nrwa rural water rally 2020 in washington dc rallymrwa.com/ta times/mrwatatimesapril2020red.pdf ·...

THE TECHNICAL

ASSISTANCE TIMES

Minnesota Rural Water AssociationApril 2020

Inside this issue:Wastewater O&M Training Session - April 7 2

Water O&M Training Session - April 8 3

Sustainable UTility Management Workshop - April 14 4

Water O&M Training SEssion - April 15 5

NRWA Rural Water Rally 2020 in Washington DC (cont.) 6

Lewis & Clark Receives Funding Increase For FY20 7

MRWA Services 8

Minnesota Rural Water Association staff, along with Board and rural water system members, attended National Rural Water Association’s Water Rally in Washington DC on February 4-6, 2020. This is rural water’s opportunity to discuss small system’s water and wastewater issues with both federal legislators and federal agency personnel who regulate those systems.

National Rural Water Association (NRWA) opened the 2020 Rural Water Rally with speeches from Senator Roy Blunt (MO) (shown left middle) and Deputy Undersecretary for USDA Rural Development DJ LaVoy (shown left bottom). Blunt expounded on the importance of small water systems and how imperative it is for them to keep up with regulations and advances within the industry, while still being affordable for their rural customers. He said the programs Rural Water has developed and promoted have a huge impact on how successful our industry is.

“[Water and wastewater technicians] represent the kinds of communities, the kinds of neighborhoods where people want to be connected,” Blunt said. “[Water and wastewater technicians] are part of the most basic connection of all.”

Blunt praised water and wastewater technicians from across the country for the thankless work they do. He wanted them to know that their hard work is very important to Rural America’s livelihood and does not go unnoticed.

continued on page 6...

NRWA RURAL Water Rally 2020in Washington DC Rural Water

Rally

2020

February 3-5, 2020Hyatt Regency Washington

on Capitol Hill

nrwa.org/rally

#RuralWaterRepresents

THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TIMES

MRWA Wastewater Operation & Maintenance Training Session

April 7, 2020

Ranier City Hall2099 Spruce Street

Ranier, MN

Course Instructors:AE2S; Hach Company;

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; Minnesota Pump

Works; Team Lab Chemical Corp.; and Minnesota Rural

Water Association

Six Certifications Hours for Full Day Attendance

There is NO charge for this sessionTo Register For Any Training Session: Call the MRWA Office at

800-367-6792 or online at www.mrwa.com.Use the Training Calendar link.

8:00am MRWA Updates and ServicesSee what’s new in the industry and learn about the changes in store for water and wastewater operations specialists. Get the latest on MRWA training, events, and technology.

9:00am Bio-Augmentation / Algae ControlSee the case studies of biosolids reduction in the wastewater treatment system as well as how to curb algae blooms during discharges.

10:00am DERAGGER Technology & Pump ControlsSee the new DERAGGER technology: the first pump of its kind that knows when it’s plugged and can get itself unclogged of rags and debris in your wastewater system. Also, see the new technology in pump controls and SCADA to better understand your wastewater plant and lift stations.

11:00am MPCA Compliance & UpdatesLearn from the MPCA how to keep your wastewater treatment plant in compliance. See what they are looking for in a complete permit and how to pass inspection with flying colors.

12:00pm Lunch (On Your Own)

1:00pm Brewery Pretreatment & DisinfectionLearn how important brewery pretreatment is to not upset your wastewater treatment plant. Many breweries keep popping up and the wastewater treatment plant can’t handle the waste without pretreatment. This session will be a 101 on how to prepare yourself in case a brewery comes to your town.

2:00pm pH & DO in WastewaterSee how to calibrate and operate pH & DO meters and theimportance of pH & DO in wastewater. Once you’ve masteredthe metering process, let’s make sure you’re documenting yourinformation effectively.

3:00pm Wastewater Pond Optimization in MinnesotaLearn about pond optimization in Minnesota and what optimization in a wastewater pond means. Look closely into how this process can be effective in the treatment process in ponds for phosphorus removal, TSS removal, and algae blooms.

4:00pm End of Day

AGENDA


MRWA Water Operation & Maintenance Training Session

April 8, 2020

MRWA WaterO&M Training

Ranier City Hall2099 Spruce Street

Ranier, MN

About the Class:Get valuable information you need from our expert trainers to maintain

compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and state regulations.

Technical assistance to address compliance issues is available from

Minnesota Rural Water Association at no cost.

Support Minnesota Rural Water AssociationTraining | Technical Assistance

6 certification hours | FREE of charge!

