Fall Water School 2025

 

The Montana Water and Wastewater Operators Initiative (MW2OI) is a collaborative effort between the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Civil Engineering and Academic Technology and Outreach at Montana State University. Our goal is to provide in-depth training on critical issues facing Montana’s operators.  

The Fall Water School 2025 will be held all day (8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.) on Tuesday, October 14, and Wednesday, October 15, at the Strand Union Building (SUB) at Montana State University in Bozeman. Additional training and facility tours will be held on Thursday, October 16 (from 8:00 a.m. through noon) at various sites around Bozeman.  

There will also be free preconference workshops held on Monday, October 13, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the SUB at MSU. Preconference workshops will include a math review provided by the Midwest Assistance Program (MAP). Other introductory preconference workshops are in development.   
 
The Fall Water School will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14. Sessions will run until noon on Thursday, October 16.  

Knowledgeable speakers from around Montana and the nation will provide operators with essential training on topics crucial to the operation of water and wastewater systems. The Fall Water School focuses on in-depth workshops that offer practical operational information operators can readily apply in practice. 

The Fall Water School will have five concurrent sessions covering a variety of topics, including:

• Regulatory and program updates from the Department of Environmental Quality on water, wastewater and capacity development.
• Hands-on training on pressure regulating valves using a mobile lab, where operators will learn how to set and adjust pressure reducing, pressure sustaining, and altitude valves and gain valuable troubleshooting knowledge.
• Advanced training in analyzing and troubleshooting pumps and rotating equipment used in water and wastewater systems. This hands-on workshop will provide operators with the information they need to improve the performance, efficiency, and longevity of critical process equipment.
• In-depth workshops on water distribution, including presentations on water system pressure regulating valves, groundwater wells, and water loss management
• Two full days of factory training on Hach Instrumentation used in water and wastewater systems.
• Capacity development (technical, financial, and managerial) training
• Asset management and condition assessment with a focus on small systems (Dual CECs)
• Workshops on SCADA, controls and electrical systems.  
• Skills required for effective leadership at all levels
• Approaches for implementing performance optimization for treatment systems.   

Operators will have the opportunity to attend up to 20 hours of training (2.0 CECs) applicable to their water or wastewater licenses through a combination of designated water, wastewater or dual-credit courses. 

In addition to these workshops, DEQ will also conduct 1.5 days of water and wastewater certification review sessions (8:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 14, through noon Wednesday, October 15), followed by the administration of certification exams. (1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15). Operators planning to take the certification exam must register directly with DEQ before the Fall Water School. 

Registration for the Fall Water School 2025 is $350. Registration includes parking, and access to all sessions and refreshments. 

Blocks of hotel rooms will be reserved at special rates for conference attendees.  

Check with website regularly for updated course descriptions, conference schedules, speaker bios and logistics.  

 

OPERATOR’S TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP

The Montana Water Environment Association (MWEA) offers a training scholarship for wastewater operators for reimbursement of travel, lodging, and/or registration expenses. Up to $500 may be awarded. The scholarship is need-based and will be awarded based on evaluation of the submitted information.

More info coming soon!