Safeguarding Drinking Water in an Era of Emerging Contaminants
Sunset in the Appalachian Foothills, Kentucky
PIPE
• PVC PRESSURE PIPE
• C900
• DUCTILE IRON
• AQUAMINE
• CORRUGATED PLASTIC AND GALVANIZED
• CARBON & STAINLESS STEEL PIPE
VALVES
• HYDRANTS
• GATE, GLOBE, & CHECKS
• BALL VALVES
• BUTTERFLY VALVES
• PLUG VALVES
FABRICATION SHOP
• CUSTOM HDPE VALVE VAULTS
• CUTTING & GROOVING SERVICES UP TO 24”
• THREADING CAPABILITIES OF TO 6”
• 10,000 SQ/FT HDPE FABRICATION SHOP
• CUSTOM HDPE FABRICATION UP TO 24” AND SPOOLS UP TO 36”
• HDPE SPECIALIST WILL COME TO YOUR JOBSITE & MEASURE & PROVIDE FULL CAD DRAWINGS
• 2-36” HDPE FUSION MACHINES AVAILABLE TO RENT
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
• IN-HOUSE VALVE ACTUATION SHOP
• IN-HOUSE BULK HOSE AND ASSEMBLY SHOP
Phone: (304) 736-8333 Parkersburg, WV Phone: (304) 464-4400
WV Phone: (304) 252-0000
VA
(276) 679-1224
Water Treatment Chemicals, Equipment and Local Service
Mini bulk delivery
Tailored treatment programs designed specifically for your facility
Large selection of equipment: pumps, tanks and so much more
Hawkins Products:
•Phosphorus removal
•Corrosion control
•Zebra mussel control
•Bioaugmentation, biological controls
•Settling aids
•Disinfection chemicals
•Odor control chemicals
•Dechlorination chemicals
•TSS (Total Suspended Solids) control
•Lagoon sludge reduction
•Dewatering polymers and so much more
•Antifoams
Paintsville
TREASURER
David
Caveland
Inc. National
DIRECTOR
William
East
DIRECTOR
Jon
South
DIRECTOR
Russ Rose
County Water District
Water District
Oldham County Water District
DIRECTOR
Stephen Whitaker
McCreary County Water District
ASSOCIATE ADVISOR
Clay
Strand Associates
GENERAL COUNSEL
Damon Talley
Stoll Keenon Ogden, PLLC
Partners in Progress: KRWA Works to Strengthen Rural Water
Scott Young, Executive Director, Kentucky Rural Water Association
Dear Utility Members, Industry Partners, and Friends,
As spring arrives across the Commonwealth, it brings a renewed sense of momentum and opportunity for Kentucky’s water and wastewater community. This season of growth is a fitting time to reflect on the progress we continue to make together – and to look ahead to the important work still before us.
At KRWA, we enter 2026 focused on strengthening the services and support our members rely on every day.
From hands-on technical assistance and high-quality training to strong legislative advocacy, our mission remains unchanged: helping utilities help themselves. We are committed to ensuring that utilities of all sizes have the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to provide safe, reliable, and sustainable water and wastewater services.
The challenges facing our industry continue to evolve, but so does our collective ability to meet them. Through collaboration, innovation, and dedication, Kentucky’s utility professionals consistently demonstrate
AMI WORKS BETTER WHEN IT’S BUILT FOR YOU
Sincerely,
leadership that makes a meaningful difference in the communities you serve.
Thank you for your continued engagement, trust, and partnership with KRWA. As we move through the spring and into the year ahead, we look forward to working alongside you to support your success and strengthen rural water across the Commonwealth.
Scott Young Executive Director Kentucky Rural Water Association
KRWA Staff Appreciation
The support and feedback we receive from utilities mean a great deal to us and also help demonstrate to lawmakers the vital role KRWA plays in assisting small communities with their water and wastewater needs. These notes and letters of appreciation not only encourage our team but also strengthen our efforts to advocate for programs that benefi t rural communities across Kentucky.
“Representatives are always professional & knowledgeable!”
