March 2021 by TWUA

T exas W ater U tilities

JOURNAL VOLUME 31

MARCH 2021

"Proudly Serving Education Excellence since 1918"

NUMBER 3

Texas Water Utilities Association Regional Training – 2021

Far West Texas (Ft Stockton) – Rescheduling & Exploring Alternative Dates Panhandle (Amarillo) – Rescheduling & Exploring Alternative Dates Central West Texas (Abilene) – Pending & Exploring Alternative Dates North Texas (Arlington) – Pending & Exploring Alternative Dates Southwest Texas (San Marcos) - Pending & Exploring Alternative Dates Permian Basin (San Angelo) – Pending & Exploring Alternative Dates Central Texas (Killeen) – New Date October 18th – 21st Southeast Texas (Beaumont) - New Date October 25th – 28th

In This Edition: 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.

President Message................................ 4

ED News ............................................. 6 If you want to get a complete look at lake levels, go to www.waterdatafortexas.org

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: John Krause – Chair of Management William L. (Bill) Brown – President Mike Norris – President Elect Jim Siddall – Vice President George A. Glispin – Second Past President Jim McCain – Ex Officio Russell Hamilton – Executive Director

_______________________________ Front Cover Photo Courtesy of: Cleburne, Texas March 2021

Safety News ....................................... 12 5 Ingredients for Success

ADVERTISERS: American Flow Control........................................................................ 21 Ana-Lab............................................................................................. 19 EGSW................................................................................................ 29 Garrison Minerals............................................................................... 19 Global Treat....................................................................................... 21 Hartwell Environmental Corporation..................................................... 11 Homa Pump....................................................................................... 22 Jim Cox Sales, Inc.............................................................................. 24 LSPS Solutions................................................................................... 13 OEI................................................................................................... 11 Osha................................................................................................. 30 Pump Solutions, Inc........................................................................... 23 Samco Leak Detection........................................................................ 19 USA Bluebook............................................................. Inside Front Cover Smith Pump Company, Inc............................................ Inside Back Cover Magna Flow...........................................................................Back Cover

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES: TWUA Training Schedule......................................................... 16

Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org 3

President’s Message

President’s Thoughts by William “Bill” Brown

After only one month, my high hopes and aspirations for 2021, along with the return of the “old normal,” are proving to be, at best, “overly optimistic.” Faith leads me to remain confident. Reality tells me, new year, new government administration, same issues, or as the saying goes, “same ole clowns, same ole circus, expect the same ole show.” The TWUA Management Committee met recently to discuss in-person meetings and 2-hour virtual training. The policy currently in place states, when vaccines are made available to all who want one, and the CDC says it is safe for in-person gathering. The existing policy will be reexamined when significant changes occur. What does this mean specifically? It means, it will likely be longer before District Meetings and Regional Schools are a reality. The Management Committee also reviewed the policy related to virtual District Meetings for active members. Until the CDC indicates public gatherings may happen, there will be NO CHARGE for active district members to participate in the virtual district meetings. There are reservations and concerns among the board related to member participation with virtual district meetings when live meetings return. No doubt this policy will be revisited when the all-clear is given. Feel free to share your thoughts with me or any board member. On a different note, I have been thinking about what traits or characteristics I like to see in an operator. While integrity is at the top of my list, compassion is one of my top five. The dictionary defines compassion as the concern for others’ sufferings or misfortunes. The operator’s willingness to help or assist the customer or another staff member while working within the established policies is essential. This operator is also expected to exercise discretion and consistent sound judgment, while working with the customers to resolve customer needs, disputes, and issues related to a positive public image. The customer’s perception of the company is typically associated with first-hand interactions. First impressions matter. How willing is the staff member to go beyond the minimum effort? If you polled a customer at random and asked how your team rated in the area of quality of service, what would the response be? Does the customer’s interaction with your staff promote confidence, and does your staff project professionalism? Does your team take pride in appearance? In other words, do you have the correct staff member building the image your board has established through goals, policies, and planning? How do you monitor customer satisfaction? Studies show that organizations that function with compassion have staff with greater job satisfaction and less stress. One of the benefits of having a compassionate staff and work environment is Employee Retention. It is rewarding when staff members notice colleagues struggling or having a tough time with a work assignment or even some personal issue for this staff member to reach out and offer assistance. Not because they are expected to, but because they genuinely care. I am not talking about being a pushover or promoting an environment where you allow people to walk all over you or take advantage of your good nature. A person can be both assertive and caring. You must establish boundaries and communicate like a professional. “More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgment. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate.” - Roy T. Bennett May the Blessings of Heaven Rest upon you and all Water and Wastewater Professionals. Bill Brown

4 Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org

March 2021

Announcement

TWUA 103rd ANNUAL SCHOOL & CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS

D AT E CHANGE FOR 202 1 Due to the lingering effects of the Coronavirus, TWUA Management made the decision to pursue a meeting date later into 2021. The schedule and school events will remain the same, just happening a little later in the year. Mark your calendar – September 26th – 29th 2021 is the new dates for the 103rd Annual School. The registration link for both the school and the hotel will activated as soon as possible. You may take advantage of early discounts and reserve you room now.

