the technical assistance times - mrwa times/tatimesjan20182.pdfthe technical assistance times page 5...

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34th Annual MRWA Water & Wastewater

Inside this issue:

MRWA Technical Conference Tentative Agenda

MRWA TC Exam Refresher Course Registration Form

MRWA Technical Conference Attendee Registration Form

MRWA & MDH Are Looking for SWP Award Nominees

MRWA Taste Test Contest

New USDA RD State Director Appointed in Minnesota

Stop | Think | Connect - Cyber Security Campaign

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Conference HotelsHotels closest to the St. CloudRiver’s Edge (Civic Center):

Kelly Inn: 320-253-0606Courtyard by Marriott:

320-654-1661Grandstay Suites: 320-251-5400Country Inn: 320-252-8282

January 2018January 2018

Technical Conference

Follow us

MRWA’s 34th Annual Water andWastewater Technical Conference will beheld March 6-8, 2018 at River’s EdgeConvention Center (Civic Center) in St.Cloud, MN.

MRWA has a conference agenda filled with training topics in the fields of water, wastewater mechanical systems, wastewatercollection and pond systems, management,groundwater, source water, very small systems,finance, and water and wastewater examrefresher courses. 16 water certification hours or 16 wastewater certification hours(or a combination) will be awarded for full conference attendance.

Parking at the convention center is easier than ever due to the completed construction of a 400 stall parking rampon the west side of the facility!

MRWA will also feature David Browning “TheMayberry Deputy” during our Rural WaterBreakfast on the morning of Wednesday, March

7th. “The Mayberry Deputy/David Browning is A BRIDGE between the Andy GriffithShow and today.” David’s past performance critics have stated that: “He gives you hopethat there are Mayberry’s all around the country!” And“He ignites wholesome laughter andheartfelt feelings of genuine Mayberry spirit whenever he entertains.” Also“I’d never seen“The Andy Griffith Show” but I still had tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks…”

Don’t miss your chance to win great prizes at our Sports Raffle. We have amazing vendorswho donate outstanding prizes to the raffle. The grand prizes are the choice of a 2018 Four-Wheeler OR a 2018 John Deere Lawn Tractor and the Ultimate Fishing Prize Packagedonated by Team Lab Chemical Corp. Thank you Team Lab!

New this year is a Water Bar featuring a taste test competition of past winners and back bypopular demand is our “Are You Smarter Than a Water OR Wastewater OperationsSpecialist?” competition to round out the conference on Thursday, March 8th.

Please plan to attend the 34th Annual MRWA Technical Conference! Register Today!

The Mayberry Deputy

TATimesJan2018_Layout 1 12/7/2017 11:01 AM

THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TIMES

MRWA 34th Annual Water & WastewaterTECHNICAL CONFERENCE

March 6-8 2018 - River’s Edge Convention CenterSt. Cloud, MN - Tentative Agenda

Tuesday, March 6, 20188:15am Color Guard Ceremony8:30am Opening Session: Quality on Tap! Our Commitment, Our Profession8:45am Introduction of MRWA Diamond, Ruby, & Emerald Corporate Partners 9:00am MRWA App Embark App Program; MDH & MPCA Updates

10:30am Exhibit Hall Opens - Enjoy the latest innovations, technology, and new products in the industry!11:45am Luncheon

Concurrent Mini-Sessions Begin (3 tracks)Water/Wastewater Track Booth Demonstrations Groundwater/WHP Protection Track

1:00pm Cyber-Security Considerations Waterous Pacer Fire Hydrant Where Does Your Water Come From? of Radio System Networks Inspections & Maintenance

1:30pm Trenchless Pipebursting Applications of Air Release What is a Well 101and Air Vacuum Valves

2:00pm Protecting Your Concrete Replacing Pipe - Trenchless Making the Local Water Protection ConnectionFloors Techniques of Pipebursting in Your Wellhead Protection Plan

2:30pm Biological Phosphorus Easy Operation & Maintenance Drinking Water Samples: Who, What, Where,Removal Optimization of Mueller Hydrants When, and Why

3:00pm Victoria’s Water Treatment Licensed vs. Unlicensed Advising People How to Search For and FindPlant 1 -- A Case Study SCADA Radio Systems Old Wells on Their Property

3:30pm Backwash Monitoring Using New Technology With a A Planned Approach to Protecting State Underground Monitoring Panoramic Camera Surface Water Drinking Water Sources

