EAR help, technical-assistance window and training schedule: what systems need to know

State Water Resources Control Board staff used the session to point reporters to customer-service channels, tutorial videos and specific deadlines.

Sydney Sally demonstrated the EAR website and noted that tutorial videos, a downloadable worksheet and customer-service forms are available in the resources accordions. She said systems can subscribe to the program mailing list for updates and choose topic-specific subscriptions for drinking-water programs.

On account access and WB Key: Staff told attendees that each individual must create a WB Key account for security and then associate water systems with that account; this is separate from the clearinghouse account. For organizations with multiple systems, staff advised creating a WB Key account and associating all relevant systems to the account so multiple reporters can be assigned. "Each person needs to create a WB key account," a staff member said.

Deadlines and upcoming trainings: staff reiterated that technical-assistance third-party applications opened Feb. 1 and are due March 1. They announced a brown-bag focused on Section 8 on Feb. 26 (10 a.m.) and a session covering sections 9 through finalizing the EAR on March 5; staff reminded attendees the EAR is due to the Division April 1. Staff offered to post the webinar recording and the Q&A transcript on the EAR website for those who could not attend live.

Questions and follow-up: During Q&A staff clarified that the drought report and the annual inventory report are distinct and both are in the SAFER Clearinghouse portal; they deferred complex finance questions (for example, bankruptcy-related reporting) to follow-up support and recommended attendees email the customer-service address or bring the question to the next training.