August 2023

JOURNAL

"Proudly Serving Education Excellence since 1918"

Texas Water Utilities Association

Regional Training – 2023

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR 2023

DATES

East Texas Regional School - Longview ........................

August 28-31, 2023

Far West Texas Regional School – Fort Stockton ..........

August 14-17, 2023

TWUA Annual School – Corpus Christi ....................

September 18-21, 2023

West Texas Regional School - Lubbock .......................

November 7-9, 2023

(Not all regions offer Surface 1 which is a 24 hour class these above dates reflect all regions starting on Monday and offering 24 hour classes. Once we receive all the schools fliers we will post if in fact the school begins on Monday at 1:00 or Tuesday at 8:00 )

Check the TWUA Website for the most up-to-date information related to TWUA Regional opportunities. If travel and being in crowds cause you concern or your employer has not approved travel, please look at the TWUA Computer Based Training options. (https://twua.org/online-class-dates)

Dates for Annual School 2023. The dates for the 105th Annual School in Corpus Christi, are September 18th – 21st 2023. This will be Monday thru Thursday. The events have been pushed forward a day. Opening Session and Awards will be Monday. The school will begin Tuesday and conclude with vendor move out at noon Thursday.

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL

( ISSN – 1051709X) is published monthly by the Texas Water Utilities Association, located at 210 E. Hwy 79, Hutto, Texas 78634 for Operators, Engineers, Managers, Laboratory technicians, Customer service personnel, Vendors, and other Professionals employed in, or interested in, the water and or wastewater industry.

Ten dollars of each annual membership dues payment to the Texas Water Utilities Association pays for a subscription. Nonmember subscriptions price: the USA $100.00 per year; $10.00 per single copy

$125.00 per year outside the USA. Periodicals

Postage Paid In Hutto, Tx. And Additional Mailing Offices.

The Texas Water Utilities Association is wholly independent, and is not affiliated with the American Water Works Association, the Water Environment Federation, or any other National Organization.

Postmaster: Send address changes to: Texas Water Utilities Association – Journal 210 E. Hwy. 79, Suite 101, Hutto, Texas 78634.

The Texas Water Utilities Association Journal is not responsible for facts and or opinions expressed by contributors or in advertisements herein. Editorials and comments do not necessarily represent the official policy of the Texas Water Utilities Association.

All inquiries should be directed to: Texas Water Utilities Association, 210 E. Hwy. 79, Suite 101, Hutto, Texas 78634. Phone 512-459-3124. Any materials accepted for publication is subject to revision and editing At the discretion of the publisher.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:

Mike Norris - Chair of Management

Jim Siddall – President

Clarence L. Wittwer – President-Elect

Vicente Carrizales – Vice President

Bill Brown – First Past President

John Krause – Second Past President

Ric O’Conner – Vendor Rep. / Ex. Officio

Russell Hamilton - Executive Director

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

by Jim Siddall

Have you registered for the Annual School in Corpus Christi (September 18-21) this year? If you haven’t, time is running out. Take advantage of your TWUA membership and save money on the cost of registration. Register early and save money. Attend the school to enrich your resume. Connect with other operators to gain feedback and advice from peers to stay on top of the utility industry. Meet new friends. Take in the sights and attractions in Corpus Christi. Familiarize yourself with industry advances, new equipment for the water and wastewater industry.

Your membership has many benefits one of the most important is your eligibility to receive a scholarship from the V M Ehlers Foundation. The Foundation operates as a Texas non-profit organization and promotes its founding purposes by offering scholarship assistance which will further the water related education of TWUA members and their sons and daughters. In the last ten years Ehlers has awarded 528 students over $1,250,000, this year your association awarded $151,800 to 54 applicants.

The Endowment Representatives are always seeking methods to improve and increase the scholarship awards and application process. The foundation is happy to announce our first-year results of the enhancements made this year to assist our members and their dependents. In January 2023, two significant improvements were added to benefit the applicants directly.

First, the deadline for submitting applications for the 2023 - 24 academic year was moved back from July 1 to January 15 This was done to allow processing of applications, awarding of scholarships, and, most importantly, the earlier mailing of checks so students will have them in hand before they begin the fall semester. Instead of sending the checks in late September, checks were be sent in late June. All our 54 applicants this year should now have their check in hand to begin the 2023/2024 academic year. The application submission

deadline will remain January 15 from 2023 forward.

With this new submission deadline, it is even more important for the applicants to get their information submitted on time. This will be even more important to those who are in high school. Best advice: don’t wait until after the Christmas/ New Year’s holidays to apply for a “State of Texas Academic Achievement Record.” Instead, it is recommended you request your records before December as early in the fall as possible. We have spoken with counselors and administrators in several school districts, and they indicate it is possible to get your records before the January 15 deadline, but they stressed that requests must be made early. We did not receive any reports of problems meeting the earlier submission date this year. Check with your high school counselor for advice on your specific situation.

The second improvement was the foundation’s method of evaluating the applications. In the past each application was assessed and awarded points for the number of years the applicant or sponsor of the applicant has been a member of TWUA, their major course of study, the applicant’s plans after completing their degree, household income, academic record, and extracurricular activities. This year extra (bonus) points were given to applicants who actively participate in TWUA events. Applicants were awarded one point for each district meeting the member attended during the previous five years, and 15 points was added for each year a member has served as an officer in a district, regional, or state organization. In the past the average score on an application was 35 points. This year the average increased to 53 points. We had nine applicants who scored over 90 and they each received an additional $1000 in scholarship funds. To receive these bonus points, applicants must attach a copy of their member’s TCEQ training record of meetings or have their district, regional, or state secretary provide a letter attesting attendance or verifying service as an officer during the last five years.

Your membership does have benefits that directly affect you and scholarship eligibility is just one! Good luck to all our applicants’ future endeavors. Don’t forget to register early for a regional school and/or the Far West Texas August 14-17, East Texas August 28-31, and Annual School September 18-21.

by Russell Hamilton, TWUA Executive Director

Father, we bow our heads in respect and humbly say thank you, as we acknowledge that you are the creator. We take comfort in knowing that You remain in charge and control of life as we understand it. We need You, and we welcome You in all we do. We come into Your presence seeking Your grace, calm, guidance, and forgiveness. Father, we pray for Your mercy and grace, and we ask that You guide, direct, protect, and bless TWUA and its members. Father, we thank you for your forgiveness as we offer praise in the name of Jesus. Amen

The drought is still concerning in parts of Texas. Parts of Texas are getting rain, but watersheds remain dry. In West Texas, Lake Spence is sitting at 16.8 % (- 0.9 %). White River is sitting at 21.2 % (-1.4 %). Panhandle - Lake Meredith is sitting at 47.6 % (+0.6 %), and Greenbelt is at 12.2 % (-0.7 %). If you want a complete look at current lake levels, go to waterdatafortexas.org. The drought has never left for some.

