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Understanding Your Water Quality: Regulation, Reporting and More Also Inside: Staying Informed, Safe and Vigilant Online Investing in Infrastructure: Your Dollars Hard at Work
Your Texas Rural Water News Source Texas Rural Water Association | www.trwa.org | (512) 472-8591
Investing in Infrastructure: Your Dollars Hard at Work
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ater is essential to nearly every part of life, 2. It has a positive economic impact. Investing from drinking and bathing to producing the in water and wastewater infrastructure projects can electricity that powers homes and businesses. lead to economic growth and increased employment Getting access to that water takes pipes, pumps, opportunities. “If the estimated investment gap were equipment and people working non-stop behind the closed, it would result in over $220 billion in total annual scenes to source, treat and deliver that water, and also to economic activity to the country. These investments remove and treat wastewater so it can be safely reused or would generate and sustain approximately 1.3 million returned to the environment. jobs over the 10-year period,” Why is Reliable Water Infrastructure Important? Investing in reliable according to the Value of Water infrastructure not only ensures Campaign. this critical resource continues 3. It protects public health. to be available to communities, The safety of drinking water is it protects almost every aspect dependent upon infrastructure. of our quality of life. When infrastructure is Many of the nation’s water inadequate or fails, it can lead and wastewater systems to polluted and contaminated have been in operation for drinking water, which can 75 to 100 years. As this cause illnesses and ailments infrastructure ages and nears when consumed. the end of its useful life, the 4. It provides recreational country’s investment in water opportunities. Without adequate water and wastewater infrastructure is not keeping up with capital needs. A infrastructure, Texas beaches, lakes, rivers and streams 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) study may become polluted and contaminated, leaving the found the U.S. needs to invest at least $123 billion per public without fun, healthy ways to spend free time year over the next 10 years to bring current infrastructure outdoors. to a state of good repair. Current local, state and federal 5. It supports agriculture. Texas agriculture depends capital spending on water infrastructure totals $41 billion on irrigation. According to the Texas Water Resources annually, leaving an $82 billion investment gap each year. Institute, the state is home to more than 10 percent of irTexas also has one of the fastest growing populations rigated acres in the U.S., and most of Texas’ water is used in the country, increasing the strain on existing for irrigated agriculture. Without reliable access to water, infrastructure. In its 2017 Report Card for Texas’ Texas food production and food security would suffer, all Infrastructure, the ASCE Texas Section reports the state’s while demand for food increases with the state’s growing population will be 51 million by 2070, up from 29.5 population. million in 2020. These are just a few reasons why we should invest If those figures haven’t convinced you of our need in our country’s water and wastewater infrastructure. to invest, here are five reasons why reliable water and Fortunately, the majority of Americans agree. A Value wastewater infrastructure is essential for our future. of Water Campaign poll found that 79 percent of voters believe rebuilding America’s infrastructure is extremely 1. It ensures delivery of water and wastewater or very important. The poll also found that 67 percent services to businesses and homes. It is easy to take of voters prefer proactive infrastructure upgrades over utility services for granted until something goes wrong. fixing problems as they arise, especially since repairing On its website, the Value of Water Campaign explains, and upgrading existing infrastructure is less costly. “Because many sectors are reliant on water, a disruption of water and wastewater service, even for one day, Just because the majority of our water and wastewater can cost businesses significant amounts of revenue infrastructure is out of sight, doesn’t mean it should be and almost instantly shrink the annual national Gross out of mind. Investing in the future of our water utilities Domestic Product (GDP).” now will help to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future. 2 Texas on Tap — February 2020
Understanding Your Water Quality: Regulation, Reporting and More
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afe drinking water is an essential need for human life, and Texas utilities work hard to ensure this resource remains accessible to their communities and in compliance with state and federal regulations. Protections and oversight begin with the federal government and are monitored locally by state regulatory agencies — ultimately, your public water system is required to meet specific standards to guarantee clean, potable drinking water. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was originally passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply. Originally, SDWA focused predominantly on treatment as the means of providing safe drinking water at the tap. In 1996, amendments to the act greatly improved the existing law by identifying source water protection, operator training, funding for water system improvements and public information as important components. This expanded approach ensures the quality of drinking water by protecting it from source to tap and acknowledging the importance of both protection and prevention alike. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets national requirements for tap water and prioritizes contaminants for potential regulation based on risk. In addition to legally enforcing actions against systems failing to meet health and safety standards, the EPA also works to increase understanding and compliance. At the state level, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) oversees regulation of plant design, operation, maintenance, sampling and notification requirements. Unlike many other states, Texas uses outside contractors (rather than the system itself) to sample the water of these systems which helps maintain objectivity to guarantee correct reporting. Furthermore, water suppliers conduct assessments of water sources to see where they may be vulnerable to contamination and produce annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) that overview detected contaminants and potential health impacts. Also regulating your water utility is the Public Utility Commission (PUC). This state agency oversees issues relating to your utility’s service area, wholesale and retail rates and customer service issues.
