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: Cooper Atkinson, Idaho Rural Water Association Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.2 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: Free
Pumps and Controls: Fundamentals and Applications - Twin Falls
Idaho Rural Water Association is pleased to have Layne Read, with DelcoWestern, present the training: Pumps and Controls: Fundamental and Applications. This course will cover the following principles:
Pump Basics
Motors
Well pit designs
Level controls and monitoring methods
Starting Methods including variable frequency starters
Controls - including SCADA
System Maintenance
Your pump questions
Instructor: Layne Read, Delco Western Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: $125 IRWA Members/$215 Non-Members
Lunch is on your own.
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 and Treatment Cost: $125 IRWA Members /$215 Non-Members
Lunch is on your own.
Drinking Water Treatment I/II Certification Review - Boise & Online
This is a review course for operators preparing to take a Level I or II Drinking Water Treatment exam. This class will be taught in-person in Boise and online at the same time. This class is based off the ABC material that the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) 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 treatment methods
• Equipment operation and maintenance
• Source water characteristics
• Laboratory process descriptions, sampling technique, and analysis
• Drinking water operator safety, security, and administrative procedures
• Test taking tips and procedures
Students may purchase the AWWA training manuals WSO Water Treatment, Grade 1 or WSO Water Treatment, Grade 2 for a discounted rate. Manuals are recommended but not required.
Instructor: Kerry Huss, 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. more info...
10/22/2026
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Mountain Time 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM Pacific Time
This is a review course for operators preparing to take a Level I or II Wastewater Collections exam. This class is based off 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 go through example test questions for each topic. A breakdown of exam topics will be given.
Topics include:
ï§ Equipment operation, evaluation, and maintenance
ï§ Lift station operation and maintenance
ï§ Collection system monitoring, evaluation, and adjustment
ï§ Wastewater operator safety, security, and administrative procedures
ï§ Test taking tips and procedures
Certification Math Review should be taken in conjunction with this course; this class does not include calculations.
Sacramento State training manuals are a sought-after resource for operators preparing for state certification. This training manual was developed to serve the needs of operators in a variety of ways, including: as a self-paced, independent-study distance learning course, and as a textbook in traditional college and university classes (often taught by experienced operators). The goal is to provide you with an understanding of basic operational and maintenance concepts for wastewater collection systems and with an understanding of basic collection systems and with the ability to analyze and solve problems when they occur. â
If desired, the Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Collection Systems textbooks - Volume 1 and Volume 2 are available for purchase at checkout for $110 each.
Instructor: Craig Sturman, Idaho Rural Water Association Contiuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Wastewater and Collection Cost: $125 IRWA Members / $215 Non-Members
Source Water Protection Workshop 2026 - Idaho Falls
Come join us for the annual Source Water Protection Workshop in Idaho Falls! This year’s workshop will focus on emergency response and preparedness. We invite utility operators, mayors, council members, clerks, and local responders to join us for this collaborative opportunity. Attendees will learn how to prepare for emergencies that may impact their drinking water or wastewater services. They will learn how to work with other members of the community, and county and state agencies, to mitigate damage. Learn how to maximize the potential for funding and asset protection. You will have the chance to interact with experts and agency representatives, and to identify gaps in protection. Come learn about resources to improve the response capabilities for your community. Lunch is provided and attendance is free for all!
Instructors: Staff members from Idaho Rural Water Association, Idaho Office of Emergency Management, and DEQ. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Drinking Water Cost: FREE - Sponsored by Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Lunch is provided.
Come join us for the annual Source Water Protection Workshop in Pocatello! This year’s workshop will focus on emergency response and preparedness. We invite utility operators, mayors, council members, clerks, and local responders to join us for this collaborative opportunity. Attendees will learn how to prepare for emergencies that may impact their drinking water or wastewater services. They will learn how to work with other members of the community, and county and state agencies, to mitigate damage. Learn how to maximize the potential for funding and asset protection. You will have the chance to interact with experts and agency representatives, and to identify gaps in protection. Come learn about resources to improve the response capabilities for your community. Lunch is provided and attendance is free for all!
