Quality on Tap - July/August 2013

QUALITY ON TAP! July/August 2013

In Memoriam: TRWA Remembers Leaders in Texas Rural Water Also Inside: The Texas Rural Water Foundation at Work Cyber Liability Insurance—Who Needs It? Recap: Office Professionals’ and Technical Conferences Draw Hundreds

www.trwa.org

TRWA Today TRWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TRWA STAFF

Officers James Morrison Clay Hodges Pat Allen Tommy Carswell Scott Adams

President Huntsville (At-Large) Vice President Greenville (Dist. 7) Treasurer Marion (Dist. 5) Secretary Lufkin (Dist. 14) Immediate Past President Ft. Davis (Dist. 2)

District Directors John Frantz Chris Boyd Michael Taylor Brian Macmanus Charles Beseda Vacant Barry Miller Kevin Spence Roy Perkins Bill Goheen Kent Watson

Hartley (Dist. 1) Aubrey (Dist. 3) Brownwood (Dist. 4) Harlingen (Dist. 6) Penelope (Dist. 8) District 9 Gonzales (Dist. 10) Franklin (Dist. 11) Kaufman (Dist. 12) Mabank (Dist. 13) Bryan (Dist. 15)

At-Large Directors Kent Smith Vacant

Itasca At-Large

Established in 1969, the Texas Rural Water Association (TRWA) is a statewide nonprofit trade association with an active membership consisting of more than 750 municipal utility districts, special utility districts, nonprofit water supply corporations, small-town water departments, investor-owned utilities and individual members. In addition, more than 200 water industry suppliers participate in TRWA activities as associate members. TRWA members provide water and wastewater service to 2.5 million customers throughout Texas.

TRWA is dedicated to helping directors, managers and operators provide efficient service and clean, safe drinking water to their customers. Through on-site technical assistance, education and information exchange, TRWA helps its members better meet their needs as well as the needs of their customers.

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Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

Fred Aus Executive Director Allison Kaminsky Communications Director Celia Eaves Environmental Services Director Refugio Rodriguez FMT Specialist Deborah McMullan Source Water Protection Specialist Janice Gibbs, CPA Finance Director Pam Cantrell Administrative Assistant Angela Harris Administrative Assistant Lara Zent Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel Pauline Word Legal Assistant Nickie Morgan, CMP Member Services Director Lance Harrell Information Technology Michael Vollmar Professional Development and Training Director Melody Bennett Administrative Assistant Len Klandrud Instructor George Patterson Instructor Dian Phinny Instructor Larry Bell Raymond Curtis Alex Eaves Paul King Steven Mindt

Technical Assistance Director Wastewater Trainer Wastewater Technician Circuit Rider Technical Assistance and Training Specialist James Smith Circuit Rider William White Circuit Rider

Quality On Tap! 6

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Features:

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In Every Issue: Letter from the Executive Director Ask Larry Answers to your technical questions

Keep it Legal

By Allison Kaminsky, Texas Rural Water Association This year’s summer conferences were better than ever! Read more about TRWA’s Office Professionals’ and Technical Conferences.

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10 Cyber Liability Insurance—Who Needs It?

By Kathy Haenszel, AIA Insurance Agency Chances are you have “sensitive personal information” in your files. Learn more about protecting this information and your utility.

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Answers to your legal questions

Advertiser Index

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Plan Ahead

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Recap: Office Professionals’ and Technical Conferences Draw Hundreds

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The Texas Rural Water Foundation at Work

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Student Contest Gives Bolivar Peninsula Water Tank a New Look

TRWA’s Calendar of Events

By Jay Colingham, Texas Rural Water Foundation The Foundation has celebrated several major milestones since the AmeriCorps VISTA team became active this year.

The Singing Sands water tank in Bolivar Peninsula SUD now serves as a canvass for a High Island student’s artwork.

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In Memoriam: TRWA Remembers Leaders in Texas Rural Water Over the past several months, the Texas rural water industry has lost some great leaders.

ON THE COVER: Honey Creek Photo credit: © Texas Parks and Wildlife Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

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Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

Letter from the Executive Director Summertime, and the Livin’ is BUSY! Summertime used to mean a time of rest and relaxation. However, in the world of rural water utilities, it seems the summer provides little time for reflection or recreation. There are construction projects galore underway, new customers to connect, the occasional line break to respond to in this ongoing drought and so many other things.

Accordingly, I appreciate how many of you were able to make time to attend TRWA’s Training and Technical Conference in Galveston a couple of weeks ago. We discussed many of the issues facing rural water right now, and we were able to share experiences and learn from each other. I am enjoying the opportunity to get to meet more and more TRWA members at our conferences, and I am thankful to the TRWA Board of Directors for all the hard work they are doing to represent your interests.

Now that the legislature is (almost) done meeting in Austin (for a while, hopefully), I have been able to travel to meet with member systems in different parts of the state. One visit I need to mention was to South Texas for the funeral of J.W. Dyer, a well-respected water lawyer who represented a number of TRWA member systems for decades. His passing, unfortunately, comes at the same time as the passing of other members of the rural water family. This month’s magazine pays tribute to these leaders of rural water — people who have embodied public service in countless ways.

“This month’s magazine pays tribute to...people who have embodied public service in countless ways.”

Meanwhile, we know the work is never ending for all of you dedicated professionals in the rural water realm. And the work goes on at the TRWA offices. We have just sent out the 2013 Salary Survey and Rate Study form for you to complete. Please fill it out and return it to TRWA as quickly as possible. We will be publishing the results later this fall.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer. Thanks again for working to Keep Texas Rural as you provide reliable, quality water and wastewater services to more than 2.5 million Texans!

Fred Aus Executive Director Texas Rural Water Association Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

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Recap: Office Professionals’ and Technical Conferences Draw Hundreds

By Allison Kaminsky, Texas Rural Water Association

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his year ’s summer conferences were better than ever! More than 140 people met us in San Antonio in June to attend our Office Professionals’ Conference, and over 250 attendees and exhibitors joined us in Galveston for the Training and Technical Conference in July.

Office and administrative professionals gathered June 20-21 at the Omni La Mansion Del Rio on the Riverwalk for a series of training sessions focusing on situations and business scenarios utility office professionals commonly face. Sessions kicked off Thursday morning with TRWA’s own Technical Assistance Director, Larry Bell, and Environmental Services Director, Celia Eaves, giving a presentation on rates, fees and charges that systems can and should charge through regular business operations.

