Throughout the month of August 2020, SERCAP’s Regional Program successfully continued to deliver online workshops, as part of the agency’s plan to maintain quality services during the COVID-19 public health crisis. SERCAP’s standard slate of services includes the Regional Programs provision of trainings, to Water/Wastewater operators, boards, and community leaders, that provide tools, resources, and knowledge to support efficient, sustainable water/wastewater infrastructure systems that are also positioned to achieve compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
SERCAP’s Regional Online Learning Workshops promote the agency’s mission* by providing water/ wastewater operators and community leaders with information and resources that address a variety of water/wastewater topics, including: Converting Meters from Manual Read to AMR/AMI; Sustainable Management for Rural and Small Systems; Developing a Water Conservation Plan; and NAWMA, FAP, and Access to Adequate and Clean Water in a Post-Pandemic World. On average, SERCAP’s online workshops have been attended by 20 to 30 participants, however on occasion, upwards of 90 individuals have logged-on to participate in these trainings.
In the long-term, the positive impact of SERCAP delivering its Regional Online Learning Workshops during the COVID-19 public health crisis, is the improved ability of communities to maintain or even improve both their Environmental Health and Economic Self-sufficiency during this difficult time. By providing online workshops at no-cost to participants, SERCAP is actively contributing to the overall improved Quality of Life for the participants, as they put their new knowledge into practice, and take advantage of the available tools and resources, even in these challenging times. SERCAP’s Regional Online Learning Workshops will also positively impact communities by supporting community-wide knowledge sharing and best practices, as water/wastewater operators, boards, and community leaders navigate ongoing challenges into the future.
*SERCAP’s mission is to improve the quality of life by promoting affordable water and wastewater facilities, community development, environmental health, and economic self-sufficiency.
**Funding for SERCAP’s Regional Programs and Services are primarily made possible by grants from USDA Rural Development, EPA, HHS: OCS, VA DSS: CSBG, the Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD), and many others. Additionally, SERCAP’s services in Virginia are leveraged by a Budget Appropriation, granted by the Virginia General Assembly, and administered by DHCD.