Application Training, BUMP Training, WWEE Training

Spring 2026 Application Training

The Division of Water Infrastructure conducted its Spring 2026 Funding Application Training Feb. 23 - March 4 at three locations statewide, including a March 4 virtual option.

Spring 2026 funding applications must be received by the Division no later than 5 p.m. on April 30, 2026.  

For this funding round, low-interest loans and grant funding for drinking water and wastewater projects are available.

Training covered information on funding programs, how to complete the application package, Priority Rating Systems, and funding timelines and included instructions on how to apply for multiple funding programs, including funding for drinking water and wastewater construction projects, funding to evaluate options to address PFAS contamination, funding to identify and replace lead service lines, and Viable Utility Reserve grants. 

Spring 2026 Application Training Resources 

Spring 2026 Application Training Sessions were held as follows

  • Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in Hickory(Western Piedmont Council of Governments)

  • Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Greenville (Greenville Utilities Water Treatment Plant)

  • Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Research Triangle Park (Central Pines Regional Council (Longleaf Room) A virtual option was also available on this day only. 

Funding Availability for Spring 2026 Applications

Applications will be considered for the following programs and will be covered during the training sessions:

Applications for drinking water and wastewater construction projects will be considered for funding from the Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure program, the State Revolving Funds, including Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds, and the Viable Utility Reserve. Local government units and nonprofit water/wastewater corporations may apply for funding. Investor-owned drinking water utilities may apply for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

  • The Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure (CDBG-I) program will provide grants to fund projects in areas that meet the U.S. Housing and Urban Development low-to-moderate income threshold. CDBG-I is available to non-entitlement municipalities and counties and offers grants up to $3 million per applicant every three years.
  • The State Revolving Funds (SRFs) will provide low-interest loans (including loans that may be partially forgiven) for drinking water and wastewater projects. In addition to the SRF funds typically available, this round will include the use of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funds, IIJA Emerging Contaminants (PFAS) funds and IIJA Lead Service Line Replacement funds. Eligible utilities may apply for up to $25 million in Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loans and up to $35 million in Clean Water State Revolving Fund loans. Limits vary by project type for Emerging Contaminants and for Lead Service Line Replacement funding.

  • Viable Utility Reserve (VUR) projects: Grant funding will be available for drinking water and wastewater projects that move a local government unit designated as distressed toward viability, per G.S. 159G-32(d). New information on requirements for applying for VUR grants, eligibility and availability of VUR grant funds will be shared during training. 

Applications for drinking water and wastewater planning projects will be considered for grant funding from the VUR for local government units designated as distressed for the following purposes: 

  • Asset Inventory and Assessment (AIA) grants: to inventory the existing water and/or wastewater systems of the local government units designated as distressed and document the condition of the inventoried infrastructure.
  • Merger/Regionalization Feasibility (MRF) grants: to determine the feasibility of consolidating the management of multiple utilities (including local government units designated as distressed) into a single utility operation or to provide regional water/wastewater treatment and the best way to develop the project. 

Learn more about the Division of Water Infrastructure’s training programs here. 

Best Utility Management Practices (BUMP) Training Announcement and Registration: Spring 2026

Best Utility Management Practices (BUMP) Training is offered by the NC Department of Environment Quality, Division of Water Infrastructure's (DWI) Viable Utilities (VU) Program. BUMP training covers basic technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) best practices for water and wastewater utilities and offers an opportunity for distressed utilities to network with one another. It is a FREE, 1-day course that occurs in-person in the fall and spring each year. 
REMINDER: Distressed LGUs are statutorily required to send a delegation to BUMP training. ALL LGUs/utilities are welcome to participate and LGUs may send more than four participants. A complete delegation is comprised of at least:
•    2 Elected Officials
•    1 Financial staff
•    1 Utility/Technical staff
Refresher training is not required for individuals who have completed BUMP training. However, distressed LGUs are required to keep their training status current (i.e., completed by current employees in all 4 required roles). Therefore, if you have had turnover of trained staff, please send their replacements for training.

Have questions about your LGU's BUMP Training status? Contact the VU training coordinator, Tony Dongarra (DEQ.DWI.VUtraining@deq.nc.gov or 919-707-3632).

Upcoming BUMP training sessions for Spring 2026:

 (one-day sessions, two to choose from)

              (1) Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at ECC Barnhill-Jenkins Center for Innovation (Building L), Edgecombe Community College, 2009 W Wilson St, Tarboro, NC 27886

              (2) Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Piedmont Triad Regional Council, 1398 Carrollton Crossing Dr, Kernersville, NC 27284

If interested in attending BUMP training, please register for one of the sessions using the following link: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019c58791ae67d249cbe69b4a42c5ec4

  • The spring 2026 sessions of the Division of Water Infrastructure’s Best Utility Management Practices (BUMP) Training are open for registration.  BUMP training was designed to satisfy the statutory education requirement for local government units (LGUs) designated as distressed under the Viable Utilities (VU) Program.  However, other LGUs/utilities are welcome to participate, subject to space availability.
  • Objectives: Learn basic technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) best practices for water and wastewater utilities and engage in peer-to-peer learning and network with your fellow local government and utility staff and elected officials
  • Course Details: Check in: 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m., Course duration: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (One hour lunch break, lunch is not provided.) One day sessions, two to choose from- one on April 8 in Tarboro, one on April 28 in Kernersville.
  • Questions? If you have any questions, about the training or the VU program, please send them via email to the Division’s training account at deq.dwi.vutraining@deq.nc.gov

Water and Wastewater Energy Efficiency (WWEE) Training Program

Enhance your water and wastewater facility’s energy efficiency with the no-cost Water and Wastewater Energy Efficiency (WWEE) Training Program! 

