Quench Magazine - December 2016

The TRWA Membership Drive is Now Underway

Also Inside:

Quench Subsription Process to Change in 2017 Now Accepting Applications for 2017 TRWF Scholarships

November / December 2016 www.trwa.org

TRWA Today

TRWA Board of Directors

Leadership Team

Lara Zent Executive Director and General Counsel

Larry Bell Technical Assistance Director

Pat Allen President

Celia Eaves Environmental Services Director

Guadalupe (Dist. 9)

Janice Gibbs, CPA Finance Director Brian Macmanus Vice President

Allison Kaminsky Communications and Information

Cameron (Dist. 6) Technology Director

Chris Boyd Secretary Angela Russell, CMP Member Services Director

Erin Selvera Legal and Legislative Services

Denton (Dist. 3) Director

Barry Miller Treasurer

Michael Vollmar Professional Development and

Gonzales (Dist. 5) Training Director

Officers

Clay Hodges Immediate Past President Hunt (Dist. 7)

District Directors

Finley Barnett Taylor (Dist. 1)

Bruce Alexander Medina (Dist. 2) Delores Atkinson Lampasas (Dist. 4)

Charles Beseda Hill (Dist. 8)

Kent Watson Brazos (Dist. 10)

Kevin Spence Franklin (Dist. 11)

Vickie Armstrong Kaufman (Dist. 12)

Robert Nettles Walker (Dist. 13)

Rhonda Shaw Rusk (Dist. 14)

Established in 1969, the Texas Rural Water Association (TRWA) is a statewide nonprofit trade association with an active membership consisting of approximately 750 nonprofit water supply corporations, water districts, small-town water departments and investor-owned utilities.

In addition, more than 200 water industry suppliers participate in TRWA activities as associate members. TRWA members provide water and wastewater service to 2.5 million customers throughout Texas.

TRWA is dedicated to helping directors, managers, operators and office professionals provide efficient service and clean, safe drinking water to their customers. Through onsite technical assistance, education and information exchange, TRWA helps its members better meet their needs as well as the needs of their customers.

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Quench —November / December 2016

Office Staff

Melody Bennett

Pam Cantrell

Adrienne Emmerich

Patti Flunker

Zak Hansen

Angela Harris

Deborah McMullan

Ariane Walker

Amanda Wilson

Project Support Specialist Accounting Support Specialist Course Development Specialist Executive/Legal Assistant Communications Assistant Project Support Specialist Assistant Projects Manager, Environmental Services Training Support Specialist Administrative Assistant

Thomas Acker, Jr.

Michael Beadnell

Ross Brookbank

Nathan Cantrell

Alex Eaves

Paul King

Steven Mindt

Charles Perkins

Refugio Rodriguez

Anne Ruthstrom

James Smith

William White

Instructor Instructor FMT Specialist Wastewater Technician Wastewater Technician Circuit Rider FMT Specialist Circuit Rider FMT Specialist Source Water Protection Specialist Circuit Rider Assistant Technical Assistance Director

Field Staff

Contact the Editor Editorial and advertising inquiries may be directed to the Editor, Allison Kaminsky, at (512) 472-8591 or editor@trwa.org.

Find TRWA on Facebook “Like” our Page and join the conversation at: www.facebook.com/TexasRuralWaterAssn

Follow TRWA on Twitter!

Find us at @TexasRuralWater and @TRWALegislative for industry and legislative news relevant to you!

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Features:

6

Quench Subscription Process to Change in 2017

By Allison Kaminsky, Texas Rural Water Association To ensure the continued success of Quench, we have decided to implement a new subscription process.

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The TRWA Membership Drive is Now Underway

By Angela Russell, Texas Rural Water Association It's time to renew your system's membership for 2017.

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In Every Issue: Letter from the President

4

Letter from the Executive Director

5

Keep it Legal

12

Ask Larry

20

Advertiser Index

31

Plan Ahead

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Answers to your legal questions Answers to your technical questions

TRWA’s Calendar of Events

Water's Next Frontier

By Jim Proctor, Lake Livingston Water Supply Phillip Everett reflects on 30 years with Lake Livingston Water Supply.

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From the Hole

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Support Rural Water and Sponsor Your Political Action Committee

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Save the Date for RuralWaterCon 2017

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TRWA Emerging Leaders Program to Launch this Spring

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TRWA Briefs

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Classified Ads

By Allison Kaminsky, Texas Rural Water Association We are kicking off our annual Texas Rural Water Political Action Committee fundraising campaign!

By Angela Russell, Texas Rural Water Association Set for March 29-31 in Austin, TRWA's 48th annual convention is an event not to be missed!

By Lara Zent, Texas Rural Water Association TRWA Emerging Leaders is a year-long professional development and networking program for up-andcoming leaders in the Texas rural water industry.

Now Accepting Applications for 2017 TRWF Scholarships

By Zak Hansen, Texas Rural Water Association Find out more about the Foundation's Student and Professional Scholarship Programs!

On the Cover: Nevada WSC's water tower adorned with Christmas lights.

Photo Credit: Lonnie Sanders, Nevada WSC

By Michael Beadnell, Texas Rural Water Association TRWA Instructor Michael Beadnell visits Central Texas WSC to conduct a Water Utility Safety class.

TCEQ Introduces e-App for Licensing; Annual Eminent Domain Filing Deadline Approaching; Absentee Voting Ensures You Have a Voice in TRWA Elections; How Do You Picture Texas Rural Water? PH2OTOSTREAM Now Accepting Submissions; Awards of Excellence Deadline Extended to February 1, 2017 Read about career opportunities in your area!

Quench — November / December 2016 3

President’s Message

Greeting Friends and Neighbors, By the time you receive this issue of the Quench, your TRWA Board of Directors have gathered in Austin and concluded their annual December board meeting. The meetings represent two and a half days of various presentations and sharing of information by Executive Director Lara Zent and various members of her staff. Planning strategies and various discussions are held by the 14 board members that make up nine different committees. Many times, the discussions continue after hours and into the evening. It makes for a busy two and a half days and a great way to begin the month of December.

I am looking forward to the new year and the conferences that are planned for 2017. As you know, our legislators are back in session, and one of the conferences that is important for Rural Texas is the upcoming RuralWaterCon, which this year includes Rural Water Day at the Capitol.

This year it will be held March 29-31 at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin.

“We can assemble as a large group and converge on the Capitol and make our way to the state offices of our representatives and senators to educate them about our concerns.”

The theme of this year’s conference is Leadership, and you can learn more about TRWA’s new leadership program, TRWA Emerging Leaders, at one of the sessions being offered during the conference. You can also read more about it in this magazine! Other activities scheduled are the TRWA District Caucuses, which includes the election of District and Alternate Directors and voting on any proposed bylaws changes. As usual, it will be a busy convention.

An important aspect of this conference is it gives Rural Water and Rural Texans an opportunity to meet with their representatives and senators at the Capitol. It represents a group effort that has a voice and a story to be told. Many of us have heard of the terms “grassroots” or “grassroots effort.”

I think of this conference as the grassroots effort of the TRWA family. We can assemble as a large group and converge on the Capitol and make our way to the state offices of our representatives and senators to educate them about our concerns. I hope you are planning on attending the conference in March and ride with us to the Capitol to knock on some doors and carry the conversation and message from Rural Water and Rural Texans.

I hope to see all of you soon, God Bless all of you, It’s great to be a Texan!

Best regards,

Pat Allen President Texas Rural Water Association

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Quench —November / December 2016

Letter from the Executive Director

The 2017 Texas Legislative Session kicks off on January 10, 2017. Bill filing began on November 14th, and the TRWA Legislative Team is already busy reviewing the daily bill filings. The Legislative page on our website and Legislative Twitter feed have gone live, so please follow us and check our website regularly to see what bills may impact your system. In addition to our legislative priorities discussed below, we will be working hard to thwart legislation that would negatively impact our members.

