18 minute read
ED News
from September 2021
by TWUA
by Russell Hamilton, TWUA Executive Director
Father Thank You. Regardless of the challenges, 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 calm, Your guidance, and forgiveness. Father, we pray for Your mercy and ask that You direct, protect, watch over, guide, and bless TWUA and its members. Amen
In West Texas, Lake Spence is sitting at 27.6 % (- 0.9 %). White River is sitting at 24.6 % (- 2.1 %). Panhandle - Lake Meredith is sitting at 38.0 % (- 0.8 %) and Greenbelt is at 18.7 % (- 0.8 %). If you want to get a complete look at current lake levels, go to waterdatafortexas.org. The drought has never left for some.
The time for Annual School 2021 is upon us. If your employer allows travel, TWUA will welcome your participation. The 103rd Annual School dates are September 26th – 29th, 2021. I recently visited with the Corpus CVB and Omni hotel, and all indications are this Live, In-Person event will take place as advertised. And as of September 3rd, there were no restrictions. Early Registrations are encouraged just in case occupancy rates in the convention center classrooms become an issue. We do not anticipate any problems but should that happen; attendees will be accommodated by the registration date.
Mark your calendar – Fort Stockton will be September 13th – 16th . Annual School will be in Corpus Christi from the 26th – 29th of September. Killeen will be October 18th – 21st . Beaumont will be October 25th – 28th . Lubbock will be November 1st – 4th. Tyler, San Marcos, and Arlington are looking at alternative dates, host locations, and other options. It’s going to be a busy second half of the year. If travel and being in crowds cause you concern, look at the TWUA Computer Based Training options. Help Spread The Word – if you want to continue to have the option of paper-based exams at TWUA regional events, we need exam numbers to justify TCEQ’s continued participation.
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
Remember – if you have not designated a testing loca-
tion with TCEQ, you are not through.
The Story Goes Something Like This –
Two general utility contractors and Bubba were selected to bid on a critical pipe, pump structure, and water storage project in Austin, Texas. The original bid was awarded to a local contractor who never began the project, so the job is being rebid.
The first contractor was from Lubbock. The second contractor was from College Station. And Bubba represented East Texas and the underutilized businesses. All three go to the project site to examine the job and get a feel for the obstacles related to the project.
The first contractor was a proud engineering graduate of Texas Tech. He arrived at the job site and immediately began measuring, collecting soil samples, calling product representatives, and confirming pricing with sub-contractors. Finally, after a few hours of performing complex calculations with pencil and paper, this contractor stated. I can complete this job in 150 days, and it will cost $4,000,000. That is $3,500,000 for the project and $500,000 profit for my company and me.
The second contractor was a proud engineering graduate
of Texas A & M. He arrived at the job site and immediately began setting up satellite survey equipment and started measuring and confirming data with lasers and GPS technology. Using his portable laptop and electronic tablet, this contractor stated. I will say that I am not excited about working in Austin, but I am confident I can complete this project in 300 days, and it will cost $5,000,000. That is $4,000,000 for the project, a $500,000 incentive bonus to divide among my sub-contractors, and $500,000 for dealing with a Tea Sipper as a project manager.
Bubba doesn’t measure a thing. He walks around the job site in his colorful Hawaiian shirt and yellow crocks. He visits with the other contractors and a couple of homeless people living in a tent under a tree in a nearby greenbelt. Bubba goes to Rudy’s Barbecue and has a great lunch topped off by a couple of Beers. Bubba arrives back at the job site four hours later to find a confused project owner. Are you going to bid? Bubba announces; I can complete this project for $24,000,000 and complete it in 200 days.
The project decision-maker scratches his head and says, you did not measure a thing. You set up no equipment. You made no calculations. You made no project-related phone calls. How did you come up with the ridiculous figure of $24,000,000?
Bubba smiles and says; we need to have a sidebar conversation.
Bubba pulls the decision-maker close and whispers. In my part of the state, the way we do business is simple. This water project boils down to a typical government job. There are a lot of rules, regulations, and compliance oversight that neither of us is excited about dealing with. I don’t know if you or the other bidders noticed, but we have Native American artifacts (arrowheads) lying on the ground and subsurface where the storage tank will be built. I know this to be a fact because as I walked around, I placed them there. I have tentatively hired two locals to work under my 1/64th Native American bloodline, and they have agreed to remove said Native American artifacts without alerting any regulatory authority. Project delay averted.
With my bid estimate, I am figuring $10,000,000 for you. $10,000,000 for me. And I will hire the Texas Tech contractor to do the job and worry about compliance for $4,000,000. And to show that we are compassionate and caring, out of my share of the profits, I will employ two from the local homeless population to be site security and watch the worksite.
