New The Technical Assistance Times - MRWA Times/TATimesOctober2012.pdf · 2013. 5. 30. · THE...

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Need Project Financing? MRWA Can Help

Inside this issue:

MRWA Wastewater Operation & Maintenance Training

MRWA Water Specialist C & D Exam Refresher

MRWA Wastewater Specialist C & D Exam Refresher


MRWA Winterizing Your Water System Training Session


Don’t Miss Out: Upcoming MRWA Training Sessions

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October 2012October 2012

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Mark the Date

March 5-7, 2013MRWA’s 29th AnnualWater & WastewaterTechnical Conference

in St. Cloud, MN

MRWA has a loan program called “MIDI” loan to complimentour very popular “MICRO” loan program. This program provides Minnesota units of government with a quick and low-cost alternative to conventional G.O. Bond Sales. It is most suitable for debt amounts of up to $1 million, which canbe repaid in 15 years or less.

Basic Credit Criteria

1. Borrowers must have a population of 400, reduced to at least 200 if population has not declined since the 2000 census.

2. Borrower’s G.O. direct debt must be less than $5,000 per capita, including the proposed debtamount and including any debt the borrowers plan to issue in the next 12 months.

3. Debt must carry the full faith and credit G.O. Pledge of the borrower.

4. Note amounts are limited to $1 million or less, and repaid over 15 years or less.

Benefits to Borrowers

•Easy application and immediate commitment. Disclosure and rating duties for conventional bondscan drag out for weeks and months. With a Midi-loan, a qualified borrower with a completed application packet will receive a binding commitment almost immediately. That commitment willremain ‘firm’ until the next scheduled meeting of the governing board.

•Lower issuance costs – and smaller debt issues! By placing loans directly with a large, commerciallender, borrowers avoid thousands of dollars of underwriting and rating fees. This means lowerissuance costs and a smaller bond issue.

•Flexible Prepayment. Midi-loans can be prepaid in whole or in part at any time; call protection ofconventional bonds often prevents a borrower from prepaying their bonds for as long as 10 years.While there is a call premium of 1.00% during the first 5 years, the flexibility to prepay to deal withunforeseen problems or opportunities can often make this premium negligible. A nice option to have!

•Competitive Payments. Midi-loans are designed to produce bond payments comparable to conven-tional rated sales, but without the added issuance costs, and added convenience and flexibility.

•Free quotes and preliminary structuring. Our professional advisors will provide you with an analysis and proposal for your project at no cost.

•Professional advisor support available as needed. Borrowers needing extra help to revise utilityrates, evaluate funding options, or work through the assessment process need not look elsewhere forproject financing. Our registered, independent financial advisors will gladly attend a council meetingor work session to explain options and provide all the professional guidance you need. These servicesare all part of the MIDI program. Feel free to use them.

Check out additional details on the great loan opportunity, application, and process steps at www.mrwa.com/midi.htm Don’t forget our popular MICRO Loan program. Additional details, application, and process steps at:www.mrwa.com/microloan.htm Ask us about the MEGA loan program!

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THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TIMES

MRWA Wastewater Operation & Maintenance Training Sessions

8:00am Industry Updates: See What’s New for Collection Systems and WastewaterLearn about new rules and regulations. See what’s new in theindustry pertaining to industry opportunities, jobs, and yourfuture. Go behind the scenes at MRWA and see what’s new.

9:00am As-Builts, Construction Drawings, Blueprints, and PlansSee the importance of construction drawings and as-builts. Learn how to read as-built drawings. Discuss the importanceof manhole elevations, mainline depths, sewer wyes, valves,pipe identification, and lift station drawings.

10:00am Wastewater Collection Operators Toolbox of TopicsThis session will be an open tabletop discussion of wastewater topics, questions and answers, and helpful hints for your job.This will give operators a chance to talk and learn aboutconcerns they have, share knowledge, and learn about the wastewater collection field. Topics covered include: training,emergency response plans, collection systems, manholeinspections, jetting, sanitary sewer jetting policy, FOG, polypigging force mains, weed control in your wastewater ponds,eDMR’s, wastewater treatment, sampling, flow monitoring,wastewater math, confined space, permits and planning forconstruction, and other topics.