TRWA will be working to pass legislation on the following issues based on the legislative priorities that our Board adopted in December 2015: •

Relief from Senate Bill 573 expedited decertifications at the Public Utility Commission. Senate Bill 573 was meant to give an easy out to landowners and developers who were in CCN areas where the service provider was unable or unwilling to provide service. However, there have been unintended consequences that have hurt both consumers and utilities by undermining utility planning and investment efforts. Systems that have made significant investments and have full capability to serve their CCN areas are being decertified. Most have received no compensation for the loss of investment in their service area through the PUC.

•

Relief from groundwater permitting based on surface acreage owned by a utility. Some groundwater districts are basing groundwater permit limits on the amount of land an applicant owns. This system does not work for a retail public utility that is required to serve an entire community from a well site that may only be an acre or less in size. Instead, groundwater districts should take into account the surface acreage owned by all the utility’s customers who are not pumping, but relying on the utility for their water service.

•

Assistance with planning and obtaining Texas Water Development Board funding. TWDB has the authority to contract for hands-on assistance to rural systems to plan for future infrastructure needs and obtain TWDB funding; however, this program has never been funded. TRWA will work with the legislature to obtain funding for this program that would benefit rural communities.

“We will be calling on you to visit with your legislators about supporting TRWA's legislative efforts and to tell your story.”

We will be calling on you to visit with your legislators about supporting TRWA’s legislative efforts and to tell your story. I look forward to seeing you in Austin at our upcoming Law Seminar that we cosponsor with Texas Water Conservation Association on January 11-12 and at RuralWaterCon on March 29-31. March 29th will be our Rural Water Day at the Capitol, and we will be having a fun new PAC fundraising event at Top Golf the evening of the 28th. Supporting our PAC is an easy way to make a big impact in helping TRWA be successful in our legislative goals. Through our PAC, we are able to support the campaigns of key legislators who have been supportive of our issues and who have fought for rural water. For more details about supporting our PAC and RuralWaterCon, please read pages 17-19 of this issue.

I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season! I look forward to working with you in 2017!

Warm regards,

Lara Zent Executive Director and General Counsel Texas Rural Water Association Quench — November / December 2016 5

Quench Subscription Process to Change in 2017

By Allison Kaminsky, Communications and IT Director, Texas Rural Water Association

O

ne of the numerous benefits of a membership with the Texas Rural Water Association you hold in your very hands — our bimonthly magazine, Quench.

Year by year, our magazine has become more and more popular, thanks to you, our loyal readers!

To ensure the continued success of Quench, we have decided to implement a new subscription process for 2017. This will help us speak to the increased demand and associated production costs by ensuring an accurate and manageable distribution list.

Your membership with TRWA will continue to include complimentary subscriptions to Quench: •

Regular Utility Members — Up to five (5) complimentary subscriptions

•

Associate Members — One (1) complimentary subscription

•

Individual Members— One (1) complimentary subscription

menu. With this form, you can update your system's list to reflect who you'd like to receive the included subscriptions, as well as purchase any additional subscriptions you may want to add to your account.

•

Download a form: You may also download the form from our website, fill it out and send it to editor@trwa.org, or fax it to (512) 472-5186.

We will issue your system’s complimentary copies of Quench to the main mailing address for your utility, beginning with our January/February issue, until any updates are received.

If you have any questions or if this new subscription process creates a financial hardship for your system, please contact us at editor@trwa.org or call (512) 472-8591.

Starting in 2017, additional copies may be charged on a per-subscription basis, at a cost of $30 per year for six issues. Those staff or board members who pay for individual memberships with TRWA will still receive their free copy of the magazine as part of their membership; these do not count toward your system's five complimentary copies.

We will be starting our distribution list over from scratch, and updating your subscription information is easy. You can do this:

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•

When you renew your membership dues: We'll include your system's 2017 roster with your membership renewal packet. This roster reflects which members of your staff and board have TRWA profiles, which grants them access to the members-only parts of our website. This roster will include a column for Quench subscriptions — please fill it out and return it to let us know who with your system should receive the magazine.

•

Use our online form: TRWA's website now has an online subscription form, accessible by clicking the “Publications” tab on our

Quench —November / December 2016

BEAUMONT | HOUSTON | TERRELL | TYLER

800.774.5932

SPI-ENG.COM

The TRWA Membership Drive is Now Underway

By Angela Russell, Member Services Director, Texas Rural Water Association

I

t’s time to renew your system’s TRWA membership for 2017. If you are a current TRWA Member, you will have received your renewal statement in the mail. If you have not received a statement, please email membership@trwa.org. Be sure to renew

by March 24, 2017, in order for your system to be eligible to vote at TRWA RuralWaterCon in March.

TRWA Members receive many benefits for their membership fees, including: •

•

•

Advocacy: Members’ interests are represented at the state and federal level by TRWA’s lobby team, which works to influence legislative and regulatory issues that impact water systems.

Legal Services: A full-time attorney responds to questions from member systems relating to legal issues faced by water utilities and consults on water law issues. TRWA maintains a legal defense fund to assist members with representation regarding issues with a statewide impact.

Education and Training: Members benefit from TRWA’s comprehensive technical training program for water and wastewater operators, managers and board members.

Most of our courses are approved for TCEQ operator license credit, and TRWA’s operator certification program provides training for obtaining or renewing state water and wastewater operator licenses.

•

Technical Assistance: Field representatives of TRWA provide training and onsite technical assistance to TRWA members on issues such as preventative maintenance, leak detection, water audits, rate analysis, budgeting and management.

•

Discounts and More: TRWA members also receive discounts to our classroom training classes (starting in 2017), RuralWaterCon, the Technical and Training Conference, Office Professionals Conference, Water Districts Conference and Fall Management Conference, as well as a subscription to Quench, TRWA’s award-winning magazine.

Associate Members will have more opportunities

Renew Your Membership Online!

Go to www.trwa.org, log in to your system profile and click on the red “Renew Your Membership Now” banner.

If you need assistance logging into the website, please e-mail membership@trwa.org. to interact with systems at the 2017 conferences, and will receive recognition through additional event sponsorship opportunities.

TRWA is dedicated to providing training, technical and legal assistance to our members. TRWA is proud to be one of the preeminent water and wastewater trade associations in the nation. Together, we can accomplish great things.

If you have questions about membership or need assistance logging in to our website, please contact our Member Services Department at (512) 472-8591 or by email at membership@trwa.org.

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OVER 4100 WATER AND WASTEWATER TANKS BUILT SINCE 1953 Robert G. Oyenarte, PE (O) 512-900-0471 | (C) 352-262-7020 rgo@cromcorp.com | www.cromcorp.com Quench — November / December 2016 7

Water's Next Frontier Phillip Everett Reflects on 30 Years with Lake Livingston Water Supply

By Jim Proctor, Board Director, Lake Livingston Water Supply

W

oken by a phone ringing late at night is never good; it’s either a wrong number or perhaps it’s an old high school sweetheart who might have the yearbook out and is into a third glass of wine. But, for Phillip Everett, 30-year veteran with Lake Livingston Water Supply (LLWS) and its chief superintendent, late-night calls are part of his job.

One of those calls brought him out to Sam Houston Lake Estates at midnight to fix a broken water main. He pulled his truck off the lonesome road and positioned it so that the headlights gave him enough light to work on a moonless night in the woods. He was just wrapping up when what sounded like a woman shrieking in complete and utter agony shot through the woods and right up through his spine. The complete silence that ensued left the experienced outdoorsman drenched in cold sweat.

He scanned the immediate vicinity with his flashlight and for several minutes heard nothing moving in the woods around him. He wrapped up his work as quickly as he could and made it back home to Shepherd with his heart in his throat.

“I had trouble getting back to sleep after that,” Everett said. “An experience like that is not a typical part of what happens at the water company.” As he recounted the story, it was evident the memory was as fresh as if it had happened yesterday.

Early the next morning, with benefit of daylight, Everett traveled back to the leak site to make sure his repair work was holding. He was surprised to see there were no residences or commercial buildings for miles around. Everett inspected the water main and it was operating as it should. He looked around the work area and just 25 yards or so into the woods noticed what appeared to be tracks made by a large feline.

