. Write it down: what you did today, what you found, what you fixed, what you couldn’t fix, and even the customers who gave you grief. Plus, nothing impresses customers like taking notes. It makes you look professional and thorough, even if you’re secretly trying to remember if you turned your truck off.
10. PIPE LOCATOR (UNDERGROUND DETECTIVE)
In Alabama, lines aren’t always easy to find. Most lines were installed in the 1970s and before – no tracer wire, no tape. Larger systems may own Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). Most rural systems rely on frequency inductive pipe locators, but without tracer wire or locating tape, it’s just a tool collecting dust.
So, these systems rely on Alabama’s time-tested method: the forked limb or witching sticks (mostly two bent marking flags). The purpose of locating is to keep contractors, other utilities, or customers from hitting the line and leaving half the system without water. It also helps you find what you’re looking for without turning the customer’s yard into a minefield of exploratory holes.
A Good Sense of Humor: When you have to laugh to keep from crying because once you fixed that 12" main leak, it blows out for the third time each time you turn the water back on.
ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR SURVIVAL KIT
Let’s be real, you’re going to be out there for a while, probably deep in the holler with no gas station or restaurant around. A thermos full of coffee keeps you human. Toilet paper for when nature calls and you have to hit the woods. Snacks like Beanie Weenies, Vienna sausages, and trail mix keep you from making poor decisions when your blood sugar crashes.
THE UNSPOKEN TRUTH
Your truck will eventually look like a mobile hardware store had a baby with a convenience store. You’ll have backups for your backups, spare parts for equipment you don’t even own anymore, and enough random fittings to build a small spaceship. This is normal. This is the way.
Remember: the best water tech is the one who shows up prepared for everything, including the stuff that shouldn’t be possible but somehow always is. Keep your tools organized, your coffee hot, and your sense of humor intact. Because at the end of the day, you’re not just fixing water systems, you’re keeping the water flowing and customers happy!
Now get out there, keep the water flowing, stay hydrated, and get a bigger truck!
WATER TOWER
BY ANDREW BAUMHAUER
Upcoming Training & Events
We are always expanding our services; offering industry-leading services that allow for systems to locate and hire quality professionals as well as providing resources to folks who intend to enter and excel in the water and wastewater industry. All the while continuing to provide the same quality training that you have come to depend on since the ‘70s.
Visit us at www.alruralwater.com to view all of our training opportunities and events.
TRAININGS
July 29– August 28 Grade I/II Water Online
August 11 Introduction to OWRs eWater system for managing Certificates of Use Online
August 14
August 18
September 3
Design, Operation, and Management of Wastewater Processes. Lift Station & Control Panel 101 + Troubleshooting Pell City, AL
Grade I-IV Wastewater Online
Design, Operation, and Management of Wastewater Processes. Lift Station & Control Panel 101 + Troubleshooting Atmore, AL
Classes may be changed, moved, postponed, or cancelled with little to no notice. Please keep a regular check on the classes you register for to stay on top of this information. If possible, reasonable attempts will be made to reach attendees should plans change for any class.
EVENTS
September 15–17, 2025 WaterPro Conference New Orleans, LA
February 2–4, 2026 Rural Water Rally Washington, D.C.
March 15–18, 2026 ARWA 48th Annual Technical Training Conference Montgomery, AL
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Letters regarding the assistance you have received from ARWA are useful in discussing with our lawmakers the need for water programs for small communities.
If you have received assistance from ARWA that has been helpful, please consider writing a letter of thanks and sending it to us.
Good morning, Rob. Hope you are doing well.
I just wanted to reach out and thank Rural Water and especially Darrell for coming to my aid yesterday. Last Friday I was reviewing our 14-page CCR report. I was comparing it to Huntsville and Madison County reports which were 4 to 5 pages. I called Rural Water that afternoon to see if they could help me simply my report to a similar size. I was told that Darrell would call me first thing Monday morning. I really thought that I had perhaps waited too long for this year as the report is due by June 30. At 8:01, I received that call from Darrell. At 12:30, Darrell was in the Gurley Town Hall going to work on getting a report that was reduced in size and easier to comprehend. Of course, this effort will result in significant reduction of printing costs for the Town.
From the first contact with your office Friday through the effort yesterday, your staff was very responsive and professional. I would like to think I received special attention, but something tells me this is how your team interacts with everyone who needs assistance. I generally have found that an organization resembles its leadership. If it’s important to the boss, it’s important to the team. Well done!
Again, I want to thank Rural Water and especially Darrell for the assistance provided to the Gurley Water System.
If I can ever be of assistance to you or your team, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely, Mayor Stan Simpson
Hello Mr. Gardner,
Riverview Water System would like to express our thanks and appreciation for your help with our leak we had on 6/30/2025. Also, your follow up visit to check in with us on 7/1/2025. You are truly a big help to us always going above and beyond what is needed of you.
Once again, we really value your help. We look forward to working with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Lisa M. McCall
Mayor/Water System Manager
Town Of Riverview Riverview Water System riverviewmayor@gmail.com
251-867-5378 office
251-363-2370 cell
Dear Mr. Gardner,
Riverview Water System would like to express our thanks and appreciation for your help with preparing and updating our Risk and Resiliency Plan and Emergency Response Plan. We deeply appreciate your time, effort and dedication it has truly made a positive impact on our water system.
Once again, we really value your help. We look forward to working with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Lisa M. McCall
Mayor/Water System Manager
Town Of Riverview Riverview Water System riverviewmayor@gmail.com
251-867-5378 office
251-363-2370 cell
Hello Mr. Gardner,
Riverview Water System would like to express our thanks and appreciation for your help with detecting our leak we had on 6/9/2025.
With your help using the listening device we were able to locate our line that had been struck by lightning causing a major water leak. After locating we were able to access the situation to make the necessary repairs and stopping further water loss from happening.
Once again, we really value your help. We look forward to working with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Lisa M. McCall
Mayor/Water System Manager
Town Of Riverview Riverview Water System riverviewmayor@gmail.com
251-867-5378 office
251-363-2370 cell
Visit us online at www.alruralwater.com/WEB/about/classifieds/index.php to view the ARWA Classifieds. To post in our Classifieds, please call us at 334-369-5511 or email arwa@alruralwater.com for
