WIWSA Member Meeting September 2021 Audio and Chat Log

WIWSA Member Meeting September 2021 Audio

Chat Log

00:05:43 Darlene Baldwin, Assistant Clerk: Welcome to the Whidbey Island Water Systems Association Quarterly Meeting – September 16, 2021
00:15:20 Kes Tautvydas: I am connected and can hear you, but I am not visible and can’t participate.
00:16:00 Kes Tautvydas: OK
00:31:39 Loretta Collar: It would be useful to have a directory of the people in the current roles, with their phone numbers and emails. Perhaps a short description of their responsibilities so that we contact the correct person.
00:33:32 John: https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/DrinkingWater/OfficesandStaff/NorthwestRegionalOfficeStaff
00:57:57 Ann Linnea: Will the required PFAS tests before 2025 be conducted by our water system managers—in our case that is King Water management.
01:03:51 Loretta Collar: Is there any update on the consideration to lower the Arsenic standard? Is EPA moving on this? Is WA considering a stricter standard?
01:17:25 Loretta Collar: Interestingly, there Manganese in my vitamin pill – 2.3 mg!
01:22:13 Ann Linnea: Do Class A systems need to address ADUs in their covenants? Or by laws or what?
01:25:12 John: You should have an explicit policy, yes. Covenants would be good.
01:53:27 Mark Greaves: Thank you for your time and contirbutions everyone
01:56:38 Darlene Baldwin, Assistant Clerk: Thank you and Good Night

Customer Assistance Program FREE Webinar

Washington State
Department of Health

Office of Drinking Water

Hello Drinking Water Partners:

On September 30, 2021, Proclamation 20-23.16 Ratepayer Assistance and Preservation of Essential Services, more commonly called the no shut-off order, is lifted. State leaders and utility operators estimate over half a million Washingtonians have overdue water or electrical bills that could result in their services being shut off. While customer assistance and payment plan options will vary across water systems, the new Washington Water Assistance program is one option for customer’s over 150 percent of the federal poverty limit. 

What:  Free virtual workshop
When: Thursday, September 16 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Who:   Brian Sarensen, Washington State Department of Commerce
Where: Microsoft Teams Meeting

Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)
+1 564-999-2000,,787797201#   United States, Olympia

Phone Conference ID: 787 797 201#

We will cover the new federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) and what steps are required by water systems to take part. Brian will share how Washington State is implementing this federal program through Washington Water Assistance.

For further information on this topic, please see our updated Customer Assistance website at doh.wa.gov/DWCAP.

Free RCAC Workshops

 
Northwestern Washington   Asset Management for Small Water & Wastewater Systems
September 15th at 9:00am 0.5 WA CEUs awarded Online ∙ Register Here  
Google Earth Pro Mapping & Asset Management for Water & Wastewater Systems September 22nd at 9:00am 0.3 WA CEUs awarded Online ∙ Register Here  
 
Asset Management for Small Water & Wastewater Systems September 14 – 16, 2021 ∙ 9:00am – 3:00pm Pacific Time
Join us to learn the basics of developing an Asset Management Plan. You will learn what an Asset Management Plan (AMP) is, how it impacts your budget and future potential funding opportunities, and how to begin developing your asset management plan! The training walks you through the steps to develop an asset management plan, as well as providing resources and spreadsheets to help you get started.  
Google Earth Pro Mapping & Asset Management for Water & Wastewater Systems September 21 – 23, 2021 ∙ 9:00am – 12:00pm Pacific Time Join us for this free, interactive training and learn how use Google Earth Pro to map your water or wastewater system! You will learn about the five components of an Asset Management Plan, and learn how to use the basic tools of Google Earth Pro. Google Earth Pro is free to download, and should be downloaded onto your computer prior to the beginning of the training. Download the program here.   These free trainings are supported by the Washington State Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water.   See the flyer here  

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund – Construction Loan

Washington State
Department of Health Office of Drinking Water

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Construction Loan
The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Program will accept Construction Loan applications October 1 to November 30. A DWSRF Fact Sheet with more program information is attached. Submit application using the DWSRF on-line system, WALT. The program guidelines, application worksheet, EZ-1 Form, and WALT Users Guide are available on the DWSRF Webpage.
NOTE:   Pre-registration is required to access WALT. If you’re already in the WALT system, no action is needed. For WALT Pre-registration, please email dwsrf@doh.wa.gov. Join us for an informational MS Teams meeting on the Construction Loan program September 22, 10 AM to noon. The MS Teams meeting link is available on the DWSRF Webpage. Please forward this email to anyone who may be interested. Any questions or concerns, email DWSRF@doh.wa.gov.  