“I’m not saying a panther watched me fix a leak that night, but I have no other explanation for what made that horrible scream,” he said. “Most of the time the biggest danger our field guys face is poison oak or maybe a customer’s dog — sometimes a cottonmouth. It’s just part of the job when you’re suppling water to 7,000 customers over six rural 8

Quench —November / December 2016

A thirty year veteran with LLWS, Philip Everett stands atop the water clarification tank at the new water treatment facility in Polk County, part of a $17 million investment improving water quality and reliability.

counties.”

Fifty-two-year-old Everett has spent the best part of his career at LLWS and is one of its longestserving employees. Everett joined the company after graduating from high school in Shepherd at 18 and has moved up through the ranks, earning promotions and more responsibility by completing educational courses and obtaining licenses.

As a lifelong resident of Shepherd, Everett grew up hunting, playing ball and following the achievements of heroes like Nolan Ryan and Earl Campbell without ever considering moving away. Two months after graduating high school, Philip Everett hired on with Pine Springs Utility, the precursor to what is now LLWS. In its first decade, the upstart company experienced operational and financial difficulties and, after a series of belt-tightening moves, laid off most of its staff, including Everett in 1991.

“It wasn’t a surprise at the time when it happened,” recounted Everett, “but the day you get laid off is never a good day. But, you just pick yourself up and dust yourself off and do the things anyone has to do with responsibilities and a family depending on you.”

Everett made himself a valuable asset to the company. He acquired his D operator license just

after joining LLWS; his C license in 1985; and his B license in 1987. When the company went into bankruptcy in 1994, Everett was a hot commodity and another water company snatched him up. It also made him one of the first people hired back, and at higher pay, when the company emerged from bankruptcy after turning itself around.

Still today, LLWS encourages its employees to improve their skills by offering fully-paid training and certification testing to all field workers. Basic certification involves a D License and is relatively simple to get. For A, B and C licenses, more coursework, testing and job experience is required.

For every level of certification up through an A operator’s license, employees receive pay increases.

Anyone who has been in a career for more than 30 years like Everett has seen a lot of changes take place, professionally and otherwise. He remembers when Walmart opened in Livingston and how it became almost the center of the universe for residents living in a 50-mile radius. He also grew up with the creation and development of Lake Livingston.

“Developers sprang up almost from out of nowhere,” Everett reminisces. “It was easy to carve house lots out of the forest,” he said, “but little thought was given to utilities and how the buyers would be served.”

Everett says some of those conditions still exist today when developers transfer their water needs over to LLWS. “They realize it when water pressure drops because of too much demand and then they rely on LLWS to come on line.”

For the bulk of LLWS customers, well water has been the solution for most developmental needs, but new technology is changing all that.

LLWS is currently bringing online two water surface treatment plants that will replace the need for well water for almost 40 percent of its customers.

Surface treatment plants hold advantages over groundwater in both quality and reliability. When people swarm to the lake over a big weekend, some LLWS customers experience pressure drops with the added strain put on some wells.

LLWS has invested more than $17 million in two surface plants, one located in Trinity County and the other in Polk County. Both plants will harvest water from Lake Livingston and pump it through purification plants that constantly monitor water quality and ensure a consistent and reliable supply to customers.

“LLWS has made a significant investment in making sure customers get a reliable source of quality water,” said Everett. “The plants are computer-monitored 24/7 for quality and volume, which means a more consistent supply—a more dependable source. The plants are fully automated, making tweaks all day every day. There’s still human oversight and operators are on hand for emergency situations, but once the plants are on stream I know customers will appreciate it.”

New technology doesn’t erase all the challenges LLWS has in delivering water across six counties and into some pretty remote areas, though. Trees becoming uprooted in wind storms will break water mains, and where some lines are laid shallower than they should be, heavy equipment will sometimes crack a pipe.

“We’ve gotten better at discovering leaks over the years, but we still need our customers to call it in when they notice one.”

LLWS recently installed a system of meters that measure water pumped from wells and pushed through the systems to customers. When the volumes don’t match up, the operators at LLWS are alerted that there is a leak.

Probably the worst situations the company faced were the aftereffects of Hurricanes Rita and Ike in 2005 and 2008 respectively.

“Our biggest issues were getting power to our wells so we could pump,” Everett recalls. “Generators were in short supply and the ones coming from FEMA went to other departments and agencies deemed more vital—like hospitals, police and fire.”

After Hurricane Ike, LLWS installed emergency backup generators at all the major plants in the district.

When Everett reflects over the span of a 30-year career with LLWS, he’s reminded of the time his own son P.J. asked him what it was that made him stick with the same company all this time. He remembers telling him, “You have to love what you do. Once you find something that you really like you tend to take it seriously, you earn respect from the people you work with and you’ll do the job in almost any condition Mother Nature throws at you.”

What’s not clear is if Everett told P.J. those words of wisdom before or after his late-night encounter in the woods with a panther.

Quench — November / December 2016 9

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Quench —November / December 2016

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Keep It Legal

Q:

Answers to Members’ Questions by Erin Selvera, TRWA Legal and Legislative Services Director

Elections are coming up. What happens when the directors are rerunning unopposed? Do we have to have a vote?

A: The law allows WSCs to cancel unopposed elections. The board must declare by resolution that the candidate is elected after certifying in writing the candidate’s unopposed status. The resolution must be posted at the corporation’s main office and it must be read into the record at the annual meeting.

Section 67.0053(a)(1) of the Texas Water Code still requires a water supply corporation to send members written notice of an annual meeting when an election is canceled due to unopposed candidates. This notice may be sent in the same envelope as the utility bill at least 30 days in advance of the meeting.

As a reminder, the WSC must also post notice of the member meeting at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting in accordance with the Open Meetings Act so that the public has notice of the meeting.

Districts and municipalities are subject to the Texas Election Code, which also allows for cancellation of an election that is unopposed if certain conditions are met: 1. the write-in candidate deadline has passed, which for water districts is 78 days before the election, 2. each candidate in singlemember districts, is unopposed, and 3. there are no opposed at-large races within that election. Additionally, if any mail ballots go out or early voting starts, then the Texas Secretary of State advises that it would be too late to cancel an election.

Q: What is the election auditor? What credentials do they have to have, and do we need them if the directors are unopposed?

A: Texas Water Code Section 67.007 (d) describes who can serve as an election auditor stating: “The independent election auditor is not required to be an experienced election judge or auditor and may serve as an unpaid volunteer. At the time of selection and while serving in the capacity of an independent election auditor, the independent election auditor may not be associated with the corporation as an employee, a director or candidate for director, or an independent contractor engaged by the corporation as part of the corporation's regular course of business.

The board shall select an independent election auditor not later than the 30th day before the scheduled date of the annual meeting. If there is not going to be an election of directors because there are no opposing candidates, the election auditor selection process and approval does not have to take place for that annual or special election meeting.

Q: It is the giving season. Can water supply corporations collect money for charitable purposes or donate money to charities?

"We caution against any type of donation related to politics or religion."

Like WSCs, cancelling an election for a district or municipality is NOT automatic. After the certificate of unopposed status is completed and delivered, the governing body (current board of directors or city council) must meet and vote to cancel the election and certify the unopposed candidates “elected.” The law also requires that a copy of the action taken by the governing body be posted on election day at each polling place that would have been used in an election. You may simply post copies of the cancellation order on the polling place door.

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Quench —November / December 2016

A: WSCs only have the authority granted to them by the legislature. Although WSCs have the authority to collect donations for medical and firefighting services with their billing, this exception is narrow and does not include the option to collect as part of the utility bills for other community or charitable purposes. You may put a collection box in your office and let your customers know through your website or other communications that you are accepting donations for a particular charitable purpose.

We have also advised that WSCs may make small contributions out of their revenues for charitable purposes that provide some benefit to the system.

For example, a donation to a local charity may foster good community relations for the system. However, we caution against any type of donation related to politics or religion.

Q: What do I do if a customer walks into the office and wants to inspect our books? Do we have to allow them to look at the documents immediately?