Thank you for considering TWUA and choosing the Omni, which helps keep pricing competitive. March 2021

Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org 5

Central Office News by Russell Hamilton, TWUA Executive Director

ather, in this time, 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, Your mercy, Your calm, Your guidance, and forgiveness. Father, we pray for Your favor and ask that You direct, protect, watch over, guide, and bless TWUA and its members. Amen In West Texas, Lake Spence is sitting at 22.2 % (- 0.3 %). White River is sitting at 12.2 % (-0.0 %). Panhandle - Lake Meredith is sitting at 35.5 % (- 0.1 %) and Greenbelt is at 16.4 % (- 0.0 %). If you want to get a complete look at current lake levels, go to waterdatafortexas.org. The drought has never left for some and is returning for others. Perhaps we were a “bit” optimistic about Covid related restrictions easing up and 2021 returning to a more “normal” routine! Hang on and watch for updates related to TWUA Regional training events being canceled, postponed, and rescheduled. I am hearing from all the regions up through August, and they are actively scrambling to find dates that would allow the regional event to happen later in the year. Please keep checking the TWUA website. Some of the host sites for TWUA Regional events are now being used for vaccination points and some Regional Vaccination locations. This means either the TWUA event is forced to look for alternative host locations or reschedule the event. TWUA Events that we are confident will change. Amarillo is canceling their April dates but searching for a date later in the year. Beaumont has rescheduled to October 25th. Abilene is seeking dates later in the year. Arlington is looking at an alternative. Killeen has rescheduled to October 18th. Southwest (San Marcos) is exploring options, doubtful of the July dates. Tyler is canceled at the Harvey Center but looking for other dates and alternative host locations. San Angelo remains optimistic but looking at alternative dates just in case. 6 Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org

The in-person monthly district meetings remain on hold. Our management committee met and reaffirmed the policy in place. As soon as the CDC advises public meetings can resume, TWUA will resume the live in-person meetings. Until that time, we are happy that the association has options. Virtual or Computer-based training is being offered. Dates for Annual School 2021 The Management Committee decided to reschedule Annual School dates in the 2021 year. The new Annual School dates for 2021 are September 26th – 29th, 2021. Not sure how the rumor began, but it seems to be spreading. The myth is related to Operator Licensing. 1st TCEQ is NOT actively seeking to establish an A-Groundwater, A- Surface Water, A-Membrane, or A-Distribution License. The A Water License is an all-encompassing license and will remain as such for the foreseeable future. The A Water exam has been updated and is now a 100-question multiple-choice exam and available computer-based testing (CBT). The second myth circulating is related to the A Wastewater exam. This exam has NOT been converted to the 100-question format like to A water. The A Wastewater still has essay and multiple-choice questions and only available paper-based. Our last report was NO TCEQ Regional Office is open for Paper-Based Testing. Austin hopes to resume paper-based testing in March. Click on this link to find a computer-based testing location. https://www.tceq.texas.gov/licensing/exams/ cbt_occ_lic.html Call the TCEQ staff in licensing for more information or the official statement related to the Exams, Licensing, and Computer-Based Testing. 512-239-6133 The Story Goes Something Like This – A mistake repeated more than once is a decision – Paulo Coelho. That being said, mistakes are what drive us to success. We search for alternative ways to solve problems. It only takes one time of screwing a 2-inch corp stop or valve out of an 8-inch water main under pressure to realize you have made a serious mistake. March 2021

Some credit Albert Einstein with saying, “doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.” There is debate among the academic circles related to punctuation, and they question if Einstein even made the statement. Some feel a more accurate version would be, “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is insane.” In the big picture, our lives, families, and jobs boil down to a host of decisions. Having the ability to make good sound decisions is a learned trait. One of the things we must get out of the way is, if it sounds or seems too good to be true, it probably is. How many have received the email or text that says congratulations, you have won a million dollars? All you have to do is provide your bank routing number and account credentials. For most, it does not require a lot of decision-making skills to ignore and delete the message. But surprisingly, some people fall for the scam and end up with an empty bank account along with screwed-up credit. Would it be a good decision or bad decision to eat a hot dog off a convenience store rotisserie at 2:00 a.m.? How did you come to your decision? Allow me to make this real. Allsups Burrito, four for a dollar after midnight. Good decision or not?

struggles to get by. The King found out about the peasant and his princess daughter and had the young man arrested. The King quickly brought the case to the arena. The young man walked out into the arena and looked up to the King. Standing behind the King was the beautiful Princess who was pleading with her father, the King, on behalf of her love. The charges were read, and the King demanded the young man choose his fate. With all the noise and focus on the two doors, no one noticed the Princess waving her scarf in her left hand. Which door do you think the young man chose? Stay Safe and Remember – we do not need all the operators in Texas to be a member of TWUA – JUST YOU ! ! ! !

