North Dakota Rural Water

North Dakota's Congressional Delegation Sign on to Support Rural Water
Senators Dorgan and Conrad signed National Rural Water Association's "Dear Colleague" letter in support of our federally funded programs once again this year. Congressman Pomeroy was a co-sponsor of the letters in the House. We are grateful for their continued support!


Recession is sending water bills up for many
The grim economy is hitting some consumers in the wallet in yet another way: their water bills.

Many water utilities are raising rates because water use is down, in part because manufacturers have closed or are cutting back, tourism has fallen and the real estate market is in the doldrums. Read more


National Geographic Special Water Issue
The April issue focuses on water. Visit the site for some great articles that remind us of why we work so hard to protect our water. Topics include:

Freshwater Crisis
The Burden of Thirst
Parting the Waters
Get the Salt Out
Silent Streams
The Last Drop
Breathtaking Photographs
Desktop Wallpaper


Watch for new online "STORE"
The NDRWSA website will soon have an online store! Items available for purchase include keychains and waterbottles. Watch your email for further information.

Volume 5
Issue 2
April 2010

The mission of the NDRWSA is to educate, lead, and support its members in providing quality service to their customers.
IN THIS ISSUE
National Geographic Water Issue

Celebrate Water Week

Stage 2 DBMP

New Diamond Sponsor

Show Your Support

How to Set Proper Water Rates

Training Schedule

Events
The Spigot
Senator Dorgan Receives Award & EXPO Highlights
Patrick
Denne Memorial
Scholarship information
Water managers - take your training and experience to the next level. Become certified through the Water University Management Certification Program.

BECOME A FAN!




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Celebrate Water! Drinking Water Week 2010
National Drinking Water Week is May 2-8, 2010. Water Week 2010 is part of a national campaign to increase the public's awareness about the vital role water plays in our daily lives and to remind everyone of the importance of the work their local water professionals perform. We often forget what a valuable commodity water is and how much effort is required in keeping it clean, safe, and accessible. Water Week is an opportunity for communities to show their appreciation for the hard work and dedication of over 55,000 local water systems that supply America with safe, clean water every day.

We invite you to join us in celebrating this important event. To help, we are pleased to provide educational materials for your use. Please contact our office if you would be interested in obtaining any of the educational materials. These are FREE of charge other than postage, but supplies are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Please pass this information on to your local elementary schools. National Drinking Water Week is a great time to teach kids the value of water. Our professionally trained staff would be more than willing to speak on the importance of water. We encourage your elementary schools to contact our office at 800-349-6951 to schedule a speaker.

Click the following links for more information on National Drinking Water Week:
http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/waterweek/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/observances/dww.html
http://www.awwa.org/Government/content.cfm?ItemNumber=44766&navItemNumber=3863&showLogin=N

Stage 2 DBPR - CMP
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (Stage 2 DBPR) Compliance Monitoring Plan (CMP) - Schedule 4 Systems

The CMP requirements apply to those systems serving fewer than 10,000 people or are part of a combined distribution system where the largest system serves fewer than 10,000 people. These systems are referred to as Schedule 4 systems.

The Stage 2 DBPR builds on existing regulations by requiring water systems to meet disinfection byproduct maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) at each disinfection byproduct monitoring site in the distribution system to better protect public health. All community water systems (CWS) and non-transient noncommunity water systems (NTNCWS) that use or deliver water with a primary or residual disinfectant other than ultraviolet light are subject to the Stage 2 DBPR requirements.

The final step before a system can begin compliance monitoring for the Stage 2 DBPR is to develop a CMP and submit this plan to the state by July 1, 2010. Systems must also retain a copy of your plan on file for state and public review.

In an effort to help systems meet this requirement, the ND Department of Health has sent each system a packet to instruct and direct them through the process of completing the CMP.

If systems have any questions about the CMP, please contact Lydia Fewless at 701-328-5221.

New Diamond Sponsor!

NDRWSA would like to thank Eric Lehman and Hach Company for donating four chlorine test kits to the association. The test kits will be used to help train water system personnel on how to properly monitor chlorine within their system. All community and nontransient noncommunity water systems that chlorinate or receive chlorinated water are required to monitor and record chlorine residuals. NDRWSA truly appreciates the strong support of associate members like Hach Company.

Since 1947, Hach Company has manufactured and distributed analytical instruments, test kits, and reagents for testing the quality of water and aqueous solutions, with products for lab, process, and field. Their products are designed specifically for quality, accuracy, and simplicity, and are in use around the world.

2009 State Legislative Session Histories Available
The history of each bill and resolution introduced during the 2009 state legislative session is now available online: House Bill and Resolution History and Senate Bill and Resolution History.


Show Your Support - Become an Individual Member
The North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association (NDRWSA) would like to invite you to become an Individual Member of our association.