A: Not necessarily. The Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives customers the right to access non confidential system records and establishes time frames that must be followed for providing the public, non-confidential information. First, you may require that the request be in writing. The request must include enough description and detail about the information requested to enable you to accurately identify and locate the information requested. This may require you to ask the requester to clarify their request. Section 552.222(b) provides that if a large amount of information has been requested, the governmental body may discuss with the requestor how the scope of the request might be narrowed, but the governmental body may not inquire into the purpose for which information will be used. Section 552.222 also provides that a request for information is considered withdrawn if the requestor does not respond in writing to a governmental body’s written request for clarification or additional information within 61 days.

Generally, a requestor may choose to inspect or copy public information, or to both inspect and copy public information. The system must either release requested public information promptly, or if not within 10 days of receipt of request, certify that the system cannot produce the information within 10 days and state the date and hour within a reasonable time when the information will be made available.

The system should establish a mutually agreeable date and time to provide access to or copies of the documents. Other requirements include: • Displaying a sign at the office, in a format prescribed by the Attorney General’s Office describing the public’s rights, the systems’ responsibilities, and the procedures for inspecting and copying public information under the Public Information Act;

• Requesting a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General regarding any information the system believes is confidential and should be withheld, and sending a copy of the request for ruling redacting any protected information, to the requestor; • Segregating public information from information that is withheld and providing that public information promptly; and • Making a good faith attempt to inform third parties when their proprietary information is being requested from the system Q: I was told that we no longer need to post the agenda for our meetings at the county clerk’s office. Is that correct?

A: Yes, as long as you post your agenda on your system’s website. In 2015, TRWA worked with Representative Eddie Lucio, III to pass HB 3357, which amended the Texas Open Meetings Act for water districts, other districts and political subdivisions that extend into fewer than four counties (which includes WSCs).

Section 551.054 now requires that you post notice of each meeting at a place convenient to the public in the administrative office of the system; and either provide notice of each meeting to the county clerk of each county in which the system is located or post notice of each meeting on the system’s website.

After HB 3357 passed, TRWA created a “best practices” guide for our members regarding providing website notice of meetings. It’s available on TRWA’s website at www.trwa.org and may be found by typing “TRWA Guidance on HB 3357” in the search box.

If you have a legal question you would like answered, please email legal@trwa.org.

• Treating all requestors equally, including accommodation in accordance with ADA requirements; • Informing requestors of the estimated charges greater than $40 and any changes in the estimates above 20 percent of the original estimate, and confirming that the requestor accept the charges, has amended the request, or has sent a complaint of overcharges to the Office of the Attorney General, in writing before finalizing the request; Quench — November / December 2016 13

From the Hole Tales from the road by Michael Beadnell, Instructor for Texas Rural Water Association

T

he attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, catapulted United States into World War II. Every American was called upon to support the war effort, but few answered the call with as much grit and courage as the residents of Central Texas and nearby farming communities. The U.S. decided it needed a place to train soldiers to destroy tanks on terrain similar to that overseas in Germany. Central Texas offered that type of terrain; Central Texans had the abundance of natural resources and were willing to give anything and everything for freedom.

The U.S. needed infrastructure to house troops, and offered willing Americans three working shifts to make it happen. Civilians came from all over the country to provide troop housing and build that infrastructure. To fill the three shifts, people sprang up everywhere. Spring 1942, the residential population of that Central Texas population went from 1,200 to 30,000 almost overnight. They lived under bridges, in chicken coops and anywhere else they could lay their head to fill those three shifts. The practice area became known as Camp Hood, which officially opened September 1942.

On top, Lee showed me the raw water tap. “Here is a true representation of what the lake is really doing, and this is where my team draws the jar test water to determine coagulant dosage,” he said.

Next he showed me the raw water injection point, where he explained that what they were injecting would depend on what the lake was doing. If there was a lot of a color issue, he would generate chlorine dioxide and inject it. If it's algae or high T.O.C’s (Total Organic Carbons), they would inject either sodium or potassium permanganates.

On April 15, 1950, Camp Hood was recommissioned as Fort Hood, the result of two government organizations—federal and municipal —working together to do something better for everybody.

We went to the sedimentation basins next. They were enviro-equip designed, engineered and installed around 1977-78.

TRWA Ad 2016 (bleeds).pdf 1 2/2/2016 7:57:33 PM

Continued on page 16

It was the those two same governments that recognized the strain on the water supply and the sewer systems, and they worked together again, this time to develop Stillhouse Hollow Lake.

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Quench —November / December 2016

I’ve worked with Lee on a few projects in the past, but have never seen the whole plant, so I asked him for a tour. Lee took me down a steep stairwell to the shoreline. He shared with me that there are five pumps offshore that are the driving forces in the system's 14.35-million-gallons-a-day production.

Making our way to the top, Lee said when he came to work there, "this was a big ol' rope like you would see in a ship, and there were foot holds dug out all the way up.”

Upon completion of the war, the future looked bright for America and for the hundreds of thousands of servicemen and -women as they returned home after World War II.

Central Texas Water Supply Corporation, which I recently visited, is located on the cliffs of Stillhouse Hollow Lake. Passing security, I was directed to the business offices where I met Brenda and Mary, two assistants to General Manager Lee Kelly. Lee was on a project, but the ladies led me to a state-of-theart classroom attached to the building. The room has its own facilities, so there is no interrupting or

being interrupted while lecture, demonstration or participation was taking place. Upon completion of room preparations for the class I would be teaching the following day, the general manager of this stateof-the-art TRWA member system, Lee, stuck his head in to see if I found the place all right.

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“One basin has a six-hour detention time, and if the issues we have are [taste and odor], this one can sometimes be the cat's meow,” Lee explained.

With a six-hour detention time, the basin gives the water plenty of oxygen and time to get the gases out.

The other basin has a two-hour detention time; it is an up-flow clarifier. Most people use them for lime softening, though “we don’t lime soften here,” Lee said. “We don’t need the extra solids; besides, people don’t want the water so soft they can’t wash the soap off their hands.”

This clarifier, however, is bottom-fed and, therefore, the sludge blanket acts as a floating filter.

“This morning we had a 0.2 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) ... prior to any filtration,” he said. “If turbidity were the only compliance issue systems had to contend with, we could have sold it to the public right here and been 0.1 NTU under compliance.

Once filtered, we were getting 0.03 NTUs." They get about 8 MGD out of the two-hour bottom-feed plant and about six MGD out of the six-hour detention time plant.

We drove to another area of the lake, where their Pall membrane was located. Before entering the membrane-treatment building, Lee showed me their new groundwater well. The well is located onsite and is capable of 600 gallons per minute (gpm)—when multiplied by 1,440 minutes in a day, that’s 864,000 gallons a day that can be blended with the surface water in the lake.

“This is a well whose water we have been treating with a form of … well, kind of like physics,” Lee explained. “Water is a living thing; in liquid form it is the organism that sustains life in our fragile ecosystem.”

“This is a process that radically activates and energizes liquid-utilizing mineral ores,” Lee continued. “It shrinks the hydrogen ion and changes the isolation of water, kind of like an ion exchange.

You use fewer chemicals and it makes it more efficient to get sulfites, total dissolved solids and all the things we don’t want in our water out. We can drop them in the clarifiers as sludge.”

“These things just fit around the pipe and on the inside are oars that look like baseballs; there is a film that will build up on them over time. Every five or six months, the team will take 10 gallons of citric acid (or sometimes caustic soda, depending on how much black stuff they pull out), clean them real good and 16

Quench —November / December 2016

Students gathered at Central Texas WSC's training facility for three days of practical, hands-on learning about Water Utility Safety.

they will be like brand new.”

Tuesday morning, I began teaching my Water Utility Safety class at their facility. I took the class through implementing a successful safety program, followed by the elements of searching, identifying, predicting and putting into action or executing parameters used to achieve safe conditions.

The afternoon was spent on personal protective equipment, back safety and, ending the first day, safety data sheets.