With scraps from the piping portion of this job, we could extend water over to the greenbelt and show we provided an underserved population/homeowner with essential needs. Who knows, we might “spin” this project, so we qualify for additional grant funding, and I will nominate you for some humanitarian award for aiding the homeless.
The decision-maker smiles and says I like simple. When can you start?
Stay Safe and Remember – we do not need all the operators in Texas to be a member of TWUA – JUST YOU ! ! ! !
ZERO WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS IS POSSIBLE
The OSHA general duty clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, requires that each employer furnish to each of its employees a workplace that is free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
Keep your workplace safe by creating a Stop Work Authority (SWA) program.
What is Stop Work Authority (SWA)?
Stop Work Authority is empowering workers to halt work when a perceived unsafe condition, behavior, or hazard arises. Basically, if something on the job site becomes too unsafe or hazardous, workers have an obligation to stop work while the hazard is corrected.
Are you working SAFER?
If a hazard presents itself, use the SAFER technique Stop work Asses the situation File a report Eradicate Hazard Resume
Stop work – When a worker perceives an unsafe condition, hazard, or behavior on the job site, they have an obligation to stop work or intervene on behalf of another person at risk. If the danger is immediate, stop work immediately and begin the SAFER sequence. If the danger is not immanent, report the hazard to a supervisor and make it clear that it is a SWA request. Asses the situation – stop work activities and make the area as safe as possible by recognizing the hazards, removing workers from the area, reporting the incident to a supervisor, and stabilizing the situation.
File a report – Your company should have an official SWA authorization form. This helps record what actions were taken to mitigate the hazard to prevent future injuries. If the request is valid, a SWA authorization form will need to be filled out before resuming work.
Eradicate the hazard – the unsafe conditions, hazards, or behaviors will be corrected according to the plans outlined in the SWA authorization form. The work areas that are affected will need to be inspected by a qualified professional to ensure that all hazards have been successfully resolved.
Resume – once the hazards have been recorded, removed or corrected, and inspected, workers will be educated on what actions were taken and work should be then be resumed.
For supervisors:
Managers and supervisors will need to follow up on the report, using the information in the SWA form to prevent future hazards and ensuring that the same hazard does not happen again. Furthermore, management should outline all findings during the inspection to the rest of the management team so policies may be improved upon if necessary.
The SAFER technique keeps your workers safe while improving your organization’s efficiency at the same time. Proper recording and the reflecting of these incidents will help improve workflow for future events. It also keeps your company in line with OSHA standards.
Annual School (Corpus Christi) September 26th – 29th Central Office 512-459-3124
Central Texas (Killeen)
October 18th – 21st Norma Clark 432-528-1608
Southeast Texas (Beaumont)
October 25th – 28th Bobby Rogers 409-385-7355 Pat Gray 713-637- 8835 Ext. 305
West Texas (Lubbock)
November 1st – 4th Bill Boyd 806-775-3415
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.
REGIONAL SCHOOL October 25 – October 28, 2021TWUA 63rd SOUTHEASTTWUA 63rd SOUTHEASTREGIONAL SCHOOL October 25 – October 28, 2021REGIONAL SCHOOL October 25 – October 28, 2021REGIONAL SCHOOL October 25 – October 28, 2021REGIONAL SCHOOL October 25 – October 28, 2021
HOLIDAY INN – BEAUMONT PLAZA 3950 I-10 SOUTH BEAUMONT, TEXAS Make Reservations at Direct number only for discounted rate 409-842-5995 Code UTW REGIONAL SCHOOL October 25 – October 28, 2021 HOLIDAY INN – BEAUMONT PLAZA 3950 I-10 SOUTH BEAUMONT, TEXAS REGIONAL SCHOOL October 25 – October 28, 2021 HOLIDAY INN – BEAUMONT PLAZA 3950 I-10 SOUTH BEAUMONT, TEXAS HOLIDAY INN – BEAUMONT PLAZA 3950 I-10 SOUTH BEAUMONT, TEXAS Make Reservations at Direct number only for discounted rate 409-842-5995 Code UTW HOLIDAY INN – BEAUMONT PLAZA 3950 I-10 SOUTH BEAUMONT, TEXAS Make Reservations at Direct number only for discounted rate 409-842-5995 Code UTW HOLIDAY INN – BEAUMONT PLAZA 3950 I-10 SOUTH BEAUMONT, TEXAS Make Reservations at Direct number only for discounted rate 409-842-5995 Code UTW HOLIDAY INN – BEAUMONT PLAZA 3950 I-10 SOUTH BEAUMONT, TEXAS Make Reservations at Direct number only for discounted rate 409-842-5995 Code UTW
Make Reservations at Direct number only for discounted rate 409-842 Make Reservations at Direct number only for discounted rate-5995 Code UTW409-842-5995 Code UTW
CLASSES START 10-26-2021, 8:00 A.M.