11:00am Emergency Response Planning and Disaster Response,Are You Prepared? Is your community prepared for rain, snow, ice, or a tornadoas a catastrophic event? Is your emergency response plan inplace? Has your community joined MnWARN? Learn how tomake sure you are ready for the next possible event. Also, learn about the first steps for disaster help from agencies.

12:00pm Lunch - (On Your Own)

1:00pm Collection System Manhole, Lift Station StructuralRehabilitation, and Pond Transfer StructuresMethods for discussion will include elimination of inflow andinfiltration, H2s protection, bench and invert rehabilitationin the collection system, structural repairs, and/or completemanhole rehabilitation. Learn how manhole rehabilitationcan be cost effective versus open cut construction.

2:00pm Lift Station CalibrationLift station calibrations are a requirement of the MPCA for reporting your wastewater flows. Attendees will go on-site inRoseau to the main lift station to learn the calibration process.

3:00pm On-site Testing of pH and DOFor a proper calibration, pH and DO tests must be performedon-site. See if you are recording and calibrating correctly.Bring your questions or pH and DO probes and learn how to correctly perform and calibrate.

4:00pm End of Day

October 3, 2012City of Roseau

City Center121 Center Street East

Roseau, MN

Course Instructors:Minnesota Rural Water

Association

Six Certification Hours for Full Day Attendance

There is NO charge for this session.

To Register For AnyTraining Session:

Call the MRWA Officeat 800-367-6792 or

online atwww.mrwa.com.

Use the training calendar link.

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MRWA Water Specialist Class C & D Exam Refresher

Water Refresher AgendaTuesday, October 9, 2012

10:00am Introductions—Class C&D exam prep

Noon Lunch (Provided)

1:00pm Class C&D exam prep group interaction.Learn how to use the math formula sheet.

4:30pm End of Day

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

8:30am Class C&D exam prep (continued)


1:00pm Class C&D exam prep (continued)

4:30pm End of Day

Thursday, October 11, 2012

8:30am Check-in for exam. Bring valid picture ID. No exam without state-issued picture identification. Study materials will not beallowed in the exam room. Math formula sheet will be provided. Bring a pencil and a calculator.

9:00am Exam given (time: 9:00am-12:00pm).

Registration Instructions:

1. Register for the class. Send the registration form at the bottom of thepage and the class fee to MRWA.

2. Register for the exam. Send your completed application for the exam and the $32.00 exam fee to the MDH by September 24, 2012.

3. Make your hotel arrangements: Kelly Inn, phone #: 320-253-0606.

4. Get started studying NOW.

5. Bring a pencil, highlighter, calculator, study guide, and identification. Practice math and study guide review will be combined throughout the course work.

Pre-registration for the class is required. Class fee is $225.00 for members and $275.00 for non-members. Register for the class by calling MRWA at 800-367-6792 or by filling out the form below. Send the form and a check made payable to MRWA at: 217 12thAvenue SE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531.

Register for the exam with the Minnesota Department of Health. A separate exam form and fee must be submitted to MDH no laterthan September 24, 2012. For a MDH application form andstudy guide, call MRWA at 800-367-6792 or Noel Hansen,MDH at 651-201-4690.

You can download the MDH exam application at: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/wateroperator/infoexam/opexamapp.pdf

Class: MRWA Water Specialist Class C&D Exam RefresherDates: October 9-11, 2012Location: Kelly Inn, 100 4th Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN (ph# 320-253-0606) Cost: $225.00 members or $275.00 non-membersRegister: Mail MRWA class registration form and check by October 4, 2012 to:

Minnesota Rural Water Association217 12th Avenue SEElbow Lake, MN 56531Phone: 800-367-6792 * Fax: 218-685-5272

Name: _____________________________________________________________________Title: _____________________________________________________________________ Representing: _______________________________________________________________Address: ___________________________________________________________________City: ______________________________________ State: ___________ Zip: ___________Phone: _______________________________ Fax: ________________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________________________________________

Refund policy: Full refund will not be given unless MRWA is notified 48 hours in advance.



