Projects

The RealWater Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA) initiative is a free program launched by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in March 2026. It offers small, rural, and tribal communities hands-on support, engineering expertise, and financial planning to address challenges related to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater. The goal of the EPA’s RealWaterTA initiative is to connect water systems with organizations that provide support and funding.

The Environmental Finance Center at Wichita State University (WSU) is proud to be an official EPA-designated RealWater TA provider for EPA Region 7, which includes Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri. Through this program, we offer technical assistance to communities across Region 7, including State Revolving Fund applications and related assessments. We also provide customized support focused on technical, managerial, and financial capacity development through one-on-one assistance or by hosting workshops.

RealWater Technical Assistance (RealWater TA) is funded by EPA. To request RealWaterTA please visit the RealWaterTA Request Form.

 

RealWaterTA is not a grant program and does not provide direct monetary assistance. Not every request for technical assistance will be fulfilled, and participation in this or other EPA technical assistance initiatives does not guarantee funding through the State Revolving Funds (SRF) or other programs.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Capacity Development Program is dedicated to enhancing the technical, financial, and managerial (TFM) capabilities of public water supply systems across Kansas. By providing essential training and technical assistance, the program ensures compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, ultimately safeguarding drinking water for all Kansas residents.

To support these initiatives, the EFC and its partners at Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) travel across the state to provide a range of free workshops, including the AM KanWork for asset management, Utility Rates and Financial Planning, and the KS Water Rate Checkup Tool Workshop. Additionally, participants can attend free sessions on Utility Cybersecurity and the KanCap Water Utility Management Overview, tailored for Board and Council members.

These resources aim to build capacity among water system operators and managers by providing the knowledge and skills needed to enhance water service delivery and ensure sound decision-making that supports long-term system operations.

This project is funded by KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment).

The EFC collaborates with the Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA) and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to host a series of Water Utility Leadership Workshops across the state. These free workshops are designed for council members, city administrators, clerks, and water utility management staff. They aim to enhance skills in finance, operations, management, and technical areas related to water utilities, helping participants navigate future challenges and make informed decisions to ensure the longevity of water systems.

The workshop is especially beneficial for water and wastewater utilities facing significant upgrades, rate increases, regulatory challenges, or other critical decisions that require support and understanding from key leadership. It is ideal for utility management and staff to attend the workshop alongside their board or council members and other leaders. This collaborative approach will foster discussions among all participants during the training session.

If you are interested in bringing this training directly to your community in Missouri, please contact tyler.cotner@wichita.edu.

This project is funded by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).

The water utility is essential to the community, providing safe drinking water and supporting economic vitality. Board and Council members bear significant responsibility for making informed decisions regarding the complex managerial, financial, and technical aspects of operating a high-quality water utility. To assist these key decision-makers in making sound choices that promote the longevity of their community's water utility and improve customer service, the EFC collaborates with the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment to offer free board/council training and technical assistance to communities throughout Nebraska.

This project is funded by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment.

The Water Science Communications Fellowship offers undergraduate students a $500 stipend to explore careers in environmental science and communication. Participants will attend five to seven project meetings, three field trips, and collaborate on a group project. Students from all majors are encouraged to apply. This opportunity, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Visit the Water Science Fellowship webpage to learn more!

This project is funded by EPA Region 7.

The Environmental Finance Center at Wichita State University, in partnership with the University of New Mexico, is excited to offer tailored training and technical assistance for rural, small, and tribal water and wastewater utilities, funded by the EPA. Our program provides essential support to these communities, helping them navigate compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act, assess aging infrastructure, and secure vital federal funding. By enhancing the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of wastewater treatment systems, we aim to improve their operations and ultimately protect public health and the environment.

Our team of experts works with small water and wastewater systems across the country, including the US territories, tribes, and the Navajo Nation, to address challenges ranging from asset management and rate setting to water loss reduction and conservation, through training, direct technical assistance, and durable resource creation and dissemination, as well as other types of services. Learn more

EPA estimates that radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. More Radon Info from EPA

Preventing radon-related cancer can be straightforward and affordable, but a major barrier to protecting families from radon health risks is awareness. To advance efforts in reducing the risks and costs associated with radon-induced lung cancer, the EFC has developed resources to assist local health authorities in promoting radon awareness, especially during Radon Action Month each January. These resources include live webinars with the National Radon Center, durable materials such as radon posters and brochures customized for each state in EPA Region 7, and a social media toolkit filled with ready-to-post content about radon.

