This class provides a clear and practical introduction to the fundamentals of electricity, designed for students with little to no prior experience. It explains what electricity is, how atoms and electrons behave, and how concepts like voltage, current, and resistance work together in a circuit. Students learn the difference between AC and DC power, where each type is used, and how common voltage levels apply to real-world systems.
Instructor: Jon Lowe, Alabama Rural Water CEUs: 0.1 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: Free to IRWA Members / $40 Non-Members Location: Online using Zoom
This course provides an overall view of the water and wastewater industry using the hydrological cycle as a comparison. It includes discussion on treatment technologies, storage, distribution and collections. This is a great class to inform boards, councils and the public about the importance of your utility’s responsibilities. The course will be divided into three sections:
History of Water Treatment: Part 1
This course addresses when technologies were first discovered and how those technologies are used today. It also discusses whether those technologies can be applied to current treatment requirements. Topics include heat, UV, coagulation and colloidal silver treatments. History of Water Treatment: Part 2
Explore early storage and distribution technologies and how they have led to today’s systems. This course also examines whether those technologies can be applied to current treatment requirements. Topics include pipe types, corrosion control, valve types, tank and storage issues, and more. History of Water Treatment: Part 3
Learn when chemical technologies were first discovered and how those technologies are still applied to today’s treatment requirements. Topics include chlorine and its variations, ozone, fluoride, and chemical feed in general.
Instructor: John Schwartz, USABlueBook Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: $125 for IRWA Members / $215 for Non-Members
Lunch is on your own.
This training will offer information about lagoons, thickening, and anaerobic digestion basics.
Lagoons: Learn the basics of operation and maintenance for lagoon systems. This course will discuss the food web and nutrient cycles throughout the limited control treatment of the lagoon system and cover the different zones, biology, and chemistry within the lagoon.
Thickening & Anaerobic Digestion Basics: This portion of the training willreview common equipment that is used for the thickening process and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Learn the warning signs of digester upsets, why they occur, and what to watch for to avoid them.
Tour: This training will also include a tour of the City of Pocatello Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Instructor: John Schwartz, USABlueBook Contiuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Wastewater Cost: $125 IRWA Members / $215 Non-Members more info...
Motor Controls & Variable Frequency Drives - Coeur d'Alene
Please note: This training is offered by Industry Training Associates and is partially supported by the Idaho Workforce Development Council as part of an Industry Sector Grant. As a requirement of this grant, participants will be asked to provide a Social Security number to the State of Idaho as a participant identifier. This will be asked for at the time of training.
IRWA is excited to bring you this hands-on training, "Motor Controls & Variable Frequency Drives". In this class you will learn:
The definition of motor controls, the components of a motor control system and motor nameplate information.
Industrial Safety will be reviewed including NFPA 70E, which is intended to provide guidance with respect to electrical safe work practices, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Understanding Diagrams including common symbols, relay logic basics, and documentation.
Motor Control Trainer Tasks including: construct start/stop, three wire control, multiple start/stop, interlocking contractors, reversing, add indicator lights, timing relays, limit, proximity and photo sensors.
Advanced Starting and Braking will teach soft starters, variable frequency drives, braking methods, and smart starts/overloads.
Troubleshooting Motor Control Systems including electrical test equipment, common symptoms and diagnosis, and applied troubleshooting of motor control trainers.
Instructor: Aaron Ball, Industry Training Associates Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: $125 IRWA Members / $215 Non-Members
Lunch is on your own.
Motor Controls & Variable Frequency Drives - Lewiston
Please note: This training is offered by Industry Training Associates and is partially supported by the Idaho Workforce Development Council as part of an Industry Sector Grant. As a requirement of this grant, participants will be asked to provide a Social Security number to the State of Idaho as a participant identifier. This will be asked for at the time of training.
IRWA is excited to bring you this hands-on training, "Motor Controls & Variable Frequency Drives". In this class you will learn:
The definition of motor controls, the components of a motor control system and motor nameplate information.
