REMINDER - Walter A. Weers Outstanding Achievement Award

In the past, the Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board (board) annually issued the Walter A. Weers Outstanding Achievement Award to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Colorado Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Program (program) and to the water professionals operating facilities under the program.     

The award is named after Walter A. Weers, who devoted a half-century of outstanding volunteer service to the advancement of the certification of professionals in the Colorado water and wastewater industry. The award is intended to honor truly exceptional contributions and may not be presented each year or may be awarded to more than one recipient per year (at the discretion of the board). The award was last presented in 2019, and the program would like to raise awareness of this award in hopes of honoring an individual in 2026. 

This outstanding achievement award recognizes those individuals who:

• Have given their time unselfishly to educate operators,
• Have provided their expertise to the examination of operators, or
• Have used their creativity and tenacity to build Colorado’s certification program into one of the premier programs in the country. 

Anyone who has had a direct impact on the program and the water professionals operating Colorado facilities under this program can be nominated for this award. Nominations must be submitted before October 15th of each year to be considered and acted on by the board at its November meeting. If the board decides to honor an individual, the award will be presented in conjunction with the Colorado Rural Water Association (CRWA) annual conference in March of the following year. 

Consider taking a few minutes of your time to submit an award nomination that can inspire others to continue providing outstanding service to the program and to highlight the importance of the profession and its impact on Colorado communities. Anyone can submit a nomination form, and nominations can be as short as one to two paragraphs. You never know what great acts of service and kindness you may inspire!   

You can find more information about this award on the board’s website, as well as a link to the nomination form, submission instructions, and previous recipients. 

If you have any questions about this award or the nomination process, feel free to contact Jessica Morgan cdphe.facilityoperator@state.co.us.

➽Jessica Morgan, Liaison to the Water & Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board

WQCD wants your input! - What does Excellence mean to the water sector?

Click here to take the survey!

Providing safe drinking water to the public has never been a simple task. While there are thousands of water systems, and operators that are working to install backflow devices to prevent contamination, maintaining and adjusting chlorine levels, sampling and managing all the documents to prove that the work is being done and safe water is being provided, seldom is there recognition for the work.

Continually improving a water system has never been so hard. As our scientific knowledge and discoveries of contaminants expand, so do the regulations and standards operators need to uphold. This increases the work and the amount of pressure that comes with operating an entire community drinking water system. While we are not physically present on a daily basis to observe and acknowledge the effort it takes to maintain such standards, we do appreciate and rely on the knowledge and passion it takes to maintain a culture of health - that is we look at our daily routines and emergencies through a lens of protecting people’s health. One way of showing our appreciation is through the Excellence Program Awards formerly known as the Pursuing Excellence Program. We intend on continuing and revitalizing the tradition of recognizing the wonderful public water systems that have been supplying safe and clean water by showing our gratitude and how much we value the work being done.

The Excellence Awards Program will distribute two recognition awards, the Outstanding Compliance Award and the Commitment Award. The Commitment Award will focus on recognizing entities that have been proactive in enhancing their water system by submitting a project they have done that embraces a continuous improvement approach. 

We understand that "excellence" is subjective and what is considered excellent in one system's circumstances may not be the same for another system in different circumstances.  Our aim is to understand what “excellence” means to you and ensure it reflects the achievements of water professionals who are delivering exceptional performance in our water systems. One entity might be putting in maximum effort in educational outreach for exposure of the industry to recruit new operators, while a different entity might find it more rewarding to assist smaller systems in bettering their water supply and process. 

We notice and value all the different ways operators are advancing the industry and want to make sure this Commitment Award is tailored to include the opinions of water systems. In order to take into account opinions of those working first-hand in the field, we have created a two-question excellence survey that includes different ways we believe a system can achieve excellence in the industry. There are various aspects of maintaining a water system included in this survey and we want to know which ones are valued the most within this community.

To customize this Commitment Award and reward projects that resonate with the survey results, we ask that you please take a couple seconds of your day to complete the survey. The link for the survey will be below. We appreciate every response and will make sure to take them into account when discussing what projects to award.

➽ Priscila Lopez, Drinking water coach- Excellence Program Manager 

Wildfire Planning and Recovery Playbook - 2025 Updates!

After a wet spring and variable monsoon season, wildfire season is again upon us in Colorado. As many of you are aware, our public water systems and local communities face a diverse and significant array of challenges when planning, responding, and recovering from wildfires. The best time to start planning for wildfires is right now, in advance of fires.

The Water Quality Control Division (WQCD), along with many state, federal, and local partners, have released a revised and updated version of our Wildfire Planning and Recovery Playbook, available on our Source Water Assessment and Protection website.  Several authors also hosted a webinar on July 25th, with the slide presentation and a recording available.

Pre-fire planning, response, and recovery is a team effort, and requires coordination across multiple jurisdictions, and administrative and physical boundaries. Each community wildfire event may present a unique set of circumstances that must be understood and conveyed to effectively navigate wildfire incidents. The centerpiece of the playbook is the comprehensive critical contacts list, outlining necessary points of contact along with each representative’s roles and responsibilities within the planning, response, and recovery process. Below is an example of the critical contacts list contained in the playbook.

The playbook also provides various actionable steps through each phase of the fire cycle, from planning through recovery.  Examples include identifying your values at risk, forming a recovery group and identifying partners, understanding prefire actions and resources, and roles and responsibilities of partners throughout the different phases of a wildfire incident. The playbook also includes 2 full pages of links to additional resources, including a list of funding programs and technical assistance partners.