Back in the time of Kings and Princesses, there was a King who devised a brutal system for settling disputes and introducing fate into the decision-making process when there was an act committed such as a killing, theft, or shady business dealings. In this King’s arena were two doors. Behind one door was a hungry, fierce tiger. Behind the other was a man or woman (depending on the accused). If the accused chose the correct door, they would be required to marry and support whoever was waiting behind the door. Sometimes it was an old beggar waiting behind one of the doors. The King felt that more often than not, the Gods of Fate would correctly determine the outcome. The King had a beautiful daughter. This daughter was madly in love with a handsome, strong, local man. The problem was, this local was more of a peasant or from a family that March 2021

Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org 7

TWUA DISTRICT MEETINGS Due to Coronavirus and Uncertainties related to Public Meeting / Gatherings ALL TWUA Public Gatherings have been Temporally Postponed OnDemand Virtual 2-hour Electronic Training Sessions are now available 24 / 7. Get this training as your schedule permits Active District Members will be eligible for ONE of these Training Opportunities Can only attend one 2-hour session per month (same session just repeated) Everyone MUST have computer / IP address Everyone MUST have access to telephone Everyone MUST make a Voice Print (prior to the event) iPad & Tablets are NOW SUPPORTED This electronic training will be offered free of charge to active district members until the CDC approves In Person Meetings there will be other options for others to participate in electronic training See TWUA Website – Training Tab – Click on event for more information Call TWUA Central Office for more information

8 Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org

March 2021

DO YOU QUALIFY FOR SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE FROM THE V.M. EHLERS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION? To be eligible for assistance, you must be an active individual dues paid member of TWUA or an active dues paid member of a Sponsoring Organization that has a fully vested Endowment within the Foundation or be the dependent child of an active individual dues paid member (a child still being supported by their parent(s) and are claimed on the parent(s) income tax return). An Application can be found on the TWUA website (www.twua.org) under the Forms tab. Please complete the Application in its entirety and provide a high school transcript, GED, or university grade report which documents your current academic status. TO BE CONSIDERED, THE APPLICATION MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN JULY 1, 2021. Mail the application and all supporting documents to V.M. Ehlers Foundation, C/O TWUA, 210 Highway 79, Suite 101, Hutto, TX, 78634-4534. If you need additional information, please contact Jim Siddall (1jsiddall1@att.net - 469-371-8487 or Norma Clark (n.clark@twua.org – 432-528-1608).

IF NOT, WHY? Do you know that TWUA members: • Receive a discount (from 10% to 35%) on TWUA training • Receive a subscription to the monthly TWUA Journal • Receive free updates on regulatory and technology changes • Have easy access to industry matter experts, vendors, and product providers • Have the opportunity to apply for scholarship assistance for yourself or your legal tax dependent children

MEMBERSHIP PLANS BEGINNING AT $60/YEAR!! CONTACT TWUA AT (888) 367-8982 TO SIGN UP. March 2021

Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org 9

Safety News

WHAT IS PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT?

OSHA - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers protect you from workplace hazards that can cause injury or illness. Controlling a hazard at its source is the best way to protect workers. However, when engineering, work practice, and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to you and ensure its use.

PPE is equipment worn to minimize exposure to a variety of hazards. Examples include but not specifically limited to items such as gloves, foot, and eye protection, protective hearing protection (earplugs, muffs), hard hats and respirators.

Employers Must Pay for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). With few exceptions, OSHA now requires employers to pay for personal protective equipment used to comply with OSHA standards. The final rule does not create new requirements regarding what PPE employers must provide.

The standard makes clear that employers cannot require 10 Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org

workers to provide their own PPE, and the worker’s use of PPE they already own must be completely voluntary. Even when a worker provides his or her own PPE, the employer must ensure that the equipment is adequate to protect the worker from hazards at the workplace.

Examples of PPE that Employers Must Pay for Include: Metatarsal foot protection, Rubber boots with steel toes, Non-prescription eye protection, Prescription eyewear inserts/lenses for full-face respirators, Goggles and face shields, Firefighting PPE (helmet, gloves, boots, proximity suits, full gear) Hard hats, Hearing Protection, Welding PPE Employer

Obligations Workers should preform : Conduct a “hazard assessment” of the workplace to identify and control physical and health hazards. Identifying and providing appropriate PPE for employees. Training employees in the use and care of the PPE. Maintaining PPE, including replacing worn or damaged PPE. Periodically reviewing, updating, and evaluating the effectiveness of the PPE program. Properly wear PPE. Attend training sessions on PPE. Care for, clean, and maintain PPE, and inform a supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE. March 2021

Safety News Employers are not required to pay for some PPE in certain circumstances: Non-specialty safety-toe protective footwear (including steel-toe shoes or boots) and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear provided that the employer permits such items to be worn off the job site. (OSHA based this decision on the fact that this type of equipment is very personal, is often used outside the workplace, and that it is taken by workers from jobsite to jobsite and employer to employer.) Everyday clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts, long pants, street shoes, and normal work boots. Ordinary clothing, skin creams, or other items, used solely for protection from weather, such as winter coats, jackets, gloves, parkas, rubber boots, hats, raincoats, ordinary sunglasses, and sunscreen. Items such as hair nets and gloves worn by food workers for consumer safety. Lifting belts because their value in protecting the back is questionable. When the employee has lost or intentionally damaged the PPE and it must be replaced.

devices, 1910.138: Hand protection OSHA Construction PPE Standards, 1926.28: Personal protective equipment, 1926.95: Criteria for personal protective equipment, 1926.96: Occupational foot protection, 1926.100: Head protection , 1926.101: Hearing protection, 1926.102: Eye and face protection, 1926.103: Respiratory protection.

