The Technical Assistance Times - MRWA Times/tatimesmrwamay2018red.pdfSecurity ebinar May 17th - 12pm To Register For Any Training Session:Call the MRWA Office at 800-367-6792 or online

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MRWA Technical Conference Recap

Inside this issue:

MRWA Water O&M Training Session - May 2

MRWA Wastewater Operation & Maintenance - May 15

MRWA Wastewater Operation & Maintenance - May 16

MRWA Sustainable Management Training Session- May 23

MRWA Line Tracing Training Session - May 23

Educate Your Community With WaterSense: Chase Leaks

MRWA: Download Our App!

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May 2018May 2018

MRWA’s 34th Annual Water & Wastewater TechnicalConference had over 1,442 conference attendees. The snowdidn’t stop the conference fromhaving a great turnout! Thankyou to all who braved longhours of snow removal andobligations and still was able toattend! Your dedication to yourprofession really shows!

Our exhibit hall was alsopacked full of vendors withover 226 exhibit booths. Attendeeswere able to get the latest new technology, products, and services, as well as a large equipment display.A big thank you to all of the professionals who dedicate theirtime and talents to present andexhibit at our conference!

Congratulations to the city of LittleFalls for winning the ‘Best TastingWater in Minnesota contest (shownbelow, from left: Taste Test Judge ZachLampa, RMB Environmental; Matt Streit, City ofLittle Falls; and Mike Strodtman, MRWA) heldduring the conference. Their water sample will goon to represent Minnesota at the National TasteTest Contest in Washington DC in 2019.

A big thank you to Hawkins Water TreatmentGroup for donating towards the grand prize in thesports raffle of a 4-Wheeler or Lawn Tractor(shown above) and to Team Lab (shown above atcenter) for donating the ultimate ice fishing pack-age. Visit www.mrwa.com for a list of prizes yetto be claimed (check your tickets!) as well as press releases for our awards winners. Like uson Facebook at @MinnesotaRuralWaterAssociation to see all of the conference photos!

City of Little Falls won!

Consumer

Confidence

Reports

are due

July 1st

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tatimesmrwamay2018_Layout 1 4/4/2018 1:48 PM Page 1

THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TIMESPage 2

MRWA Water Operation & Maintenance Training Session

May 2, 2018

MRWA WaterO&M Training

American Legion

155 Lake Avenue North

Spicer, MN

AGENDA8:00am MRWA Services & Round Table Discussion

See what’s new in the industry and learn about the changes in store for water and wastewater operations specialists. Get the latest on MRWAtraining, events, and technology.

9:00am Water Treatment Plant Basic OperationLearn about ‘optimization’: it all starts with thebasics! Learn where to start to optimize yourwater treatment plant.

10:00am Back to Basics for Laboratory TestingThe rules keep changing and operation specialistsneed to keep up! See how you can simplify yourlab requirements and pick up some pointers.

11:00am MDH UpdatesLearn from the Minnesota Department of Healthwhat you should be doing to keep your water system in compliance and what to do in certainemergency situations.

12:00pm Lunch - (On Your Own)

*1:00pm Corrosion Control in Distribution SystemsLearn about the many tools to help achieve ourlead and copper requirements. Learn from the experts at this session and bring your questions!

2:00pm Accurate Flow Measurement Accurate flow measurement in your water treatment facility or well is vital to your system.Learn the techniques to achieve this so you knowwhat you are really producing or losing.

3:00pm Water Treatment HazardsSee the rules and regulation requirements fromMinnesota OSHA & learn what safety violationsto watch out for.

4:00pm End of Day

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 Association

Training | Technical Assistance

6 certification hours | FREE of charge!

To Register: call: 800-367-6792 or

online at: www.mrwa.com (use the

training calendar fast track menu).

Instructors: Bolton & Menk, Inc.; FlowMeasurement and Control; Hach Co.; HawkinsWater Treatment Group; Minnesota Departmentof Health; Minnesota OSHA; and MinnesotaRural Water Association.

This safe drinking water act training is brought toyou through a grant by the National Rural WaterAssociation and US EPA.

Attend this session and learn how to keepyour water system in compliance with state

and federal drinking water regulations!

