Where: Arizona

Issue: For decades, Native American Reservations have had unique water system challenges.

Outcome: Tribes have, with RCAC’s assistance, formed the Native American Water Masters Association (NAWMA), to improve and expand their water system operations and maintenance capacities.

Like much of rural America, Tribal water systems often have limited technical and financial means to manage essential infrastructure. External service costs are relatively high due to the remote locations of Tribal lands, and their small customer base makes per capita costs higher than they would be in a more urban setting.

With these challenges in mind, several years ago RCAC staff helped to create NAWMA, a forum where Tribal water operators examine and improve water system roles and responsibilities. Water operators meet regularly to share stories and learn from one another’s experiences and milestones to provide more effective services for their communities. This creates a sense of community and shared experience among the operators.

For example, RCAC staff presented a NAWMA workshop in Moenkopi, Arizona on the Hopi Reservation, with 24 participants from three Tribes present. Through a close partnership between RCAC and the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA), operator certification exams were offered during the workshop for more than 20 operators.

Many of these operators had no certification and were testing for the first time, while a few hoped to advance to the next certification level. Operators from this part of Arizona typically have to travel to Phoenix or further afield to take the ITCA exam, so providing this opportunity so close to home was greatly appreciated.

RCAC and ITCA plan to continue this partnership alongside the NAWMA platform to offer at least three additional operator testing opportunities in Arizona in 2019. Building Tribal operators’ capacity helps ensures that Tribal systems will comply with regulations and provide safe drinking water to their communities.