The playbook is concise, usable, and accessible. The target audience for this playbook is public water systems, municipalities, counties, and tribes. The updated version reflects lessons learned from recent urban and suburban wildfires and the new Wildfire Ready Watersheds framework from the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Please contact the source water protection team at cdphe.wqswap@state.co.us with any questions or for more information.

➽ Robert Murphy, CPSS, Source Water Protection Program Coordinator

➽ Kristen Hughes, Source Water Protection Specialist

➽ John Duggan, Source Water & Emerging Contaminants Unit Manager

Upcoming EPA Cyber/Resilience Funding Cycle

EPA Announces Availability of $9 Million to Protect Drinking Water from Natural Hazards and Cybersecurity Threats

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced over $9 million in grant funding through the new competitive Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability grant program, which will assist medium and large size public water systems with protecting drinking water sources from natural hazards, extreme weather events, and cybersecurity threats. The application period is open until October 6, 2025, and can be found on www.grants.gov under opportunity number EPA-OW-OGWDW-25-01, assistance listing number 66.488.

Learn More About The Grant Opportunity on EPA's Website

EPA will host a webinar on the Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program on August 19th, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM ET. Please join us to learn more.

Register for EPA's August 19th Webinar

Cyber Alert EPA: Active Exploitation of Microsoft SharePoint Vulnerabilities

The U.S. EPA is issuing this alert to inform water and wastewater system owners and operators about the active exploitation of security vulnerabilities in Microsoft SharePoint that allows attackers to mislead the system into thinking they are a trusted user, also known as network spoofing, and remotely run malicious code, known as a remote code execution (RCE). This exploit enables unauthorized access specifically to Microsoft SharePoint servers, which are hosted and operated on-site. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a cybersecurity alert on this malicious activity, publicly reported as “ToolShell.” 

Mitigations

All drinking water and wastewater systems with Microsoft SharePoint servers are strongly encouraged to implement the following mitigations immediately to enhance resilience against this compromise:

• Apply the necessary security updates released by Microsoft.
• Configure Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) in SharePoint and deploy Microsoft Defender Antivirus on all SharePoint servers.
• Rotate ASP.NET machine keys, then after applying Microsoft’s security update, rotate ASP.NET machine keys again, and restart the Internet Information Services (IIS) web server.
• Disconnect public-facing versions of SharePoint Server that have reached their end-of-life (EOL) or end-of-service (EOS) from the internet.
• Conduct scanning for IPs 107.191.58[.]76, 104.238.159[.]149, and 96.9.125[.]147, particularly between July 18-19, 2025.
• Monitor for malicious POST requests to /_layouts/15/ToolPane.aspx?DisplayMode=Edit
• Update intrusion prevention system and web application firewall rules to block exploit patterns and anomalous behavior.
• Implement comprehensive logging to identify exploitation activity.
• Audit and minimize layout and admin privileges

For additional information on detection, prevention, and advanced threat hunting measures, drinking water and wastewater systems owners and operators are encouraged to visit Microsoft’s Disrupting active exploitation of on-premises SharePoint vulnerabilities and advisory as well as CISA’s cybersecurity alert.

Conclusion

The U.S. EPA requests that the Water Sector Coordinating Council (WSCC)/Government Coordinating Council (GCC) review this advisory and pass it along to all water & wastewater entities that may be susceptible to this threat. Additionally, we encourage the EPA Regions share the advisory with the state primacy agencies and direct implementation utilities.

Cybersecurity: NIST's Updated Password Guidelines & Sector Resources

The water and wastewater sectors are essential to daily life, and safeguarding them from cyber threats is crucial. The newly updated National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) password guidelines, along with the range of resources offered by the EPA and CISA, provide a strong foundation for improving cybersecurity across the industry. We encourage you and your colleagues to implement these new password guidelines and general cyber hygiene. Here’s a breakdown of the key updates and additional cybersecurity resources that can help strengthen your system's defenses.

NIST’s Updated Password Guidelines: What’s New?

In September 2024, NIST introduced new password management guidelines aimed at improving both security and user experience. The changes reflect a shift towards longer, more memorable passwords, and away from overly complex password requirements.

Key Updates:

1. Password Length: NIST now recommends using passwords or passphrases that are at least 15 characters long. The focus has shifted from enforcing complexity (e.g., mixing uppercase, numbers, and symbols) to prioritizing longer passwords that are easier to remember.
2. Password Composition: Gone are the days of forcing users to include specific character types. The new focus is on allowing longer, memorable passwords, which reduces the chances of people creating easily guessable passwords. 
3. Fewer Password Changes: Unless there’s evidence of a security breach, mandatory password changes are no longer required. This policy change helps users avoid creating predictable patterns due to frequent password resets.
4. Password Managers: NIST now strongly encourages the use of password manager software, which can generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account. It’s a vital tool to prevent the risk of password reuse across different accounts.
5. Avoid Password Hints & Security Questions: To minimize the risk of social engineering attacks, NIST advises against using password hints or security questions that could easily be guessed.
6. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA is a non-negotiable security measure. By requiring more than just a password to access sensitive systems, MFA adds an additional layer of protection.

These updated guidelines emphasize simplicity and practicality, reducing user frustration while enhancing security. In an industry like water and wastewater, where systems are critical to public health, these updates offer a crucial balance of usability and protection.

