• Newsline

• mail fliers

WV-ETC Library Receives AWWA Security DVD's (10-08-08)

We are pleased to announce the WV-Section of AWWA has donated two new DVD programs on infrastructure security to the ETC library. They are available for loan at no charge.

"Liquid Assets- The Story of our Water Infrastructure"

This disk includes a fascinating 1 hr 27 min documentary currently airing on PBS. Thers's also a 16 min overview that can be used for public education at board meetings.

"Water Infrastructure Security Enhancements (WISE)-Guidelines for Water-WW Utilities"

This set includes 3 DVD's. One is a 10 min video for Public Officials. One is a 45 min DVD for Utility Managers and Operators. The third disc includes numerous WISE documents and web casts. AWWA and WEF will be conducting WISE workshops in the near future.

GED or Basic Algebra HELP Available Statewide

The West Virigina Department of Education offers GED Training and academic remediation classes through the statewide RESA offices. This training is free and is available through the Adult Education Coordinators in Beckley, Dunbar, Parkersburg, Wheeling, Clarksburg, and Martinsburg. More information on these very successful programs is available at the Environmental Training Center at (304) 372-7878 or by calling these program coordinators:

Shawn Cook, Beckley

(800) 766-7372 Ext. 1117 or (304) 256-4712 Ext. 1117

Barry Kelly, Dunbar

(800) 257-3723 Ext. 113 or (304) 766-7655 Ext. 113

Dianna Flanagan, Parkersburg

(866) 232-7372 Ext. 119 or (304) 485-6513 Ext. 119

Kim McConnaughy, Wheeling

(800) 234-7372 or (304) 231-3819

Thomas Dulaney, Clarksburg

(800) 427-3600 Ext. 251 or (304) 624-6554 Ext. 251

Beverly Baccala, Martinsburg

(800) 367-3728 Ext. 122 or (304) 267-3595 Ext. 122
 

Solids Handling Computer Course Approved for CEHs (8-5-08)

Our Solids Handling Course developed by the Water Environment Federation has now been approved for 15 CEHs for all water operators. This is a computer based training course available at the ETC. Water operators can call (304) 372-7878 and reserve a computer to take this course at their convenience.

Tech Sheets Available (6-11-08)

The ETC maintains a library of short technical papers and articles called TECH SHEETS. This file was recently updated and all the titles have been re-catalogued.

Many practical, useful subjects are covered. A partial list includes:

• Anoxic Zones

• D.O. Measurement Tips

• Alkalinity for Process Control

• Algae Control

• Zoogleal Bulking

• Standardizing .02N Sulfuric Acid

See a topic of interest? We’ll send you a copy for free – of course! Just contact us at (304) 372-7878 or rweigand@wvetc.org

We are always looking for new topics and new authors!

ABC Awards Presented (3-25-08)

The following award was presented at a special ceremony on Thursday, January 17, 2008 in San Antonio, Texas during ABC's Annual Conference. For each award, the criteria indicate that the recipient shall have contributed through time and effort; innovative and successful approaches; leadership; development of materials; or a combination of any of these.

Volunteer Service Award recipient: Jess Jones

The Volunteer Service Award is presented to volunteers, or groups of volunteers, in recognition of outstanding service to ABC. Jess Jones is a nationally recognized leader in the field of backflow, backflow training, and backflow/cross-connection regulations. Through the Operator Training Committee of Ohio he established the state-wide Ohio backflow training and certification program. During the past five years, he has been the guiding force in developing the backflow training program at the West Virginia Environmental Training Center and has made major contributions to the updating of West Virginia's backflow regulations. ABC appreciates Jess's dedicated service as chair of ABC's Distribution Validation and Examination (V&E) Committee and member of the Cross-Connection Control V&E Committee.

BACKFLOW TRAINING PROGRAM (1-17-08)
Course Registration Fees

The West Virginia Environmental Training Center is incurring costs to provide quality backflow training to West Virginia. Although we offer this training at a significant discount (compared to surrounding states), we still must recover our basic expenses.

The following rate structure will be in effect for courses offered at the WVETVC:

• Individuals directly employed by public water & wastewater utilities in WV and state agencies - $295/40 hour Tester Certification and $90/8 hour Recertification.

• Individuals employed at WV business and industry - $425/40 hour and $125/8 hour.

• Individuals employed by consultants, commercial plumbers, private vendors and providers of backflow services - $565/40 hour and $185/8 hour.

We also plan to offer Backflow training in Martinsburg, Wheeling/Moundsville, and Beckley. The extra expense of these courses requires a special rate structure. The following rate structure will be in effect for courses offered at these locations:

• Public utility employees - $395/40 hour Tester Certification and $110/8 hour Recertification.