PRE-REGISTRATION
ON SITE REGISTRATION
63rd TWUA SOUTHEAST REGIONAL SCHOOL
CLASSES START 10-26-2021, 8:00 A.M.
FIRST NAME M.I. LAST NAME
PRE-REGISTRATION
ON SITE REGISTRATION
63rd TWUA SOUTHEAST REGIONAL SCHOOL
CLASSES START 10-26-2021, 8:00 A.M.
PRE-REGISTRATION
ON SITE REGISTRATION
63rd TWUA SOUTHEAST REGIONAL SCHOOL
CLASSES START 10-26-2021, 8:00 A.M.
PRE-REGISTRATION
ON SITE REGISTRATION
63rd TWUA SOUTHEAST REGIONAL SCHOOL
CLASSES START 10-26-2021, 8:00 A.M.
FIRST NAME M.I. LAST NAME
PRE-REGISTRATION
ON SITE REGISTRATION
63rd TWUA SOUTHEAST REGIONAL SCHOOL
CLASSES START 10-26-2021, 8:00 A.M.
FIRST NAME M.I. LAST NAME
PRE-REGISTRATION
ON SITE REGISTRATION
63rd TWUA SOUTHEAST REGIONAL SCHOOL
CLASSES START 10-26-2021, 8:00 A.M.
FIRST NAME M.I. LAST NAME
PRE-REGISTRATION
ON SITE REGISTRATION
63rd TWUA SOUTHEAST REGIONAL SCHOOL
FIRST NAME M.I. LAST NAME
MAILING ADRESS FIRST NAME FIRST NAME MAILING ADRESS MAILING ADRESS MAILING ADRESS MAILING ADRESS CITY M.I.CITY CITY CITY CITY M.I. STATE LAST NAME STATESTATESTATE STATE ZIP LAST NAME ZIP ZIP ZIP ZIP
WORK PHONE: AREA CODE AND NUMBER MAILING ADRESS CITY MAILING ADRESS WORK PHONE: AREA CODE AND NUMBER WORK PHONE: AREA CODE AND NUMBER WORK PHONE: AREA CODE AND NUMBER WORK PHONE: AREA CODE AND NUMBER CITY EMPLOYER STATE STATE EMPLOYER EMPLOYER EMPLOYER EMPLOYER ZIP ZIP
SOCIAL SECRUITY # or LICENSE # WORK PHONE: AREA CODE AND NUMBER WORK PHONE: AREA CODE AND NUMBER SOCIAL SECRUITY # or LICENSE # SOCIAL SECRUITY # or LICENSE #SOCIAL SECRUITY # or LICENSE #SOCIAL SECRUITY # or LICENSE #
CLASS ATTENDING EMPLOYER EMPLOYER CLASS ATTENDING CLASS ATTENDING CLASS ATTENDING CLASS ATTENDING Are you a TWUA Member? Yes ____ or No____ If Yes, What District Chapter or At-Large Membership? _____________Are you a TWUA Member? Yes ____ or No____ If Yes, What District Chapter or At-Large Membership? _____________Are you a TWUA Member? Yes ____ or No____ If Yes, What District Chapter or At-Large Membership? _____________Are you a TWUA Member? Yes ____ or No____ If Yes, What District Chapter or At-Large Membership? _____________Are you a TWUA Member? Yes ____ or No____ If Yes, What District Chapter or At-Large Membership? _____________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________SOCIAL SECRUITY # or LICENSE #SOCIAL SECRUITY # or LICENSE # CLASS ATTENDING CLASS ATTENDING
Are you a TWUA Member? Yes ____ or No____ If Yes, What District Chapter or At-Large Membership? _____________Are you a TWUA Member? Yes ____ or No____ If Yes, What District Chapter or At-Large Membership? _____________ PAYMENT INFORMATION (Please choose one) PAYMENT INFORMATION (Please choose one) PAYMENT INFORMATION (Please choose one) PAYMENT INFORMATION (Please choose one) PAYMENT INFORMATION (Please choose one) Purchase Order (Attach Copy) ____
Check (Make Checks Payable To: TWUA S.E. Region) ____ Credit Card PAYMENT INFORMATION (Please choose one) Name on Card ____________________________________ Credit Card#_________________________________________
Purchase Order (Attach Copy) ____
Check (Make Checks Payable To: TWUA S.E. Region) ____ Credit Card
Check (Make Checks Payable To: TWUA S.E. Region) ____ Credit Card
Purchase Order (Attach Copy) ____
Check (Make Checks Payable To: TWUA S.E. Region) ____ Credit Card Name on Card ____________________________________ Credit Card#_________________________________________
Purchase Order (Attach Copy) ____
Check (Make Checks Payable To: TWUA S.E. Region) ____ Credit Card Name on Card ____________________________________ Credit Card#_________________________________________
Purchase Order (Attach Copy) ____
Check (Make Checks Payable To: TWUA S.E. Region) ____ Credit Card Name on Card ____________________________________ Credit Card#_________________________________________
Purchase Order (Attach Copy) ____
Check (Make Checks Payable To: TWUA S.E. Region) ____ Credit Card Name on Card ____________________________________ Credit Card#_________________________________________