Additional Cybersecurity Resources for the Water & Wastewater Sector

Alongside these password updates, there are also significant resources available to bolster cybersecurity across water and wastewater systems.

On March 13, 2025, the EPA will host a cybersecurity briefing for the water and wastewater sector. The session will cover unclassified threats, along with available funding and technical resources from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Here are a few resources to explore:

• CDPHE Security Toolbox - Provides Colorado specific guidance for planning for and responding to cybersecurity and physical security attacks. 
• EPA Cybersecurity for the Water Sector - Get comprehensive guidance and tools to safeguard water systems against cyber threats.
• CISA Water and Wastewater Cybersecurity Toolkit - A practical set of tools to strengthen your water sector infrastructure against cyber threats.

By staying informed and adopting the latest cybersecurity practices, water and wastewater utilities can ensure a secure future, protecting critical infrastructure from evolving threats.

➽ Kyra Gregory, Drinking Water Training Specialists 

EPA PFAS Rule Update: What Colorado Water Systems Need to Know

The division is closely monitoring recent developments from the EPA regarding its 2024 drinking water PFAS Rule. While the EPA has signaled potential changes to the regulation, the official rulemaking timeline remains unchanged, with Colorado’s adoption scheduled for August 11, 2025. The division is committed to maintaining clarity for water systems and intends to highlight this federal uncertainty in its Statement of Basis and Purpose that is part of the rulemaking. The division is committed to communicating with water systems when federal action occurs and proposing revisions to Colorado’s PFAS rule to align with federal requirements before the Water Quality Control Commission.

Resources: 

• CDPHE - Regulating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water
• CDPHE - PFAS mapping (includes PFAS in treated drinking water map and data) 
• CDPHE - PFAS Grant program

EPA’s Announced Changes

In May 2025, the EPA announced that it may significantly revise the 2024 PFAS Rule. Proposed changes include:

• Removing and reconsidering regulations for four PFAS compounds: PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA (GenX), and PFBS.
• Retaining Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and monitoring requirements for PFOA and PFOS only.
• Eliminating the Hazard Index concept and its associated MCL for PFAS mixtures.
• Extending the compliance deadline for PFOA and PFOS MCLs from 2029 to 2031.

These changes are planned to occur via a revised PFAS Rule proposal in Fall 2025, and anticipated finalization in Spring 2026.

It’s important to note that, so far, EPA’s announcement has not indicated changes to the requirements for initial monitoring of six PFAS compounds by the April 2027 compliance deadline.

Colorado’s Approach

Colorado is moving forward with adopting the PFAS rule this summer to retain full Safe Drinking Water Act primacy. This ensures that the division, not EPA, will continue to oversee PFAS compliance, monitoring, and enforcement across Colorado systems.

To account for the evolving federal landscape, the division has included a “federal flexibility provision” in its rule language. This provision allows for the automatic extension or stay of any deadlines or requirements altered by the final federal PFAS Rule, minimizing disruption for water systems.

Why Primacy Matters

Colorado’s decision to adopt the rule in 2025 avoids a primacy extension agreement with EPA. Under such an agreement, EPA would have authority over PFAS compliance while the state catches up. This would fragment regulatory oversight, complicate compliance for Colorado’s water systems, and limit our decision-making authority during this period. We believe that the division can provide the best decisions for water systems and their customers in Colorado.

The division’s experience with the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) demonstrated the benefit of timely rule adoption. Being one of the few states to implement LCRR on schedule allowed the division to retain control and better support systems through technical and operational challenges. The same advantages apply here.

Operational Implications for Water Systems

Drinking water data across Colorado shows that PFOA and PFOS are the primary PFAS compounds detected in public water supplies in Colorado. The removal of other compounds from the federal rule should not change which systems require PFAS treatment in Colorado. However, there may be impacts to treatment plant design and operation, which the division will work to consider during rule implementation.

In the meantime, systems are encouraged to stay engaged and continue monitoring for PFAS to meet initial monitoring requirements. The division will provide ongoing updates and technical assistance throughout this evolving process.

Stay Informed

The division is committed to supporting Colorado’s water systems during this transition. As the revised federal rule develops, Colorado will adapt, but always with the goal of maintaining clarity, consistency, and strong public health protections.

➽ Haley Orahood, Regulatory Development and Implementation Specialist

New resource alert - W/WW Operator Resources Webpage

* While Aqua Talk is a safe drinking water information hub, the information below is also helpful to your wastewater friends, so please pass it along!

We encourage you to bookmark the Operator Resources webpage and visit regularly for updates and guidance tailored to your role as a certified operator. 

We are excited to announce that the Water Quality Control Division (Division) recently developed a new resource designed specifically for Colorado certified water and wastewater operators, or for those interested in entering the workforce. It is a single webpage that serves as a one-stop shop, bringing together all the essential information, tools, and resources operators need to know.

From certification, examination, and renewal details to information on training and funding opportunities, regulatory requirements, and guidance documents, everything you need is now conveniently located in one place. There is also a direct link to the CCWP Portal and contact information for CCWP, Division, and Board staff. Say goodbye to the hassle of navigating several sites to track down information!

If you have any questions about or issues with this webpage, please contact Jessica Morgan cdphe.facilityoperator@state.co.us.