Next was a discussion led by Ponder Wright of Harris Computer Systems about online billing and payment options that will help systems streamline and simplify business operations.

Keeping with the technological theme, Rural Water Impact finished off the morning with a demonstration on how to build a website for a smaller water system using online services and templates.

Olga Ramirez and Maria Arguijo of North Alamo WSC take a break between sessions during Office Professionals’ Conference.

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Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

After lunch, attendees had a chance to get up and move around during a personality workshop. After attendees took a written quiz, TRWA’s Communications Director Allison Kaminsky and Director of Membership Nickie Morgan helped participants understand their personality types by grouping people together based on their results and discussing various tactics to enhance workplace communication.

Rounding out day one was a session on establishing billing policies and included a discussion on disconnection procedures and guidelines. Speakers Lara Zent, TRWA Deputy Executive Director, and Larry Bell fielded many questions from members about these topics.

Day two began with an overview of social media platforms and their benefits and disadvantages as they pertain to small water systems. Allison Kaminsky reviewed some key best practices that all systems should know and included some case studies of social media gone wrong—and right! After a short break, TRWA Training Director Michael Vollmar hosted a raffle where four participants won a variety of prizes. Celia Eaves finished the day with an interactive discussion on Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs). This engaging session had participants staying well

Everardo Chapa from Agua SUD and Pedro Rodriguez from Olmito WSC take a minute to chat before sessions get started on Thursday at Office Professionals’ Conference.

Sherry Stokes and Denise Fox of Nueces County WCID #4 enjoy some down time after lunch at Office Professionals’ Conference.

Cynthia Schofield and speaker Ponder Wright from Harris Computer Systems after their session “Getting More out of Your Billing Software.”

after the conference was over to discuss the requirements and components of CCRs, as well as the new electronic delivery guidelines in place. The conference officially concluded in the early afternoon and attendees were able to explore downtown San Antonio before traveling safely back home.

and registration information.

Less than a month later, TRWA utility and associate members traveled to the Texas Coast for the Training and Technical Conference. Those who got there early were able to participate in preconference events, including operator and Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA) training and the annual golf tournament. Beginning Monday, July 15, early birds were able to earn CEUs by attending Customer Service Inspections and Cross-Connection Control, Wastewater Collections or Water Utility Management courses, along with either Initial or Renewal PFIA training courses. If you still need PFIA training this year, your next opportunity will be at our Districts’ Conference this fall in Dallas.

See the back page of this magazine for dates

The TRWA/AIA Insurance Companysponsored golf tournament was held at the renovated Galveston Country Club on Tuesday, July 16, and had nearly 30 participants. The golf tournament directly benefitted the Texas Rural Water Political Action Committee (PAC), raising $360 on golf mulligans.

The PAC also earned another $198 in donations for the new “Keep Texas Rural” stickers. Available at the conference registration desk, these popular stickers represent the Association’s commitment to rural water and were available for the suggested donation of $1.

Beginning Wednesday morning, the Exhibit Hall opened featuring the latest water and wastewater industry products, services and technologies. Also present was the Texas Rural Water Foundation booth with information regarding the Foundation and its most developed initiative, the Veteran Employment Program. Learn more about this Foundation program on page 14. Morning and afternoon refreshment breaks were also held in the Exhibit Hall, generously sponsored by MicroComm, Inc. and Rural Pipe & Supply.

Three concurrent tracks of training sessions began mid-morning and included a Legislative Update given by TRWA’s own Executive Director, Fred Aus, and Lara Zent. Other topics included a discussion on cross-connection and backflow challenges for rural water systems Continued on page 8 Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

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Continued from page 7

led by TRWA Instructor Len Klandrud, and a presentation on water well construction and evaluation hosted by Aaron Collier of Collier Construction.

After a delicious lunch sponsored by AIA Insurance Agency, Daniel & Brown and TraC-n-Trol, Inc., attendees were able to choose from a variety of concurrent breakout sessions to suit their needs. Alan Petrov of Johnson, Radcliffe Petrov & Bobbitt, PLLC gave an update on EPA regulatory tools and rule development; Larry Bell discussed line extension projects, including proper design, construction, materials, safety procedures, sizing, disinfection, bacteriological testing and results; and Celia Eaves and TRWA FMT Specialist Refugio Rodriguez kicked off part one of a three-part Water Treatment Optimization course focusing on treatment and process control activities. After a short break, Water Treatment Optimization part 2 continued while TRWA Board Member Scott Adams recounted first-hand how the recent West Texas fires affected Fort Davis WSC, and TRWA Instructor Dian Phinny presented on water distribution sampling and site plans.

Day one of educational sessions concluded with the final segment of Water Treatment Optimization, a discussion led by TRWA Instructor George Patterson on the proper tools managers and supervisors can use in the workplace to be effective leaders and decision makers, and a session on water field test kits and in-line testing equipment presented by Angel Flores of Hach Company.

Jackson Water Supply Corporation was well-represented at the 2013 Training and Technical Conference.

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Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

Conference sessions continued the next morning with TRWA Board Member and Gonzales County WSC General Manager Barry Miller presenting on conflict resolution methods while Sam Godfrey from SAMCO outlined the procedures and options available for leak detection. Also running concurrently was a forward-thinking session on new technologies available for public water systems to consider as a way to reduce overall electrical costs, presented by Ed Goodman of Grid-Tie Energy.

During the break, attendees had their final chance to check out the Exhibit Hall and enjoy refreshments sponsored by AIA Insurance Agency. Sessions continued with Eddy Daniel, P.E., of Daniel & Brown, Inc. speaking on fireflows, including the planning and technical requirements that need to be considered prior to changes to existing distribution lines and future expansion of an existing distribution system. Also available at this time were sessions on the proper installation, maintenance and repair of tracer wire, presented by Jim McCain of McCain Waterworks Marketing, LLC, and a discussion of the new “reduction of lead” law and how this will affect water systems, led by Andy Singer of the Mueller Company.

The final hour of the conference was dedicated to one last round of breakout sessions: “Installation and Use of Fusible Pipe” presented by Dan Huffaker of Underground Solutions, Inc.; “Water, Water Everywhere: Finding Every Drop to Drink” where Hughbert Colier, Ph.D., of Collier

These attendees were caught having a little fun in between sessions at the Training and Technical Conference.