• Business and industry - $525/40 hour Tester Certification and $145/8 hour Recertification.

• Consultants and plumbers - $655/40 hour Tester Certification and $195/8 hour Recertification.

Reimbursement Available For Class I and Class II Operators
From Water Utilities Serving Less Than 3300 Population

The WV Bureau for Public Health has provided a grant to the ETC which will allow Class I and II operators from qualifying water utilities to attend Backflow Training at no charge. The course registration fee will be waived and the utility will be reimbursed for lodging and meal expenses for students traveling more than 60 miles to class. For students traveling less than 60 miles to attend class, the registration fee will be waived and the student will be reimbursed for lunches only.

A limited number of spaces are available in each Backflow class. Please contact the WVETC at (304) 372-7878 to determine your eligibility.

Backflow Training Pre-Qualification Form (.doc)
 

Course Approved! (11-08-07)

Wastewater Monitoring has been approved for 12.5 Continuing Education Hour (CEH) for all wastewater operator classifications. The course number and title is Wastewater: WW2007-085.

October 24-25, 2007 Workshop

Water/Wastewater Compliance Program

Municipal Water Quality Association Key Issues Workshop

The West Virginia Municipal Water Quality Association (www.wvmwqa.org) is pleased to announce an NPDES Compliance and Key Water Quality Issues Workshop for October 24-25 in Charleston, West Virginia. There is no registration fee, but space is limited so please return the attached response form promptly. Please direct any questions to Meghan Morel, mmorel@aqualaw.com; 804/716-9021.

The Workshop will have two major focuses. A draft agenda is attached for your review. Education credits will be available.

The first half-day will feature a three hour water/wastewater compliance program. This program is designed for operators, supervisors and managers of water and sewer utilities. It will provide a comprehensive overview of the Clean and Safe Drinking Water Act requirements for environmental operators and managers. This course is an essential component of any proactive utility’s compliance program.

Topics that will be addressed in the Compliance portion include:

• Regulatory Framework Data Collection and Analysis

• Data Recording and Reporting Emergencies and Reporting of Spills, Bypasses and Releases

• Other Reporting Obligations Mitigation
  Record Keeping Obligations Information Requests

• Inspections Pretreatment Notifications

• Permitting Procedures Liabilities for Non-Compliance

• Elements of a Compliance and Ethics Program

The second part of the workshop will focus on key issues facing water and sewer utilities in West Virginia. We have invited Governor Manchin to join us again, along with Lisa McClung of the West Virginia DEP. We will also hear updates on major programs affecting your utilities, such as:

• Storm Water

• Public Service Commission

• Total Maximum Daily Loads

• Combined Sewer Overflows

• Congressional/Funding Update

• Permitting Issues (including nutrients)
   

July 2007 Newsline

click here (.pdf)

2007 FEE INCREASE (12-10-06)

Effective January 1, 2007 the base daily registration fee for courses at the ETC will be $7. Thus the registration fee for a standard 5 day certification course (e.g. Class I Water and Class I Wastewater) will be $35.

internet based training for water plant operators (6-9-05)

by: Jeffrey E. Smith, RS

Class 1 and 2 operators of Water Treatment plants, serving a population of 3300 or less, are eligible to receive internet based training and use the training towards renewal of their certification. We have a contract with 360water.inc to provide this training. All you need to do is register on their website and take the training!!!! We will pay for the # of classroom hours you need to meet your current renewal requirements. Just follow the outlined procedures and you will soon have training at your fingertips, it’s that simple.

1. On Internet Explorer (IE), go to www.360water.com and click on the login at the navigation bar. Then click the link Here, below “New to 360water."

2. Register by completing the information and make sure the plant name you enter is WVDHHR and the state you register from is WV. This tells 360water to invoice our office. The wrong information here could cause an invoice to be sent to you.

3. When you see your name in the upper right hand corner, you know you’ve logged in OK.

4. Go to “Operator Education” , click a course title and select an approved course.

5. Click “Audit”—This will allow you to receive an audit certificate once you have completed and passed the class.

6. Once per month 360water will notify us of who audited their, we will verify the eligibility of Class 1 and 2 operators and then 360water will bill WVDHHR for classes the eligible operators took, to the limits of their renewal requirement.

7. Once WVDHHR pays the invoice the operator may print a Valid Certificate to be used for renewal purposes.

8. Submit copies of valid certificates with your application for renewal.

Note: You should allow 60-90 days lead time from taking the class to receiving a valid certificate since billing occurs only once per month. In other words, take these classes at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of your certification.

For further help or login assistance please contact 360water directly at 1-866-923-3600.

© 2008 West Virginia Environmental Training Center ● Cedar Lakes, Ripley, WV 25271 ● 304.372.7878