Wednesday

Meridian C

Lead and Copper Rule Revisions

In this session, we will examine the key changes to the Lead and Copper Rule such as Lead Testing In Schools and Daycares, Sequential Sampling, Tier Site Protocol, Communications, Regulatory Thresholds, and Lead Service Line Replacement Plans.  Attendees will also get an in-depth look into the Service Line Inventory provision and some best practices/strategies to consider as utilises build their compliance plans.

120 Water Staff Member

Meridian G

Using Communication to Overcome Water Shortages, Pipeline Breaks, Contamination Events, and More

Rural systems are not immune to water shortages, pipeline breaks, water quality concerns, or unpopular rate increases. In fact, sometimes limited resources can make small systems even more susceptible to these types of events. Learn how proactive communication can help your agency create positive outcomes no matter your water challenge. With a practical 5 step approach to customer communication, your agency can reduce office calls, confidently meet federal and state notification requirements, minimize burdens on staff, and transform ratepayers into powerful water advocates.

Megan Jenkins, Yoppify

Meridian D

Conditioned Based Maintenance

Two technologies have entered the wastewater O&M arena.  The first is the SL-RAT which uses soundwaves to identify which sewer pipes have blockages and which pipes are flowing well.  This enables staff to quickly identify which pipes need to be cleaned and which do not.  The second is 3D Manhole Scanning which builds a digital twin of each manhole that can be used for generating dimensions, monitoring wall deterioration, and checking lining quality. These technologies help leaders use data to make better decisions as they manage the assets in a collection system. 

Eric Petersen, RH Borden and Company

Meridian H

Hydraulic Control Valve Training

This session will focus on the operation, maintenance, and selection of control valves for a distribution system. Tips for improving valve operation and using valves to help in troubleshooting systems (e.g., reducing non-revenue water) and mitigating water quality concerns will also be reviewed.

Mike Uthe, Mueller Water Products

Zephyr

Utility Management Certification (UMC): Managerial Sustainability and Capacity Development, Part 1

The first hour of the UMC Managerial section will cover the following topics:

• Leadership
• Accountability
• Human Resource Management
• Organization
• The Manager and the Governing Body

Dale Pierson, RWAU Executive Director

Play cornhole for a chance to win tickets and place your tickets in the prize bins provided by the vendors! Don’t forget to attend your classes each hour to earn additional tickets! (Tickets go in the ticket prize buckets in the main lobby).

Meridian C

Basics of Line Stops, Hot Taps, Valve Insertions, & Pipe Freezing with LIVE Demonstration

This presentation will cover the basics of line stopping, hot tapping, valve insertions, and pipe freezing. 

• Hot Tapping - Installing a new branch line connection to get your existing in-service piping without a shutdown. Size-on-size Hot Taps can be done, giving the maximum flow you require.
• Line Stopping - Line Stopping provides mechanical methods for isolating your pipeline. Bypass capabilities allow your pipeline to stay in service while piping modifications or valve installations are made. Available for every type of pipe, service product, and condition.
• Pipe Freezing - Pipe freezing isolates your piping when draining the system is not economical or environmentally sound. Valve additions and repairs are made quick and easy. Great for high-pressure and copper systems.
• Valve Insertion - A New Gate Valve is installed inline in 2-4 hours, LIVE, "without interruption" of the service main.

Steve Helm, Tap Master Inc.

Meridian G

Maximize Your Retirement Benefits

Your state pension plan is an incredibly rich retirement benefit. But will it be enough to support you throughout a potential retirement period of 20-30 years or more? Please come to this informative, educational workshop so you can understand how your pension works, and what you can be doing now beyond your pension to maximize your retirement benefits and retirement readiness!

Kory Cox, Utah Retirement Systems

Meridian D

Odor Control (Sulfide Odor Management) Within a Wastewater System Including Collection Systems

When sewage becomes stagnant, it becomes depleted of oxygen. By introducing bacteria, sulfate and sulfide will reduce in this environment. Sulfides react with hydrogen to form H2S and releases into the air when agitated. Learn more about the H2S process in this session.

