Inside: • Preliminary Call for Abstracts—2011 Joint

Conference • 2010 Conference Highlights • RMSO 2010 Wrap Up • 2010-2011 MSAWWA-MWEA Boards • 2010-2011 MSAWWA-MWEA Committee Chairs • Direct links to advertisers—just click ‘n go!

MWEA President’s Message By: Allen Kelm, MWEA President

These are interesting & trying times for water/wastewater industry & personnel. It would be interesting to look into a crystal ball to where this profession will be in 10, 20 or 50 years from now but, my crystal ball is cracked.

In keeping up with all the information that is available through the different publications it is going to be a challenge to keep up with everything in the industry that is reported.

There is quite a topic of Global Climate change that has been discussed around every coffee clutch and water cooler, no matter what side of the subject you are on. With the study conducted for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NDRC) by the consulting firm of Tetra Tech, it has been reported that climate change will have a significant impact of sustainability of water supplies in coming decades. With the findings of this study one part that hits home is that 1/3 of Montana Counties are at high risk of running short of water in the future. With this scenario, the water that is treated by our wastewater treatment facilities and discharged back to the rivers, streams, lakes, or injected back into the ground, will have to be of better quality, ready for reuse by others during the impacted years.

This is an era of new technologies to treat wastewater to the new nutrient standards that will be required by the EPA and Montana Department of Environmental Quality through the discharge permits of each point source dischargers. There are many types of existing BNR treatments that will be chosen to achieve the nutrient limits by each discharger. But let us not forget that with the emphasis on nutrient removal we will see additional research into alternative and innovative treatment for each individual community

(Continued on page 5)

FALL 2010

MONTANA SECTION AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION NewsWaves

Straight From The Chair By: Tina Whitfield, MSAWWA Chair

While I’m writing this, we’ve been enjoying an unseasonably warm and sunny fall – and either you sit in two camps – one ready for winter, for the snow to fly, and all the cold weather festivities to begin, and those that are hanging on to the last gasp of what has been a great summer, finishing up the yard work and hunting in the sunshine.

Regardless of what camp you’re in, the year marches on, and the Montana Section leadership of AWWA has been busy since we last chatted.

Our summer was spent getting ready for the Regional Meeting of Section Officers – an annual two-day workshop for all Section staff and officers that rotates location from Section to Section. This September, it was Montana’s turn to host and Big Sky, Montana did not disappoint. As members of Region V, we hosted section leadership from Hawaii, Western Canada, the Pacific Northwest, California-Nevada, Alaska and British Columbia.

The meeting was a great opportunity to share challenges, discover some new ways to overcome common obstacles, and meet the great people that keep AWWA humming at the Section and National level. What was most eye-opening to me was that regardless of Section size, (Continued on page 4)

NewsWaves—Page 2

NewsWaves is a publication of the Montana Section of the American Water Works Association and is published two times yearly, summer/fall, and winter/spring. It is also available on our website at www.montana-awwa.org.

We welcome contributions to NewsWaves. For more information, contact:

Robin Matthews PO Box 582

Seeley Lake, MT 59868 Phone: 406-546-5496 Fax: 866-754-1558

E-mail: Info@montana-awwa.org

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NewsWaves—Page 3

2010 MSAWWA-MWEA Joint Conference Highlights This year’s MSAWWA-MWEA Joint Conference was held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell on

May 5th & 6th, with the Pre-Conference hosted by MSAWWSA on May 4th. Approximate people attended the Pre-Conference, with total Conference attendance at 145. There were 52 vendors and presenters who provided lots of valuable information. Numerous awards were presented, which of course is always a wonderful part of the Conference The awards presented at the 2010 Conference were as follows:

MWEA Arthur Sidney Bedell Award—Dave Aune MWEA Small Systems Award—City of Libby MWEA Stockholm Junior Water Prize—Adair Borges (Billings Senior) MSAWWA-MWEA Lifetime Achievement Award—Gary Pippin & Bill Leonard MSAWWA-MWEA Donald Willems Scholarship—Jonathan Leiman (U of M) AWWA Operator’s Meritorious Service Award—Jeffrey Harker AWWA Fuller Award—Scott Murphy As always, there were dignitaries representing both AWWA and WEF at the conference. This

year’s AWWA dignitary was Dee Bennett, AWWA Vice-President. Dee is engineering operations manager for the City of Columbus, SC. Dee was been a part of AWWA since 1992. Leslie Samel joined the Conference as a representative from WEF. Leslie is currently Client Service Manager and Principal at CDM, Inc. in Jacksonville, FL. and is a member of the Board of Trustees for WEF. Thank you to both of these outstanding women for attending the 2010 Joint Conference!

