Knowledge Base

Practical guidance for small public water system operators: compliance, maintenance, operations, and professional development.

WOH PDFs

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Well head with a pitless adapter cap on a gravel pad
Wells & SourcesPDF18 min read

WOH Well Disinfection Guide

Shock chlorination disinfects new, repaired, or contaminated wells by introducing high-concentration chlorine to kill bacteria and viruses. This guide covers when to disinfect, chlorine product selection, dose calculation, step-by-step procedure, and post-treatment sampling for drinking water operators.

May 16, 2026Read more →
Chemical feed tank and pump plumbed to a pump-house wall
Templates & BusinessPDF23 min read

WOH Water Rate Setting Guide

This guide helps water system operators and boards calculate full costs of service, structure rates to cover operating expenses, debt service, and capital replacement, and plan regular rate adjustments. It covers cost identification, revenue calculations, rate design options, and customer communication.

May 16, 2026Read more →
High-volume water discharge from an opened storage tank valve
Operations & SafetyPDF21 min read

WOH Water Main Leak Repair Guide

Covers identifying and repairing water main leaks, including detection methods, safe excavation and isolation, repair techniques for common pipe materials, post-repair disinfection, and return-to-service procedures. Essential for operators managing distribution system integrity and compliance.

May 16, 2026Read more →
Concrete secondary containment basin beside a chemical storage tank
Operations & SafetyPDF20 min read

WOH Trenching Shoring Guide

OSHA requires protective systems (sloping, shoring, or trench boxes) for all trenches 5 feet or deeper. This guide covers soil classification, system selection, competent person requirements, and compliance with 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P to prevent cave-ins that kill water operators.

May 16, 2026Read more →
Interior of an empty bolted-steel storage tank showing panel seams and a manway
Tanks & StoragePDF17 min read

WOH Tank Disinfection Guide

Tank disinfection is required when new tanks enter service, after repairs or internal inspection, following contamination events, or after flooding. The fill-and-drain method (AWWA C652 Method 2) achieves 50 mg/L free chlorine for 24 hours and is most practical for small systems without confined space entry.

May 16, 2026Read more →
Bolted-steel ground storage tank on a hilltop with mountains behind
PumpsPDF21 min read

WOH SCADA Tank Pump Guide

Tank-level SCADA systems automatically start and stop pumps to maintain water level within a defined range, replacing manual switching and reducing overflow and dry-pump risk. This guide covers system components, sensor selection, setpoint configuration, alarm response, and routine maintenance for drinking water operators.

May 16, 2026Read more →

Blogs

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Water operator inspecting a bolted-steel storage tank and its caged ladder during a site survey
Sampling & Compliance3 min read

How to Prepare for a Sanitary Survey

Sanitary surveys happen on a defined schedule: every three to five years for most community water systems, every five years for groundwater systems that meet certain criteria. You know they're…

March 10, 2026Read more →
Classic legged spheroid municipal water tower serving a community
Sampling & Compliance3 min read

Consumer Confidence Reports: What Your Customers Actually Want to Know

Your CCR is a legal requirement. It's also your best opportunity to build trust with the people who drink your water. Here's how to write one that does both.

February 28, 2026Read more →
Fenced concrete well house on a cold, dry winter day
Operations & Safety3 min read

Cold-Weather Operations: Protecting Your Water System Through Winter

Frozen service lines and burst pipes are expensive and avoidable. A systematic approach to winterization keeps your system running when temperatures drop.

February 14, 2026Read more →
Operator beside a blue pressure-filter treatment skid with extensive valving and piping
Operations & Safety2 min read

Cross-Connection Control: The Basics Every Small System Operator Needs

Cross-connections are one of the most serious contamination risks in any distribution system. Here's what they are, where to find them, and how to manage the risk.

January 30, 2026Read more →
Online water-quality analyzers and controller on a treatment-plant instrument panel
Operations & Safety2 min read

Chlorine Residual Testing: Getting Accurate Results Every Time

Chlorine residual is one of your most important operational indicators. Here's how to run accurate tests, troubleshoot low results, and document them properly.

January 15, 2026Read more →
Operator opening a drain valve and flushing water from a steel storage tank
Operations & Safety2 min read

Annual Flushing Programs That Actually Work

Main flushing is one of the most effective tools for maintaining distribution water quality: but only if it's done systematically. Here's how to build a program that delivers results.

December 18, 2025Read more →

Calculators & Tools

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WOH Water Rate Worksheet maintenance illustration
Calculators & ToolsPDF1 min read

WOH Water Rate Worksheet

The Water Rate Worksheet is a calculation tool designed to help water system operators and administrators work through rate structures and billing scenarios. Use it to organize rate components, apply…

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