Wednesday morning was spent learning about biological hazards and pathogens and their roles in diseases. I explained current outbreaks in Haiti, then looked at Ebola and talked briefly about the lead issues in Flint, Michigan.

Wednesday afternoon started with emergency response, followed by trailer training in confined space, which brought the end of day two.

Thursday was a short day, so I finished the 20hour training course with electrical safe-handling, followed by trench safety, work zone safety and a final exam.

Central Texas Water Supply Corporation is a beautiful place to teach. Thank you to Lee and his team for being good hosts!

If you are interested in hosting a TRWA training class, you can fill out a Course Request Form, which can be submitted online at: www.trwa. org/?CourseRequestForm. You may also contact our training department by calling 512-472-8591 or emailing training@trwa.org.

Support Rural Water and Sponsor Your Political Action Committee

By Allison Kaminsky, Communications and IT Director, Texas Rural Water Association

W

e are kicking off our annual Texas Rural Water Political Action Committee (PAC) fundraising campaign. The Texas Rural Water PAC is the bipartisan state and federal political action committee of TRWA. PAC funds support the campaigns of state and federal candidates who will take a stand on issues that matter to Texas rural water. Each year, TRWA members contribute to the fundraising campaign so the Texas Rural Water PAC can support legislators who will have a positive effect on our members' futures. By contributing, you can affect the political process and ensure Texas rural water is fairly and effectively represented.

PAC contributions are pooled to make impactful contributions to state and federal candidates in Texas — men and women who understand the issues facing water and wastewater utilities. These contributions support our efforts to elect individuals to public office who will give rural water fair and effective representation. The Texas Rural Water PAC Board reviews candidates' effectiveness, committee assignments and voting records to determine which ones to support.

In 2017, we have a goal to raise $50,000 for PAC! In addition to attending our PAC fundraising events held in conjunction with RuralWaterCon and our Training and Technical Conference, there are two ways you can support TRWA's PAC. The first is by making an individual contribution, which will earn you one of three levels of sponsorship: •

Gold Level: An individual contribution of at least $300

•

Silver Level: An individual contribution of $200 to $299

•

Bronze Level: An individual contribution of $50 to $199

2017. Those who contribute by March 15 will also be printed in the RuralWaterCon official program!

Suggested contribution amounts are guidelines, though any level of contribution is appreciated.

Individuals may legally contribute up to $5,000 per calendar year. To make a contribution, please visit our website at www.trwa.org and fill out our online contribution form, or you may download a form and mail it with a personal check payable to the Texas Rural Water PAC to 1616 Rio Grande, Austin, Texas 78701.

The second way you can support Texas Rural Water PAC is by making an in-kind donation to be featured at the RuralWaterCon PAC auctions. A silent auction will be held throughout the convention in the exhibit hall, and a live auction for premium items will be held Thursday, March 30, in conjunction with the President's Banquet. We encourage members to donate unique and locally sourced items for the auction. If you would like to donate an item, please either send it to the TRWA office, c/o Texas Rural Water PAC, 1616 Rio Grande St., Austin, Texas 78701, or you may drop your donation off at the PAC booth when you arrive at the convention. All donations are appreciated.

The Texas Rural Water PAC's strength lies in the involvement of water professionals like you.

By pooling your contributions with those made by hundreds of other TRWA members across the state, we can make the voice of our industry in Texas even stronger.

Join the Texas Rural Water PAC team and show your support for Texas water. Become a sponsor and help us secure the future of Texas Rural Water!

By law, only contributions from individuals may be used by the PAC; corporate or district contributions are prohibited by law to be used for this purpose.

PAC Sponsors will be able to display their pride in rural water with sponsorship gifts, which will be given to contributors at each level. Sponsors at all levels will also receive recognition in Quench and at RuralWaterCon, to be held in Austin on March 29–30, Quench — November / December 2016 17

Save the Date for RuralWaterCon 2017

By Angela Russell, Member Services Director, Texas Rural Water Association

S

ave the date! TRWA’s RuralWaterCon is set for March 29-31, 2017, at the Renaissance Austin Hotel! Complete with informative breakout sessions, several networking opportunities — including an event at Top Golf for golfers and nongolfers alike; a Welcome Reception, sponsored by CoBank; the President’s Banquet; District caucuses; and an exhibit hall featuring products and services for the water industry — TRWA’s 48th annual convention is an event not to be missed. There will also be several opportunities to support the Texas Rural Water Political Action Committee (PAC), with a silent auction held throughout the event, a fundraiser at Top Golf and a live PAC auction of premium items during the President’s Banquet.

The agenda includes two days of breakout sessions, including a full track of topics for board members. The Annual Business Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 30, and TRWA District Elections will be held Friday, March 31, during District caucuses.

Top Golf PAC Fundraiser — New for 2017!

Join fellow attendees Tuesday afternoon, March 28, at Top Golf, a fun and user-friendly way to test your golf skills or just have fun while networking with your peers. Enjoy delicious hors d'oeuvres and the comfortable setting at this great venue. Details about this event will be sent to all member systems the first week of January.

March 29 is Rural Water Day at the State Capitol Join the TRWA Board and Lobby Team for grassroots lobbying on Wednesday, March 29! We will start the day at the Renaissance Hotel with a Legislative Briefing Breakfast, reviewing the status of pending water-related legislation. Attendees will then be shuttled to the Capitol, where you will have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with your elected representatives. TRWA members are also invited to attend House and Senate Meetings throughout the day. Invite your senator or representative to the Welcome Reception, which is an excellent opportunity to visit with your legislators in an informal

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setting. Texas Rural Water Day is complimentary, but registration is required.

Wednesday evening, attendees are invited to attend the welcome reception in the Exhibit Hall.

Mingle with your peers and enjoy a first look at the exhibit hall.

The official RuralWaterCon program begins Thursday morning with an opening general session, complete with keynote speakers NRWA President Steve Fletcher and a special guest legislator; the 2017 Awards of Excellence and Texas Rural Water Foundation Scholarship presentation ceremony; and the premiere of our fourth annual RuralWaterCon movie project, this year focusing on the theme of leadership. The general session will be immediately followed by the Annual Business Meeting, where we will discuss all TRWA updates, including items up for consideration during the annual elections.

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We have an exciting and varied lineup of educational topics that begin Thursday afternoon with three concurrent tracks of sessions, including a special track of topics for board members. Following sessions, attendees will have a short break to freshen up and meet up with spouses before making their way down to a pre-banquet happy hour. Doors to the President’s Banquet will open at 6 pm and will begin with a live auction benefiting the Texas Rural Water PAC. The banquet will feature a keynote presentation on fostering leadership in your organization and community.

Friday morning begins with District caucuses, where official delegates representing each member system have a chance to discuss and vote on official TRWA business. Information about TRWA elections will be sent out with registration materials, so keep an eye out in the mail for information on whether your District has a candidate up for reelection in 2017.

The morning will round out with another block of educational breakout sessions, followed by a working boxed lunch, sponsored by CoBank. Friday wraps up at 1:30 pm, and then attendees can make their way safely home.

This only scratches the surface of what is sure to be an exciting and fulfilling event! Registration and a full agenda will be posted online by the end of December at www.trwa.org and each member system will receive a registration packet in the mail at this time as well. If you have any questions about this convention, please contact us at (512) 472-8591 or email meetings@trwa.org. We hope to see you there!

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Ask Larry

Q:

A Q&A column with TRWA Technical Assistance Director Larry Bell

We had a leak on the main line which forced us to turn water off to a customer. The customer said that when service was pressured back up, this caused their front load Maytag washing machine to flood their home. Our customer says this is the second time this has happened when we shut the main line down. The customer called very upset when she returned home that evening. I told her I had never heard of this happening before, but I am not familiar with the computerized front loaders. I told her we would pay for a service company to come out with the fans and dry out her home, but didn’t expect this would cost $904.30.

I called Maytag service and they told me it is possible for the flooding to happen after service is pressured back up, but they would need to send a service man out to check the machine out. In your opinion, should I pay to have the service man show our customer her machine has a problem? I certainly feel I should pay for the home to be dried out since I told her I would.

pressure or because a pipe bursts within the floor or ceiling of a home. None of these are typically caused by the system. If a customer has too much pressure, they should install a pressure regulator.