As a most recent update to this project, the EFC produced and published an educational video to raise public awareness about the importance of having homes tested for radon. This educational radon video, available in both English and Spanish, can be shown in the waiting areas of doctors' offices and hospitals and shared on social media platforms. The EFC team is pounding the pavement of family care centers across the region to provide this video, along with our printable radon posters and brochures, to doctors’ offices and patient waiting areas.

This project is funded by EPA Region 7.

Contact: tyler.cotner@wichita.edu

The 2025 Midwest Lead Summit was held online on Sept. 9, 2025. The event brought together over 200 public health experts, policymakers, and community leaders to address pressing issues surrounding lead exposure and public health across the Midwest.

If you missed this event, want to rewatch a presentation or would like to view a session that you did not attend, please check out the presentation summaries and resources on the summit webpage.

Contact: brian.bohnsack@wichita.edu

The EFC partnered with tribal communities in EPA Region 7 to develop planning and marketing materials to support future Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-Off events. Events like this allow community members to improve the chemical safety around their homes through proper identification and disposal of HHW.

Contact: jeffrey.severin@wichita.edu

This project focuses on education and community outreach regarding the use of Integrated Pest Management strategies to control pests in a way that provides and healthier environment for everyone, but is also cost-efficient and effective. Learn More »

Children spend much time in daycare and schools, making it essential for these environments to be safe and healthy. Indoor air quality affects learning and school performance. This project develops a practical decision-making tool for Kansas schools and childcare facilities to address indoor air pollution, reduce respiratory diseases, increase attendance, and enhance school achievement.

It provides evidence-based tools and actions for school leaders to address rising outdoor air pollution, protecting indoor air where children learn and play. Learn More »

The EFC is partnering with K-State Pollution Prevention Institute to improve community awarenes of harmful air emissions. Through industry calls, staff training, and community engagement and education, this project seeks to make neighborhoods close to manufacturing heathier.

You can be involved in several ways! Learn more.

The "Roll Out: City Edition" game was created by our team as part of the ARISE initiative. ARISE stands for Adaptive and Resilient Infrastructures driven by Social Equity. This initiative aims to enhance research capacity across the state, focusing on equity-driven community resilience.

The Roll Out: City Edition game is a hands-on, interactive experience that puts you in charge of making budgetary decisions while balancing the competing needs of your city. However, it is more than just a game; it is a memorable learning experience for players that will remain with them long after the game concludes!

If you are interested in recieing a copy of Roll Out: City Edition to use with your organization, please email tonya.bronleewe@wichita.edu.

The EFC is conducting a strategic planning initiative to help the Kansas Forest Service enhance service effectiveness for rural landowners. This process will involve evaluating current outreach efforts and resource allocation, aligning initiatives with the Kansas Forest Service's mission, and conducting interviews with staff and constituents. Based on this information, the EFC will develop a comprehensive assessment that includes actionable recommendations for organizational improvements.

Contact: jeffrey.severin@wichita.edu

The Mass Notification System (MNS) project aims to enhance communication and safety across the Kansas City Region, covering nine counties. Our comprehensive study will assess the current usage and capabilities of MNS, identify gaps in response times, and recognize key public segments that require improved notifications. By exploring best practices and gathering insights from stakeholders, including local emergency professionals, the project seeks to deliver actionable recommendations, ultimately strengthening intergovernmental communication and ensuring efficient environmental emergency responses for communities.

Contact: jeffrey.severin@wichita.edu

When residential and industrial properties are in a floodplain, there is an increased risk of flooding, social burdens, financial hazards and adverse environmental impacts. This was the case in the Meramec Watershed in East-Central Missouri. The Environmental Finance Center conducted a cost-benefit analysis for the Lower Meramec Watershed in Missouri that showed that there is value in nature-based solutions that convert the land in the floodplain back to its most natural form. Learn More »

The EFC developed a searchable online database so that communities could match funding options with their Meramec watershed projects. Although this tool is designed for Meramec River initiative, it is also applicable and functional for all Missouri watershed projects.
Learn More »