4:00pm Refreshments, Door Prizes, Exhibitor Gift - Last Chance to Tour Exhibit Hall!5:00pm Exhibit Hall Closes - Meet & Greet and Sports Raffle Begin in Glenn Carlson Hall

Wednesday, March 7, 20186:45am Rural Water Breakfast - Enjoy a sit-down breakfast,

Rural Water Style8:00am Leaders in the Industry: NRWA & MRWA

We Work For YOU! Awards & Poster Contest Winners 9:00am Mayberry’s Deputy: Bridging Past to Present 9:45am Water Taste Test

Concurrent Sessions BeginWater Operation & Maintenance Session

10:00am Unidirectional Flushing Program 11:00am Considerations of Ammonia in Drinking Water 12:00pm Luncheon & Door Prizes

1:00pm Water System Management: Today’s Meter Reading 2:00pm Modern Practices in Ductile Iron Pipe3:00pm Water Meter Replacement Projects4:00pm Extended Travel Wet Well Drawdowns

Wastewater Mechanical Operation & Maintenance Session10:00am Wastewater Plant Nutrient Removal & Micro-Filtration11:00am Wastewater Treatment Starts at the Headworks12:00pm Luncheon & Door Prizes

1:00pm Wet Weather Overflow Discharge Concerns2:00pm Realities and Dangers of an Arc Flash Risk Incident3:00pm The Right Pump for the Right Job4:00pm Is Aerobic Digestion Right for Your WWTF?

Sit-Down Breakfast

WednesdayMarch 7th

6:45am - 7:45amRural Water Breakfast

Glenn Carlson Hall

Come enjoy breakfast with Rural Water

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Wednesday, March 7, 2018 (continued)

Wastewater Collections/Ponds Operation & Maintenance Session10:00am Radar Success Stories in MN Wastewater Plants11:00am Causes of Odor in Sanitary Systems12:00pm Luncheon & Door Prizes

1:00pm Specifying Trenchless Sewer Rehabilitation Projects2:00pm Reducing Sludge in the Wastewater Treatment Pond3:00pm Efficient Chemical Applications to Ponds for

Phosphorus Reduction4:00pm Pond Operations 101

Management Session 10:00am Water Plumbing Hazards & Legionnaires Disease11:00am GIS Mapping and Asset Data Management12:00pm Luncheon & Door Prizes

1:00pm SCADA Systems Explained2:00pm How to Properly Use Home Softeners3:00pm Energy Efficiency / Renewable Energy at WWTP 4:00pm Effective Asset Management for Communities

Groundwater Session10:00am Groundwater Protection: Outside-the-Box Strategies 11:00am Aquifer Sustainability and Groundwater Management

Around Minnesota12:00pm Luncheon & Door Prizes

1:00pm Protecting Drinking Water in Minnesota’s DiverseLandscapes

2:00pm Are You Ready to Respond? All Hazards Reviewed for Public Water Suppliers

3:00pm Hang On! Help is On The Way! Grants, Partners, and More!

Exam Refresher Sessions - These sessions will run 10:00am - 5:00pm10:00am A&B Water Operator Certification Exam Refresher

10:00am C&D Water Operator Certification Exam Refresher

10:00am C&D Wastewater Operator Certification Exam Refresher

Wednesday, March 7, 2018Class E & D Small Water Systems Session(NonTransient NonCommunity and NonMunicipal)

Session Time: 8:00am - 12:00pmTopics covered include: Safe Drinking WaterAct; Sampling Requirements; Water OperatorCertification; Source Water Protection; Wells;Storage; and Asset Management.

4 water certification hours awarded for morning session attendance.

2018 Sports Raffle

Prize: Ice Fishing

Package donated by

Team Lab!

This

-OR-

That

Donated by MRWA!

2017 4-Wheeler/Lawn Tractor Sports Raffle Prize

2018 Sports Raffle Prize:2018 Polaris Sportsman 4 Wheeler OR 2018

John Deere Lawn Mower - YOUR CHOICE

Thank You Team Lab for Donating the

Ice Fishing Package to MRWA’s Raffle!