As technology advances, we begin to see more and more products on the market designed to enhance the quality of your drinking water. From faucet attachments to filtration and water softener systems, utility customers can often be convinced to unnecessarily spend thousands of dollars. While some of the enhancements are effective, it’s important to fully understand how these products may or may not impact your water quality. Your water system is required to make their CCR available by July 1 each year — this report includes information about your drinking water’s source, a summary of risk and other educational information. If any contaminant is detected in violation of EPA health standards at any time throughout the year, your system is required to notify you promptly. In this annual report, these violations (if any) will be reported, as well as an accounting of actions taken to restore safe drinking water. If you would like to view a copy of your system’s most recent report, contact them directly. To view a helpful infographic that will help you locate and better understand your water quality report, visit www.trwa.org/CCR. National and state authorities recognize that since everyone drinks water, everyone has the right to know what’s in it and where it comes from. Water suppliers must adhere to regulatory standards, provide notice if compliance isn’t maintained and report annually on water quality. Just because a filtration or other product is being marketed in your area does not mean your water is unsafe — often, these products are designed to remove chemicals or microbes that may not even be present in your water’s source. If you have a concern about the quality of your water, please reach out to your water utility directly, and before you spend a large chunk of change on accessories or systems, give your utility a call to discuss potential benefits.
Texas on Tap — February 2020
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Staying Informed, Safe and Vigilant Online
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eeping your accounts and information safe is critically important to your online safety. The fundamental approach hackers use hasn’t evolved much in recent years — they’re simply getting smarter and faster. The most common cybersecurity threats can be condensed to the following categories:
If you’re unsure about the validity of a link or file shared with you, copy and paste (be sure not to click!) links and files in an online scanner like: www. virusdesk.kaspersky.com. Not only does this service check safety in real-time, but it helps report new threats online.
Weak Passwords: This the number one avenue of approach for a bad actor. When a hacker discovers your password, they use bots to systematically login to thousands of online services, such as banks, YouTube and Facebook. It’s recommended to use different passwords for different systems. With today’s computing power, eight-character passwords can be hacked in 20 minutes. For increased safety online, consider using a password manager that creates and encrypts strong and unique passwords — common providers include LastPass and KeePass. Lastly, be sure to safeguard all devices by enabling security PINs, fingerprint/face ID locks or secure passwords. If your device is picked up by a bad actor, they are able to gain quite a bit of personal data in just a few minutes.
Social Engineering: Within a security context, social engineering means the use of psychological manipulation to trick people into divulging confidential information or providing access to funds. The art of social engineering might include mining information from social media sites. LinkedIn, Facebook and other venues provide a wealth of information about organizational personnel such as contact information, connections, friends, ongoing business deals and more. Be cautious of what you share publicly online. Be cognizant of language used as hackers often send information to personal contacts of a compromised account. Has your friend ever mentioned this fundraiser, charity or offer? Even if the answer is yes, be vigilant and verify the source is safe.