Attendees talk to exhibitors about the latest developments in water and wastewater technology.

Many of the booths in the Exhibit Hall this year offered hands-on demonstrations of new technologies.

William Baker of Mercy WSC and Wesley Isbell of San Jacinto SUD pose for a picture after the first round of morning sessions at Tech Conference.

Vickie Armstrong (Rose Hill SUD), Shirley Blakely (College Mound WSC) and Brian Macmanus (East Rio Hondo WSC) catch up during a break at Tech Conference.

Consulting discussed brackish groundwater as an underutilized resource in Texas; and a panel discussion regarding OSHA, CCRs and rainwater use, hosted by a team of TRWA experts.

Conferences or our Water Districts’ Conference. Registration for all of these events is now available on our website at www.trwa.org. If you have any questions about our conferences, please contact our offices at (512) 472-8591.

“Tech Conference is our second largest conference and certainly one of the most educational and fun,” said Nickie Morgan, TRWA’s Meeting Planner. “We are the longest running returning conference to the Galveston Island Convention Center, and that is not a coincidence. This is a popular conference with our members because of both the location and the wide variety of training sessions available.”

Thank you to everyone who attended one or both of these conferences as an attendee, speaker or exhibitor. We hope to see you this fall at one of our Fall Management

Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

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Cyber Liability Insurance—Who Needs It?

By Kathy Haenszel, AIA Insurance Agency

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ho needs cyber liability insurance?

Most likely, your utility does. Many businesses do not realize they have “sensitive personal information” in their computer or paper files. Yes, even if you don’t use a computer in your utility’s business, you could still have sensitive personal information in your paper files and have the potential to suffer a data breach.

What is this “sensitive personal information”? The Texas data breach notification law defines it as an individual’s first name or first initial and last name in combination with one or more of the following belonging to that individual: •

Social security number

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Driver’s license number

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Government-issued identification number

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Bank account number

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Credit or debit card information in combination with the required security code

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Physical or mental health information

First, think about the information you have that is associated with your customers. What kind of identification do you require to establish service for a new customer? Is an original application for service kept either in paper or scanned into your electronic records, and does that application include any of the above documentation? Do you allow customers to pay their bill online, either on your website or using a link? If so, your customers are providing you with private information.

Now think about your employees; they are also protected under this law. Odds are very high that you have a significant amount of personal information belonging to your employees—otherwise you would not be able to pay them. And most of us, as much as we love our jobs, cannot afford to work for free!

The law requires that you keep this sensitive 10

Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

personal information protected and confidential. If you do not, you have had a data breach and the state gets involved and requires you to do certain things. One of these requirements is to disclose the data breach to everyone who may be affected. You must give each potentially affected person written notice of the breach. You can use electronic means for notification if you get prior permission from each person to use electronic notice. If your utility is large and you are required to notify more than 10,000 people, you are also required to notify each consumer reporting agency.

How could this information get out and cause a data breach? Studies have shown that over 174 million records were reported breached in 2011.

In a 2010 study done by the Ponemon Institute, an independent research firm that focuses on data protection, the main cause of a data breach was “negligence” (41 percent). The second most prominent cause was “malicious or criminal attacks” (31 percent). In third place was “system failure.”

How would this look at your utility? Negligence could include misplacing your backup tape or disc or accidentally throwing used backup discs in the trash instead of shredding them. Malicious or criminal attacks could include not only someone hacking into your computer system or website, but also someone breaking into your office and stealing a file cabinet containing your employees’ private information in paper format. What information is stored on or available to laptops and smartphones that your employees use? These devices have a much greater likelihood of being stolen or misplaced.

So what would a data breach mean to your utility? In the Ponemon study, the average cost per compromised record in 2010 was $214. Companies coping with their first data breach averaged $326 per compromised customer record. Additionally, if you fail to notify or delay notification, the penalties are no joke: $100 per individual per day up to $250,000 for a single breach.

A significant part of the total cost per record mentioned above are “soft” costs beyond those required by the state. These are incurred to help repair your utility’s reputation and goodwill with your customers and the public. Especially if the breach is reported by the media, you may need to hire an experienced public relations firm to help with these efforts. In addition, there are companies that are experienced in the legal requirements of data breaches and can help you make sure you comply with all the requirements of the law.

So what is a small business to do? Ever ready to protect their policyholders from catastrophic loss, several insurance carriers have developed policies to help with these expenses, as well as provide protection in the event your utility is sued as a result of a data breach. The policies sometimes have different names, but are generally called Cyber Liability. They can also be known as Privacy Protection, Cyber Security and other similar variations.

You may have decided at this point that you want to look into Cyber Liability insurance for your utility.

Where do you start? Most Cyber policies have three categories of potential coverage: •

Remediation–costs you incur to comply with the law, including customer notification, public relations, investigation and credit monitoring

•

Liability–defense and settlement costs in the event your utility is sued due to the data breach

•

Fines and/or Penalties–costs to defend, investigate and settle fines and penalties.

Please note most carriers do not cover fines and penalties, but they may pay the costs of defense.

is where the $250,000 sub-limit would apply.

In addition to purchasing insurance to cover your potential risk, there are other actions you can take to protect your utility from exposure. Here are a few suggestions: •

Check to see if your computer backups are encrypted. This will reduce the likelihood that your customers’ or employees’ identities could be stolen if your backup tape or disc is misplaced or stolen.

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Assign one person in the utility to keep track of your backup tapes or discs.

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If your customers can pay their bills or sign up for service on your website, let your website hosting company know that you are concerned about a data breach and ask what they can do to help you protect your customers’ information.

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Try an online data breach calculator to estimate your risk exposure to a data breach. Symantec offers one at https:// databreachcalculator.com, or you can try Google to find others.

In summary, cyber liability is a growing exposure for most businesses and should not be ignored.

Many times when computers are stolen, the thieves are not looking to sell the computer itself. These days with identity theft running rampant, the data on the computer is more valuable than the hardware.

With the increasing use of the Internet in business practices, the playing field has been leveled for different sized businesses. One of the unfortunate effects of this is that now even small businesses have to be concerned about protecting their customers’ and employees’ sensitive information.