Exam Prep Refresher Session Offered at Technical ConferenceThe Minnesota Rural Water Association will be sponsoring an Exam Refresher Session on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, as part of theMRWA Technical Conference. The exam refresher session will give the attendee an opportunity to review information that will bepart of the certification testing. The certification test will be given Thursday, March 8, 2018, at 8:30am.

q YES, I will be attending the WATER Exam Refresher A&B, March 7, 2018, from 10:00am - 5:00pm.

q YES, I will be attending the WATER Exam Refresher C&D, March 7, 2018, from 10:00am - 5:00pm.

q YES, I will be attending the WASTEWATER Exam Refresher Class, March 7, 2018, from 10:00am - 5:00pm.

q YES, I will be attending the entire Technical Conference

(If not, please fill out the registration information below)

q Yes, Please send me an exam application - circle one: Water or Wastewater

q Yes, Please send me a Minnesota Department of Health Class D WATER Study Guide.

There is no charge for this session if you are attending the Technical Conference (See Technical Conference registrationform.) If you are NOT attending the Technical Conference, there is a fee of $125.00 for the Exam Refresher Session. The following registration is required. There is no charge to come and only take the test on Thursday, March 8th.

WEDNESDAY EXAM REFRESHER ONLY: Includes Refresher Class & Luncheon - $125.00Please make check payable to Minnesota Rural Water Association or pay online at: www.mrwa.com (use the Pay Online button)

Name (please print)___________________________________________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

City _____________________________________________ State ____________________ Zip _____________________________

Employer __________________________________________________________________________________________________

E-mail:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you have any questions, call 800-367-6792, fax 218-685-5272, or e-mail: [email protected]. Register online at www.mrwa.com(use the fast track training button)

*You MUST fill out and mail an exam application to the Minnesota Department of Health (Water Exam) OR the Minnesota

Pollution Control Agency (Wastewater Exam) 15 days prior to the exam date. The exam fee, payable to MDH is $32.00 and toMPCA is $55.00. Exam applications can be downloaded at: www.mrwa.com. (Use the water or wastewater resources link.)

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Water Operation and Maintenance Session - AND -

Wastewater Operation and Maintenance Session - COMBINED SESSIONS

8:30am DNR Water Conservation Reporting System Tool

9:15am Winning the War Against Wipes

10:00am Break

10:15am Evolution of the MRWA Trace Wire Specification

11:00am Are You Smarter Than a Water -OR- Wastewater OperationsSpecialist?

11:45am Wrap-Up and Drawings

12:45pm MRWA Annual Meeting

Thursday, March 8, 2018Water and Wastewater Exams

will be given at 8:30am.

Attendees: More parking at the St. Cloud River’sEdge Convention Center is open! Construction onthe new 400 stall parking ramp was completedlast year and is available for use to help alleviatesome of the parking problems.

2017 Ice Fishing Raffle Winnerdonated by Team Lab!



MRWA TECHNICAL CONFERENCE PRE-REGISTRATION FORMThis form must be received no later than February 23, 2018, for pre-registration rates to apply.

Mail to: Minnesota Rural Water Association, 217 12th Avenue SE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531.

Please complete one form for each registrant. Guests may use the same registration form.

_____________________________________________ _________________________________________First Name Last Name

__________________________________________________________________________________________System or Company Name

__________________________________________________________________________________________System or Company Address

_________________________________ _________________ _________________________________

City State Zip

_________________________________ _________________ _________________________________E-mail Office Phone Cell Phone

Guest’s Name (if registering) __________________________________________

Please check one of the following:

Manager/Operator ________ Council/Board Member ________ Mayor ___________

Administrative/Clerk ________ Industry ________ Guest ________ Other ________

Full Registration Postmarked prior to On-site Registration

Includes access to all sessions, February 23, 2018

Exhibit Halls, luncheons, and theme party.

$_____MRWA Associate Member $230.00 (per person) $255.00 (per person)

$_____Non-Member $280.00 (per person) $305.00 (per person)

$_____Guest $ 50.00 $ 55.00

$_____Total Due (make checks payable to: Minnesota Rural Water Association)

Copy registration form and mail with payment to the MRWA Office.

Register online at: www.mrwa.com (use the fast track training button).

Payment Method:

MRWA Accepts Credit Cards Online!

Visit www.mrwa.com and use the

“pay online” button.

MRWA accepts VISA, MasterCard, American

Express, Discover, and eCheck through our

online pay site.

2017 Sports Raffle

4 Wheeler Grand Prize

Cancellation Policy: Fees will be refunded if written request is received prior to February 23, 2018.

Don’t Miss This Special!$15.00 discount registration forMayors, Clerks, Board Members,or Councilpersons attending for thefirst time. Must be accompanied bysystem operator or manager.



