Water University: Supporting Managers Today and Tomorrow By Bruce Pearson, Instructor, Texas Rural Water Association
W
ater University is a program housed under accepted the proposal by the three states. the National Rural Water Association Florida, Kentucky and Texas further emphasized (NRWA) to assist and enhance the need for a Study Guide to be written in order to the capabilities of professionals in our industry. achieve the objectives that had been outlined and Its purpose is to provide training, knowledge a test of competency that would be designed and and skills to aspiring managers and further administered by the NRWA. By successfully passing their careers. Whether an individual is in the the exam, the student would receive a certificate early phases of a leadership role, a mid-level from the NRWA. To achieve the objectives, the management position or a more executive three states further promoted the Study Guide to management level, this program is have three sections. They were designed for everyone. The original Financial, Technical and Managerial concept began with a meeting in Sustainability and Capacity Denver, Colorado about 12 years Instructor’s Guide ago sponsored by the National Their intent was to design the Rural Water Association and with Study Guide for acceptance by the the Executive Directors of the state NRWA and provide a test bank of rural water associations. Texas questions. All of these points of attended that meeting. emphasis were also accepted by the NRWA. Background After the initial meeting, a subsequent meeting was held by the Executive Directors from Florida, Kentucky and Texas in an effort to support this endeavor. As discussions between the three took place, their emphasis was on providing training, knowledge and skills at all levels of the management hierarchy. In doing so, two objectives were discussed and agreed upon; (1) provide the tools necessary for managers to be successful, and (2) a competency that could be acknowledged throughout the industry. Their decision was to promote a program to the NRWA whereby the capabilities of training, knowledge and skills could be achieved, and a competency could be established for recognition. Within this concept was the promotion of designing a Utility Management Certification process. The NRWA
The Purpose
The guide or manual provides managers and students interested in management with the tools they need to effectively manage water and wastewater utilities and develop capacity based on federal standards across the country. The information in the guide is intended to be augmented by state-specific rural water associations or state primacy agencies. By completing the guide and passing the exam, managers will demonstrate competency and gain knowledge that will enhance their effectiveness. It will also provide added value in managing their systems. Additionally, the certification will give governing bodies of water and wastewater utilities a qualification tool and a demonstrated standard from which to advertise and hire more qualified Continued on next page Quench — 2021 Issue 1 21
