Completed Training
Tennessee Association of Utility Districts (TAUD) developed and conducted a series of 12 two-day performance-based course offerings at multiple locations across Tennessee entitled ‘Bacteriological Sampling, Monitoring, and Reporting.” The course curriculum, classroom materials, and course exercises targeted small community water treatment and distribution system operators. With minor modifications, these materials should be easily transferable to other interested states. Through this project, TAUD trained small water system operators in areas such as: developing a bacteriological sampling plan; following proper bacteriological sampling procedures and sample handling protocol; selecting proper sampling locations for bacteriological sampling; maintaining the required records; complying with reporting requirements; and conducting hands-on analysis of bacteriological samples for total and fecal coliform, iron bacteria and slime-producing bacteria. A resource titled “Bacteriological Sampling, Monitoring and Reporting” was developed.
Start/End Dates: 07/01/06 to 5/31/07
Based on a multi-state needs survey the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc. developed a set of customized Small Water System Board Training Manuals for Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, to enhance the financial, technical, and managerial expertise of small public water system board members in these states. SE RCAP delivered board member training for 60 small water systems in 47 communities. The training allowed board members to implement management practices that benefited the local small public water system and ultimately provided long-term safe and reliable drinking water to their customers. This project also enhanced current work performed in RCAP’s Technitrain and Safe Drinking Water grant programs, and supported the efforts of each state’s Rural Water Association. Start/End Dates: 08/01/01 to 07/31/02.
The Mississippi Rural Water Association developed and updated a Capacity Development Handbook and conducted five training sessions in technical, managerial, and financial capacity. The handbook includes model policies and procedures, long range planning, rate setting, an emergency response plan, cross connection plan, by-laws, a water user agreement, employee job descriptions, and a security plan. These models are guidelines for water systems to develop their system’s policies. More than 75 managers, operators, and office personnel of rural and municipal community water systems serving populations of 10,000 or less, received training at 5 locations statewide. Start/End Dates: 01/01/04 to 5/31/05.
In North Carolina, certification of drinking water system operators is conducted by the Public Water Supply Section of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR). Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) developed a comprehensive correspondence/internet course and training manual, Groundwater Treatment: A Training Manual for D-Level Well Certificationto provide small water system operators in North Carolina with D-Well training in preparation for certification from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This course allows operators with limited resources the opportunity to receive the necessary training at home and on their own time and to prepare for the D-Well certification exam. Based on discussions with NCDENR staff along with a review of other similar courses offered by WPCC in the past, this program could potentially serve up to 500 operators over a 6 year period.
NCDENR identified over 1,000 small water systems that lacked a certified operator in charge of the system. The vast majority of these systems serve very small communities, and many are classified as Non-transient/Non-community water systems. These small systems are typically comprised of a groundwater supply, simple treatment processes, limited storage capacity, and small diameter distribution lines and are classified in North Carolina as “D-Well” systems. D-Wells primarily serve mobile home parks, churches, summer camps, resort areas, and small subdivisions with small distribution lines. They are often operated by grounds or maintenance personnel with other job responsibilities and limited access to resources necessary to operate a system. Start/End Dates: 05/01/01 to 04/30/02.
To assist small public water systems in complying with the Stage 2 Disinfection By products Rule (Stage 2 DBPR), especially the Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE) requirements, Alabama Rural Water Association (ARWA) is developing and conducting four regional training classes in Alabama’s four geographical quadrants. Based on previous training efforts and experience, the ARWA expects to reach approximately 200-250 operators with this training. The technical training will include, but is not limited to Stage 2 DBPR IDSE compliance requirements through Very Small System (VSS) Waivers, 40/30 Certification submittal, conducting a Standard Monitoring Plan (SMP), or conducting a System Specific Study (SSS). A training package will be available to both utility personnel and board members, which will include technical training session presentation handouts, IDSE Pertinent Issues Summary, EPA’s IDSE guidance document, the Stage 2 DBPR, and ARWA Contact information for on-site technical assistance. ARWA will generate a list of systems and operators not in attendance and provide them with a training package in an effort to reach all targeted utilities.
