The Science Georgia Standards of Excellence: Environmental Science are designed to continue the student investigations that began in grades K-8. These standards integrate the study of many components of our environment, including the human impact on our planet. Students investigate the flow of energy and cycling of matter within ecosystems, and evaluate types, availability, allocation, and sustainability of energy resources. Instruction should focus on student data collection and analysis from field and laboratory experiences. Some concepts are global; in those cases, interpretation of global data sets from scientific sources is strongly recommended. Chemistry, physics, mathematical, and technological concepts should be integrated throughout the course. Whenever possible, careers related to environmental science should be emphasized.

 Science - Georgia Standards of Excellence

Elementary Science K-5

Middle School Science 6-8

High School Science 9-12

26.01200

Biology I (Grades 9-12)

26.03100

Botany

26.05100

Microbiology

26.06100

Ecology

26.06110

Environmental Science

26.06500

Epidemiology

26.07100

Zoology

26.07200

Entomology

26.07300

Human Anatomy & Physiology

40.01100

Physical Science (Grades 9-12)

40.02100

Astronomy

40.04100

Meteorology

40.05100

Chemistry I

40.06300

Geology (Grades 9-12)

40.06400

Earth Systems

40.07100

Oceanography

40.08100

Physics

40.09300

Forensic Science

March 22, 2025  

Round II of America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA) requires public water systems to update and recertify both Risk and Resilience Assessments (RRAs) and Emergency Response Plans (ERPs). 

Public water systems are required to revisit and plan for risks associated with natural and malevolent threats.

Risks associated with natural disasters continually test our resilience and emergency response systems. From devastating flooding to the deadly combination of dry vegetation and high winds, these natural disasters underscore the pressing need for enhanced preparedness and resilience in the face of increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters. While many of these incidents continue to be unprecedented in nature, we need to continue to ask ourselves: What if that happened in my community? With Round II of the AWIA upon us, now is the time to build resilience and emergency preparedness into drinking water utility infrastructure planning and operations. But what does recertification look like? Let’s dive in.

AWIA Round II requires revisiting plans for risks associated with natural and malevolent threats.

What do U.S. water utilities need to do?

First, let’s recap the requirements for Risk and Resilience Assessments (RRAs) and Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) The America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018 mandates that community water systems serving more than 3,300 people conduct comprehensive RRAs and develop or update ERPs. Initial RRAs and ERPs were due in compliance with AWIA beginning in March 2020, with the due dates staggered depending on the populations served by the water system.

An RRA evaluates the risks to critical water infrastructure, including the consequence of failure, physical security vulnerabilities, cybersecurity risks, and resilience to natural hazards. Following the assessment, water systems were required to develop or update an existing ERP to outline specific strategies and procedures to mitigate risks, maintain operations during emergencies, and restore services promptly.

While the initial RRAs and ERPs have been certified, 2025 brings Round II of AWIA with deadlines beginning this year for larger water utilities:

AWIA Round II Certification Deadlines 

 GEI 

The Water, Sanitation & Hygiene gateway provides a place for researchers funded through the Gates Foundation’s WSH program to promote the impact of their work, and publish their results rapidly, in a transparent manner.

The WSH program aims to enable widespread use of safely managed, sustainable sanitation services, thereby contributing to positive health, economic, and gender equality outcomes for the world’s poorest. The Gates Foundation’s efforts in this program currently focus on four complementary areas:

•  developing and commercializing transformative sanitation technologies;
•  transforming how cities can provide sanitation as a reliable, inclusive service;
•  policy and advocacy;
•  and measurement, evidence, and dissemination, for scale.

A key objective of the gateway is to provide a comprehensive picture of the outputs of the WSH program, through the publication of grant reports, posters and slides, as well as formally and openly peer-reviewed articles.

About this gateway →

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 Water, Sanitation & Hygiene | Research Gateways | Gates Open Research