Annual School – Make your Omni Room Reservations before the block closes. The 105th Annual School will remain in Corpus Christi. The dates are September 18th – 21st, 2023 Tuesday, September 19th at 8:00 a.m., all training classes begin.

Are you looking for in-person classes – How about our remaining 2023 Regional opportunities – Fort Stockton (confirmed) will be August 14th – 17th, 2023. Longview will be August 28th – 31st, 2023. Lubbock will be November 7th – 9th, 2023. The entire regional calendar and links to all the fliers will be activated as soon as possible, so you can register for any region now, using budgets more efficiently.

Computer Upgrades – TWUA Central Office and our I.T. folks (Leon) have been busy migrating a new database and operational interfaces. The process has hit a few bumps, but we are plugging through, and the association will end up with a system that will serve our current and future needs. For

those who have registered for training classes, thank you for your patience and understanding. For those unaware of the changes and upgrades, take a look and understand that this is a work in progress, and it will only improve.

If you experience problems, PLEASE call Central Office at 888-367-8982. The goal of Central Office is to provide 3 to 4 online training opportunities each week and support in-person events around the state.

THIS IS IMPORTANT – The new system will not allow multiple records for the same user. How are we able to do this ? Each account has a unique identifier, and that is your social security number. TCEQ requires a social until a license is issued, and we are using that same philosophy. TWUA has multiple layers of security, and socials are well protected. We share your fears about identity theft. We have confidence in the new encryption process and system design, and we ask for your trust.

The Story Goes Something Like This –

In the early 50s, a struggling country singer was on the road with his family visiting other relatives in Arkansan.

A stranger to local customs and social status, this visiting singer was surprised to learn that a nephew was told under no circumstances was the friend allowed in the family’s home. Under their breath, the relatives would make comments such as white trash, from the wrong side of the tracks, and future criminal every time the young boy would come over.

Nephew James had proudly, excitedly spread the word around school that his uncle was in town and that he was an up-andcoming country music star, and that he would play his guitar and sing in the evenings at James’s house on the porch for anyone who cared to stop by.

Naturally, this impressed James’s young friends, especially the quiet young man from the “wrong side of the tracks.”

James came home from school and was excited to report that many of his friends said they would come by to hear the music and meet a future star. James also said his friend had a guitar but knew little about playing or how to tune the instrument properly. James asked his uncle if he would mind giving his friend a few pointers or at least tune his guitar.

James’s uncle said he would be happy to help and asked when his friend might come by.

James said his friend did not have a phone, but he would ride his bicycle to his friend’s house and share the good news. James’s Dad said, I don’t like you hanging out with that boy, but he can come over as long as he stays out of the house.

James’s uncle was confused by this stipulation but grabbed his guitar and headed for the porch swing.

A few minutes later, the unwanted guest was seen walking with a battered guitar slung across his back.

As the young boy came closer, the uncle could begin to see the boy’s features and glances at the homes and the people of this better neighborhood. The young man was very polite and well-mannered. He quickly offered his hand and thanked him for any help or suggestions.

The guitar was weathered, and one could tell it was never of high quality. The young man had fashioned a braided string around the neck and base, and this young man was proud of the fact that his mother had worked extra to provide the instrument.

The uncle asked if they might swap instruments so that he might get the best tune out of the old battered guitar.

The young man said, no sir, but watched intently and asked many questions. After the guitar was tuned, the young man stood, offered his hand, thanked the uncle repeatedly, then turned to walk away.

James’s uncle knew what it was to be poor, and he could tell the young man was sincere in his thanks, so the uncle asked if he could show the young man how to position his fingers to make some basic cords and how to strum the strings.

James’s uncle sat and discussed music and how to play the guitar for hours, then the boy walked away, but now he was smiling and had a different swagger.

James’s mom said to her brother, I’m not sure why you spent so much time with that boy; he is bad news, and will probably be in jail before his 18th birthday.

The uncle thought for a moment and said, it costs nothing to be kind, and it wasn’t that long ago we were the family on the other side of the tracks.

This young man who was not invited into the house went on to become a motion picture star, sold millions of records, and his songs are still played. This was a true story, and the young man was none other than Elvis A. Presley.

Stay Safe, and Remember – we do not need all the operators in Texas to be a member of TWUA – JUST YOU ! ! ! !

The young man smiled and said gladly.

The uncle asked if anyone had ever taught him how to tune a guitar.

LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS

The Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) amend the Lead and Copper Rule. All community and non-transient non-community public water systems are required to comply with the LCRR starting October 16, 2024. On this page, find information related to the rule including provisions for service line inventories and testing in schools and child care facilities.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced final revisions to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for lead and copper under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act on December 16, 2021.

EPA has also announced an additional update to lead and copper rules called Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, to strengthen key elements of LCRR. According to EPA this additional rulemaking is expected prior to October 16, 2024.

Public Water Systems

The LCRR is in effect with a compliance date of October 16, 2024. The rule revisions will apply to all community water

systems (CWS) and non-transient non-community water systems (NTNC). These PWSs should continue to implement the current LCR sampling, compliance, and reporting requirements as in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Section 290.117  and on TCEQ’s Lead and Copper webpage.

Implementation is being discussed during Drinking Water Advisory Work Group (DWAWG) meetings.

DWAWG webpage - Meeting presentations and information about participating in meetings.

YouTube channel - View presentations and meetings.

TCEQ will continue to use the work group to engage regularly with the public drinking water community on this topic.

***The EPA held a webinar on March 28th, 2023, giving more information about the Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) Guidance and completing the LSLI:  Small Drinking Water Systems Webinar Series | US EPA

Funding Opportunities

There are a variety of different funding opportunities available. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), The Texas Water Infrastructure Coordination Committee (TWICC), and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) all have funding that may apply to small and medium systems. EPA has more funding information found here: Funding for Lead Service Line Replacement | US EPA  . You may also contact the TWDB at (512) 463-0991, or email at  Financial_Assistance@twdb.texas.gov.

NEW TWDB has now released the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) funding solicitation:  DWSRF - Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program | Texas Water Development Board

Service Line Inventories

CWSs and NTNCs must submit service line inventories to TCEQ no later than October 16, 2024.