If the pressure is too low, they should install their own pressure tank and then pay for the appropriate backflow assembly to protect the rest of the system and keep the “customer stored water” from reentering the system’s distribution lines.

Now that the SUD has agreed to pay for the cleanup, you should be aware that you may also receive complaints about molded walls or clothes or other water damage at some time in the future. You should consider contacting the SUD’s insurance provider to get a copy of their protocols related to these type claims and follow them should any claim be filed.

"The District is not liable for damages caused by service interruptions, events beyond its control, and for normal system failures.”

Where does our responsibility end in this situation? I know we “stop at the meter,” but this seems to be a different situation, possibly caused by us.

A: You may want to handle this situation a little differently because you have agreed to send the service company to provide fans to dry out the home. You should discuss with the board whether you want to assume some additional responsibility.

I would follow up with a letter to the customer letting them know what you are willing to do this time, but reminding them what your service policy states regarding the SUD’s liability, the customer’s responsibility and their options. Customers are responsible for maintaining their lines and fixtures past the end of the meter location. Many systems have been billed for broken pipes due to too much 20

Quench —November / December 2016

In the future, I would recommend directing the customer to the statements in your District Service Policy and Service Agreement regarding your liability, which as you state, ends at the meter. For example, the recommended language in TRWA’s Sample District Service Policy and Service Application and Agreement states:, “the District is not liable for damages caused by service interruptions, events beyond its control, and for normal system failures,” and “the Applicant shall hold the District harmless from any and all claims for damages caused by service interruptions due to waterline breaks by utility or like contractors, tampering by other customers/users of the District, normal failures of the system, or other events beyond the District’s control.”

Q: What are the procedures we should take with our member before removing his meter for non-payment?

A: Your Tariff should outline the minimum requirements and procedures for disconnecting service for non-payment. The procedures in TRWA Sample Tariff's Section E are recommended for

3. If service is to a master-metered service complex, final notice should be mailed to the member and include a statement that notice of possible disconnection will be provided to

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2. The Corporation cannot lock the meter for non-payment if the member or tenant under an alternate billing agreement permanently residing an individually metered dwelling unit when that member or tenant establishes that discontinuance of service will result in some person at that residence becoming seriously ill or more seriously ill if service is discontinued. To avoid disconnection under these circumstances, the Member or tenant must provide a written statement from a physician to the Corporation prior to the stated date of disconnection. Service may be disconnected in accordance with Subsection (a) of this Section if the next month’s bill and the past due bill are not paid by the due date of the next month’s bill, unless the Member or tenant enters into a Deferred Payment Agreement (see Miscellaneous Transaction Forms). The Corporation shall provide notice to an owner of rental property in the event a tenant requests service not be discontinued due to illness as per this subsection.

If you have a technical question you would like answered, please email larry.bell@trwa.org.

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1. If the day of disconnection or day following disconnection is a holiday or day when the system is closed for business, meaning that personnel will not be available to make collections or reconnect service, the system must wait until the next business day to lock the meter.

Unless your tariff has some other conditions, the number and type of notice(s) stated above are the key notices the customer should receive. Some systems send their past due notices by register/ certified mail. Some systems also go out about 4 or 5 days prior to actual disconnection and place door hanger notices at the property so the owners will again be notified of the pending disconnection.

However, these options are just that, options and not required by any rule or regulation for a WSC.

TO

Start by verifying that the account is past due, meaning that payment was not received by the past due date. If the system has a grace period, wait until that time has passed. Then, the system should mail out a final notice allowing an additional 10 days for payment prior to disconnection. This notice could have been on a “Second Notice” post card or in letter form and mailed to the member. The ten days starts on the day the final notice is deposited into the U.S. Postal Service with sufficient postage.

After the ten days has passed, if payment has not been received, the meter can be locked. The following circumstances are exceptions to this process:

the tenants of the service complex in five (5) days if payment is not rendered before that time. The notice to tenants should also be posted in public areas of the service complex at least five days after providing notice to the member and five days before disconnection.

E MP L O Y E E S

WSCs as best practices, but that are otherwise not required by law. These provisions are based on PUC’s required customer service procedures for IOUs.

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TRWA Emerging Leaders Program to Launch This Spring

By Lara Zent, Executive Director and General Counsel, Texas Rural Water Association

D

o you know any early- to mid-career utility professionals who have an interest in seeking leadership roles at your system, in your community or even at the Texas Rural Water Association? Let them know about our new leadership development program, TRWA Emerging Leaders! TRWA Emerging Leaders is a year-long professional development and networking program for up-and-coming leaders in the Texas rural water industry.

As participants in this program, TRWA Emerging Leaders will receive leadership and advocacy training, learn about water policy and industry trends and participate in grassroots campaigns to promote our industry. Participants will also get connected to influential leaders in their field and forge new friendships with other Emerging Leaders throughout the state.

The program will kick off with a special oneday orientation and training in Austin, and then participants will have multiple opportunities throughout the year to accrue leadership

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Quench —November / December 2016

development credit hours toward completion of the program. Graduates will be honored at RuralWaterCon 2018 with a special ceremony and in a future issue of this magazine. Alumni will continue to have heightened engagement with the association, including but not limited to being invited to have input on TRWA programing, contribute articles for Quench, or present at conferences.

We will hold an information session on the TRWA Emerging Leaders program at RuralWaterCon 2017!

We encourage energetic and engaged individuals who are invested in the future of rural water to attend this session to learn more about what this program can do for them! Emerging Leaders who attend this session will receive a special incentive for their participation.

If you are interested in becoming a TRWA Emerging Leader and want to learn more about the program, please contact TRWA’s Executive Director, Lara Zent, at lara.zent@trwa.org or at (512) 4728591 for more information.

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Now Accepting Applications for 2017 TRWF Scholarships

By Zak Hansen, Communications Assistant, Texas Rural Water Association

W

e are now accepting applications for the Texas Rural Water Foundation's 2017 scholarship programs! Whether you are a student looking to pursue higher education or you are system personnel pursuing continued education and career advancement, we encourage you to take advantage of one of these opportunities.

Student scholarships are designed to help defray the costs of tuition, books and/or room and board for the recipient. These funds are our investment in the future of the water and wastewater industry in rural Texas. We encourage children of TRWA member system board members and staff, as well as other interested students, to apply. We are particularly interested in supporting students who seek a career relating to the water and/or wastewater industry or that will support rural Texas.

Former student scholarship recipients are invited to apply for a continued scholarship for additional funds. To be eligible, these applicants must provide transcripts to demonstrate they are in good academic standing.

New this year, we have expanded what was formerly our Operator/Manager Scholarship program to include all system personnel interested in pursuing continuing education and career advancement in the water and/or wastewater industry. Now called our Professional Scholarship Program, industry professionals are invited to apply for scholarship funds to reimburse for attendance and completion of a TRWA-approved operator certification course (minimum 20-hour course), conference or for admission to the TRWA Emerging Leaders Program.

Each TRWA member system will receive at least one packet containing the application forms for both the Student Scholarship Program and the Professional Scholarship Program. If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please ask your general manager for the desired packet. These application forms, along with eligibility information, are also available online and for download at www.texaswrf.org. Please share these opportunities with your peers and community 24

Quench —November / December 2016

members who may benefit from one of these programs.

The number of scholarships awarded will be based on the number of qualified applicants and the amount of funds available. Students will receive a total of $1,000, and professional scholarship recipients will be reimbursed for up to $400, paid directly to the recipient for attendance and completion of an approved course, conference or program in 2017. All recipients are required to provide TRWF with proof of registration and completion in order to receive payment.

Please note that scholarship applications must be received at TRWA's office by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. All instructions must be followed and the application must be completed in its entirety at the time of mailing in order to be considered.

Scholarship recipients will be first announced at RuralWaterCon 2017 in Austin in March, and will be subsequently notified by mail with information on how to receive payment. Recipients will also be recognized in the spring issue of this magazine.