– Emory Thomas, Beech Grove Water System
“Chris (Klotter) was very nice, knowledgeable, and very professional. He has been extremely helpful. Thank you all.”
– Troy Popp, Eminence Water Works
“Thank you for helping us with our needs. It’s always a pleasure to work with KRWA. You all are the BEST!”
– David Bollinger, Taylorsville Water & Sewer
“She (Brittany Ditmer) has been helpful as we train new staff and, myself, as a new mayor.”
– Sabrina Hazen, City of Falmouth
“Jasper (Wyatt) was great! He explained everything I was asking about, and walked me through everything.”
– Johnna Roark, South Logan Water District
“Jason (Pennell) is excellent to work with! He resolved our issues fast and helped with a PSC filing!”
– Shannon Yeast, South Anderson Water District
“We had 88 customers without water from 11-26-25 to 11-28-25. We were unable to find the leak. Danny (Stinson) used his meter and tracked it down! We walked and looked without any luck finding this leak. Without Danny and his meter, I don’t know how we would have found it. It was going down and coming out in a secluded area, then going about two feet into a culvert. Then crossing the road into a river shed. I have been an employee for 18 years, and this is the second hardest leak to find during my time here. Thank you for all the help.
Danny is a great guy and an excellent worker.”
– Estill McIntosh, Breathitt Co. Water District
“Chloe (Brantley) helped us get two wells abandoned. Chloe was very interested in everything about the task at hand and also the entire workings of the plant. She was upbeat and positive with the well men and our staff as well. She talks a lot, but not as much as Jack Stickney. Thank you, Chloe and KRWA!”
– Trent Underwood, Garrison Quincy Water District
“David (Flowers) is a good guy. He certainly knows his way around a plant. I would not hesitate to call him if I needed information or help. He takes his job seriously. That’s refreshing in today’s world.”
– Casey Jordan, Barbourville Utilities
“Pete (Conrad) knows everyone and how to do everything! We really appreciate his assistance! He was a great help!”
Executive Director
Scott Young
Director of Programs and Operations
Joe Burns
Director of Finance & Administration
Daniel Reetzke
Director of Information Technology
Bryan Burns
Director of Education
Randall Kelley
Director of Professional Development
George Haynes II
Director of Workforce Development
Heather Stevenson
Education Coordinator
Kenzie Jessup
Member Services Coordinator
Bobbie Shanahan Accounting
Donna Meador
Marketing & Business Development Coordinator
Savannah Goad
Source Water Specialist
Chloe Brantley
Energy Efficiency Specialist
Matt Glass
Accounting
Pam Byrd
Water & Wastewater Specialist
Tim Blanton
Circuit Rider
Nathan Gassaway
Circuit Rider
Danny Stinson
Circuit Rider
David Flowers
GIS Coordinator
Jasper Wyatt
Wastewater Specialist
Brittany Ditmer
Wastewater Specialist
Chris Klotter
Compliance Specialist
Jeff Rayford
Compliance Specialist
Pete Conrad
Compliance Specialist
Clem Wethington
Compliance Specialist
Arianna Lageman
Compliance Specialist
Jason Pennell
Compliance Specialist
Todd Ritter
GIS Specialist
Whitney Denney
Supporting Kentucky utility infrastructure
The tools rural communities need to grow stronger are well within reach, and we help local leaders use them wisely. Raymond James works with communities to cultivate a variety of development projects across the United States and right here in Kentucky. With over $2 billion in loan issuances for Kentucky Rural Water’s successful lending programs, our experienced and local banking team is committed to funding the progress of Kentucky’s utility infrastructure.
Proud partner to Kentucky Rural Water’s successful lending programs
$1,200,000,000+ in Interim Loan Program issuance (more than 500 loans)
$830,000,000+ in Flexible Term Program issuance (more than 350 loans)
Program partners
Rural Water Financing Agency
Raymond James Rubin & Hays
Regions
RAYMOND JAMES FINANCE TEAM
KENTUCKY RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION
2026 Operator EXPO
May 13–14, 2026 | Hardin County Fairgrounds, Glendale, KY
Get ready for hands-on learning, friendly competition, and plenty of fun – the Operator EXPO is back! This outdoor event is designed for water and wastewater professionals to see, use, and learn about the latest tools and equipment in our industry.