TCEQ is developing guidance documents and resources including Service Line Inventories for Public Water Systems (RG593)  (COMING SOON) a guide for preparing and reporting LCRR service line inventories.

Inventories must include the following:

• All service lines (public and private) connected to the public water distribution system.

• Categorization of each service line, or portion of the service line where ownership is split.

The four categories for service lines in the Inventory are:

• “Lead” where the service line is made of lead.

• “Galvanized Requiring Replacement” where a galvanized service line is or was at any time downstream of a lead service line or is currently downstream of a “Lead Status Unknown” service line. If the water system is unable to demonstrate that the galvanized service line

was never downstream of a lead service line, it must presume there was an upstream lead service line.

• “Non-lead” where the service line is determined through an evidence-based record, method, or technique not to be lead or galvanized requiring replacement. The water system may classify the actual material of the service line (i.e., plastic or copper) as an alternative to classifying it as “Non-lead.”

• “Lead Status Unknown” where the service line material is not known to be lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or a non-lead service line, such as where there is no documented evidence supporting material classification.

NEW CWSs and NTNCs with service lines (public or private) connected to the public water distribution system must complete a comprehensive spreadsheet inventory using form  TCEQ-20943 (Rev. Date - 2/3/2023).

NEWFor more information on how to conduct an LSLI investigation click on:  LSLI Investigations Example Standard Operating Procedure

Visit our  Financial, Managerial, and Technical Assistance Program webpage  or email  FMT@tceq.texas.gov  for information or help preparing or submitting your Service Line Inventory form and training on LCRR requirements.

EPA has released their Guidance for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory and it is available at the EPA LCRR webpage  .

The Association of Safe Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) has a  free webinar series   on LCRR and service line inventories, with monthly presentations as well as past recordings.

Additionally, EPA published a  webinar on August 10, 2022 that addresses guidance for developing service line inventories and finding information.

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES TRAINING SCHEDULE

To register for any TWUA Training Classes – the preferred method of registration is using the online computer based electronic process, activated by clicking on specific event(s). For those who do not have internet as an option you may complete the registration form and fax to (512) 459-7124 and additionally you may contact TWUA Central Office @ 888-367-8982. Please Note – Due to recent increases for training materials, class costs have changed. Early Bird preregistration is defined to mean 30-days prior to any training event. All registrations received after the Early Bird period must pay additional registration fee. Central Office strongly encourages everyone to take advantage of the Early Bird pricing and utilize the computer based (electronic) registration.

20-Hour Classes: (Early Bird Pre-registration) $325 member $425 Non-member Onsite $375 member $475 Non-member

24-Hour Classes: (Early Bird Pre-registration) $385 member $485 Non-member Onsite $435 member $535 Non-member

ONLINE CLASS DATES

TWUA LIVE, INSTRUCTOR LED - COMPUTER BASED TRAINING

https://twua.org/online-class-date

REGIONAL SCHOOL DATES

TWUA IN PERSON TRAINING

https://twua.org/regional-school-date

TRAINING CALENDAR

ALL TWUA SCHEDULED TRAINING

https://tmts.twua.org/calendar

Prevent Heat Illness at Work

Ou tdoor and indoor heat exposure can be dangerous.

Ways to Protect Yourself and Others

Ease into Work . Nearly 3 out of 4 fatalities from heat illness happen during the first week of work .

New and returning workers need to build tolerance to heat (acclimatize) and take frequent breaks

Follow the 20% Rule. On the first day, work no more than 20% of the shift ’s duration at full intensity in the heat .

Increase the duration of time at full intensity by no more than 20% a day until workers are used to working in the heat

Drink Cool Water

Drink cool water even if you are not thirsty — at least 1 cup every 20 minute s.

Take Rest Breaks

Take enough time to recover from heat given the temperature, humidity, and conditions.

Find Shade or a Cool Area

Take breaks in a designated shady or cool location.

Dress for the Heat

Wear a hat and light- colored, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing if possible

Watch Out for Each Other

Monitor yourself and others for signs of heat illness.

If Wearing a Face Covering

Change your face covering if it gets wet or soiled. Verbally check on others frequentl y.

First Aid for Heat Illness

The following are signs of a medical emergency! Abnormal thinking or behavior ?? ? ? ? ? Slurred speech

Loss of consciousness

1 CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY

2 COOL THE WORKER RIGHT AWAY WITH WATER OR ICE

3 STAY WITH THE WORKER UNTIL HELP ARRIVES

Watch for any other signs of heat illness and act quickly. When in doubt, call 911.

If a worker experiences :

Headache or nausea

Weakness or diz ziness

Heavy sweating or hot, dry skin

Elevated body temperature

Thirst

Decreased urine output

Take these actions:

Give water to drink

Remove unnecessar y clothing

Move to a cooler area

Cool with water, ice, or a fan

Do not leave alone

Seek medical care if needed

TCEQ Occupational Licensing Exams are Going Paperless!

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Occupational Licensing section has been diligently working on revising and converting all licensing exams from paper to computer-based testing (CBT).

We are pleased to announce that beginning September 1, 2022, all TCEQ administered exams will be available at approved CBT centers. TCEQ will no longer conduct paper exam sessions, with exceptions for Americans with Disabilities Act requests.

The only two exams not offered via CBT are the OSSF Site Evaluator and the Landscape Irrigator exams, which are currently being administered by the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).

Hurricane Season

R. Hamilton

This is the season for storms in the Atlantic; Which way are they headed, and when should I panic? Waters are warm here, so the storms typically grow; The rains they are coming and the winds they will blow.

We’ve planned and geared up, so I hope we’re prepared; But my prayer is this storm fizzles and all will be spared. As the storm track is updated, my anxiety will grow; Where it comes inland, God only knows.

Storm surge and flooding are but a few things to consider; May not be a good time to rely on low bidder. Equipment to make ready and essentials to stock; Everyone will be working and forget about the clock.

Without essential services there would be no need for return; As protection of public health will be our primary concern. My family, my friends, they have long gone; As into this bunker, I am now drawn.

We’ve learned so much from storms of the past; Don’t be fooled by predictions, you’re area could still be harassed. Restoration of services are sometimes plagued by delays; But the devotion of our operators is deserving of praise.

So as water flows from that faucet or you flush that fixture; Remember it’s the result of training and dedication, an amazing mixture. Your service is appreciated as we praise your hard works; For now consider this thank you, as one of your perks.

© Russell Hamilton 2010

REDUCE THE RISK OF BACK INJURIES

What’s one way workers can cut their risk of a back injury in half? “Store it off the floor,” the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries says.