For only $30/year, your benefits as an individual member include:
A FREE subscription to the ND Water Magazine
The Legislative Liaison Newsletter published during each legislative session
Membership certificate suitable for framing that identifies you as an Individual Member
Annual listing in the ND Water Magazine
NDRWSA key chain identifying you as a supporter of rural water
Show your support for rural water by taking this opportunity to become an Individual Member of the NDRWSA and help us bring clean, safe water to all citizens of North Dakota. To sign up for membership online click HERE.




How to Set Proper Water Rates Training

North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association, in conjunction with the North Dakota League of Cities Regional Meetings, will be sponsoring 6 Half Day, How to Set Proper Water Rates Training Sessions. The seminars will start at 9:00 am (local time) and last until 12:00 pm.

LOCATIONS:
April 27, Memorial Hall, 105 Dakota Avenue, Wilton
April 28, Fire Hall, 15 First Street NE, Bowman *MDT*
April 29, City Hall, 213 Second Street NE, Watford City
May 4, City Administrative Building, 301 Division Avenue N, Cavalier
May 5, Governors' Inn Buffet & Grill, 2050 Governor's Drive, Casselton
May 6, The Downtowner, 310 Main Avenue, Napoleon


Visit our web site for more details. Contact Eric Volk, training specialist, with specific questions.
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New Equipment
NDRWSA has recently purchased a new sewer camera and plan to purchase a second gate valve operator. We are excited to share these important tools with our members; however, due to the high cost of maintaining, repairing and replacing these items, we have found it necessary to start an equipment repair and replacement fund. Therefore, we will now be assessing a small equipment usage fee for use of the above-mentioned equipment as well as for the use of our smoke testing equipment. We are also accepting optional contributions to this fund so that we can continue to loan and maintain our current equipment and purchase new equipment. Technical assistance and training associated with this equipment will still be FREE. Please contact our office or visit our website to take advantage of these and other valuable services. A special thank you goes out to the following for their contribution to the fund:
Agassiz Water Users
City of Bowman
City of Cathay
City of Flaxton
City of McVille
City of Stanton
City of Zap
M. Kruckenberg
North Central Rural Water Consortium
Southeast Water Users

Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendar

Leadership Retreat
July 15-16
Fargo Radisson Hotel
Jay Gubrud will present this informative interactive session for board members, managers, and staff. Bring your family and enjoy the Fargo Street Fair - one of Fargo's top events of the year! Watch your mail and our website for further information.

NRWA Annual Conference
September 26-28, 2010
Nashville, TN
http://www.waterproconference.org/
Contact Us:
ND Rural Water Systems Association
2718 Gateway Avenue #201
Bismarck, ND 58503
Phone: 800-349-6951
Fax: 701-258-5002
hledahl@ndrw.org
www.ndrw.org
Job Openings

The City of Alexander has a job opening for a full time city water/maintenance operator. Applications are available at the office or send a resume to the City of Alexander. The job is open until the position is filled. For a complete job description contact the City of Alexander, PO Box 336, Alexander, ND 58831. Phone 701-828-3461 or 701-828-3487.

Barnes Rural Water District is seeking a full time certified water treatment and/or distribution operator. Ideal candidate will have previous experience, basic computer skills, a good driving record and a minimum of Class I Water Treatment and/or Distribution certification. Competitive salary and excellent benefits. Must be able to work some nights and weekends. Send resume or pick up application at: 421 W Main, Valley City, ND 58072-3323. Phone 701- 845-1117 or Fax 701- 845-1123; Email
Consumer Confidence Reports

Believe it or not, it is already that time of year again; time for you to begin gathering information for your annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Water systems that supply water to other systems should have provided them with all relevant information by April 1, 2010. The 2009 CCR must be delivered or made available to customers and a copy forwarded to the NDDOH by July 1, 2010. Would you like FREE assistance in completing your CCR? If so, contact Eric Volk or call 800-349-6951 as soon as possible.
Our Staff:
Melody Kruckenberg, Executive Director
Kathy Berg, Administrative Assistant
Holly Ledahl, Administrative Assistant
Andy McDonald, Sourcewater Specialist
Chuck Mischel, Operator Certification Specialist
Audrey Boe Olsen, ARRA Circuit Rider
Mike Ritteman, Circuit Rider-East
Lisa Schatz, Director of Finance & Admininstration
Tom Sieg, Circuit Rider-West
Les Sigette, Wastewater Technician
Frank Soule, Sourcewater Specialist
Rod Stroh, Drought Management Specialist
Annette Vanderschuur, Bookkeeper
Eric Volk, Training Specialist/Field Staff Supervisor

Our Board of Directors:
Gordon Blixt, President
Keith Nilson, Vice-President
LaVonne Althoff, Secretary
Joe LaFave, Treasurer
Michele Schommer, Director at Large
John Bearman, National Representative
Steve Hansen, Managers Representative
Jack Hancock, Past President














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ND Rural Water Systems Assoc | 2718 Gateway Ave #201 | Bismarck | ND | 58503