EDWRS Electronic Drinking Water Reporting System

*IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR SYSTEMS USING EMOR IMPORT/EXPORT*

Systems using the import/export functionality must download a new version of their requirements from the MORs Data Entry screen if they haven't done so after 10/31.The recent update to EDWRS made a small change in the file metadata required to import it successfully back into the system causing imports using earlier versions of the sheet to not work as expected.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Please continue to report issues with the EMOR system to edwr@adem.alabama.gov or directly to the Drinking Water Branch at 334-271-7773

Update Summary

A fix was applied to address formatting issues (e.g., scientific notation) in the monthly data entry online spreadsheet when copy/pasting from an external spreadsheet.

If you plan to use the import feature, please download a new spreadsheet template to use for your data import.

Please continue to contact us at edwr@adem.alabama.gov if you experience any issues or would like to provide suggestions and/or feedback. Thanks!

Beginning with the October 2025 MOR Reporting Period (report due date of November 10, 2025), all water systems will be required to utilize the EMOR tool within EDWRS.  It is highly encouraged that water systems engage with the tool in EMORs prior to the requirement date and engage with ADEM staff if you experience any issues or have any questions.  Systems can submit reports for previous months to "practice" and ensure they don't experience any issues preventing a submission.

An EDWRS User Video Guide has been developed and is available on the Department's Website here (under Additional Resources): https://adem.alabama.gov/water/drinking-water-branch/information-public-water-systems or you can view the video directly on ADEM's YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxy-trrC3lA (NOTE: There are timestamp links in the video notes for each relevant section of the Guide)

 What can users expect?

• Submittal of monthly operating reports will continue to be required through EDWRS by the 10th of the month.
  
• Users can continue to utilize an external spreadsheet (exportable from EDWRS) for tracking and submitting data to ADEM. Import of data using this template will be available within 1-2 weeks.
• Assistance with refining monitoring requirements can be provided by your Drinking Water inspector.
• Technical assistance is available by emailing edwr@adem.alabama.gov.
• The ADEM Web Portal Help Desk (ademwebportal@adem.alabama.gov) can assist with any account issues (e.g., locked out, password resets, etc.)

Learning Opportunities for Water System Personnel

Two webinars will be provided to ensure water systems have multiple opportunities to see a demonstration of the application and ask any questions.  All are free to join one or more sessions; however, each session will focus on a particular category of water system.  Use the links below to join directly at the time of the meeting or use the attached files to add the meetings to your calendar.

 Session #1 - October 7 @ 8:00 AM (Focus on Grade I Purchase Water Systems):

EMOR Training - Grade I Focused | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

 Session #2 - October 9 @ 8:00 AM (Focus on Grade II/III Groundwater Systems):

EMOR Training - Grade II/III Focused | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

Summary of Fixes

Several fixes were deployed to address various reports from users who were unable to complete and submit EMOR reports, including the following:

1. Report Data can now be revised from the report preparation page when using the "Revise Data" option. An issue was identified and corrected that was preventing the data entry spreadsheet from loading.
2. General Flow Balance Form should now be able to be successfully saved and not prevent submission of the report. The form was being incorrectly associated to a Facility when it should not have been and causing an error.
3. Facility-specific form answers will now save correctly for multiple ungrouped facilities (e.g., filter and/or membrane plant questions). Several issues were identified that prevented form answers from saving or displayed form answers from one facility on a different facility and these been addressed.

Please continue to contact us at edwr@adem.alabama.gov if you experience any issues or would like to provide suggestions and/or feedback. Thanks!

Alexander Chavers, Chief - Office of Water Services

Summary of Changes In This Release

With this release, we introduce several updates to the EMOR module, including some user requested features and modifications to support additional features in a later release. Below is a summary of the updates:

1. Summary values (min, max and avg) are now visible across all screens for EMOR data entry. On the data entry screen, these values are updated instantly as users work with the data. Note: Zeros are considered a valid value and are used in the summary calculations; blank cells are ignored.
2. "Excel Export" template available for EMOR has been updated as follows:
   • Previously entered data for the monitoring period selected is now exported into the spreadsheet
   • Summary formulas are automatically included in the export. Note: Users must click "Enable Editing" if prompted by Excel for summary formulas to take effect.
   • The Excel export will now always include 31 days, making it a more universal and reusable template. As the monitoring requirements are based on the monitoring period selected at the time of export, users will need to export a new template if their requirements change.
3. URL fixes for Positive Notification email notifications to ADEM staff.

Looking Forward

Several additional initiatives are being pursued as we move towards using EMOR for compliance. See a summary of items ADEM is working on below:

1. Excel Import of ADEM's exportable template is being developed as a requested feature of many water systems. This feature should provide a convenient alternative way to track and report data and improve the speed at which systems with complex reporting requirements can prepare and submit their monthly MORs to ADEM.
2. Projects to fine tune the requirements for systems, including adding requirements for non-standard treatment plants and removing unnecessary monitoring parameters are underway. You may contact your inspector to discuss any deletions/additions in your monitoring requirements.
3. Additional data gathering efforts are underway to ensure ADEM's inventory is accurate and includes the necessary information to fully support EMOR (e.g., complete inventory of master meters, etc.). Systems may receive requests for data to support these efforts and we appreciate your time and attention to these efforts

Please contact us at edwr@adem.alabama.gov if you have any questions or would like to provide feedback or suggestions. Thanks!

Alexander Chavers, Chief - Office of Water Services

We are excited to announce that electronic reporting for MORs is now available in EDWRS. With this release, we begin a period of optional usage of this tool to gather feedback and make necessary improvements before systems are required to use this tool.

The EDWRS User's Guide has been updated to include instructions for using the EMOR tool, including entering data, preparing and submitting a report, and viewing submitted reports.  Additionally, the EDWRS Quick Start Guide is a great resource for getting any new users started in EDWRS.

What can you expect to see?

• New MORs navigation menu items
• Multiple options for data entry (daily and monthly) and an exportable Excel template for copy/paste functionality
• A streamlined submission process
• Immediate report availability

!IMPORTANT: All systems will continue to be required to submit their MOR in PDF format for compliance until otherwise notified by the Department. Beginning with the submittal of the September 2025 MOR (due October 10, 2025), submission of MOR PDFs will be discontinued and all systems will be required to report their MOR data using the EMOR tool.

We are committed to ensuring that this tool serves both the needs of the regulated community and the Department, and your feedback can help shape future updates.  Please send any questions, comments, or concerns to edwr@adem.alabama.gov or call the Drinking Water Branch at (334) 271-7773.

Alexander Chavers, Chief - Office of Water Services