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The IDNR Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification Program is very aware that conferences, workshops and all “in person” training was postponed or cancelled in mid-March and could possibly not be an option for the remainder of 2020. These certificate holders need to obtain their required continuing education by March 31, 2021. During this time of quarantining and social distancing, there are still many good quality online courses and virtual training webinars offered through our community colleges, state industry associations, national industry associations, EPA, and other state industry partners.
There are multiple virtual training courses that will be held over the coming months, and more become available each week. The state associations including AWWA-IA section, IAWEA, and IAMU will be providing free virtual courses in lieu of in-person conferences. You will also see DMACC and DNR virtual training show up for both water and wastewater over the next couple of months.
The training opportunities where DNR staff will make presentations or which the DNR or EPA are sponsoring are listed in the WS Listserv, second to last article entitled "Operator Certification - Continuing Education Opportunities." Registration is always required, since that is the mechanism that the log-in information is communicated to the registrant.
Please urge any operators inquiring about continuing education opportunities to continue to monitor the DNR’s training calendar and your email for virtual and future “in-person” opportunities.
Contact Laurie Sharp at 515/725-0284 or laurie.sharp@dnr.iowa.gov with any questions.
From EPA 10/30/2020
This webinar will discuss the American Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) that requires community water systems serving a population greater than 3,300 persons (including all consecutive system population) to assess the risks to, and resilience of, their systems. The presentation will provide information on the tools and resources to assist utilities in the development of a Risk and Resilience Assessment and Emergency Response Plan in accordance with AWIA. Information will also be provided on how to certify completion of Risk and Resilience Assessments and Emergency Response Plans by the applicable deadlines.
Register now – we expect this will be a well-attended webinar.
Date: Tuesday, November 17
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 CST, with optional Q&A session from 2:00-2:30pm CST.
Registration After registering for the webinar, you should receive an automatic reply with a link to test your computer’s compatibility with the webinar software. Please note that for this webinar, attendees can only listen with computer audio and will not be able to call into the webinar using a phone line. This change has been made to allow more people to attend the webinar.
Iowa CEU available, 1 hour. If a CEU is desired, you will need to indicate that when registering, and then retain the participation form you will receive after the session to submit later for CEUs.
The Fiscal Year 2021 Intended Use Plan (IUP) Third Quarter Update for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) are now available for public review and comment at the following locations:
The IUPs cover the period of July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021. Public comments are welcome. Draft project lists are also available for review.
A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. via conference call. Participants should use the following call-in information to participate: Phone: 1-413-308-2230 PIN: 532 345 606#.
Written comments will be accepted through Thursday, November 19, 2020. It is anticipated that the Environmental Protection Commission will act on the IUPs at their December 15, 2020 meeting.
Questions and written comments should be directed to Theresa Enright, SRF Coordinator, at 515-725-0498 or theresa.enright@dnr.iowa.gov.
From Water Research Foundation
Water utilities are extremely capital-intensive, yet this distinction only reflects their built assets. Many essential inputs to the services that water utilities deliver to their customers are provided by nature—namely the water itself, forested and other watersheds, aquifer systems, and other natural assets that convey, store, and protect the quality of source waters. Sustainability and efficiency require that water utilities prudently manage all of their critical assets, including natural capital. This webcast will present the findings of Asset Management Framework for Forested and Natural Assets (project 4727), which aims to strengthen water utilities’ capacity to account for, invest in, and better manage their natural assets, by:
- Enhancing recognition, quantification, and valuation of the important goods and services provided by forested and other natural assets.
- Developing a framework for including forests and other natural assets within water utility asset management (AM) programs.
- Recognizing and addressing the numerous barriers and challenges to placing natural assets on equal footing with built infrastructure within water utility planning and AM programs.
Date: Tuesday, November 17
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., CST
Registration
No fee for the webinar, and it is available to the public.
To find continuing education opportunities, please view the “Training Calendar” at programs.iowadnr.gov/opcertweb/ Training events where Iowa DNR staff will make presentations are listed below. See the listing on the appropriate date on the Training Calendar for registration instructions. Look at the calendar often, as there are new opportunities posted throughout the week.
- November 17, IAMU Water Operators’ Conference – Distribution, virtual. “IDNR Water Supply Rules Update.” See the website for registration information.
- November 17, EPA AWIA Risk and Resiliency Webinar, virtual. 1 hour CEU, WT or WD. See article above. Registration.
- December 16, DNR/IAMU/EPA Drought Workshop, virtual. 3 hours CEU, WT or WD. Registration.
- December 17, DNR/IAMU/EPA Water Loss Workshop, virtual. 3 hours CEU, WT or WD. Registration.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is working with state and local officials to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and has transitioned employees to work remotely. DNR offices are closed to the public during this time and only available by appointment.
In another effort to further reduce the spread of COVID-19, the DNR is encouraging the use of the online services for submitting applications, payments and other daily tasks and interaction with DNR staff.
We thank you for your patience and flexibility during this time. If you need to contact DNR staff you can reach them by email or phone or by calling 515-725-8200.
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