This is a review course for operators preparing to take a Level I or II Wastewater Treatment exam. 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:
    Types of treatment units, their purpose, and operation
    Treatment equipment operation and maintenance
    Treatment plant monitoring, evaluation, and adjustment
    Wastewater operator safety, security, and administrative procedures
    Sampling and laboratory procedures
    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.

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

Motor Controls & Variable Frequency Drives - Boise

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 - Burley/Heyburn

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 - Ammon

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.

Wastewater Treatment III/IV Certification Review - Boise & Online

This three-day workshop is designed to prepare operators for the current Association of Board Certification (ABC) test for Level III and Level IV Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification examinations. You will be reviewing the following subjects: Secondary Treatment, Solids Characteristics, Secondary Sludge, Headworks, Nitrification, Liquid Treatment, Biological Treatment, Nutrient Removal, Activated Sludge, Wastewater Treatment Ponds, and review test preparation skills.

Instructors: Casey Fisher & Kerry Huss, Idaho Rural Water Association
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 1.8 Wastewater and Treatment
Cost: $375 IRWA Members / $645 Non-Members
Time:  8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Mountain Time or 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM Pacific Time

Backflow Assembly Tester Re-Certification Course - Boise 

Register today for Backflow Assembly Tester (BAT) Recertification Training. This will be hands-on training! Students will have the opportunity to practice on all four assembly types, troubleshoot scenarios, and ask the instructor about common challenges encountered in the field. If you pass the tests, you will earn the needed 0.8 CEUs to keep your BAT license current. The class will be held at Idaho Rural Water Association's Technical Training Center in Boise. 

Instructor: Stacy Stuart, Stuart's Backflow
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.8 BAT
Cost: $200
Lunch is on your own.

Flow of Water - Post Falls

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.

Lagoons, Thickening & Anaerobic Digestion Basics - Coeur d'Alene

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 will review 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 Coeur d'Alene's Wastewater Treatment Plant.