Most insurance carriers will use “sub-limits” in their cyber policies. For instance, you might see a liability limit of $1,000,000, but you may see a “sub-limit” of $250,000 for remediation expenses.

This means that if someone sues you, you have up to the $1,000,000 limit available, but if you have a data breach and are not sued as a result, you will still need to notify your affected customers and may need to hire a firm to help make sure you are in compliance with all the requirements of the law. This Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

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Ask Larry A Q&A column with TRWA Technical Assistance Director Larry Bell

Q:

We recently disconnected a water line that ran north along a local highway to one property where the house was abandoned. We ran new lines last year in that area but did not include this property. Our local city recently came into our certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) area and ran a six inch line down the south side of the road from the property. Now the heirs to the property want us to run a new line to the property.

My question is: Once we have service to a property, are we required to maintain that service? Are we responsible for paying for the new line since we previously provided service there?

A: The answer to this question is not clearly spelled out in the law or in Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules, but we provide policy advice based on TCEQ’s interpretation of this issue and what in our experience is the fair way to handle the issue with customers.

The WSC should not charge a new impact or up-front capitol impact fee of any kind since the property previously had service.

The water supply corporation (WSC) should not charge for a “new” line extension since the WSC is the party that abandoned its old line, especially if the WSC did not “decertify” that CCN area when the WSC disconnected the water line and stopped providing service.

The WSC should charge a membership fee, reconnect fee, customer service inspection fee and possibly an administrative fee, if applicable.

The WSC should not charge any “material costs” because the meter, box, valves and other components were the WSC’s responsibility to maintain in working order.

If the WSC wants to “agree” that the city could begin serving that location because of its 12

Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

new six inch line along that road then that may be the best solution for the system. However, if the applicant raises a fuss about having to pay for something that should have already been there and that has already been paid for one time, then the WSC may want to pay for the “new tapping charges” the city would require.

The WSC will need to weigh the cost difference between installing a new service line, meter, etc., versus paying for the city to tap their new line. If the WSC and the City decide that the best course of action is to transfer the service area, make sure to file the applicable paperwork with TCEQ in the form of an agreement transferring the CCN area pursuant to Section 13.248 of the Water Code.

Just because a system abandoned a water line or part of its previously served service area does not exempt the system from providing service to previously served property as described.

Q: We received a certified letter today from the landowner where our wells are located stating that, due to non-use, the wells now belong to them and we are no longer allowed on the property. There is a clause in our contract to this regard, but it does not state a timeframe for use. What is considered an abandoned well under state law? We have not pumped water from the wells or sampled the wells in three years because they were not producing enough. We have paid electricity bills on the wells, done our yearly inspection, maintained the house and put new roofs on them eight months ago.

A: The “rule of thumb” is that a well is considered to be abandoned if the system has not used, pumped or operated the well within the last six months.

Wells for use at a public water system are supposed to be pumped. Simply paying an

electric bill or building roofs is not using the well.

TCEQ wants assurance that the pump, motor, controls, piping and all other components are functional and operational.

If the system has not used, pumped or operated the well within the past six months, the system may be out of luck unless they can renegotiate their agreement with the landowner.

We advise working with a local attorney to negotiate with the landowners and draft a new contract. If the system cannot work out a deal, then you likely will have to pay to drill new wells.

TCEQ rules also state that if the well has not been pumped/operated within the past six months, the system has to pull the pump and camera to the well to determine whether the screen, casing and lap pipe are in a nondeteriorated state/condition. This is also quite expensive. In the future, best practice is to continue operations at all wells, even if use is minimal.

Q: We have a convenience store and a chain restaurant using the same meter. The two businesses had been in a partnership in the past under one roof. Due to an expansion, the two split and are now serviced by the same meter. We would now like to require the chain restaurant to apply for and install a separate meter. However, the only leverage we have is to disconnect service to the convenience store in order to compel the chain restaurant to get a separate meter. We need to understand the regulations and what action we need to take prior to approaching either business.

A: In the TRWA Sample Tariff, as well as in the United States Department of Agriculture – Rural Development (USDA–RD) Service Application and Agreement Form, it states that a meter shall be installed on a property to serve that single property and water cannot be diverted to another property. If the two businesses are now on separate properties, then the convenience store is diverting water to another property, which constitutes an illegal connection or transfer of water from one property to another.

In TCEQ’s regulatory guidance document, RG-219, it states “one meter is required for each residential, commercial or industrial service connection.” Furthermore, Chapter 290 requires a meter to accurately determine the usage of each customer unless a master metering arrangement has been made. Master metering is only applicable when it is a single piece of property, not two different tracts. If the two business establishments are still located on the same property, the system has the option of requiring a master metered account. Your engineer would need to reevaluate the meter size due to the change in service classification to ensure that it is adequate to serve both businesses in accordance with your system’s tariff.

In order to correct the issue, the system must first have supporting language in its tariff. Next, the system needs to send a copy of its policies to the entities that appear to be in violation, along with a copy of the TCEQ rule requiring accurate measuring of each customer’s usage.

Next, the system may want to offer a compliance schedule so that service will not be interrupted during the construction and installation of a second meter or a master meter, depending on the approach the system chooses to take and/or works out with the customer(s). Either way, your tariff should allow for disconnection of service if the customer(s) do not comply with the water system’s policies regarding change of service classification.

If you have a technical question you would like answered, please e-mail Larry.Bell@trwa.org.

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The Texas Rural Water Foundation at Work

By Jay Colingham, Texas Rural Water Foundation

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he Texas Rural Water Foundation (Foundation) celebrated several major milestones since the AmeriCorps VISTA team became active this year. Since TRWA’s Annual Convention in March, the Foundation has been learning a lot about how to run and manage a non-profit. Between attending classes and seminars on best practices and developing the platform for future projects to thrive, the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) team is laying the groundwork for the Foundation to make a substantial contribution to the water and wastewater industry. We have three teams working together to establish high quality services to rural water systems throughout Texas.

Our most anticipated program at the Foundation is the Veteran Employment Program. Rashedah Mohammed and Jessica Noelke are working hard and forging partnerships with federal, state and local agencies to provide the most comprehensive services possible for veterans entering the field of water and sewer utility operation and management.