➽ Jessica Morgan, Liaison to the Water & Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board

Coordination with Public Water Systems on SCADA Vulnerabilities

In June 2025, the EPA’s Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience Division (WICRD) notified the Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) that they had identified potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities at four Colorado public water systems (PWSs). While scanning for vulnerable devices, EPA identified the specific TCP/IP addresses of four BIF3800 SCADA Control Systems that were internet-exposed and could potentially allow a remote user to access the device and disrupt the utility’s operations. WQCD Field Services immediately reached out to the four water systems to notify them of the potential vulnerability so they could take action to protect their systems. 

Many utilities installed SCADA BIF3800 units as early as the 1990s and were controlling ancillary processes in the distribution systems of the water systems. There was a common thought that hackers would not be interested in equipment that is so old, or that the older control systems would be less vulnerable to cyber attacks. Unfortunately, hackers can exploit any internet-exposed interfaces like these. The EPA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently published this joint fact sheet, which highlights the risks posed by internet-exposed Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs), including how hackers can find and exploit HMIs with cybersecurity weaknesses easily. The EPA and CISA fact sheet includes recommended mitigations to secure HMIs, including:

• Conduct an inventory of all internet-exposed devices.
• If possible, disconnect HMIs and all other accessible and unprotected systems from the public-facing internet.
• If it is not possible to disconnect the device, secure it by creating a username and a strong password to prevent a threat actor from easily viewing and accessing the device. Change factory default passwords.

Thankfully, the four water systems quickly responded to remove the exposure and did not experience any cyber events due to this issue. The CISA team in Colorado also reached out to the water systems to provide technical support to mitigate the vulnerabilities.  

WQCD encourages water systems to continue to evaluate and protect their systems against cyber threats. Utilities that need support can contact the Colorado CISA Team, including Edward (Charlie) Marmon at edward.marmon@cisa.dhs.gov  or Kindra Brewer at kindra.brewer@cisa.dhs.gov, and the EPA’s Cybersecurity Technical Assistance Help Desk is also available for assistance. The WQCD Drinking Water Security Response Toolbox is a one-stop shop for security resources. 

➽ Heather Young, PE, CWP, Field Services Section Manager

➽ Naheem Noah, Field Services Section

Cyber Alert: Global Conflict Potential to Impact US Critical Infrastructure

EPA Cyber Alert: Iran Conflict is Increasing the Likelihood of Low-Level Cyberattacks Against US Networks

Note: The Water Quality Control Division is posting the following information out in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) .

The U.S. EPA is issuing this alert to inform water and wastewater system owners and operators of the need for increased vigilance for potential cyber activity in the United States due to the current geopolitical environment. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin, indicating that low-level cyberattacks against U.S. networks by pro-Iranian hacktivists are likely, and cyber actors affiliated with the Iranian Government may conduct attacks against U.S. networks. Additionally, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) published a fact sheet warning that Iranian-affiliated cyber actors may target U.S. devices and networks for near-term cyber operations.

Iranian-affiliated cyber actors have demonstrated the ability to exploit operational technology (OT) devices at U.S. water and wastewater systems, forcing many systems to revert to manual operations and resulting in operational impacts.

All drinking water and wastewater systems are strongly encouraged to implement the following mitigations immediately to enhance resilience against low-level cyberattacks:

• Reduce OT Exposure to the Public-Facing Internet
• Replace All Default Passwords on OT Devices with Strong, Unique Passwords
• Implement Multifactor Authentication for Remote Access to OT Devices

In addition to these immediate actions, drinking water and wastewater systems are encouraged to adopt the actions outlined in the CISA, EPA, and FBI Top Cyber Actions for Securing Water Systems Fact Sheet to further reduce cyber risk and improve resilience against malicious cyber activity.

The U.S. EPA requests that the Water Sector Coordinating Council (WSCC)/Government

Coordinating Council (GCC) review this advisory and pass it along to all water & wastewater entities that may be susceptible to this threat. Additionally, we encourage the EPA Regions share the advisory with the state primacy agencies and direct implementation utilities.

Water and wastewater system owners and operators should direct their IT/OT system

administrators to review this alert for further use and implementation. If you rely on third party vendors for technology support, then you are encouraged to contact them to confirm their awareness of this threat. Organizations are encouraged to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at IC3.gov or to CISA via CISA’s Incident Reporting System. If you have questions about any of the information contained in this document, please contact the Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience Division, Cybersecurity Branch at watercyberta@epa.gov.

Stay Informed

If you are interested in subscribing to receive security alert notifications immediately upon release, please sign up using this form and select the topics that interest you. This topic is General - Security updates - Water and wastewater systems.

➽ WQCD Security Workgroup

Aqua Answers: Bag and Cartridge Filters in Surface Water Treatment

Dear Aqua Answers,

I’m the operator for a surface water treatment system that uses bag and cartridge filters, and I have a few questions!

___________________________________________________________________________

Question 1: What’s the difference between compliance filters and other bag or cartridge filters at my plant?

For suppliers of surface water or groundwater under the direct influence of surface water (SW/GWUDI), the treatment system must be designed to meet the requirements of Section 11.8 of Regulation 11, also known as the Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR). This rule requires the treatment process to remove specific levels of Giardia and Cryptosporidium to ensure public health protection.

One way to meet these requirements is by using bag or cartridge filtration. These filters use a straining process where water passes through a disposable bag or cartridge housed in a permanently installed filter housing. Each filter and housing combination used for compliance filtration must be approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (the Department) through the alternative technology approval process. Typically, this approval is obtained by the filter manufacturer rather than through a site-specific approval.