MRWA Wastewater Specialist Class C & D Exam Refresher

Wastewater Refresher Agenda

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

10:00am Introductions—Class C&D exam prep


1:00pm Class C&D exam prep group interaction.Learn how to use the math formula sheet.

4:30pm End of Day

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

8:30am Class C&D exam prep (continued)


1:00pm Class C&D exam prep (continued)

4:30pm End of Day

Thursday, October 11, 2012

8:30am Check-in for exam. Bring valid picture ID. No exam without state-issued picture identification. Study materials will not beallowed in the exam room. Math formula sheet will be provided. Bring a pencil and a calculator.

9:00am Exam given (time: 9:00am-1:00pm).

Registration Instructions:

1. Register for the class. Send the registration form at the bottom of thepage and the class fee to MRWA.

2. Register for the exam. Send your completed application for the exam and the $55.00 exam fee to the MPCA by September 24, 2012.

3. Make your hotel arrangements: Kelly Inn, phone #: 320-253-0606.

4. Get started studying NOW. See the list of suggested study materialand ordering instructions on page 5.

5. Bring a pencil, highlighter, calculator, and identification. Practice math and suggested study review will be combined throughout the course work.

Pre-registration for the class is required. Class fee is $225.00 for members and $275.00 for non-members. Register for the class by calling MRWA at 800-367-6792 or by filling out the form below. Send the form and a check made payable to MRWA at: 217 12thAvenue SE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531.

Register for the exam with the Minnesota Pollution ControlAgency. A separate exam form and fee must be submitted toMPCA no later than September 24, 2012. For a MPCA application form, call MRWA at 800-367-6792 or DianneNavratil, MPCA at 651-757-2599.

You can download the MPCA exam application at:www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/wq-wwtp8-00.pdf

See page 5 for a list of Suggested

Study Materials when preparing to

take the Wastewater Exam.

Class: MRWA Wastewater Specialist Class C&D Exam RefresherDates: October 9-11, 2012Location: Kelly Inn, 100 4th Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN (ph# 320-253-0606) Cost: $225.00 members or $275.00 non-membersRegister: Mail MRWA class registration form and check by October 4, 2012 to:

Minnesota Rural Water Association217 12th Avenue SEElbow Lake, MN 56531Phone: 800-367-6792 * Fax: 218-685-5272

Name: _____________________________________________________________________Title: _____________________________________________________________________ Representing: _______________________________________________________________Address: ___________________________________________________________________City: ______________________________________ State: ___________ Zip: ___________Phone: _______________________________ Fax: ________________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________________________________________

Refund policy: Full refund will not be given unless MRWA is notified 48 hours in advance.




MPCA recommends the following manuals for wastewater specialists to use in studying and preparing to take the wastewater exam:Class D Wastewater Exam Refresher Suggested Study Materials:SOperation of Wastewater Treatment Plants, Volume 1 & 2 —available from California State University*

SStabilization Pond Operation and Maintenance Manual, Wastewater Math Workbook, and Wastewater Treatment Technology Manual — all three available from MPCA

MPCA LINK: Class D Wastewater Exam Description: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/wq-wwtp8-07.pdf

Class C Wastewater Exam Refresher Suggested Study Materials:SAdvanced Waste Treatment—available from California State University*SOperation of Wastewater Treatment Plants, Volumes 1 & 2—available from California State University*SWastewater Math Workbook and Wastewater Treatment Technology Manual—both available from MPCA

MPCA LINK: Class C Wastewater Exam Description: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/wq-wwtp8-06.pdf

To order manuals listed above from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA): Mail a completed order form, available bycalling MPCA at 651-757-2073 or download from www.mrwa.com/wastewater.htm and a check to the Minnesota Pollution ControlAgency, Fiscal Services, 6th Floor, 520 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155.