We are excited to see how this program will progress in the future and are finding great support from utilities and partners alike. Joining forces with veteran hiring agencies, the Foundation plans to expand the network of veterans looking for jobs and introduce them to the field of water and wastewater utility operations. Also called “H20” or “Heroes to Operators,” the program’s goal is to encourage veterans to become operators and to encourage rural water and wastewater utilities to hire veterans.

Once a veteran is accepted into the program, the Foundation pays for the basic online training and the “D” license exam fee, provides a study guide to assist with passing the exam and tracks the veteran’s progress during the first year of employment, providing assistance when needed.

In the future, we plan to expand support and services to veterans and make the process of 14

Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

hiring a veteran even easier for utilities in rural Texas.

Establishing the way that the Foundation will work has been a key component to serving the state of Texas. Brandee Cooklin has worked diligently on the Foundation Development team to prepare the Foundation for launching new projects. This includes writing the Strategic Plan, a Branding Proposal and a Fund Development Plan. The Strategic Plan will provide everyone involved with a better understanding of how the Foundation’s goals are being approached. The Branding Proposal is a set of design elements that show how the Foundation would appear to the public and make us recognizable. Elements of the Branding Proposal include logos, fonts, colors, and suggestions on the way they may be used. Most recently, the Fund Development Plan has been a focus of the team’s attention. Planning a strategy to obtain funding and financial support for the Foundation is imperative to creating sustainable programming. The Foundation hopes to see all three of these documents finalized and approved in the coming month. As needed, these documents may be adapted to best serve the Foundation’s mission, which is to support and empower rural water and wastewater utilities and the communities they serve by developing innovative, collaborative programs that provide resources and build the capacity of systems to best serve their customers.

Expanding upon TRWA’s services of training and educating operators is yet another objective of the Foundation. Suzanne Gorey and Hannah Holzwarth are updating materials for existing online coursework and creating new online courses and new manuals for live training classes. The team met with TCEQ to review a new proposed online course on Personal Protective Equipment.

During a group trip to the Round Rock Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities, Hannah took many photos for use in the new course materials.

New manuals and online courses will incorporate high quality, updated photographs and video.

We plan to offer more and a greater variety of courses and will be working with TCEQ to get them approved. The Foundation is working with TRWA to increase capacity to improve our training products as soon as possible. It is a goal of the Foundation and TRWA to provide the highest quality training services possible, while remaining affordable and easy to access.

Having a team of AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers working at the Foundation with TRWA management staff has brought youthful energy and enthusiasm to our organization. Each of the VISTAs completed the basic water course and the group then visited the City of Round Rock’s Water and Wastewater Utility facilities, which gave them a greater understanding of how a utility operates. This education and experience will help the VISTAs relate more effectively with TRWA members and other Foundation supporters.

The Foundation greatly appreciates the support of all the members of the Texas Rural Water Association and other supporters. Without this support, the Foundation will not be successful in implementing its mission and program goals. To find out more about Foundation programming and how to contribute to our cause, please visit www. trwa.org/foundation. Because the Foundation is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations made are tax-deductible. You can follow the progress of the Foundation in future issues of this magazine. Look for an article in the September/ October issue of Quality on Tap for an in depth look at the Veteran Employment Program and a profile of its first participant.

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Student Contest Gives Bolivar Peninsula Water Tank a New Look

T

he Singing Sands water tank in Bolivar Peninsula Special Utility District (SUD) was up for routine maintenance when a member of the utility’s board had a bright idea: Since the tank is situated right off the highway, perhaps instead of a standard paint job, a mural would make a nice addition to the landmark. As a result, Bolivar Peninsula SUD launched a contest in High Island ISD for students to submit artwork to be immortalized on the water tank. The winner was Katelin Kochan, a senior at High Island High School.

Below is the letter she submitted to win the contest. The board felt the letter and artwork best described Bolivar Peninsula. The finished result can be seen in the picture to the right.

Me and that Tank

By Katelin Kochan I moved to the Bolivar Peninsula after my sixteenth birthday. This was during my sophomore year in high school. I was ecstatic because when I was little, my mother would take my older sister and me across the ferry from Galveston. To us, the day trip to Bolivar was an incredible adventure. From seeing the dolphins and the spoonbills, to docking right by the Bolivar lighthouse, the environment and people were so amazing to me.

When I moved here, my adoration for this place grew with every legend and story told to me. My stepdad would tell me about the treasure of Jean Lafitte and history behind the name of Rollover Pass. I could picture pirates rolling caskets and barrels over the narrow strip of sand. My mom would tell me about the ‘pink flamingos’ that she swore she saw in the marshes.

My grandmother would tell me about the most incredible woman in Texas history, Jane Long, who protected Fort 16

Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

Travis and her family from Indians. I thought about Jane’s courage and how she gave birth near the Bolivar Lighthouse. This is the same lighthouse that I see just outside my window.

Everything about this place makes it so amazing and so different from any beach or any peninsula or even any city in the world.

People from all over the world come here to our home to see amazing birds, like the roseate spoonbills, which my mother would call “flamingos.” People come from all over the state to see our small hometown beaches, and people from all kinds of different cities come to see one of the last remaining lighthouses.

A lot of people who were born and raised here take the saltwater life for granted. But after three years, this is my home; this is where I will tell people I came from. This is where I make my mark, where I will leave my legacy. This is my Peninsula and my hometown.

My teacher recently gave me a flyer about a competition to design the artwork for the

From Left: Jo E. Ball, BPSUD General Manager; Katelin Kochan, Artist; Jimmy Dunham, Engineer with Dunham Engineering; Clifford Howard, BPSUD Plant Manager.

Photo Credit: McKail Ochoa of High Island ISD.

The Singing Sands water tank in Bolivar Peninsula SUD serves as a canvass for a High Island High School student’s artwork.

Singing Sands water tank. As a senior, I decided to draw everything about this Bolivar Peninsula that makes it special to me. I put the spoonbills my mother likes to think are flamingos and Lafitte’s treasure from the legends my stepdad would tell me, the lighthouse that makes our home so special in Texas history, and the water that bonds everything in this place together. This place means the world to me. I am so proud and thankful to have my artwork displayed on a landmark in the middle of this amazing peninsula that we all call home.