OSHA Standards that Apply OSHA General Industry PPE Standards: 1910.132: General requirements and payment, 1910.133: Eye and face protection, 1910.134: Respiratory protection, 1910.135: Head protection, 1910.136: Foot protection, 1910.137: Electrical protective

March 2021

Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org 11

Field News

5 INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS BY REBECCA MACK JOHNSON

I am an optimist. I believe in hope. In fact, I have a light-up hope sign in my living room.

Yes, it adds a bit of time, but the coalition support that I gain through involving others is essential for organizational success.

I am also aware that, as a leader, hope is not a strategy. There are so many folks who said this – former President Ronald Reagan and Benjamin Ola Akande are just two. What does this really mean?

STEP 3 – Team members need a collaborative, tangible action plan that clearly describes the “how-to” of the dream. This requires involving team members, internal and external stakeholders and leadership in defining timelines and dependencies – the whole nine yards. One key element is to build success measures at this stage. All plans need measures – as a gee-whiz, this is the “buy-in” stage.

For me, I understand I can’t truly lead my team members to success on just hope. Although I am a fan of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer, ” I know it isn’t a leadership strategy. How does one bring hope, optimism and enthusiasm to a team while providing a tangible plan for success? Balancing optimism with sound business practices is the key. Project management is essential to achieving hope. One must build project plans and think through scope, time and cost in order to successfully achieve any goal. One of my favorite sayings is, “A dream written down with a date becomes a goal, broken down into steps becomes a plan, backed by action makes your dreams reality.”

STEP 4 – Words and planning only go so far. Now is the time to put that plan into full-blown action. This is where the rubber meets the road, where everyone is all in. All are working on the action plan and timeline. STEP 5 – A step that is often forgotten is measuring success and gathering feedback. No plan is perfect. Lessons learned are essential. Those lessons learned need to look at what went well and what could be changed. Without comparing the efforts and data to Step 3’s measures, one can’t determine actual success.

How do you make your dreams reality? How do you help your team members “see” your dream and embrace it? And, is this about your dream? Or the team’s vision and dream?

Leaders gain credibility with their teams when they acknowledge that their dreams (Step 1) didn’t actually materialize into the results (Step 5) they anticipated. Leaders lose credibility when every dream is deemed “successful” without any measurable results.

STEP 1 – Team members respond to energy and enthusiasm. According to Amy Cuddy, a TED talk veteran, author and social psychologist, “A powerful leader is one who uses their passion and commitment to inspire their employees.” To convince your team about your dream, you must convince yourself.

Lessons learned can be the most amazing team-building and growing opportunity you will ever experience. Open your mind. Go into the meeting without your own mental success agenda. Listen to the positives – what went well? Listen to the negatives. Then, what would you change?

STEP 2 – If you are anything like me, I cannot just go with my gut instinct, even though I know it’s probably right. I must influence and convince others who need tangible data. Why? Because many people need tangible data to “see” the dream. I’ve learned how to ensure I balance my instinct with the research and planning needs of my organizational leaders and team members.

Be open. Ask open-ended questions. Most importantly, take action on the feedback.

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Hope may not be a strategy, but hope is an amazing motivator. Combining hope, project management planning and communication – you have the recipe to success. March 2021

March 2021

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Field News

TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

The TCEQ’s Cross-Connection Control Program is concerned that certain public water systems are treating firelines supplied by potable water as non-potable, and are both painting firelines purple and using non-potable gauges to test backflow prevention assemblies on firelines. This may be due to a belief that the water in firelines will be stagnant and therefore non-potable. The type of gauge that should be used is determined by the water supplied to the backflow preventer. A non-potable gauge must not be used to test a backflow prevention assembly if the water entering that assembly is potable. A fireline supplied by a potable water source is considered potable and should not be painted purple. As per Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code §210.25(g), purple labeling is reserved for lines containing non-potable water. Non-potable test gauges that have been used, or could be used, to test backflow prevention assemblies on water lines being supplied by Type 1 or Type 2 reclaimed water must not be attached to an assembly that is supplied by a potable source. Doing so could result in contamination of the potable water supply. Additional information and explanation is available in “Accuracy Testing of Gauges Used for Testing Backflow-Prevention Assemblies” (RG-493) . There is no recommendation to test firelines supplied with potable water using non-potable gauges in the University of Southern California Manual of Cross-Connection Control, America Water Works Association (AWWA) study “Impact of Wet-Pipe Fire Sprinkler Systems on Drinking Water Quality”, nor AWWA Manual 14 Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control.

to test assemblies on reclaimed-water lines separate from test gauges used to test assemblies on lines supplied by potable water: “Note: Where reclaimed water is used for an industrial purpose, such as cooling towers, a backflow preventer may be on the reclaimed-water line to such equipment to prevent the backflow of chemicals that are added to the equipment for maintaining pH levels, corrosion control, etc., from entering the reclaimed water system. Field-test equipment used in testing these backflow prevention assemblies on reclaimed water should be clearly identified as non-potable field-test equipment and should be kept separate from field-test equipment used to test backflow prevention assemblies suppliedby (emphasis added) potable water.” It is important that training providers do not teach or encourage the testing of backflow prevention assemblies supplied by potable water with non-potable gauges. If you have any questions please contact the TCEQ Cross-Connection Control Program at PDWS@tceq. texas.gov/CrossCon@tceq.texas.gov and the Occupational Licensing and Registration Division at licenses@tceq. texas.gov.

