Delaware Rural Water Association

05/29/2026

DRWA welcomes veteran Jigar Patel back to his roots! Join us in congratulating him on becoming our newest Board Member!

05/29/2026

Continuing Ed Spotlight!
💡Water State Exam Review Prep-Wednesday, June 10, with that educating superstar Hilary Valentine! Whether you are sitting for the test or need a refresher, this 6-hour Water direct credit course will suit your needs.

Register here ->https://www.drwa.org/events/water-state-exam-rapid-review-

05/28/2026

📣📣 Big congratulations to Wastewater Apprenticeship Student Sean Williams with Perdue! 🥳Sean recently passed his wastewater treatment plant operator exam, marking a major milestone in his career. ✨ We are incredibly proud of his hard work and dedication. 👏 Please join us in celebrating his success and wishing him the best as he is (in Sean's words 😂) now "officially" a Wastewater Operator‼️

05/28/2026

1 opening: We’re excited to announce that we’re looking for a talented Engineering Technician to join our team! (Experience with "Miss Utility" locates is highly preferred). To learn more about the job position requirements and to apply online, please visit, https://cityofmilford.com/247/Job-Openings

05/27/2026

Today, we are proud to shout and holler about the DRWA Fam 2026 graduates- Spencer Hitchens and Gage Nordberg.
🧑‍🎓Spencer is graduating from Lake Forest (Go Spartans!) High School, and is exploring military service.
👨‍🎓Gage is graduating from Milford High School (Go Bucs!) and will start at Widener University in the fall.
Congratulations to Spencer and Gage!

05/26/2026

Can you believe that June is almost here!? We have a few training events in the works, for now, here's what we have on the books so far:
May 29 - Emerging contaminants: Awareness and Strategies for Onsite Professionals 5.0 WW Direct
June 10 - Water State Exam Rapid Review 6.0 Water Direct
June 12 - Ethics in Professional Practice: Building Trust and Professional Integrity 4.0 WW Direct

Register here ->

If you are already a member, please set up and log in to your member account by clicking "Create an Account" below. This option is also for current individual members and staff of company members who need to login, but do not have a user account set up.

05/22/2026

✨ Building the future of Delaware’s water, one apprentice at a time! 🎯

Is your system prepared for the next generation of operations? 🚰The DRWA Apprenticeship Program is bridge-building between talented applicants and employers who need them. 💥

🛠️ We have Eligible Applicants ready to start their journey. Don't miss out on the chance to mentor and grow your future team! ⌛️

☎️ Call Lisa today at 302-424-3792 for all the details on becoming a Partnering Employer. 🤝

05/20/2026

💧 Rural & Small Community Water Systems — Funding Opportunity! 🚰

If your system serves 10,000 people or fewer (or is located in a rural area), you may qualify for affordable financing to strengthen your infrastructure and keep your community running smoothly.

🌟 Eligible Projects
• Planning & pre‑development work
• Equipment replacement, upgrades, and small capital projects
• Energy‑efficiency improvements to cut long‑term costs
• Disaster recovery and emergency needs

💸 Program Highlights
• Low 3.125% interest rate
• Up to 10 years to repay
• Borrow up to $200,000 or 75% of project cost
• Emergency loans: 90 days 0% interest + fast approval
• No administrative or processing fees

🏛️ Who Can Apply?
Municipalities, counties, special districts, Tribes, nonprofits, and cooperatives serving rural communities.

If your system needs upgrades, planning support, or emergency help, this could be a game‑changer for your community. Learn more here: https://nrwa.org/members/products-services-portfolio/rural-water-loan-fund/
National Rural Water Association (NRWA)

The Rural Water Loan Fund (RWLF) is a funding program specifically designed to meet the unique needs of small water and wastewater utilities. The RWLF

05/19/2026

🌧️ Drought Watch – May 2026 Update 🌱
Recent maps highlight concerning water conditions across the region:
💧 Streamflow Levels:
The 7-day streamflow map shows many areas experiencing below normal to much below normal water flow. This indicates reduced water availability in rivers and streams—often one of the earliest signs of developing drought.
🌍 Groundwater Status:
Groundwater conditions paint a similar picture, with multiple regions falling into abnormally dry (D0) to moderate drought (D1) categories, and pockets edging toward more severe levels. This suggests that not only surface water, but also underground water reserves are under stress.
⚠️ Why This Matters:
Lower streamflow + declining groundwater = increased risk for agriculture, ecosystems, and local water supplies if dry conditions persist.
🌿 Takeaway:
Now is the time to stay aware, conserve water where possible, and prepare for potential impacts if conditions worsen in the coming weeks.

Graphics and info from:
https://nedews.nrcc.cornell.edu/
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor
https://www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoors

05/18/2026

🎓 On Friday, Apprenticeship Coordinator Lisa Wilkerson visited Kent County WWTP to present Tavaris Hall with his Certificate of Completion. 🏆 His achievement represents two years of dedication which included logging 4,000 hours of on-the-job training 🛠️ alongside 288 hours of technical classroom instruction. 📚

📣 Congratulations Tavaris on successfully finishing this rigorous program recognized by the DE Department of Labor! 👏

✨ We are proud of you and look forward to supporting your continued journey in the water and wastewater industry. 💧