The Water School registration table will be available beginning at 8:00 a.m. on October 10.
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8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Ballroom A
Midwest Assistance Program (MAP) Operator Math Training
Midwest Assistance Program
This optional free pre-conference workshop is open to all operators. Registration is separate from Water School registration.
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Lunch provided, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
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1:00-5:00 p.m.
Rooms 230, 232 and 234
Wastewater Certification Review Session
MDEQ Staff
No CECs
This session prepares operators to take the certification exam. The certification exam will be offered at the conference on Thursday, October 12,
from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
************
1:00-5:00 p.m.
Ballroom B and C
Water Certification Review Session
MDEQ Staff
No CECs
This session prepares operators to take the certification exam. The certification exam will be offered at the conference on Thursday, October 12,
from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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1:00-2:00 p.m.
Ballroom A
Opening General Session:
An Update on Cybersecurity and Emerging Contaminants: A National Perspective
Kevin Morley, Federal Relations Manager, AWWA Government Affairs, and John Donahue,
AWWA
0.1 Dual CECs
Cybersecurity threats, including cyber-terrorism and ransomware attacks, have grown from the practice of a few specialists to a problem of general concern. Kevin Morley will provide an important national perspective on how utilities address these threats. John Donahue will give an overview of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), which comprise a large group of compounds with limited health, occurrence, and treatment information. CECs are an essential consideration for drinking water utilities in their aim to provide safe drinking water, maintain public confidence in the water supply, and prepare for future regulations with potentially additional monitoring, treatment optimization, or other mitigation measures.
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2:00-3:00 p.m.
Ballroom A
EGov, Consumer Confidence Reports, and Emerging Contaminants Funding
Libby Henrickson, Megan Falk, and Greg Montgomery, MDEQ
0.1 Dual CECs
MDEQ staff will provide an overview of new EGov initiatives, tools to help operators prepare and submit consumer confidence reports, and funding opportunities for addressing emerging contaminants in water systems.
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3:00-4:00 p.m.
Ballroom A
How To Earn CEC’s During Technical Assistance Visits
Josh Seekins, MDEQ
0.1 Dual CECs
Montana DEQ PWS recognizes the logistical challenges water systems face to maintain operator certification in our large rural state. With this in mind, PWS is working to expand opportunities for operators to earn continuing education credits (CECs) during technical assistance (TA) visits at their system with an approved training provider. This course will introduce the development of Montana’s new program, its requirements, who are approved trainers, available topics, and where to find additional information. Class participation is encouraged and will inform future TA topic outlines.
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3:00-5:00 p.m.
Ballroom D
Lagoon Treatment Processes and Interactive Process Troubleshooting
Rika Lashley, Morrison Maierle, and Josh Viall, MDEQ
0.2 Wastewater CECs
The first part of this presentation will cover the primary biological treatment processes occurring in a wastewater treatment lagoon system, including BOD removal, nitrification, denitrification, and sludge processes. The speakers will describe primary tools for assessing lagoon process health and responding to upsets. During the second part of the workshop, participants will troubleshoot lagoon systems and develop response strategies based on real examples. The larger group will share diagnoses and responses at the end.
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3:00-5:00 p.m.
Procrastinator Theater
Water Conservation Programs: Lessons Learned
Jessica Ahlstrom, City of Bozeman
0.2 Water CECs
This workshop will cover the basics of implementing a water conservation plan and include discussions of water use, supply, drought management, conservation programming (voluntary and regulatory initiatives), and some interesting data surrounding these topics.
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3:00-5:00 p.m.
Room 233
Funding Water and Wastewater Projects
Collette Anderson and Craig Erickson, Great West Engineering
0.2 Dual CECs
Communities throughout Montana face a difficult task in maintaining aging public infrastructure, facilities, and bridges and implementing the necessary improvements to comply with regulations. Even with the infusion of billions of federal dollars through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Care Act, and Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Funds (LATCF), finding ways to pay for projects to address the identified needs in a community remains challenging. Obtaining state or federal funding from the various grant and loan programs is typically a competitive process, and the keys to preparing funding applications that win coveted grant funding are community and capital improvement planning. We will describe the relationship between planning and winning grant applications, and we will describe effective strategies that any community can utilize to reduce the financial impact of its capital projects on its residents.
