2012 Annual Conference
Program Schedule

Introduction to Utility Management

Dale Barrie, Gary Brons & John Veach - IRWA Staff

This 3-hour class will be an overview of a 3-day course on Utility Management. The course is designed to enhance the financial, managerial and operational effectiveness of drinking water and wastewater systems, and to create a national designation for qualified utility managers. The purpose of the training is to provide managers, clerks and operators with the needed tools to effectively manage utilities and develop capacity of their systems based on federal standards. The 3-hour workshop will identify areas involved in Financial, Technical and Managerial Sustainability and Capacity Development.

Welcome Reception in Exhibit Hall

• Plinko Game

• Raffle

• IRWA Scholarship Bingo

• Cash Wheel

• Appetizers

• Complimentary Beverages

• And More

Opening Session -- –

Randy Pleima - IRWA Board President

General Conference Information

Keynote Speaker --

Kent Stock - author
“Heading for Home; My Journey from Little League to Hollywood” How will you be remembered?

Introduction to ArcFlash-Hazards Analysis

Roger Zeig - Lewellyn Technology
Arc Flash is a sudden release of electrical energy which can result in a catastrophic event. An awareness of the hazard can help you prepare for such an event.

Ideas for Expanding Your System During Challenging Economic Times

Dorman Otte
The reluctance of individuals and rural communities “to commit” has resulted in nominal growth recently. The declining rural population and aging users, plus shifts in livestock, have resulted in economic development and financial challenges. The discussion will include marketing, targeting of services, and a broader discussion of where the utility needs are headed.

Services to Benefit Your System

Todd Clausen - Mail Services

Adam Ward - WRK Systems

Jim Strauss - Midwest Office Technology

“I Have Low Pressure” What Causes Pressure Problems

Darin Schriever & Alan Nelson - DeWild Grant Reckert
The presentation will clarify a lot of misunderstanding about how various systems components affect overall service. It is intended to enable operators to determine the magnitude and cause(s) of low pressure problems.

Water mixing Technology & Stage II Compliance: Making Distribution Work For You

Nathan Miller - PAX Water Technologies, Inc.
Water quality in the distribution system has become a hot topic among operators and regulators. We will discuss mixing technology and the role it plays in water quality and DBP compliance.

Basic Pump Hydraulics

Shawn Stevenson - Quality Flow Iowa
This session will provide a very basic level discussion about hydraulics, pressure, basic system curves, pump curves, pumps in parallel, VFD operation, etc.

Manager/Board Round Table Discussions

Dorman Otte
A round table discussion with experienced board members of rural water systems. They will share a history of their systems and how they view the future in providing exciting and new service.

RSAS Round Table Discussions

Mindy Payne - Rathbun Regional

Water Hammer: Reducing Slam & Surge in Your Distribution System

Jeff Fischer - Fischer, Harris & Associates
Slam and surge caused by water hammer can come from a variety of sources. If left unchecked, it can cause severe damage to pumps, valves and piping. This presentation details the sources of slam and surge and gives practical technologies that can reduce its effects.

Maintaining Your Filters: What All Operators Should Know

John Harger - Vessco
Training designed to improve maintenance understanding and filter construction and operation. Troubleshooting treatment process issues will also be discussed.

PLC’s: The Basics

Roger Zeig - Lewellyn Technology
An introduction to the main parts of a PLC and a description of their function. Basic programming instructions will be discussed.

Design - It’s A Team Effort

Mike Trotter - McClure Engineering
This session will show the importance of involving the owner, operators, financial people, regulatory personnel, and equipment representatives in the design process.

Fire Hydrant Maintenance

Andy Kohler - Clow Valve
The presentation is aimed at discussing installation issues, maintenance concerns and basic proper operation. It will be an open format discussing everyone’s fire hydrant experiences and troubleshooting ideas.

Low Maintenance Turbidity Meters –The Next Generation

Kevin Forsman - Swan Analytical USA
This presentation covers many aspects of modern instrumentation facilitating the life of today’s staff strapped water plants. Emphasis is on an EPA approved method concerning non-contact, low-maintenance set-up.

Operator Certification: What’s New

Laurie Sharp - Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources
Update on changes and future plans for change in the implementation of Iowa’s Drinking Water & Wastewater Operator Certification Program. Also included is a summary of issues covered in the 2011 Drinking Water Town Meeting Symposiums.

Federal Tax Form 990: Board Member Responsibilites

Richard Koontz - Iowa Non-Profit Resource Center
Board members need to learn their responsibilities in reviewing the annual tax filing for a non-profit. This workshop is a tour of the tax form and its significance for the organization.