Safety pros and supervisors, you can help reduce the risk. During your next safety talk, Washington L&I recommends asking workers: What are some ways that we can keep more objects at waist level in our workplace? Listen to what they have to say and see which actions you can implement in the workplace. Other information to share:

• Waist level is the best place to store heavy items and other things you use often at work.

• Lifting from the floor is twice as risky as lifting while you’re standing upright.

• Lifting something from floor level means you have to bend down to pick it up. That means you’re also lifting the weight of your own upper body when you come back up. Good lifting technique does help, Washington L&I says, but a lot of stress is still placed on your back when you’re lifting from the floor, even when you bend your knees.

• Lifting above your shoulders puts you at risk for neck and shoulder injuries.

• Heavy items shouldn’t be stored overhead, because those items can fall and cause an injury.

Washington L&I offers tips to help prevent back injuries:

Size it up. Is the load light enough to be lifted by one person? If not, use a hand truck or ask a co-worker for assistance.

Safely lift. If the load can be lifted without help, bring it as close to your body as possible. Lift with your legs, not your back. Keep your head up and your back straight, and bend at the hips.

Move with care. Keep the load close to your body as you walk. Shift – don’t twist – your body to turn.

Don’t just drop it. When you’re ready to set down the load, let your leg muscles “carry it down,” Washington L&I says. Make sure your fingers and toes are clear of the load before setting it down.

Habit #5: Measure Productivity Productively

Susan Kirby-Smith Govloop

Productivity measurement tells you how well you’re doing.

But it’s challenging to gauge in the public sector, where the goals are complex and quantitative measures cannot always reflect the values of an agency’s mission and public service.

So, effective measurement in government has a qualitative component. And that requires creative thinking about what outcomes are important and how to calculate them.

How Measurement Supports Productivity

You can’t tell you are improving productivity if you can’t measure it. But measuring productivity  productively  means finding measurements that illustrate that you’re meeting program goals. To do that, look beyond what’s easy to measure to find what’s relevant to measure.

Choosing the wrong metrics can result in projects that fail to make a positive difference, no matter how successful they appear. The right measurements can guide future efforts and inspire your team.

Good measurements also help you communicate with constituents and elected officials about what you’re accomplishing and how you’re responding to their concerns. Setting a baseline shows that you take the issue seriously. Sometimes good measurements result in bad news — but they also point the way to improvement.

How It’s Done

Several types of metrics address productivity — and they are not how long employees stay at their desks or how many emails they answer.

Output metrics show what you’re delivering to constituents, process metrics track your operations and activity continued on next page...

What is Measuring Productivity?

continued from previous page...

metrics  measure your efforts to improve performance. Where output metrics may point you toward future improvements, process and activity metrics show the way. As you analyze the relationships between them at your agency, be sure to get the most out of them.

Engage everyone in the process.  Employees should design mission-based priorities to share with their teams — daily, weekly and longer-term — to eliminate confusion and align understanding. Then, employees and managers can evaluate how well those priorities support the mission. Gabriela Mauch, Vice President of the ActivTrak Productivity Lab, champions the idea of empowerment, along with trust and personal accountability — all of which free employees to manage their work processes and managers to focus on growth and influential insight.

Look at the past, present and future. It’s wise to examine where you started and where you’re going, in addition to where you are. Tracking outcomes and operations over time helps you set goals for the future. Stay mindful, too, of your current resources. Remember that employees are subject to their circumstances, including how long they’ve had their jobs, the guidance they’ve received and their skill level.

It’s important not to evaluate employee performance in a vacuum. Frequent conversations between employees and managers and regular employee self-reviews will help.

Say ‘No’ to Micromanaging

Managers can wind up evaluating how people work, rather than the work itself.

“The surefire way to reduce someone’s productivity is sweating the small stuff,” said Nefertiti DiCosmo, Supervisory Life Scientist at the Environmental Protection Agency and a former GovLoop Featured Contributor. She recalled times when high performers’ output slowed because they had to focus on monitoring their work behavior rather than their actual work.

Plan and Communicate

Watching your employees’ every move is a mistake.

“It displays distrust in the team’s capabilities and hinders your leadership,” said Shakima Tozay, Senior Social Worker at the Department of Veteran Affairs and a former GovLoop Featured Contributor.

Instead, prioritize planning and communication, because “miscommunication about goals and instructions can be another source of diminished output.”

“Ask the employee what other aspects of their work are not easily measured, then figure out how to best capture their efforts,” said Tozay.

She recommended frequent check-ins about progress and milestones. “Even during times of crisis and uncertainty, a leader should take time to plot an approach,” she added.

“Being nitpicky is going to reduce people’s ability to be productive,” she said. But refocusing on the mission relieves stress and increases productivity.

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Texas Water Utilities Association

67THAnnual East Texas Regional School

Classes Start August 29th thru 31st, 2023

Maude Cobb Convention Center, 100 Grand Blvd., Longview, Texas 75604

COURSE OFFERINGS

WATER WASTEWATER Water and Wastewater Basic Water Basic Wastewater Utilities Safety

Ground Water Production Wastewater Treatment Utilities Management

Water Distribution Wastewater Collection Utilities Calculations

Instructional Design & Evaluation-Instructor 2 Course

40 Hour course that starts at 8:30 AM on October 10th Requires Pre-Registration Member $720 Non-Member $820

Pre-Registration check-in and On-Site Registration will be from 7:30 – 9:00 AM, August 29th

Classes start at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 29th.

Final classroom locations will be available at registration table

THERE WILL BE NO WALK-UP TESTING

PRE-APPROVAL PAPERWORK MUST BE SUBMITTED TO TCEQ 30 DAYS PRIOR TO TESTING.

Exams for Class “B, C, D” and Class “I, II, & III” Certifications will be given at 1:30 pm, August 31st Contact TCEQ (512-239-6133) with any testing questions.

HOTEL INFORMATION

Holiday Inn – 300 Tuttle Circle, Longview, TX 75605 Phone: 903-663-6464

$95.00+tax for King / Double Rooms Breakfast Included https://www.holidayinn.com/redirect?path=hd&brandCode=HI&localeCode=en&regionCode=1&hotelCode=gggmc&_PMID=99801 505&GPC=twu&cn=no&viewfullsite=true

(Cutoff Date August 14, 2023) Specify TWUA East Texas Regional Water School REGISTRATION FEES

Registration fees include lunch on August 29th and 30th. Extra lunch tickets may be purchased for $15 Join TWUA and save $$$. You will also receive all the benefits of being a TWUA member.

