We are excited to announce that we have invited Wastewater Microbiologist Toni Glymph Martin to provide this training about Lab Methods.
Unlock the secrets of the microscopic workforce that powers your treatment plant. This course bridges microbiological theory and practical process control, empowering operators to manage systems with scientific precision.
Participants will learn how to harness microorganisms to optimize nutrient removal and ensure effluent quality. The course focuses on application, providing tools to identify early warning signs of treatment upsets and troubleshoot system issues before compliance violations.
What You Will Learn:
- Optimize biology by understanding microbial functions and developing strategies to maximize nutrient removal.
- Proactively diagnose specific microscopic indicators of impending treatment disruptions.
- Troubleshoot effectively using proven process control methodologies to resolve operational challenges and restore system stability.
Bridge Design & Operation: Learn to align physical plant operations with biological requirements for optimal efficiency.
Target Audience: Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators, Laboratory Technicians, Plant Managers, and Environmental Engineers seeking expertise in biological process control.
Dates: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 & Friday, February 20, 2026 Instructor: Toni Glymph Martin, Wastewater Microbiology Solutions Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 1.2 Wastewater, Treatment, Laboratory Analyst Cost: $250 for IRWA Members/$430 for Non-Members Location: Live Virtual
These textbooks are available from Wastewater Microbiology Solutions and are a great resource, but are not required. Click on the books to read a description and see pricing.
Water Distribution I/II Certification Review - Boise & Online
This is a review course for operators preparing to take a Level I or II Drinking Water Distribution exam. This class is based on the ABC material that the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses uses to create its licensing exams. You will receive handouts showing specific topics to study and need-to-know criteria for each.
Topics include:
• Drinking water distribution system components
• Equipment installation, operation, and maintenance
• Disinfection, monitoring, evaluation, and adjustment
• Laboratory process descriptions, sampling technique, and analysis
• Drinking water operator safety, security, and administrative procedures
• Public interaction
• Test-taking tips and procedures
Students may purchase the AWWA training manual WSO Water Distribution, Grades 1 and 2 for $100 at checkout. Manuals are recommended but not required.
This water operator education Series was designed by the American Water Works Association to address core test content on certification exams by operator certification type and certification grade level. Instructor: Jeff Cook, 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.
IRWA welcomes individuals from IdWARN’s member systems, non-member systems interested in joining IdWARN, and Office of Emergency Management (OEM) representatives to participate in the 2026 annual meeting. The annual meeting will review the mission of IdWARN, the benefits of mutual aid, the steps to properly activate membership in an emergency, and a short overview of cybersecurity best practices for drinking water and wastewater utilities. IdWARN members will have the opportunity to update key information on behalf of their system to improve future mutual aid activation.
Agenda
1:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.: Welcome and Introductions Shelley Roberts, Chair, and the IdWARN Steering Committee
1:15 p.m.- 1:45 p.m.: Mutual Aid for Systems: An Overview of IdWARN Member Benefits Shelley Roberts, Chair, and Courtnie Dawson, Administrator
1:45 p.m. - 2:05 p.m.: Cybersecurity Principles Cooper Atkinson, IRWA Water Quality Assistance Specialist
2:05 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.: Administrative Housekeeping by Member Systems
Members are encouraged to update their primary and secondary contact information, confirm their mutual aid agreement is up-to-date, and to begin a resource inventory to return to IdWARN.
2:20 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Final Updates & Closing Remarks
2:30 p.m.: Adjourn
Continuing Education Units Awarded: 0.1 Drinking Water/Wstewater more info...
2/24/2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Mountain Time or 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Pacific Time
Confined Space Competent Person Certification Training - Kimberly
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.
Participants will explore key component of cross-connection control programs including ordinances, customer outreach, hazard survey protocols, backflow prevention assemblies, and compliance tracking. The class emphasizes cost-effective strategies, funding considerations, and real-world examples to help ensure program sustainability and regulatory compliance. Attendees will leave with actionable steps and tools to assess their current program and build a roadmap for improvement.
Instructor: Gary McLaren, HydroCorp Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.3 Drinking Water Cost: $60 for IRWA Members/$105 for Non-Members Location: Live Virtual more info...
3/3/2026
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Mountain Time or 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM Pacific Time
Webinar Wednesday! Working with Industrial Dischargers - Online
This session will present tips and tricks that public utilities can use to work with industrial wastewater dischargers. We have invited our friends from Wisconsin Rural Water Association to discuss sewer use ordinances, categorical discharge standards, and prohibited discharges. Strategies will be discussed to help utilities work with problematic industries - including effective ways to enforce ordinances.
The manufacturing processes such as electroplating and powder coating will be described as well as the potential impacts these processes can have on a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The speakers will also discuss specific examples of working with dairies, breweries, food processors, and schools. They will also discuss the lasting effects of Covid on certain commercial establishments including sanitizers and other cleaning solutions.