Water Age & Flushing Plans in Distribution Systems

Brad Pleima - Bartlett & West
This session will provide discussion about how to model and predict water ages throughout a distribution system and how water quality can be negatively affected by high water ages. In addition there will be discussion about the importance of flushing plans and how they can be used to remedy high water age areas.

Use of NF/RO for Regulatory Compliance & Improved Water Quality

Michael Bourke - Wigen Water Technologies
Reverse osmosis and nanofiltration can be used by small systems to achieve regulatory compliance and improve water quality. This presentation will cover two case studies at small systems where RO has been used to meet nitrate, combined radium and ammonia standards.

Stream Mixing Zone Studies

Steve Van Dyke - Fox Engineering
Stream mixing zone studies document the actual mixing characteristics of a discharge with a receiving stream. Generally, the studies show much better mixing than assumed in the IDNR’s waste load calculations. In many cases, the study justifies much higher limits for toxic compounds such as ammonia, metals and chlorides, thereby avoiding the need for expensive plant upgrades.

The Economic Bumpy Road—How Long Will It Impact Rural Water?

Jim Maras - CoBank
The presentation will review key economic indices and discuss their trend. Recent economic data and trends will be presented and the impact on rural water systems will be discussed.

Do You Need A Water Loss Survey?

Carla Schumacher - Fox Engineering
This session will provide an overview of the issues pertaining to water loss which will include current approaches, perspectives, available tools and case studies.

Well Construction and Maintenance

Scott DeYoung - Municipal Well and Pump

Nutrient Water Quality Standards Updated

Greg Sindt - Bolton & Menk
Iowa is developing a nutrient reduction strategy that includes proposed total nitrogen and phosphorus discharge limits on some wastewater treatment facilities. This presentation is a review of the potential impacts of the strategy on NPDES permits.

Legal Implications of a 24/7 World

Matthew Dooley - Stumphauzer/O’Toole
In a 24/7 world, we are expected to always be available, to respond to problems immediately, and to always have problem-solving information at our fingertips. The legal system has adapted to new technologies by imposing new liabilities and great expectations that must be considered when operating a rural utility.

Iowa DNR SW Program

Chad Fields - Iowa DNR GSB
Iowa’s Source Water Protection Program is designed to help public drinking water supplies protect themselves from contamination. This presentation will outline new guidance and easy-to-follow steps to help communities protect their drinking water, list resources available to assist communities, and give five examples of communities that have gone through the program.

Meters: Sizing, Selection & Technology Advancements

Bill Saunders, Sensus Meters

2-Cell vs. 3-Cell Lagoon Data

Larry Bryant - Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources
A discussion of observed bacteria and ammonia effluent monitoring data from controlled discharge lagoon (CDL) facilities, with emphasis on the differences between 2- and 3-cell facilities.

Contracting vs. City Employees

Pat Callahan - Snyder & Associates
This presentation will focus on contract operations versus city employees for water and wastewater operations. It will compare the two for water and wastewater departments and show the advantages and disadvantages of each option, without being biased for either. The presentor has worked for cities that have successfully used both options.

Control Options for Small Systems

Don Wierens & Shawn Stevenson - Quality Flow Iowa
Attendees will be presented various control and monitoring system options appropriate for smaller systems. Pros and cons of each option will be discussed.

Ice Pigging: New Technology in Distribution System Cleaning

Randy Moore - Utility Equipment
Ice Pigging is a new technology for cleaning sediment & bio-film from distribution mains. It represents a more effective and more sustainable approach than flushing or mechanical pigging.

Mitigating Inflow of Stormwater & Infiltration of Groundwater into Manhole Sturctures

Joe Zauner - Fischer Harris & Associates
Methods for determining I & I, and consequences of allowing I& I to continue, including cost and system failure. Prevention methods for new systems and eliminating I & I from your already existing system.

Financial Planning and Cashflow Analysis

Michael Maloney & Tionna Pooler, Public Financial Management
The session will outline the use of a cash flow modeling tool for financial planning, budgeting and forecasting purposes. This tool analyzes the effects of current and historical usage, financial performance and covenant requirements. The tool also provides projections of future performance based on the utility’s capital improvement plan. This allows the utility to immediately analyze the effects of capital projects on future user rates, cash balances and debt coverage ratios, ultimately allowing staff to be more informed and proactive during rate setting and the budgeting process.

Construction Permits and Engineers— - When are the required?

Larry Bryant - Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources
A Discussion on the rules and requirements for wastewater and water supply construction permitting in Iowa.

De Soto Asset Management Project

Dan Van Langen - City of DeSoto

Dale Barrie and Gary Brons - IRWA
Attendees will learn how Asset Management Planning can assist their system with operations, budgeting, and long range planning through this presentation. Attendees will be presented with the basics of asset management planning and hear first hand from an Iowa utility on how asset management is helping them in their operations.