If you have questions about the TRWF Scholarship Programs, please contact us at 512472-8591 or email us a founation@texasrwf.org.

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TRWA Briefs TCEQ Introduces e-App for Licensing

T

he Occupational Licensing section at TCEQ is introducing a new way of applying for a license. E-Application, or e-App, is their new online application form, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In conjunction with the e-Application, TCEQ will be transitioning to a preapproval process before applicants can sit for exams.

The e-App can be accessed online at www20. tceq.texas.gov/occlic and can also be found on the Occupational Licensing main page. Paper applications will continue to be accepted for those individuals who have no access to a computer.

There will be a six-month grace period where TCEQ will gradually phase in the preapproval process using the e-Application and working with users on issues and improvements. The goal is to have only preapproved applicants in exam sessions by March 1, 2017. To accomplish this goal, e-Applications must be submitted by January 1, 2017, in order to have applications preapproved barring any deficiencies in the application.

Using the new process, here are the steps to follow to obtain an occupational license: 1. Make sure you meet all the licensing requirements and have all the supporting documentation. Visit www.tceq.texas.gov licensing for details.

2. Complete and submit an online application using e-App for Licensing. You’ll pay the application fee during the online process.

Most licenses cost $111.

3. Wait. In 6 to 8 weeks, you’ll receive an approval letter in the mail or a deficiency letter asking you to clear a few things up.

4. Once you receive an approval letter, you can register to take your exam!

5. Pass the exam! You get up to four attempts or one year, whichever comes first, so don’t worry if you don’t pass the exam the first time.

6. Your license will be issued within a few days upon passing the exam.

To find out more about e-App, visit www.tceq. texas.gov/licensing/eapp. If you have questions about this new process, contact TCEQ at licenses@ tceq.texas.gov or call 512-239-6133.

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Quench —November / December 2016

Annual Eminent Domain Filing Deadline Approaching

T

RWA is currently offering a subscription service to assist systems in complying with SB 1812, which requires all entities with eminent domain authority to file an annual report with the Texas Comptroller. This includes water supply corporations, districts and cities.

All systems with eminent domain authority must file an annual report with the Comptroller by Feb. 1, 2017, or face penalties of up to $2,000. TRWA can help you fulfil this requirement. TRWA will handle the filing for subscribing systems this year and subsequent years, giving you one less report to worry about.

For more information about this service or to sign up today, visit www.trwa.org/?page=SB1812 or contact us at (512) 472-8591 or eminentdomain@ trwa.org.

Absentee Voting Ensures You Have a Voice in TRWA Elections

K

eep an eye on the mail for your official TRWA Election absentee voting packet in early February. Since the Board voted to eliminate proxy voting in 2013, absentee voting is the only alternative way to cast your vote if you cannot do so in person at the March election.

District caucuses will be held in conjunction with RuralWaterCon at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin on the morning of March 31, 2017. If you cannot send a representative for your system to participate in your district caucus, please cast an absentee ballot to ensure your interests are represented.

Each system that was a TRWA member in 2016 will receive a packet no later than Feb. 10, 2017. Please remember that your 2017 TRWA membership must be current by March 24 for your vote to count.

Official ballots (originals only) must be received at the TRWA office by 5 p.m. on March 24, or delivered in person at the Credentials Committee Booth by 5 p.m. March 29, 2017.

Note: Absentee ballots must be accompanied by a signed Delegate Certification Form to be valid.

Election details and more detailed absentee voting procedures will be included in your RuralWaterCon registration packets, which will be mailed in early January.

After you have reviewed these materials, if you still have any questions about the absentee voting process, you may direct them to TRWA Communications Director Allison Kaminsky at (512) 471-8591 or Allison.Kaminsky@trwa.org.

How Do You Picture Texas Rural Water? PH2OTOSTREAM Now Accepting Submissions

P

hotographers have through Jan. 15, 2017 to submit their photos to the Texas Rural Water Foundation's annual PH2OTOSTREAM amateur photography contest. Don't miss this opportunity to help us shine a spotlight on the past, present and future of rural water!

Contest categories under consideration include: • • • •

Rural Texas Water: A general category for images representing the rural water and wastewater utility industry Water Infrastructure: Images of the technology that drives water utilities Utility Operators in Action: Images depicting utility personnel working in the field Rural Water History: Images that provide a pictorial history of rural water. If you have images of your system’s ground-breaking, your original board, historically significant artifacts, etc., we encourage you to scan your images and send them in!

Each category winner will receive a $50 cash prize and be spotlighted in a future issue Quench.

The Grand Prize winner will be selected from the

category winners and will also receive a matted and framed print of their photo. All finalists will receive a letter of recognition, and all entered photos may be featured on Association and Foundation program materials, websites and social media, and will be credited to the photographer.

For more information about this contest, including eligibility requirements, rules and guidelines, and to download a contest release and entry form, please visit the Texas Rural Water Foundation’s website at www.texasrwf.org or the Texas Rural Water Association's website at www.trwa.org. If you have any questions or inquiries about the contest or rules, you may call the TRWA Communications Department at (512) 472-8591 or e-mail them at editor@trwa.org with the subject, Photo Contest Inquiry.

Awards of Excellence Deadline Extended to February 1, 2017

T

RWA has made some big changes to our Awards of Excellence this year, making it easier than ever to shine the spotlight on your system and your outstanding colleagues. With bigger prizes and two new system-wide awards added to the mix, you don't want to miss this opportunity to show us what makes your system stand out!

Does your system have a knack for connecting with your community? Let us know! We have two new system awards for Excellence in Community Outreach, designed to recognize both small and large systems who have launched an engagement initiative to bring them closer with their public. This is your opportunity to showcase your system's hard work and share your ideas and successes with your peers. Winning systems will receive a $1,000 prize Continued on page 28

Quench — November / December 2016 27

Continued from page 27

and a commemorative plaque to display at their system, courtesy of our sponsor Master Meter. Your initiative will also be honored at RuralWaterCon 2017 in March and featured in an upcoming issue of Quench.

Our individual awards are still meant to recognize the shining stars of our member utilities, though this year we have expanded the eligibility of our categories to include more system personnel. The 2017 awards will now be given in the following categories:

28

•

Excellence in System Management: allows for the recognition of any utility manager who exemplifies exceptional leadership and oversight skills

•

Excellence in Administration: meant for all supporting personnel whose hard work and dedication keep their utility’s office administration running smoothly on a day-today basis

•

Excellence in Operations: designed to recognize any personnel who are instrumental in the utility's technical operations and go

Quench —November / December 2016

above and beyond the call of duty in their work Individual winners will each receive a $500 prize and a commemorative plaque, and their nominating system will receive a free registration for any employee to attend a 2017 TRWA conference of their choice. All award winners will be honored at RuralWaterCon 2017, although you do not need to be present to win, and will be featured in an upcoming issue of Quench.

We have simplified the nomination form and essays, and also created a way to easily renominate someone who did not win in a previous year. Please remember that eligibility is limited to TRWA member utilities and their employees. Former award winners are not eligible for individual awards.

Nomination forms have been mailed to all TRWA member utilities, and you may also submit your nomination online at www.trwa.org. All entries must be postmarked or delivered by February 1, 2017 to be considered.

If you have any questions about the nomination form or the awards process, please contact the TRWA Communications Department at (512) 4728591 or email editor@trwa.org.

Classified Ads Texas Rural Water Association Technical Assistance Specialist TRWA has an immediate opening for a Technical Assistance Specialist for the North Texas and West Texas region. Water utility professional sought for position providing onsite technical, managerial, financial and regulatory compliance assistance to public utilities.

Successful candidate will have considerable knowledge of federal, state and local laws related to public water systems. This position requires extensive travel, good public relations skills, computer proficiency and attention to detail. The minimum requirement for this position is a Class B Water License. Surface water license preferred, but not required. Wastewater license also a plus. Good benefits, salary based on experience.

