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Small System Water Operator Training

Small System Water Operator Training

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has developed this virtual training for operators and owners of small, privately-owned public drinking water supplies across the state. Topics include EGLE's new MIEHDWIS database, capacity development, coliform bacteria source investigation, cross connection, system maintenance, communications, water system emergencies, and other issues relative to small drinking water supplies.

Upcoming webinars

There are no webinars scheduled at this time. Check back soon!

Past recordings

2025

Session 1 - General Plans and Reliability Studies, (Recorded 8/5/25, 1 hour 19 minutes)

  • This training focuses on providing small system water operators and owners with information on general plans and reliability studies for both community and noncommunity water supplies, including community water supply well approval process overview (submittals for test wells, adverse resource impact pre-screening assessment, well site inspection, test well approval, aquifer test, permitting, commencement of operation)

Session 2 - Well Approval Process for Community and Noncommunity Water Supplies, (Recorded 8/7/25, 1 hour 16 minutes)

  • This training will focus on providing small system water operators and owners with an overview of the current well approval process for community and noncommunity water systems. 

Session 3 - Technical, Managerial, and Financial Capacity and Available Resources for Water Supplies, (Recorded 8/12/25, 1 hour 8 minutes)

  • Information for small system water operators and owners on technical, managerial, and financial capacity and available free resources to maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and potential solutions for TMF deficiencies and case studies 

Session 4 - Standard Operation Procedures, (Recorded 8/13/25, 1 hour 4 minutes)

  • This training will assist small system water operators and owners with understanding standard operating procedures for water systems.

Session 5 - Campgrounds, Seasonal Start-ups, and System Classification, (Recorded 8/14/25, 1 hour 11 minutes)

  • Information for small system water operators and owners on campgrounds, seasonal start-up procedures, and general information on system classification for water supplies. 

2024

Sessions 1 - MiEHDWIS/ Drinking Water Viewer (Recorded 7/30/24, Duration 1 Hour, 3 Minutes)

  • This training will focus on providing small system water operators and owners with information on EGLE DWEHD’s Michigan Environmental Health and Drinking Water Information System (MiEHDWIS) Database and EGLE’s Drinking Water Viewer.

Session 2 - Consumer Confidence Reports (Recorded 7/31/24, Duration 50 Minutes)

  • This training will focus on providing small system water operators and owners with an overview of the consumer confidence report rules and requirements.

Session 3 - Asset Management (Recorded 8/1/24, Duration 1 Hour 16 Minutes)

  • This training will focus on providing small system water operators and owners with information on asset management programs.

Session 4 - Operator Oversight (Recorded 8/6/24, Duration 1 Hour 12 Minutes)

  • This training will focus on assisting small system water operators and owners on operator oversight requirements and guidance for maintaining compliance.

Session 5 - Lead Service Line Replacement/Distribution System Materials Inventory (Recorded 8/8/24, Duration 48 Minutes)

  • This training will focus on providing small system water operators and owners with information on lead service line replacements and the complete distribution system material inventory.

2023

Session 1: MiEHDWIS and Capacity Development (Recorded 08/08/2023, Duration 1 Hour 2 Minutes)

  • This training will focus on providing small system water operators and owners with information on EGLE DWEHD’s new MiEHDWIS Database and Capacity Development for water supplies.

Session 2: The Continuous Coliform: Investigations of Coliform Bacteria in Water Systems (Recorded 08/10/2023, Duration 1 Hour 11 Minutes)

  • This training will focus on providing small system water operators and owners with case studies that investigated the source of coliform bacteria in water systems.

Session 3: Cross Connections and Flushing & Valve Exercising (Recorded 08/15/2023, Duration 1 Hour 6 Minutes)

  • This training will focus on providing small system water operators and owners with information on cross connection basics and minimum cross connection program requirements.  This training session will also review the benefits and basic principles of implementing a flushing and valve exercising program within a distribution system.

Session 4: Transparency and Communications with Consumers (Recorded 08/17/2023, Duration 1 Hour 3 Minutes)

  • This training will focus on assisting small system water operators and owners with how to be transparent about their water system and how to improve communication with water consumers.

Session 5: Response and Planning for Water System Emergencies(Recorded 08/22/2023, Duration 1 Hour)

  • This training will focus on providing small system water operators and owners with information and guidance on how to address water system emergencies.