Quality on Tap! - Jan/Feb 2014

Quality on Tap!

January/February 2014

Election Updates for Districts: Report from the Secretary of State Election Seminar Also Inside: TRWA Partners with University of Phoenix to Offer New Benefit to TRWA Members Be Ready for Tomorrow Today; Hire a Veteran through the TRWF Veteran Employment Program Join us in Fort Worth for the 45th Annual TRWA Convention www.trwa.org

TRWA Today TRWA Board of Directors

TRWA Staff

Officers James Morrison President

Huntsville (Dist. 13)

Fred Aus Executive Director

Allison Kaminsky Communications Director

Celia Eaves

Refugio Rodriguez

Deborah McMullan

Pat Allen Secretary

Janice Gibbs, CPA

Marion (Dist. 9)

Pam Cantrell

Angela Harris Brian Macmanus Treasurer

Harlingen (Dist. 6)

Lara Zent

Scott Adams Immediate Past President

Pauline Word Ft. Davis (Dist. 2) Nickie Morgan, CMP District Directors

Lance Harrell Clay Hodges Vice President

Greenville (Dist. 7)

John Frantz Hartley (Dist. 1)

Chris Boyd Aubrey (Dist. 3)

Michael Taylor Brownwood (Dist. 4)

Barry Miller Gonzales (Dist. 5)

Charles Beseda Penelope (Dist. 8)

Kent Watson Bryan (Dist. 10)

Kevin Spence Franklin (Dist. 11)

Roy Perkins Kaufman (Dist. 12)

Bill Goheen Mabank (Dist. 12)

Vacant District 14

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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Environmental Services Director FMT Specialist Source Water Protection Specialist Finance Director Administrative Assistant Administrative Assistant Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel Legal Assistant Member Services Director Information Technology

Michael Vollmar Professional Development and Training Director

Melody Bennett Administrative Assistant

Len Klandrud Instructor

George Patterson Instructor

Dian Phinny Instructor

Larry Bell Technical Assistance Director

Raymond Curtis Wastewater Trainer

Alex Eaves Wastewater Technician

Paul King Circuit Rider

Steven Mindt Technical Assistance and Training Specialist

James Smith Circuit Rider

William White Circuit Rider

Quality On Tap! 10

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Features:

6 In Every Issue: President’s Message

4

Letter from the Executive Director

5

Keep it Legal

Answers to your legal questions

15

Ask Larry

20

Advertiser Index

26

Plan Ahead

27

Answers to your technical questions

TRWA’s Calendar of Events

On the Cover: Caprock Canyons State Park, Quitaque, TX ©Texas Parks and Wildlife

Election Updates for Districts: Report from the Secretary of State Election Law Seminar

By Pauline Word, Texas Rural Water Association Secretary of State staff attorneys discussed changes to the Election Code and other key issues during this seminar.

Launches “Salvage Your Scrap” 10 Foundation Campaign, A Win for Rural Texas

By Brandee Cooklin, Texas Rural Water Foundation TRWF is launching a scrap metal fundraising campaign in January 2014.

Partners with University of Phoenix to Offer 13 TRWA New Benefit to TRWA Members

By Allison Kaminsky, Texas Rural Water Association TRWA and University of Phoenix have teamed up to encourage industry employees to enhance their lives through higher education.

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Be Ready for Tomorrow Today; Hire a Veteran through the TRWF Veteran Employment Program

By Rashedah Mohammed, Texas Rural Water Foundation The TRWF Veteran Employment Program has expanded its scope to include all positions at a water/wastewater system.

Join us in Fort Worth for the 45th Annual TRWA Convention

By Allison Kaminsky, Texas Rural Water Association If you haven’t already, register today for the best attended event of the year for rural water/wastewater professionals.

In Memoriam: TRWA Remembers Leaders in Texas Rural Water

Join us in remembering Tommy A. Frei of Central Texas WSC and Woodrow Ingram, Jr. of Jackson WSC. Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

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President’s Message

Fostering Change in the New Year My goodness, it is hard to believe how time has flown by, but this will be my last magazine article to you as your TRWA President. It has been a good and busy three years, and I think your Association has accomplished much in that time period. There are a lot of changes coming your way. I hope all of the changes work in a positive manner to allow TRWA to continue to be the premier state water association in this great country. As your President, I have had the opportunity to observe many other state water associations at national meetings, and I can assure you that no one does it better than Texas. You are represented by the best staff, guided by Fred Aus and the Board of Directors, in the entire industry.

“I want to encourage you all to continue to do everything you can do to make rural Texas the greatest place on Earth.”

While it is true that we as an Association are experiencing many changes, I would like to take this space to tell you that TRWA was NOT broken. The changes are intended to make us better going into the future, but the past is quite a remarkable success story in itself. I am very thankful and grateful for all of the contributions from past Board members, staff and membership. I would not have been able to do what I have done as President if the groundwork hadn’t been done very successfully by others before me.

I would like to thank each of you for your contribution to our great Association. I want to encourage you all to continue to do everything you can to make rural Texas the greatest place on Earth. I hope you will make the next TRWA President feel as welcome and special as you have made me.

James Morrison President Texas Rural Water Association

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Letter from the Executive Director Ready, Set...Here Comes 2014!

The college football bowl game season is over, and the Super Bowl is just around the corner. So I’d like to share with you something that happened recently, on New Year’s Eve actually. Outside my local grocery store, a homeless man was walking up and talking to anyone he saw. When he approached me, I saw he had a smile on his face, while he proclaimed, “We all need to suit up! We’re all going in the game!”

At first I chuckled, partly out of relief that his message wasn’t ominous, partly that I heard him say the exact same thing to the person behind me. After I’d taken a few steps into the store, I stopped in my tracks to reflect on how profound his words were. He could have been talking about football, but he also could have been talking about the promise of a new year, or even the great beyond, after this earthly life.

Regardless, that chance encounter has framed my mindset heading into 2014. Last week I heard NRWA Board President Doug Anderton talk about “The Power of an Association,” which will be NRWA’s theme for the coming year. He made the same point that I heard in front of the grocery store – everyone in rural water has a significant part to play, and when we all play as a team, there is no end to what we can accomplish.