Highlights include:
• Pre-EXPO training with 4 hours of continuing education on Wednesday afternoon.
• A Golf Scramble at Lincoln Trail Golf Course with an 8:30 AM tee time.
• Full-day training with 6 hours of continuing education on Thursday, plus breakfast and a cookout lunch.
• Contests, prizes, and a complimentary t-shirt for all registered attendees.
Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, connect with fellow operators, or just have a great time outdoors, this is an event you won’t want to miss!
Register today at krwa.org/operator-expo.
The People Who Keep the Water World Spinning
An Education Coordinator’s Perspective
By Kenzie Jessup, Education Coordinator Kentucky Rural Water Association
Normal is an illusion. It only exists because someone is constantly preventing things from going wrong.
Every time a faucet opens or a toilet flushes, an entire system responds instantly and without hesitation. That response is not automatic. It is the result of skilled professionals who anticipate failure, manage risk, and make decisions long before anyone else notices a problem.
From my role as an education coordinator, I sit just outside the spotlight of drinking water and wastewater operations. I am not in the plant during a process upset or responding to alarms in the dark. I am not on site during a main break or a lift station failure. My work lives in course schedules, certification records, training approvals, and continuing education hours. Yet those details reveal the discipline required to keep systems stable.
I see operators who treat training as part of the job, not an obligation. Drinking water operators refining treatment and distribution practices. Wastewater operators manage fl ows, loads, and infrastructure that never pauses. I see names attached to courses that must be deliberately planned around long shifts, staffing constraints, and constant system demands. Training is not convenient. It is strategic.
When operators show up to learn, they bring the fi eld with them. Their questions come from lived experience. Equipment operating past its design life. Weather events that stress systems in new ways. Regulations that evolve faster than infrastructure can. Communities that depend on quiet reliability every hour of every day. These are not classroom exercises.
These are decisions that protect public health and the environment.
What is most striking is how little recognition this work receives. Operators do not perform for attention. They measure success by stability. When drinking water is safe, it fades into the background. When wastewater is treated correctly, it disappears without notice. In this profession, excellence is invisible.
From the education side, our role is to reinforce that excellence. We ensure training is credible, relevant, and grounded in real world application. We track compliance, submit records, and design schedules that respect the realities of operations. Behind every completed course is an operator who chose preparedness over complacency.
Drinking water and wastewater operators work on different ends of the same cycle, but their responsibility is shared. Safeguard public health. Protect the environment. Maintain trust. One ensures clean water reaches homes and businesses. The other ensures what leaves does not harm waterways or downstream communities. Together, they uphold a system that modern life depends on but rarely acknowledges.
Normal exists because they are there. Watching systems. Anticipating problems. Making adjustments before small issues become public crises. From my vantage point behind the scenes, one thing is clear. These professionals are not simply keeping things running. They are holding the line every single day.
Safeguarding Drinking Water in an Era of Emerging Contaminants
By Chloe Brantley, Source Water Specialist Kentucky Rural Water Association
Emerging contaminants are reshaping the landscape of drinking water protection. Across the United States, utilities, regulators, and communities are confronting a growing class of chemicals that were never part of traditional water management frameworks. These contaminants, referred to as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), are increasingly detected in rivers, reservoirs, and aquifers, yet remain only partially understood, inconsistently regulated, and diffi cult to remove through conventional treatment processes. At the same time, water systems are facing mounting pressures from climate change, aging infrastructure, land use change, and intensifying development.
Together, these forces are pushing source water protection to the forefront of public health, environmental policy, and utility resilience planning.