Every installation of bag or cartridge filters at a public water system (PWS) must also be reviewed by the Department as part of a design submittal.

Additional filters, sometimes called “roughing filters” may be installed upstream of the compliance filters. These do not require separate Department alternative technology approval but usually still require review as part of the design submittal.

For more details on design requirements, see the State of Colorado Design Criteria for Potable Water Systems (DCPWS), Section 4.3.9.

Question 2: How do I know which cartridges or bags I should use in my compliance filters?

Many SW/GWUDI suppliers have been issued a Record of Approved Waterworks (RAW) that lists all the supplier’s approved treatment and storage facilities and water sources. To find your facility’s RAW, visit the Department’s RAW webpage and enter your PWSID or facility name.

If you don’t have a RAW, you can find this information in the approval letter issued by the Department for your filtration system, or you can contact the Engineering Section for assistance.

Your RAW (or approval letter) will specify the approved filter manufacturer, model number, and the Department’s alternative technology acceptance letter. You can find the acceptance letter on our drinking water alternative technology website.

Important: Many bag and cartridge filters on the market have not been approved by the Department. Using unapproved filters or filter/housing combinations for compliance filtration can result in a treatment technique violation or a significant deficiency noted during a sanitary survey—both of which would require the supplier to issue a public notice.

Question 3: I have a sanitary survey coming up. Is there anything I should know about my bag or cartridge filters?

Yes! Suppliers using alternative filtration technology must continuously meet the design, performance, and operation and maintenance requirements in Sections 4.3.9.6 – 4.3.9.8 of the DCPWS and in the Department’s acceptance letter for the specific filtration technology.

For bag and cartridge filtration systems, this typically includes:

• Not exceeding the maximum specified pressure differential.
• Keeping daily records of pressure differentials and filter change-outs. These records will be reviewed during the sanitary survey.
• Maintaining specific spare parts on-site, which may also be checked during the survey.

Be sure to review your RAW and acceptance letter to understand all conditions of approval and ensure you’re keeping the required records. Both your RAW conditions and site-specific records will be evaluated during the sanitary survey.

Question 4: I’m a contract operator managing multiple public water systems. Do the requirements for bag and cartridge filters differ by system type?

Yes, the requirements can vary based on system size and type (e.g., community, non-community, or transient systems). These differences may include NSF 61 certification, the number of redundant filters required, and other system-specific considerations. The DCPWS outlines these requirements in detail, but if you have any questions, please reach out to the Department’s Engineering Section for assistance.

Sincerely,

Aqua Answers

Being prepared for toxic algae season

As climate conditions continue to shift, Colorado has seen increasingly warm and nutrient-rich waters during the summer months — conditions that remain ideal for toxic algae to form in standing or slow-moving water. Toxic algae or harmful algae blooms (HABs) are made up of cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae. Although these organisms naturally occur in Colorado waters, they become a problem when they multiply rapidly, resulting in a dense cyanobacteria concentration or “bloom.” In drinking water sources, cyanobacteria blooms can cause the water to taste or smell bad. Taste and odor in drinking water is not regulated but creates customer concerns about water quality and safety. Most complaints that water utilities receive are about taste and odor, and these issues can last for prolonged periods. In addition to taste and odor problems, the blooms can become harmful and create a public health risk when they produce toxins. Removing toxins in a safe and cost-effective way can be a challenge for treatment facilities, and not all water providers are equipped to do so. 

Drinking water providers can contact the Water Quality Control Division at 303-692-3500 with questions about toxic algae. We can help water providers who experience taste and odor problems and toxins. This includes ideas about customer communication and steps that utilities can take to monitor and manage toxic algae and best treat their drinking water. If you detect microcystins above 0.3 μg/L and/or cylindrospermopsin above 0.7 μg/L (EPA’s cyanotoxin health advisory values), call the CDPHE 24-hour incident reporting hotline at 1-877-518-5608 so the division can provide you with immediate assistance.

We have resources to help drinking water providers and recreational water managers with toxic algae monitoring, response and public education and created a map to show recent toxic algae conditions for select waterbodies in the state. 

This 2019 AquaTalk article remains especially relevant today as cyanotoxins still pose a public health concern, even without being formally regulated. While EPA is continuing to evaluate the need for national regulation, the core takeaways from past events like Salem, Oregon’s microcystin advisory remain vital reminders for proactive communication, monitoring, and response. Whether you manage a public drinking water system or recreate on Colorado lakes and reservoirs, this piece offers timeless lessons for navigating toxic algae season safely.

Program Manager Message: An Open Letter to the Drinking Water Community - An Opportunity to Say THANK YOU!!!!

Hello everyone, 

In the May 2008 issue of Aqua Talk we ran an open letter of thanks to the drinking water community after the waterborne disease outbreak in Alamosa, Colorado. We have not had a waterborne disease outbreak at a public water system in Colorado in the 17 years since. We thought it would be a good time to rerun this article as a reminder of what happened and how the water utility community came together in response. We have had some disease outbreaks from drinking water, but they have happened in buildings or other situations that did not involve regulated systems. The Alamosa event was the first use of the Colorado Water and Wastewater Response Network (Co-WARN), which has been used many times since 2008 by utilities in need, and those needs have been met by other utilities. So, I say again - THANK YOU!