Instructors: AMERICAN Flow Control; Ferguson Waterworks; KLM Engineering,

Inc.; Minnesota Department of Health; Thein Well Company; UtilityLogic, (a

Copperhead Company); and Minnesota Rural Water Association

This Safe Drinking Water Act training is brought to you through a grant by the

National Rural Water Association and US EPA.

Attend this session and learn how to keep your water system in compliance with state and federal drinking water

regulations!To Register For Any Training Session: Call the MRWA Office at800-367-6792 or online at www.mrwa.com.

Use the Training Calendar link.

AGENDA

8:00am MRWA Services and Round Table DiscussionSee what’s new in the industry and learn about the changes in store for water and wastewater operations specialists. Get the latest on MRWA training, events, and technology.

9:00am Evolution of Locating Technology and Operator SafetyLocating is done in every system and is constantly evolving with better technology available to operations specialists. See what’s new in the line locating industry to make your job more efficient. Also, learn about some new safety equipment that is now available to make your job safer.

10:00am Well Operation & MaintenanceIn this session, the instructor will cover a troubleshooting guide to operation and maintenance of well pumps and appurtenances and what to look for when maintaining your wells.

11:00am MDH UpdatesLearn from the Minnesota Department of Health what your responsibility is when you have a system pressure loss or low pressure during a planned outage or emergency repair to keep your system in compliance. Also, find out when you are required to hire an engineer for improvements and when you are not.

12:00pm Lunch (On Your Own)

1:00pm Top of the Tower TrainingAny and all water tower questions that you may have will be answered in this interactive group session.

2:00pm Fire Hydrant Operation & MaintenanceLearn the ins and outs of fire hydrant maintenance. A discussion will be held on what to do and what not to do when operating a fire hydrant. Weather permitting, this session will be held outdoors around the instructor’s fire hydrant training trailer.

3:00pm Metering with Today’s TechnologyLearn about some of today’s new metering technology that is currently available to utilities.

4:00pm End of Day

Sustainable Utility Management

This workshop will help utilities address a full range of challenges and improve the management of their operation and infrastructure.

Utilities will learn to make improvements in the ten key management areas, focusing first on their most pressing challenges.

Ten Key Management Areas:

1. Product Quality

2. Customer Satisfaction

3. Employee Leadership & Development

4. Operational Optimization

5. Financial Viability (including setting rates)

6. Operational Resiliency

7. Infrastructure Stability

8. Community Sustainability

9. Water Resource Adequacy

10. Customer Understanding & Support

Minnesota Rural Water Association in conjunction with USDA Rural Development, invite you to attend this Sustainable Management Workshop. Workshop Agenda Introductions & Workshop Objectives Overview of Key Management Areas Utility ‘Self Assessment’ Exercise Planning Your Next Distribution Replacement or New

Addition—What are your options? Lunch On Your Own Improving Outcomes Exercise Practices, Tools, and

Measures Discussion Action Plan Discussion / Exercise Workshop Feedback Objectives: How to deliver increasingly efficient, and higher

quality services. How to improve long-term sustainability and increase

resiliency. How to set rates and pay for your projects!!! How to use the Small Systems Guidebook to Effective

Utility Management to make improvements at your system.

Workshop Details: Date: April 14, 2020

Time: 8:30am—3:30pm

Location: Grand Rapids Public Utilities 500 SE 4th Street Grand Rapids, MN 55744

Fee: There is NO fee for this session

Register: Call 800-367-6792 or online at: www.mrwa.com/wf6.html

Hurry and register: Class is limited to 35 attendees!

Speakers: AE2S; Insurance Services Office (ISO); Suez Advanced Solutions and

Minnesota Rural Water Association

6 credit hours awarded for full day attendance.



April 15, 2020

MRWA WaterO&M Training

City of Elbow LakeMRWA Office Building

217 12th Ave SEElbow Lake, MN

About the Class:Get valuable information you need from our expert trainers to maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking

Water Act (SDWA) and state regulations.

Technical assistance to address compliance issues is available from

Minnesota Rural Water Association at no cost.

Support Minnesota Rural Water AssociationTraining | Technical Assistance

6 certification hours | FREE of charge!

Instructors: CORE & MAIN; KLM Engineering, Inc.; Minnesota Department of Health; Mueller Company; UtilityLogic, (a Copperhead Company); and Minnesota

Rural Water Association

This Safe Drinking Water Act training is brought to you through a grant by the

National Rural Water Association and US EPA.

Attend this session and learn how to keep your water system in compliance with state and federal drinking water

regulations!