Dee Bennett presents Scott Murphy with the George Warren Fuller Award pin for distinguished service at the 2010 Joint Annual Conference.

Mission of Montana Section AWWA—The Montana Section of American Water Works Association is dedicated to the promotion of public health and welfare in the provision of drinking water of unquestionable quality and sufficient quantity. Montana Section of AWWA will provide the forum and opportunity through which its membership can exchange information, learn of new issues and technologies, educate the public, and enhance the professionalism of workers in all areas of the water industry.

NewsWaves—Page 4

Main

MSAWWA Chair’s Message Cont. we all face the same challenges.

We’re also excited about this year’s upcoming conference. For the first time, we’ll be hosting our Joint Conference with the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA). We’re still working out the finer details, but this year’s conference will include tracks from not only water and wastewater, but transportation, planning and municipal management fields as well. So, save the date of May 10-12, 2011 and plan on joining us in Bozeman, MT for a great conference. Our call for abstracts will be out very soon, so check our website at www.montana-awwa.org.

Additionally, our Board meets in December in Helena of every year to set our budget for the upcoming year. If you are a chair (or member) of one of our committees, please let us know how we can better equip your committee to serve the Montana Section of AWWA. If you’re not a committee member, and are interested in what they do, please check our website and contact the committee chair to join. We, as Section Leadership, can only do so much and it takes everyone chipping in to really make an organization hum.

For the first time, AWWA and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) will join together to strengthen the voice of the entire water community on Capitol Hill during the Annual Fly-In on April 4-5, 2011. There are a number of issues the drinking water and clean water communities can take to Congress together: infrastructure investment, security, water research and more. With election forecasters predicting a lot of new faces in the upcoming 112th Congress, the Fly-In presents an excellent opportunity to educate our newly elected leaders on water issues.

The 2011 Fly-In consists of issue briefings and discussions on the first morning, and then delegates will be off to Capitol Hill to visit their own members of Congress. A reception will be held that first night, followed by more visits to the Hill on Tuesday morning. Your Montana Section will be sending two (2) delegates to this important annual event.

In addition to the national legislature, 2011 is a Montana legislative year, so our Legislative Committee will be active in tracking what’s going on in Helena. We’ll have frequent updates to keep you in the know on what’s important to you in upcoming legislation.

Like I said, the year keeps marching on, and your Montana Section of AWWA has a lot in store over the coming year. On behalf of your Section leadership, we look forward to serving you. If there’s anything we can do, please don’t hesitate to contact us. ~Tina

NewsWaves—Page 5

MWEA President’s Message Cont. system for the right price. As these newer treatment techniques develop, let’s hope the investment and opera-tional dollars are of something that the communities can afford. With the downturn in the economy and the way it currently stands and fewer and fewer grant dollars avail-able, the consumer will have to finance the greatest part, if not the entirety of the project and or upgrade.

So in closing, looking through my cracked crystal ball, we are challenged to do a lot more treatment with less water and fewer dollars, which will ultimately require rate increases at some time. No matter what community you live in, it is not a popular decision, so we have to be diligent with each and every decision and dollar spent to maintain our goal of proper wastewater treatment. ~Allen

Preliminary Call For Abstracts MSAWWA/MWEA &

Rocky Mountain Chapter APWA 2011 Joint Conference

The 2011 Joint Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn and Best Western Grantee Hotels in Bozeman, Montana. Dates for the conference are May 10 - 12, 2011 (Pre-Con-ference Tuesday, May 10). The conference will be held in conjunction with the American Public Works Association (APWA) conference. Therefore, three organizations will be involved in the program, providing additional opportunities for training and education for all attendees. The theme for the 2011 Conference will be “Working Together For A Better Future”.