Jeff Zidek, Thatcher Company

Meridian H

A Practical Guide to Relocation and Abandonment of Easements for Water Conveyance

This session focuses on two topics, Relocation and Abandonment. Utah Law allows property owners to initiate a process to relocate easements for water conveyance on their property. This session provides a practical guide to relocation and understanding the rights of the easement owner. Additionally, this session provides a guide to abandonment of easements which are no longer in use. Learn why, when, and how to abandon an easement under Utah Law.

Clayton Preece, Smith Hartvigsen

Ethan Smith, Smith Hartvigsen

Zephyr

Utility Management Certification (UMC): Managerial Sustainability and Capacity Development, Part 2

The second hour of the UMC Managerial section will cover the following topics:

• Customer Service
• Emergency Preparedness
• Internal and External Communications
• Public Relations
• Public Policy

Dale Pierson, RWAU Executive Director

Play cornhole for a chance to win tickets and place your tickets in the prize bins provided by the vendors! Don’t forget to attend your classes each hour to earn additional tickets! (Tickets go in the ticket prize buckets in the main lobby).

Meridian C

Basics of Line Stops, Hot Taps, Valve Insertions, & Pipe Freezing with LIVE Demonstration CONTINUED

This presentation will cover the basics of line stopping, hot tapping, valve insertions, and pipe freezing. 

• Hot Tapping - Installing a new branch line connection to get your existing in-service piping without a shutdown. Size-on-size Hot Taps can be done, giving the maximum flow you require.
• Line Stopping - Line Stopping provides mechanical methods for isolating your pipeline. Bypass capabilities allow your pipeline to stay in service while piping modifications or valve installations are made. Available for every type of pipe, service product, and condition.
• Pipe Freezing - Pipe freezing isolates your piping when draining the system is not economical or environmentally sound. Valve additions and repairs are made quick and easy. Great for high-pressure and copper systems.
• Valve Insertion - A New Gate Valve is installed inline in 2-4 hours, LIVE, "without interruption" of the service main.

Steve Helm, Tap Master Inc.

Meridian G

Legislative Process and Lobbying

How does the Utah Legislature really work? How can you and your utility affect the process to your benefit? When is 'Targeted Advocacy' a good solution? This class will answer those questions and more.

Steve Styler, Foxley and Piganelli

Meridian D

Phosphorus Removal

Nutrients mean nitrogen and phosphorus to the wastewater community. Both nitrogen and phosphorus have different mechanisms for their fate in the environment. To practitioners and wastewater operators, what do they mean is the biggest question. This presentation will focus on the fundamentals of nitrogen and phosphorus forms, their occurrences, sources, and finally, their management in small size utilities.

Ramesh Goel, University of Utah

Meridian H

Water Conservation is a Team Effort

Ensuring a bright water future is the work of many. Providing Utahans with the tools needed to use our water wisely requires effort. The Division of Water Resources will highlight easily accessible resources for water providers and residents, information on current and future rebate programs, and new Water Conservation Plan requirements.

Shelby Ericksen, Division of Water Resources

Zephyr

Utility Management Certification

Study time or choose from the other sessions offered during this hour.

Meridian B

Keynote Address: Recent Legislative Changes Impacting Water and Wastewater Systems

Attendees will be introduced the newest legislation changes impacting the water and wastewater industry passed in the 2022 legislative session.

Kim Shelley, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality

Meridian C

Saving Money, Pumping Groundwater

Most water wells are being designed and operated with the assumption that their performance stays fairly constant over years of operation. Drops in performance and rising maintenance costs are often overlooked, causing operational costs to skyrocket

With that in mind, we will focus on pumping efficiencies and highlight what is costing us money, how much it is costing and how we can save money and prolong the life of our wells and pumping equipment.

Nicolas Steverlynck, Hose Solutions Inc.

Meridian G

Source Metering

Hydro Specialties Company has been a provider of flow meters to utilities in Utah for over thirty years. Dave Welch founded Hydro in 1990 and has worked with numerous utilities both large and small in Utah to provide accurate meters and reading solutions. Hydro is a past recipient of the Utah Rural Water Associate of the Year award.