That is true about recent successes in securing federal and state funding opportunities.

You all can help do your part by attending and participating in TRWA’s 2014 Annual Convention on March 12-14 in Fort Worth. (More details about all there will be to do in Fort Worth are included in this issue of the magazine.)

People taking TRWA classroom training classes can now step up their game by being eligible for college credit from the University of Phoenix.

Please let us know your wishes and concerns as we work together to ensure regulatory implementation of new laws occurs in ways most helpful to rural water – especially with the State Water Plan and water funding initiatives.

Members of the TRWA Board will be making a difference when we go to Washington, D.C. in mid-February for the National Rural Water Rally and we visit all 36 Texas Congressional offices and both U.S. Senate offices from Texas, spreading the word about the great work of rural water and wastewater providers across Texas and pushing for continued funding of vital programs.

To those of you who have already renewed your membership in TRWA – THANK YOU! Please help us recruit other members so we can build the strength of our association as we fight for Texas Rural Water and to Keep Texas Rural!

Fred Aus Executive Director Texas Rural Water Association

“Everyone in rural water has a significant part to play, and when we all play as a team, there is no end to what we can accomplish.”

Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

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Election Updates for Districts: Report from the Secretary of State Election Law Seminar

By Pauline Word, Texas Rural Water Association

T

he Texas Secretary of State (SOS) hosted the 25th Annual Election Law Seminar for Cities, School Districts and Other Political Subdivisions Dec. 4-6 in Austin. Representatives from about 20 water districts, including several Texas Rural Water Association members, joined more than 600 attendees from other political subdivisions at the annual event. SOS staff attorneys discussed changes to the Election Code and other key issues to help these entities better prepare for their elections. Here are some of the highlights from the seminar that we hope are helpful for new employees conducting district elections for the first time, as well as a good refresher for employees who have conducted district elections for years.

Voting Machine Exemptions

• the most recently scheduled district directors’ election was cancelled because the candidates were unopposed; • fewer than 250 people voted at the most recently held district directors’ election; or • the election is a confirmation election or an election held jointly with a confirmation election on the same date and in conjunction with the confirmation Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

This new exemption became law in September and it has not been legally challenged. At the seminar, the SOS staff attorneys expressed concerns that this Water Code provision could conflict with other state and federal laws requiring voting machines to be accessible. The SOS urges water districts to consult with their local counsel before using this provision and to strictly comply with all notice provisions.

The new law requires a district eligible for the exemption to publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in an area that includes the district, or mail notice to each voter in the district. The notice must state the district will hold an election without providing a voting station that meets the requirements for accessibility under 42 U.S.C. Section 15481(a)(3) and must give opportunity and instructions on how a voter can request an accessible machine.

“If any voter requests an accessible voting machine at least 45 days before the election, the law requires the district to provide one.”

As part of SB 902 this session, lawmakers approved a new Section 49.111 of the Water Code designed to provide relief from electronic voting machine requirements to districts that have minimal voter turnout or uncontested elections.

Districts can take advantage of this new voting machine exemption if one of the following conditions is met:

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election, except for an election in which a federal office appears on the ballot.

The notice must be published or mailed at least 75 days before the election or the date the district adopts the order calling the election, whichever is later. The SOS also recommends posting the notice on the district’s website, if available.

If any voter requests an accessible voting machine at least 45 days before the election, the law requires the district to provide one.

One potential problem arises if the district holds a joint election with another political subdivision. This new exemption only applies to water districts. Other political subdivisions cannot “piggyback” on it, which the SOS says

could compromise a district’s ability to have a joint election where accessible machines are required for the other entity.

The SOS recognizes small water districts often do not receive huge voter turnout and want to save money by using this provision.

As an alternative, the SOS can recommend an electronic voting machine that complies with accessibility requirements but allows votes to be hand counted, which saves money as well. Districts interested in this option can call Juanita Woods, the voting system coordinator at SOS, 512-463-5650 or 1-800-252-8683 for more information.

Election Calendar The SOS 2014 May uniform election calendar is available now at http://www.sos. state.tx.us/elections/voter/2014-importantelection-dates.shtml.

Voter Identification In 2011, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 14 creating a new requirement for voters to show photo identification when voting in person. Voter interest groups filed suit to stop enforcement of the law. While pending review within the judicial system, the U.S. Supreme Court on June 25, 2013, issued an opinion in another voting case Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder, 133 S.Ct. 2612, 2631, 186 L.Ed.2d 651 (2013). The SOS advises that this opinion effectively ended all pending litigation on SB 14. As a result, voters are now required to present an approved form of photo identification in order to vote in all Texas elections for political subdivisions.

The seven forms of acceptable ID for voters include: • Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) • Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS • Texas personal identification card issued

by DPS • Texas concealed handgun license issued

by DPS • United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph • United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph • United States passport District and city officials who conduct their own elections will now be required to determine whether the voter ’s name on the identification provided matches the name on the official list of registered voters. This law was in effect for the November election as well. The SOS advises that if the name does not match exactly but is “substantially similar” to the name on the voter list, the voter will be permitted to vote as long as the voter signs an affidavit stating that the voter is the same person on the list of registered voters.

If a voter does not have one of the proper identification forms, the entity must offer the voter a provisional ballot. Voters who cast a provisional ballot have until six days after election day to cure their ballot.

The SOS has updated its election forms to include the voter ID law. The SOS forms are available to download at http://www.sos.state. tx.us/elections/forms/index.shtml or by calling 512.463.5650 or 1.800.252.8683.

Preclearance with U.S. Department of Justice The Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder decision also found part of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 unconstitutional.

Continued on page 8 Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

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Specifically, the decision held that the preclearance formula, which applied to only a handful of states, can no longer be used for those jurisdictions. Texas had been a covered jurisdiction under the Act since 1975. Unless or until the U.S. Congress writes a new law or another court order comes out, the U.S. Attorney General has advised that the ruling means political subdivisions no longer need to seek preclearance from the U.S. Department of Justice for new voting changes. Examples under the old law that would have required preclearance include changing district boundaries and moving polling places. The only exception to the Shelby ruling is that if an entity is covered by a preclearance requirement pursuant to a court order then they must continue to seek preclearance pursuant to that order.

