the technical assistance times - mrwa.com times/tatimesmrwamay2014redfile.pdf · under these...

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1,472 Attend MRWA Conference

Inside this issue:

MRWA Water Operation & Maintenance Training Session

MRWA Wastewater Operation & Maintenance Training

MRWA Wastewater Operation & Maintenance Training

MRWA Active Shooter - How to Respond Training Session

MRWA Sustainable Management Workshop for Systems

LMCIT Sign Retroreflectivity Memo & Policy available

Think Spring: MRWA Has a Financing Program For You!

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May 2014May 2014

MRWA Hosts Largest Water& Wastewater TechnicalConference in Minnesota!

It was another great conference forMinnesota Rural Water Association!We would like to thank over 1,472conference attendees who helped make the 30th Annual MRWA Water& Wastewater Technical Conference a success. Conference attendees wereable to take part in over 58 differenttraining opportunities and events.

We would like to thank over 220 vendor exhibit booths for providing the latest technology, products, services and large equipment at theconference. We also really appreciatethe time and talents of the many professionals who spoke at our conference. Thank you! We couldn’tdo it without you.

Congratulations to Rick Vollbrecht,City of Waterville, (pictured on the 4-Wheeler at middle right with MRWAExecutive Director Ruth Hubbard andMike Clemens, Hawkins, Inc. whodonated a portion of the 4-Wheeler)for winning the 4-Wheeler in thesports raffle and to the lucky winner of the ultimate fishing package donated by Terry Maier, Team Lab(shown at bottom, right). The city ofShakopee took home the top prize forthe “Best Tasting Water” in Minnesotacontest. Shakopee’s water sample willgo on to represent Minnesota on anational level taste test contest in Washington DC in 2015. Pictured above (top photo) bottom rowfrom left to right: Taste Test judges: Paul Swenson, Kodru-Mooney; Bill Spain, St. Cloud Community& Technical College; and Matt Holmes, National Rural Water Association; top row from left to right:MRWA Groundwater Specialist Robyn Hoerr; Taste Test winner representing the city of Shakopee JoeHillstrom; and MRWA Source Water Protection Specialist Mike Strodtman.

We’re on Facebook! Become a fan today!

REMINDERConsumer Confidence

Reports are due

July 1, 2014.

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THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TIMES

MRWA Water Operation & Maintenance Training Session

8:00am Registration and Introductions

Winter 2014: Case Studies on Frozen Water LinesWhat did you do during the winter of 2014 for frozen waterline issues? What did you do that you can share with others?We will discuss a plan if history repeats itself in the future.

Drinking Water Quality Control: Distribution SystemFlushingFlushing the distribution system insures clean, safe, and quality drinking water. See new ideas and technology to makeit safe, fast, reliable, and cost effective.

Water Conservation Issues: The Cold Hard Facts,Distribution System Products ReviewDuring the past winter, we learned alot about what products worked and performed the best in the field, especially in thetrenches at -20 below. We will review what worked the best under these extreme conditions with pipe repair clamps, service saddles, and distribution system products.

Water Treatment Process Control: Control Valve Operationin the Water SystemLearn about the importance of control valves, the differenttypes, and how to maintain, overhaul, and rebuild them.

Water Treatment Chemical Control UpdatesNew chemical storage room requirements for new treatmentfacilities. See how this can affect you when updating your water or wastewater facility.

12:00pm Lunch - (On Your Own)

1:00pm* Water Operations Specialist Retirement OverviewLearn where your money is being invested and if there are going to be any changes in the retirement funds in the future.Learn what you should do to prepare for your future.

Water Treatment Facility Safety Updates: MunicipalitiesWorking Together with OSHA InspectorsDiscover what the most common OSHA citations are and whatOSHA inspectors are looking for when they walk through thedoor.

Water Quality Control to Excel Water Reservoir TurnoverThe 2014 winter taught municipalities the importance of preparing for cold weather. We will discuss thawing proceduresfor towers, the possible damage caused by a freeze-up, safetymeasures, and insurance related issues related to freeze-ups.

4:00pm Questions & Answers, End of Day

May 7, 2014City of Spicer

American Legion155 Lake Avenue South

Spicer, MN

Course Objective: This session is designed to give the attendee a clear understanding of water distribution system products andflushing, water reservoir turnoverand freeze up and thawingoptions, water treatment chemicalcontrol, control system options,control valve operation installa-tion and maintenance, water conservation issues, as well asOSHA inspections and citations.