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3:00-5:00 p.m.
Room 235
Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement
Greg Montgomery, MDEQ
0.2 Water CECs
Developing a lead service line (LSL) inventory requires many tools, resources, and institutional knowledge of a distribution system and service area. This workshop will review the lead service line inventory and replacement process, provide information on MDEQ requirements, and present funding opportunities to help utilities comply with these regulatory requirements.
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Breakfast provided
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8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Room 230, 232 and 234
Wastewater Certification Review Session
MDEQ Staff
No CECs
This session prepares operators to take the certification exam. The certification exam will be offered at the conference on Thursday, October 12,
from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
************
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Ballroom B and C
Water Certification Review Session
MDEQ Staff
No CECs
This session prepares operators to take the certification exam. The certification exam will be offered at the conference on Thursday, October 12,
from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
************
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Ballroom A
Water Sector Cybersecurity Risk Management Guidance
Kevin Morley, Federal Relations Manager, AWWA Government Affairs, and John Donahue,
AWWA
0.4 Dual CECs
Cybersecurity threats, including cyber-terrorism and ransomware attacks, have grown
from the practice of a few specialists to a problem of general concern. Critical infrastructure
systems are particularly vulnerable to such attacks. This session will work with attendees
on using the AWWA Water Sector Cybersecurity Risk Management Guidance and associated
AWWA Cybersecurity Assessment Tool to provide utility owners/operators with a recommended
course of action to reduce cyberattack vulnerabilities.
Workshop agenda:
As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to:
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8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Procrastinator Theater
Mastering Water Disinfection Essentials
Kyla Jacobsen, AWWA
0.4 Water CECs
Providing safe drinking water requires a multi-barrier approach that includes protecting
source water from contamination, appropriately filtering and treating raw water, and
ensuring safe distribution of treated water to consumer taps. This course examines
the properties of disinfectants and their effectiveness in meeting treatment goals,
introduces important water/chlorine chemistry concepts, and explores the need for
disinfection of water main breaks. Understanding these relationships is important
for calculating dosing requirements and monitoring for success. Lessons learned will
promote optimizing the disinfection process and ensure public safety.
Workshop outline:
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8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Room 233
Advancing Maintenance Management in Utilities
Kurt Vause and Dave Weirauch
0.4 Dual CECs
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 maintenance management concepts in practice.
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8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Room 235
Tools and Techniques for Evaluating Aging Water Infrastructure
Mike Uthe and Pete Brown, Mueller Water Products
0.4 Dual CECs
The water industry is approaching a crossroads in the United States. The deterioration
of original infrastructure challenges many water utilities in Montana. Water main
breaks are reaching higher rates than ever recorded, and Mueller works to provide
products and services that help utilities improve their operations and maximize their
spending. This workshop will review the problem of where we are today and the technological
advances to combat it. Attendees will understand how to locate leaks and weak spots
in a pipe network and safely and efficiently fix them. This class will be a combination
of live demonstration and presentation.
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8:00-10:00 a.m.
Ballroom D
Why Nutrient Removal? EPA and State Strategies for Improving Water Quality
Grant Weaver, MDEQ, and Mike Tate, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
0.2 Wastewater CECs
This workshop will cover nutrient removal fundamentals, including the science and
biology of nutrient removal, and a practical explanation of the science and technologies
employed by design engineers to achieve biological nutrient removal.
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10:00a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Ballroom D
Optimizing Phosphorus Removal
Grant Weaver, MDEQ, and Mike Tate, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
0.2 Wastewater CECs
This workshop will focus on “what wastewater operators should know” about nitrogen
and phosphorus removal, including a practical explanation of the science and technologies
employed by design engineers to achieve biological phosphorous removal.