The SOS advises entities to also discuss this issue with their local counsel and carefully consider any changes in election standards, practices or procedures to ensure they are in compliance with federal and state law. Texas is still covered under other sections of the federal Act, including the prohibition against racial polarization or minority dilution in voting.

Federal and state requirements to translate voter materials, such as ballots, notices and election orders, also still apply if a certain percentage of the population is a single language minority or is limited-English proficient. Texas Election Code Chapter 272 requires political subdivisions to provide bilingual (English and Spanish) voting materials in precincts where 5 percent or more of the inhabitants are persons of Spanish origin or descent according to the most recent federal decennial census. Very narrow exceptions to this requirement are in Election Code Sec. 272.003. The SOS has prescribed forms in both languages on its website to help entities comply with this requirement.

The SOS also recommends appointing at least one bilingual clerk in every precinct in which 5 percent or more of voters have a Spanish surname. Some large population 8

Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

centers, such as the Houston area, also must translate voting materials and provide voter assistance in other languages, such as Vietnamese, so check with the SOS if your district extends into one of these areas.

Election Contracts Pursuant to Election Code Sec. 31.093 a county elections administrator has a duty to contract with a political subdivision for election services if the political subdivision makes such a request. However, the SOS staff reminded the seminar audience that there is no requirement in the Election Code for county election administrators to contract with political subdivisions for the May uniform election date in even-numbered years (See Election Code Sec. 41.001(d)). Districts conducting elections this spring should be aware of this exception for May 2014, though many counties may still agree to contract even though they are not required to do so.

For specific election questions contact the Secretary of State at 512.463.5650 or 1.800.252.8683.

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Foundation Launches “Salvage Your Scrap” Campaign, A Win for Rural Texas

By Brandee Cooklin, Texas Rural Water Foundation

C

lay Hodges, General Manager at Cash Special Utility District (SUD), is confident in his district’s recent decision about the use of their scrap metal.

“Scrap is an eyesore at your place–why not turn it into something to help a rural veteran or child go to school? You can stockpile scrap metal and take it in to be recycled once a year and make a donation to benefit the Texas Rural Water Foundation. It’s a winning situation for all of rural Texas,” said Hodges.

Cash SUD put this belief into practice this past November when the district recycled its scrap metal, generating $2,438.15, and donated the proceeds to the Texas Rural Water Foundation (TRWF), a supporting organization to TRWA. Hunt County SUD, which has regularly recycled their scrap metal for many years, collected over 6,100 pounds of tin, copper, brass, stainless steel and titanium—an unusually large amount. Hodges, who also serves as a director on the Foundation’s Board of Directors, had the innovative idea to donate the proceeds to TRWF and initiated the approval of his district’s board.

“We put a resolution to our board that we would support [the Foundation] through our scrap metal recycling program. It’s now set up

Cash SUD’s Brian McHenry (foreground) and Matthew Gibson (background) break down old meters and brass fittings.

so that year after year after year this is what we choose to do with our scrap to further meet the needs of rural Texas,” said Hodges.

Inspired by this generous gesture of support, TRWF is launching the “Salvage Your Scrap” campaign in January 2014. Through “Salvage Your Scrap,” the Foundation invites rural water and wastewater systems to gather and recycle their facilities’ scrap metal and make a contribution to TRWF using the proceeds. The Foundation hopes to raise $15,000 by Memorial Day 2014 to support their mission to serve all Texas rural water and wastewater utilities.

“As a day to honor and remember those who have sacrificed for our country, as well as a time traditionally associated with students’ last day of school, Memorial Day is a great time to contribute to the Foundation’s statewide programs that assist veterans and students,” said Marushka Grogan, TRWF Foundation Development Specialist and AmeriCorps VISTA member. “We are very excited about the ‘Salvage Your Scrap’ drive for its potential to bring together the resources

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and goodwill of systems across the state for the benefit of the industry.”

“Salvage Your Scrap” contributions will allow TRWF to assist rural students and operators in attaining additional education through the Student and Operator/Manager Scholarship Program (originally the TRWA Scholarship Program), train and license veterans as water and wastewater operators through the Veteran Employment Program (VEP) and expand programming to further empower rural water and wastewater utilities throughout the state. The Foundation is also encouraging participating systems to make their “Salvage Your Scrap” donations in honor of a veteran, current service member and/or student who works at or is important to the system.

Foundation staff hopes that “Salvage Your Scrap” will serve as a tool to help systems set up or improve their existing scrap metal recycling practices as well. TRWF will create a resource packet detailing information on metal recycling facility locations, what types of metals can be recycled, Texas recycling requirements and methods to maximize the value of scrap. These resources will be made accessible in January 2014. Additionally, “Salvage Your Scrap” participants will be recognized on the TRWF website – expected to launch in January 2014 – and in other Foundation materials. Participants will also receive materials to help publicize their recycling efforts and commitment to the betterment of Texas water resources to their community media outlets. More details about recognition levels for participating systems will be announced in January.

Cash SUD sorts and separates the metals from old brass fittings and meters.

F oundation I mpact The Foundation now administers TRWA’s former Scholarship Program, which helps individuals interested in a career related to the water industry attend college, and current industry personnel afford additional training opportunities.

In 2013, the TRWF Scholarship Program assisted four operators and seven students, including Patrick David of Rockdale, Texas. Patrick was the valedictorian of his class, member of the varsity football and golf teams, and a member of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Rockdale High School when he applied for a 2013 Foundation Student Scholarship. With the Foundation’s help, Patrick is now a freshman at Texas A&M University studying electrical engineering.

“When I was younger, I always enjoyed taking things apart to find out how it worked and I also enjoyed building things,” said Patrick. “When I came [to] the engineering field, I knew instantly that I had found the perfect match.”

To learn more about the impact the Texas Rural Water Foundation is making for Texas’s veterans, go to page 18.

Cash SUD’s experience recycling scrap has helped the system refine their practices.