To Register For Any Training Session: Call the MRWA Office at800-367-6792 or online at

www.mrwa.com. Use the Training Calendar link.

MRWA Water Operation & Maintenance Training SessionAGENDA

8:00am MRWA Services and Round Table DiscussionSee what’s new in the industry and learn about the changes in store for water and wastewater operations specialists. Get the latest on MRWA training, events, and technology.

9:00am Gate Valve Operation & MaintenanceLearn some of the new products that are available in the gate valve and butterfly valve industry. Proper maintenance of these valves will be covered by the instructor.

10:00am Evolution of Locating Technology and Operator SafetyLocating is done in every system and is constantly evolving with better technology available to operations specialists. See what’s new in the line locating industry to make your job more efficient. Also, learn about some new safety equipment that is now available to make your job safer.

11:00am MDH UpdatesLearn from the Minnesota Department of Health what your responsibility is when you have a system pressure loss or low pressure during a planned outage or emergency repair to keep your system in compliance. Also, find out when you are required to hire an engineer for improvements and when you are not.

12:00pm Lunch (Provided)

1:00pm Choosing Proper Pipe Products for your ProjectFrom ductile iron to C900, this session will cover how to choose the proper pipe and restraint materials for your upcoming projects.

2:00pm Water Tower MaintenanceIn this 2-hour session, the instructor will cover proper water tower maintenance and what to look for when having your tower cleaned. Part of this session will be spent on-site at the Elbow Lake water tower as a crew cleans and inspects their water tower.

4:00pm End of Day


“The people of Rural Development are dedicated and enthusiastic about our industry,” said DJ LaVoy, Deputy Undersecretary for Rural Development. “They understand one of the four things that is important to us is Rural Water.”

Lavoy said the work of water and wastewater technicians and associations is imperative to the success of our industry. Both speakers were thoroughly impressed with what our association and Rural Water employees have accomplished over the years and knows the best is yet to come.

“Our partnerships and programs aren’t going anywhere,” LaVoy said. “We want to grow our relationship with you.”

He said that the NRWA has their full support and is looking forward to the future. Blunt and LaVoy talked about where the water industry started and how much it has grown and improved since clean, safe drinking water became a big priority in Rural America.

“We are so proud to be part of the patriots and leaders that [water and wastewater technicians] are,” Lavoy said. “When Rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”

LaVoy and Blunt understand that none of this progress would have been possible without the programs put in place and funded by the federal government.

“The programs that have been put in place in the last few years deserve priority support,” Blunt said.

LaVoy explained the disconnect between the general public and the water and wastewater industry. Most people do not understand what goes into making clean, affordable drinking water in Rural America.

“The small towns, that’s what we are all about,” LaVoy said.

The water and wastewater workforce are a specific group of people dedicated to ingenuity and providing safe, clean drinking water to Rural America. Without these technicians, many jobs and activities in America would not be possible.

“We have to make sure our water is safe and functioning,” Lavoy said. “Our circuit riders maintain that water supply.”Blunt talked about how the NRWA Apprenticeship Program will be a very important movement to incorporate veterans and other diverse employment opportunities into our industry.

“We need to do a better job creating these alternatives,” Blunt said. “We have a great story about what [water and wastewater technicians] do and why it matters.”

“Half of your workforce will be retiring in the next decade,” Blunt said.

The water and wastewater industry is aging rapidly, and the NRWA Apprenticeship Program was created to recruit new professionals to lead the industry. With new technologies and standards being put into place, the water and wastewater industry will require more training. This program has been tailored to new or emerging professionals in the industry who do not possess the wealth of knowledge current professionals near the age of retirement hold. The program will help initiate the next generation into the profession and help them to be successful.

“When disaster strikes it is [water and wastewater technicians] and our first responders who make sure we have a viable water source and keeps our lives functioning the way they are supposed to be,” LaVoy said.

The opening session also included remarks from NRWA President Kent Watson of Illinois; NRWA Chair of the Legislative Committee John O’Connell; Bill Simpson, Mike Keegan, Michael Preston and Keith Heard of the NRWA DC Staff; NRWA Deputy CEO Matt Holmes; and NRWA CEO Sam Wade.

Clean, safe, affordable water is important and Rural Water initiatives are the most effective. MRWA’s representation at NRWA’s Water Rally is critical to ensuring that funds are allocated to assist the nation’s small water and wastewater systems. MRWA was able to meet with all 10 federal legislators and had successful and productive meetings.