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10:00a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Environmental Engineering Laboratory, 207 Cobleigh Hall
Hands-On Jar Testing
Carol Reifschneider, Montana State University-Northern
0.2 Water CECs
Jar Testing is a procedure that water treatment plant operators can use to conduct
mini feasibility studies to help determine optimum chemical dosages, combinations
of chemicals, effects of water quality conditions on chemicals, and various other
variables while measuring the effects on the treated water. This workshop will go
over the procedure utilized in conducting the Jar Test. This will allow operators
to discuss how this procedure is used or could be used in their own plants. This workshop
will also cover laboratory analyses used for evaluation.
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Lunch on your own, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
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1:00-5:00 p.m.
Room 235
Skills Required for Effective Leadership: Negotiation and Working with Boards and
Commissions
Nilaksh Kothari, Preferred Consulting LLC, and Craig Woolard, Montana State University
0.4 Dual CECs
Leaders come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Some people become leaders by choice
or ambition, while others accept the role by necessity. Regardless of the circumstances
or the individual, at any position in the organization, leaders work with people by
leading people. This means being "in charge," which requires a base level of skills
necessary for leadership. This interactive workshop will offer insights from experienced
water and wastewater utility leaders and a roadmap to set emerging and seasoned leaders
on a path to success. The workshop will provide insights on building effective leadership
skills for a more efficient and productive workplace. The focus will be on the skills
to effectively negotiate and deal with elected officials and governing boards. The
workshop is designed specifically for water and wastewater operators in formal or
informal leadership positions in their organizations.
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1:00-3:00 p.m.
Ballroom D
Optimization Strategies for Oxidation Ditches
Grant Weaver, MDEQ, and Mike Tate, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
0.2 Wastewater CECs
This session will review specific strategies for nutrient removal in oxidation ditches.
The material will also provide insights into the operation of other nutrient removal
systems.
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1:00-3:00 p.m.
Environmental Engineering Laboratory, 207 Cobleigh Hall
Hands-On Jar Testing (repeat of the Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. session)
Carol Reifschneider, Montana State University-Northern
0.2 Water CECs
Jar Testing is a procedure that water treatment plant operators can use to conduct
mini feasibility studies to help determine optimum chemical dosages, combinations
of chemicals, effects of water quality conditions on chemicals, and various other
variables while measuring the effects on the treated water. This workshop will go
over the procedure utilized in conducting the Jar Test. This will allow operators
to discuss how this procedure is used or could be used in their own plants. This workshop
will also cover laboratory analyses used for evaluation.
************
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Procrastinator Theater
Emerging Contaminants Funding in Montana
Greg Montgomery, MDEQ
0.2 Water CECs
This workshop will expand on the overview provided in the opening general session.
Greg Montgomery will give an in-depth presentation on the funding available to utilities
to address emerging contaminants and how to apply for and use those funds.
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1:00-3:00 p.m.
Room 233
Rate Setting for Small Utilities
John Donahue, former CEO of North Park Public Water District, Machesney Park, Illinois
0.2 Dual CECs
Although water itself, whether from surface water or groundwater, is often free, collecting,
treating, and distributing water to customers are not free. The financing of water
utilities relies on rates and fees charged to the utility’s customers. Learn what
to consider when setting rates for your system that recover costs using generally
accepted cost-based practices.
Workshop agenda:
As a result of this session, participants will be able to:
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3:00-5:00 p.m.
Ballroom D
Montana Nutrient Optimization Experience: Case Studies and Brainstorming Optimization
Strategies for Participants’ Wastewater Treatment Facilities
Grant Weaver, MDEQ, and Mike Tate, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
0.2 Wastewater CECs
The session will review a report's findings on Montana system nutrient removal, reviewing
different technologies and case studies from around the state.
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3:00-5:00 p.m.
Procrastinator Theater
Emerging Contaminants: A National Perspective
John Donahue, former CEO of North Park Public Water District, Machesney Park, Illinois
0.42 Dual CECs
Contaminants of emerging concern, or CECs, comprise a large group of compounds with
limited health, occurrence, and treatment information. CECs are an important consideration
for drinking water utilities to provide safe drinking water, maintain public confidence
in the water, and prepare for future regulations with potentially additional monitoring,
treatment optimization, or other mitigation measures. This session explores the known
health effects, occurrence, and treatment options of the following CECs: nitrate,
manganese, and PFAS.