About the Artist: Miss Katelin Kochan is a senior at High Island High School. She is the daughter of Robin and Chad Ewing of Port Bolivar and great granddaughter of Ruby Ewing. At High Island HS, Katelin has participated in UIL

One Act Play, Future Farmers of America, Volleyball, Student Council and Spanish Club. Miss Kochan has been studying art for three years and participated in various art competitions. She has been a finalist in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo art competition. One of Katelin’s art pieces was chosen out of 200 other competitors to be displayed in the Beaumont Court House.

Katelin plans to attend Galveston County Community College next fall to study in the allied health field.

Does your system do something that stands out? E-mail editor@trwa.org or call 512-4728591 and tell us your story! You could see your system highlighted in the next issue of Quality on Tap!

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Keep It Legal

Answers to Members’ Questions by Lara Zent,TRWA General Counsel and Deputy Executive Director

Q:

Can our board of directors take a vote by e-mail? Is our board of directors allowed to vote on an issue by secret ballot?

A: The short answer to both questions is no.

A governmental body, for purposes of the Open Meetings Act (“Act), Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, includes water districts, cities and water supply corporations (WSCs) that are exempt from ad valorem taxation.

Sec. 551.002 of the Act requires that “every regular, special or called meeting of a governmental body shall be open to the public.”

A meeting is defined as “any deliberation between a quorum of a governmental body… during which public business or public policy over which the governmental body has supervision or control is discussed or considered or during which the governmental body takes formal action.” See Section 551.001(4). Voting by e-mail is not an action that is open to the public and therefore is prohibited by the Act. Similarly, voting by secret ballot is also a violation of the Act according to the Texas Attorney General. See Opinion No. H-1163. The Attorney General held that the Open Meetings

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Act is designed to ensure that decisions of public bodies are reached openly and that the public is able to observe the actions of their representatives. The opinion further explains that when a secret ballot is used to conceal a public official’s vote, “it violates the fundamental tenet of an elected or appointed official’s ultimate accountability to the electorate.”

Q: What kind of notice must districts and WSCs provide to their customers when they change their service rates?

A: There is no state legal requirement for WSCs to provide notice of a rate change; however, we highly recommend that WSCs provide their customers with such notice. We recommend that the notice include the new rates, the effective date of the increase, where additional information on the rates may be obtained and an explanation as to why the rate increase is needed. Good communication with customers fosters support of the water system and can help to avoid costly appeal proceedings at TCEQ. Texas Water Code Section 13.043(g) provides an applicant for service from a water supply or sewer service corporation to appeal to the commission a decision of the WSC affecting the amount to be paid to obtain

service other than the regular membership or tap fees. This situation arises for non-standard service requests. The applicant has 90 days after written notice is provided of the WSC’s decision to initiate an appeal under this Section.

Because the appeal timeline is triggered by the WSC’s written notice, we have interpreted this section as requiring that a WSC provide written notice in response to a non-standard service request detailing the cost to receive that service.

With respect to cities and districts, Texas Water Code Section 13.043(i) requires the governing body to provide individual mailed notice, or electronic notice if the body has access to the ratepayer’s e-mail address, to each customer who resides outside the boundaries of the political subdivision or municipality within 60 days after the final decision on a rate change is made. There is no similar notice requirement to customers who reside inside district boundaries; however, as with WSCs, TRWA recommends that districts provide all its customers with notice of a rate increase.

Q: Our district’s board president remembers reading articles in this magazine pertaining to fire hydrants (liability, painting black, etc.). She has asked that I check with you to provide an update on the issue in time for our next board meeting.

A: Except for public water systems in five counties in the Rio Grande Valley, the law still provides that if a public water system has a fire hydrant (or a devise that looks like a fire hydrant) that either pumps less than 250 gpm or is otherwise unavailable for use, it must be painted black. This law also was amended by the Legislature this year for Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy Counties (House Bill 1768) to provide that public water systems in these counties may paint all or just the caps of their hydrants white if they are available to fire departments for filling tanks only, among other revisions. The amended law took effect on June 14, 2013.

Because of the controversy and negative press that many water systems received by painting all their hydrants black due to liability concerns about representing minimum flows, many systems have opted not to do so and, to my knowledge, TCEQ has not enforced this issue. Furthermore, TRWA worked to pass legislation in 2011 that provides liability protection to WSCs that provide water to fire departments for fighting fires.

As a district, you have liability protection due to governmental immunity and, under the “black hydrant law,” may also come up with your own color-coding system in lieu of painting your hydrants black. Several of our district members have developed their own color codes for hydrants in their district in coordination with their local fire departments.

One of our district members in particular also entered into agreements with their area fire departments regarding the use of their fire hydrants. As part of this process, they pressure tested each hydrant on their system and colorcoded them in accordance with the results of the pressure testing. They provided maps of all the hydrants with the color codes to each fire department that signed the agreement. Their agreement was adapted from the model we provide to our members available on TRWA’s website.

Another bill that was passed by the 2013 Legislature, HB 1973, requires a city to enter into a memorandum of understanding with a WSC or investor owned utility prior to using the water system’s hydrants for fighting fires. The law contemplates that these agreements will address issues relating to the use of the water and maintenance of the hydrants. This law takes effect on September 1, 2013.

Q: A city recently annexed an area in our CCN and advised us of intention to serve the area. The area is nearly 2,000 acres.

We have pipes in the ground and serve some customers there. In the past we have been protected from encroachment actions Continued on page 20 Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

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such as this due to our indebtedness to the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA).

If we are forced to give up our CCN, what recourse do we have to prevent the gradual takeover of our CCN by adjoining cities? If this practice continues unabated, how will we be able to continue our water system and pay our debts?

A: The federal law still protects systems with funding from USDA against encroachment from cities. Your recourse is to file a lawsuit protecting your federal service rights; however, this protection may not be as secure as it once was. A CCN alone may no longer protect your service area in the future from city encroachment or from landowner developers who seek to get out of your CCN area if they are able to prove to the federal courts that the existing system is unable to provide the service requested at a reasonable price. The law has been evolving on this issue in other parts of the country to provide that a federally indebted

water system must have pipes in the ground and the ability to serve the area in question in order to maintain the federal protection.

We encourage our members to plan for growth, secure additional water sources, work in cooperation with developers and be prepared to serve the urban development as it comes out to them. If a rural system is poised to serve this type of new development, including the provision of fireflow, our hope is that the takeover attempts will decrease as developers work with the existing systems instead of requesting service from the neighboring city.