Article from May 2008: 

In March, the Water Quality Control Division in conjunction with numerous emergency response agencies and city of Alamosa officials were deeply involved in responding to a waterborne disease outbreak within the community. While a definitive identification of the cause has not yet been determined and investigative activities are ongoing, I want to take this opportunity and use this forum to tell everyone involved...Thank you!!

The city of Alamosa and the division could not have accomplished what they did without the assistance and dedication of all the agencies, groups and individuals involved with this response. The request for resources was placed to public water systems though our COWARN network, and the response was overwhelming and immediate. As new resource needs were identified, requests were made, and the resource materialized. Events and circumstances constantly evolved, and the response of the drinking water community was unwavering.

The boil/bottled water order was in place for 23 days and had an impact on the entire community of approximately 9,000 citizens. A staggering amount of work was accomplished within those 23 days including the following:

• An evaluation of the distribution system, including a review of potential cross­ connections.
• A multi-staged systematic disinfection and flushing of the storage tanks and entire 49 miles of distribution piping.
• Extensive monitoring for a number of water quality parameters throughout the distribution system including Salmonella, total coliform, Giardia, cryptosporidium, arsenic, lead and copper, and chlorine residuals.
• The Consumer Protection Division worked with restaurants and other businesses to keep many of them operating during the event.
• Bottled water and bulk water was distributed to residents.
• Communications personnel made substantial public notice efforts with the media to keep people informed.

The drinking water community should be proud of its response.

➽Ron Falco, P.E. Safe Drinking Water Program Manager

Coaches Classroom: How to Take a Water/Wastewater Operator Certification Exam?

Did you know that to become certified as a water/wastewater professional in Colorado or to take an exam to obtain a higher certification, you will work with a company called Professional Service Industry (PSI)?

As mentioned in previous Aqua Talk articles (4/2/25 article, 10/30/24 article), to become a certified water professional, you will first determine which certification you need and then work within the Colorado Certified Water Professionals (CCWP) portal to submit an examination application. Once CCWP approves the exam application, applicants have 100 days to sit for and pass the exam. If an applicant doesn’t pass the exam, they may schedule a re-test at any time, however, the operator must wait 30 days to retake the exam.

Notes on working within PSI’s website

After you receive your application approval from the folks at CCWP, you will receive an email from PSI letting you know that you can now create a login and schedule your exam. You can follow the link and instructions provided in the email. Once you have logged in, select “New Booking” if you need to schedule your exam or “Reschedule” if you need to move the date you originally planned to sit for the exam. 

This will take you to a list of tests you are eligible to schedule based on your exam application through CCWP. 

What if I have issues with my PSI account? 

PSI customer service is best accessed through their “Contact Us” email form. To access this, click on the “Contact Us” icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Be sure to provide the correct email address and phone number for them to reach you and a clear explanation of the issue you are encountering.  You can also visit their Quick Start Guide website, which offers specific information on how to navigate their platform. 

Additional tips and good information: 

• Where/how do I take an exam: You can either go to a testing center (Find a Testing Center) or use PSI’s remote proctoring option (PSI Online Proctoring Compatibility Check) to take your certification exam. Be sure to know the rules and expectations before you choose which option is best for you. More information can be found on CCWP’s website or in PSI’s Candidate Handbook for Colorado. 
• Plan accordingly! Winter weather can greatly impact travel to test centers, and PSI may not issue refunds due to inclement weather. Consider contacting PSI to verify your test center is open before you travel. 
• The CCWP exam application fee is $50; the PSI examination fee is $104 per exam attempt. All payment for the exams is managed through the PSI portal. 
• Formula sheets - Please note there are two formula sheets, one for water and one for wastewater. It's the test-taker’s responsibility to be sure that the proctor gives them the correct formula sheet.
• Test takers cannot leave the testing site with notes or scratch paper.
• CCWP is happy to help all operators as they become certified and advance in their profession. However, the CCWP staff does not have access to PSI's system nor can we help with remotely proctored tech support.

What resources are available to help me study for my exam? 

PSI does a great job at proctoring exams for Colorado’s certified water professionals, but they don’t provide the testing materials. CCWP contracts with Water Professionals International (WPI) to write and standardize exams. So, to study, we recommend visiting WPI’s  Examination Study Resources website. Here you can  access important information that will help you plan your studying process: 

• Need-to-Know Criteria
• Formula/Conversion Tables
• Exam References
• Study Guides
• Sample Exam Questions

Once you know what information you need to study and how the questions will be asked, you can form a study plan that is right for you! Below are some examples of helpful resources. This is by no means an exhaustive list. We recommend that you mix a variety of study materials! 

1. Textbooks 
• Sacramento State Drinking Water Manuals
• New Mexico Water System Operator Certification Study Manual
• American Water Works Association - Operator Cert and Training Textbooks 
• USA Bluebook Water/Wastewater Training Books (textbooks, flash cards, and math-specific offerings)  
2. Courses 
• Technical Assistance providers in Colorado that offer in-person and online exam preparation: 
• Colorado Rural Water Association 
• Indigo Water Group 
• Rural Communities Assistance Corporation 
• Other prep courses 
• American Water College Exam Prep courses 
• AWWA Remote eLearning Options
3. Other resources 
• Water Sifu - online training resources with videos and podcast-style training
• AWWA OpCert Exam Prep App  - flashcard style sample test questions that immediately display the correct answers and explanations, including formulas/equations 
• Water Wise Pro - Company offering online training via Zoom,  study guides, and helpful podcasts for operators  
• Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet - Water Certification Test Prep Materials 
• Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy - Exam Study Guides with practice tests and answer keys 

Please don't ever hesitate to reach out to our coaches! 

