Office of Drinking Water Newsletter

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ODW Now May 2026

Printable PDF copy (PDF)

Alternative Drinking Water Program: 2026-2027 Funding Opportunity Open

If your region includes private well owners or Group B water systems facing contamination risks, this article is for you!

The Alternative Drinking Water Program (ADWP) is actively seeking partners for its next funding cycle, running July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. We are accepting ADWP applications 331-738 (Word) now and will remain open until all funds are allotted.

Across the state, private wells and Group B systems continue to encounter contamination challenges—from PFAS to nitrate, arsenic, and uranium. These systems often lack the resources or technical capacity to respond quickly, leaving households vulnerable. ADWP was created by the Legislature and the Department of Health in 2023 to close that gap and ensure communities have access to safe drinking water during contamination events.

ADWP funding is designed to be flexible and responsive.

Eligible activities can include but are not limited to:

Water quality sampling to identify and confirm contamination.
Laboratory analysis to support decision‑making.
Emergency water delivery for households without safe drinking water.
Technical assistance for navigating contamination response.
Point‑of‑use filtration units to provide safe water for drinking and cooking.

Regional and local agencies, local health jurisdictions, and organizations that work with private well‑owners or Group B systems—especially those in areas with known or emerging contamination—are strong candidates. If you’ve been looking for a way to expand your capacity to support affected households, this program is built for that.

Visit the ADWP webpage for program details, application materials, and guidance. You may send questions to odw-adwp@doh.wa.gov.

Drinking Water Week

We celebrate National Drinking Water Week annually during the first full week of May, this year it's May 3-9. We recognize individual water systems and operators that do an outstanding job providing safe and reliable drinking water to their customers. Award winners are nominated by their peers, customers, stakeholders, or others in the industry.
If you didn't tell us their stories, we wouldn't know about their amazing efforts. We're grateful to all who were nominated and wish we could give awards to each person. It is a privilege to present this year's winners!

Governor's Proclamation

Every year the Governor signs a proclamation announcing Drinking Water Week in Washington. Read the proclamation here.

Here are Our Winners!

Above and Beyond

Cody Riggs, City of Cheney Water Department Operator. Cody built up the City of Cheney’s cross-connection control and backflow prevention program, expanding it in crucial areas. His backflow prevention work protects the city’s water system from inadvertent contamination and meets regulatory requirements. He works with customers whenever they need help, even if it’s outside of business hours, finding solutions with friendly expertise. He exemplifies professionalism and customer service in all his interactions.

Commitment to Excellence

John Weidenfeller, General Manager, Thurston PUD. Throughout his career, John has worked tirelessly to bring a high level of service to Thurston PUD’s water systems. He looks for creative solutions, gaining knowledge and expertise. John serves on the Washington Water Utility Council, as Chair of the Water Rights Committee, and stays at the forefront of emerging challenges. He engages with legislators, regulatory agencies, and stakeholder groups. He networks across water industry groups to share information and is a valued mentor and colleague.

Grace Under Pressure

Zach Resch, Bill Cochinella, and Dan Petersen, City of Arlington Water Treatment Plant Operators. The team dealt with two major events: the collapse of a reservoir roof and challenges from drilling a new well, handling the challenges with proficiency and expertise. The team isolated the reservoir and worked around the clock to maintain clean drinking water until it was fixed. The well drilling caused extreme turbidity in the existing wells, which required more round-the-clock monitoring and filtering. They maintained open communication with each other, the city, and their customers. They pulled together to tackle these challenges and kept the City of Arlington’s drinking water safe and flowing.

Lifetime Achievement

Joel Purdy, Senior Water Resources Manager, Kitsap Public Utility District. Joel has made enduring contributions in the drinking water industry over more than thirty years of service. He played a key role in foundational groundwater studies; he prepared and co-authored hydrostratigraphic descriptions that continue to instruct water planning work. Similar projects strengthened scientific understanding of local aquifer systems. His expertise is sought nationally and internationally, supporting fish hatchery water supply and protection. He will be greatly missed!