Workshop agenda:
As a result of this session, participants will be able to:
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3:00-5:00 p.m.
Room 233
What are SOPs and Why Does My Organization Need Them?
Dave Weirauch, H2O Compliance Strategies
0.2 Dual CECs
SOPs, or standard operating procedures, are detailed step-by-step instructions that
outline how specific tasks, processes, or activities should be carried out within
an organization. They are an essential part of organizational management designed
to ensure consistency, efficiency, quality, and safety in the execution of various
operations. SOPs can cover many activities, from routine tasks to complex processes.
Overall, SOPs help create a structured and organized work environment, improve operational
efficiency, reduce errors, ensure compliance, and contribute to the overall success
of your organization. They are a fundamental tool for achieving consistency and excellence
in various aspects of your enterprise. This workshop will provide a hands-on demonstration
of how to develop effective SOPs.
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Breakfast provided
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8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Room 230, 232 and 234
Wastewater Certification Review Session
MDEQ Staff
No CECs
This session prepares operators to take the certification exam. The certification exam will be offered at the conference on Thursday, October 12,
from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
************
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Ballroom B and C
Water Certification Review Session
MDEQ Staff
No CECs
This session prepares operators to take the certification exam. The certification exam will be offered at the conference on Thursday, October 12,
from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
************
8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Ballroom A
Instrumentation for Operators: Chlorine and Chloramines
Jon Thomas, Hach Company Senior Learning Facilitator
0.2 Dual CECs
This onsite training event addresses topics critical to water and wastewater system
operation. Students will learn about laboratory measurement methods and process analyzers
for each topic. Students will learn the theory of each measurement and how to operate,
calibrate, perform routine maintenance, and troubleshoot the instruments. Each topic
includes hands-on activities and presentations. The 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. session will
focus on chlorine and chloramine analysis using the Hach DR300, DR3900, CL17sc, CL10sc,
and 5500sc Ammonia Monochloramine instrumentation.
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10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Ballroom A
Instrumentation for Operators:Ammonia and Nitrogen
Jon Thomas, Hach Company Senior Learning Facilitator
0.2 Dual CECs
This onsite training event addresses topics critical to water and wastewater system
operation. Students will learn about laboratory measurement methods and process analyzers
for each topic. Students will learn the theory of each measurement and how to operate,
calibrate, perform routine maintenance, and troubleshoot the instruments. Each topic
includes hands-on activities and presentations. The 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. session
will focus on ammonia and nitrogen analysis using the Hach DR300, DR3900, Amtax sc,
Phosphax sc, and AN-ISE sc instrumentation.
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8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Ballroom D
Wetland Treatment Systems
Chris Allen, Montana State University
0.2 Wastewater CECs for the presentation
0.2 Wastewater CECs for the tour
This presentation will provide an overview that includes the process flow, treatment
mechanisms, and potential applications for two wetland-based pilot systems under construction
at the Bozeman Water Reclamation Facility. The systems test three primary wetland
applications: 1) cold season nitrification, 2) primary wastewater treatment, and 3)
tertiary treatment. The workshop will consist of a presentation and a tour of the
pilot facility currently operating at the Bozeman Water Reclamation Facility.
************
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Procrastinator Theater
Optimizing Water Distribution: Best Practices in O&M
Kim Dyches and Ted Meckes, AWWA
0.4 Water CECs
For distribution system operators performing various duties, operating, and maintaining
a drinking water distribution system and appurtenances requires knowledge of a broad
range of processes, procedures, and equipment. The primary goal is simple: deliver
high-quality water in sufficient quantities to meet user needs. Achieving this goal
can be complex. This session will provide distribution system O&M best practices to
help you achieve your systems’ goals.