Course Instructors: This training session will be taughtwith the assistance of HawkinsWater Treatment Group,Minnesota OSHA, MuellerCompany, Northwestern PowerEquipment Co., PERA, WaterTower Clean & Coat, andMinnesota Rural WaterAssociation.

Six Certification Hours for Full Day Attendance

There is NO charge for this session.

To Register For Any TrainingSession: Call the MRWA Office at

800-367-6792 or online atwww.mrwa.com. Use the training

calendar link.

*Water Operator Certification Exam will be given at 1:00pm. You must pre-register with the MinnesotaDepartment of Health 15 days prior to the training session. For an application form and study guide,call MRWA at 800-367-6792 or Mark Sloan, MDH, at 651-201-4652. You can also download an examapplication at: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/wateroperator/infoexam/opexamapp.pdf.

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MRWA Wastewater Operation & Maintenance Training Session

8:00am Wastewater Roundtable DiscussionWastewater systems are facing many types of issues that affecttheir wastewater operation. At this roundtable discussion,learn from other operations specialists about their experienceswith wastewater problems. If your system is having a wastewater issue, come have a roundtable discussion about it!

9:00am Pipestone’s Wastewater Pre-TreatmentThe city of Pipestone has a pond system and due to loading they needed to add a pre-treatment facility. Learn on-site whythey added it and see the operation and maintenance of thatpre-treatment facility.

10:30am Locating Your Underground Utility LinesLearn how tracer wires have been used in the past and how they will be used in the future. See how your line tracer worksand get some tips to help you with the line tracing of your utilities at this session.


1:00pm Air Release Valve Selection & MaintenanceLearn about air release/air vacuum and combination valves.See the proper application, what the importance of thesevalves are, and the required maintenance procedures.

2:00pm The Basics of New & Old Maintenance Preparation atTreatment PlantsBefore you paint that new or old part of your treatment plant, it is critical to do the right preparation. Learn at this sessionwhat you should be doing before painting your system or youmay be wasting your money.

3:00pm Wastewater Asset Management / Final Wrap Up ofWastewater DiscussionFind out what asset management is and how it may helpyou with operation and management of your system. Thissession will also be a final discussion on any wastewaterissues from today’s topics.

4:00pm End of Day

May 13, 2014City of Pipestone

Emergency Management& Veterans Service Bldg.

811 5th Street SEPipestone, MN

Course Instructors:City of Pipestone,

Infratech, Kodru-Mooney,Sherwin Williams

Protective & MarineCoatings, and MinnesotaRural Water Association.



To Register For Any Training Session: Call the MRWA Office at 800-367-6792 or online at www.mrwa.com. Use the training calendar link.

Upcoming Water U Webinars

Water Well Asset Management Programs: A New

Sustainable Approach to Maintaining Well Performance & Extending Service Life

May 15th, 2pm - FREE Webinar. - Instructor: Randy Moore & Ray Reece, Utility Service Co.

An effective well asset management program can maintain an established production rate, consistent water quality andoverall lower pumping costs over the life of the well while extending the useful service life of the well. Register for thissession at: www.mrwa.com/wateru.html



MRWA Wastewater Operation & Maintenance Training Session

8:00am Industry Updates: What’s New in the Wastewater andCollection System IndustryLearn about new rules and regulations. See what’s new in ourindustry. Take a behind the scenes look at MRWA and what we are working on to benefit you!

9:00am As-Builts, Construction Drawings, Blueprints, and PlansSee the importance of construction drawings and as-builts. Learn how to read as-built drawings. This session will alsocover manhole elevations, mainline depths, sewer wyes, valves,pipe identification, and lift station drawings.

10:00am eDMRs - The New Supplemental FormLearn on-site about the new eDMR supplemental form. See how the new form works and how to apply your eDMR thatyou are currently using. MPCA will present and assist withyour questions. This is a two hour time block to assist you!


1:00pm Review Wastewater Treatment Pond OperationsReview theory and how wastewater ponds are effective inthe treatment of wastewater. Review operational and treatmentstrategies for pond operations, discharge operations andtesting procedures, rapid infiltration, discharge to receivingwaters, and spray irrigation.

2:00pm Lift Station / Sewer Chewer ApplicationsSee on-site at Walker’s main pumping station the operational strategies and learn about flush valves installed on the liftpumps, and the benefits of this application. Also, see on-sitehow a sewer chewer application is beneficial to fish cleaningstations on the shores of Leech Lake in Walker. Learn how theprocess works and see it operate.