MRWA & MDH Looking for Source Water Award Nominees

Taste Test: March 7, 2018MRWA is looking for the best tasting water in the state!The Minnesota Rural Water Association TASTETEST competition will be held March 7, 2018, as part of the 34th Annual Water & WastewaterTechnical Conference. We hope to have severalentries from across the state. This is a good way to showcase the pride we have in the work that our utilities do.

This will be great fun! Remember, if you areattending the Technical Conference.........PleaseBRING A ONE QUART WATER SAMPLEfrom your system’s water in a glass container ifyou wish to participate.

Lyle Trautman ScholarshipMRWA will be awarding two Lyle TrautmanScholarships at the 34th Annual Water &Wastewater Technical Conference on March8, 2018, in St. Cloud. These scholarships of$500.00 each will be made to a student todefray the cost of tuition, books, or room andboard to an accredited institution of higherlearning approved by MRWA. Scholarshipmoney will be paid directly to the studentupon presentation of the winner’s collegeinvoice as proof of enrollment. Decisions arefinal. No transfer of scholarship is permitted.Applicants must be currently enrolled in college. For the scholarship application, callthe MRWA office at: 800-367-6792 or down-load from our web site at www.mrwa.com.Postmark deadline: February 23, 2018.

Looking for SWP Award

Nominees...

MRWA and the Minnesota Department ofHealth are again looking for nominees for the2018 MRWA & MDH Source Water ProtectionAward. Each year, MRWA and MDH jointly present an award to the individual, public watersystem, or organization that have made a notablecontribution in the area of source water protectionat our technical conference in March.

If you are involved in or aware of a project toprotect source water resources that deservesrecognition, we would love to hear from you!Please fill out the form on MRWA’s web site at:http://www.mrwa.com/sourcewater.html byJanuary 13, 2018.



New USDA RD State Director Appointed in MN

Trump Administration Appoints Brad Finstad to Serve as State Director forUSDA Rural Development in MinnesotaNEWS RELEASE - Contact: Nikki Gillespie - (651) 602-7786

ST. PAUL, Minnesota, November 29, 2017 — The Trump Administration recently appointed Brad Finstad asthe new State Director for USDA Rural Development in Minnesota. Finstad began his new role on Monday,Nov. 27.

Finstad’s farming family upbgringing and 4th generation New Ulm, MN area resident has provided the rootsthat have led him through a widespread multi-faceted career in support of rural prosperity. After graduatingfrom the University of Minnesota with a degree in Agriculture Education with emphasis in Rural LeadershipDevelopment, Finstad began his career in the Human Resources department for Christansen Family Farms,introducing him to “real people, the real world and agricultural production.” From there, Finstad’s career tookhim on a whirlwind of rural government, policy, and legislative service spanning more than 20 years. From abrief role as Area Director with the Minnesota Farm Bureau, to agriculture staff for Congressman MarkKennedy, to a three-term elected Representative for District 21B in the Minnesota House of Representatives,and most recently serving as Executive Director of the Center for Rural Policy Research, Finstad has indisputably served the interests of rural communities from the start. A family man to the core, Finstad shareshis passions with wife, Jaclyn, and their seven children.

As State Director, Finstad will use his leadership experience to oversee Rural Development programs in acustomer-focused manner to continue to restore prosperity in rural Minnesota.

“Whether it’s economic development, childcare, helping wastewater infrastructure facilities and really thebrains and veins of Minnesota; I’m trying to be a true partner to advance rural Minnesota economically.”

Under the direction of Secretary Sonny Perdue, the USDA will always be facts-based and data-driven, with adecision-making mindset that is customer-focused. Secretary Perdue leads the USDA with four guiding principles: to maximize the ability of American agriculture to create jobs, sell foods and fiber, and feed andclothe the world; to prioritize customer service for the taxpayers; to ensure that our food supply is safe andsecure; and to maintain good stewardship of the natural resources that provide us with our miraculous bounty.And understanding that we live in a global economy where trade is of top importance, Secretary Perdue haspledged to be an unapologetic advocate for American agriculture.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobsin rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; homeownership;community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in ruralareas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/mn.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.


Minnesota Rural Water Association

217 12th Avenue SE

Elbow Lake, MN 56531

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

PERMIT NO. 66ST CLOUD, MN

56301

Keep your software up to date and your Internet-connecteddevices free from malware and infections.

EAT A BALANCED DIET.GET REGULAR EXERCISE.

KEEP A CLEAN MACHINE.Minnesota Rural Water Association is partnering with HomelandSecurity’s leadership to promote a safer Cyber Security experience.

Remember to Stop | Think | Connect

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