The Program Committee is developing a technical program that will focus on water quality and wastewater issues, as well as transportation, planning and municipal management. The technical sessions will address subjects of specific interest to professionals working with Montana’s water and wastewater systems and water resources, and professionals within the transportation, planning and municipal management fields. The Program Committee will consider abstracts that are geared to address these specific subjects. Please look for the Call for Abstracts in the near future.  

Are You Ordering Books from AWWA?

If so, please place your order through Robin Matthews, MSAWWA Executive Secretary. MSAWWA receives credit for your order. The cost is the same to you, but MSAWWA gets a bonus.

THANK YOU!!!

NewsWaves—Page 6

A Message from the Director— submitted by John Camden What is AWWA’s Strategic Plan? Please take time and review these guiding principles:

NewsWaves—Page 7

NewsWaves—Page 8

It is Joint Directory Update time!!!

This is a reminder to review your contact information listed in the joint directory and let Robin Matthews know if any information is incorrect or if you are a m e m b e r a n d y o u r information is not listed. The update forms collected at the conference were misplaced—LAST CALL!

Info@montana-awwa.org

THANK YOU!!!

Montana Rural Water Systems —audits can be a good thing—

What do you do when some extra money shows up through an audit process? Why, you give it to the MSAWWA-MWEA Joint Scholarship Fund! That is exactly what MRWS did after “finding” an extra $655 through their recent audit. WAY TO GO and THANK YOU!

Left to right: John Camden, MSAWWA Director; Donna Wadsworth, MRWS Exec. Director; Dan Keil, NRWA Director

Paul Lavigne presents Bill Leonard with the MSAWWA-MWEA Lifetime Achievement Award

Congratulations to Jonathan Leiman! Recipient of the 2010

Donald G. Willems Scholarship Jonathan Leiman, majoring in Enviromental Studies at the University of Montana, is the proud recipient of the $1000 MSAWWA/MWEA Joint Scholarship given in honor of Donald G. Willems. Jonathan is also obtaining minors in Water Resource Management & Natural Resource Conflict Resolution. Congrats to Jonathan!

NewsWaves—Page 9

A SPECIAL THANK YOU……. To all of the volunteers who helped to make the 2009 Joint Conference so successful. As you all know, it takes many hands to put together a conference of this magnitude—and all of the help is greatly appreciated. A special thanks to the Host City Committee, the Program Committee, MSAWWA Education Committee and the registration desk volunteers:

Program Committee Scott Murphy Jeff Ashley John Camden Coralynn Revis Jeff Smith Terry Threlkeld Nate Weisenburger Education Committee Logan McInnis Barb Coffman Cavin Noddings John Weikel

Host City Committee Bill Buxton Greg Lukasik Greg Butts Joni Emrick Mike Kropp Susie Turner Kevin Severe

Registration Desk Dee Jeffries Sally Jo Severe Dick Montgomery Denise Hanson Crystal Allison Susie Turner Joni Emrick Marilyn

NewsWaves—Page 10

Are You Ordering Books from AWWA?

If so, please place your order through Robin Matthews, MSAWWA Executive Secretary. MSAWWA receives credit for your order. The cost is the same to you, but MSAWWA gets a bonus.

THANK YOU!!!

Thank You To Vendors Who Participated in the 2010 Joint Conference

• Abel Pumps, L.P • Able Wright, Inc. • AE2S • AIRVAC • Alpine Analytical, Inc. • Ambiente H2O, Inc. • American Cast Iron Pipe Co. • Branom Instrument Company • CDM, Inc. • Curb Box Specialists • Dana Kepner Co. • DYK, Inc. • Ferguson Waterworks • FKC Co, Ltd. • Glacier Precast Concrete, Inc. • Goble Sampson Assoc. • HD Supply • Hunter Industries

• Industrial Automation Consulting • Industrial Systems, Inc. • Instrument Control Systems • ISI West • Lemna Technologies, Inc. • Mishler Sales, Inc. • MSE Technology Applications, Inc. • Mueller Company • Municipal Pipe Services • Natgun Corporation • Northwest Pipe Fittings, Inc. • Pall Corporation • Preload, Inc. • Red Flint Sand & Gravel • Solar Bee • SPF Water-Montana • Super Tech • Territorial Landworks, Inc.