Hodges’ advice to systems is to collect and store scrap metal in separate piles by metal type, in order to gather a larger quantity of metal to be recycled. Cash SUD stores iron pipe fittings, worn out meters, sheet metal, tin, broken valves and copper wiring in separate piles throughout the year. Hodges also recommends maximizing the value of scrap by having staff break down the material as much as possible, a good task for rainy or slow days. This could involve stripping plastic insulation off of copper wiring or separating the mixed metal parts of meters Continued on page 12 Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

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or other machinery. These practices ensure that systems receive top dollar from metal recycling facilities. In past years, Cash SUD put the revenue from the recycled metal into the system’s general fund; however, this year the system saw a greater need for this unbudgeted revenue.

To learn more about how your system can participate in the “Salvage Your Scrap” campaign and help TRWF reach its goal of raising $15,000 by Memorial Day of this year, watch out for additional information in the mail and please visit our website at www.texasrwf. org or call us at 512.472.8591.

“Our choice was simple in that the Texas Rural Water Foundation stands for a lot of the same purposes that [Cash SUD] was created to do. A lot of those people want to move back to the country after their service ends, and they need jobs. We felt we could help by getting those guys training. Also, if the statewide pool of operators would increase, we could get better quality into the systems serving small rural communities,” said Hodges. “You’re looking at giving scholarships to rural kids to further their education in a water-related field, or a field that would bring them back to small-town U.S.A.”

Resourceful

Be ! n a r e t e V a e r i H

Many veterans already have the skills needed to work in the water industry.

Help them continue to serve.

Contact the Texas Rural Water Foundation Veteran Employment Program: 1616 Rio Grande Austin, TX 78701 www.texasrwf.org • foundation@texasrwf.org • 512-472-8591

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Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

TRWA Partners with University of Phoenix to Offer New Benefit to TRWA Members

By Allison Kaminsky, Texas Rural Water Association

T

exas Rural Water Association is proud to announce a new benefit to water/wastewater professionals who participate in our training courses. TRWA and University of Phoenix have teamed up to encourage industry employees to enhance their educational, professional and personal lives through higher education. Now, if you are currently enrolled in a degree program at the University of Phoenix or plan to pursue a degree through the institution, you may be able to supplement your education with TRWA training.

“This partnership was forged to benefit those individuals in our industry who are interested in pursuing a higher education. If you are working toward a degree from the University of Phoenix, an approved TRWA class will be applied as general elective type credit toward completion, as long as it fits within the student’s particular degree program,” said Michael Vollmar, professional development and training director for TRWA. The TRWA Professional Development and Training Department began initial discussions with the University of Phoenix in January 2013 about pursuing a partnership, and the concept was brought to the March meeting of the TRWA Board of Directors for consideration.

The Board formally approved the partnership at the July meeting and gave the Association the green light to pursue a memorandum of understanding with the university and begin the necessary paperwork for course submission and accreditation.

TRWA had already completed a great deal of documentation in the early years of developing the training program to meet the initial requirements set forth by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The existing paperwork made getting course approval that much easier by

University of Phoenix. TRWA staff got to work on compiling and reformatting information in the manner required by the university, and in September 2013, TRWA submitted 12 courses for review. Of those submitted, 11 were approved for interdisciplinary/elective credit or physical/biological science credit. As of today’s date, the TRWA classroom courses that have been approved for credit toward a degree include: • Basic Water Works Operation • Customer Service Inspection & CrossConnection Control • Water Sampling and Field Analysis • Ground Water Production • Pump and Motor Maintenance • Valve and Hydrant Operations and Maintenance • Surface Water Production I • Chlorine Use, Handling, Safety & SCBA • Wastewater Treatment • Wastewater Laboratory • Operation of Activated Sludge Plants Each course will earn the participant between 0.5 and 1.0 credit hour toward a degree. Two of the approved courses are designated as “combinable,” meaning the course can be taken to supplement another course to receive full credit.

In order to receive credit for courses already completed, participants can transform real-world training into college credit through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Through the PLA process, TRWA may be able to shorten the time to degree completion, allowing more focus on specific educational priorities. TRWA and University of Phoenix have developed a Credit Recommendation Guide to help Continued on page 12 Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

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transition your training to college credit. To view this guide and to get more information on the program, please visit http://phoenix.edu/ trwa.

“This benefits employees from both member systems and non-member systems across Texas. Since TRWA does not limit its training courses to members only, anyone can take one of our courses,” said Vollmar.

Because TRWA is dedicated to your professional and educational growth, all TRWA members are eligible to receive a special corporate tuition savings of 5 percent on the cost of tuition when you enroll in any degree or certificate program, or individual courses at University of Phoenix. In addition to tuition savings, all PLA fees will be waived for TRWA members.

The TRWA Professional Development and Training Department has also set a longterm goal to work with the university to establish a specialized certificate or degree program specific for water and wastewater professionals. Check back for updates on this partnership in future issues of this magazine.

If you have any questions about this article, please contact TRWA at 512.472.8591 or by e-mail at training@trwa.org. If you have questions about PLA or other program details, call 866.354.1800 to speak with a University of Phoenix representative.

TRWA is working on submitting another batch of between 12-14 courses to University of Phoenix for review within the next quarter.

Once submitted, it will take the university 2-6 months to review and grant accreditation.

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Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

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

Q:

A candidate for our water supply corporation board of directors election has requested a list of all our members so he can campaign for the position. Do we have to give it to him? I thought that information was confidential.

A: Yes, you are required to provide the candidate with the names and addresses of the members during the time period starting with the second day after the notice of member meeting is sent out through the date of the member meeting. The Business Organizations Code Section 22.158 requires non-profit corporations, including water supply corporations, to provide a list of the names and addresses of all voting members to any member who requests it during this time period.

This provision is an exception to the confidentiality provision in Section 182.052 of the Utilities Code, which otherwise allows a member/customer to request in writing that their address, phone number and usage information be kept confidential. This information may be kept confidential only for members/customers who request it and water systems are required to inform their members/ customers of the right to request that their information be kept confidential. If you would like a sample form to use for this purpose, please contact TRWA’s legal department and we will send one to you.

Q: A property owner is selling off various tracts of his large property, such as 12 acres, 2.550 acres, 2.391 acres, etc., in individual transactions to different buyers.

The main distribution line that serves this area is at capacity. These properties that he is selling off do not have water available. I have contacted the county and no subdivision plat or plan has been filed. We publish an annual notice of our

subdivision service policy in the local newspaper and we have told this landowner about that policy. How do you suggest we handle the water requests that come in after this property has been sold?