The AWWA Manual 14 Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control contains the following information, which clarifies the need to keep test gauges used 14 Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org

March 2021

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Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org 15

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES 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.

TWUA LIVE, INSTRUCTOR LED - COMPUTER BASED TRAINING 2021

Fort Stockton Regional

Pending & Exploring Alternative Dates

March 2-4

Basic Wastewater Live Online 20-Hours W W Collections Live Online 20-Hours W W Treatment Live Online 20-Hours March 9 - 11

Surface 1 Live Online 20-Hours Water Distribution Live Online 20-Hours Safety Live Online 20-Hours March 16 - 18

Groundwater Prod. Live Online 20-Hours CSI / CCC Live Online 20-Hours Activated Sludge Live Online 20-Hours March 23 - 25

Calculations Live Online 20-Hours Basic Water Live Online 20-Hours Disinfection / Chlorination Live Online 20-Hours

16 Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org

March 2021

TRAINING SCHEDULE 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 You may register on line by following the training tab drop downs or HTTP://TWUA.ORG/TRAINING.PHP COMPUTER BASED TRAINING MAY VARY.

TWUA LIVE, INSTRUCTOR LED - COMPUTER BASED TRAINING March 30 - April 1

Surface 2

Live Online

20-Hours

Pumps & Pumping

Live Online

20-Hours

April 6 - 8

Surface 1

Live Online

24-Hours

Water Distribution

Live Online

20-Hours

Safety

Live Online

20-Hours

April 13 - 15

Surface 2

Live Online

20-Hours

Groundwater Production

Live Online

20-Hours

Disinfection / Chlorination Live Online

20-Hours

Management

Live Online

20-Hours

April 20 -22

Basic Wastewater

Live Online

20-Hours

W W Collecttions

Live Online

20-Hours

W W Treatment

Live Online

20-Hours

Beaumont Regional

Pending & Exploring Alternative Dates

CSI / CCC

Live Online

20-Hours

Activated Sludge

Live Online

20-Hours

Abilene Regional March 2021

Pending & Exploring Alternative Dates Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org 17

Training Schedule (continued from page 17) TWUA LIVE, INSTRUCTOR LED - COMPUTER BASED TRAINING May 4 -6

Basic Water

Live Online

20-Hours

Safety

Live Online

20-Hours

May 11 - 13

Basic Wastewater

Live Online

20-Hours

W W Collections

Live Online

20-Hours

W W Treatment

Live Online

20-Hours

Arlington Regional

Pending & Exploring Alternative Dates

May 18 - 20

Surface 1

Live Online

24-Hours

Water Distribution

Live Online

20-Hours

Disinfection / Chlorination Live Online

20-Hours

May 25 - 27

Calculations

Live Online

20-Hours

Groundwater Production

Online

20-Hours

Surface 2

Live Online

20-Hours

Management

Live Online

20-Hours

June 1 - 3

CSI / CCC

Live Online

20-Hours

Pumps & Pimping

Live Online

20-Hours

Safety

Live Online

20-Hours

18 Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org

March 2021

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March 2021

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Austin Dallas Austin 972-620-8900 512-821-0045 512-821-0045 972-837-9412 Brownsville Houston 956-238-0208 281-333-9414 956-831-6437 281-333-9414

T104704201

Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org 19

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

outbreak.

InOperators the interestdesiring of safety,to paper exams havecontact been cancelled through TEST, should TCEQ in regards

However, to2020. testing. There are are some computer-based testingcenters centers remain To schedule there some computer-based testing thatthat remain open.open. To schedule a a computer-based please the contact the CBTnear centers to are verify computer-based exam, exam, please contact CBT centers you to near verifyyou if they stillif they areFor stillother operating. Fororother questions concerns, please email licenses@ operating. questions concerns, pleaseor email licenses@tceq.texas.gov. tceq.texas.gov.

Far West Texas – Fort Stockton Pending & Exploring Alternative Dates Panhandle Regional School – Amarillo Pending & Exploring Alternative Dates TCEQ Exam Application due 30 days prior to event Don’t forget if you are testing to Designate Test Location. 20 Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org

March 2021

American Flow Control. Part of the American landscape.

Small towns, big cities and Main Street, USA, wherever you go, there we are. AMERICAN has been part of the landscape for over a century. While our past is one of innovation, the same is true of our future. New products are always in the pipeline. When it comes to someone you can trust with your valve and hydrant needs, look no further than AMERICAN. The company where strength, dependability and integrity territory. just come with the territor

ALPHA GIS c a p t i vat e r I n n o v at i o n . I t ’ s p a r t o f e v e r y t h i n g w e d o .