Brian Houghton, Operations Superintendent, Washington Water Services. Brian started his career over 32 years ago as a water utility worker, advancing his knowledge and expertise to his current role, protecting public health and providing our communities with a critical resource. Brian is a mentor and example to others in the industry, an invaluable resource to many in the drinking water industry and is relied on for insight and guidance. He worked tirelessly to ensure our water systems were run safely and efficiently. This award is a fitting tribute to a remarkable career.

Mike Miller, Vice President and Board Member, Deep Creek Ranchette Water Association. We recognize Mike for over forty years of dedicated service to his community. From routine maintenance to earning his waterworks certification, Mike was always willing to do what was needed. In 2017, PFAS contamination was discovered in the water system and he was proactive in ensuring annual testing and mitigation steps were taken. He attended numerous federal, state, and local meetings to understand the issue and network with others in the industry. His career has encompassed many challenges and triumphs.

Peg Wendling, Water Quality Technical Supervisor (retired), City of Bellingham. Peg retired after decades of invaluable contributions to the water industry. Her various contributions cross interdisciplinary boundaries and organizations. She successfully led a non-traditional chlorine distribution residual program and retested operators and measurement devices routinely. She dealt with constantly changing updates and protocols and gained a strong understanding of what was required. She responded quickly to emergencies and included regulators before concerns became problematic. She is an expert in the practical and academic side of lab methods and best practices. Well-deserved!

Perseverance Under Adversity

Micah Henderson, Colby Mackley, and James Ziolkowski of the Paradise Water Systems Utility Team at Mt. Rainier National Park, demonstrated exceptional resilience, technical expertise, and an unwavering commitment to public health and visitor safety. When an unexpected water service failure disrupted essential park operations, they quickly mobilized to locate the source and develop solutions to complex infrastructure challenges. Working across multiple park operational teams, they navigated remote, high-altitude terrain, harsh weather, and limited site access while providing round-the-clock temporary fixes. Within two weeks, they restored normal operations, resolved the issue, and strengthened future emergency planning. Their efforts safeguarded thousands of visitors and preserved critical park functions under extraordinary circumstances.

Drinking Water Advisory Group (DWAG) June 1, 2026, Meeting

We hold all our meetings through Microsoft Teams video, so you can join our meeting with your computer, laptop, tablet, or phone from wherever you are. You can find the Teams links and meeting agenda on our DWAG Meeting webpage. After the meeting we post any handouts or presentations and, within a month, we post the meeting notes.

Drought 2026

On April 8, The Washington Department of Ecology declared a statewide drought emergency. This is the fourth year in a row that at least a portion of Washington State has been in a drought emergency. After a warm winter left Washington’s mountains largely bare this spring, projected water supplies are likely to fall far short of the state’s summer demand.

This is the fourth year in a row that part or all of Washington will be under a drought declaration, and it is the fourth statewide drought emergency since 2015. Seven of the past 10 years have seen drought in parts or all of the state.

The drought emergency comes despite a wet winter that delivered 104 percent of normal precipitation from October to February. Too much of that precipitation fell as rain instead of snow, leaving the state with about half of its usual snowpack. Looking ahead, long-term weather forecast predicts above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation through June.

Washington relies on deep mountain snows to accumulate over the winter, then gradually melt during spring and summer. That slow snowmelt helps fill streams and rivers and replenish reservoirs. Without sufficient snowpack, rivers will run low and water temperatures will climb, creating harsh conditions for fish and other aquatic species.

In Washington, drought is declared when there is less than 75 percent of normal water supply and there is the risk of undue hardship or impacts on water users and the environment. Low snowpack and the impacts of past droughts means that the entire state has met that threshold.

This drought declaration supports the continued availability of drought emergency relief tools to water users throughout the state. Ecology is making up to $3 million available in drought emergency response grants to eligible public entities to respond to water supply impacts from the current drought conditions.

The information below is for water system managers. For general information on the drought, visit Ecology's Drought Response webpage.

What this Means for ODW

We regulate more than 16,000 public water systems in Washington, serving more than five million people. Our goal is to ensure our communities have safe and reliable drinking water.

