The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is sponsoring a free one-day in-person workshop focused on drought preparedness and water loss for water utilities in Kansas. The workshop will be held at the KMU Training Facility in McPherson, KS, on Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 9 AM - 5 PM.
The free workshop is an opportunity for Kansas water utilities and subject matter experts to share strategies, lessons learned, and success stories regarding preparedness for drought and water shortages. Participants will be able to identify practical actions that water utilities can take to proactively build and sustain mitigation measures and preparedness, response, and recovery planning efforts.
The following are the topics that will be covered as part of the workshop:
• Drought Conditions and Concerns
• Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) Overview
• Kansas Statewide Drought Planning
• EPA Drought Resilience Guide and Drought Response Plan Template Overview
• Drought Resilience Funding Opportunities
• Drought and Water Loss Effects on Revenue
• Water Supply Planning
• Water Loss 101 and Leak Detection Overview
• How to Conduct a Water Audit and Address Findings
• AWWA Water Audit Tool Example Overview Who Should Participate?
• Drinking water utility operators and managers
• Technical assistance providers
• Water sector associations
• Local, state, and federal government agencies
The free AWWA Water Audit software that will be discussed during the workshop is available for download here. Participants are encouraged to participate in an optional session from 4:30 - 5:00 PM to receive subject matter expert assistance in interpreting water audit results. Water operator credit hours will be available for those who attend. Register online, and for questions, contact Will Keefer (Horsley Witten Group – EPA Contractor) at 508-833- 6600 or email at wkeefer@horsleywitten.com