Phishing: Phishing emails are sent to large numbers of users simultaneously to “fish” sensitive information by posing as reputable sources — often with legitimate-looking logos attached. They commonly pose as banks, credit card providers, delivery firms, law enforcement and the IRS. A phishing campaign typically shoots out emails to huge numbers of users. These emails can trick you into going to a seemingly familiar site to input your password. When that doesn’t work, you try your next favorite password and then your third — now a bad actor has three of your top passwords. Beware of hackers who spoof their number or caller ID so the call appears to be from your water utility or any other entity who could potentially collect payment from you. When in doubt, hang up and call the utility or entity. Be especially cautious of any entity that is looking to initiate a remote session in which they can access your computer’s controls. Text messages can also be faked — it is highly unlikely for your utility or other entities to text you a link to confirm your identity. A good rule of thumb is to avoid sharing confidential information or clicking unknown links.
Malware: Malicious software can take on many forms and is usually spread via email and phishing attempts. Malware is often designed to collect data and report back to the mothership. There are several ways malware can spread, but that doesn't mean you're powerless to prevent it. For optimized safety, keep your computer and software updated, be cautious about links you click, use antivirus software from a reputable vendor and use an account with limited permissions if possible (if you do become infected, restricted permissions keep the malicious code from spreading and escalating to an administrative account). Ultimately, the best way to protect yourself online is to have an awareness of tactics hackers are currently using, which is constantly improving. To stay informed and on top of the latest security updates and best practices, check out blog.knowbe4.com — this material is curated by an ex-hacker who presents very technical information to non-technical viewers.
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Texas on Tap — February 2020
Prepare for Drought and Save Money with Efficient Yard Care
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exas is a huge state, and its weather patterns and demand on water supplies vary greatly across its regions. At the beginning of February, the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), a map that shows the location and intensity of drought across the country, showed that 49 percent of Texans reside in drought — a deficiency of precipitation over an extended period of time that results in a water shortage. At this time, the USDM states that an additional 16 percent of Texan residents are in especially dry areas. The USDM started in 2000. Since then, the longest duration of drought in Texas lasted 271 weeks beginning on May 4, 2010 and ending on July 7, 2015. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of October 4, 2011, which led to widespread crop and pasture losses and shortages of water, creating water emergencies. This drought affected 87.99 percent of Texas land. According to the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC), drought is a normal part of climate, and almost every place on Earth experiences times of less rain than usual. However, when dry conditions are prolonged, drought can put a strain on all uses, going beyond a lack of water, with economic, environmental and social impacts. Complicating these challenges, drought is unpredictable and even experts cannot tell when a drought first begins. What may actually be the early days of a drought may first be believed to be a dry spell. As stated on the National Drought Mitigation Center’s website, “If we don’t plan for drought and we assume instead that every year will be a good one, we’re eventually in for an unpleasant surprise. But if we plan for drought, then we can enjoy the benefits of normal or rainy years and not get caught unprepared in dry years.” Water conservation is a great way to plan ahead for water shortages and to make sure future Texans have enough water. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), watering a 1,000 square foot lawn 1 inch deep requires 620 gallons. So, it is easy to see how quickly efficient yard care practices can add up to make a big impact.