ALPHA™ is a licensed trademark of Romac Industries, Inc. (US Patent 8,894,100)

PO Box 2727, Birmingham, AL 35202 Phone: 1-800-326-8051 • Fax: 1-800-610-3569 EOE//Vets/Disabilities

DUCTILE IRON PIPE

March 2021

FLOW CONTROL

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

www.american-usa.com/firehydrants S P I R A LW E L D P I P E

STEEL PIPE

Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org 21

Our $10M inventory means lead times in days, not weeks or months Superior solids handling impellers to keep up with modern wastewater demands HOMA’s PMR5 relay plugs into existing Mini-Cas Socket to simplify your retrofit A wide range of competitor adapters allow for installation of your new HOMA pump without costly downtime

Homa Pump Technology

info@homapump.com

(203) 736 - 8890

www.homapump.com

Need a Pump Repaired? Call Pump Solutions.

Full service repair center complete with test pit, blast and paint booth KSB Warranty Repair Facility Barnes Warranty Repair Facility

We work on all brands and models Factory certified repairs for KSB, Barnes, Weinman, Deming, Crown, and Cornell pumps Houston: 281-399-9400 Austin: 512-809-2302 Dallas: 817-684-0900 sales@pumpsolutions.net

FREE $595 PowerGrit XL Chain For TWUA Members Only

2+1 Chain/Bar

Text JCS to 31996 for an on-site demonstration.

Purchase an 695XL-16PG Package including gas saw, guidebar and 1 PowerGrit XL chain and receive 1 PowerGrit XL chain FREE ($595 value). Receive One (1) FREE Guidebar! $ (valued up to $430)

Member price 2699

When you buy Two (2) ICS® B

PowerGrit XL chain

Between May 1 and May 31, 2018*, for every purcha one (1) corresponding ICS Bra

Order N

Purchase an 890XL-15PG Package including hydraulic saw, guidebar and 1 PowerGrit XL chain and receive 1 PowerGrit XL chain FREE ($595 value). $

p: 800.321 f: 503.653. e: orders@icsdiam

Member price 4595

BONUS: Receive a $50 Walmart gift card when you schedule an onsite demonstration or operator training.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS * Quantities limited to supplies on hand. • ICS reserves the right to change the dates of the promotion with • Each pair of same-length chains purchased during the promotion Chain types may be mixed within a length. • Eligible chain: All MAX™ series, FORCE4® series and PowerGrit® • Accounts eligible for the ICS Quantity Diamond Purchasing Progr Offer may not be combined with any other discount, offer o • Chain prices will be TWUA based on FREE current ICS MSRP at the time of ord CHAIN • Order must be placed no later than May 31, 2018. OFFER EXPIRES • Order will ship subject to availability 31, 2020 • Orders must ship toMAY a single location. • Standard credit and freight terms apply. • Payment terms are subject to ICS credit policies and available on • All returned products subject to a 15% restocking fee. • Please mention “Promo C” when placing your order.

Jim Cox Sales, Inc.

Dear Licensed Operator:

r Promotion

The Class A Water Operator exam has been updated and is now available at many Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centers and on paper at the TCEQ Central Office in Austin. The new exam contains 100 multiple choice questions and no longer includes essays. Approved applicants will be allotted up to six (6) hours to complete the exam.

Brand Diamond Chains

If your application has been approved, you may register to take the paperbased exam at the TCEQ Central Office in Austin or contact a local CBT center to register forChains, the electronic version. ase of two (2) ICS® Brand Diamond

and Guidebar is FREE!

Now!

1.1240 .4393 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES ASSOCIATION mondtools.com connect. engage. educate.

hout notice nal period will earn a free corresponding bar.

DISTANT LEARNING

diamond chains. ram may take their discount on this promotion. or promotion. der.

NOW TCEQ APPROVED

nly to approved accounts.

icsdiamondtools.com Visit www.twua.org for more information

March 2021

Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org 25

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 o o o

Full-Time Student Retired Member Membership Renewal 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.

March 2021

Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org 27

TCEQ JANUARY LICENSES BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY TESTER BLISSIT, NATHAN ALAN BOYD, LANCE R BRYANT, YOHN CARL BUTCHER, TRISTAN W CASSIDY, JOHN CHAVEZ, OSCAR CLEVENGER, MICHAEL WAYNE CURTIS, WILLIAM L MACIAS, ERIC W MOONEY, KEVIN MOORE, JACOB BARRON OSTERTAG, JUANITA OTTE, JAMES P PARRA, ISMAEL PINEDA, JUAN CARLOS MARTINEZ ROBINSON, VAN RODRIGUEZ, ROEL H SMITH, LANCE S THIBODEAUX, ERICK JAMES WARLICK, DAVID WAYNE WOODRUFF, MARK W CUSTOMER SERVICE INSPECTOR AVENDANO, RENE FRANCISCO BUTCHER, TRISTAN W COX, JUSTIN CLINT GARCIA, EUSEBIO GLOVER, JACOB ROBERT HERRING, CALEB HORN, JAMES D MARTINEZ PEREZ, GILBERTO MORENO, ERNESTO M JR PATTERSON, PRESTON COLE PRICE, TERRY D RICHARDSON, ANNA MARIE MICKEY RODRIGUEZ, JAVIER SIBOLE, CHARLES ROBERT TWOREK, ANTHONY VICTORIA, GAVIN B SR GROUND WATER TREATMENT OPERATOR CLASS C BAKER, GEORGE D JR BRYAN, AUSTIN J DAVIS, COLE TUCKER DIAZ, TIMATEO B