➽ Kyra Gregory, Drinking Water Training Specialist 

PFAS Rule and CCR Revisions: Update on Stakeholder Engagement on Rulemaking

In Spring 2024, EPA finalized the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Rule and Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Rule Revisions. The PFAs Rule will protect public health by requiring ongoing monitoring of “forever chemicals” beginning in 2027 and setting health-based limits starting in 2029. The CCR Rule Revisions modernize the content and delivery methods for all community systems and increases the frequency and accessibility of water quality reports for consumers served by larger systems beginning in 2027. 

In August 2024, the division launched a stakeholder engagement process in support of a rulemaking hearing before the Water Quality Control Commission to adopt these federal rules into the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations (Regulation 11). Between August 2024 and January 2025, we held a total of seven stakeholder meetings and two workgroup meetings in support of the stakeholder process. We appreciate the significant contributions from water providers, environmental organizations, and members of the public. This collaboration is essential for developing effective and sustainable regulations that address the specific needs of our state.

Through the stakeholder process, we have:

• Developed Draft Regulatory Language: The feedback received from stakeholders has directly informed the development of draft language for the upcoming PFAS Rule and CCR Rule Revisions. 
• Created PFAS Rule Resources: To aid water providers in navigating the complex requirements, we have developed a PFAS Rule page with guidance and a frequently asked questions document, an initial monitoring compliance check worksheet to help understand the timing requirements for monitoring, and are in the process of developing tools to allow submission of UCMR 5 PFAS data for use in meeting initial monitoring requirements.
• Updated CCR Content: While most content changes under the CCR Rule Revisions are not required until 2027, there are a few changes to CCRs distributed in 2025 required under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. The division has updated CCR draft templates for 2025 to capture the language and content required to be included in CCRs.

Looking ahead, the next major milestone is the rulemaking process before the commission. This is a crucial stage where the commission will review the draft regulations, consider public input, and ultimately make a decision on whether to adopt these rules into Regulation 11.

Important Note: There has been some recent developments at the federal level. EPA has been granted abeyances by the DC Circuit Court concerning lawsuits regarding the federal PFAS Rule. These abeyances were granted to allow the new administration time to review the rule and the plaintiff’s petition to the Court. On May 14, 2025, EPA announced that it was considering delaying compliance with the PFAS standards but no specific mention was made about the testing requirements. We are actively monitoring this situation and will provide updates as they become available. None of this impacts the CCR rule. 

We recognize that navigating these regulations can be complex. Therefore, we are committed to keeping you informed throughout the process. We will provide updates on the rulemaking process and opportunities for public comment.

How to Stay Informed:

• Visit the Division's Engagement Website and sign up for notifications
• Attend Commission Meetings: Commission meetings are open to the public, and your participation is encouraged. For more information about upcoming meetings and hearings please visit the commission's website.

We believe that everyone plays a vital role in shaping water policy. By staying engaged, we can collectively work towards ensuring clean and safe drinking water for all Coloradans.

➽ Bryan Pilson Technical, Regulatory Implementation, and Coordination Unit Manager

CDPHE, EPA, & Wigwam Partnership for PFAS Treatment

Resources: 

For more information please visit 

• CDPHE PFAS Proarjects Website
• WQCD Grant Website

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is excited to highlight Wigwam Mutual Water Company’s PFAS pilot project as an excellent example of the Division’s culture of health initiatives. Wigwam is a small public water system, located in El Paso, County just south of Colorado Springs, that serves approximately 1,300 people. Their source water is drawn from the Fountain Creek alluvial aquifer and through pro-active testing the public water system detected elevated levels of certain PFAS in its drinking water. The test results came back above the established EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) for Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). To address this emerging contaminant issue, CDPHE provided the community with point-of-use treatment to reduce PFAS levels to below the MCL while working towards the implementation of a more permanent treatment solution. This effort was promoted to ensure the community was provided with safe drinking water during the next planning and design phases of the project. 

Last year, CDPHE awarded Wigwam a $300,000 grant to pilot PFAS treatment technologies through the Emerging Contaminants in Small for Disadvantaged Communities (EC/SDC) grant program. This project has been a collaborative approach with direct assistance from the CDPHE, PFAS team and Engineering staff, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD). Wigwam is planning to conduct pilot testing with Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC), Anion Exchange (AIX), and a new emerging technology, namely Electrocoagulation (EC). This innovative pilot project will compare the different treatment technologies and assist Wigwam in determining if the new EC technology is feasible and able to effectively treat PFAS in its drinking water. This collaborative approach will help ensure that this community has the best information to help them find a viable treatment solution to address this water quality challenge. After the study, EPA and CDPHE will utilize the treatment piloting results to provide an assessment of the treatment options for communities in order to effectively remove PFAS and other contaminants with reasonable and sustainable costs. 

CDPHE is excited to promote the partnership between EPA ORD and Wigwam to assist in this effort.

➽ Sierra Mitchell, PFAS Program Coordinator

PM Message: Addressing High Nitrate Levels in Groundwater

Last month I attended the annual member meeting of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) in Washington, D.C. This group consists of all my counterparts in other U.S. states and territories. It is a great opportunity for me to learn about how other states are working to address similar challenges to what we may be facing in Colorado. This year three states, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska, shared information about what they are doing to address high nitrate levels in groundwater. Significant portions of these states experience this problem that impacts both community and non-community groundwater systems, plus private wells. Nitrate is known as an acute health risk contaminant for infants. However, more research is being done about chronic impacts as well.