The WWEE Training Program is offered by the NC DEQ’s State Energy Office and Division of Water Infrastructure. This expert-led program equips personnel with essential energy management strategies, cost-saving techniques, and practical energy conservation measures. 

Attendees will gain practical insights into optimizing energy consumption, improving reliability, and ensuring long-term success. With multiple locations and dates available, plus six (6) professional development hours (PDHs), this is a must-attend opportunity for water and wastewater professionals dedicated to improving operations and reducing costs.  

 

2026 program dates (attend 1, 2, or 3 days): 

  • Class #4: Statesville, NC (May 19-21, 2026) 

  • Class #5: Hendersonville, NC (June 23-25, 2026) 

  • Class #6: Central to Eastern NC (Sept. 22-24, 2026, Location TBD) 

 

Secure your spot today and bring your colleagues and neighboring utilities. Register here. 

 

_____________________ 

Interested but unable to attend the scheduled courses? 

Additional sessions to be scheduled! 

Sign up for the interest list (here) to be notified about future WWEE Training sessions. 

_____________________ 

 

Program Concept and Overview 

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office (SEO) and Division of Water Infrastructure (DWI) are partnering to offer a no-cost energy efficiency training program for NC water and wastewater facilities and personnel. The program will be taught by industry experts in conjunction with our contracted training provider, the Institute of Energy Professionals (IEP). 

The goals of the program are: 

  • to introduce water and wastewater personnel to basic concepts of energy management principles (i.e., energy bills, demand, rates, calculations, metrics, basic energy conservation measures or ECMs); 

  • to focus on energy efficiency opportunities specific to water and/or wastewater treatment plants (i.e., motors/VFDs, process improvements, aeration, etc.);  

  • to emphasize that energy is only one of many challenges a small, rural water and wastewater operator faces; and  

  • to highlight the importance of the ability of any ECM to reduce expenditures (that can otherwise be used for operations), improve reliability and productivity, and potentially increase compliance.  

The program will emphasize both identification and implementation of ECMs unique to each participating system. While the training is designed to identify energy efficiency opportunities for each attendee’s system, it is ultimately intended to empower attendees with the knowledge needed to continually find and implement opportunities for improved energy efficiency at their systems long after the training has concluded. 

Attendees are encouraged to invite their local leadership to attend the final hour of Tuesday’s class (approx. 2-3 p.m.), and lunch if they would like, to discuss funding opportunities, technical assistance, and other opportunities for the attendees’ facilities. This will include a short review of the covered materials and, for the benefit of attending local leadership, a final spotlight on the importance of energy management and efficiency and the “non-energy” benefits it can provide for the local community.  

Learning Outcomes 

  • Electric rates—how they are structured and how to optimize their application. 

  • Proven methodologies and strategies for developing a successful sustainable energy management program for your facility. 

  • Energy conversion factors, formulas, and how to apply them in analyzing system consumption, costs, and projecting savings for energy initiatives. 

  • Approaches and techniques for analyzing energy consumption data and identifying savings opportunities, as well as techniques for securing needed consumption information. 

  • Practical and implementable energy conservation measures.  

Logistics and Program Details 

  • Multiple program dates and locations to choose from. 

  • Student can choose one, two, or all three days of instruction (see below). 

  • In-person instruction ONLY (no virtual attendance). 

  • Lunch and light refreshments will be provided. 

  • Each cohort is limited to 20-30 students,(depending on classroom size. (Be sure to register as soon as possible to reserve your spot.) 

Class Format Update for 2026 

  • Students may choose to register for one (1), two (2), or three (3) the days of the course. Topics for each day are listed below: 

  • Registration and sign-in 8:00-8:30 each day. 

  • Lunch and light refreshments included each day. 

  • Day 1: Energy Efficiency & Management 101 (Tuesday, 8:30a.m.-3:00p.m.) 

  • Description: A crash course in what a water or wastewater professional should know about energy efficiency and energy management. 

  • Topics include: 

  • basic electric rates, 

  • energy conservation opportunities,  

  • application considerations, and 

  • basic strategic energy planning.  

  • 6 PDHs: Day 1 course (only) is approved for 6 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) from IEP for drinking water and wastewater operators continuing education requirements (DW PGH Course ID# 260032; WW CE Course ID# CE01282501). 

