Glacier I
Opening General Session: Havre Water Outbreak
Speakers: Rachel Hinnenkamp and Darryl Barton, Montana Department of Health and Human
Services
0.1 Dual CEC
This keynote presentation will describe the role of water and wastewater systems in protecting public health. We will discuss some historical and recent outbreaks linked to public water supplies and share some recommendations for wastewater operators to take to prevent illness themselves.
Glacier I
PFOS and Emerging Contaminants
Speaker: Neil Murray, DEQ Water
0.1 Water CEC
This presentation will provide DEQ guidance and perspective on PFOS and emerging contaminants
in Montana’s drinking water systems.
Glacier I
Lead and Copper Rule Updates and Guidance
Speaker: Greg Montgomery, DEQ
0.1 Water CEC
This presentation will provide DEQ guidance and perspective on implementing the Lead and Copper Rule in Montana’s drinking water systems.
Glacier I
UV and Chlorination Rule Update/Manganese Study
Speaker: Dillon Johnson and Ella Gaffney, DEQ
0.1 Water CEC
This presentation will provide DEQ guidance and perspective on implementing the UV and Chlorination Rule in Montana’s drinking water systems.
Glacier I
Cybersecurity and SCADA Systems
Speaker: Kevin Morley, AWWA
0.4 Dual CEC
This introductory course will focus on best practices for being cyber aware. The course will cover AWWA’s cybersecurity action plan with clear and actionable items that can be implemented at the utility level.
Glacier II
Know Your FACTS: Learning About Your FACTS Account
Speaker: Wendy Simons and Gina Self, DEQ Water Protection Bureau
0.1 Wastewater CEC
Learn about the Water Protection Bureau’s permitting database: FACTS. This presentation will teach you how to create an account, manage your organization(s) and contacts, and submit applications. The discussion will also demonstrate using the document manager to provide the required information. Please come with your questions.
Glacier II
Navigating NetDMR
Speaker: Wendy Simons and Gina Self, DEQ Water Protection Bureau
0.2 Wastewater CEC
This workshop will cover discharge monitoring reports (DMRs). Learn the steps required to create an account in CDX, Login.gov, and NetDMR. Learn how to search to get DMRs or data entry, enter and submit a DMR, and edit a DMR after it has been submitted. Come prepared with questions you may have about your DMRs.
Glacier II
Rotating Equipment Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Speaker: Chad Morgan, Peak Water Services
0.4 Dual CEC
The workshop will provide advanced training in analyzing and troubleshooting pumps and rotating equipment used in water and wastewater systems. This hands-on workshop will provide operators with information to improve critical process equipment's performance, efficiency, and longevity.
Glacier III
What the ......?
Speakers: Michael Kropp and Jason Fladland, DEQ Capacity Development
0.1 Dual CEC
This workshop will present various potable water system slides while focusing on problems, solutions, and planning strategies.
Glacier III
We’re From the State and Here to Help
Speakers: Michael Kropp and Jason Fladland, DEQ Capacity Development
0.1 Dual CEC
This workshop will reintroduce the Montana DEQ PWS Capacity Development program and outline what we offer to public water supply systems statewide. We will include some examples of challenges we have encountered throughout this session.
Glacier III
DNRC Grants and Loans
Speakers: Autumn Coleman, DNRC
0.1 Dual CEC
This workshop will review the funding opportunities for water and wastewater systems through the Montana Department of Natural Resources.
Glacier III
Asset Management Basics
Speaker: Kurt Vause, Streamline, Inc., and Dave Weihrauch, H2O Compliance Strategies
0.4 Dual CEC
This workshop will cover the basics of maintenance management systems (horizontal/linear
and vertical/plant assets), including terms and definitions, asset life cycles, and
maintenance approaches. Workshop participants understand how asset data supports existing/upcoming
regulatory requirements. The second part of the workshop will focus on the “business
end” of maintenance management. Participants will review data organization, best practices,
business risk and levels of service, and key performance indicators. We will use case
studies from small utilities to illustrate how maintenance management concepts can
be used in practice.
Glacier I
Groundwater Hydrogeology and Well Design
Speakers: Dave Weihrauch, H2O Compliance Strategies, and Doug Hunter, consultant
0.4 Water CEC
The training session will include basic hydrogeology as it relates to:
Glacier I
Groundwater Well Operation, Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Speakers: Dave Weihrauch, H2O Compliance Strategies, and Doug Hunter, consultant Associates,
Inc.
0.4 Water CEC
The training session will include:
Glacier II
Hach Training: Portable Turbidity with EPA Method 180.1
Speaker: Jon Thomas, Hach Company Senior Learning Facilitator
0.2 Dual CEC
This two-hour training seminar addresses portable turbidity analysis with EPA Method 180.1. Students learn about the theory of nephelometry, sampling techniques, analysis techniques, and how to operate a portable turbidimeter (Hach 2100Q). Students learn via presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences.
Glacier II
Hach Training: Portable Chlorine with Photometry
Speaker: Jon Thomas, Hach Company Senior Learning Facilitator
0.2 Dual CEC
This two-hour training seminar addresses portable chlorine analysis. Students learn about the theory of photometry, sampling techniques, analysis techniques, quality control with standard solutions, and how to operate a portable colorimeter (Hach DR300). Students learn through presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences.