A: You may either refuse to provide service to those individuals who purchase the tracts or require that they pay the cost to extend service to their property. Section 13.2502 of the Water Code protects water supply corporations and special utility districts from having to provide service to an individual who purchases land from a developer who did not comply with the WSC’s or SUD’s service policy for extending service to subdivided property (a “subdivision”). For purposes of this section, a “developer” means a person who subdivides land or requests more than two water or sewer service connections on a single contiguous tract of land.

As you know, a subdivision places a non-standard service demand on a system.

The standard model for all types of water systems, including cities, districts, WSCs and privately-owned utilities, is that a developer is required to pay the cost of additional facilities required to maintain compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s minimum design criteria for water production, treatment, pumping, storage and transmission.

If a WSC or SUD follows the publication requirement in Section 13.2502 putting developers on notice about the water system’s subdivision service policies and the developer does not follow those policies, the WSC or SUD may refuse to provide service to those individuals who purchase the subdivided lots.

In the alternative, the utility may choose to provide service; however, the service applicant or applicants would be held Continued on page 16 Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

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responsible for paying the costs of extending service to the property or properties. The water system often appears to be the “bad guy” in this situation because many individuals are unable or unwilling to pay the full cost of extending a line to their property and do not think that they should have to do so.

Additionally, the water system may only require an individual to pay for the minimum line size required to extend service to their property, which is likely insufficient to provide service to the entire subdivision should the other lot owners request service. The water system also cannot charge one individual service applicant for the expanded capacity in the system that would be required to provide service to the entire subdivision.

It is not good utility planning to connect individuals within a subdivision on a piecemeal basis, but many systems will choose to do so to keep their community happy and to build out their Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) area.

Ultimately, the rest of the system’s customers will be paying to subsidize service to an area where the developer did not follow the rules.

Q: It is our understanding that we cannot disconnect a customer for non-payment on a Friday, Monday, weekend or holiday. Is that true?

A: The TCEQ rule for investor-owned utilities on this issue, which TRWA uses as guidance for water supply corporations and districts, provides that utility personnel must be available during normal business hours to accept payment on the day service is disconnected and the day after service is disconnected, unless the service disconnection is at the customer ’s request or due to the existence of a dangerous condition related to the type of service provided (30 Texas Administrative Code Section 291.88(h)).

TRWA’s section of the sample tariff that addresses the issue is based on TCEQ’s rule language. You need to check your system’s 16

Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

tariff regarding your system’s policy on this issue.

Following TCEQ’s rules and TRWA’s sample tariff language, you would not be allowed to disconnect service for non-payment on a Friday or weekend if there is no one to accept payment and reconnect service on the following day. Most water systems are open for business on Monday and Tuesday, so disconnection could occur on Monday, but that depends on the office hours of your particular water system.

Q: Would it be permissible to hire someone with a criminal record as a contractor to help our operator fixing leaks?

A: I am not aware of any restriction in the law to a water system hiring a contractor with a criminal record for this type of work. The law and TCEQ rules prohibit a person from becoming a licensed operator or to renew their license if they have had certain types of criminal convictions. For other positions, it is at the discretion of the water system whether to hire an individual based on the facts of the situation.

Q: May we terminate an employee after they have returned to work after an illness or injury if they are not able to fulfill their job responsibilities? What if the doctor requires “light duty” and we do not have light duty work to give them?

A: Yes, based on my research, you may terminate the employee if they are not able to fulfill their job responsibilities without a

“reasonable accommodation.” Because of the “reasonable accommodation” requirement, once an employee returns to work, this issue should be handled carefully. The employer should engage in an interactive process whereby the employee is asked whether he or she needs a reasonable accommodation in order to fulfill his or her regular job duties.

The employer also may seek a request from a doctor to this regard.

If the employee says he or she does not need a reasonable accommodation, but the employer observes that the employee is not adequately performing his or her duties and needs an accommodation, then this accommodation should be offered. If there is no reasonable accommodation that can be made in order for the employee to fulfill his or her job duties, then the employee may be terminated. The efforts at making a reasonable accommodation should be documented.

Employees often assert in workers’ compensation retaliation cases that their doctor prescribed light duty only, but the employer refused to provide light duty work.

It is important to document if there is no light duty work to assign.

Also, if the doctor says that light duty is required, but the employee insists on performing his or her regular job duties regardless of what the doctor says, it is important to document this too because the employer does not want to be held responsible for the employee reinjuring himself or herself.

I always recommend that you consult a lawyer who specializes in employment law when you are dealing with a situation such as this one.

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

Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

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Be Ready for Tomorrow Today; Hire a Veteran through the TRWF Veteran Employment Program

By Rashedah Mohammed, Texas Rural Water Foundation

I

n order to address the needs of rural water utilities and veterans alike, the Texas Rural Water Foundation (TRWF), working in partnership with AmeriCorps VISTA, created the Veteran Employment Program (VEP).

The goals of the VEP are to attract veterans to the water and wastewater utility industry and assist them in entering the field to foster their successful transition into civilian life and to help rural utilities fill job openings with veterans.

It is projected that 40 percent of the current utility workforce will be retiring within the next 10 years. With the water and wastewater workforce declining and the need for water operators growing, finding an operator who is going to be there long term may be more challenging than ever.

The VEP is experiencing an influx of veterans in need of careers but not enough utilities with positions for them have stepped forward. To help meet this need, the VEP has expanded its scope to include all positions at a water or wastewater system, including manager and administrative roles. The VEP encourages utilities with job openings to consider hiring a veteran for these positions.

One of the utilities that has participated in the program and hired a veteran is Mustang Special Utility District. After General Manager and TRWA Board Member Chris Boyd expressed interest, Rashedah Mohammed, TRWF Veteran Job Training Development Specialist and AmeriCorps VISTA member, and Shelley Wright, in charge of human resources and employment at Mustang SUD, made contact and began the process of finding a veteran right for the job.

“It is a simple process,” said Wright in 18

Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

Army veteran Brandon Starks is the third participant in the TRWF’s Veteran Employment Program. Starks is now employed as a water operator at Mustang SUD.

reference to the VEP. “It was an easy step for us.”

