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

2. Trainer
Ron Sundberg RDS I
Tribal Circuit Rider
Northern California

3. 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.

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

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

8. 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

9. Drinking Water / Wastewater Regulatory Cycle

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

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

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

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

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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. The Circuit
Consistency
Look for Patterns
Use the patterns!

20. Sample Regulatory Pattern

21. 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

22. 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

23. Consistency E9 Circuit Rider program conducive to consistency
How can we generate consistency in more restrictive programs?
s 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

24. 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”

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