Dave Welch, Hydro Specialties

Meridian D

Wastewater Mixing in Lift Stations, Lagoons, and Basins

This presentation will cover how proper mixing can benefit all segments of the wastewater industry.   Mixers can be powered by electric, solar, or air depending on the application and the nearby available power source. Air-powered mixing in lift stations can prevent grease crusting, odor, and ragging issues.   Mixing in lagoons can improve the wastewater treatment process resulting in improved water quality in the final lagoon pond. Energy-efficient mixing in activated sludge plants can reduce the plant's monthly electrical bill. Those attending this presentation will have a better understanding of the wastewater mixers available today and the benefits that these mixers can provide to them.

David Summerfield, Ixom Watercare

Meridian H

Protecting Employees During Excavation and Trenching

Excavation and Trenching hazards are one of OSHA’s Focus 4 Hazards. Focus 4 Hazards are the four most common causes of serious injury or death in the workplace. Cave-ins and other hazards are common in excavations. Learn what these hazards are and how to guard against them. OSHA standards have been in place since 1970 which require employers to take steps to protect employees while they are working in excavations, including trenches. These are legal requirements for employers. Failing to properly protect employees can result in significant fines and serious or fatal injuries.

Evelyn Partner, State of Utah, Labor Commission, UOSH Division

Zephyr

Utility Management Certification Exam – BRING YOUR LAPTOP

For those attendees pre-registered to take the UMC exam, up to two hours. You must bring your own laptop or tablet.

Meridian B

Play cornhole for a chance to win tickets and place your tickets in the prize bins provided by the vendors! Don’t forget to attend your classes each hour to earn additional tickets! (Tickets go in the ticket prize buckets in the main lobby).

Meridian C

On-Site Sodium Hypochlorite Generation: A Safe and Reliable Disinfection Alternative to Bulk Sodium Hypochlorite and Gas Chlorine 

On-site hypochlorite generation (OSHG) systems for disinfection have seen an increased adoption rate in the last decade as water and wastewater utilities continue to grapple with the onerous complexity of risk management plans (RMPs) in the case of gas chlorine disinfection and the operational or cost challenges of using bulk 12.5% sodium hypochlorite for disinfection.  OSHG systems which have been utilized in North America since the early 1990's use electricity to convert simple table salt (sodium chloride) into 0.8% (8,000 ppm) bleach or sodium hypochlorite.  

Jeff Rhodes, UGSI Solutions

Meridian G

Setting Water Rates - Step by Step

Learn the basics of setting water rates step by step to ensure your system’s revenues are not only covering the expenditures encountered to continue delivering adequate, safe drinking water, but allow your system to fund depreciation, capital improvements, and emergency accounts to keep your system viable for years to come.  Years of budgeting and water rate experience will be wrapped up in this training to help you take that first step and uncover the mysteries of it all.

Curt Ludgivgson, RWAU

Janell Braithwaite, RWAU

Meridian D

H2S - Managing Odor and Reducing Corrosion

We’re addressing one of the most dangerous gases in the WW industry. This is a must for every operator in WW.

Kathleen Kelly, Biolynceus

Phil Harold, RWAU

Meridian H

Mitigating Water Loss

Steps to a successful and accurate water audit, leak detection focused on aging infrastructure and problem areas first.  Planning and budgeting for perpetual meter changeouts and upgrades to stay ahead of the accuracy curve. 

Jake Wood, RWAU

Zephyr

Utility Management Certification Exam – BRING YOUR LAPTOP

For those attendees pre-registered to take the UMC exam, up to two hours. You must bring your own laptop or tablet.

Water & Wastewater Operator Certification Classes ONLY

Stratus 7, 8, 9

Water Operator Certification Classes

Please refer to the schedule distributed in class for more details. Those who are registered specifically to attend the Water Certification Sessions must attend the full schedule. No non-registered Operator Certification attendees will be permitted.

Stratus 5 and 6

Wastewater Operator Certification Classes

Please refer to the schedule distributed in class for more details. Those who are registered specifically to attend the Wastewater Certification Sessions must attend the full schedule. No non-registered Operator Certification attendees will be permitted.