Wright tried another program that supported veterans getting jobs, but found it to be difficult to get the correct information or to get ahold of anyone, not to mention the amount of paperwork required to get involved. Wright said the VEP was different, with minimal paper and it was easy to get in contact with the coordinators.

Brandon Starks, an Army veteran, heard about the open position through the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) after the VEP contacted the TVC to inform them of the open position. He applied to the program and the VEP gave him the information he needed to contact and apply with Mustang SUD. Starks was hired as an operator and is now going through the program, which includes the 20hour Basic Water Works Online Course free of charge and reimbursement after the veteran takes and passes the Texas Commission on

Environmental Quality “D” license exam.

“When you are a veteran and you get out, it is kind of hard to find a job. You would think it would be really easy, but it isn’t,” said Starks.

Starks is excited to be working in the field.

He enjoys the fact that it is more hands on and that working at a rural water utility is a small work environment, making the job more personal.

“All the experience you get in the service really helps you in any career you want to do on the civilian side,” said Starks.

Sometimes utilities are not able to offer veterans employment because there just are not any positions currently available. Despite this reality, investing time and money into training a new water operator or manager trainee will, in the long term, benefit utilities when the need for a new employee does arise.

Utilities that have recently hired a veteran for an operator position also can apply to the VEP. Foundation volunteers have been working on this program since February 2013 and have admitted a total of three veterans who have found careers at water utilities around the state. The program hopes to admit one more veteran by February 2014 to meet their goal for the year. If you are interested in finding out more information about the VEP, please visit the TRWF website at texasrwf.org and click on “Veteran Employment Program.” You may also e-mail foundation@texasrwf.org, or call 512.472.8591.

The VEP’s new campaign “Being prepared for tomorrow, today” is designed to encourage utilities to start looking to the future and hiring and training these veterans now. The VEP hopes this campaign will promote employment of a veteran as a qualified and capable water or wastewater operator, manager or other employee at rural utilities. In fact, many utilities already have veterans in their ranks. At TRWA’s Dallas Fall Management Conference in November, all veterans were asked stand up in in honor of Veteran’s Day and there were more people standing than sitting.

If a utility wants to participate in the VEP and the utility does not already have a veteran in mind, the utility will need to inform the VEP about the open position. The VEP will send this information to partner veteran employment agencies to add to their databases and start their search for good applicants in need of employment. The VEP also will assist the utility by suggesting and providing ways to recruit local veterans who may be interested in a career in this industry, which will include providing a sample employment advertisement that the utility may tailor and place in their local newspaper.

Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

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

Q:

Can we as a water supply corporation have “floating deposits” for landlords with multiple accounts to where they would not have to pay administrative fees every time a renter moves out to turn the water on for cleaning? Could the landowner maintain the membership but we charge the renter a deposit?

A: We do not recommend “floating deposits/memberships.” Memberships that can be moved from one property to another at the whim of the owner of these rental properties eventually will create a host of problems for the WSC. When a water system sets up a membership, it should be for the particular property where the meter is installed. Each meter is required to be installed on the property designated to receive service through that meter; see TCEQ’s rule at 30 Texas Administrative Code Section 290.44(d)(4) and TRWA’s Sample Tariff at Section E.2.

disputes.

Q: We are having some issues with our monthly water use and loss reports. In October, water pumped for our system was 4,598,400 and water sold was 5,601,500; water used for fire and flushing was 250,000; and water loss was -1,253,100 or -27.25 percent. In November, water pumped was 3,719,700 and water sold was 3,830,200; water used for fire and flushing was 100,000; and water loss was -210,500 or -5.66 percent.

What would cause this and how can we fix it? I believe the -27.25 percent was caused by a lot of misread meters that I had to fix in the utility software program. In November, we did not have any misread meters. Why would the water loss still be a negative? Can we get in trouble with TCEQ for having numbers such as these?

“When a water system sets up a membership, it should be for the particular property where the meter is installed.”

The property owner has the option to keep the membership active to avoid disconnection and reconnection fees and to charge the renter a deposit. The water system’s contractual relationship is with the owner, not the renter, so we do not recommend that the WSC agree to assist the landlord by charging the renter a deposit.

The bottom line on this issue is that the WSC is not in the rental property business.

The owners of these rental properties should treat their rental business as their business and enforce their own rental and deposit agreements with their renters. The WSC should not be in the middle of any of these 20

Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

A: Misread readers are often the cause of this type of abnormality. Other culprits could be an interconnection with another system being opened up or a cross-connection from a private well. I recall one instance when this type of abnormality was caused by an operator forgetting to record the pumping from an emergency/standby well.

In trying to figure out the cause, you should first check to see from which well or pump station this over-selling occurred. If it is only from one section of the system or pumping/ well station then you have narrowed the scope of your search.

I would first look at the master meters to be sure they are all registering correctly. How old

are these master meters or how many gallons have they registered? They may wear out or develop drag that causes them to not register all the flow.

The customers’ meters may also be the source of the problem. Have there been a lot of leaks or air in the lines? I have been told that air actually makes the meters register a bit higher than water going through the meters.

TCEQ staff may question these numbers.

TCEQ mainly would be concerned if the WSC decided to try to get a waiver from the minimum 0.6 gallons per minute well capacity rule, which is required for groundwater supply systems in varying degrees depending on the system size; see 30 TAC Section 290.45(b).

TCEQ would also be very concerned about where this extra water was coming from and may require some additional cross-connection investigations to be sure there are no private wells or other types of interconnections introducing water into your system.

Q: Our special utility district service policy requires us to send second notices to customers who have not paid their water bill. A neighboring SUD office manager told me their district service policy only requires notice be sent via the next month’s water bill and service will be disconnected in 20 days if payment is not made. Is a SUD required to send a second notice or can they choose to omit this from the sample district service policy?

A: There is not a state law or rule I am aware of that requires a district to send out

second notices for delinquent bills.

The TRWA sample district service policy provision at Section E. 11 provides: “All bills shall be due and payable upon receipt and are past due beyond the date indicated on the bill (allowing approximately fifteen (15) days to pay), after which time a penalty shall be applied as described in Section G. A bill is delinquent if not paid on or before the past due date. Payments made by mail will be considered late if postmarked after the past due date. A _____ day grace period may then be allowed for delayed payments prior to mailing of final notices.