Instructors: Tony Roche and Jesse Hass, Wisconsin Rural Water Association Continuing Education Units: 0.1 Wastewater Cost: Free to IRWA Members / $40 Non-Members Location: Online using Teams
This course is intended to assist with the financial, managerial and operational effectiveness of drinking water and wastewater systems. The information presented is based off of the US Department of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) policies along with regulations outlined in state code by the Idaho Administrative Procedure Act (IDAPA). The intent is to give elected officials or appointed board members an overview of regulations and requirements they must follow as they manage their community water and wastewater systems.
Subjects covered include: Open Meeting Laws and Requirements, Safe Drinking Water Act, American Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA), Lead and Copper Rule Revision, Emerging Contaminants, 5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitor Rule (UCMR5), Planning for the Future, Common Challenges; Operator Requirements.
This is excellent training for board members, council members, clerks, public works directors, operators, and supervisors.
Instructor: Casey Fisher and Robert Moore, IRWA Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.2 Drinking Water Cost: Free
Utility Management Certification (UMC) provides recognition for the achievements and expertise of certified utility professionals. Join the thousands of UMC-certified professionals recognized for their outstanding knowledge in management and operations. Registration fees include a UMC manual. This course is great for operators studying for Level 3 and 4 licenses as well as public works directors and clerks.
This training is a three-day course that will be taught in Pocatello at the City of Pocatello's Wastewater Department and concurrently broadcast via Teams to any throughout the state who want to participate from their home or office. After registering for this class, Tondee Clark will email you the information for applying to take the UMC Exam and how to download your digital manual. You must register by March 13th.
There will be an open book test at the end of day three (you may take the test up to two weeks later). You will want to bring a laptop or tablet to class with you to take your test. Topics that will be covered:
Financial Sustainability and Capacity Development
Financial Accounting
Types of Accounting
Financial Reporting
Budgeting and Planning
Rate Setting and Adjustments
Asset Management
Technical Sustainability and Capacity Development
Laws and Regulations
Technical Sustainability
Managing Water Resources
Water Operations
Wastewater Operations
Energy Conservation
Safety Programs
Managerial Sustainability and Capacity Development
Human Resource Management
The Manager and the Governing Body
Customer Service
Emergency Preparedness
Public Relations and Public Policy
*Please bring a laptop or tablet to class on the third day so that you may take your UMC exam at the end of class. Exam is open book. Instructors: Gary Sievers and Casey Fisher - IRWA Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 1.4 DW/WW CEUs (There is also a 1.2 DW/WW CEUs no-test option) Cost: $410 IRWA Members/ $710 Non-Members
2026 Spring - Tony Elfering Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament Fundraiser
The semi-annual golf tournament fundraiser will be held on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 at Quail Hollow Golf Course at 4720 N 36th Street Boise, Idaho 83703. Check-in will begin at 9:00 am with a 10:00 am shotgun start. This is a fundraiser to benefit the Tony Elfering Memorial Scholarship. Cost is $125/person or $500/team. All proceeds go directly to the scholarship fund.
Check-in will begin at 12:00 pm with the main event starting at 1:00 pm. The cost is $55/person. This is a fundraiser to benefit the Operations Specialist Training Assistance Scholarship. All proceeds go directly to this fund.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own ammo/shells but the club will have some available for purchase.
The recommended gauge is 20 and 12. A 28 gauge would be acceptable, but nothing larger than 12.
2026 IRWA Spring Conference Attendee Registration Information
Vendors: DO NOT REGISTER AS AN ATTENDEE. Please contact Morgan Howard, IRWA Membership & Marketing Coordinator, at (208) 789-0116 or mhoward@idrwa.org if you have any questions. Click HERE for Exhibitor Information.
The 35th Annual Spring Conference will be held April 1-3 at The Riverside Hotel, Boise, Idaho. This event is a place to earn continuing education units (CEUs). There are 62 courses and three offsite tours to choose from and the opportunity to earn up to 1.3 CEUs. The networking gained from associating with peers and exhibitors is invaluable. We also encourage you to attend IRWA’s Annual Membership Meeting, Awards Dinner, and Game Night!
We are inviting operations specialists, utility board members, mayors, council members, clerks, public works directors and other leaders to attend Spring Conference. We have specific classes scheduled to help officials in their responsibilities as managers of their community’s most important assets. It is imperative that today’s leaders have a firm understanding of their role in their water and wastewater utility systems.
As soon as it is available, please review the Registration Information booklet before starting registration. You will select the training sessions you would like to attend when you register! When you arrive at conference, you will be given a copy of your schedule with the classes you selected and the name of the classroom. We are not using the tent this year. All classes will be in the upstairs classrooms.
The Spring Conference will be held April 1st-3rd at the Riverside Hotel in Boise, Idaho.
CLOSED EXHIBIT HALL FLOOR POLICY - IRWA policy requires that in order for Suppliers and Vendors to attend the IRWA Spring Conference, they must be registered as an exhibitor or have registered for a professional pass.
Please contact us if you have any questions or have any trouble registering online, contact Morgan Howard at (208) 789-0116. more info...
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