Also, under state law, the more a system invests in its service area, the more costly it will be for cities to take it over because of the compensation to the system that would be required.

If you have a legal question you would like answered, please e-mail legal@trwa.org.

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In Memoriam: TRWA Remembers Leaders in Texas Rural Water

O

ver the past several months, the Texas rural water industry has lost some great men and extraordinary contributors: Cody Frank Dragoo of Cottonwood WSC, James William Dyer of Dyer & Associates, Billie Joe Simpson of East Rio Hondo WSC and Theodore R. Timmerman of Manville WSC. Join us in remembering these Texas rural water legends.

Cody Frank Dragoo October 15, 1962 – April 17, 2013 Cottonwood Water Supply Corporation Cody Frank Dragoo of West, Texas, passed away in April during the West Chemical and Fertilizer Plant explosion. Dragoo, 50, was a member and team leader of the West Volunteer Fire Department and was one of the first responders to the site of the incident. The fire and subsequent explosion left 14 deceased and 200 injured. Due to the timely efforts of Dragoo and other first responders and volunteers working in the face of pending catastrophe to evacuate occupancies nearby the fertilizer plant, many other lives were saved.

Dragoo was an employee of the West Chemical and Fertilizer Plant for 17 years, mixing chemicals to make fertilizer for use on the fields of corn and other crops that surround the rural town. He served on the board of Cottonwood Water Supply Corporation for the past eight years, five of which he served as President. He was also a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of the Assumption in West and Knights of Columbus Council No. 2305.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, watching NASCAR and being with family and friends.

“Cody was a good, upstanding human being and he will be deeply missed by the Cottonwood WSC Board, staff and customers. He was a hard worker and oversaw several large projects during his 22

Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

tenure as president. He tried to help everybody and never said ‘no’ to anyone; he probably spent more time out in the community helping people than he did at home,” said John Beseda, current President of Cottonwood WSC. He is survived by his beloved wife, Patty Dragoo, sisters, brothers and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends.

James William “J.W.” Dyer 1953 – June 29, 2013 Dyer & Associates James William Dyer, 60, passed away Saturday, June 29, 2013, due to sudden cardiac arrest.

Dyer was proud of the fact that the attorneys at his McAllen law firm had deep roots in South Texas, more specifically the Rio Grande Valley, the area they serve.

Known as J.W., he was a champion of rural water companies, helping establish new regulations and guidelines.

J.W. knew the water industry from the ground up and tackled technical issues—and for good reason.

He obtained Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil Engineering and Agricultural Engineering from Texas A&M, before earning his law degree from the University of Texas and establishing his law firm, Dyer and Associates.

J.W. was a triple threat in the field of law. He was a registered public land surveyor and registered professional engineer, and had a reputation for being a tough litigator. J.W. represented many rural water corporations and irrigation districts throughout the Valley, including North Alamo WSC, East Rio Hondo WSC, Sharyland WSC, El Jardin WSC, Olmito WSC, Engelman Irrigation District and La Feria Irrigation District. He represented North Alamo WSC for nearly 30 years.

“He understood water law and how water was processed from irrigation to drinking water,” said Steven P. Sanchez, General Manager of North Alamo WSC, located in Edinburg.

J.W. was instrumental in negotiations with irrigation districts to establish the method of converting irrigation-use water rights to municipaluse water rights, and he provided guidance to water supply corporations dealing with new legislation, most recently, fire protection.

His legal acumen reached beyond Texas.

Throughout his legal career, J.W. testified as an expert in technical cases involving leaking and defective sewerage collection systems, international and river boundaries, water and wastewater rates, and water rights.

In a historical ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in 1996, J.W. represented North Alamo Water in its court battle with the City of San Juan.

J.W.’s successful defense ensured that water supply corporations would receive full protection under USC §1926(b) at a time when growing populations in outlying areas made rural customers more attractive for cities.

“I’m still thanked by rural water companies throughout the state for this court case,” Sanchez said. “J.W. was a good friend and advocate of lowincome residents in rural communities. His passing is a great loss for the rural water industry.

“There’s no doubt that J.W. helped shape North Alamo Water Supply Corp. into the successful company it is today, now serving 40,000 water connections.”

Guiding his professional and personal life was a strong moral compass, according to his wife Cecily.

“J.W.’s greatest achievement was always, always staying right with God by living his life with honor, fairness, loyalty, and kindness, while raising a family of four of the best kids in the world and making his wife feel treasured,” Cecily said.

Billie Joe Simpson August 25, 1925 – June 27, 2013 East Rio Hondo WSC East Rio Hondo WSC (ERHWSC) lost a tremendous leader when Mr. Billie Joe Simpson passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2013. He was a community legend who accomplished a real difference in the world in which he lived.

Simpson, 87, was born in Wingate, Texas and came to Rio Hondo in 1946 after discharging from the Navy. It was in Rio Hondo that he met the love of his life, Martha Mize Simpson. They were married for 55 years when she passed on June 25, 2002. He was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Simpson made many contributions to the community, including helping to bring a better and more reliable water source to the rural community in eastern Cameron County. Serving on the ERHWSC Board of Directors since 1975, he was one of the original founders of the system and helped to build it from the ground up with the help of USDA, Farmers Home Administration funding. Simpson was formally elected President of the ERHWSC Board in 1978, and he and his wife held the original meetings and organized the required documents in their home. Under his leadership, the first potable water was metered to customers’ homes in northern rural Cameron County in 1980 and ERHWSC started its own treatment plant in 1982. During his tenure on the Board, the system grew from 327 to 7300 meters between 1980 and 2013. Simpson led the system through the construction and expansion of the initial water treatment plant, construction of an additional surface water treatment plant, a wastewater treatment and collection system, and a brackish groundwater desalination facility in cooperation with other regional service providers.

He also led the corporation through the merger of Arroyo WSC and their assets and debts into ERHWSC in 2004.

In addition to his time spent on the ERHWSC board of directors, Simpson was an avid rancher and farmer for more than 65 years. He was also an active member of the First Baptist Church of Rio Hondo and served as a deacon for many, many years. He was a Mason for over 50 years, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a Shriner. Much of his time was spent helping youth in the community including serving on numerous committees for the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show. Simpson also served on the Board of Continued on page 24 Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

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Trustees for Valley Baptist Health System over 38 years, nine of those as Chairman, serving on the Cameron County FSA board, serving on the Rio Hondo School Board as President for 12 years and many others. His hobbies were farming, ranching, flying in his earlier years and spending time with family.