(DEADLINE 9/30/2022)

Members Only

Pre-Registration check-in and On-Site Registration will be from 7:30 – 9:00 AM, August 29th

REGISTRATION FORM

PLEASE USE ONE FORM PER PERSON – COPY AS REQUIRED, PRINT CLEARLY

PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY August 18th, 2023

For Pre-Registration: mail, call or fax completed form with credit card information, check or money order payable to T.W.U.A. / 210 E. Highway 79, Suite 101 / Hutto, TX 78634 www.twua.org

Credit card payments may be mailed, called (888-367-8982) or faxed (512-459-7124) to T.W.U.A.

PURSUANT TO HOUSE BILL 1508 WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE SEPT. 1, 2017, THIS NOTICE SHALL SERVE TO INFORM THAT SPECIFIC CRIMINAL HISTORY COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT AND AFFECT A PERSON’S ABILITY TO RECEIVE A TCEQ ISSUED OPERATOR’S LICENSE. PARTICIPATING IN ANY TWUA AFFILIATED OPERATOR TRAINING COURSE(S) DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR IN ANY WAY IMPLY YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO TEST OR RECEIVE A STATE ISSUED OPERATOR’S LICENSE.

On-Site Registration - have form completed with check, cash, or money order payable to

Name: SS# or License # :

Course Selection: E-mail:

Representing: Day Phone: Fax:

Address: City: State: Zip:

T.W.U.A. District/Chapter (If Member):

Credit Card: Master Card or Visa (circle one)

Card Number: CVV#

Signature: Expires On: /

ETRS

If you have any questions contact: TWUA @ 1-888-367-8982 or Mike Norris @ 903-939-8278

mnorris@tylertexas.com

There are 3 steps in the TCEQ exam process.

1. application/payment

2. approval/conditional approval

3. designate testing location

You are not through the process if you have not designated a testing location with TCEQ!

TWUA.org

Texas Engineering Firm #470

DISTRIBUTION & WASTEWATER COLLECTION | WATER SUPPLY INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN | WASTEWATER TREATMENT DESIGN

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES ASSOCIATION

Individual Membership Application

Use this form to:

1) Join TWUA "At Large"

2) Join TWUA and a District/Chapter

3) Renew your TWUA Membership

Please Print Clearly

Application for:

o Active Member

o Full-Time Student

o Retired Member

o Membership Renewal

o New Member

"At Large" or District/Chapter Name:

Membership for year 20____

Name:

SS# _______ - _______ - __________

Home Address:

City: State: Zip:

Home Phone: ( )

Work Phone: ( )

E-Mail Address:

Employer:

Job Title:

Amount of Dues Enclosed: $

Signature of Member:

Today's Date:

A portion of your TWUA Dues is allocated for a subscription to the Texas Water Utilities Journal.

Submit all dues to the TWUA Central Office: TWUA Central Office, 210 East Hwy. 79, Suite 101, Hutto, Tx. 78634

For more information, Ms. Adee at: 512-279-8129. Fax: 512-459-7124.

CYBERSECURITY

by Wanda Venter

The rising cyber threat to the Texas power infrastructure – Are we prepared?

Current cyberattack trends pose an unprecedented threat to critical Texas infrastructure, such as the electrical system. As with most industries,  utilities increasingly use digital technologies to better manage plants, grids, and business operations which contributes to energy security by improving supply quality, providing additional services to customers, and enabling clean energy transitions through integrating distributed energy resources. However, this progress comes with risks. Digital systems, telecommunication equipment, and sensors throughout the grid increase utilities’ exposure, as each element provides an additional entry point for cybercriminal organizations.

There is increasing evidence that cyberattacks on utilities have grown rapidly since 2018, reaching alarmingly high levels in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Recent cyberattacks in the electricity sector have  disabled remote controls for wind farms,  disrupted prepaid meters due to

unavailable IT systems, and led to recurrent data breaches involving client names, addresses, bank account information, and telephone numbers.

Worldwide, the average data breach cost hit a new record high in 2022, and the threat of cyberattacks increased significantly in 2023. Today, critical infrastructure, including gas, water, and particularly power utilities, are favored targets for malicious cyber activity.

On high alert, but are we prepared?

Russian hackers have been probing Texas’ energy infrastructure for weak points in digital systems that would allow them to steal sensitive information or disrupt operations. According to energy companies and their regulators, detecting hackers surveying their networks for weak points is not unusual. But

why is Texas a target, and what are these hackers trying to accomplish?

For starters, Texas has some essential export facilities for liquid natural gas. Also, the Port of Corpus Christi has grown to be the third-largest sea port in the country and the nation’s second-largest exporter of natural gas. This is crucial because the U.S. is trying to help wean Europe off Russian gas by increasing U.S. natural gas exports to Europe (this is part of an increasing effort to put economic pressure on Russia).

Moreover, Russia is known globally in the cybersecurity world for having a top-notch cyberattack operation. In 2021, Russian hackers breached computerized equipment that operates the largest fuel pipeline in the U.S., causing the Colonial Pipeline Company to shut down its pipeline, which originates in Houston, for six days to contain the attack. The breach triggered fuel shortages and a spike in gas prices on the East Coast.

Worst-case scenarios in Texas include hackers breaching the state’s power grid and shutting off electricity for millions of Texans, seeking to halt oil and gas shipments from seaports, or breaking into a refinery’s network so it cannot produce gasoline and other petroleum products. In short, these hackers are trying to create a catastrophic failure that would cause havoc in the U.S.

However, regulators overseeing Texas’ power grid said the grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, and the Public Utility Commission of Texas that oversees it are working diligently on a cyber defense. But will Texas be prepared?

Preventative measures that utilities/companies can take

Implement a workplace social media policy. Social media policies are important components of a company or organization’s rules and regulations for employee conduct. A social media policy is a document that clearly defines a company or organization’s expectations for social media use. Social media policies differ based on the needs of the company.

Furthermore, it’s crucial to communicate the policy’s purpose and what it includes. Essential components consist of who the policy applies to, the standards for social media use, local rules or regulations, and security and confidentiality procedures. Reviewing the policy frequently and making adjustments is foremost for keeping it relevant.

Cultivate a cybersecurity work culture. Cybersecurity concerns every single employee in your company. Everyone matters. There’s no person too small or too big for cybersecurity,

precisely because cybercriminals will target everyone until they find the weakest link in the security chain. Simply put, a cybersecurity culture is a culture that proliferates the idea that cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. It is important to notify your employees about the risks and to describe the consequences of cybersecurity violations.

