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water people or electric linemen are. Here everyone knows everyone and it’s so much better to know who you’re yelling at during an emergency.” He also went on to thank the utility workers in attendance who he said are “the best people to have around during an emergency. We just have the best people.”

It was really something to be able to see this community show their appreciation for the utility workers who far too often don’t get any recognition for their efforts during trying times such as storms or natural disasters. As I stated earlier, during my 30 plus years in this field of endeavor this was a unique experience. Working in the utility field, one doesn’t expect to receive many kudos for doing one’s job. Perhaps because of that it’s all the more special when someone does take the time and effort to say thank you.

J. F. FONTAINE & ASSOCIATES, INC. CONSULTING ENGINEERS

RURAL WATER SYSTEM ENGINEERING SINCE 1962

700 N. Sycamore St. P.O. Box 4187 Palestine, Texas 75802 (903) 729-6005 jffontaine@jffontaine.com

Code Updates

In-Service Cleaning

If you are interested in having us as your partner, feel free to contact one of our department representatives below

NEW TANKS — Rick DiZinno (270) 826-9000 ext. 2601 EXISTING TANKS — Jordan Pyles (270) 826-9000 ext. 4601

Make Plans to Attend TRWA's Summer Conferences

Registration is now open for TRWA's two summer conferences — the Office Professionals Conference in June and the Training and Technical Conference in July. Following our hybrid annual convention in March, TRWA is comfortable moving forward with both of these events in an in-person format.

The Office Professionals Conference will take place in San Antonio at the Mariott Plaza on June 3-4. Conference programming has been specially tailored to provide training in areas that will directly benefit water and wastewater utility office staff. Topics were requested by prior attendees, so we are confident our sessions will bring you the relevant and timely information you need to get the job done. This year's topics include a legislative update, as well as sessions on source water protection, employee development, easements and right-ofways, running an orderly board meeting, dealing with difficult customers, and more!

A complete agenda with session descriptions and hotel information can be found on our website at www.trwa.org under the "Conferences" tab.

The following month, our Training and Technical Conference is set for July 14-15 at the Galveston Island Convention Center. Though this conference is designed to ensure utility operators are up to date on the latest technical issues, we also include sessions that are relevant to directors, managers and other staff, so there's something for everyone!

Pre-conference courses include three operator trainings: Customer Service Inspections & CrossConnection Control, Water Utility Safety, and Water Utility Management. These trainings will be held at the neighboring Hilton Hotel beginning Monday, July 12. Operator training courses range from 16 hours to 20 hours each, and sessions each require separate registration fees.

The conference begins on Wednesday, July 14, and offers a wide range of courses. Topics include the use of drones in the water industry, variable

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frequency drives, jar testing, lead and copper rule revisions, electrical safety, sampling techniques, and more! New this year, we will also hold two optional field trips to a surface water treatment plant and a wastewater treatment plant. Field trips have a limited capacity, and sign ups will be available onsite.

The Training and Technical Conference will also feature an Exhibit Hall, complete with vendor showcases, demonstrations, a silent PAC auction, and a lunchtime game show with chances to win prizes. You will not want to miss this event!

The full agenda and hotel information can be viewed on our website at www.trwa.org under the "Conferences" tab.

Water and wastewater operator certification credit has been requested from TCEQ for the sessions at both conferences.

Questions about either conference can be directed to meetings@trwa.org or you can contact our Meeting and Events Planner, Lisa Gallo, at (512) 402-8790. We hope to see you there! TRWA Offers New Technical Services to Members

Did you know that TRWA now offers a variety of new technical services to members? TRWA is always evaluating the needs of our members and finding ways to support those needs. The newest additions to our members services include:

• Water Loss and Leak Detection — TRWA offers leak detection assistance to its members by identifying water leaks and potential water loss.

Identifying where a system is losing water is done through various means such as locating areas of pressure loss, flow testing, valve isolation, and leak detection. Once an area of the water system has been narrowed down for potential water loss, our staff will use acoustic leak detection equipment to try and pinpoint the suspected source of the issue. This equipment is a compact,

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portable device that uses a very sensitive microphone and amplifier to listen for leak noises. TRWA will work with your system to see how to best address your water loss issues and needs.

This service is free to TRWA members.