3:00pm Lift Station CalibrationOn-site at the main lift station in Walker, a pump calibrationwill be performed. This pump draw down exercise will review the math calculations in properly reporting on your DMR thehourly, daily, and monthly flow reporting. Your lift stationshould be calibrated twice a year. Learn on-site how to perform this for your community’s pump stations.

4:00pm End of Day

May 14, 2014City of Walker

American Legion402 Front Street

Walker, MN

Course Instructors:Electric Pump, MinnesotaPollution Control Agency,

and Minnesota Rural WaterAssociation.



To Register For AnyTraining Session: Call theMRWA Office at 800-367-

6792 or online atwww.mrwa.com. Use the

training calendar link.

USDA RD - Loan Rates Announced

Interest rates for USDA RD water and wastewater loans—issued quarterly at three different levels: the povertyline rate, the intermediate rate and the market rate— have been announced. The rate applied to a particular project depends on community income and the type of project being funded.

The most recent rates announced are: poverty line: 2.50%; intermediate: 3.250%; and market: 4.125%.

Loan are administered through the Minnesota Rural Development offices, which can provide specific information concerning loan requirements and applications procedures. View a listing of Minnesota USDA RD state offices inMinnesota Rural Water Association’s Membership Directory found online at: www.mrwa.com.



Active Shooter: How to Respond Training Session

Back by Popular Demand! Active Shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Becauseactive shooter situations are often over within 10-15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.

This program provides participants with a fast paced audience interactive presentation. It is intended for all utility personnel, managers, directors, administrators, clerks, front-desk personnel, security personnel, fire departments, and anyone interested in learning HOW TO RESPOND.

In this session you will: Learn about the profile of an active shoot-er and good practices for coping with an active shooter situation.Learn how to respond when an active shooter is in your vicinity;Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your ownlife; How to respond when law enforcement arrives; Prepare forand manage an active shooter situation; Recognize potential work-place violence; and Managing the consequences of an activeshooter situation.

Train your staff for an active shooter situation and remember that customers and clients are likely to follow the lead of employeesand managers during an active shooter situation.

Sponsored By MRWA Corporate Partners:

Diamond Partner: Kodru-Mooney

Ruby Partners: Adaptor, Inc.;

AE2S; Dakota Pump & Control;

DSG Metering Technology;

Engineering America; Hawkins

Water Treatment Group; KLM

Engineering, Inc.; Minnesota Pipe &

Equipment; MSA Professional Services;

Stantec; Swanson Flo-Systems; Team Lab

Chemical Corp.; Ulteig; and WSB & Associates,

Inc.

Emerald Partners: Aeration Industries

International; Apex Engineering, Inc.; Bollig,

Inc.; Bolton & Menk, Inc.; Electric Pump;

Flexible Pipe Tool Co.; HD Supply Waterworks;

HDR Engineering; Hydro-Klean, LLC; I&S

Group; Infratech; KLJ; MacQueen Equipment,

Inc.; Moore Engineering, Inc.; Raymond James;

Ritter & Ritter Sewer Service; Sensus USA;

Servocal Instruments, Inc.; Short Elliott

Hendrickson Inc.; Summit Envirosolutions; Thul

Specialty Contracting; Utility Service Co., Inc.;

Visu-Sewer, Inc.; and Widseth Smith Nolting.

Class: Active Shooter: How To Respond

Date & May 21, 2014 Location: Kelly Inn, 100 4th Ave S., St, Cloud, MN

Time: 8:00am - 4:00pmLunch is provided by MRWA

Cost: $125.00 members or $150.00 non-members

Register: Mail registration form and check by May 16, 2014 to:

Minnesota Rural Water Association217 12th Avenue SE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531Phone: 800-367-6792 * Fax: 218-685-5272

Name: __________________________________________________________________________________

Title: __________________________ Representing: __________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________________

City: ___________________________________ State: ___________ Zip: ________________________

Phone: _______________________________ Fax: _____________________________________________

E-mail: _________________________________________________________________________________

Refund policy: Full refund will not be given unless MRWA is notified 48 hours in advance. Partial credit allowance on medical orsnow removal emergency only will be considered on a case by case basis.



MRWA Sustainable Management Workshop

Sustainable Management Workshop for Small& Rural Systems

This workshopwill help utilitiesaddress a full range of challengesand improve themanagement oftheir operation and infrastructure.

Utilities will learn to make improvementsin the ten key management areas, focusingfirst 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

6. Operational Resiliency

7. Infrastructure Stability

8. Community Sustainability

9. Water Resource Adequacy

10. Customer Understanding & Support

Minnesota Rural Water Association in conjunction withthe US EPA and USDA Rural Development, invite you toattend this Sustainable Management Workshop.