• The Roberts Filter Group • Thermal Process Systems • TMG Services, Inc. • Tonka Equipment Company • Trojan Technologies • Underground Solutions • Utility Services Associates, LLC • VeloDyne • VSL • Walker Process Equipment • Water Control Corporation • Water Technology Group • WGM Group, Inc. • Whipps, Inc.

Calling All Student Writers!! Write About Anything Water and Win a $200 Scholarship

MSAWWA produces Newswaves twice yearly for the water supply community. Our subscribers include professionals in the water supply industry including Montana cities and towns, engineering firms, and suppliers. We certainly would like to hear from the education community. For each newsletter we encourage submission of student papers of 1000 words or less. The papers will be judged, with the top pick printed in the newsletter. In addition, the student will receive a $200 scholarship along with a 1 year membership to AWWA. The next Newswaves will be published this coming winter/spring. Articles must be received by January 15, 2011 to be considered. For more information, please contact Robin Matthews at 406-546-5496 or by email at: Info@montana-awwa.org

NewsWaves—Page 11

The Groundwater Rule—10 Months After Implementation By Betsy Hovda

Well, here it is October 2010. Just a year ago I was wondering how managing the Ground Water Rule for the State of Montana would be and now I can look back on 10 months of experience and say – It is O.K.

The easy part of the ground water rule is the full-time disinfection track. Interestingly the Proposed Ground Water Rule was called the “Full-Time Disinfection Rule”. As a regulator I can see why that would be an attractive way to manage these systems. The systems that have 4-log inactivation or removal of viruses are the easiest to manage. If a system provides reliable 4-log disinfection they will never receive regulating correspondence from me.

The not so easy part is source water monitoring. There were several implementation decisions for source water monitoring that were fine tuned well after December 1, 2009. There are two challenges:

• Explaining to PWS systems why they have to take source water samples, and • Explaining to the analytical laboratories how to report the data so the PWS systems get credit for

sampling their source(s). I just ran compliance for August 2010 and sent violation letters to only nine systems. This low number

is due in large part to the hard work of the laboratories in Montana. These laboratories assist in their clients continued compliance by sharing the requirements of the GWR and telling systems “Call DEQ”.

The most challenging part of the GWR from a regulatory point of view is managing the significant deficiencies. The first challenge was to determine what is “significant”. Montana created a three-person committee to vet submittals from field services staff to bring consistency to the definition of “significant”. There were several lively meetings to discuss and agree on the process, but by December 1, 2009 we were ready. As of September 30, 2010 about 65 potential significant deficiencies have been submitted, and of those 35 were deemed significant.

Of those deficiencies the vast majority of issues were related to construction issues at sources. The nice thing about these deficiencies is that the fix is relatively inexpensive and straightforward. Also, the follow-up is easy: “Please send me a photo of your new well cap”.

A few systems with deficiencies that are bigger in terms of cost and timeframe for completing a corrective action plan. Clearly, these systems are going to use long term planning and several funding sources to complete corrective action. As we approach the 2011 legislative session in Montana more than one system will be asking for funding to address deficiencies identified under the GWR.

This break between simple, quick fixes and long, costly corrective action plans is mimicked in the e. coli positive source samples. For example, one system with e. coli positive source samples was able to repair their well and show the problem was corrected. Another system will be installing a permanent treatment system because the source of contamination is beyond their control.

In conclusion, it has been a very interesting – and good – year. I look forward to many spirited and thought provoking conversations about the GWR in the coming 12 months. Special thanks to all the people committed to providing safe drinking water who are willing to share their ideas with me.