*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 Noel Hanson, MDH at 651-201-4690. You can also download an examapplication at: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/wateroperator/infoexam/opexamapp.pdf.


THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TIMES Page 3

MRWA Wastewater Operation & Maintenance Training Session

May 15, 2018City of Pipestone

EMS Building811 5th Street SEPipestone, MN

Course Instructors: AE2S, Inc.;Apex Engineering, Inc.; MedoraCorp. SolarBee/GridBee; R&H

Painting, LLC; Visu-Sewer, Inc.;and Minnesota Rural Water

Association.

Six Certification Hours for FullDay Attendance

There is NO charge for this session.

8:00am Wastewater Operation & MaintenanceThis session will be a review on topics that are affecting the operation and maintenance of wastewater systems today.

9:00am Pond Optimization Learn about pond operation and how to get the best wastewater treatment from your ponds at this session.

10:00am Coating Manholes and Large InfrastructureSee what is available in coatings to protect your infrastructure and best practices.

11:00am Wastewater Ponds and Tank MixingProper mixing of wastewater treatment systems will help toreduce nutrients in your wastewater treatment system. This session will show mixing options for your water and wastewater system.


1:00pm Innovative FundingLearn about some innovative funding options for yourwastewater system and see examples of how they work.

2:00pm Trenchless Pipe RehabLearn what options are available to you to rehab yourcollection system. See what you should specify when gettingwork done on your sewer lines at this session.

3:00pm Wastewater Review & Round Table DiscussionThis session will be a wrap-up of the day’s sessions withquestions from operations specialists and any further discussion of wastewater needs.

4:00pm End of Day

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.

Check out MRWA’s Finance Programs: www.mrwa.com/loan.html

MICRO LOANMIDI LOANMEGA LOAN

Interim Financing

Contact: MRWA at800-367-6792 orProgram Financial

Advisor David DrownAssociates at:

612-920-3320.


Page 4 THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TIMES

MRWA Wastewater Operation & Maintenance Training Session

May 16, 2018City of Hawley

City Hall 305 6th Street

(East of Water Tower)Hawley, MN

Course Instructors:Calibrations and Controls, Inc. a subsidiary of First SystemsTechnology; City of Hawley;

Hach Co.; Team Lab ChemicalCorp.; and Minnesota Rural Water

Association.

Six Certification Hours for FullDay Attendance

There is NO charge for this session.

8:00am MRWA UpdatesSee what’s new in the industry for jobs, opportunities, new rules and regulations, and updates. Bring your questionsand learn and network new events in Minnesota.

9:00am MnWARN - Minnesota Water/Wastewater AgencyResponse NetworkLearn how MnWARN benefits your water or wastewatersystem. Join Gerry Kluck, MnWARN’s Region 3 Director,for an overview and informational session on MnWARN.

10:00am Bio-Augmentation / Algae ControlSee the case studies of biosolids reduction in the wastewater treatment system as well as how to curb algae blooms duringdischarges.

11:00am Lift Station Calibration and Flow Data CollectionMany lift stations need to be calibrated twice per year. Learn about technology to assist you as the operationsspecialist in calibrating a lift station using mag meter technology and/or other new types of industry leadingcalibrating.


1:00pm Field Laboratory EquipmentAs a wastewater operations specialist, there are several analytical tasks that need to take place in the field immediately.Learn about pH and dissolved oxygen calibration, temperatureand specific conductance, standard operating procedures, andmethodology in using field analytical equipment.

2:00pm Wastewater Pond OptimizationThis session will revisit basic pond maintenance considerations and will dive into optimization strategies to operate ponds toreduce nutrient loading with the best operational tweaks.

4:00pm End of Day

Are You Cyber Aware?Learn about top tips and resources to prepare

your utility to respond to a cyber attack.

Free Webinar Date: May 17, 2018

Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm (Central Time)

Register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register

/29917000823115010

EPA WaterSecurity

Cyber Awareness WebinarMay 17th - 12pm

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.



MRWA Sustainable Management Workshop

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 the US EPA and 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

Self Assessment Results Discussion

Working Lunch

Improving Outcomes Exercise Practices, Tools, and Measures Discussion

Action Plan Discussion / Exercise

Workshop Feedback

Objectives:

How to deliver increasingly e cient 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 E ective Utility Management to make improvements at your system.