He was a family man and will be remembered most for his devotion to family and friends and his generosity toward others. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and many wonderful friends and extended family.

The ERHWSC’s objective to provide exceptional quality water and service is a direct result of Mr. Simpson’s philosophy of hard work and dedication to do the right thing and serve his community. The ERHWSC Board of Directors and employees will continue to be inspired by the legacy he left behind.

He will be missed by all.

Theodore R. “Te” Timmerman December 1, 1920 – July 11, 2013 Manville WSC Theodor R. “Te” Timmerman was born December 1, 1920 in Pflugerville, Texas, and after a long and successful life, passed away on July 11, 2013. Only leaving Pflugerville briefly to attend Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Timmerman returned to the community when his father became ill. He then took over his family’s farming and ranching operation in the 1940s and farmed until he was 86 years old. The passions in his life were God, family and community.

After almost 40 years as a bachelor, Theodor married the love of his life, Marlene Hodgson, February 28, 1960. Together they had seven children and he was a loving father and grandfather to his growing family.

He was a true visionary for Pflugerville and had been from an early age. He began his long involvement with service in his community by 24

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serving on the Immanuel Lutheran Church Council. In 1955, he and many others formed the Pflugerville Volunteer Fire Department for the Pflugerville Community. In 1963, he developed and operated Tim’s Airpark on Dessau Road in Austin, which eventually became Austin Executive Airport.

After a severe drought in 1967, he joined the steering committee that formed the Manville Water Supply Corporation. As one of the founders, he was instrumental in bringing water to portions of Travis and Williamson County.

“Te knew where the good water was, he acquired easements and property to drill wells, he knew all the big names in the Legislature...

He was not just a founder of Manville Water Supply—he helped make it what it is today,” said Tony Graf, General Manager of Manville WSC. He served on the board from 1968 through 1979 and re-joined the board in 1984. In 1988 he was elected President of the system and served for two years in that capacity. Under his guidance, Manville has grown to service thousands of customers today.

“His commitment to the community did not stop at water. Te’s passion was the city and doing everything he could to help out where he could. He was just a great guy,” said Graf.

In the 1960s, Te was elected to the Pflugerville ISD School Board, where he served 21 years, ten of which were as President. Construction of Pflugerville High School and Kuempel Stadium were among the accomplishments achieved during his tenure, and the community honored Theodor for his years of service by having the original Pflugerville campus named after him. Theodor Timmerman Elementary was dedicated in 1987.

He also served 21 years on the Travis County Appraisal District Board as a board member and vice president. Other boards he served on included the Pflugerville Fire Department Board, the German American Farm Mutual Board, the St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center Board, and the Travis County Livestock and Rodeo Board. In 1998, he was honored by the Chamber of Commerce with its Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2009 the Downtown Association named him a “Pflugerville Legend.”

His integrity and generosity has been and

will continue to be a true legacy to his family and others. He was a lifelong pillar of the community who helped countless people during times of need.

“He was a very intelligent and helpful man,” said La Verne Rohlack, Assistant General Manager for Manville WSC. “He was truly an asset to the system and the community at large. He will be sorely missed.”

Rated first. Because they last.

Theodor is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marlene Timmerman, and their children, grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

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Advertiser Index AIA Insurance Agency.......................................... page 4 AquaSurance, LLC .......................................................25 Capps Insurance Agency .............................................21 Caldwell Tanks ..............................................................15 Childress Engineers .......................................................7 Chlorinators Incorporated ...........................................13 Daniel & Brown, Inc. .....................................................17 DN Tanks .......................................................................25 Global Treat ...................................................................21 J.F. Fontaine & Assoc., Inc...........................................11 Jim Cox Sales, Inc. .......................................................20 Leonard Water Services, LTD ......................................15 Maguire Iron ..................................................................15 Pittsburg Tank & Tower Maintenance Co., Inc ...........17 Russell Drilling Co., Inc. ..............................................15 Tabor & Associates, Inc. ................................................9 Tank Builders, Inc.. .......................................................18 Texas Aquastore ...........................................................21 TraC-N-Trol, Inc. ............................................................18 Velvin and Weeks .........................................................25

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Plan Ahead CONFERENCES: October 8-9, 2013 San Antonio Fall Management Conference, Omni Colonnade, San Antonio, TX

November 6-7, 2013 Dallas Fall Management & Water Districts’ Conferences, Omni Dallas at Park West, Dallas, TX

January 23-24, 2014 Water Board Directors’ Governance Conference, Austin Doubletree North, Austin, TX

OPERATOR TRAINING COURSES: Water Credit Courses Basic Water Works Operations: New Braunfels, August 13-15  San Antonio, September 11-13 Customer Service Inspections: Midlothian, August 27-28  Mabank, September 24-25 Groundwater Production: Itasca, September 4-6 Surface Water Production 1: New Braunfels, September 17-19 Water Distribution: Sherman, August 27-29  San Antonio, September 18-20  Midlothian, October 1-3

Water and Wastewater Credit Courses Advanced Math: San Antonio, August 22 Applied Confined Space: Temple, September 4  Converse, October 2 Basic Math: San Antonio, August 21 Chlorine Use, Handling, Safety & SCBA: Converse, October 1 Pump and Motor Maintenance: Springtown, August 13-15  Converse, August 27-29  Harlingen, September 10-12 Valve and Hydrant Maintenance: Mission, August 20-22  Springtown, September 24-26

Wastewater Credit Courses Operation of Activated Sludge Plants: San Antonio, August 14-16 Wastewater Training: Pleasanton, September 18 Wastewater Treatment: Comanche, September 10-12 Wastewater Collections: San Antonio, September 25-27

Public Funds Investment Act Training Renewal 4-Hour Training: Dallas, November 5

Quality on Tap! - July/August 2013

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1616 Rio Grande| Austin, TX 78701-1122 Telephone: (512) 472-8591 | Fax: (512) 472-5186 www.trwa.org

2013 Fall Management Conference Arm yourself with the latest updates in utility regulation!

Water system directors and managers are invited to attend at o one ne of of the the following folllowin ing llocations: ocat s:

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