Instructors: Staff members from Idaho Rural Water Association, Idaho Office of Emergency Management, and DEQ. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: FREE - Sponsored by Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Lunch is provided.
Source Water Protection Workshop 2026 - Twin Falls
Come join us for the annual Source Water Protection Workshop in Twin Falls! This year’s workshop will focus on emergency response and preparedness. We invite utility operators, mayors, council members, clerks, and local responders to join us for this collaborative opportunity. Attendees will learn how to prepare for emergencies that may impact their drinking water or wastewater services. They will learn how to work with other members of the community, and county and state agencies, to mitigate damage. Learn how to maximize the potential for funding and asset protection. You will have the chance to interact with experts and agency representatives, and to identify gaps in protection. Come learn about resources to improve the response capabilities for your community. Lunch is provided and attendance is free for all!
Instructors: Staff members from Idaho Rural Water Association, Idaho Office of Emergency Management, and DEQ. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: FREE - Sponsored by Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Lunch is provided.
The IRWA 2026 Training & Events Calendar originally scheduled this training on Tuesday, November 17th. Due to a scheduling conflict, the class has been rescheduled to Monday, November 9, 2026.
âThis class will explore one of the most important, yet complex, aspects of utility operations: disinfection. Why do we disinfect and how does the chemical process work? Learn all about chlorination, including why it is such a good disinfectant and how to improve your plant’s chlorination process. Safety precautions will be included. A review of physical and chemical methods of disinfection will be provided. Discussion of operational considerations, testing procedures, and monitoring will also be covered. Finally, this class will cover dechlorination for both water and wastewater as well as alternative methods of disinfection. Come prepared to discuss problems and questions from your treatment plant! Find solutions and operational improvements to use during your daily procedures, maximize your treatment process, and meet regulations with ease.
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.
Come join us for the annual Source Water Protection Workshop in Boise! This year’s workshop will focus on emergency response and preparedness. We invite utility operators, mayors, council members, clerks, and local responders to join us for this collaborative opportunity. Attendees will learn how to prepare for emergencies that may impact their drinking water or wastewater services. They will learn how to work with other members of the community, and county and state agencies, to mitigate damage. Learn how to maximize the potential for funding and asset protection. You will have the chance to interact with experts and agency representatives, and to identify gaps in protection. Come learn about resources to improve the response capabilities for your community. Lunch is provided and attendance is free for all!
Instructors: Staff members from Idaho Rural Water Association, Idaho Office of Emergency Management, and DEQ. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: FREE - Sponsored by Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Lunch is provided. The Riverside Hotel - NORTH STAR ROOM
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. more info...
Come join us for the annual Source Water Protection Workshop in Lewiston! This year’s workshop will focus on emergency response and preparedness. We invite utility operators, mayors, council members, clerks, and local responders to join us for this collaborative opportunity. Attendees will learn how to prepare for emergencies that may impact their drinking water or wastewater services. They will learn how to work with other members of the community, and county and state agencies, to mitigate damage. Learn how to maximize the potential for funding and asset protection. You will have the chance to interact with experts and agency representatives, and to identify gaps in protection. Come learn about resources to improve the response capabilities for your community. Lunch is provided and attendance is free for all!
Instructors: Staff members from Idaho Rural Water Association, Idaho Office of Emergency Management, and DEQ. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: FREE - Sponsored by Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Lunch is provided.
Webinar Wednesday! Transient Non-Community Water Systems Management - Online
Join us for a dynamic class designed specifically for those in Idaho that are responsible for starting up and shutting down Transient Non-Community Water Systems (TNCWS) each season. Whether you are a seasoned operator or stepping into this roll for the first time, you will gain practical tips, field proven strategies, and critical insights to ensure your water system start-up/shut down procedures are compliant with Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) requirements.