UNDERSTANDING
EMERGING CONTAMINANTS
Emerging contaminants include a wide range of substances such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial chemicals, microplastics, perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pesticides, and endocrine-disrupting compounds. Many of these chemicals were not historically monitored because they were either undetectable with older analytical methods or not previously recognized as health or ecological risks. These contaminants enter water sources through multiple pathways:
“Emerging contaminants include a wide range of substances such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial chemicals, microplastics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pesticides, and endocrine-disrupting compounds.”
wastewater discharges, stormwater runoff, agricultural activity, industrial effluent, improper disposal, landfill leachate, and atmospheric deposition. Once in the environment, many persist, bioaccumulate, and resist natural degradation. Some are associated with endocrine disruption, antibiotic resistance, cancer risk, immune system impacts, and long-term ecological damage. The challenge is not only their presence, but their complexity. Emerging contaminants often occur in mixtures, interact with other chemicals, and behave differently across ecosystems, making risk assessment and regulation signifi cantly more diffi cult.
THE “ONE WATER” PERSPECTIVE
Modern water management requires a “One Water” approach that recognizes drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, reuse, and watershed systems are interconnected parts of a single cycle. Pollution introduced in one segment inevitably affects the others. Effective source water protection therefore depends on cross-sector coordination among utilities, regulators, watershed
groups, industries, agricultural stakeholders, and communities. Breaking down institutional silos allows for shared data systems, coordinated monitoring, integrated planning, and collaborative pollution prevention strategies.
LESSONS FROM REAL-WORLD INCIDENTS
History has repeatedly demonstrated the vulnerability of drinking water sources to chemical releases. In 2017, a catastrophic barge failure on the Ohio River released 467,000 gallons of urea ammonium nitrate, threatening downstream drinking water supplies for Louisville, Kentucky; Evansville, Indiana; and Henderson, Kentucky. Real-time monitoring and rapid operational response allowed utilities to avoid intake during peak contaminant concentrations.
Search for the following Source Water Protection Resources:
• Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program
• Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO)
• Drinking Water Mapping Application to Protect Source Waters (DWMAPS)
• Using Clean Water Act Discharge Permits to Protect Drinking Water Sources. May 2024.
• Occurrence of Releases with the Potential to Impact Sources of Drinking Water. February 2021.
• Online Source Water Quality Monitoring – Water Quality Surveillance and Response Systems
• How’s My Waterway
• USGS Super Gage Network
• UST Finder
• PFAS Analytic Tools
• WaterSuite
• Source Water Collaborative
Earlier, in 2014, the Elk River spill in West Virginia released 10,000 gallons of 4-MCHM just upstream of a municipal intake, leaving approximately 300,000 residents without potable water for days. This incident directly infl uenced federal policy, leading to amendments under the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018 that require community water systems to receive notifi cation of chemical releases.
In 2023, the train derailment incident in East Palestine, Ohio resulted in a massive fi re and the release of hazardous chemicals, most notably vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate. This contaminant release threatened many local and downstream water utilities and required enhanced source water monitoring and sampling as the plume moved downstream. Butyl acrylate was detected over 700 miles downstream although below levels that caused concern. This led to an ongoing environmental and public health crisis that Norfolk Southern estimates will cost more than $1 billion to address the contamination and other harms and improve rail safety and operations.
These events underscore a critical truth: source water protection is not theoretical; it is operational risk management.
MONITORING, DATA, AND EARLY WARNING
Advances in monitoring technology are transforming source water protection. Real-time sensors, continuous water quality monitoring, predictive modeling, and remote data access now allow systems to move from reactive responses to proactive risk management, like identifying vulnerabilities, tracking trends, and supporting informed operational decisions before public health impacts occur. Modern source water protection depends on data-driven decision-making. Networks such as the USGS Super Gage Network provide realtime monitoring of fl ow, water quality, and nutrient concentrations, offering utilities early warning capabilities.