Industrial Safety will be reviewed including NFPA 70E, which is intended to provide guidance with respect to electrical safe work practices, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Understanding Diagrams including common symbols, relay logic basics, and documentation.
Motor Control Trainer Tasks including: construct start/stop, three wire control, multiple start/stop, interlocking contractors, reversing, add indicator lights, timing relays, limit, proximity and photo sensors.
Advanced Starting and Braking will teach soft starters, variable frequency drives, braking methods, and smart starts/overloads.
Troubleshooting Motor Control Systems including electrical test equipment, common symptoms and diagnosis, and applied troubleshooting of motor control trainers.
Instructor: Aaron Ball, Industry Training Associates Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: $125 IRWA Members / $215 Non-Members
Lunch is on your own.
Motor Controls & Variable Frequency Drives - McCall
Please note: This training is offered by Industry Training Associates and is partially supported by the Idaho Workforce Development Council as part of an Industry Sector Grant. As a requirement of this grant, participants will be asked to provide a Social Security number to the State of Idaho as a participant identifier. This will be asked for at the time of training.
IRWA is excited to bring you this hands-on training, "Motor Controls & Variable Frequency Drives". In this class you will learn:
The definition of motor controls, the components of a motor control system and motor nameplate information.
Industrial Safety will be reviewed including NFPA 70E, which is intended to provide guidance with respect to electrical safe work practices, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Understanding Diagrams including common symbols, relay logic basics, and documentation.
Motor Control Trainer Tasks including: construct start/stop, three wire control, multiple start/stop, interlocking contractors, reversing, add indicator lights, timing relays, limit, proximity and photo sensors.
Advanced Starting and Braking will teach soft starters, variable frequency drives, braking methods, and smart starts/overloads.
Troubleshooting Motor Control Systems including electrical test equipment, common symptoms and diagnosis, and applied troubleshooting of motor control trainers.
Instructor: Aaron Ball, Industry Training Associates Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: $125 IRWA Members / $215 Non-Members
We are looking for a lunch sponsor.
Do you need a little extra help with math? Do you have an exam coming up? Join Adrianna Cardoso from IRWA for math basics and applied problems. Course Outline:
Review of materials and supplies needed for exam
How to use the provided formula sheets during your test
Math basics – units of measurement, fractions, decimals, percent
Common measurements in the wastewater and drinking water industry – volume, area, concentration, flow, pressure
Basic dimensional analysis problems – problem solving, strategies, resources and tools
Instructor: Adrianna Cardoso, Idaho Rural Water Association CEUs Available: 0.6 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: $125 IRWA Members /$215 Non-Members
Lunch is on your own.
This course will cover recently passed Idaho State water legislation. This class is relevant to attendees as it will discuss newly adopted laws related to water use, municipal water systems, water quality, and water management. This course will provide summaries of the legislative process, new laws, and discuss how such laws may affect water system operators. Attendees will also learn how to track future legislation on the websites of Idaho Rural Water Association and Idaho Legislature.
Instructor: Courtnie Dawson, IRWA CEUs: 0.1 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: Free to IRWA Members / $40 Non-Members Location: Online using Zoom
Water Distribution III Certification Review - Boise & Online
This course is specifically geared toward Level 3 operator certification by providing need-to-know knowledge and training. The course will review advance subjects such as employee safety programs, regulatory compliance, anticipated administrative and management duties, public water system security measures, budgets, finance, and rate structures.
Instructor: Eric Seyb, Idaho Rural Water Association Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Drinking Water Cost: $125 IRWA Members / $215 Non-Members
Lunch is on your own.
This is a review course for operators preparing to take a Level I or II Wastewater Treatment exam. You will be joining the IRWA Apprentices for this 9-hour class. Material is based off the ABC material that the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses uses to create its operator exams. You will receive handouts showing specific topics to study and go through example test questions for each topic. A breakdown of exam topics will be discussed.
