Training for Tribes on Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act Topics
EPA offers a range of training opportunities for tribes on Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act topics.
On this page:
In-Person and Webinar Based Training Opportunities
EPA periodically offers in-person classroom trainings and live webinar trainings on a range of water-related topics.
Clean Water Training Topics
EPA’s Water Quality Standards (WQS) Classroom Academy
EPA's WQS Classroom Academy is a comprehensive and highly structured five-day in-person training course that introduces students to all aspects of the water quality standards program. The course is designed for those with six months to one year experience with water quality standards and criteria programs and is aimed at states, territories, tribes, environmental groups, industrial groups, municipalities, the academic community, federal agencies, watershed groups, and other interested parties. The course is offered approximately twice each year. This website also provides a list of WQS-related webinar trainings. Learn more about EPA's WQS Classroom Academy.
EPA’s In-Person National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Writers' Training -
EPA’s in-person NPDES Permit Writers' Course provides the basic regulatory framework and technical considerations that support the development of wastewater discharge permits as required under the Clean Water Act NPDES Permit Program. The course is designed for new permit writers, highlighting the process of developing, issuing, and complying with NPDES permits. Experienced permit writers wanting a refresher course and other water program staff wanting to learn more about the NPDES program are welcome. The format of the course is a combination of lecture, case examples, and practical exercises that are geared to acquaint participants with the tools and resources available to assist them in writing NPDES permits. The website also provides access to recorded presentations of materials from previous NPDES Permit Writers’ Course training sessions. Learn more about EPA's NPDES Permit Writers' Training.
EPA’s Watershed Academy Webcast Seminars
Local watershed organizations, municipal leaders and others are invited to sign up for free, online webcast training sessions on a range of watershed management topics. The website also provides access to an archive of past recorded Watershed Academy webcasts. Learn more about EPA's Watershed Academy Webcast Seminars.
Safe Drinking Water Training Topics
EPA's Drinking Water Training Information
EPA’s Drinking Water Training page provides information on training opportunities for water professionals, public officials, and involved citizens interested in gaining knowledge and skills related to the Safe Drinking Water Act. Learn more about EPA's Drinking Water Training Information.
EPA’s Tribal Drinking Water Operator Certification Program
EPA's Tribal Drinking Water Operator Certification Program provides certification opportunities for personnel operating public drinking water systems in Indian country. EPA also recognizes operator certification provided by a state with an approved operator certification program as meeting the requirements of this program as well as other approved providers, including:
Learn more about EPA’s Tribal Drinking Water Operator Certification Program.
EPA's Small Drinking Water Systems Monthly Webinar Series
EPA's Office of Research and Development and Office of Water host a monthly webinar series to communicate current small drinking water systems research along with Agency priorities. The series is providing a forum for EPA to communicate directly with state personnel and other drinking water small systems professionals. These webinars are held each month from 2:00-3:00 PM EST (Optional Q&A session from 3:00-3:30 PM ET). Learn more about EPA's Small Drinking Water Systems Monthly Webinar Series.
Additional Training
EPA's Partnering for Security and Resilience Webinar Series
Throughout 2020, EPA is partnering with water sector associations on a monthly webinar series that will highlight the role water agencies have in enhancing security and resilience of the water sector. EPA’s Water Security Division hosts these free webinars to communicate directly with utility managers/operators, technical assistance providers, as well as federal, state, local, and tribal governments to foster collaboration and dissemination of information. Learn more about EPA's Partnering for Security and Resilience Webinar Series.
EPA’s National Enforcement Training Institute (NETI) eLearning Center –
The NETI eLearning Center provides online eLearning, live webinar, and classroom training opportunities to environmental enforcement personnel (including government inspectors, the legal community, and investigators) in federal, state, tribal and local governments. Learn more about EPA's NETI eLearning Center.
Self-Paced Training Opportunities
A consolidated, centralized listing of online, self-paced training courses offered by EPA that will help tribes gain a greater understanding of water topics and assist tribes in developing and implementing programs related to the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.
Clean Water Training Topics
EPA’s Water Quality Standards (WQS) Academy Online Courses
EPA's WQS Academy website hosts a number of online, self-paced training modules including modules designed to prepare individuals for the five-day in-person Classroom Water Quality Standards Academy. These topics are covered in further detail in the Classroom WQS Academy. The WQS Academy also offers supplemental online training modules on Listing Impaired Waters and Developing TMDLs, Monitoring and Assessment, the NPDES Permit Program, and other topics. Learn more about EPA's WQS Academy Online Courses.
EPA’s Watershed Academy Web
EPA’s Watershed Academy's distance learning program — Watershed Academy Web — is a set of self-paced training modules that represents a basic, but broad introduction to watershed management. This program's goal is to provide useful information to local, state and tribal efforts aimed at improving the health of our nation's waters by protecting and managing their watersheds. Learn about EPA’s Watershed Academy Web.
EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program Online and Webinar-based Trainings
The NPDES permitting program offers online training courses and webinars to explain the regulatory framework and technical considerations of the Clean Water Act NPDES permit program. These courses are designed for permit writers, dischargers, EPA officials, and other interested parties. Training topics include:
- NPDES Permit Writers’ Training
- Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to NPDES Permits Training
- Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Training
- Permit Writing Tips and Best Practices
- Pretreatment 101 Series
Learn more about EPA's NPDES Permit Program Online and Webinar-based Trainings.
EPA's Water and Wastewater Utility Operation and Management for Small Communities – Video Training Series
EPA has developed several online video modules that provide basic training information to help operate and manage small water and wastewater treatment facilities. Learn more about EPA's Water and Wastewater Utility Operation and Management for Small Communities – Video Training Series.
EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Implementation of "Waters of the United States"
The final "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'" rule was published in the Federal Register on January 18, 2023, and the rule took effect on March 20, 2023. To ensure consistent and effective implementation of the final rule, EPA and the Department of the Army are developing a series of trainings, implementation memoranda, and other resources. The training webpage includes a four-part training series for Tribes and States on the final rule hosted by the agencies. Please visit the Rule Status page for additional information about the status of the rule and litigation. Learn more information about the final rule.
EPA's CWA Section 401 Certification Rule Recorded Trainings
EPA's CWA section 401 certification process is once again governed by the CWA section 401 certification regulations promulgated by EPA in 2020, codified at 40 CFR 121. EPA hosted a three-part webinar series for states and tribes to learn about the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Rule and implementation considerations. Learn more about EPA's CWA Section 401 Certification Rule Recorded Trainings.
EPA’s Tribal Nonpoint Source Program Training Webinars
In 2023, EPA is hosting a six-part webinar series covering a variety of programmatic and technical topics to support Tribal nonpoint source (NPS) management efforts under Clean Water Act Section 319. Each webinar includes presentations from Tribal, EPA, and/or partner agencies, and provides an opportunity for participant discussion. View webinar registration links and webinar recordings.
Safe Drinking Water Training Topics
EPA's Water and Wastewater Utility Operation and Management for Small Communities – Video Training Series
EPA has developed several online video modules that provide basic training information to help operate and manage small water and wastewater treatment facilities.
Additional Training
EPA's Resilience Training and Exercises for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities
EPA has developed training tools to improve drinking water and wastewater utility resilience plans, policies, and procedures. Learn more about EPA's Resilience Training and Exercises for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities.