Effective Work in Indian County Effective Work with Rural and Tribal Water Systems

Trainer Ron Sundberg RDS I Tribal Circuit Rider Northern California

Tribal Circuit Rider Program RCAC’s circuit rider program has assisted tribes since the mid 90’s Circuit rider team is comprised of highly certified water and wastewater operator and engineers.

What do Circuit Riders Do? Provide technical assistance to Tribal water and wastewater systems in in region 9: California Arizona Nevada

The Circuit Circuits enable CR’s to routinely visit tribal systems Consistency Availability Rapport

Typical Work A single circuit can include a dozen site visits and multiple project work in a 3-4 day span Not project centric like other programs (HHS, USDA RD) Can utilize community work plans

Drinking Water / Wastewater Regulatory Cycle

Tribal Utilities Tribal Chairperson Utility Director Utility Manager Water/Wastewater Operator Tribal EPA/EPO Other Tribal Departments Tribal Council General Council

Non-Tribal Utility Town Council Mayor Other Department Head Public Works Director Plant Supervisor Lead Operator Operator Other Department Head Mayor

Tribal Utilities Tribal Chairperson Utility Director Utility Manager Water/Wastewater Operator Tribal EPA/EPO Other Tribal Departments Tribal Council General Council

Other Tribal Departments Tribal Utilities Tribal Chairperson Utility Supervisor Operator Tribal EPA/EPO Other Tribal Departments Tribal Council General Council

Other Tribal Departments Tribal Utilities Tribal Chairperson Operator/? Tribal EPA/EPO Other Tribal Departments Tribal Council General Council

Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 EPA R9 has primacy over federally recognized tribes in CA, AZ and NV. Tribes may have their own EPA/EPO department and defer regulation of safe drinking water act and clean water act. Navajo Nation has primacy and EPA R9 does not regulate Navajo Tribal Utility Authority systems.

All PWS in other counties Rule Implementation EPA Region 9 Tribal Systems Arizona ADEQ Maricopa County DEQ All PWS in other counties California SWRCB LPA

Indian Health Service Role-Design water and wastewater infrastructure for systems serving tribal homes Constraints – Can’t assist with tribal enterprises such as casinos. Engineers have intimate knowledge of existing tribal systems and future expansion. Provide insight about systems in need of technical assistance

Compare to USDA RD RD work usually involves a meeting with the USDA RD representative RD representative advise of potential projects and community needs IHS performs this function for tribal water and wastewater work.

The Circuit Consistency Look for Patterns Use the patterns!

Sample Regulatory Pattern

Let’s Make a Site Visit Introductory visit No intent Avoid business atmosphere Goal, introduce yourself and gain contact information Gaining trust from tribal personnel is a gradual process

Do’s and Don’ts Do- keep it casual. (We are not enforcement) Don’t- over promise and under deliver Do- be patient if relationship takes time to develop Don’t- be pushy and repetitive

Consistency E9 Circuit Rider program conducive to consistency How can we generate consistency in more restrictive programs? Emails blast for workshops, exam review, regulatory change…. Text groups – text contacts when you will be in area Calls – call your contacts periodically to check in

Recognize Hidden Factors Utilize information from conversation “Can’t meet right now we are reading meters all week” “Todays a bad day for visit working on my chlorine pump”

Take Away Generate consistency Be patient, timing is key! Follow through on TA Regular check ins