We love that our role in supporting rural communities allows us the opportunity to work with people of all different walks of life, and cultures. The 4th Quarter SERCAP Native American Water Masters Association (NAWMA) meeting was held at the Annual Summer Festival and Pow Wow on the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina. This was the first SERCAP NAWMA meeting outside of South Carolina and allowed SERCAP the opportunity to introduce the NAWMA to other tribes. Our team had the opportunity to discuss SERCAP, and our services, with a group of Native American personnel that are involved in the business of delivering a potable water supply to the Cherokee Reservation and many of the surrounding communities.
While at this meeting, we had a critical conversation about possible contamination hazards that are common for small water systems, including domestic water wells. We also addressed considerations for the community systems that serve motels and small businesses around the reservation. We emphasized that it is important to have reliable sources that provide sufficient quantities of water, but the water quality must also always be considered. Water must be free of contamination, offensive tastes and odor problems.
We also made sure to discuss the way to properly construct small community wells. There are special considerations if they are supplying motels, restaurants and recreational facilities.
A key part of what we do is simply come alongside people. We are able to share our expertise and knowledge of water systems to better communities through this education. We thoroughly enjoyed working with this group and supporting their community.