As the flurry of recent news reports about frozen and broken water pipes, reduced recharge rate of water wells, and boil water advisories shows, operating a small drinking water or wastewater system is no small feat.

To help provide the latest information and education to drinking water and wastewater operators, managers and their boards, the National Environmental Services Center (NESC) at West Virginia University is hosting free Webcast training.

Were pleased to offer these Webcast training sessions produced by nationally recognized organizations for free as a service to water and wastewater officials in the region,said Sandra Fallon, NESC interim manager for training.

These informal two- to three-hour sessions will allow participants to meet others in the area and to talk with NESC professionals about their needs. Free products from NESC s small flows and drinking water clearinghouses will also be distributed.

A national clearinghouse for water and wastewater issues related to small communities, NESC offers hundreds of free and low-cost wastewater books, brochures, videotapes, design manuals, case studies and other educational resources.

The following Webcasts will be held at the National Research Center for Coal and Energy Building on WVU s Evansdale Campus:

-Overcoming Barriers to Equitable Consideration of Decentralized Wastewater Treatment, March 6, 2-4:30 p.m., Room 127, broadcast by Stone Environmental, Inc. and the Water Environment Research Foundation.

-Municipal Stormwater Compliance, March 7, noon-2 p.m., Room 109, broadcast by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

-Global Climate Impacts, March 14, 1-3 p.m., Room 125, broadcast by the American Water Works Association.

-Utilities Helping Utilities: Developing a Mutual Aid Response Network for Water and Wastewater Systems, March 29, 1-2:45 p.m., Room 125, broadcast by the American Water Works Association.

-Social Marketing: A Tool for More Effective Stormwater Education and Outreach Programs, May 9, broadcast by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, time and room to be announced.

-Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination 201, July 11, broadcast by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, time and room to be announced.

For directions and additional Webcast information or to register, contact Sandy Miller, 304-293-4191, ext. 5536 or 800-624-8301, ext. 5536, or smiller2@wvu.edu , or visit NESC s website athttp://www.nesc.wvu.edu/nesc/webcasts.html