*To order manuals listed above from California State University: Office of Water Programs, California State University,Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6025, phone: (916) 278-6142, e-mail: [email protected], Fax: (916) 278-5959, or Web site: www.owp.csus.edu/orderform.php.

Wastewater ExamRecommendedStudy Materials

8:00am Wastewater Operation & MaintenanceA discussion on topics that affect operation and maintenanceof wastewater systems and solutions for problems. Review theoperation of mechanical treatment and pond operation.

10:00am Dawson’s Wastewater ProjectDawson has a collection system project in process. Learn why they are doing it and find out what the city is having done.

11:00am Cooler Heads PrevailYou may find yourself having to go on private property anddealing with unfriendly or difficult people on a daily basisas part of your job. Learn how to deal with these situations with ‘cooler heads will prevail’ presentation.


1:00pm Techniques to Reduce Inflow and Infiltration (I&I)Learn about different techniques that can be done in a wastewater collection system to reduce inflow and infiltrationfrom entering your system.

2:00pm Dawson’s Wastewater Treatment PlantSee the operation and maintenance of the city of Dawson’swastewater treatment plant on-site.

4:00pm End of Day

October 17, 2012City of Dawson

City Hall675 Chestnut Street

Dawson, MN

Course Instructors:Berkley Risk, City of

Dawson, Visu-Sewer, Inc.,Widseth Smith Nolting &Associates, and MinnesotaRural Water Association.



To Register For Any Training Session: Call theMRWA Office at 800-367-6792 or online at

www.mrwa.com. Use the training calendar link.



MRWA Winterizing Your Water System Training Session

Properly maintaining storage tanks is vitalto successful year-round operations. Butwhen the cold weather blows in for thewinter months, municipal water managersmust address additional concerns to guardagainst potential ice damage. Below freezing temperatures can cause major

problems. But these can be prevented or at least caught early—before significant damage occurs.

Ice forming on a water storage tank is a serious issue for a numberof reasons. When ice builds up inside your tank, it damages theinterior coating and appurtenances, as well as possible structuraldamage. Since ice has a higher volume than water, it can causepipes or tank seams to rupture.

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION….learn the reasons why somewater storage tanks freeze when winter hits hard. Learn how toadjust control system operation for proper circulation. Learn howto adjust valves to eliminate overflows and the latest technologiesin line thawing and distribution repair.

Topics for discussion include new technologies in thawing equipment and distribution repair, prevention methods for ice reduction in reservoirs, sampling and testing procedures during cold weather, personal safety equipment and confined space products, design, economies, winterization, and operation of water storage tanks, what you should know about your municipality’s liabilities during a freeze up, and a discussion on freeze prevention ideas.

Sponsored By MRWA Corporate Partners:

Ruby Partners: Adaptor, Inc.;

AE2S; Dakota Pump &

Control; DSG Metering

Technology; Engineering

America; HDR Engineering;

Team Lab Chemical Corp.;

Stantec; and WSB &

Associates, Inc.

Emerald Partners: Bollig, Inc.; Bolton &

Menk, Inc.; Flexible Pipe Tool Co.; Hawkins

Water Treatment Group; HD Supply

Waterworks; Hydro-Klean, Inc.; Infratech;

Kadrmas Lee & Jackson, Inc.; KLM

Engineering, Inc.; MacQueen Equipment,

Inc.; Minnesota Pipe & Equipment; Moore

Engineering, Inc.; Morgan Keegan & Co.,

Inc.; MSA Professional Services; Sensus

Metering Systems; Servocal Instruments,

Inc.; Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc.; Utility

Service Co., Inc.; Visu-Sewer, Inc.; and

Widseth Smith Nolting.