Glacier II
Hach Training: Process Turbidity with EPA-Approved Hach Method 10258
Speaker: Jon Thomas, Hach Company Senior Learning Facilitator
0.2 Dual CEC
This two-hour training seminar addresses process turbidity analysis with EPA-approved Hach Method 10258. Students learn about the theory of nephelometry and how to operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot an online turbidimeter (Hach TU5400sc with sc4500) through presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences.
Glacier II
Hach Training: Electrochemistry: pH, ORP & Conductivity
Speaker: Jon Thomas, Hach Company Senior Learning Facilitator
0.2 Dual CEC
This two-hour training seminar addresses pH, ORP, and conductivity analysis. For each sensor, students learn about the theory of measurement and how to operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot (Hach HQD meter with IntelliCal sensors). Students learn via presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences.
Glacier III
Advanced Asset Management: Inventory Documentation
Speaker: Kurt Vause and Todd Helgeson, Streamline, Inc.
0.2 Dual CEC
This session will review the topics we will cover throughout the day and how they all relate to each other. This session will discuss what an asset inventory typically includes and why. It will include time for attendees to develop an inventory using free online tools. This effort will either use prepared materials or the attendee's own information.
Glacier III
Advanced Asset Management: Condition Assessment
Speaker: Kurt Vause and Todd Helgeson, Streamline, Inc.
0.2 Dual CEC
This session will review the different types of condition assessment, from data analytics to base physical condition to advanced tools used to assess the condition of both vertical (facility assets) and horizontal assets (pipe, valves, etc.). We will discuss why it is important to track the data over time. We will also do an asset assessment exercise using prepared materials or the attendee's own information.
Glacier III
Advanced Asset Management: Level of Service and Operations
Speaker: Kurt Vause and Todd Helgeson, Streamline, Inc.
0.2 Dual CEC
This session will review the fundamentals of utility level of service concepts and how they relate to operation and maintenance practices. We will discuss how these concepts improve stakeholder communication throughout the utility and community. This will also include an exercise to develop a basic level of service framework for the attendee’s own community using prepared materials.
Glacier III
Advanced Asset Management: Rehab and Replacement Planning
Speaker: Kurt Vause and Todd Helgeson, Streamline, Inc.
0.2 Dual CEC
This session will combine the information developed and reviewed in the previous three sessions to prepare a rehab/replacement plan. We will discuss the "what/why/when" questions related to replacement planning and methods for developing a logical framework. This session aims to connect the boots on the ground and the funding approval and allocation process. If the attendees have brought their information, we will use that information. If not, we will use prepared materials.
Glacier I
Skills Required for Effective Leadership: Effective Communication
Speakers: Nilaksh Kothari, Preferred Consulting LLC, and Craig Woolard, Montana State
University
0.2 Dual CEC
This session will provide an understanding and ability to communicate effectively internally to the workforce and colleagues. In addition, the attendees will learn to communicate externally with the served public, regulators, and other stakeholders. The focus of the training will be on having crucial communications.
Glacier I
Skills Required for Effective Leadership: Strategic Leadership
Speakers: Nilaksh Kothari, Preferred Consulting LLC, and Craig Woolard, Montana State
University
0.2 Dual CEC
This session will focus on participants learning how to build an effective strategic plan that aligns with the organization's overall mission and vision (city and/or utilities). Organization leaders use strategic planning to set priorities and focus energy and resources to ensure all stakeholders work towards a common goal around intended outcomes/results and adjust as needed.
Kalispell Wastewater Reclamation Facility Tour (on-site tour)
Speaker: Aaron Losing, City of Kalispell
0.4 Wastewater CEC
Facility tour and discussion of the operation of Kalispell’s advanced nutrient removal facility.
Glacier III
Wastewater Pretreatment
Speaker: John Donahue, AWWA
0.2 Wastewater CEC
This training introduces foundational concepts and practices essential for the initial phase of wastewater treatment processes. Participants will explore screening, grit removal, and primary sedimentation techniques to remove large solids, debris, and grit from incoming wastewater streams. The course emphasizes the importance of these preliminary processes in protecting downstream treatment units, improving overall treatment efficiency, and complying with environmental regulations. Participants will gain practical insights into equipment selection, operational considerations, and maintenance practices critical for effective preliminary treatment in wastewater management systems.
Glacier III
Biosolids Handling
Speaker: John Donahue, AWWA
0.2 Wastewater CEC
Participants will learn essential techniques such as sludge dewatering, composting,
and thermal drying tailored to the scale and resources of small systems. The course
emphasizes regulatory compliance, cost-effective solutions, and sustainable practices
to ensure safe handling and beneficial reuse of biosolids, fostering environmental
stewardship within local communities.
In addition to the concurrent sessions listed above, DEQ will conduct test review
sessions.
Logan Room
Water Operator Exam Review Session
Speaker: DEQ staff
No CEC
This is a preparatory review session for operators taking the Water Operators Exam.
Swan Room
Wastewater Operators Exam Review Session
Speaker: DEQ staff
No CEC
This is a preparatory review session for operators taking the Wastewater Operators Exam.
NOTE: Certification testing will be held Thursday, May 15, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Logan Room