INVESTIGATING AND CONTROLLING POLLUTION AT THE SOURCE
Real-time source water quality monitoring on the Ohio River detected 1,4-dioxane (1,4-D), a suspected carcinogen with no federal drinking water standard. Using federal tools such as TRI and ECHO, investigators traced more than 90% of the contamination to a single industrial discharge from APG Polytech in Apple Grove, West Virginia. Utilities including West Virginia American Water, Greater Cincinnati Water Works and Louisville Water Company utilized regulatory action and litigation via discharge permitting that in a consent decree to substantially reduce discharges to the Ohio River. This case illustrates a core principle of source water protection: it is far more effective and more affordable to prevent contamination at the source than to rely solely on treatment after the fact.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND COMPOUNDING RISKS
Climate change is amplifying emerging contaminant challenges. Warmer water temperatures, extreme precipitation events, drought conditions, and shifting hydrologic patterns increase the mobilization of pollutants, nutrient loading, and harmful algal blooms. These changes intensify contaminant transport while simultaneously stressing treatment infrastructure and source water reliability. Lakes, reservoirs, and river systems are experiencing more frequent taste-and-odor events, toxin production, and treatment challenges. Utilities are increasingly forced to invest in advanced treatment processes, powdered activated carbon systems, and enhanced monitoring to manage these risks. As climate pressures grow, source water protection becomes not only a contamination control strategy, but a climate adaptation tool.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND INVESTMENT PRESSURES
These emerging threats are unfolding alongside signifi cant infrastructure challenges. Federal investment in
“Federal investment in water infrastructure has declined dramatically over the past several decades, shifting financial burdens to states, utilities, and ratepayers. At the same time, systems are being asked to manage more complex contaminants, climate risks, and regulatory expectations, often with limited resources.”
water infrastructure has declined dramatically over the past several decades, shifting fi nancial burdens to states, utilities, and ratepayers. At the same time, systems are being asked to manage more complex contaminants, climate risks, and regulatory expectations, often with limited resources.
A PATH FORWARD
Protecting source water in the era of emerging contaminants requires an integrated strategy:
• Risk-based source water assessments to identify vulnerabilities
• Real-time monitoring and early warning systems
• Cross-sector collaboration between drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and watershed partners
• Upstream pollution prevention and enforcement
• Public transparency and community engagement
• Sustained infrastructure investment
LOOKING FORWARD
Emerging contaminants represent one of the defining water challenges of the 21st century. Their complexity, persistence, and widespread presence demand a shift in how drinking water systems are protected. The future of water security will depend not only on treatment technology, but on prevention, planning, collaboration, and resilience. Source water protection is no longer simply an environmental goal – it is a public health imperative, an economic safeguard, and a foundation to ensure that safe drinking water remains not just a service, but a guarantee.
ProSource Water Products, Ltd.
ON CORE & MAIN’S
DEPENDABLE EXPERTISE COUNT
A Leading Specialized Distributor of Water, Wastewater, Storm Drainage and Fire Protection Products, and Related Services
When you need the right product or relevant and expert advice to help you get your job done right, Core & Main is your trusted partner. With our nationwide footprint, we’re here to deliver solutions and core infrastructure products directly to Main Streets in your community.
Count on us to be committed to the best solutions for your success, now and for the long term.
Bowling Green 3352 Industrial Dr. 270-783-8721
Louisville 13106 Middletown Ind Blvd. 502-253-0002
Lexington 2141 Christian Rd. 859-253-3464
Horse Cave (Geothermal) 106 Cherry St. 270-786-3010
Louisville (Geosynthetics) 4460 Allmond Ave. 502-368-5468
Solutions and support you can count on.
SOLVING THE PROBLEMS
How the CORE+ Team at Core & Main Delivers Practical, Right-sized Solutions
Rural Kentucky utilities operate under constant pressure. Small staffs manage large service areas. Infrastructure is aging. Budgets are tight. And when something goes wrong, there’s rarely a backup crew waiting in the wings.
The CORE+ team at Core & Main was built to address these realities with solutions that solve real operational problems, not theoretical ones.
CORE+ focuses on helping utilities see their systems clearly, prioritize the right investments, and reduce the number of surprises that turn into emergencies.
REDUCING WATER LOSS WHERE
IT ACTUALLY
HAPPENS
Non-revenue water is one of the toughest challenges rural systems face, especially when long water mains, elevation changes, and limited staffing make leaks hard to find. The CORE+ team helps utilities move beyond estimates and assumptions by putting visibility directly into the distribution system.