During a drought emergency, we:

Work with the Governor’s Office, the Department of Ecology, and other state agencies to monitor drought impacts on water supplies.
Provide technical assistance to at-risk water systems, including helping them apply for emergency grants.
Help water systems manage and conserve water and restore safe and reliable water in the event shortages or outages do occur.
Educate water systems, operators, and consumers about what they can do to help ensure an adequate water supply for people, agriculture, businesses and fish.

You can read more in our publication, DOH’s Role During a Drought Emergency 331-297 (PDF).

Map showing drought effects in Washington.

Note: The areas served by Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett water utilities planned for drought conditions early in the winter and do not anticipate any impacts for their customers.

Drought-Impacted Water Systems Encouraged to Take Action

We encourage publicly owned Group A water systems—such as municipalities, water districts, and similar entities—located in the drought emergency area and experiencing drought-related impacts to take the following steps.

Apply for Drought Response Grants. Submit a direct application to the Department of Ecology to access available drought response grants.

Notify Your ODW Regional Engineer. Let your regional engineer know that your system is experiencing drought impacts.

ODW regional engineers and other DOH staff will work with privately-owned non-profit Group A water systems that are experiencing drought consequences. We can provide information about accessing our emergency drought funds.

Identify and Avoid Potential Water Shortages

Monitor Your Water Levels

Some water sources are more vulnerable to water shortages. Surface waters, springs, and shallow wells are often heavily reliant on runoff from snow and recent rainfall for recharge. Checking source water levels frequently can help identify alarming trends and give you more time to react. Your local pump technician, Evergreen Rural Water of Washington at (360) 462-9287, or a large neighboring utility, can help you measure water levels. You can also find helpful information with our Measuring Water Levels in Wells 331-428 (PDF).

Find Leaks and Repair Them

Leaky water pipes can waste precious water. Help from qualified professionals on leak detection and repair is available through Evergreen Rural Water of Washington or a professional leak detection company.

Educate Your Customers About Water Conservation

This is the time to stress the importance of wise use of water. Water conservation ideas for homeowners can be found at the Alliance for Water Efficiency's website. We have statement inserts/bill stuffers available for your use. You can order them for free in our publications database (use the publication number) or print them yourselves.

Prepare a Water Shortage Response Plan

Thinking ahead and developing a plan helps tremendously when problems arise.

Summary of How to Prepare a Water Shortage Response Plan (PDF)
Detailed guidance and templates on how to prepare a Water Shortage Response Plan, which may help you qualify for drought-related financial assistance programs if needed.

Look for Alternate Sources of Water for Emergency Use

Develop a relationship with a neighboring water system before you need it. Work together for mutually beneficial solutions to a water shortage or get an emergency water source ready and approved for use. If you have not already done so, this may be the right time to join Washington's Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN). This network allows water and wastewater systems to receive rapid mutual aid and assistance from other systems in times of an emergency. You can find more information on our WAWARN Response Network website.

Test Your Emergency Sources

Get your emergency water source ready for use. For wells that have been out of service for a while, inspect the seal under the well cap to make sure it’s in good condition, make sure there are no open holes in the well head, and there are no potential contaminants in the immediate vicinity. It is also a good idea to test for bacteria and nitrate. That way, if it needs to be sterilized, you can do it before the emergency. Read these publications for additional guidance and requirements Nitrate Sampling 331-222 (PDF), Coliform Sampling 331-225 (PDF), and Emergency Drinking Water Sources 331-317 (PDF).

Remember, ODW staff are always ready to help you navigate any challenges or emergencies that arise. Working together, we will get through this!

Building the Next Generation of Water Professionals

Seventeen Apprentices Graduate from the Evergreen Rural Water of Washington Apprenticeship Program

By Shantelle Clarke, PO (WWT IV, WDM IV, WWC III)

Clean water rarely makes headlines, yet it is one of the most critical services supporting public health and thriving communities. Behind every reliable drinking water system and well operated wastewater facility are trained professionals responsible for protecting both people and the environment. This year, Evergreen Rural Water of Washington proudly celebrates 17 apprentices who have completed the ERWoW Water and Wastewater Apprenticeship Program and are stepping forward as part of the next generation of water professionals in Washington State.

