Resources

 
Helping Utilities Navigate the Complexities of Water Management
 
The resources and links listed and embedded below will help utilities with public outreach, networking, and education. If you have a resource you feel would benefit water utilities by posting here, please email Kirsten King at kirsten.king@gmwea.org.

WSMD Wastewater Management Program Laboratory Manual Updates
Assistance Provided by GMWEA's Laboratory Standards Committee

Thanks to a generous grant obtained by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Wastewater Management Program and administered through the Vermont Rural Water Association we are able to bring you an update of the State Wastewater Laboratory Manual last updated in 1996. It is hoped that this manual will assist Vermont wastewater operators in understanding and properly performing NPDES required analyses at their facilities. There have been many changes in the analytes of interest as well as the technology available for analysis of those parameters.

We have attempted to maintain the basic style of the original manual to minimize confusion. One major difference you will notice is the addition of links to some methods, equipment, and procedures. These links are specific to those methods and are subject to change in the future. New links can be established by searching the topic or company included in the link if necessary.

The Department of Environmental Conservation would like to express its great appreciation for the valuable help and support given by the Vermont Rural Water Association, specifically Elizabeth Walker, who was extremely helpful from start to finish in this manual update. Thanks also to the Green Mountain Water Associations Laboratory Standards Committee and especially the chair of that committee, Jennifer Garrison, for her much-appreciated editing prowess and to committee members (and WWTF operators) Lucas Harrington and Josh Kemp for reading the drafts and adding their valuable comments. Another major contributor to the success of this update was Dr. Amy Polaczyk of the Wastewater Management Program. Her insightful edits and useful additions to the manual were extremely valuable.

Wastewater Laboratory Assistance

PFAS One-Pager

Help to educate legislators and the public.

This resource will help water systems and those needing to educate legislators as well as the public about PFAS do so in this simple, quick, and easy-to-read document. Click here to view and download.

Biosolids Infographic

Biosolids are the nutrient-rich organic byproducts of wastewater treatment. Biosolids have been treated and tested and meet strict federal and state standards for use as fertilizers and soil amendments. Biosolids were once considered a waste product but are now a recycling success story. They can be beneficially reused on farms. Click here to view the inforgraphic.

Regional Water & Wastewater Organizations

For more information on water quality science, technology, infrastructure, emerging issues, funding, and policies, we recommend the resources provided by the following state, regional, and federal organizations and agencies. GMWEA works regularly with these trusted allies to bring national and regional expertise to assist Vermont water users, water-quality professionals, and policy-makers. 

Vermont Rural Water Association (VRWA): www.vtruralwater.org.
Vermont Rural Water provides technical assistance to public drinking water and wastewater systems, as well as training for operators, apprenticeships, and advocacy at the state and federal levels. 

New England Water Works Association (NEWWA): www.newwa.org.
Based in Massachusetts, NEWWA is a regional organization focused on drinking water. It offers conferences, trainings for professionals, and a quarterly journal/newsletter. 

New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA): www.newea.org.
NEWEA is based in Woburn, Mass., and focuses on wastewater issues. It offers conferences, technical trainings, a quarterly journal, and regional links.

NEIWPCC www.neiwpcc.org.
Founded by the U.S. Congress, governed by the six New England states and New York, NEIWPCC conducts programs in research, pollution control, source water protection, wastewater, wetlands ecology, and many more, including youth programs and  training for wastewater certification and continuing education.

​North East Biosolids & Residuals Association (NEBRA): www.nebiosolids.org.
NEBRA is a nonprofit, interstate organization focused on environmentally sound, publicly-supported recycling of biosolids (nutrient-rich organic by-products of wastewater treatment) and other organic residuals such as paper pulp for soil amendment and renewable energy generation.

Household Water & Wastewater Best Practices

Septic systems and public sewer treatment plants can't eliminate all the dangerous chemicals we put into our wastewater stream every day.  Ultimately, it's up to each individual to learn better water stewardship habits. Fortunately, there's plenty of great advice available.

Don't Flush It!: GMWEA's four "Don't Flush It!" brochures provide comprehensive, easy-to-follow advice on how to keep your private septic system or municipal sewer system working right, how to avoid polluting natural waters and wells, and how to dispose of the many toxic chemicals every household uses.
CLICK HERE to view or download!

Alternative Cleansers, Stain-removers, & Disinfectants: Just because they're readily available doesn't mean common commercial products are safe for human health or the environment!  You can make your own, safer and cheaper versions by using recipes at: www.addisoncountyrecycles.org/hazwaste/reduce/toxic-products
 
Keep Pesticides Out of Water: The National Pesticide Information Center provides facts sheets on all pesticides and offers natural, minimal-risk alternatives: www.npic.orst.edu.