Instructor: Kerry Huss, Idaho Rural Water Association Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Earned: 0.1 Drinking Water Cost: Free to IRWA Members / $40 Non-Members Location: Online using Teams Webinar
Source Water Protection Workshop 2026 - Coeur d'Alene
Come join us for the annual Source Water Protection Workshop in Coeur d'Alene! This year’s workshop will focus on emergency response and preparedness. We invite utility operators, mayors, council members, clerks, and local responders to join us for this collaborative opportunity. Attendees will learn how to prepare for emergencies that may impact their drinking water or wastewater services. They will learn how to work with other members of the community, and county and state agencies, to mitigate damage. Learn how to maximize the potential for funding and asset protection. You will have the chance to interact with experts and agency representatives, and to identify gaps in protection. Come learn about resources to improve the response capabilities for your community. Lunch is provided and attendance is free for all!
Instructors: Staff members from Idaho Rural Water Association, Idaho Office of Emergency Management, and DEQ. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: FREE - Sponsored by Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Lunch is provided.
Emerging Contaminants in Wastewater &
Anaerobic Digester Microbiology with Toni Glymph Martin - Online
IRWA is excited to announce that we have invited Wastewater Microbiologist Toni Glymph Martin to provide this training: "Emerging Contaminants in Wastewater and Anaerobic Digester Microbiology." Successful wastewater treatment requires understanding both what is entering the treatment plant and the biology responsible for treating and stabilizing the waste.
Wastewater treatment facilities are increasingly challenged by contaminants that conventional treatment systems were never specifically designed to remove. At the same time, successful treatment and solids stabilization continue to depend upon maintaining healthy and balanced microbial populations.
This six-hour course examines two important areas of modern wastewater treatment: emerging contaminants and anaerobic digester microbiology.
The first portion of the course introduces emerging contaminants and explains why these substances have become an increasing concern for wastewater utilities and the environment. Participants will examine major categories of emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals and personal care products, and endocrine-disrupting compounds. Sources, pathways into wastewater treatment facilities, environmental persistence, potential impacts, biosolids concerns, and available treatment technologies will be discussed. Particular attention will be given to the limitations of conventional wastewater treatment and the challenges associated with removing or managing these compounds.
The second portion of the course focuses on the microbiology and operation of anaerobic digesters. Participants will examine the digester as a living biological ecosystem and follow the microbial conversion of complex organic material through the four stages of anaerobic digestion: hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis.
Special emphasis will be placed on the microorganisms responsible for each stage and the sensitivity of methane-forming archaea to changes in their environment. Participants will learn how temperature, pH, alkalinity, mixing, organic loading, hydraulic retention time, volatile fatty acids, volatile solids reduction, gas production, and hydrogen sulfide can be used to evaluate digester health.
The course concludes with practical monitoring and troubleshooting concepts designed to help operators recognize biological stress before complete digester failure occurs. Case studies will be used to reinforce the relationship between operating data, microbial activity, process stability, and corrective operational decisions.
Target Audience: Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators, Pretreatment Personnel, Laboratory Technicians, Plant Managers, and Environmental Engineers seeking expertise in biological process control.
Instructor: Toni Glymph Martin, Wastewater Microbiology Solutions Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.6 Wastewater, Treatment, Laboratory Analyst Cost: FREE 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.
Webinar Wednesday! Arc Flash 101 - Understanding the Risks and Mitigation Strategies - Online
Arc flash incidents pose serious risks to workers and equipment. This session provides an introduction to arc flash hazards, exploring their causes, effects, and the importance of proper safety measures. Attendees will learn how to assess arc flash risks, comply with industry standards like NFPA 70E, select the right personal protective equipment (PPE), and implement effective mitigation strategies. Whether you're an electrical engineer, safety manager, or maintenance professional, this session will equip you with the knowledge to improve safety protocols and reduce the likelihood of dangerous arc flash events in the workplace.
Instructor: Adam Wahler, AE2s CEUs: 0.1 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: Free to IRWA Members / $40 Non-Members Location: Online using Teams
Water Distribution I/II Certification Review - Pocatello & 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 $106 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. more info...