Water and wastewater operators are vital to protect public health, safeguard the environment, and ensure reliable service to homes and businesses across the state. Through the ERWoW Apprenticeship Program, participants develop the knowledge and practical skills necessary to manage treatment processes, maintain complex infrastructure, and respond to operational challenges in real time.

Over the course of the two-year program, apprentices complete extensive on the job training while also participating in structured classroom instruction. The program requires 4,000 hours of on-the-job training and 288 hours of classroom instruction, creating a strong balance of hands-on experience and technical education. Apprentices participate in one of three tracks within the program: water distribution, water treatment, or wastewater treatment. Coursework and field experience focus on system operations, safety practices, regulatory compliance, treatment processes, and troubleshooting specific to each discipline.

Table showing 2026 Apprenticeship Graduates.

Completing the program requires determination and persistence. Participants balance full time responsibilities at their utilities while attending classes, documenting training hours, and preparing for certification exams. Many are active members of their communities, raising families and managing responsibilities outside of work. Most live within the very service areas their utilities support, meaning the quality of their work is not just a professional obligation but a personal source of pride. The systems they operate provide or treat water for their own homes, neighbors, and families, creating a strong sense of ownership and commitment to doing the job well. Successfully completing the program while managing these responsibilities reflects the dedication and resilience that define the water and wastewater profession.

Voices from the Graduates

“The apprenticeship strengthened my understanding of water systems, safety practices, and operational standards, preparing me to serve my community in a critical and meaningful way.” — Aaron Christman, North Beach Water District

“The real-world experience and hands on training gave us knowledge that simply cannot be gained by learning on your own and applying it later on the job.” — Jeremiah Pace, City of Langley

“It is great to know that I now have a network of operators across the state that I will continue to cross paths with throughout my career.” — Joshua Rees, City of Sequim

A key component of the program’s success is mentorship provided by experienced operators. Mentors work closely with apprentices throughout the program, sharing practical knowledge, guiding problem solving, and helping apprentices build confidence to manage complex water and wastewater systems.

This cohort graduation is meaningful as the water sector highlights workforce development through apprenticeship programs. Each year, National Apprenticeship Week is recognized across the country to celebrate the role apprenticeships play in building a skilled workforce and creating strong career pathways. This year, it was observed in April, offering opportunities to recognize apprentices, mentors, utilities, and training partners who make these programs possible.

Apprentices can begin in either August or February. All apprentices begin classes together at the February 2027 Conference at Tulalip. Apprentices who start in August will be officially registered and may begin logging on the job training hours right away. Apprentices who start in February will begin tracking hours when they begin classes.

ERWoW is accepting applications for the next apprenticeship cohort. Utilities interested in developing their workforce and individuals seeking a career in the water and wastewater industry are encouraged to apply.

Preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

What Water Systems Should Be Thinking About Now

Washington State is preparing to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors for the FIFA World Cup 2026 including an estimated 750,000 people in the Seattle region alone. While Seattle will host matches, communities across the state, including Spokane, Vancouver, and others, are expected to see increased activity tied to fan events, team operations, training, and tourism.

For public water systems, this is not just a busy summer. It means demand, visibility, and operational pressure may all increase at the same time. Systems across the state, not just in host cities, should expect changes in water use patterns and plan accordingly.

Taking some time now to think through those impacts can help you avoid challenges later.

What Will Be Different?

The World Cup will bring more concentrated and less predictable demand than a typical summer season.

You may see:

Short-term population increases from tourism and rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo.
Higher peak demand during events, especially during hot weather.
Increased strain on storage, pumping, and distribution systems.
More attention on critical infrastructure, including drinking water systems.

Even if you regularly manage summer demand you may notice differences in how quickly demand rises and how long peak periods last.

Planning During a Declared Drought

A statewide drought was declared in Washington, and current conditions are expected to continue into the summer.

When increased demand from the World Cup is layered on top of reduced water availability, systems may feel that strain more quickly than usual.

This is a good time to:

Revisit system capacity and known constraints.
Think through what peak demand could realistically look like under drought conditions.
Review conservation approaches and when you would implement them.
Coordinate early with local jurisdictions if conservation measures may be needed.