Exp. Date_____________ Billing Zip Code ___________Security Code ____________ MC/VISA/DISCOVER/AMER EXP Name on Card ____________________________________ Credit Card#_________________________________________ Name on Card ____________________________________ Credit Card#_________________________________________ Exp. Date_____________ Billing Zip Code ___________Security Code ____________ MC/VISA/DISCOVER/AMER EXP Exp. Date_____________ Billing Zip Code ___________Security Code ____________ MC/VISA/DISCOVER/AMER EXP Exp. Date_____________ Billing Zip Code ___________Security Code ____________ MC/VISA/DISCOVER/AMER EXP Exp. Date_____________ Billing Zip Code ___________Security Code ____________ MC/VISA/DISCOVER/AMER EXP Signature_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Mail Completed Pre-Registration Forms & Payment to: 210 E Hwy 79 STE 101 Hutto, Texas 78634 Fax: 512-459-7124 Exp. Date_____________ Billing Zip Code ___________Security Code ____________ MC/VISA/DISCOVER/AMER EXP Exp. Date_____________ Billing Zip Code ___________Security Code ____________ MC/VISA/DISCOVER/AMER EXP Mail Completed Pre-Registration Forms & Payment to: 210 E Hwy 79 STE 101 Hutto, Texas 78634 Fax: 512-459-7124Mail Completed Pre-Registration Forms & Payment to: 210 E Hwy 79 STE 101 Hutto, Texas 78634 Fax: 512-459-7124Mail Completed Pre-Registration Forms & Payment to: 210 E Hwy 79 STE 101 Hutto, Texas 78634 Fax: 512-459-7124Mail Completed Pre-Registration Forms & Payment to: 210 E Hwy 79 STE 101 Hutto, Texas 78634 Fax: 512-459-7124
Any questions concerning registration please contact: Central Office at 512-459-3124 or 888-367-8982 Signature_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Any questions concerning registration please contact: Central Office at 512-459-3124 or 888-367-8982Any questions concerning registration please contact: Central Office at 512-459-3124 or 888-367-8982Any questions concerning registration please contact: Central Office at 512-459-3124 or 888-367-8982Any questions concerning registration please contact: Central Office at 512-459-3124 or 888-367-8982 Mail Completed Pre-Registration Forms & Payment to: 210 E Hwy 79 STE 101 Hutto, Texas 78634 Fax: 512-459-7124Mail Completed Pre-Registration Forms & Payment to: 210 E Hwy 79 STE 101 Hutto, Texas 78634 Fax: 512-459-7124 10 Texas Water Utilities Journal www.twua.org September 2021 Any questions concerning registration please contact: Central Office at 512-459-3124 or 888-367-8982Any questions concerning registration please contact: Central Office at 512-459-3124 or 888-367-8982
TWUA Southeast Regional School October 25th – October 28th, 2021
Monday, October 25 9:00 am Golf tournament, Brentwood Golf Course 1-5 pm Exhibitor Setup
5-7 pm On-site registration
Tuesday, October 26 7-8 am Exhibitor Breakfast 8 am -5:30 pm Classes in Session 9-3:30 pm Exhibits open 12-1 pm Luncheon Wednesday, April 29 8-5 pm Classes in Session 12-1 pm Luncheon Thursday, April 30 8-12 noon Classes in Session 1 pm Testing: Water-Wastewater
TWUA Southeast Region 29th Annual Golf Tournament
The Southeast Region of TWUA is hosting a golf tournament on October 25, 2021 at Brentwood Golf Course, 4201 S Major Dr. Sponsors are needed to raise money to support the tournament and to fund scholarships. Cost: $75 /
player
$100.00-hole sponsorship (printed sign with sponsors names) Any $50.00 donation will go toward the following Proximity and Long drive prizes. First Place $100.00 per person plus trophies 4 closest to the pin prizes awarded 4 longest drive prizes awarded
Please make all checks payable to TWUA Southeast Region and mail to:
PO Box 7851, Beaumont, TX 77726
If you have any questions, please contact JON BROUSSARD, TWUA golf tournament director, at 409-813-2796 or jbroussard@actpipe.com
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS – HOLIDAY INN – BEAUMONT PLAZA (409) 842-5995 before September 24, 2021 for Reservations and mention Group Code: UTW KING OR DOUBLE ROOM $94.00 PER NIGHT plus tax Please call the local Beaumont number for reservations. (409) 842-5995
The 1-800 reservation number rooms will not credit towards our school.