Workshop Details: Date: May 23, 2018

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

Location: Redwood Area Community Center, 901 East Cook Street, Redwood Falls, MN

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!

6 credit hours awarded for full day attendance.


Page 6 THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TIMES

MRWA Line Tracing Training SessionLine Tracing Training Session - Thief River Falls, MN

MRWA is once again hosting Line Tracing Training Sessions this year. The training will consist of classroom time as well as hands-on field time. Whether you have line tracing equipment currently or plan to purchase in the future, this class will greatly benefit you.

All attendees are encouraged to bring their own locating equipment for instructional purposes.Demo equipment will also be provided for hands-on field use. All aspects of locating, forboth conductive and non-conductive pipes, will be covered. Agenda is shown below:

8:00am Explanation of January 1, 2006, Office of Pipeline Safety - State Statute for Right-of-Way Locating Requirements.

9:15am Introductions to water & wastewater industry specific line tracing equipment and tools. New line tracing specification explanation.

10:00am Conductive line locating10:45am Inductive line locating11:30am Point and radio frequency sonde locating for non-conductive piping12:00pm Lunch (Provided)

1:00pm Concurrent hands-on stations throughout host city, including:*Water service locating (copper/plastic)*Sewer service locating (plastic/conductive)*Watermain locating (conductive)*Tracer wire locating (plastic pipe)

4:00pm End of Day

The intent of this course is for both experienced and inexperienced locators to leave thissession with a greatly improved confidence and understanding of line tracing.

You can also register online at: www.mrwa.com.

Class: MRWA Line Tracing Training SessionDate: May 23, 2018Time: 8:00am - 4:00pm (Lunch provided)Location: Ralph Engelstad Arena, 525 Brooks Ave. N., Thief River Falls, MN Cost: $125.00 members or $150.00 non-membersRegister: Mail class registration form and check by May 18, 2018 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.



Educate Your Community With WaterSense:

Start by Gathering Clues

DETECT ANDCHASE DOWNLEAKS

that easy-to-fix water leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes? In fact, the average household leaks more than 10,000 gallons of water per year, or the amount of water it takes to wash 270 loads of laundry, and could be costing you an extra 10 percent on your water bills.

In just 10 minutes, you can search your home for leaks and crack down on water waste. Many common household leaks are quick to find and easy to fix. Worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and leaking showerheads all are easily correctable and can save on your utility bill expenses and water in your community.

So put on your detective hat, lace up your running shoes, and take this 10-minute challenge to detect and chase down leaks!

www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak

Did You KnowThese clues can help you detect leaks before you even start investigating your home.

A place to start is to examine your utility bill for January or February. It’s likely that a family of four has a serious leak problem if its winter water use exceeds 12,000 gallons (or 16CCF) per month. You can also look for spikes - is your water use a lot higher this month than it was last month? Learn more about your water bill: http://1.usa.gov/1Qw3Eg9.

Check Your Utility Bill

1

Find your water meter, which is usually near the curb in front of your home but can be inside your home (e.g., in the basement) in cold climates. Use a screwdriver to remove the lid on your meter, which is heavy and usually marked “water.”

Now that you’ve found the meter, take a reading during a period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same after two hours, you probably have a leak. Here’s a tip on how to read a water meter: http://bit.ly/1TeYnMu.

Read Your Water Meter

2

While you’re waiting to see if your toilet has a leak, walk around your house with the checklist on the next page and see if you can chase down any other water wasters.

Put a few drops of food coloring into the tank at the back of your toilet and let it sit for 10 minutes. If color shows up in the bowl, you have a leak. Make sure to flush afterward to avoid staining, and consider replacing your old toilet flapper if it is torn or worn.

Take a Toilet Test

3

Take the 10 Minute WaterSense Challenge

epa.gov/watersense

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Minnesota Rural Water Association

217 12th Avenue SE

Elbow Lake, MN 56531

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGEPAIDPOS

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Documents

The Technical Assistance Times - MRWA Times/tatimesmrwamay2018red.pdfSecurity ebinar May 17th - 12pm To Register For Any Training Session:Call the MRWA Office at 800-367-6792 or online