Minnesota Water Rally attendees included Lori Blair, MRWA Executive Director; Les Anderson, MRWA Chairman and National Director, and Board Member from Red Rock Rural Water System; Dominic Jones, Manager of Red Rock Rural Water System; Luke Heikkila, MRWA Board Member and City of Two Harbors Superintendent; Tracy Bergh, MRWA Board Member from North Kittson Rural Water; and Frank Stuemke, MRWA Pond Optimization Specialist.

Minnesota’s 2019 winning Best Tasting Water contest water sample from the city of St. Peter competed in the Great American Water Taste Test held on February 5th at the Rural Water Rally in Washington, D.C. the Great American Water Taste Test’s gold medal went to North Marshall Water District in Kentucky.

Reprinted from NRWA www.nrwa.orgFebruary 6, 2020 – by Cheyenne Jones

Minnesota Rural Water meets with Rep. Hagedorn to discuss issues the water and wastewater industry faces in day-to-day life.

Minnesota Rural Water Board and Staff with Congressman Peterson.

Cover Story: NRWA Rural Water Rally 2020 (cont...)


MRWA’s 2020 Membership Directory DistributedMRWA’s 2020 Membership Directory was recently mailed to our

member municipal systems and industry members. You can also find the Directory online on our home page at www.mrwa.com. Please

support our members and advertisers who make this Directory possible!

Option #1 Option #2 Option #3

Minnesota Rural Water Association 2020 Membership Directory

Approved As Shown Requires Changes And Needs To Be Emailed To: __________________________

Approved With Changes Noted

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Colors in the covers are for representational purposes only and will be brighter and more exact in the final print. Also artwork and photos shown in the covers are not exact, only because our printers are limited and once printed, the quality will be much improved.

Lewis & ClarkReceives Funding Increase for FY20

Only $100,000 Again Proposed for FY21Contact: Troy Larson, Executive Director - 605-368-2400 (work) and 605-310-0560 (cell)

February 11, 2020

Tea, SD – The Bureau of Reclamation announced that the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System will receive $18 million in federal funding for FY20, an increase of $3 million compared to FY19. “Thanks to the hard work and strong support of our tristate delegation, Congress approved an additional $117.4 million for the Rural Water Program in the FY20 Budget. Reclamation in turn allocated $17.9 million of this amount to Lewis & Clark. When combined with the $100,000 proposed by the administration it brings our total for FY20 to $18 million,” said Executive Director Troy Larson. The FY20 funding will be used to cover a portion of three construction projects -- a radial collector well adjacent to the Missouri River near Vermillion that is anticipated to produce 16 million gallons per day, a 2.5 million gallon water tower just east of Beresford, and the 12.6 mile middle segment of 24-inch pipeline between Beresford and Sioux Center.

The administration’s proposed FY21 Budget was released on February 10. For the third consecutive year it only includes $100,000 for Lewis & Clark. “While very disappointing, the proposed funding is not surprising. We will again be counting on our tristate delegation to secure additional funding for the Rural Water Program.”

BACKGROUND: Lewis & Clark is a non-profit wholesale provider of water to its member cities and rural water systems in southeast SD, northwest IA and southwest MN. Its water source is a series of wells adjacent to the Missouri River and has a treatment plant near Vermillion. The project was incorporated in 1990 and authorized by Congress in 2000. Construction began in 2004 and Lewis & Clark started delivering water in 2012. The System is currently 82% complete and is serving water to 15 of its 20 members. Based on recent federal funding levels, which are subject to change, it is anticipated Sioux Center and Hull will be connected in 2022, Sheldon in 2023, Sibley in 2024 and Madison in 2025.

Pipeline construction east of Beresford, SD

Minnesota Rural Water Association217 12th Avenue SEElbow Lake, MN 56531

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGEPAIDPOS

MRWA ServicesMRWA Valve Exercising MachineMRWA purchased a SD8000 Spin Doctor with extended reach by Hurco valve exercising machine. MRWA’s members have the option to rent this machine by the day or week. The machine will be operated by the city staff, with training provided by MRWA. Call our office to get on the list for 2020: pricing for our members runs $800 per week or $175 per day. Call now! 800-367-6792.

Loan ProgramsMRWA offers financing programs with our Micro Loan, Midi Loan, and MEGA loan programs. The Micro Loan helps members finance small projects at the lowest possible cost. The Midi Loan program assists with loans up to $1 million and repaid in 15 years. The MEGA Loan program is for loans over $1 million. MRWA also offers an Interim Financing Loan Program for USDA RD funded projects. Call today! 800-367-6792.

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