WIWSA Member Meeting September 2021

Whidbey Island Water Systems Association

Quarterly Meeting  

September 16, 2021 – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Via Zoom
Agenda

Call to order                     Board and guest introductions

Quorum call                      At least one-fifth of membership present

Approve Agenda             Members vote to approve the agenda

Secretary’s Report:         Randi Perry will present the Minutes for the June 2021 General Membership Meeting.  Members vote to approve the Minutes.

Treasurer’s Report:        Bethel Hart will present the Treasurer’s Report.  Members vote to approve the Treasurer’s Report.

Announcements:            Update on the apprenticeship/scholarship program
Next meetings

Theme of this Meeting: DOH and Island County Update
This quarter’s topic is an update from the DOH Office of Drinking Water, Northwest Regional Office, and Island County Environmental Health and Drinking Water programs. Both agencies have had personnel changes, with some familiar faces and some new ones in new roles. Look for updates on rule making, especially around PFAS. Your board has a number of questions for the panelists, but there will be plenty of time for audience questions!

Our guest panelists are:
Office of Drinking Water:
  Derek Pell, Northwest Regional Manager
  Bob James, Regional Engineer, Island County
  Jennifer Kropack, Regional Planner
  and maybe more!
Island County Environmental Health
  Heather Kortuem, Manager
  Aneta Hupfauer, Drinking Water Program
  and maybe more!
John Lovie – Moderator

Floor open for general discussion                                          

Adjourn

New Podcast for Drinking Water Professionals – TapTalk

Introducing… Tap Talk View this email in your browser
New Podcast for Drinking Water Professionals
We all have a role to play in protecting public health.

That’s why there are water operators, technical assistance providers, regulators, consultants and more reading each issue of our WaterOperator.org newsletter!

Our latest endeavor is a podcast designed to strengthen connections between the many stakeholders, including our colleagues who work more with private wells.

It’s called Tap Talk: The Drinking Water in Rural America Podcast.

Through our work with WaterOperator.org and PrivateWellClass.org we’ve seen how important formal and informal partnerships are to making progress on the ground.

In this new podcast we’ll be connecting more of those dots and helping us all ensure that every American has water that is safe to drink.

Our first season runs through November 18, with episodes releasing every Thursday. The first two episodes are available today!

You can listen from our website or find Tap Talk in your favorite podcast app.

Listen to Tap Talk

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September 2021 Basic Waterworks Workshop

2021 Fall Basic Waterworks Workshop (constantcontact.com)

Thursday September 23rd starting at 8:00 AM

OnLine via Zoom

Presented by the Northwest Washington and King County Subsections, PNWS-AWWA

A one-day presentation of some of the basic elements, terminology, regulations and concepts involved in operating a water utility.  This workshop is aimed at new frontline employees, office staff and others who would benefit from an understanding of the basic concepts and terminology used in the water supply industry.  Topics include:

  • Overview of Water Systems
  • Regulations and Contaminants
  • Water Sources
  • Hydrology & Hydraulics
  • Treatment & Disinfection
  • Water Quality Monitoring
  • Water Quality Protection Practices
  • Construction & Maintenance
  • Disaster Response

Instructors will be:

Dave Muto – SPU (retired)

Cheryl Capron – SPU (retired)

Beth Mende – HDR

Jeff Lundt P.E. – King County WTD

0.6 CEUs Basic Waterworks presentation (APPROVED for WA & ID!)

Cost is $120 for AWWA, WEF & PNCWA members and $180 for non-members.  If you or your utility are AWWA, WEF or PNCWA members you qualify for member rates. Registration closes Tuesday September 21st.Register Now!

Scholarships for small utilities – To encourage participation from small utilities (<500 connections) two scholarships for small system operators are available. To receive the small system scholarship, please register and pay the registration fee.  Indicate on the form the name of your utility and number of connections.  If your registration is one of the first two received, your registration fee will be refunded following completion of the workshop.  Reciept of payment marks your spot in line.  First Come – First Served.

Cancellation Policy – If a registrant is unable to attend the workshop and a substitute within the organization can attend, please contact Jeff Lundt at jeff.lundt@kingcounty.gov to update the information.  If unable to attend or send a substitute contact the above at least one week before the workshop for a refund (minus a $10 processing fee).  Refunds after that time will not be given. 

If the workshop is cancelled due to lack of registration or another reason, full refunds will be given.

Please note that the on-line registration system requires a unique email address for each registrant.  If you do not have a work or home email call Jeff Lundt (206/477-5582) for a work-around.

For more information contact us at the email or phone shown on the left. 

Thanks for your time and attention.

Other NWWA Training Events for 2021 (all are online virtual workshops)

Math for Operators and Reading P&IDs – September 8th

Water Storage Basics – October 13th 

Emergency Preparendess Workshop, Novenber 9th

See the subsection Webpage for updates on dates and other training