Protect your network. A virtual private network (VPN) and firewall can protect your network and devices. VPNs are suitable for blocking access to unauthorized users, especially those from other countries. Also, a VPN can hide your IP address, which gives one the privacy to use the Internet without revealing one’s identity. In addition, a firewall can help protect the VPN connection from cybercriminals or wrong people.

Have the necessary software in place and keep them updated. Anti-virus, anti-malice, and anti-phishing software are vital and should be kept up to date to minimize or prevent cyber-attacks.

Plan and budget for IT support. In a digital world, IT has become critical for an organization’s survival. Ensure that a realistic budget is in place for IT support. Reliable and competent IT people is a must. Also, have a practical plan in place to prevent or mitigate cyberattacks.

Wanda Venter is a co-founder of Aviaware Technologies Corporation. As an entrepreneur, she has been in the IT industry for over twenty years. Her background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Concordia University Texas. Aviaware specializes in custom software design and development, focusing on cybersecurity and disaster recovery to ensure the security and privacy of critical business data. Email: info@aviaware.com

About the author – Wanda Venter

BACKFLOW PREVENTION

ASSEMBLY TESTER

AGUILAR, GASTON

BOOTHE, MELISSA JAYNE

BROWNLEE, MICHAEL ALAN

CAIN, EVAN DAVID

CARROLL, KURT WAYNE

CLOUTIER, KENNETH

CROPPER, CHRIS L

EGGEBRECHT, MICHAEL AARON

GARZA, KARLA DE JESUS

GONZALEZ, JUSTIN LEE

HAGER, KENNETH

HENDERSON, TIMOTHY

HOLLAND, CHRISTOPHER DOUGLAS

JACKSON, HERBERT M

JALOMO, ELIAS

LAING, ALAN VINSON

LEWIS, JOHN PAUL

MANGUM, WILLIAM KARL

MARTINEZ, JUAN JESUS

ODEN, SAMUEL CHASE

PETROVICH, JEFF

PINEDA, EVER A JR

RAMIREZ, DANIEL DOMINGO

REEL, JAMES

ROBERSON, JASON

RODRIGUEZ, NICHOLAS JAVIER

RODRIGUEZ, ROEL

SALDIVAR, VICTOR

SALZMANN, BRIAN

SAYAVONGSA, SENG

SEYMOUR, COREY SHANE

SHEFFIELD, CHRISTOPHER BRIAN

SUTHERLAND, JEREMY

TYRRELL, JACOB

UPTMORE, TOMMY D

URBANSKI, ZACHARY

VALDEZ, JONATHAN

VASQUEZ, BRIAN KEITH

VEITCH, DILLON

VILLALOVOS, ANTONIO

VILLANUEVA, JORDAN

YANEZ, MIGUEL

CUSTOMER SERVICE INSPECTOR

BARAJAS, LUIS ALBERTO

CAUDLE, GLYNN REID

COLEMAN, CHRISTOPHER L

COXE, ROGER S

FLORES, ROSIO

JEANSONNE, CHRISTOPHER GENE

LAFRANCE, JUSTIN J

RUSHIN, BRIAN L

SOLIZ, CENAIDA

SPEARS, DAVID

THOMAS, MICHAEL RICHARD

WRIGHT, CHRIS F

YELL, JASON GENE

GROUND WATER

TREATMENT OPERATOR

CLASS B

BATES, THOMAS K

CHITTY, MATTHEW R

COLEMAN, SHELBY

DEHART, CHRISTOPHER D

MEDRANO, ADRIAN J

MORENO, TRANQUILINO

OGDEN, KEATON P

CLASS C

ALLEN, CORY J

CRANSTON, JORDAN

GARCIA-CRUZ, LUIS E

GREEN, DARQUESSE DEMONTE

HARRISON, DAVID CALEB

HOLMES, SCOTT A

MENDOZA LICONA, MOISES

MICHALIK, WAYNE W

MILESKI, JEFFERY RAY

PELZEL, CLAYTON LAYNE

RIEKER, ALEXANDER GRAY

SMITH, MASON

SURFACE WATER TREATMENT OPERATOR

CLASS B

ALVAREZ-GUERRERO, ALFREDO

ARNOLD, JONATHAN T

GRIMES, ROBERT W

GUERRA, ALEJANDRO

MCPHATE, JOHN BOYCE

NAVARRO, CARLOS

OGUNNAYA, RAYMOND

STEFANICH, THOMAS CHARLES

WARREN, JOHN F JR

CLASS C

BARR, WILLIAM

ESTES, ISAAC JOHN

FRANKLIN, TERRELL

HADLEY, DAVID

HARTL, DENNIS

HENDERSON, MASSON

KILE, DUSTIN

RIGHTMYER, PATRICK L