Though our nitrate concerns in Colorado tend to be more localized, we have had a number of water systems exceed the nitrate Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 10 mg/L over time as well. In the 2010s almost 50 communities had a nitrate MCL violation and 65 non-community water systems also had nitrate MCL violations. Fortunately, those numbers are considerably lower so far in the 2020s. A nitrate MCL violation represents a serious challenge for those systems as immediate Tier 1 public notice must be provided advising customers to stop drinking the water. Addressing this issue can be time consuming and expensive. If treatment is needed then ion exchange or reverse osmosis is typically used, which requires a higher level operator for the system and creates a concentrated waste that must be handled and disposed of as well on top of all the added cost for the treatment infrastructure.

Given these concerns, I thought I would share a brief summary of this issue in these states and some of the steps they are taking to address this challenge

Wisconsin is “America’s Dairyland” and #2 state in the country in growing potatoes, which is a nitrate intensive crop. Ten percent of its 800,000 private wells exceed the nitrate MCL which would cost over $400,000 million to replace those wells. Wisconsin public water systems receive 30 to 40 new nitrate MCL violations every year, dwarfing our problem in Colorado. While there is a sense that this problem cannot be fully “solved” in the near future, Wisconsin is taking numerous steps with many partners and projects help with it. Most of these efforts come from their source water protection protection program and include:

• Teacher workshops through universities educating kids about groundwater with specific lesson plans and hands on models
• Nitrogen budget and leaching calculator
• Decision tools that can evaluate application rates
• Developed a well water quality map view with largely private well data
• Evaluating nitrate depth guide drilling to often deeper unimpacted locations
• Numerous projects with with farmers and universities
• Replacing wells

In Minnesota corn and bean crops are main nitrate sources and the southeastern portion of the state with its karst geology is most vulnerable to contamination. Minnesota has fewer violations than its neighbor but last year, 60% of those water systems had to install treatment. Minnesota enacted a new groundwater protection rule that limits fall fertilization applications and is working on a mitigation process in vulnerable areas. The state also developed a number of programs designed to help private well owners and developed simple communication materials. These efforts involve: 

• Well inventory including private wells
• Substantial Outreach/communications including realtors
• Free nitrate testing
• Free treatment available, with 140 reverse osmosis systems installed
• Health-based guidance including:
• New studies showing nitrate association with numerous conditions
• Historical information regarding blue baby syndrome cases in the 1940s

Nebraska recently commissioned a study of nitrate in groundwater showing large areas of the state with nitrate levels above 10 mg/L. They have about 170 public water systems currently  treating for nitrate. Nebraska developed a predictive model to predict how far away a system might be from having a source that exceeds the nitrate MCL and categorized the systems with certain actions:

• 0-3 years out = get started on funding applications
• 3-6 years = provide assistance
• >6 years = Emphasize source water protection

Nebraska offered free testing to private well owners and a rebate program for reverse osmosis treatment systems. They also developed an outreach toolbox with an emphasis on risk assessment.

In Wisconsin and Minnesota EPA got involved to pressure the states to take action to address this acute health risk, and also partnered with the states in the efforts to address it. As you can see, tackling this challenge requires a great deal of effort. I am thankful that we can draw on the experiences in these states to help us when we face similar issues in Colorado. Thank you for your efforts in keeping our drinking water safe.

➽ Ron Falco, P.E. Safe Drinking Water Program Manager

Nominate Someone for the Walter A. Weers Award!

In the past, the Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board (board) annually issued the Walter A. Weers Outstanding Achievement Award to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Colorado Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Program (program) and to the water professionals operating facilities under the program.     

You can find more information about this award on the board’s website, as well as a link to the nomination form, submission instructions, and previous recipients. 

The award is named after Walter A. Weers, who devoted a half-century of outstanding volunteer service to the advancement of the certification of professionals in the Colorado water and wastewater industry. The award is intended to honor truly exceptional contributions and may not be presented each year or may be awarded to more than one recipient per year (at the discretion of the board). The award was last presented in 2019, and the program would like to raise awareness of this award in hopes of honoring an individual in 2026. 

This outstanding achievement award recognizes those individuals who:

• Have given their time unselfishly to educate operators,
• Have provided their expertise to the examination of operators, or
• Have used their creativity and tenacity to build Colorado’s certification program into one of the premier programs in the country. 

Anyone who has had a direct impact on the program and the water professionals operating Colorado facilities under this program can be nominated for this award. Nominations must be submitted before October 15th of each year to be considered and acted on by the board at its November meeting. If the board decides to honor an individual, the award will be presented in conjunction with the Colorado Rural Water Association (CRWA) annual conference in March of the following year. 

Consider taking a few minutes of your time to submit an award nomination that can inspire others to continue providing outstanding service to the program and to highlight the importance of the profession and its impact on Colorado communities. Anyone can submit a nomination form, and nominations can be as short as one to two paragraphs. You never know what great acts of service and kindness you may inspire!   

If you have any questions about this award or the nomination process, feel free to contact Jessica Morgan - cdphe.facilityoperator@state.co.us. 

➽ Jessica Morgan, Liaison to the Water & Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board