Using targeted fl ow monitoring at key points, pressure sensors in high-risk areas, acoustic leak detection, and advanced metering data, CORE+
helps utilities break their system into manageable zones and understand how water is truly moving. This zone-based approach allows operators to compare expected versus actual fl ows, identify abnormal nighttime usage, and quickly pinpoint areas where losses are occurring.
Instead of chasing leaks based on complaints or responding after a main break, utilities can confirm losses with data, narrow the search area, and prioritize repairs that will deliver the greatest return. The result is less wasted water, fewer unnecessary excavations, and capital dollars spent where they matter most, helping rural utilities protect limited resources while improving overall system reliability.
BRINGING VISIBILITY TO REMOTE ASSETS
Many rural utilities operate lift stations, tanks, and valves that are miles apart and diffi cult to check daily. CORE+ solutions provide remote monitoring for critical assets, giving operators early warning when conditions change.
For wastewater systems, this means knowing when a lift station is running
By Payton Duncan, CORE+ Solutions Manager
longer than normal or when levels are trending toward a failure. For water systems, it can mean tracking tank levels, pressure changes, or abnormal fl ow conditions. The result is fewer emergency callouts, less overtime, and more confi dence that the system is operating as it should.
MAKING METER DATA WORK HARDER
Meter data is often underutilized, especially in smaller systems. CORE+ helps utilities turn meter readings into actionable information by enabling better visibility into customer usage, leak indicators, and system demand.
This allows utilities to identify continuous flows, high-usage anomalies, and potential customer-side leaks earlier, before they become billing disputes or service issues. It also supports more accurate water audits and long-term planning.
SUPPORTING SMARTER MAINTENANCE DECISIONS
Without good data, maintenance is often reactive. CORE+ solutions help utilities shift toward a more proactive approach by highlighting trends that signal developing problems.
Pressure fluctuations, flow anomalies, and runtime patterns can all point to assets under stress. By identifying these issues early, utilities can schedule maintenance on their terms instead of responding to failures after hours or during peak demand.
DESIGNED FOR SMALL TEAMS AND TIGHT BUDGETS
CORE+ solutions are intentionally scalable. Utilities can start with a single problem area, such as a high-loss zone or a troublesome lift station, and expand over time as funding allows. Each step delivers measurable value, helping justify future investment.
Clear data also strengthens funding applications by providing documentation to support capital needs, grant requests, and regulatory reporting.
A PARTNER IN THE FIELD
What sets CORE+ apart is how the solutions are delivered. The team works directly with operators, managers, and engineers to ensure technologies fit the system and the staff supporting it. Training and ongoing support are part of the process, helping utilities get lasting value from the solutions they implement.
For rural Kentucky utilities, CORE+ is about solving the problems that matter most: reducing water loss, protecting critical assets, improving reliability, and making limited resources go further. It’s not about adding complexity, it’s about making everyday operations simpler, more predictable, and more sustainable.
Wellfield
AMI & IoT Communications Network
Mark your calendar for August 24–26, 2026, as the Kentucky Rural Water Association returns to Lexington, Kentucky, for our 2026 Annual Conference & Exhibition at the Central Bank Center and Hyatt Regency Lexington.
Built around the theme “Keys to Success,” this years’ conference will bring together utility professionals, industry partners, and industry leaders for three days of education, networking, and connection. Attendees can expect at least 12 CEUs, a packed exhibit hall, and the return of favorite networking events – including the Sunday Evening Welcome Reception hosted by our Platinum Partner, Hawkins, Inc., and the Women of Rural Water Social Hour, hosted by our Gold Partner, The Sherwin-Williams Company.
SAVETHE DATENOW!
DID YOU KNOW?
Quality On Tap! was created by NRWA in 1996 as the first practical, hands-on guide to better public relations for water utilities. Today, the QOT logo can be found around rural America on water towers and utility vehicles, spreading awareness to turn on the tap.