For conservation planning and customer messaging, we provide guidance in Indoor Water Conservation 331-120-1 (PDF) and our Outdoor Water Conservation 331-120-2 (PDF). You can print these and use them as bill stuffers.

Our Drought 2026 webpage provides additional statewide drought updates and planning information.

Clear communication with customers, especially early, can help reduce unnecessary demand before your system reaches critical thresholds.

Taking a Second Look at Security

Large, high-visibility events tend to increase attention on infrastructure, including water systems.

Most systems already have security practices in place. This is a good opportunity to double check that those basics are still solid.

On the Cyber Side

Confirm systems are patched and up to date.
Review remote access and user permissions.
Monitor for unusual system activity.

Cybersecurity Review and Planning Resources

On the Physical Side

Check facility access points and controls
Test alarms and monitoring systems
Secure chemical and treatment areas

You can find state training and exercise programs at Washington State Military Department (WA MIL), Emergency Management Division (EMD) Training and Exercise.

Coordination and Staffing

Demand is only part of the challenge. Coordination is just as important.

You may want to:

Review Emergency Response Plans with high-demand scenarios in mind.
Think through staffing during peak periods or extended operations.
Check in with local emergency management and partners ahead of time.
Participate in exercises tied to large-scale events.

You can find additional statewide coordination and situational awareness information through WA Emergency Management Division’s FIFA 2026 coordination updates.

Office of Drinking Water Support and Resources

We provide ongoing support to public water systems preparing for emergencies, maintaining system resilience, and protecting public health.

We encourage you to use our available resources and technical assistance on our Emergency Response and Security Resources webpage. You'll find:

Emergency preparedness planning support and Emergency Response Plan resources.
Drinking water security guidance, including physical and cybersecurity considerations.
Water system planning and resiliency support.
Emergency publications and utility response resources.

A Quick Reminder

This event will come and go, but the preparation work you do now will have longer-term value.

Taking time to look at demand, check your systems, and connect with partners helps ensure you are ready, not just for the World Cup, but for future high-demand or emergency conditions as well.

We will continue to share updates, guidance, and relevant information as it becomes available.

Here Comes the 2026 Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA)

Every four years the U.S. Congress requires an assessment of the 20-year forecasted capital improvement needs of public water systems across the country. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selects a number of Washington's community water systems to participate in the DWINSA and coordinates with us to implement the survey. EPA uses the results of this limited survey to estimate the capital improvement needs for all of our public water utilities in the state. The report is published to Congress and informs the allocations of federal funding for Washington State.

Washington's water utilities rely on Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) dollars to help meet their capital investment needs. Additionally, the DWSRF grant set-asides provide vital capacity development support, technical assistance, and fund the necessary staff to implement our DWSRF program. We use set-asides to:

Develop statewide source water protection mapping and data storage capabilities.
Fund our source water protection, preconstruction, and consolidation/feasibility study grant programs.
Pay third-party technical assistance contractors.
Fund our treatment optimization program.
Pay ODW staff salaries.
Support local health jurisdictions working on our behalf.
Subsidize costs of sanitary surveys, technical assistance, special purpose investigations, and emergency responses.

A small change in Washington's share of the national need makes a big difference in the size of our annual DWSRF allotment. Successfully identifying every allowable 20-year capital expenditure maximizes loan funds available to water utilities in the next four-year period and beyond.

EPA will begin DWINSA surveys in the next few months. They will survey every water system serving over 100,000 people, and a sample of medium and small systems. We will communicate with the water systems surveyed to help provide effective and clear identification of your system needs. Thank you for taking the time to respond to these surveys. Please reach out to your ODW contacts if you receive a survey and have questions. Your participation and accuracy of information is crucial in capturing information to maintain necessary funding for water systems across Washington.

If you're unable to print the newsletter, please contact our office closest to you and a staff member will print and mail you a copy.

Archived Issues of ODW Now

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

Archived Issues of Water Tap

2020

Spring 2020 (PDF)

2019

2018

2017

Note: The documents on this page were published on the dates specified. The internet links and other resources cited in the document were current as of those dates.