Water University: Supporting Industry Managers

Water University: Supporting Managers Today and Tomorrow

By Bruce Pearson, Instructor, Texas Rural Water Association

Water University is a program housed under accepted the proposal by the three states. the National Rural Water Association Florida, Kentucky and Texas further emphasized (NRWA) to assist and enhance the need for a Study Guide to be written in order to the capabilities of professionals in our industry. achieve the objectives that had been outlined and Its purpose is to provide training, knowledge a test of competency that would be designed and and skills to aspiring managers and further administered by the NRWA. By successfully passing their careers. Whether an individual is in the the exam, the student would receive a certificate early phases of a leadership role, a mid-level from the NRWA. To achieve the objectives, the management position or a more executive three states further promoted the Study Guide to management level, this program is have three sections. They were designed for everyone. The original Financial, Technical and Managerial concept began with a meeting in Sustainability and Capacity Denver, Colorado about 12 years ago sponsored by the National Instructor’s Guide Their intent was to design the Rural Water Association and with Study Guide for acceptance by the the Executive Directors of the state NRWA and provide a test bank of rural water associations. Texas questions. All of these points of attended that meeting. emphasis were also accepted by the NRWA.

Background

After the initial meeting, a subsequent meeting was held by the Executive Directors from Florida, Kentucky and Texas in an effort to support this endeavor. As discussions between the three took place, their emphasis was on providing training, knowledge and skills at all levels of the management hierarchy. In doing so, two objectives were discussed and agreed upon; (1) provide the tools necessary for managers to be successful, and (2) a competency that could be acknowledged throughout the industry. Their decision was to promote a program to the NRWA whereby the capabilities of training, knowledge and skills could be achieved, and a competency could be established for recognition. Within this concept was the promotion of designing a Utility Management Certification process. The NRWA

The Purpose

The guide or manual provides managers and students interested in management with the tools they need to effectively manage water and wastewater utilities and develop capacity based on federal standards across the country. The information in the guide is intended to be augmented by state-specific rural water associations or state primacy agencies.

By completing the guide and passing the exam, managers will demonstrate competency and gain knowledge that will enhance their effectiveness. It will also provide added value in managing their systems. Additionally, the certification will give governing bodies of water and wastewater utilities a qualification tool and a demonstrated standard from which to advertise and hire more qualified

professionals. This will hopefully lead to better utility management and compensation criteria for the industry.

The Project and Design

Shortly after acceptance, Florida, Kentucky and Texas secured the services of a technical writer and the project began. In addition to the guide and the test bank of questions, the three states agreed to provide a PowerPoint Presentation and Handouts for states that desired to host instructor-led certification programs for operators and/or managers.

The guide was completed and published in 2010. The PowerPoint Presentations, Handouts and test bank of questions were completed shortly after and all were accepted by the NRWA. Texas took the lead in compiling all the information and has been publishing and selling copies of the study guide nationwide.

Updated Edition

In 2020, discussions were held among several states about the need for updating the guide. A project began in the second half of the year with Texas Rural Water taking the lead on this important endeavor. Rural water association staff from Florida, Kentucky, Idaho, North Carolina and Utah have been instrumental in completing the project to this point. The first phase is almost finished with the edits and reviews due as of the time of this writing.

Another phase of the project has been to review the test bank of questions. The PowerPoint Presentations and the Handouts will also be reviewed and be revised, as necessary. These documents will be completed and turned over to the NRWA shortly after the revised guide has been completed by Texas. During early discussions of the new project, the need to develop an Instructor’s Guide was discussed and agreed upon by the states. Texas will also take the lead on this phase.

Certificates

In the past 12 years, many individuals throughout the industry have taken the course or individually studied the material in the guide and have passed the competency exam and received their certificate. Although it is not a requirement for licensing in Texas, the certificate does provide managers, as well as aspiring managers, a nationally recognized credential.

An important point — TRWA developed its own Utility Management Course with a manual tailored to include Texas laws and regulations. This is a necessary course for some operator licenses in the state, and continuing education credits can be obtained toward renewing licenses as well.

Access

Once the updates are completed, TRWA will publicize the launch of the updated edition. For more information about the guide, the course and the exam, visit the TRWA website at www.trwa.org. Once on the site, visit the Training tab and choose “Water University” from the dropdown menu.

By completing the Study Guide, passing the competency exam and receiving their certificate, industry managers at all levels will gain a new credential and level of proficiency as a professional in the water and wastewater industry.

If you have any questions about this article, contact the author at bruce.pearson@trwa.org or call (512) 922-4942.