Topics include:
ï§ Types of treatment units, their purpose, and operation
ï§ Treatment equipment operation and maintenance
ï§ Treatment plant monitoring, evaluation, and adjustment
ï§ Wastewater operator safety, security, and administrative procedures
ï§ Sampling and laboratory procedures
ï§ Test taking tips and procedures (The Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants textbook is not required but is recommended).
Instructor: Casey Fisher, Idaho Rural Water Association Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Earned: 1.2 Wastewater and Lagoon Operation and Maintenance - Cost: $250 IRWA Members/ $430 Non-Members
Lunch is on your own.
(Please note, this class will provide 6 hours of Lagoon Operation and Maintenance CEUs that are needed for Very Small Wastewater System Operators. The Certification Math Review class should be taken in conjunction with this course if you are preparing to take an exam.)
Confined Space Competent Person Certification Training - Boise
Confined Space Competent Person Course Description: The course is designed to meet OSHA requirements for confined space competent person training. The course includes professional classroom theory instruction, participant handouts, final written exam, group activities, field exercises and practical evaluation.
Curriculum covers OSHA regulatory requirements including, identifying types of confined spaces; the specific risks and hazards of confined spaces, and emergency procedures so employee can perform duties assigned. Includes training on attendant, entrant, and entry supervisor duties. Participants will be trained in basic atmospheric testing procedures, general ventilation practices, and common entry procedures. Participants will be familiarized with prevention methods, and the duties and responsibilities of the Competent Person at a confined space entry site.
Confined Space Field Exercise and Practical Evaluation: Course includes construction site training on worker safety while performing confined space entry and non-entry rescue activities. Participants will practice making confined space rescues by simulating rescue operations in which they remove manikins or participants from a confined space.
What is a confined space: A confined space has the following characteristics: Its size and shape allow an employee to enter it, it has limited openings for participants to enter and exit, and it is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
Who Should Attend: Required for employer designated Competent Persons. OSHA requires that there is a Competent Person present whenever workers enter a confined space. All workers who perform confined space work by supervising, entering, or are responsible for attendant non-entry rescue duties are recommended to attend.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
Safety Equipment Required: Attending participants are required to bring a Hardhat, Safety Glasses, Work Gloves, Work Boots, Reflective Vest or Jacket and wear proper Work Clothing for participation in the confined space practical exercise.
Confined Space Equipment Recommended (if you can): Participating workgroups are encouraged to bring fall their protection harness, tripod, hoist, or entry system, and calibrated atmospheric monitor, and ventilation equipment for field exercise.
Completion Requirements: Participants are required to be present and actively participate in all learning activities including hands-on exercises and a written exam to receive certification. Employees will receive a certification of completion and a competent person card by actively participating in the course and demonstrating knowledge in the classroom and at the training exercise site.
Learning Aids: Participants should come prepared with a notepad and pen. Guides and handouts will be provided at the start of the course. The presentation and materials are in English (Spanish courses are available upon request).
Course Length: Approximately 8 hours including classroom theory followed by confined space field exercises. We will be covering a great deal of information in a short period of time; your punctuality will be greatly appreciated.
Instructor: Northwest Safety & Risk Services Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.8 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: $125 IRWA Members/$145 Non-Members
Lunch is on your own.
Webinar Wednesday! Smart Coating Solutions for Aging Infrastructure - Online
This class provides practical guidance on the selection, application, and maintenance of protective coating systems for aging water and wastewater infrastructure. Attendees will learn how to identify common corrosion issues in concrete and steel structures, evaluate surface preparation standards, and choose coating systems that extend service life while reducing long-term maintenance costs. The session emphasizes real-world problem solving, including case studies on clarifiers, tanks, manholes, and digesters. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how surface preparation, proper coating selection, and field application techniques work together to ensure long-term performance. The course highlights proven maintenance and repair approaches that help facility owners, operators, and engineers make informed decisions about asset preservation and rehabilitation planning.
Instructor: Michelle Call, Call Coating Consultants and Ashton Rabbe, Tnemec Technical Service CEUs: 0.1 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: Free to IRWA Members / $40 Non-Members Location: Online using Zoom
