President Message

President’s Thoughts

by Mike Norris

From my family and I, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and ask that we take a moment and thank God for the blessings we have. Especially the blessing of family. Since the declaration of Covid, these have been difficult times. Many have lost family members, friends, and jobs, so this holiday season will be hard to find the cheer and thanks typically experienced. Please keep these in your thoughts and prayers.

I am enjoying traveling and representing TWUA at the Regional Schools. One of the areas of my career that I share in my talks is when I began my career. I thought I wanted to become a teacher and coach. I soon discovered that working with students would be a challenge I was not equipped to continue. Tyler had a position open in its lab, and that was my “foot in the door” to working my way up to operations and eventually manager of wastewater treatment. My guidance is simple, never allow someone to tell you, you cannot accomplish something. Will your biggest dream require work and determination? Absolutely, but I can share from my career; it is worth it. Ask for help and show up each day determined to learn a new task, process, or skill. Never be afraid to speak up and give a suggestion. Lend a hand to someone struggling. Work toward that next certification and never allow someone else to outwork you, for you are in 100% control of your effort, and your effort is a direct reflection of you.

You may have read or been part of recent discussions related to essential personnel. I’m looking for your input with this request. How can TWUA better improve the perception associated with Operators? How often do you consider Public Health and Safety of the public because of what you do? If you are in water production, treatment, or distribution, you dramatically influence providing disease-free water. When was the last outbreak of water-borne diseases? Thank you, water professionals. If you are in wastewater collections and treatment, you are directly responsible for removing waste and contamination. Thank you, wastewater professionals. When either of these two fields ceases to function as designed, the health and safety of the public are immediately impacted. If you are involved in either of the two fields briefly described above, you are essential and a professional. Your input part of this is how do we educate the public and decision-makers on the importance of operators?

I was asked to remind everyone that we (as users) control paper-based testing at TWUA Regional events. It seems there is confusion or at least a lack of understanding related to a person being able to challenge the TCEQ state exam at the conclusion of TWUA in-person training events. Regardless of your decision to challenge the state exam electronically or paper-based, YOU MUST declare your intent by using the TCEQ website ( https://www3.tceq.texas.gov/sunss/ ). You may have received a TCEQ approval letter or conditional approval letter, and this document confirms you are approved to test, or with the addition of training class, you will be approved. But this document does not get you registered to challenge the exam. TCEQ needs 30 days prior to the event for scheduling exams. Please carefully read the correspondence from TCEQ and if you have questions call the licensing group at 512-239-6133.

I Pray that everyone has a Merry Christmas and that you be blessed with health, prosperity, and purpose.

TWUA President Mike Norris