Making use of plants and grass with low water requirements is a great first step. Plants native to Texas are ideal. In addition to requiring less water, they can help keep Texas water clean because they can often thrive with less fertilizer and pesticides. According to the TCEQ website takecareoftexas. org, watering lawns infrequently yet thoroughly avoids weakening a lawn and wasting water, as well as carrying soil, fertilizers and pesticides into streams. TCEQ recommends watering up to 1 inch once a week, as needed. Timing is also important. Watering before 10 a.m. saves water and keeps plants healthiest, avoiding water loss due to evaporation associated with afternoon watering, and lawn and plant disease that can come with evening watering. Another way to conserve is to maintain and monitor sprinkler systems and make use of new technology. A water-efficient clock timer can save nearly 7,600 gallons of water annually over a standard irrigation controller, according to TCEQ. Rain or soil moisture sensors can determine a yard’s water needs and can even override an automatic watering system, depending on weather and landscape conditions. Make sure sprinkler heads are in proper working order, free from debris and that they are not leaking. Check that water is being properly applied at the right pressure and not being wasted on sidewalks or driveways. Sprinklers should spray large drops close to the ground, as wind can blow away water applied as a fog or mist. When possible, use a drip irrigation system, which can minimize evaporation and runoff by 60 percent or more. TCEQ recommends drip irrigation with plants such as ornamentals, vines or vegetables. These simple measures are not only a way to ensure a greener, more beautiful yard and garden, they are also an easy way you can do your part for the environment and to help there to be enough water for the future — all while saving money with a lower water bill. For more information about water conservation practices, visit takecareoftexas.org.
Texas on Tap — February 2020
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Thinking of Digging? Call 811 First!
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hether your next project involves digging a hole for a shrub, fence or a building foundation, pick up the phone before reaching for a shovel. Every project that involves digging in Texas needs to be located by Texas811 before ground is broken because chances are, there are underground water and sewer, electric, oil and gas, and telecom lines in the area. According to the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the national association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them and their communities, a utility line is damaged once every six minutes nationwide because someone started digging without first calling 811. Hitting a line can cause service disruptions to a home or neighborhood and serious injury. An accident can be expensive too. Damaging a line can lead to costly repairs and the person at fault can incur fines. The CGA found that 42 percent of homeowners who plan to dig this year for home improvement projects put themselves and their communities at risk by not first learning the approximate location of underground utilities. Texas law requires homeowners to contact Texas811 two business days before digging, even if the work will be done in the homeowner’s backyard. It is a good idea to plan ahead and call early in the week for a project planned for that weekend in order to allow enough time for the utility lines to be marked. In order to set up a locate request, callers need to provide information about the work, work location and the homeowner or company. Texas811 then provides caller information to local utility companies who send locators to each dig site to mark underground utility lines. The color of the markings indicates the kind of utility lines present, and the location of the markings indicates the approximate location of utility lines underground. Since the exact location of lines can shift slightly due to environmental factors, it is safest to carefully dig with hand tools within 18 inches of the markings until the lines are visible. The CGA explains that almost half of homeowners in the United States who will dig this year will complete landscaping projects that require a call to 811 at least a few days prior to digging. The most popular projects cited among surveyed homeowners include 6
Texas on Tap — February 2020
planting a tree or shrub, building a patio or deck, building a fence and installing a mailbox. Since many utility lines are buried just a few inches below ground, it is easy to hit a line when digging, even for these simple projects. If a spot was previously marked, it is still necessary to call Texas811 before digging, since erosion, humidity and root growth can change the depth or location of buried lines. Utility companies may also have completed work on lines since the last time a spot was marked. If you are digging in a small area and you do not want the entire yard marked, you can outline the area in white paint or white flags and let the Texas811 operator know so utility locators will only mark lines in the proper area. Homeowners can request to have their lines marked by calling 811 or following the instructions at texas811.org. If a contractor or landscaper is digging, it is their responsibility to contact Texas811 two business days prior to doing the work. You can verify a contractor or landscaper has taken the appropriate steps by requesting the ticket or notification number before any work begins. If the lines have not been marked, it is important to not let the contactor or landscaper begin digging. So call before you dig! Call 811 or visit texas811.org or more information.
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Texas Rural Water Association
1616 Rio Grande | Austin, Texas 78701
Texas on Tap Published by Texas Rural Water Association 1616 Rio Grande, Austin, TX 78701 www.trwa.org
TRWA Editorial Staff Lara Zent, Editor in Chief Allison Kaminsky, Managing Editor Kelsey Copeland, Art Director
Questions? General correspondence should be directed to your utility office. Editorial inquiries may be directed TRWA Communications Staff at (512) 472-8591 or editor@trwa.org On the cover: Smiling Water Tower Photo Credit: Andrew Yahin