Elijah Lemieux teaching the Basic Wastewater Course in 2023.
Congrats, Elijah!
Elijah Lemieux, one of Vermont Rural Water’s wastewater specialists, will be receiving the 2025 Wastewater Trainer of the Year Excellence Award from EPA Region 1.
Elijah helps teach the Basic Wastewater Course and tutors new operators as they prepare for licensing exams. He is a thoughtful and patient teacher and is truly dedicated to helping wastewater operators in Vermont.
Cybersecurity Survey
WaterISAC is conducting an anonymous survey of water and wastewater utilities across the country to gather information on implementation of cybersecurity practices, needs, and challenges. The survey will help guide discussions with policymakers and inform cybersecurity technical assistance and funding.
The survey should be completed by a manager or staff member with responsibility for cybersecurity. The deadline is Friday, December 19.
SRF Priority List Applications
Project priority list applications for Vermont’s FFY2026 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) are due February 6, 2026. The DWSRF Priority List Application can be found here and the CWSRF Priority List Application can be found here.
New this year: DWSRF projects requesting planning and design funding must submit a PPL application—this is an EPA-required change. CWSRF projects requesting planning and design funding may submit a PPL application, but it is not required.
Renewal Reminder
Class 2 and 4 water treatment certifications will be up for renewal in 2026. The renewal form will open in January and is due by May 31, 2026. Class 2 operators need 10 training credit hours (TCHs) and Class 4 operators need 20 TCHs.
Legacy Distribution Certification Class
NEWWA has scheduled another Legacy Distribution Certification class on January 15 in South Burlington. Register here. (More classes will be scheduled in additional locations in the future.)
Current water treatment operators can earn a Legacy Distribution certification without taking the distribution exam by attending one of these classes, which are hosted by the New England Water Works Association. This training is available to operators who have passed a Vermont treatment exam (Class 2, 3, or 4) and have at least 1.5 years of experience working at an eligible water system by 7/1/2029.
PLEASE NOTE: Legacy Distribution Certifications are non-transferable. If you begin working at a different water system after receiving this legacy certification, you will need to take and pass the distribution class exam to be licensed at the new system.
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