Resources and more information are available for utilities at nrwa.org/about/quality-on-tap/ water utilities. Today, the QOT spreading
Celebrating 50 Years of National Rural Water Association
In 2026, the National Rural Water Association celebrates 50 years of service to rural water and wastewater utilities across the country. For five decades, NRWA has supported the people behind these systems by providing training, technical assistance, and advocacy that help communities thrive.
This milestone anniversary is a moment to reflect on the dedication, hard work, and shared commitment of rural water professionals, and to look ahead to the continued strength and success of rural water systems for generations to come.
PFAS Cost Recovery Program
Phase 2
In partnership with the National Rural Water Association and Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, we are sharing this call to action with you concerning the Phase 2 Settlement Deadline for the PFAS Cost Recovery Program.
Is this supported by our Association?
Act Now to Access Funding
Gain access to $15.4 Billion Dollar Settlement for PFAS Detections and Contamination. Systems must register to receive this funding. There is zero cost to register into the program.
Deadlines and Urgency
3M/DuPont Settlements
Phase 1 of the 3M/Dupont settlement has ended.
Who is Eligible?
Any public water system that has tested and found detections of ANY PFAS chemical, at any level, is eligible to receive an award from this settlement based on level of detection and maximum daily flows. This includes all 29 PFAS compounds included in the UCMR5 monitoring rule.
Contingent Cost
There is no cost to register into the cost recovery program. Your utility will have no costs unless Napoli Law recovers funds for your system.
Yes, this program was initiated in 2018 when National Rural Water Association engaged the law firm of Napoli Law to file litigation on behalf of its members and all public water supplies. We encourage your system to register into the settlement to lessen the financial burden on your system and rate payers. ? $
Phase 2 of the settlement is now open for systems that tested after June 22, 2023. The deadline to register in the program to be eligible for the settlement is July 12, 2026.
Additional Settlements
Twelve other companies are in the settlement process with no set deadlines yet. Napoli Law will ensure your system is included in all applicable settlements.
How much will my utility receive?
The amount will depend on the level of detection, the compound detected, and maximum daily flows.
There are no strings attached to the funding your system receives; the decision to utilize funds is at the discretion of the utility. There are no approvals or reporting requirements. Unrestricted Funds
PFAS Contamination
Many systems have tested positive for PFAS across the nation. Time is of the essence, act now and protect your utility and ratepayers from the costs of PFAS remediation and treatment. To date, Napoli Law has recovered:
Additional Information
Register your system into the settlement at www.napolilaw.com/nrwa-pfas
There is no obligation. Hank Naughton or Sam Wade with Napoli Law will contact you to provide additional details and answer any questions you may have.
Is someone available to meet with our board/council?
Napoli Law welcomes the opportunity to connect with your board/council, staff or legal representative just give them a call or email.
In order to participate in these settlements, public water systems need to submit four different forms to the Claims Administrator:
A completed IRS Form W-9.
Evidence of any remedial action taken for PFAS.
Looking to Learn More?
You can visit NRWA’s website by scanning the QR Code below to learn more about the PFAS Cost Recovery Program and PFAS in general.
Hank Naughton, Managing Partner
ENGINEERING oneWATER
• Process Design
• Pumping and Conveyance
• Stormwater Infrastructure
• Water Resources
• Asset Condition Assessment and Management
• Indirect/Direct Potable Water Reuse
• Hydraulic Process Modeling
• Regulatory Permitting and Compliance
Thank You to Our Corporate
Partners
GOLD
SILVER
Upcoming Events
MARCH
18–19 UMI – Utility Organization, Regulation, & Law London, KY 24–25 Continuing Education for Water Operators Gilbertsville, KY
APRIL
MAY
Surface Water Treatment Certifi cation School Falls of Rough, KY
Continuing Education for Operators, Cave City, KY
JUNE
23–25 Wastewater Treatment Certifi cation School Greenup, KY 23–25 Drinking Water Distribution Certifi cation School Greenup, KY
