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Tuesday, May 14, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Petro Theatre
Cyber Security Workshop
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
0.4 Dual CECs
The National Cyber Exercise Program's CISA workshop will help to increase your organization's
resilience by assessing and validating capabilities and identifying areas for improvement.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines cyber resilience
as "the ability to anticipate, withstand, recover from, and adapt to adverse conditions,
stresses, attacks, or compromises on systems that use or are enabled by cyber resources."
Workshop attendees will have the opportunity to participate in tabletop exercises
relevant to water and wastewater utilities.
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Tuesday, May 14, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Petro Theatre
Advancing Maintenance Management in Utilities
Kurt Vause, Streamline, Inc., Dave Weirauch, H2O Compliance Strategies
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 how to use maintenance management concepts
in practice.
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Tuesday, May 14, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
SUB Glacier
Hach Training
Jon Thomas, Hach Company Senior Learning Facilitator
0.8 Water 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 May 14 session will focus on portable
and online turbidity measurements with the 2100 Q, 1720E, TU5200, and TU5400sc instrumentation.
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Tuesday, May 14, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
SUB Banquet
Wastewater Update
MDEQ Staff
0.2 Wastewater CECs
MDEQ staff will provide updates on the wastewater program.
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Tuesday, May 14, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
SUB Banquet
MPDES Permitting
Daniel Freeland, MDEQ
0.2 Wastewater CECs
MDEQ staff will provide updates on the MPDES program.
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Tuesday, May 14, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
SUB Banquet
Pressure Transients in Water Distribution Systems
AWWA
0.2 Water CECs
This course describes low or negative pressures in water systems under transient and/or
depressurized conditions for extended periods and what system operators can do to
ensure potable water is delivered 24/7. It will also discuss water hammer basics and
ways you can reduce your operational impacts from water hammer.
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Tuesday, May 14, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
SUB Banquet
Water Storage Tank Operation and Maintenance
AWWA
0.2 Water CECs
Water storage tanks are generally the most visible and valuable assets in a water
distribution system. Regularly cleaning and disinfecting potable water tanks is imperative
to providing safe drinking water that meets federal and state regulations.
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Wednesday, May 15, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Petro Theatre
Emerging Contaminants
MDEQ Staff
0.2 Water CECs
DEQ staff will review the occurrence of emerging contaminants in Montana and programs
to address contamination concerns in water systems.
Wednesday, May 15, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Petro Theatre
AWWA Management Standards
AWWA
0.2 Water CECs
AWWA Management standards provide water and wastewater utility personnel with consensus
documents identifying minimum best practices. The standards are intended to improve
a utility’s overall operations and service by establishing formal management and operations
guidelines. These guidelines identify appropriate practices, procedures, and behaviors
whose implementation will promote effective and efficient utility operations and protect
public health, public safety, and the environment. This session will focus on Water
and Wastewater Treatment Operations and Management and Distribution Systems and Collection
Systems Operation and Management.
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Wednesday, May 15, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Petro Theatre
Skills Required for Effective Leadership
Nilaksh Kothari, Preferred Consulting, LLC, 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 find themselves in 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 put
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 necessary 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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Wednesday, May 15, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
SUB Glacier
Hach Training
Jon Thomas, Hach Company Senior Learning Facilitator
0.8 Dual CECs
This onsite training event addresses topics critical to water and wastewater system
operation. Participants 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 May 15 session will
focus on portable and online chlorine and pH measurements with the DR300, CL17sc,
CL10sc, and pHDsc instrumentation.
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Wednesday, May 15, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
SUB Banquet
Lead and Copper Revisions: What They Mean for Your Utility
AWWA
0.2 Water CECs
The EPA proposed the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) in December 2023. Although
still under public review and comment, it is a timely reminder that October 16, 2024,
is approaching. That’s the compliance date for the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
(LCRR). Utilities must take steps now to meet requirements.
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Wednesday, May 15, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
SUB Banquet
Lead Service Line Inventory
MDEQ Staff
0.2 Water CECs
MDEQ staff will provide updates on the lead service line inventory requirements and
processes.
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Wednesday, May 15, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
SUB Banquet
Disinfecting Water Mains
AWWA
0.2 Water CECs
This course will provide the essential procedures for the disinfection of new and
repaired potable water mains.
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Wednesday, May 15, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
SUB Banquet
Optimizing Distribution Systems – Valve and Hydrant Maintenance
AWWA
0.2 Water CECs
This session will provide an understanding of the pivotal roles played by valves and
hydrants in maintaining an efficient and resilient distribution system. Attendees
will gain insights into the strategic placement, functionality, and significance of
critical valves, which are key components for controlling water flow and pressure,
and learn how to reap the benefits of a fire hydrant maintenance program.
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Thursday, May 16, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
SUB Glacier
Knowing When You Need an Engineer
Craig Woolard, Montana State University, MDEQ Staff
0.2 Dual CECs
Guidance to help operations staff decide when to engage the services of a professional
engineer.
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Thursday, May 16, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
SUB Banquet
Groundwater and Wells
Dave Weihrauch, H2O Compliance Strategies
0.4 Water CECs
Presented from the operator’s perspective, learn about stewarding community water
system production wells using 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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Thursday, May 16, 8:00 – 11:00 a.m.
SUB Beartooth/Missouri
Collection Systems, Lift Stations, and Pumps
AWWA
0.4 Wastewater CECs
Collection systems are crucial in transporting wastewater to treatment facilities,
emphasizing the need for meticulous operation to prevent blockages, I&I, and overflows.
Lift stations are an essential system component used to pump wastewater to higher
elevations. Central to lift stations are pumps whose components require regular maintenance
to ensure optimal functioning. Proper maintenance, including routine inspections and
addressing wear and tear, is vital for sustaining pump longevity and preventing disruptions
in the wastewater transport process.
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In addition to the concurrent sessions listed above, MDEQ will also conduct test review sessions.
Tuesday, May 14, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and
Wednesday, May 15, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
SUB Beartooth/Bridger
Water Operator Exam Review Session
MDEQ staff
No CECs
This is a TWO-DAY preparatory review session for operators taking the Water Operators Exam.
Tuesday, May 14, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and
Wednesday, May 15, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
SUB Beartooth/Missouri
Wastewater Operators Exam Review Session
MDEQ staff
No CECs
This is a TWO-DAY preparatory review session for operators taking the Wastewater Operators Exam.
Certification Testing will be held Thursday, May 16, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in
SUB Beartooth/Missouri.