Governor Addresses
Idaho Rural Water Association
Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter
Story Published: Mar 18, 2009 at 3:02 PM MDT, By Hasti Taghi
IDAHO FALLS - "It can be a strong partnership that is only as strong as the sincerity on both sides. I want you to know, from our side, it is sincere and we're willing to do all that we can to make this a strong partnership. The rest is up to you," says Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter.
Governor Otter promises to work with Idaho's Rural Water Association to deal with their ever-changing needs.
"Some of the challenges we have in Idaho is the arsenic and that's in several areas. To treat that is very expensive," says Virgil Leedy, GM for Idaho Rural Water.
"The biggest issue is water conservation," says Don Van Veldhuizen, technical training manager at USA BlueBook. And that's why these people have to work together. "As more people move in, there's only a limited amount of water available," says Van Veldhuizen. So preventing water loss is essential.
It may sound like a foreign language to you and me but this conference is helping protect your clean water. With new rules and regulations and new technology...there's a lot to learn. The biggest push this year is to maintain the systems that provide you with your daily dose of H20.
"If you maintain on a daily, weekly, monthly basis, you don't turn around and because you didn't maintain, have to spend an exorbitant amount of money all at once," says Leedy.
And that means more savings for you, the customers.
"Thank you so much for caring. Thank you for what you do for your communities. In the whole, thank you for what you do for Idaho," says Governor Otter.
The conference was Wednesday, March 18 through Friday, March 20 at the conference center inside the Shilo Inn in Idaho Falls.
Annual Technical Training Conference in Idaho Falls
Senator Michael Crapo
Click here to view Sen. Crapo's speech
Article written by Melinda Harper, IRWA Groundwater Specialist
The Idaho Rural Water Association (IRWA) hosted its annual technical training conference in Idaho Falls, March 18-20, 2009. The IRWA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide technical assistance and training to public water and wastewater systems throughout Idaho. Approximately 180 water and wastewater operators were in attendance to participate in the two-and-one-half days of training. When the operators attend the training sessions they receive continuing education units (CEUs) needed to maintain license requirements as directed by the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses. Thirty-eight vendors from surrounding states were also on hand, offering the latest in technical innovations.
Barry Burnell, DEQ Dave Flesher, USDA, RD
There were special sessions for the operators to attend which included prominent speakers from around the state. The main speaker at the opening session on Wednesday was the Honorable Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter, DVD speech by Sen. Michael Crapo, Barry Burnell of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality also spoke at the opening session. Thursday morning delegates from member systems and operators attended the IRWA annual business meeting. Fred Sheldon, President, of the National Rural Water Association's Board of Directors, spoke to those in attendance. Dave Flesher of USDA, Rural Development also spoke at the annual business meeting.
Fred Sheldon, President, NRWA Board of Directors
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IRWA Board of Directors: Bob Culver, Walt Appell, Dan Waldo,
Robert Dial, Mike Haight, Rob Wright and Butch Anderson.
At Friday's closing ceremony, the Award Winners and Scholarship winners were announced. The following is a list of the 2009 IRWA "Awards of Excellence":
Click here to see scholarship winners
Click here to see award winners
Water Operator of the Year: Robert Schmillen, Public Works Superintendent, City of Middleton
With over 31 years of dedicated service, his proactive planning to upgrade and improve the water system has enabled the City of readily accommodate the changes due to the significant growth that has been experienced in recent years. He also recently participated in helping to develop and implement the City’s Drinking Water Source Protection Plan. He is a member of the City’s Emergency Response Team and is an active member within his community.
Wastewater Operator of the Year: Dax Pearson, Collection and Lagoon Operator, City of New Plymouth
Since being hired by the City 5 years ago, he has improved the City’s record keeping and thoroughly understands the City’s discharge permitting requirements; his attention to detail was critical during last summer’s surprise EPA inspection. He also participated in helping to develop and implement the City’s Drinking Water Source Protection Plan. While the City has been undergoing a $1.1 million Collection System upgraded funded by USDA-RD, he has been very involved in securing funding, prioritizing upgrades, and creating as-builts.
Administrator of the Year: Nancy Jennings, District Administrator, Riverside Water and Sewer District
Employed with the District for approximately 10 years, she is currently licensed as a Water Treatment Operator Class II and Wastewater Operator Class I. Due to her diligence in working with the Engineers, the District has a new Filtration Water Plant (2005), a new 750,000 gallon storage tank (2007), water lines (2008) and is currently involved with the next project which will include a 12” transmission line from the water treatment plant to the storage tank.
Water System of the Year: City of Castleford; Rita Ruffing, Mayor, Operator
Although economically disadvantaged, this small community had the spirit, vision, and determination to go forth with a $1.6 million upgrade to its water system. The upgrade brought the City into compliance with the Arsenic Treatment Rule, and is one of the first communities in Idaho in compliance with the Rule. The City received the 2008 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Award for Sustainable Public Health Protection for Showing Exceptional Creativity in Designing a Project that Promotes Sustainability and the Protection of Public Health from EPA. Only 32 such awards were given, nationwide, in 2008.
Wastewater System of the Year: City of New Plymouth; Beau Ziemer, Dax Pearson
The City has had a very busy year. A bond was passed, and a loan from USDA-RD for $1.2 million was secured. Rates have been raised and are kept current with operating costs. A majority of the Collection System has recently been upgraded, meters have been updated, and a solid separator has been installed at the lagoon. Recently, a surprise inspection by EPA proved that the system is in tip-top shape, congratulations to Beau and Dax.
The IRWA has a small staff but achieves big results. Its field staff consists of five circuit riders, two source water protection specialists, and one technical training coordinator. Three circuit riders call upon water systems and two circuit riders call upon wastewater systems throughout the state, providing free technical assistance and operational guidance where needed. The source water protection specialists provide free technical assistance to water systems seeking to protect their drinking water sources through public awareness and education, and best management practices. The technical training coordinator organizes and provides free training sessions throughout Idaho. With today’s depressed economy, getting this kind of help is especially important.
IRWA’s next conference will be in Worley in September. Generally, spring comes late to the north, so this technical training event will allow operators in northern Idaho to participate; vendors will also be on hand. To find out more about IRWA and their next conference, please call Barbi at (208) 343-7001 or visit their website at http://www.idahoruralwater.com.