Class: MRWA Winterizing Your Water System Training Session

Date & October 25, 2012Location: Best Western Kelly Inn, 100 4th Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN

Phone: (320) 253-0606 (for hotel arrangements)

Cost: $100.00 members or $125.00 non-members

Register: Mail registration form and check by October 19, 2012 to:

Minnesota Rural Water Association217 12th Avenue SE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531Phone: 800-367-6792 * Fax: 218-685-5272

Name: __________________________________________________________________________________

Title: __________________________ Representing: __________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________________

City: ___________________________________ State: ___________ Zip: ________________________

Phone: _______________________________ Fax: _____________________________________________

E-mail: _________________________________________________________________________________

Refund policy: Full refund will not be given unless MRWA is notified 48 hours in advance. Partial credit allowance on medical orsnow removal emergency only will be considered on a case by case basis.




8:00am Industry Updates: See What’s New for Collection Systems and WastewaterLearn about new rules and regulations. See what’s new in theindustry pertaining to industry opportunities, jobs, and yourfuture. Go behind the scenes at MRWA and see what’s new.

9:00am Emergency Response Planning and Disaster Response,Are You Prepared?Is your community prepared for rain, snow, ice, or a tornadoas a catastrophic event? Is your emergency response plan inplace? Has your community joined MnWARN? Learn how tomake sure you are ready for the next possible event. Also, learn about the first steps for disaster help from agencies.

10:00am Wastewater Collection Operators Toolbox of TopicsThis session will be an open tabletop discussion of wastewater topics, questions and answers, and helpful hints for your job.This will give operators a change to talk about and learn aboutconcerns they have, share knowledge, and learn about the wastewater collection field. Topics covered include: training,emergency response plans, collection systems, manholeinspections, jetting, sanitary sewer jetting policy, FOG, polypigging force mains, weed control in your wastewater ponds,eDMR’s, wastewater treatment, sampling, flow monitoring,wastewater math, confined space, permits and planning forconstruction, and other topics.

11:00am New Wastewater Regulations from the MPCA Do you have a new permit or salty discharges, mercury,phosphorus, or a e-DMR? Learn about the rule changes andunderstand the testing parameters that have changed or beenadded to your system’s compliance schedule. Reminder: thedeadline for online e-DMR completion is December. If youhave not started the e-DMR, now is your chance to bringyour questions and get started.


1:00pm Trickling Filter Mechanical TreatmentLearn about maintenance considerations of the wastewatertreatment plant at the North Koochiching Sanitary SewerDistrict. See on-site how this major facility operates bytreating wastewater from International Falls and the North Koochiching Sanitary Sewer District.

2:00pm Phosphorus RemovalLearn about the phosphorus removal process at the NorthKoochiching Sanitary Sewer District’s Wastewater Treatmentfacility. The new technology of Blue Water phosphorus removal is under construction now, learn how this processworks and see it on-site. Engineers will be on-site!

4:00pm End of Day

October 25, 2012City of International

FallsElks Lodge

215 3rd StreetInternational Falls, MN

Course Instructors:Minnesota Pollution Control

Agency, Widseth SmithNolting & Associates, andthe Minnesota Rural Water

Association



To Register For AnyTraining Session:

Call the MRWA Office at800-367-6792 or online

at www.mrwa.com.

Use the trainingcalendar link.


Minnesota Rural Water Association

217 12th Avenue SE

Elbow Lake, MN 56531

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGEPAIDPOS

Upcoming MRWA Training Events

November 8, 2012

Financing Your Community Projects

Glencoe, MN

November 27, 2012

Cross Connection & Backflow Prevention - 3 locations

Walker, MN

November 28, 2012

November 29, 2012

St. Cloud, MN

Faribault, MN

Register at www.mrwa.com

Don’t Miss Out....Check it Out:

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New The Technical Assistance Times - MRWA Times/TATimesOctober2012.pdf · 2013. 5. 30. · THE...

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