NewsWaves—Page 12

2010 RMSO Wrap Up ~ Big Sky, MT A collaboration between: Tina Whitfield, MSAWWA Chair & Logan McInnis, MSAWWA Chair-Elect

This year, the Montana Section of AWWA was host to the Region V Meeting of Section Officers (RMSO), including delegations from Hawaii, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Western Canada and California-Nevada.

This meeting is held once a year to educate our association officers, provide support and updates from AWWA and networking opportunities.

Our meeting took place September 16-17, 2010 in scenic Big Sky, Montana – and Mother Nature did not disappoint. The days were sunny and clear and the nights cool. Our Hawaiian neighbors packed (and used) their fuzzy parkas, much to the delight of their Northwestern cousins.

The first order of business took place Thursday, September 16, 2010. The meeting convened with introductions and gifts from member sections and an introduction by Charlie Anderson, the AWWA Vice-President and member of the Texas Section of AWWA. Gary Sullivan, Region V’s Senior Section Services Representative, began with an overview of the Section Affiliation Agreement and discussion of tax requirements and the impacts to how our sections operations may change. The Section Affiliation Agreement’s purpose, in a nutshell, is to support the Association at the national level and coordinate efforts and resources amongst the Sections rather than creating our own vehicles.

Jodi Lundin provided a thorough and enlightening effort of Water for People in developing countries. Did you know:

•Water for People is the only aid organization installing water and sanitation facilities that is actively tracking their use and maintenance, and even doing so in real time. The belief of the organization is that if the facility isn’t operating, we haven’t met our goal.

•The new Director for Water for People has a 100% commitment to each country and won’t pull out of that country until everyone has access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

•The most challenging hurdle to get people to use the sanitation facilities is often the cultural and religious beliefs about them.

For more information, please go to Water For People’s website at: www.waterforpeople.org.

We also had a great discussion on membership challenges and ideas on retaining our key utility and individual members.

Last, but certainly not least, we exchanged Section strengths and struggles during a “Section Exchange” session. Interestingly, many of the sections, regardless of size, had similar issues. These include membership retention, committee involvement, and vendor satisfaction at conferences. Gary Sullivan also presented on intellectual property, a legislative update including new chemical legislation, and services the National organization can provide to the sections.

Attendees listen intently to MSAWWA Chair Tina Whitfield as she delivers the Section Exchange presentation.

NewsWaves—Page 13

NewsWaves—Page 14

2010—2011 MSAWWA Board of Directors

National Director John Camden (406) 459-0782 jcamden50@bresnan.net National Director Elect John Alston (406) 582-3200 jalston@bozeman.net Past Chair Cavin Noddings (406) 656-5255 cnoddings@sandersonstewart.com Chair Tina Whitfield (406) 651-6602 tina.whitfield@hdrinc.com Chair Elect Logan McInnis (406) 721-5570 logan@mtnwater.com Secretary Jeff Ashley (406) 442-3050 jashley@m-m.net Senior Trustee Bill DeMeyer (406) 657-8346 demeyerb@ci.billings.mt.us Senior Trustee Nate Weisenburger (406) 268-0626 nate.weisenburger@AE2S.com Junior Trustee Gwen Pozega (406) 441-1406 pozegagd@cdm.com Junior Trustee Robert Church (406) 449-8627 bchurch@greatwesteng.com

2010—2011 MWEA Board of Directors

National Director Mike Jacobson (406) 727-1325 mjacobson@greatfallsmt.net Past President Jeremy Perlinski (406) 442-3050 jperlinski@m-m.net President Allen Kelm (406) 232-1905 akelm@milescity-mt.org President Elect Terry Campbell (406) 444-7374 tcampbell@mt.gov Vice President Coralynn Revis (406) 532-2219 coralynn.revis@hdrinc.com Senior Trustee Gary Zuroff (406)377-3318 zuroffg@midrivers.com Junior Trustee Dan Harmon (406) 532-2207 dan.harmon@hdrinc.com Exec. Secretary Dana Audet (406) 761-7004 dana.audet@VeoliaWaterNA.com

A HUGE THANK YOU TO NANCY BRUNER!!

The MSAWWA and MWEA Boards would like to take an opportunity to thank Nancy Bruner for her years of service and friendship. You will be missed! Best wishes to you and your family in all that you do!