Final notices shall be mailed allowing ten (10) additional days for payment prior to disconnection.”

If your SUD board decides to stop sending out the second notice each month, then be sure to provide ample notice to the customers through the monthly bills, district newsletter and website, and any other means of communication you have available. Alert the customers so they will know not to expect the second notice. Also, put additional information on the initial billing card each month that explains the complete past due amount, disconnection policy and date service will be disconnected if full payment is not received in the SUD’s office by close of business on “x” day each month.

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

Daniel & Brown Inc. Engineers &

Consultants 972.784.7777 —————————— www.dbiconsultants.com Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

21

Join us in Fort Worth for the 45th Annual TRWA Convention

By Allison Kaminsky, Texas Rural Water Association

T

RWA’s Annual Convention is slated for March 12-14, 2014 in Fort Worth! If you haven’t already, register today for the best attended event of the year for rural water and wastewater professionals. Bring your colleagues and family and join us at the Omni Fort Worth hotel for important regulatory updates, informative breakout sessions, networking opportunities, exhibit hall, the TRWA Annual Business Meeting, district caucuses and more!

Though the Convention officially starts on Thursday, arrive early to take advantage of Public Funds Information Act training. We will be offering the initial 6-hour course on Tuesday, March 11, and the 4-hour renewal course on Wednesday, March 12, at the Omni. Also on Wednesday is the TRWA/ AIA-sponsored golf tournament. Early birds to the Convention can participate in a fourperson scramble competition at the Golf Club at Fossil Creek, one of the last golf courses to be designed personally by the legendary Arnold Palmer. All proceeds from this tournament benefit the Texas Rural Water Political Action Committee (PAC).

Wednesday night at 5:00 p.m. marks the deadline to turn in the Delegate Certification Form and any official absentee ballots to the Credentials Committee booth in the registration area. You will need to have all documents submitted by this time in order to participate in the 2014 TRWA Elections. This year, TRWA membership will vote on a Bylaws revision submitted by the TRWA Board, along with district elections for directors and alternates in TRWA Districts 2, 3, 8, and 12.

Please note: Official absentee ballots have been mailed to each system and should have been received on or around January 21, 2014.

If you plan to attend the Annual Convention and vote during your District Caucus, you only 22

Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

need to submit a Delegate Certification Form, and do not need to submit an absentee ballot.

If you cannot attend your District Caucus, both a Delegate Certification Form and an official absentee ballot must be submitted for your vote to count.

If you are unsure of your district, please visit www.trwa.org for the map that will be used in the 2014 TRWA Elections, which was approved by the Board on December 5, 2013. A summary of the Bylaws revisions was printed in the November/December 2013 issue of Quality on Tap; a full document for your review has been mailed to each system and is available on the TRWA website.

After all forms have been submitted, stick around for the Convention Welcome Reception, sponsored by CoBank, on Wednesday evening in the exhibit hall. All Convention attendees and exhibitors are invited to this event to mingle with their peers while enjoying refreshments and snacks, courtesy of our sponsor.

Thursday morning kicks off official Convention events with an opening general session, where we will recognize and honor TRWA Awards of Excellence winners and Texas Rural Water Foundation scholarship recipients for 2014. The general session will give way to the Annual Business Meeting where the membership will discuss important news and updates, as well as all items under consideration for the following day’s election.

Attendees will then have some free time to eat lunch and peruse the exhibit hall before three concurrent tracks of breakout sessions begin at 1:30pm. Afternoon sessions include important updates on fireflow rules, EPA regulations, certificates of convenience and necessity, consumer confidence reports, and more.

the latest product and service advancements will be on display. We will also be featuring a Texas Rural Water PAC silent auction in the exhibit hall where participants can bid on items donated by rural water professionals across the state. If you are interested in donating an item, please contact the TRWA office at 512.472.8591.

Thursday evening events begin at 6:00 p.m. with a sponsored social hour and live PAC auction. During this hour, those in attendance will have the opportunity to network and bid on vacation packages, artwork and other premium items to benefit the Texas Rural Water PAC. After the live auction has concluded, those who purchase a ticket to the President’s Banquet will be invited into the ballroom for a special presentation to honor some special guests, dinner and a stage show by author, columnist and long-time friend of rural water, Dr. Michael Johnson.

The final day of Convention commences with District Caucuses at 8:30 a.m., where those who successfully completed and submitted a Delegate Certification Form will be able to vote in the TRWA Election.

Caucuses will be followed by a round of concurrent workshops focusing on the latest revision to the Total Coliform Rule, water loss and the impact of water supply on the rural economy across the U.S. and in Texas.

New this year is the Chuck Wagon Roundup, a luncheon immediately following morning sessions. Those in attendance will enjoy a western-themed menu and be among the first to hear the results of the morning election.

Friday afternoon will feature two final rounds of concurrent workshops, including a Q&A on tariff and district service policy, presentations on water quality risks, forest ecosystems, and water reuse and desalination, an update on the Texas Rural Water Foundation and more.

In addition to informative sessions and fun events, throughout the Convention you can also explore the exhibit hall where some of

When you are not attending the TRWA Convention’s events and sessions, take your family and enjoy all that Fort Worth has to offer. Our hotel is situated downtown near the pedestrian-friendly entertainment and shopping district Sundance Square. Go by foot to experience world-renowned “cowboy cuisine,” boutique shopping, live music and the new JFK tribute in General Worth Square.

Just a short ride away is the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, where you can see “The Heard,” the Stockyards’ twice-daily Texas longhorns cattle drive, and the Stockyards Championship Rodeo. The Stockyards also offer educational programs, historical tours, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Grapevine Vintage Railroad.

Also nearby is the Cultural District, which includes the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and the kid-friendly Museum of Science and History. These are just a few of the attractions Fort Worth has to offer— for more details on nearby family-friendly attractions and activities, visit our website.

For a full agenda of Convention sessions and activities, visit www.trwa.org. Online registration for both Utility and Associate members is now available, and those who book by February 7 will receive the discounted early bird rate. We have already begun receiving sponsorships for Convention events, and opportunities for additional sponsorship will be available until late February. If you are an Associate Member and interested in sponsoring a Convention event, refresh station or break, please refer to your brochure or the TRWA website.