GARCIA, MICHAEL HOLLAND, BARRETT MARTIN, CHRISTOPHER WAYNE NEAL, JOSHUA LEE OBRIEN, RILEE BERNARD ORLOWSKI, ERIC L PACHECO, HERIBERTO M SR SANCHEZ, JESUS STOUT, GARY J WILSON, ROLAND RAY SURFACE WATER TREATMENT OPERATOR CLASS B GUERRERO, JOSE F JR REMO, TERRANCE A WILHOWSKY, NICK License Level: C CULLAR, ANDREW A GONZALEZ, MICHAEL GREGORY, CODY PAGE, HUNTER RAY POLK, WILLIE J PREJEAN, LANDON CURTIS REYNOLDS, JENNIFER DIANE RODGERS, CORY VONWALD, VANESSA WILLIAMS, DANIEL J WATER DISTRIBUTION OPERATOR CLASS B BADILLO AYALA, JESUS CARROLL, JOHN E PADILLA, DANIEL RIGDON, ROBERT J CLASS C DUDLEY, BILLY GUERRA, LORENZO GUINN, COLTON DEAN HUGHES, HOWARD LEWIS, DAVID D MARTINEZ, ELIHU MORALES, YOLANDA L NORTON, RUSSELL C PAULIN, ALAN RIOS, ERNESTO RIOS, JUAN G SAENZ, BENITO J JR SALAS, NATHAN P

28 Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org

SAUCEDO, FABIAN STUCKEY, LIONEL LAZAN THOMPSON, JOHN W YOUNG, MARVIN WATER OPERATOR CLASS A BRANTLEY, ALLEN W COTTON, NATHAN D GRAHAM, CHRISTOPHER M KIVLAN, MICHAEL A MOELLERING, KARL E TUTTLE, JAMES E CLASS D ANGELL, CHARLES BAILEY, CODY JERBRONE BARRINGER, STEVE MICHAEL BATEMAN, JOHN KEVIN BIBLE, STEPHEN CALLAWAY, KIYLEE JOSEPH CARPENTER, GREGORY ALAN CARTER, BLAKE GARRETT CASTILLO, JOE MICHAEL CHAMBERLAIN, ROBERT P COLLINS, TYLER COPE, SETH CRAWFORD, THOMAS DAVENPORT, ADAM C DELAROSA, RAY MARTIN DENNIS, SHANE DUNN, KELLY CLAY DUNN, MARVIN ELLIOTT, TODD FEGES, KARL WILLIAM FINLEY, DANNY L FUENTES-LOPEZ, RICHARD GARCIA, ANDERSON GARCIA, ARTHUR GASS, JARROD GATES, DONALD GOLAB, JAMES AARON GRAHAM, MICHAEL CLAYTON HAMERSLEY, HARLEY MARIE HAMM, CODY HERNANDEZ, MIGUEL HOLT, CODY HOPKINS, PHYLARIS IBARRA, MAURICIO JACKSON, CHERONDEA R JAGODIK, PAUL JALOMO, ROBERT CHRISTOPHER

KAY, WILLIAM KIMBARK, MARY ELIZABETH KRANTZ, CHERRY LASANE, NICK LEE, RICHARD LEIJA, RYAN LUGO, EDWARD LUGO, ESTEBAN MARS, PHILIP MARTINEZ, RICKY NAVARRO, GARRETT W OKOH, LAWRENCE OLSEN, ADAM OLTMANNS, KOURTNEY CHENEE PATTERSON, LAUREN ASHLEY PICKLE, MATTHEW EDMUND RAMIREZ, HENRY RAMIREZ, JUAN REED, HALEY ANN RICHARDS, JORDAN ROUSSEAU, KENNETH MICHAEL RYAN, MATTHEW THOMAS SALA, TREVOR SALDANA, ARYZBETH SCHAFTENAAR, JAMES ALLEN SHANKS, ROY HAROLD SHARP, JEFF SIMMONS, JUSTYN SMITH, DERWIN SPENCER, CHRISTOPHER SULLIVAN, EUGENE TEAGUE, ALLEN TEELER, KEYTON JAMES THOMPSON, CAMDEN VILLARREAL, ABEL VILLARREAL, MICHAEL LEE VOGLER, RUSTY JAMES WASTEWATER COLLECTION OPERATOR COLLECTIONS I BROWN, JACKSON ALLEN CASSATA, TONY C CHAPMAN, BLAKE MASON CLAUDIO, CHRISTIAN C DOUGLAS, GARLAND GIL GLOOR, BRYAN MICHAEL HEREDIA, ROBERTO HERNANDEZ, MIGUEL JOHNSON, IVRY KEARNEY, WILLIAM KIMBARK, MARY ELIZABETH LOPEZ, ALBERTO LOZANO, OMAR DE JESUS

