Since we first pitched the idea of a website for small system operators more than five years ago, we've been met with some resistance and sketicism. What is the value in a website like ours? Would operators even use it?

We've known from the start that we're early adopters. We were among the first to use and promote interactive Internet technologies for communication, training and technical assistance for small water and wastewater systems. Our philosophy has been pretty simple: SmallWaterSupply.org will be here when you're ready.

From those nearing retirement to the super-connected younger generations, we're seeing SmallWaterSupply.org serving and supporting operators. Nearly every monthly we receive visitors from all 50 states, DC and Guam.

We're working with Idaho's drinking water program to be the hub for listing their training courses, helping to streamline state government. We assisted a small system in successfully convincing a landowner to implement source water water protection measures, using downloadable materials sourced from across the country. 

SmallWaterSupply.org was designed specifically to complement all of the wonderful activities of federal, state and local entities. Without everyone else, we're nothing!

We're excited, nearly three years after our initial launch, to see even more of our friends and colleagues online. ASDWA and Kentucky DEP are blogging. Utilities are tweeting. Map, Inc is using webinars for remote assistance. The best part? We're all early adopters - the best is yet to come! 

For the past several months, SmallWaterSupply.org staff have ramped up efforts to complete a new Tribal Resources content area on the site. We are pleased to let you know this area is now live!

The flagship of this project is a helpful contact manager that lists all of the national, state and regional groups that serve tribal water and wastewater systems and their operators. The contact manager will allow tribes to identify assistance providers as well as the groups that serve them to better coordinate with one another. To keep the tool up-to-date, our staff has been working closely with this large group of providers to establish access and procedures for editing their own information.

Additionally, SmallWaterSupply.org staff will enhance our content delivery gear toward this important subset of small water supplies. Through an ongoing series of blog posts and short articles on tribal issues, resources and events, we will provide the same style of relevant and useful information currently found in our blog and newsletter. The most recent updates will be found on the main page of the new Tribal Resources content area, under News & Information for Tribes and Tribal TA Providers.

One of the most useful features of SmallWaterSupply.org is our searchable event calendar. There are multiple providers of training in every state, but you want to know what events fit your schedule. With our calendar that boasts thousands of events, you can see what is offered each month at a glance as well as read details about the course materials and cost.

The following video explains exactly how to search for an event in the calendar.

Have you used our calendar? Let us know what you think in the comments.