We hope to see you in beautiful Fort Worth!

Please feel free to contact the TRWA office with any questions you may have.

Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

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In Memoriam: TRWA Remembers Leaders in Texas Rural Water

O

ver the past several months, the Texas Rural Water Association has learned of the passing of two great men and leaders in the Texas rural water industry. Join us in remembering Tommy A. Frei of Central Texas Water Supply Corporation and Woodrow Ingram, Jr. of Jackson Water Supply Corporation.

of Doc L. Curb Water Treatment Plant, dedicated in March 2012.

Tommy Frei Central Texas WSC

Whenever asked what his business was or what type of business he was in, Frei would reply said “We’re in the water business.”

Tommy A. Frei, 65, of Westphalia, died Friday, September 6, 2013, in a Temple Hospital. He was born March 5, 1948 in Westphalia to Ewald and Kathleen Jansing Frei. He was a lifelong resident.

He graduated from Lott High School and was married to Frances Wimmer on November 21, 1970. He served in the Texas National Guard.

He was president and founder of Frei Enterprises Inc. in 1981. He was an agent for Catholic Life and served as president of the Westphalia Branch #3. He was a member of Westphalia Knights of Columbus Council 13902 and 4th degree member of Temple Assembly #1138.

Frei was appointed to the Central Texas WSC Board of Directors on April 8, 1985. He served during the most progressive years of the corporation. He was positive and encouraging during the corporation’s many expansion projects.

Frei was conscious of the ever-changing future of the water business in Texas. His foresight and innovation were fundamental in the construction 24

Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

He brought knowledge, experience, professionalism and an unwavering positive attitude to the Central Texas WSC Board. He will be greatly miss by all who knew him.

He was a member of Texas Early Day Tractor and Engine Association of Temple. He enjoyed working with Antique tractors and Model A cars.

He was a member of the Church of the Vistitation.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Frei of Westphalia; two sons, Allen Frei of Westphalia and Randy Frei and wife Storey of Zabcikville; two daughters, Shelley Del Toro and husband Nacom of Austin and Sherri Contreras and husband John of Fort Worth; three grandchildren: Cade Contreras, Conner Contreras and Carson Contreras; five brothers, Milton Frei Sr. of Rockdale, Kenneth Frei of Temple, David Frei of Seaton, Don Frei of Westphalia and Gary Frei of Temple; three Sisters, Shirley Polach, Bernadette Ketterman and Marilyn Rudloff all of Westphalia; and was preceded in death by a brother, Glenard Frei.

Woodrow Ingram Jr. Jackson WSC Woodrow Ingram, Jr. was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1943, in the city of Gladewater, Texas. From an early age, he was taught the value of family and hard work, and to lend a helping hand and treat others as you would have them treat you. He attended Dunbar Elementary School, graduated from Jackson High School and attended Tyler Jr. College in Tyler, Texas. He was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in Babenhausen, Germany. Once discharged from the Army, he returned home, where he again returned

to college and began employment at R. G. Letourneau museum in Longview, Texas.

Subsequently, he began a lucrative career working for Kerr McGee Corporation in Kilgore, Texas as an oil lease operator.

He had a successful career and retired after 28 years of employment.

for over six years, and was a member of that system for 35 years.

On August 2, 1975, Woodrow married the love of his life, Pearlie. He and Pearlie owned and operated W & P Bar-B-Que and Fish Market for over 15 years. He also served on the Board of Directors for Jackson Water Supply Corporation

If you would like to recognize the passing of a Texas rural water leader, please notify us at editor@trwa.org or call the TRWA office at 512.472.8591. In Memoriam pieces will run biannually in this magazine, if necessary.

Woodrow loved the Lord and was a faithful member of Mt. Eria Baptist Church where he served as President of Brotherhood, Church Treasurer and Chairman of the Deacon Board.

His earthly life ended on December 14, 2013.

He leaves to cherish his life and memory, his loving wife of 38 years, Pearlie; two sons; three beautiful grandchildren; four brothers; and one sister. He also leaves to forever cherish his memory loving and caring nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.

You would always hear him say, “Live so someone can see your good work rather than just exist.�

Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

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Advertiser Index

AIA Insurance Agency........................................... Page 9 Capps Insurance Agency..............................................19 Childress Engineers......................................................10 Daniel & Brown, Inc.......................................................21 DSA Coatings.................................................................14 Dunham Engineering......................................................7 Fort Worth CVB.............................................. Back Cover Hayes Engineering........................................................16 J.F. Fontaine & Assoc., Inc...........................................25 Maguire Iron...................................................................25 Pittsburg Tank & Tower Maintenance Co., Inc............14 Russell Drilling Co., Inc................................................25 Tabor & Associates, Inc................................................23 Tank Connection..............................................................8 Texas Rural Water Foundation.....................................12 TraC-N-Trol, Inc..............................................................21 Velvin and Weeks..........................................................12

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Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

Plan Ahead CONFERENCES:

March 12-14, 2014 45th Annual Convention, Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Fort Worth, TX

OPERATOR TRAINING COURSES: Water Credit Courses

Basic Water Works Operations: Harlingen, February 4-6 Groundwater Production: Greenville, February 4-6  San Antonio, March 18-20 Surface Water Production 1: Mission, February 11-13 Surface Water Production 2: Mission, March 4-6  Greenville, March 25-27 Water Distribution: Pittsburg, March 25-27 Water Utility Calculations: San Antonio, February 25-27 Water Utility Safety: Gainesville, March 18-20

Water and Wastewater Credit Courses

Chlorinator Maintenance: San Antonio, February 11-13 Customer Service Inspections: Kenedy, February 12-13  San Antonio, March 4-5  Harlingen, March 18-19 Pump and Motor Maintenance: Brownwood, February 25-27 Valve and Hydrant Maintenance: Winnsboro, February 19-21  San Antonio, March 11-13

Public Funds Investment Act Training

Initial 6-Hour Training: Fort Worth, March 11 Renewal 4-Hour Training: Fort Worth, March 12

Quality on Tap! - January/February 2014

27

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

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