• Meter Flow Testing and Verification — TRWA provides flow testing and meter accuracy verification using our DXN Transit Time flow meter. This tool has the capability to measure flow on pipe diameters ranging from 1/2” to 60” for both water and wastewater applications.

This service meets the requirement for many utilities that must comply with annual or triennial meter flow accuracy testing. TRWA can also use this tool in conjunction with our leak detection equipment to identify high or unusual water flows in areas of suspected water loss. This service is

free to TRWA members.

• GPS Coordinates/Distribution & Collection

System Mapping — TRWA GIS and Mapping services are a fee-based service that is catered to your system’s needs. Whether a system wants an instruction on how to do it themselves or wants a completed turn key project ready to use,

TRWA can customize our service to best suit your needs. We use sub-foot accuracy GPS hardware to pinpoint your system’s assets, paired with effective and efficient software that is easy for the utility to use and understand. The information collected is plotted to create a digital map of your system that is useful for managers and staff and serves as a great tool for maintaining an effective asset management plan. TRWA members

receive reduced pricing on this service.

If you are interested in learning more about these services, contact our Membership and Outreach Manager Ross Brookbank at Ross.Brookbank@trwa. org or call (512) 829-0940.

Changes in TRWA Leadership

Shirley Thompson, General Manager of College Mound SUD, recently decided to step down as TRWA Director for District 12 after serving in that role for 3.5 years. Shirley previously served as Alternate Director. Paula Weber, General Manager of Ables Springs SUD, who was serving as Alternate Director for District 12, assumed the role of Director.

Johnny Rudisill, General Manager of Nevada SUD, decided to step down as TRWA Director for District 7 after serving 2 years. Johnny previously served as Alternate Director. The Board appointed Allen Knight, General Manager of North Collins SUD, as the new Director for District 7 until the next election, which will take place next March.

The Board also appointed T. Chad Wilson, Field Manager of College Mound SUD, as Alternate Director for District 12 until the next election. Thank you, Shirley and Johnny, for your service to TRWA! Join us in welcoming Paula, Allen and T. Chad to their new roles!

Advertiser Index

AIA Insurance Agency........................................Page 15 Childress Engineers.....................................................22 Chlorinators Incorproated..............................................9 CoBank..........................................................................15 Ferguson Waterworks..................................................23 Hayter Engineering.........................................................9 Hayes Engineering.......................................................28 J.F. Fontaine & Associates ..........................................25 MRB Group....................................................................22 NewGen Strategies & Solutions..................................25 Pittsburg Tank & Tower Maintenance Co., Inc...........28 Russell Drilling Co., Inc. ..............................................28 Texas Aquastore............................................................18 SAMCO..........................................................................11 Smith Pump Co., Inc.....................................................28 USABlueBook...............................................Back Cover

CONFERENCES:

June 3-4, 2021 Office Professionals Conference, San Antonio Marriott Plaza July 14, 2021 TRWA/USDA Engineering Conference, Galveston Island Convention Center July 14-15, 2021 Training and Technical Conference, Galveston Island Convention Center October 6-7, 2021 Fall Management and Districts Conferences, San Antonio Embassy Suites November 3-4, 2021 Fall Management Conference, Dallas/Allen Courtyard by Marriott

OPERATOR TRAINING COURSES:

Learn more about our upcoming classroom and online training options at www.trwa.org/training Water Credit Courses

Basic Water Works Operations — Decatur, May 25-27 ♦ Virtual, June 8-10 ♦ Bells, June 15-17 ♦ Clarendon,

June 29-July 1 Surface Water Production I — Virtual, May 11-13 Surface Water Production II — Virtual, June 15-17 Water Distribution — Gainesville, June 29-July 1

Water & Wastewater Credit Courses

Customer Service Inspections — Gainesville, June 2-3 ♦ Virtual, July 7-8 Pump and Motor Maintenance — Gainesville, August 17-19 Utility Management — Virtual, June 22-24 ♦ Decatur, July 20-21 Valve & Hydrant Maintenance — Portland, May 18-20

Wastewater Credit Courses

Basic Wastewater — Clarendon College, May 25-27 ♦ Decatur, June 22-24 Wastewater Collections — Clarendon, June 8-10 Wastewater Treatment — Clarendon, July 27-29

PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT TRAINING:

• Virtual — May 26 • Virtual — August 17 • Virtual — October 20