  • Day 2: Energy Management Deep Dive (Wednesday, 8:30a.m.-3:00p.m.) 

  • Description: A deeper dive into energy for the student looking to take the next steps in their energy management journey. 

  • Topics include: 

  • advanced electric rates and calculations,  

  • additional energy conservation opportunities,  

  • energy conversion factors/formulas/calculations, and 

  • metrics/data/benchmarking.  

  • Day 3: WWTP Applied Workshop (Thursday, 8:30a.m.-1:00p.m.) 

  • Description: An applied workshop at the host WWTP, where classroom discussions turn into real-world examples and applications. 

  • Topics include: 

  • a tour of the host WWTP,  

  • their current best practices, and  

  • how to make changes at your own WWTP.  

 

Who should attend? 

  • Recommended attendees are those part of, or interested in assisting, small and/or distressed water and wastewater systems, including: 

  • Water and/or wastewater professionals, 

  • Operators, ORCs, and managers, 

  • Local electricity or utility professionals, and 

  • State or local government personnel. 

  • Interested attendees are encouraged to bring multiple participants from their facility, and/or invite colleagues from surrounding facilities to create a framework for long-term success. 

  • NOTE: The program will be focused on smaller water and wastewater systems, but it is not a requirement for attending. 

Continuing Education Details 

  • 6 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) from IEP 

  • Please include your drinking water and/or wastewater operator certification number(s) during registration. 

  • Approved NC Drinking Water PGH Course ID# 260032(6 hours) 

  • Approved NC Wastewater CE Course ID# CE01282501 (6 hours) 

  • Professional Engineers may use the PDHs towards their continuing education credits at their discretion. 

Program Dates and Offerings 

  • Pre-registration for the courses below is required! Each attendee must submit a registration. Register HERE for a FREE WWEE Training course. 

  • Not able to attend but interested in future classes? Be sure to sign up for the interest list HERE to be notified about additional class locations and dates when they are scheduled. 

Current Classes 

  • Class #4: Statesville, NC (May 19-21, 2026) 

  • Dates: Tues.-Thurs., May 19, 20 and 21, 2026 

  • Daily Sign-in: 8:00-8:30 a.m. 

  • Training Times: Tues.-Wed., 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and Thurs., 8:30a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

  • Size limit: 30 

  • Last date to register: Fri., May 15, 2026Lunch and light refreshments included 

  • Class #5: Hendersonville, NC (June 23-25, 2026) 

  • Dates: Tues.-Thurs., June 23, 24 and 25, 2026 

  • Daily Sign-in: 8:00-8:30 a.m. 

  • Training Times: Tues.-Wed., 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 

  • Class size limit: 30 

  • Last date to register: Fri., June 19, 2026 

  • Lunch and light refreshments included 

  • Class #6: Central to Eastern NC (Sept. 22-24, 2026, Location TBD) 

  • Dates: Tues.-Thurs., September 22, 23 and 24, 2026 

  • Daily Sign-in: 8:00-8:30 a.m. 

  • Training Times: Tues.-Wed., 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and Thurs., 8:30A-1:00P 

  • Location: TBD 

  • Last date to register: Fri., Sept. 18, 2026 

  • Lunch and light refreshments included 

We're looking forward to a WWEE course in Central to Eastern NC and want to hear from you! If this is of interest, please register to receive the latest details as logistics firm up. 

Past Classes 

  • Class #1: Greenville (April 1, 8 and 15, 2025) at Greenville Utility Commission’s WWTP, 240 Aqua Lane 

  • Class #2: Sanford (June 10, 17 and 24, 2025) at Sanford Water Reclamation Facility, 5327 Iron Furnace Road  

  • Class #3: Wallace (Sept. 16, 23 and 30, 2025) at Wallace Public Works, 838 Old Wilmington Road 

Frequently Asked Questions 

  • Do I have to attend all three days? Can I attend just Day 1? Can I attend Day 1 and 3?  

While students are encouraged to attend all three days, we realize some facilities don’t have the staffing to cover while students are away. Therefore, students may attend any number of days. 

  • Is there a cost to attend this training? 

No, this program is provided at no cost for all attendees. 

  • I am interested but cannot attend the sessions listed. When will additional sessions be released? 

We are working to determine additional dates and locations. We will update the websites as details are released. Be sure to sign up for the interest list HERE to be notified about future training sessions. 

  • Who should attend this program? 

Managers and/or operators of wastewater treatment plants, particularly from systems designated as distressed, who are interested in learning more about how energy efficiency can save their system money through low and even no-cost adjustments are encouraged to attend. (See ‘Who Should Attend?) 

  • Is lunch included? 

Yes, and light refreshments during the breaks! 

  • I am interested in learning more. Where do I go for more information? 

Keep an eye on this website for further updates and be sure to sign up for the interest list HERE as well. You may also reach out to our training partner, IEP, at: 

 +1 (877) 7-THE-IEP. 

 

Please note: This training information is also available on the (DEQ) State Energy Office website.

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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