March 2021

TCEQ JANUARY LICENSES MANGAN, ALEXANDRA LEIGH MARTINEZ AVILA, ISAEL ALEJANDRO MATTHEWS, KEITH MORAN, HUNTER PARK, BRIAN A ROBINSON, MONTEL LEDARREN TOWNSEND, JERMAINE LAMAR WATERS, JERRY LYNN COLLECTIONS II

CLASS B

CLASS D

BAEZA, EDGAR G BENOIT, MARKUS W DELACRUZ, GEORGE DELACRUZ, JOAQUIN ESPINOZA, DANIEL J JR HUTCHISON, JONAH J JONES, CHARLES III KLEINSMITH, DEVON J PEREZ, MIGUEL A PIPPIN, SCOTT D REYES MARTINEZ, DANIEL A SR SCHMIDT, GENE H SPINKS, JAMES B WHITE, DARREL EDWIN WILLIAMS, CURTIS J WILLIAMS, JOHNNY M JR

ALIKAH, KELVIN ONYEIJEH ANDREWS, CHRIS MICHEAL BAGSBY, TERRENCE BOETHEL, DAVID WAYNE BRINSON, BLAKE BURT, MATTHEW BENJAMIN CABALLERO, ADALBERTO CAST, ZACHARY C CHONG, MIKELLE MUI CRIDDLE, ANTHONY DENBY, AUSTIN MICHAEL DOUGLAS, GARLAND GIL ESCOBEDO, ALEJANDRO FLORES, CARLOS MALAKAI FOSTER, TAYLOR GARCIA, CARLOS GARCIA, MANUEL GREER, RANDALL HALL, DANIEL LAWRENCE JACOBS, JOSHUA JAMES, DARRELL JANSKOWSKI, MICHAEL LOWE, CHARLES MALDONADO, JOSHUA

CAMPOS, ALEJANDRO COX, MICHAEL RAY FEDER, RICHARD C HOFFMAN, JODY E RAMOS, AVELINO G JR ROLLINS, JOSEPH RUVALCABA, EMILIO ERNESTO CLASS C SANDOVAL, DANIEL SIMMONS, JAMES M BARR, CHARLIE C THOMAS, EAPHRAME A BRIERY, BRANDON G PHD GALLARDO, OSCAR COLLECTIONS III GUINN, CHASE EDWARD GUTIERREZ, JESSICA CASTLE, MATTHEW D LYNCH, PATRICK R LONEY, AARON L MARTINEZ, ELIJAH MARTINEZCASTRO, SAMUEL WASTEWATER TREATMENT MCCULLOUGH, MATTHEW OPERATOR MUNOZ, ZACHERY R OBRIEN, RILEE BERNARD CLASS A OGDEN, KEATON P OVIEDO, JESSICA M BLAKLEY, JONATHAN M PALMER, GREGORY ANTHONY BOUZIDI, CHAABANE SR RIDGWAY, JOSEPH D CREAR, RUSSELL S RILEY, CHARLES GLEN GROZE, SHAD E WATKINS, PETER WILLIS HOWELL, JAMES C WRIGHT, AUSTIN MERZ, JEREMY R ZAVALA, MIGUEL

Exam Prep Optimize Mental Readiness

MENDIOLA, JUAN MINCHIN, DARIN JAY MORENO, HARLES NUNEZ, JUAN OSINSKI, DONNIE PADRON, SERGIO POTTER, LEVI REAGAN QUINTANA, RYAN RANGEL, JAVIER RAWLS, ADRIANNA LYNETTE ROSS, JOSEPH SALDANA, NOE E SANDERS, RODNEY SEYMOUR, JONATHAN RAY SHANKS, ROY HAROLD SOSA, RENE M STEPHENSON, COREY W STILLWELL, ROBERT LUKE TINSLEY, WILLIS J VARGAS, JESSE LEE VARGAS, RICARDO WANG, LINLIN WELCH, JOHN JACOB

EGSW

Environmental Group Southwest

WIPES IN PIPES

With Micro-Solve® microorganisms multiply. This reduces the grease that binds wipes together. Micro-Solve® reduces the risk of contact with disease.

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.

WHAT IF You knew “HOW” you would NOT fail? March 2021

Call 512-775-5358 www.egsw.us Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org 29

PROTECT WORKERS IN TRENCHES Prevent trench collapses and save lives:

SLOPE or bench

trench walls,

SHORE trench walls

with supports, or

SHIELD trench

Photo: Efficiency Production – NAXSA

WWW.OSHA.GOV/TRENCHING • 800-321-OSHA (6742) • TTY 877-889-5627

OSHA 3215-06R 2018

walls with trench boxes

There’s a NEW KID on the block. Meet the newest line of wastewater pumps from the company with the highest reputation for quality and innovation. Made in the U.S.A. With over 50 years of manufacturing excellence and multiple awards for growth, Liberty Pumps is proud to announce the newest offering of products for the municipal and commercial pump market. Designed by our talented group of product engineers and built by our dedicated manufacturing team – right here in the U.S.A.

A Family and Employee Owned Company.

www.libertypumps.com/LEP 800.543.2550

Smith Pump Company Fort Worth • Waco • Austin • Houston

1-800-299-8909

One of Americas fastest growing, privately owned companies.