THOMAS, WESTON MICHAEL

WALKER, WILLIAM DIETRICH

WATER DISTRIBUTION

OPERATOR

CLASS B

BUTLER, JARROD W

ESTRADA, PAUL III

PALLARES, RYAN P

CLASS C

ALLEN, RANDY

BERRYHILL, SAYYID

BOONE, TAYLOR

BROWN, DAMIEN ALYSTER

CARPY, ALEJANDRO

CERVANTES, GILBERT

COUCH, JAMES

FAUE, ROGER GAGE

FOREMAN, MALCOLM BLANE

GARCIA, DANIEL

GARCIA, RICARDO

GREER, LEANNA HOPE

HODGSON, HADEN THOMAS

HOUGHTON, TRENTON LEE WAYNE

JAMON, NICOLAS

JOHNSON, DENNIS

KOSIOR, FRANK PHILLIP

LITTRELL, JOSHUA

MILLER, JAY L

MOBLEY, JOHN DAVID

ROJAS, DANIEL I

SANCHEZ, AARON OMAR

SOLIS, GERMAN

VELASQUEZ GOSIGER, ZACHARY MATTHEW

WATER OPERATOR

CLASS A

BRADSHAW, LARRY E

DORLEY, LEROY C

GALINDO, MICHAEL A

GALVAN, RUBEN JR

TREVINO, ISMAEL R

WARD, BLAKE E I

CLASS D

ADCOX, DEWAIN

ARGENBRIGHT, COREY

AVENDANO, MANUEL SILVA

BARBER, JOSHUA WAYNE

BARREIRO, JACOB

BELL, ZACHARY

BELLINGHAM, LOGAN

BENA, MATTHEW LOUIS

BENTON, JUSTIN SHANE

BETTS, JARED

BLASSINGAME, ASHTON KANE

BLOCK, AARON

BROWN, CHRISTINA JO

BRYANT, ERIC

CALDERON, MAURO

CAMPION, JAMES

CARTER, DARRIN

CLOUD, DAVID

COOMER, ANDREW

CRAWFORD, LOGAN MARTIN

CROW, QUINNTEN TYLER

DELGADO, ROBERT ANTHONY

DEVIEW, KYLE RICHARD

DICKINSON, GARRETT

DUNN, JORDON MATHEW

EQUIA, ISAAC JR

ESCAMILLA, DANIEL

EVERTS, KORY MICHAEL

FARMER, BRADEN

FERNANDEZ, MARK

FLORES, DANIEL

FOSTER, JUSTIN

FREDERICK, JOSHUA RAY

FUNDERBURG, TYLER ZANE

GARCIA, JUSTIN

GARRETT, SANDRA

GARZA, ADAN

GAYER, TROY

GENGO, KRISTOPHER SHANE

GLASS, BRANDON

GUZMAN, JORGE

HALE, JAMES R

HALL, LANCE

HEIKKENEN, JAMES

HENDERSON, TIEGH

HERNANDEZ, JAIRO FRANCISCO

HERNANDEZ, JORGE DAVID

HERNANDEZ, NORBERTO

HUTCHENS, ROSS MORGAN

INGRAM, RYAN CHRISTOPHER

IRBY, JACOB STEPHEN

IRWIN, FORREST SHAWN

JASSO, JUSTIN

JOINER, KEITHAN

JONES, JEREMY CLARK

JOSEPH, HAROLD

LARSON, PHYLLIS JEAN

MADDEN, SHAWN

MARTIN, MICHAEL

MCKIBBIN, WESLEY

MCMILLAN, PATRICK WESLEY

MENDOZA, DAVID

MITCHELL, ANDREW

MOGG, DAKOTA

MONTALVO, WILLIE E

NESMITH, JORDAN

OVERMYER, MICHAEL ARTHUR

PARSONS, JACOB EVERETT

PEREZ, HECTOR MANUEL

PORTER, TAYLOR ALEXANDER

QUIROZ, ALEX

RAMIREZ, FABIAN

RAMSEY, CHARLES

RANKIN, NICHOLAS

REYNOSA-BENITEZ, RURIEL

RHAME, NICHOLAS

RICE, JASON

RODRIGUEZ, RANDY

SAENZ, LAUREN

SCHANKS, ASHLEY

SMITH, DONALD

SMITH, ZACHARY

SOTO, RAFAEL A

SPARKS, ZECHARIAH WILLIAM LEE

SPEEGLE, JAXON

STAMPLEY, JONATHAN MIKE

STEADMAN, JOHN MARSHALL

STONE, DYLAN

SWAYKUS, MATTHEW PATRICK

TAPIA, JESUS

TARTER, MARCUS

TARVER, CODY TERRELL

TIJERINA, ALEXANDER PETER

TIRADO, DAVID

VALDES, OMAR

VALENCIA, RUBEN

VAUGHN, VICTORIA RENEE

VILLEGAS, CHRISTOPHER RAY

WALLACE, ADAM ALLEN

WARD, WILLIAM PHILLIP

WATTS, DAVION

WEBB, ROGER

WESTBROOK, KAYLEY

WINDHAM, MICAH P

WOOD, TAYLOR

ZANETTA, RYAN

WASTEWATER COLLECTION OPERATOR

COLLECTIONS I

ALLEN, JEREMY C

ANDERSON, GABRIEL AARON

ARD, JUSTIN

AYALA, GERMAN

BAEYENS, NATHAN

BOLDEN, KEITH

BOYER, TYLER

CABALLERO, SHILOH RAE

DOMINGUEZ, JONATHAN

GOMEZ, SERGIO ISMAEL

GRAY, CHRISTIAN

HARPER, DREW

HARRIS, LAWRENCE MICHAEL

HERNANDEZ-RUIZ, ANGEL

HUBER, RICKIE

JARRETT, LARRY D

JOHNSON, RILEY

Wipes when flushed and combined with other products and grease that is poured down drains, create "fatbergs". Once they enter the sewer lines, they can accumulate and cause backups, damaging the city's infrastructure.