Start/End Dates: 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Recent developments across the country have reinforced the importance of financial management in assuring the ability of utilities, especially small ones, to provide high quality and safe drinking water to their customers. Assessing and strengthening financial capacity is now a formal federal and state regulatory requirement as part of the capacity development program. Assuring that utilities implement sustainable financial management is a shared responsibility between utility staff, those that provide them with technical assistance (consultants, professional associations, etc.); and most importantly individuals on utility governing boards. The individuals on these governing boards often have very little financial management experience, yet regularly make incredibly important financial management decisions. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Environmental Finance Center’s project brought together organizations that provide assistance or oversight to utilities; developed a consensus on the priority financial issues facing governing boards in North Carolina; and developed a series of workshops and publications to address key issues. The Guidebook to Financial Leadership for Water Utility Boards presents case studies of best management practices in innovative fee systems, asset management systems, and marketing strategies. Training was customized to individual communities with 71 members representing 12 boards participating. More program information is available online at www.efc.unc.edu/projects/WaterLeadership.htmStart/End Dates: 01/15/04 to 05/31/05.
Mississippi State University Extension Service (MSU-ES) developed a customer service video, Managing Difficult Customers, to be used as a training tool to enhance the Public Water System Board Management Training Program developed by MSU-ES in cooperation with the Mississippi Department of Health, Mississippi Rural Water Association, Community Resource Group, and Mississippi Water Pollution Control Operators’ Association. Customer service was one of the lowest rated subject areas covered in the curriculum by participants of the Board Member Training. The video is also distributed to water systems upon request to use as a training tool within their own system. The video is specifically designed to relate to small water system personnel and incorporates tips, strategies, and techniques for dealing with difficult customers by featuring real-life customer conflict scenarios. Board members, managers, operators, bookkeepers and other water system officials can benefit from the video. Start/End Dates: 01/01/04 to 05/31/05.
The Tennessee Association of Utility Districts (TAUD) developed performance-based training/training materials on Maintaining Water Quality in the Distribution System. The project was targeted at water treatment plant and distribution system operators at systems serving a population of 10,000 or less. TAUD conducted 12 two-day training sessions during the project period in which more than 270 small system operators received instruction covering essential skills and tasks required to maintain water quality in the distribution system. Support materials included “Maintaining Water Quality in the Distribution System” Instructor Manual and Student Handbook, and Power Point presentations used by instructors. Start/End Dates: 9/01/04 to 5/31/06
The Tennessee Association of Utility Districts (TAUD) developed procedures and materials for training water treatment plant operators in two areas: 1) filter performance evaluation techniques and 2) how to correct problems discovered. Eight two-day training sessions provided instruction in filter performance optimization to 138 participants. The host systems enjoyed the added benefit of the filter evaluation demonstration being conducted at their facility. The training targeted surface water treatment plant operators at systems serving a population of 10,000 or less. Training materials, Filter Evaluation and Optimization Student Guide, procedures, and CDs with PowerPoint presentations were submitted to SE-TAC. Start/End Dates: 7/01/03 to 6/30/04.
The Tennessee Association of Utility Districts (TAUD), in consultation with experienced water treatment professionals throughout the state, identified critical water treatment processes and skills, and developed a performance-based water treatment training manual to assist trainers in preparing to teach classes, help operators understand basic skills needed for efficient operations, and aid managers and utility decision makers in understanding the complexities of water treatment operations. These training materials were used to conduct five training sessions, teaching 51 participants essential skills and tasks required to operate a treatment plant in compliance with primacy agency rules. TAUD targeted water treatment plant operators at systems serving a population of 10,000 or less. Training materials, procedures, and CDs with PowerPoint presentations were submitted to SE-TAC. The manual, Performance-based Training for Water Treatment Plant Operators: A Catalogue of Essential Tasks and Performance Standards for Water Treatment Plant Operators,covers a range of treatment processes and skills, including: Raw Water Pumpage Reporting, Coagulation/Flocculation, Sedimentation, Filtration, Disinfection, Corrosion Control, Taste and Odor, Aeration, Iron and Manganese Control, and Flouridation. TAUD expanded the Performance-based Training for Water Treatment Plant Operators project with additional funding in the 3rd cycle. A Water Treatment Handbook was developed to support six training sessions covering essential skills and tasks required for operating water treatment plants in compliance with state primacy agency rules. Start/End Dates: 07/01/02 to 06/30/03.