To Apply: Email resume to Environmental Services Director: Celia.Eaves@trwa.org

Cypress Cove Water System Water Operator Cypress Cove WS is seeking a water operator to perform skilled work in the installation, maintenance and operation of the neighborhood utility water distribution systems, lines, pump stations and associated equipment.

Essential Job Functions: • Assist work crews in installation and maintenance of distribution and collection lines, to include the operation of various equipment as directed, i.e., jet machines, tapping machines, water/sewer locators, trash pumps and trucks • Assist in conducting various repairs for distribution and collection systems, i.e., leaks, main breaks, manholes, faulty valves and broken hydrants • Flush lines as required • Install and/or replace water taps, water meters, meter boxes, lines, valves and related attendant devices • Monitor SCADA system, to include remote monitoring when functioning on call • Conduct residual and other related tests and readings in monitoring pressures, and chemical/ contaminant levels to ensure compliance with regulatory standards • Perform routine maintenance on pumping stations, including pumps, motors, injectors and chlorinators • Perform routine maintenance on distribution system infrastructure such as hydrants, water mains, service lines, etc • Performs various preventive maintenance duties, i.e., lubricating pumps and motors and cleaning wet wells • Address complaints concerning high or low water pressure, contaminated water, residual line stoppages and overflows • Maintain and monitor parts and supplies inventory • Ensure the safe operating conditions per work sites, i.e., mowing well lots, sod, soil and plant restoration • Subject to on-call status regularly and callouts during emergencies and must have the ability to respond to job site within 30 minutes of contact Requirements: • High School diploma or GED; • Five years of previous experience that demonstrates ability to fulfill the physical requirements of the essential functions; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• Requires “C” Groundwater Operators – Texas.

Must be bondable.

• Ability to read, write and speak English fluently.

Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers and community.

Good written and verbal communication skills are essential See the complete job description on TRWA's Job Board at www.trwa.org. To apply, contact Cypress Cove at (830) 885-7791 or cypresscove@gvtc.com.

Quench — November / December 2016 29

Classified Ads

Texas Rural Water Association Water and Wastewater Instructors

SouthWest Water Company Multiple Positions

SouthWest Water Company has various openings for Water/Wastewater Operators, Water/Wastewater Field Technicians and Maintenance Technicians in the following areas: Pflugerville/Austin, Boerne/San Antonio, Benbrook, Conroe, Mabank and Pottsboro.

Positions perform routine checks of the facilities, maintenance and field customer service; as well as help ensure compliance with governing agencies' regulations. SouthWest Water Company offers: • $1,000 sign-on bonus for licensed operators • Company vehicle (select locations) • Competitive salary commensurate with experience • Exemplary benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short and Long Term Disability, Long Term Care, 401(k) & Sick Pay • Generous vacation and holiday schedule • Training and education allowance • Performance and certification rewards • Referral bonuses • Employee Service Awards Requirements: TCEQ water and/or wastewater license, advanced skills and technical knowledge of water and/or wastewater treatment, HS diploma or GED, 1-2 years’ related experience; water and/or wastewater operations and maintenance experience.

Apply at: https://swwtx.applicantpro.com/jobs/.

PITTSBURG TANK & TOWER MAINTENANCE CO., INC.

SAVE!

We have a crew in YOUR AREA! Inspections Wet Dry ROV

Repair In Service Cleaning Paint Insulation

New & Used

Tanks

Relocation

Elevated

Erection

Underground

Dismantles

Ground

ROV inspections can be viewed on TV console During inspection & DVD provided. All inspections Include bound reports, recommendations, and cost estimates.

Patrick Heltsley

Don Johnston

(270) 826-9000 x 4601 (270) 826-9000 x 1001 270-748-1325

(270) 748-1343

www.watertank.com 30

Quench —November / December 2016

TRWA is currently accepting resumes for full-time, part-time and contract-based Water and Wastewater Instructors. Individuals are required to possess TCEQ approval as an instructor in the areas of Water, Wastewater and Customer Service Inspections.

Successful candidates must be knowledgeable of current TCEQ Rules and Regulations, such as Chapters 217, 290, 291, and PUC Chapter 24, as well as applicable EPA SDWA and Clean Water Act regulations.

Qualifications: Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to be considered: • Have at least 60 hours of classroom instructional experience or have completed the following training: • 40 hour – Methods of Teaching or Effective Instructional Techniques; and • 40 hour - Organization and Use of Training Materials or Instructional Design and Evaluation.

• Have a class B (or higher) Water, Wastewater, and Customer Service Inspection license.

• Be familiar with TCEQ operator critical operating tasks for water, wastewater and customer service inspections.

• Have at least three years of applicable hands-on experience in subjects to be taught.

• Be a clear and effective communicator with the ability to relate detailed technical information.

• Be familiar with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Be able to enter data into database programs and/ or spreadsheets.

• Be able to develop online courses and assist in maintaining or updating existing online courses.

Familiarity with Articulate software preferred.

• Be willing to travel extensively across Texas.

• Pass pre-employment drug test and submit to future random drug test.

• Have a good driving record and able to maintain a valid driving license.

• No prior convictions of any federal offenses.

To Apply, email cover letter, resume and salary requirements to michael.vollmar@trwa.org or mail to TRWA, Attn: Training Department / Instructor Position, 1616 Rio Grande, Austin, Texas 78701.

Plan Ahead CONFERENCES: January 11 –12, 2017

TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar, Austin, Doubletree by Hilton

March 29 – 31, 2017

RuralWaterCon 2017, Austin, Renaissance Hotel

May 31 – June 1, 2017

Office Professionals Conference, San Marcos, Embassy Suites

OPERATOR TRAINING COURSES: Water Credit Courses

Basic Water Works Operations: Pittsburg, Feb. 28 - March 2 Groundwater Production: Pittsburg, Jan. 24-26 Surface Water Production 1: New Braunfels, Jan. 10-12  San Antonio, March 7-9 Surface Water Production 2: New Braunfels, Feb. 14-16

Water and Wastewater Credit Courses

Chlorinator Maintenance: San Antonio, Jan. 31- Feb. 2 Customer Service Inspections: Waxahachie, Jan 18-19  San Antonio, March 14-15  Midlothian, March 21-22 Pump and Motor Maintenance: Bartlett, Jan. 10-12  San Antonio, Feb. 22-24  Pittsburg, March 14-15 Utility Safety: San Antonio, Jan. 24-26 Utility Calculations: San Antonio, March 21-23

Wastewater Credit Courses

Basic Wastewater: San Antonio, Feb. 7-9 Wastewater Collections: Texarcana, Feb. 14-16 Wastewater Treatment: Texarcana, Jan. 4-6  Quitman, Feb. 7-9

Advertiser Index

AIA Insurance Agency......................................... Page 15 Childress Engineers......................................................30 CoBank...........................................................................23 CROM................................................................................7 Daniel & Brown, Inc.......................................................27 DN Tanks........................................................................23 Engineering America.....................................................18 Ferguson Waterworks...................................................25 Global Treat....................................................................28 Hayes Engineering........................................................24 HD Supply...................................................................... 11 J.F. Fontaine & Associates...........................................13 KSA Engineers...............................................................14 Maguire Iron...................................................................29 Pittsburg Tank & Tower Maintenance Co., Inc............30 RG3 Meters..............................................................10, 22 Russell Drilling Co., Inc................................................17 Schaumburg and Polk.....................................................6 Smith Pump Co., Inc......................................................23 Tabor & Associates, Inc................................................23 Tank Connection............................................................21 Texas Aquastore............................................................19 TraC-N-Trol, Inc..............................................................27 Quench — November / December 2016 31

1616 Rio Grande| Austin, TX 78701-1122 Telephone: (512) 472-8591 | Fax: (512) 472-5186 www.trwa.org

Resourceful

Be ! n a r e t e V a e r i H

Many veterans already have the skills needed to work in the water industry.

Help them continue to serve.

Contact the Texas Rural Water Foundation Veteran Employment Program: 1616 Rio Grande Austin, TX 78701 www.texasrwf.org • foundation@texasrwf.org • 512-472-8591