KIDWELL, BRENNEN L

LEWIS, ARION

MAIDEN, JASON MICHAEL

OLIVARES, CESAR

PARR, THOMAS ROBERT

PATTERSON, CHRISTOPHER J

PERALES, AIDAN SANCHEZ

RAMIREZ, BILL

RAMIREZ, CHRISTOPHER

RODRIGUEZ, JOHN DAVID

ROWE, CHRISTOPHER

SAMBOL, JASON G

SANTANA, JEREMIAH JUAN

SHANAHAN, AARON THOMAS

SILVA, RODRIGO

TOBOLA, MICHAEL L

TREJO, VICTOR V

VILLARREAL, CHRISTIAN IVAN

WALLACE, ISAAC K

WILLIAMS, BRANDON

COLLECTIONS II

ARIS, DANIEL

CAPERTON, JAMES

CHOQUETAPIA, GASTON

CORTINAS, RENE JR

COZART, GREG

DANHAUSER, GREGORY BRYAN

HARRIS, BRANDON W

JUAREZ, DEMAS J

KELLY, DALTON S

KIKER, RYAN A

LAWSON, DAKOTA RUSSELL

LEE, JEREMY

LOPEZ, JUAN JR

MONTEZ, FRANK E

MOORE, DEAN COLTON

NIGO, MARCOS ANDRES

PENA, FERNANDO

RHONE, ZACHARY

RODRIGUEZ, RICARDO

SLICKER, JORDAN

COLLECTIONS III

COON, DAVID THANE

HUBBARD, CHRISTOPHER J

JEFFERSON, ANDREW J

LABEAUX, CRAIG S SR

LOPEZ, CARLOS M II

MARQUEZ, MARK

MEYER, JORDAN L

ORTIZ, ISRAEL SR

THOMAS, SAMUEL D

WASTEWATER TREATMENT

OPERATOR

CLASS A

DEAVER, JOSHUA M

EAGAN, MARK ALAN

SMETZER, JOHN D III

CLASS B

BEARDEN, WILLIAM J

BEGA, BRUCE WAYNE

BUSS, DONALD ROBERT

CRIDDLE, ANTHONY

DELEON, JOEL

DIXON, MARK W

DUNCAN, HUNTER R

EVANS, SARA RAE

FRANCLEMONT, ALEX E

GUTIERREZ, MIGUEL A

LAMAR, LATANYA

MOFFITT, JOSEPH W JR

OGDEN, KEATON P

REA, STEVE

ROMERO, VICENTE

WILLIAMS, DARIUS

CLASS C

ABREGO, RENE

ACCUOSTI, KRYSTAL ANYSSE

ANDREWS, CHRIS MICHEAL

ARUWAYO, ROTIMI

BLACK, JESSE

DAVIES, RICHARD ALLEN

DAWSON, DUSTIN R

ESQUIVEL, KEVIN RICHARD

FULLER, VERLIN JAMES

GARZA, ANTHONY

GLOVER, STEVEN R JR

GRIGGS, JUSTIN HOBSON

HAMMETT, BAILEY MADISON

HOLDEN, DAVID

JOHNSON, BLAKE JAMAL

JOHNSON, DUSTIN

JONES, ALEX JOHN

JONES, BRIAN JOE

KNIGHT, JACK PEARSON

LAHRMAN, CHARLES GRAY

LEWIS, RYAN RICHARD

PATE, CHRISTOPHER LEE

PLEASANT, SEAN ERIC

PRICE, JACK MICHAEL

RIGGANS, REGINALD RAY

TREVINO, JOE ANDREW

WHITES, MICHAEL WESLEY

WILLIS, JARRATT

CLASS D

AGUORU, CHINONSO

ALLENGER, JOESPH

BECK, ROBERT EUGENE

BLOWERS, SETH

CALVERT, BRANDON LEE

CAPPS, CHASE WAYNE

CLOWER, AARON R

ENCIZO, MARTIN

ESTRADA, JASON

GILLILAND, JOSHUA LEE

GONZALES, TOMMY DANIEL

GREEN, MICHAEL

GUERRA, JESSENIA

HAND, BEATRIZ

HICKS, ANGELA

HITE, DUSTIN LEE

HJORTH, TYLER

IBARRA, RUBEN

IZAGUIRRE, ISMAEL

JACKSON, CHRISTOPHER ALLEN

KELLY, FINNIAN

KIMURA, NATHAN

KYLE, BRITTANY RAYE

LEAL, EVARISTO

MAHON, CODY

MARROQUIN, ISAAC

MEDINA, DANIEL

MITCHELL, JOSEPH AUSTIN

NEILL, CLAYTON EVERETT

OTERO, JESUS

PARKER, JEFFREY CURTIS

PINEDA, EDUARDO

PRIDDY, JARED

RIEKER, ALEXANDER GRAY

RIOS, JUAN

RODRIGUEZ, JEANETTE LEE

ROHDE, DANIEL EUGENE

SCHLEEDE, STEVE RAY

SILVERS, MICHAEL OWEN

SMITH, BLAKE

SMITH, RICHARD THOMAS

SOTO CONTRERAS, LUIS ENRIQUE

STEADMAN, JOHN MARSHALL

TAYLOR, KATELYN B

VERA, JULIO

WANG, MARIA ALEJANDRA

WEST, SAMUEL KOKE

WIGGINS, CODY SCOTT

WIIKI, HAYDEN J

With the onset of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the Governor’s Proclamation of a state of disaster in Texas, TCEQ intends to offer flexibility to licensees and applicants who were in the process of renewing or receiving an occupational license and were impacted by this outbreak.

With the onset of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the Governor’s Proclamation of a state of disaster in Texas, TCEQ intends to offer flexibility to licensees and applicants who were in the process of renewing or receiving an occupational license and were impacted by this outbreak

In the interest of safety, paper exams have been cancelled through 2020. However, there are some computer-based testing centers that remain open. To schedule a computer-based exam, please contact the CBT centers near you to verify if they are still operating. For other questions or concerns, please email licenses@tceq.texas.gov

Operators desiring to TEST, should contact TCEQ in regards to testing. There are some computer-based testing centers that remain open. To schedule a computer-based exam, please contact the CBT centers near you to verify if they are still operating. For other questions or concerns, please email licenses@ tceq.texas.gov.

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES ASSOCIATION

18TH ANNUAL FAR WEST TEXAS REGIONAL SCHOOL

AUGUST 15-17, 2023

PECOS COUNTY CIVIC CENTER, 1574 AIRPORT DR., FORT STOCKTON, TX ACADEMIC OFFERINGS

WATER WASTEWATER

WATER/WASTEWATER

Basic Water Basic Wastewater Safety

Groundwater Production

REGISTRATION FEES

TWUA Member Non-Member

Pre-Registration (by August 9, 2023) $300 $400

On-Site Registration $350 $450

Registration fees include course materials and refreshments. Lunch will not be provided. TCEQ exams will be given at 1:00 on Thursday, August 17, 2023

Anyone wanting to TEST at the conclusion of the training MUST pre-register electronically with TCEQ 30 days prior to event and pay the $111.00 fee online at the TCEQ website.

HOTEL INFORMATION

The Fairfield Inn & Suites located at 2751 West IH 10 has offered participants of the school a special rate of $129 per room Please contact them at (432) 299-2252 and mention the Water School

POOL & DART TOURNAMENTS

Pool & Dart Tournaments will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15 at Stixx, 1216 N Hwy 285 in Fort Stockton. Cost is $20 per person per tournament. Each tournament is a blind draw team event.

REGISTRATION FORM

PURSUANT TO HOUSE BILL 1508 WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE SEPT. 1, 2017, THIS NOTICE SHALL SERVE TO INFORM THAT SPECIFIC CRIMINAL HISTORY COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT AND AFFECT A PERSON’S ABILITY TO RECEIVE A TCEQ ISSUED OPERATOR’S LICENSE. PARTICIPATING IN ANY TWUA AFFILIATED OPERATOR TRAINING COURSE(S) DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR IN ANY WAY IMPLY YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO TEST OR RECEIVE A STATE ISSUED OPERATOR’S LICENSE.

Name _________________________ Social Security or TCEQ License #

Address ____________ ___________________City __________________ State _____ Zip_______

Daytime Phone _______________________ Representing _________________________________________

Email Address Course Selection __

TWUA Member ____Yes __ No Will you be taking a TCEQ License Exam _____Yes _____No

Credit Card # Exp. Date ________ Security Code ______

Cardholder Name (Printed)__________

Credit Card Billing Address______________________________________________________________________

Email Address for Receipt _______

Payment MUST accompany registration. No purchase orders accepted. No refunds will be made; however, substitutions are allowed. Credit card registrations may be mailed, or faxed to (512) 459-7124. You can register online at www.twua.org Make checks payable to Permian Basin Regional School and mail to PO Box 12604, Odessa, TX, 79768 If you have any questions, please contact Norma Clark at (432) 528-1608