NewsWaves—Page 15

Joint Committee Chairs Cross Connection Control • Barb Coffman (406) 781-2298 Exhibitors • Bill DeMeyer (406) 657-8346 Historical • Nate Weisenburger (406) 268-0626 Host City • Terry Threlkeld (406) 579-9167 • Debbie Arkell (406) 582-2306 Lifetime Achievement • Program • Jeff Ashley (406) 442-3050 Public Education/Information • Terry Campbell (406) 444-7374 Scholarship • Coralynn Revis (406) 532-2219

2010—2011 Committee Chairs Below is a list of the members of MSAWWA and MWEA that volunteered to chair each

organization’s committees at the 2010 Joint Conference. Volunteers are always welcome, so if you wish to help your association and serve on a committee you may still sign up by contacting the chair of that committee or Robin Matthews at Info@montana-awwa.org or (406) 546-5496.

MWEA Committee Chairs Biosolids • Terry Campbell (406) 444-7374 Education • Jeremy Perlinkski (406) 442-3050 Government Affairs • Ray Armstrong (406) 656-6399??? Honors & Awards • Earl Bahr (406) 444-5337 Long Range Planning • Scott Murphy (406) 442-3050 Membership • Mike Jacobson (406) 727-1325 Stockholm Jr. Water Prize • Kristi Kline (406) 945-2043

MSAWWA Committee Chairs Education • Logan McInnis (406) 721-5570 Fuller Award • Bob Morrison (406) 442-3050 Legislative • Nate Weisenburger (406) 268-0626 Membership • Logan McInnis (406) 721-5570 Safety & Heroism • Need Chair and Members Small Systems • Steve Wonacott (406) 542-4831 Water For People • Shelley Nolan (406) 444-4071 • John Camden (406) 459-0782

Please Support Your Association’s Committees

Please remember that the committees cannot survive without member participation. You can sign up to be on a committee at any time during the year, however, the Joint Conference is the ideal time to do so and there will be sign-up sheets in your registration packet. Please consider participation in at least one committee. If you have questions about the committees, please contact the chair of that committee to find out more about how you can help.

If you are currently serving on a committee and wish to continue serving, please be sure to sign up at each conference. The slate is wiped clean after each conference, and unless we have the new sign-up form, we do not know if you wish to continue serving.

Thank you to everyone for making our Associations so great!

MONTANA SECTION AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION

Please visit our web site—www.montana-awwa.org

Or Current Resident

Introducing...the 2010-2011 Junior Trustees: MSAWWA—Gwen Pozega Gwen is a Senior Project Manager for CDM in Helena, MT. and has been a member of AWWA for 10 years. Gwen has been actively involved in the program committee for the Joint Conference for the past 3 years. A native of Montana, Gwen grew up in Twin Bridges and has lived in Helena for 12 years. Her hobbies include mountain biking, skiing, and hiking. MSAWWA—Bob Church Bob Church is a 1989 graduate of Montana State University in Civil Engineering and is a registered professional engineer in Montana and Idaho. Bob has worked on drinking water, wastewater and solid waste projects for over 20 years primarily in Montana. Bob is currently a principal with Great West Engineering in Helena. Bob has been active in MWEA and MSAWWA for over 10 years including chairman of the program committee 2006-8. Bob is currently on the Water For People committee and organized the raffle for the fly rod at last year’s conference. Bob lives in Helena with his wife and daughter and wishes he would have won the fly rod last year. MWEA—Dan Harmon Dan is a Vice President and Project Manager with the Missoula Office of HDR Engineering, Inc. Dan has been a member of the Water Environment Federation since 1990, and has over 25 years experience in the planning, design and construction of public works facilities. He has spent the past 15 years working in Montana, and is currently involved with the design and construction management of the water reclamation facility and the design of the water treatment plant replacement projects in Bozeman, Montana. Dan and his wife Char reside in Hamilton, Montana and have two daughters (Annie and Jill) who are attending the University of Montana and Carroll College.

Rob Quist and family were terrific entertain-ment after the banquet. Thank you Rob for being so generous!