Workshop agenda:
************
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Room 235
Skills Required for Effective Leadership: Improving Communication Skills
Nilaksh Kothari, Preferred Consulting LLC, and Craig Woolard, Montana State University
0.4 Dual CECs
Leaders come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Some people become leaders by choice
or ambition, while others accept the role by necessity. Regardless of the circumstances
or the individual, at any position in the organization, leaders work with people by
leading people. This means being "in charge," which requires a base level of skills
necessary for leadership. This interactive workshop will offer insights from experienced
water and wastewater utility leaders and a roadmap to set emerging and seasoned leaders
on a path to success. The workshop will provide insights on building effective leadership
skills for a more efficient and productive workplace. The focus will be on the skills
it takes to be a leader in today's workplace and pick up skills to be successful.
The focus will be on the skills to effectively communicate with various audiences.
The workshop is designed specifically for water and wastewater operators in formal
or informal leadership positions in their organizations.
************
Lunch on your own, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
************
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Ballroom A
Instrumentation for Operators: Turbidity
Jon Thomas, Hach Company Senior Learning Facilitator
0.2 Dual CECs
This onsite training event addresses topics critical to water and wastewater system
operation. Students will learn about laboratory measurement methods and process analyzers
for each topic. Students will learn the theory of each measurement and how to operate,
calibrate, perform routine maintenance, and troubleshoot the instruments. Each topic
includes hands-on activities and presentations. The 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. session will
focus on turbidity analysis using the Hach 2100Q, TL23, TU5200, and TU5x00 sc instrumentation.
************
3:00-5:00 p.m.
Ballroom A
Instrumentation for Operators: pH and ORP
Jon Thomas, Hach Company Senior Learning Facilitator
0.2 Dual CECs
This onsite training event addresses topics critical to water and wastewater system
operation. Students will learn about laboratory measurement methods and process analyzers
for each topic. Students will learn the theory of each measurement and how to operate,
calibrate, perform routine maintenance, and troubleshoot the instruments. Each topic
includes hands-on activities and presentations. The 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. session will
focus on pH and ORP analysis using the Hach HQ Meter with IntelliCal pH & Intellical
ORP, pHD sc for pH, pHD sc for ORP, sc200, sc1000, and sc4500 instrumentation.
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1:00-2:00 p.m.
Ballroom D
Ethics and the Operator
Craig Woolard, Montana State University
0.1 Dual CECs
Operators play a critical role in protecting public health. As a result, they have
an ethical responsibility to their communities and the profession. This presentation
will cover the basic principles incorporated into professional, ethical codes and
review specific codes developed for operators from different states. The speaker will
use case studies to illustrate critical concepts.
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1:00-5:00 p.m.
Procrastinator Theater
Groundwater and Wells: Operation and Maintenance
Dave Weihrauch, H2O Compliance Strategies
0.4 Water CECs
This session presents the operator’s perspective on stewardship of community water
system production wells through established operation and maintenance practices. The
session will discuss groundwater fundamentals, well drilling processes, water well
maintenance and performance, well rehabilitation, and source water protection.
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1:00-5:00 p.m.
Room 233
Let’s Talk Safety
Ted Meckes and Kim Dyches, AWWA
0.4 Dual CECs
If you think accidents only happen to someone else, think again. They happen to everyone,
including you, and they often can be prevented. It's impossible to discuss safety
too often or too much. Join us as we work with you to build safety awareness and provide
safety practices that will help you mitigate hazards in the workplace.
Workshop outline:
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1:00-5:00 p.m.
Room 235
Operation and Troubleshooting SCADA and Instrumentation Systems
James Sletten and Ross Hanson, AE2S
0.4 Dual CECs
This workshop will provide a general overview of how modern control systems operate,
key terms, and cybersecurity, and provide detailed information on:
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1:00-5:00 p.m.
Big Sky Water Reclamation Facility
Big Sky Tour
Ron Edwards, Big Sky Water and Sewer Authority, and Scott Buecker, AE2S
0.2 Wastewater CECs
Tour Big Sky's new membrane bioreactor wastewater reclamation facility, along with
a presentation on the facility's unique design and operational aspects.
************
1:00-5:00 p.m.
Ballroom B and C
Water and Wastewater Certification Exams
No CECs
The certification exams will be offered at the conference on Thursday, October 12, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00
p.m.