The Alabama Rural Water Association project will provide specialized training to address the needs of Emergency Preparedness. The training will focus on topics such as Auxiliary Generator Sizing, Emergency Response Plan Updates, Electrical Hook-up Requirements, Alternate Communication Plans and other critical subjects which have been identified during previous Hurricane Relief response efforts. ARWA will organize and plan a minimum of six one-day training sessions throughout the State, providing a minimum of 6 hours of training at each location. Local training will be held within a 60 mile radius of most systems. Each participant will be provided copies of EPA’s sample Emergency Response Plan Guidelines as well as other documents already available from EPA and the State Regulatory Agency. For those systems unable to be represented at the training locations, a hard copy and/or CD ROM of the documents will be mailed to each system. As a result of this training activity, small water systems will be able to assess the status of their system’s emergency preparedness and recognize needs for new or updated approaches to emergency recovery efforts. In addition, on site follow up visits to interested water utility personnel will be offered.
Start/End Dates: 02/01/07 to 01/31/08
The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) provided training and informational materials to help small systems deal with terrorism, build financial and technical capacity, and strengthen programs in source water protection. Two workshops reached 114 small system personnel on these high priority issues. Training sessions included presentations by recognized experts in the field of water system security and rate-setting and state agency personnel, with presentations on financial and technical resources that are available to small water system leaders. Training materials, as well as a high quality video recording of the workshops, were distributed to small water systems through the TWRI web site. Many of the presentations and other workshop materials are available at http://water-workshop.tamu.edu. TWRI developed four Fact Sheets (pdf) to supplement the training:
- Resources for Small Water Systems in Texas;
- Water Quality Protection Information Sources for Small Water Supply Systems;
- Homeland Security Challenges Facing Small Water Systems in Texas; and,
- Rate Setting for Small Water Systems.
Mississippi Community Resource Group (MCRG) is conducting four day-long training programs in Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas. The MCRG’s project will educate and train employees of public utilities in the multi-state area on how to properly operate and manage utilities, in both normal times and in emergencies. Since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the coast lines of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, technical assistance providers have witnessed first hand the need for hands-on training to prepare small systems for dealing with catastrophic events. Various modules and exercises are being developed and included in the training to give students the tools to begin to organize and manage their utility to better deal with various emergencies. Practical exercises based on actual events will be included to give the students real-life examples of what they may have to cope with in actual emergencies.
Start/End Dates: 07/01/06 to 4/30/07
The Texas Rural Water Association (TRWA) presented a series of one-day security training sessions for small public water systems across Texas. The sessions were developed in cooperation with the state primacy agency, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), to compliment the current and ongoing water utility security work of that agency.
Vulnerability assessment and emergency response plan models and templates, developed by the National Rural Water Association and the National Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, were adapted for Texas. The 15 workshops taught 460 staff members from more than 300 small water utilities how to prepare and submit where required, vulnerability assessments and emergency response plans that were tailored for their utility. A Security Manual, which provides further information and guidance on preparing and implementing these assessments and plans was also developed. Start/End Dates: 05/01/03 to 3/31/04.
The Tennessee Association of Utility Districts (TAUD) project will develop and conduct a training course to small community water system operators and managers entitled “Stage 2 DBPR Training for Small Water Systems.” The training format is a series of 12 two-day course offerings at multiple locations across the state of Tennessee, reaching approximately 180 water system operators. The course will target small community water treatment and distribution system operators and managers and will be directly applicable for use in other states which may choose to adopt this training course without significant modifications. TAUD will train small water system operators and managers: to understand the purpose and objectives of the Stage 2 DBPR and how it applies to their specific system; to identify specific compliance dates that apply to their system; to develop proper applications for VSS Waiver or 40/30 Certification, if applicable; to develop a Standard Monitoring Plan including proper selection of sampling locations and the rationale for their selection; to maintain the required records; to comply with Stage 2 reporting requirements and submittal deadlines; and to develop an Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE) report. Operators who attend this training will gain a better understanding of the purpose and objectives of Stage 2 and will have the specific tools to comply with the Stage 2 DBPR as it applies to their system.