Workshop Agenda

Introductions & Workshop Objectives

Overview of Key Management Areas

Utility ‘Self Assessment’ Exercise

Self Assessment Results Discussion

Working Lunch

Improving Outcomes Exercise Practices, Tools, andMeasures Discussion

Action Plan Discussion / Exercise

Workshop Feedback

Objectives:

How to deliver increasingly e cient, and higherquality services.

How to improve long term sustainability and increaseresiliency.

How to use the Small Systems Guidebook to E ectiveUtility Management to make improvements at yoursystem.

Workshop Details:

Date: May 28, 2014

Time: 8:30am—3:30pm (working lunch provided)

Location: 19 13th Ave. N., Waite Park, MN(use north parking lot)

Fee: $20.00 working lunch fee

Register: Use back side of flyer or online at:www.mrwa.com/wf6.html

Hurry and register: Class is limited to 35 attendees!

6 credit hours awarded for full day attendance.

Use form on next page



Memo and Model Policy on Sign Retroreflectivity

By June 13, 2014 , all agencies, including cities, who maintainroadways open to public travel must adopt a sign maintenanceprogram designed to maintain traffic sign retroreflectivity ator above specific levels.

“Retroreflectivity” describes how light is reflected from a surfaceand returned to its original source. Traffic signs are made withretroreflectivity sign sheeting material that redirects headlamp illumination back toward the vehicle, thereby making the sign visible at nighttime to the vehicle driver. Improvements to night-time visibility of traffic signs will help drivers better navigateroads at night and thus promote safety and mobility. Improvementsin sign visibility will also help older drivers whose visual capabilities may be declining. However, some studieshave shown that if signs are too bright there may a loss of legibility or create a glare that limits the driver’sability to see potentially hazardous objects near or on the road. The city should recognize this potential problem when selecting sign sheeting materials.

The retroreflectivity properties of all sign sheeting materials degrade over time making signs progressively lessvisible at night. As signs degrade and become less retroreflective, their effectiveness in communicating regula-tory, warning, and guidance messages to road users at nighttime diminishes to the point that they cannot beseen or read in time for the driver to react properly. Thus, to maintain nighttime effectiveness, signs should bereplaced before they reach the end of their useful life.

Access the memo and model policy on LMC’s web site at: www.lmc.org.

Class: Sustainable Management Workshop for Small & Rural Systems

Date & May 28, 2014 Location: 19 13th Ave. N., Waite Park, MN (park in the north parking lot)

Time: 8:30am - 3:30pmWorking lunch is provided by MRWA

Cost: $20.00 (working lunch provided)

Register: Mail registration form and check by May 23, 2014 to:

Minnesota Rural Water Association217 12th Avenue SE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531Phone: 800-367-6792 * Fax: 218-685-5272

Name: __________________________________________________________________________________

Title: __________________________ Representing: __________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________________

City: ___________________________________ State: ___________ Zip: ________________________

Phone: _______________________________ Fax: _____________________________________________

E-mail: _________________________________________________________________________________

Refund policy: Full refund will not be given unless MRWA is notified 48 hours in advance. Partial credit allowance on medical orsnow removal emergency only will be considered on a case by case basis.

New rules for sign

retroreflectivity


Minnesota Rural Water Association

217 12th Avenue SE

Elbow Lake, MN 56531

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGEPAIDPOS

Construction Season is Here!

Request a free quote from MRWA’s

Micro, Midi, or MEGA Loan at:www.mrwa.com/loan.html.

Check Out Minnesota Rural Water Association’s FinancePrograms This Spring to Meet Your Funding Needs.

MICRO Loan - helping Members finance small projects at the

lowest possible cost. www.mrwa.com/microloan.html

MIDI Loan - most suitable for debt amounts of up to $1 million,

which can be repaid in 15 years or less. www.mrwa.com/midi.html

MEGA Loan - makes available loans over $1 million. Ask for a

custom quote online at: www.mrwa.com/megaloan.html

Interim Financing - provides an interim construction loan

program to provide funding for communities which have received a permanent loan commitment from the USDA, Rural Development (RD).www.mrwa.com/interimloan.html or MRWA Executive Director RuthHubbard at 800-367-6792.

More informationon all loan programs: www.mrwa.com or contact MRWA ExecutiveDirector Ruth Hubbard at 800-367-6792 or Financial Advisor DavidDrown Associates at 612-920-3320

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