UMI – Utility Finance & Administration Morehead, KY
2026 CONFERENCES – SAVE THE DATE!
May 13–14, 2026 Operator Expo, Glendale, KY
August 24–26, 2026 Annual Conference, Lexington , KY
November 4–5, 2026 Management Conference, Bowling Green, KY
Upcoming Events
JULY
7–9 Surface Water Treatment Certifi cation School Florence, KY
7–9 Wastewater Collection Certification School, Florence, KY
AUGUST
12–13 UMI – Human Resource Management for Utilities Madisonville, KY
18–20 Drinking Water Distribution Certifi cation School Carrollton, KY
18–20 Groundwater Certifi cation School, Carrollton, KY 24–26 2026 Annual Conference, Lexington, KY
SEPTEMBER
22–23 UMI – Public Relations in Utility Management Louisville, KY
Water Supply Engineering Exploration / Modeling Source Water Protection Emerging Contaminants PFAS (e.g., PFOA + PFOS) GIS Solutions for Utilities Hands-On Training Mobile Work Orders Asset Management Regulatory Compliance Support Lead & Copper Rule Improvements
OCTOBER
20–22 Wastewater Treatment Certifi cation School Burkesville, KY 20–22 Drinking Water Distribution Certifi cation School Burkesville, KY
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
8–10
Treatment Certifi cation School Louisville, KY 8–10
Collection Certifi cation School Louisville, KY
Waterproof is made possible by the companies below who convey their important messages on our pages. We thank them for their support of the KRWA and its publication and encourage you to contact them when making your purchasing decisions. To make it easier to contact these companies, we have included the page number of their advertisement, their phone number, and, where applicable, their website.
Ardurra 32 865-670-8555 www.ardurra.com
Bennett & Williams Environmental Consultants, Inc. 36 614-882-9122 www.bennettandwilliams.com
BL Anderson Company 35 513-889-4746 www.blanderson.com
Brenntag Mid-South 14 270-830-1200 www.brenntag.com
Commonwealth Engineers 14 800-289-1177 www.commonwealthengineers.com
Core & Main 18 502-253-0002 www.coreandmain.com
Dixon Engineering, Inc. 32 800-327-1578 www.dixonengineering.net
GRW 35 859-223-3999 www.grwinc.com
Harmsco Filtration Products 32 800-327-3248 www.harmsco.com
Hawkins Water Treatment Group 3 877-957-1510 www.hawkinsinc.com/groups/water-treatment
Herrick Company, Inc. 28 502-839-3484 www.herrick-company.com
JABO Supply 2 800-334-5226 www.jabosupply.com
Kentucky 811 4 811 www.kentucky811.org Kentucky Engineering Group, PLLC 39 859-251-4127 www.kyengr.com
Kenvirons, Inc. 6 502-695-4357 www.kenvirons.com
National Water Services, LLC 28 502-893-4405 www.national-water.com NECO Water 22 513-851-8008 www.necowater.com
Neptune Technology Group Inc. 7 800-633-8754 www.neptunetg.com/home
ProSource Water Products, Ltd. 17 888-772-5478 www.prosourcewaterproducts.com
Raymond James 10 859-232-8211 www.raymondjames.com
Rural Water Financing Agency 37 844-675-2627 www.ruralwaterfinance.com
Strand Associates Inc. 14 502-583-7020 www.strand.com
Summit Architects + Engineers 13 859-264-9860 www.summit-ae.com
The Sherwin-Williams Company 22 502- 969-1125 www.sherwin-williams.com
Thornton, Musso & Bellemin, Inc. 12 800-762-9104 www.tmbwater.com
United Systems & Software, Inc. 24 800-455-3293 www.united-systems.com
USABlueBook 40 800-548-1234 www.usabluebook.com
Veolia North America 34 617-849-6600 www.veolianorthamerica.com
WASCON 27 800-952-4236 www.wasconinc.com
Wet Or Dry Water Tank Inspection Services 24 502-532-6190 www.aye.net/~diver
To reach Kentucky’s rural water industry professionals through Waterproof and its targeted readership, contact Rod at your earliest convenience to discuss your company’s promotional plans.
Rod Evason, Marketing Manager
Phone: 204-799-2426 Email: rod@kelman.ca
Experience the Advantage