Start/End Dates: 02/01/07 to 05/31/08
The Alabama Rural Water Association (ARWA) works daily with the public water utilities in the State of Alabama offering technical assistance, training and additional services. With this project ARWA provided specialized training focused on developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for small public water systems. A “SOP” Guidebook and CD-ROM were developed in support of the project. SOPs are highly recommended by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for proper operation of the water system. Eight local SOP training sessions were held within a 60-mile radius of targeted utilities and a sample SOP Template on CD-ROM was provided free of charge to all 242 small public water utilities in the state. More than 220 attendees were aided in developing their own customized SOP document. Continued use of the customized SOP tool will reduce errors in operation, build consistency in operating practices, and be a training tool for existing and new employees. Start/End Dates: 9/01/04 to 5/31/06
The Alabama Rural Water Association (ARWA), worked with Auburn University’s Center for Governmental Services to develop strategic management training materials, including the ARWA Strategic Planning Manual, and conducted four on-site training sessions across the state. The sessions were designed to assist public water utilities’ managers and board members to develop workable strategic plans for their respective utilities. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management approved the course for five hours of continuing education credit. Training notices were mailed to all 600 public water utilities in the state, with a total of 117 small public water system managers and board members attending training sessions. Start/End Dates: 05/01/02 to 04/30/03.
Small drinking water system operators have always had great difficulties in accessing quality technical instructional classes in their local areas. To obtain the classes they need to provide safe drinking water to their customers, small system operators in Texas have been forced to travel long distances incurring significant expenses and lost work time. In addition, traditional classes offer operators little in the way of hands-on training that they can directly apply to their day-to-day work. Operators who are experienced to run equipment, perform tests, make repairs, and monitor system performance typically can not learn these job requirements based on a standard lecture format. The Texas Rural Water Association (TRWA) was funded to initiate and expand a project to purchase, equip and use three custom-built trailers for field training.
The project received additional funding in the 2nd cycle, allowing TRWA to continue to develop and implement a variety of technical training activities by transporting the classroom to local small system personnel for training seminars. Remote training includes classes on utility safety (i.e., self-contained breathing apparatuses, harnesses and other rescue equipment). More than 488 operators received hands-on training in Utility Safety and Confined Space Entry. In addition, SE-TAC funding supported the development of an Enhanced Pump and Motor Maintenance manual which will serve as a long-term reference document and other courses such as Surface Water Production, Chlorinator Maintenance, Water Laboratory, and Valve and Hydrant, providing training to approximately 600 additional operators. Not only do these courses meet all state operator certification requirements, they allow students to return to their water system with current and readily applicable knowledge and skills that can be used to improve the operation of their systems and promote compliance with SDWA requirements. Start/End Dates: 05/01/01 to 7/31/03.
Through the TAP Project, the Louisiana Rural Water Association (LRWA) provided training and hands-on technical assistance to owners and operators of Non-Transient Non-Community water systems and community water systems serving populations of less than 200 people or with fewer than 50 connections with similar production and treatment systems within Southeast Louisiana’s Florida Parish area. LRWA conducted three one-day training sessions which reached 74 attendees. Classroom & hands-on instruction covered the SDWA; Certification Rules; Disinfection/Disinfection By-Products Rule; Security Issues; Source Water Protection; and Disinfection: The Total Coliform Rule. In addition, 108 systems received follow up technical assistance/on-site visits. The project’s goal was to help these very small systems improve their management, infrastructure, and operations to promote the delivery of safe and adequate drinking water. By educating water system owners/operators on the SDWA and how it applies to their water system, the TAP project enabled them to more effectively comply with the SDWA’s requirements. . Start/End Dates: 9/01/04 to 5/31/06
Mississippi Rural Water Association hosted a 4-day “Train the Trainer” workshop for personnel from state rural water association offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Representatives from the Mississippi Department of Health also participated. The Designing and Delivering Effective Training Workshop responded to a need to enhance the training skills of instructors in the five-state region through the Train the Trainer program developed by the National Environmental Training Association (NETA). The training program enhanced instructors’ skills and provides credentials they need to conduct excellent and professional training sessions. Start/End Dates: 05/01/03 to 9/30/03.
Mississippi Community Resource Group (MCRG) conducted four day-long training programs in Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas. The MCRG’s project was designed to educate and train employees of public utilities in the multi-state area on how to properly operate and manage utilities, in both normal times and in emergencies. Since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the coast lines of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, technical assistance providers have witnessed firsthand the need for hands-on training to prepare small systems for dealing with catastrophic events. Various modules and exercises were developed and included in the training to give students the tools to begin to organize and manage their utility to better deal with various emergencies. Practical exercises based on actual events were included to give the students real-life examples of what they may have to cope with as a result of actual emergencies.
Start/End Dates: 01/01/06 to 5/31/07
TThe Texas Rural Water Association (TRWA) created a training program and manual of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and design conservation strategies for implementation by small water utilities. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), Texas’ water project funding agency, developed a 258-page report entitled “Water Conservation Best Management Practices Guide” (BMP) in 2004 which recommended detailed water conservation measures targeted to large water utilities. However, the guide had no conservation BMPs designed for small water systems. This project allowed the TRWA to create a training program and manual that contains feasible BMPs and design conservation strategies for small water utilities to consider implementing. Subject matter included in the manual includes:
- Effective methods to account for water losses with the goals of compliance with the new legislation and improved efficiency of water system operations;
- Water conservation pricing;
- Enforcement options against water wasters;
- Assessing meter accuracy, installation, and sizing issues; and,
- Encouraging water conservation practices among customers through means such as home low flow devices and water wise landscaping.
With 14 courses offered at locations throughout the state and as an on-line course, the training program was made widely available to small utilities in other states as well. The project resulted in a publication titled “Water Conservation Program Development & Water Loss Report Training for Small Water Systems”.
Start/End Dates: 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
The University of North Carolina Environmental Finance Center (UNC-EFC) project was aimed at identifying practices that have proven successful in operator retention. High turnover among water operators is a common problem facing small systems. Many small systems claim that as soon as they have an operator trained, that person leaves the position, forcing the system to invest time and money in recruiting and training a new operator. This cycle of operator turnover seriously limits the technical capacity of these facilities and drains already scarce financial resources. The UNC-EFC identified practices that have proven successful in operator retention and considered how to effectively market these “best practices” to small system boards to improve their operator retention. An operator survey was distributed to more than 300 water operators in the state of North Carolina to assist in gauging current operator job satisfaction and solicit from operators practices/arrangements that would improve their job satisfaction. The project’s focus was on North Carolina and Georgia, but the results were formatted to be easily transferable to other states, especially in the Southeastern U.S. A final report of the project has been published and is available through SE-TAC.
Start/End Dates: 01/01/06 to 05/31/07
The Tennessee Association of Utility Districts (TAUD) developed training materials, visual aids, and a commissioner’s handbook to be used in a voluntary certification program for utility district commissioners. These materials, Utility Commissioner’s and Manager’s Handbook and Basic Utility Leadership Training, were developed with input from the Utility Management Review Board (a board that has financial oversight responsibilities for utility districts in Tennessee) and four committees of utility district managers. The training covers topics such as Utility Rate Setting, Budgeting, Planning, Human Resources, Conducting Meetings, Customer Relations, Problem Solving, Policy Making, and an Overview of System Regulations and Operations. The curriculum requires a minimum of seven to nine contact hours, in which participants demonstrate mastery of skills and knowledge within the context of real-life utility problems. The voluntary certification program was developed in anticipation of future mandatory training or certification for utility district commissioners. It was implemented at TAUD’s Annual Meeting in June of 2005, presented at the state’s Utility Leadership Conference and Business of Running a Utility Conference, and will continue to be offered at each of these recurring annual meetings into the foreseeable future. Start/End Dates: 07/01/04 to 05/31/05.
The Mississippi Water & Pollution Control Operators’ Association purchased ten (10) lap top computers and six (6) video projectors to significantly enhance the level of their District offices’ statewide field training program. This project allowed the Association to conduct field training with professional training materials. The Association continues to use the equipment for field training to bring quality training to field locations. Start/End Dates: 02/01/02 to 01/31/03.
