Smart Planning for Future Funding - Smart Planning and Funding for Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems
Hosted by: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Grants and Loans Bureau
Thu, Sep 4, 2025 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM (UTC-07:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada)
Demand for drinking water and wastewater funding is increasing in communities across Idaho. These demands exceed the available state and federal funding sources that many communities have historically relied on to fund projects. This training will focus on what communities can do when a crucial project does not receive funding. Participants will explore opportunities to develop financially sustainable infrastructure amidst funding shortfalls.
Training topics include:
Funding outlook versus current and future demands
Cost drivers impacting projects and anticipated trends
DEQ invites attendees to participate in-person (virtual attendance available for select presentations) for direct access to experts and collaborators at the state office located at:
*Attending in-person requires valid identification to be presented at check-in.*
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.
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.
There are two more chances to take this training: Salmon River Meadows Mutual Water (9/13), and City of Fairfield (11/17). This is excellent training for board members, council members, clerks, public works directors, operators, and supervisors.
Instructor: TBA Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available: 0.2 Drinking Water Cost: Free
Webinar Wednesday! Fundamentals of Iron Fittings - Online
This presentation will explore the fittings that are used in potable water systems, sewer force mains, and inside water and wastewater plants. You will learn the difference between ductile and gray Iron fittings. A quick review of the AWWA Standards along with responsibilities of ductile iron fitting manufacturers will be presented. The three basic ductile iron fitting product line offerings with their applications and AWWA Installation Techniques and the Most Common Linings & Coatings for Fittings will also be explained. Wedge type restraints and their application along with the different styles of valve boxes will covered, briefly. The presentation will conclude with frequently asked questions received by fitting manufacturers.
Instructor: Jacob Lovin, McWane Ductile 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: $120 for IRWA Members / $210 for Non-Members
Lunch is on your own. more info...
9/11/2025
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Mountain Time or 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM Pacific Time
The semi-annual golf tournament fundraiser will be held on Tuesday, September 30th, at the Bryden Canyon Public Golf Course in Lewiston, Idaho. Check-in will begin at 9:00 am with a 10:00 am shotgun start.
Cost is $125/person or $500/team. This fee includes: lunch, use of a golf cart, and greens fee.
Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 teams as well as the Longest Drive (Men's and Women's) and Closest to the Pin contest hole winners.
The Bryden Canyon Golf Course is located at 445 O' Conner Road, Lewiston, ID 83501 and is approximately 36 miles from the IRWA Fall Conference venue, Best Western Plus - University Inn, Moscow, Idaho.
This is a fundraiser to benefit the Tony Elfering Memorial Scholarship. All proceeds go directly to the scholarship fund.
***Please invite your friends and family to participate! You do not have to be attending fall conference to play in the tournament!!***
This event will be held at Genesee Trap & Skeet, 310 South Pine St, Genesee, Idaho. Check-in starts at 12:00 PM. The main event will begin at 1:00 PM. Bring your own shotgun. You are also encouraged to bring your own ammunition or purchase it at the event.
Lunch will be provided.
This is a fundraiser for the Operations Specialist Scholarship. All proceeds go directly to the scholarship fund.
***Please invite your friends and family to participate! You do not have to be attending the fall conference to participate!!***
Please join us October 1-2 at the Best Western Plus - University Inn, Moscow, Idaho for the 2025 IRWA Fall Conference. Please follow the following instructions when registering.
If you have never registered for IRWA training before, or forgot your login, please contact IRWA at (208) 343-7001 or office@idrwa.org for assistance BEFORE REGISTERING.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
We are asking attendees to REGISTER FOR TRAINING WHEN YOU REGISTER FOR CONFERENCE. This will help us assign classrooms and 2025 Fall Conference continuing education units (CEUs) will be listed at your IRWA Member Dashboard. Please review the Registration Information Packet and decide which classes you would like to attend. You have a choice of 45 classes and four tours!
If you select a 2-hour class or tour, do not select any 1-hour classes during the same time period.
If you are attending all two days of Fall Conference please review all the training. If you are coming for one day, select the training ONLY on the day that you plan to attend.
If there is training that doesn't apply to you (and you don't need CEUs), you may choose to spend more time in the Exhibit Hall doing research. If that is the case, don't select a training option that time period.
Some training sessions have capacity limits, so REGISTER NOW!
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.
Until September 17th, the EVENT CONTACT PERSON (the person who filled out the registration form) can edit training selections at their IRWA Member Dashboard using the Confirmation Number at the bottom of the Confirmation Email. Or contact IRWA Training Coordinator Tondee Clark at (208) 343-7001 and she can change your schedule.
If you are going to have a guest attend the conference with you, complete the first attendee registration and then select Add Another Attendee to This Registration. Add the information for the guest. The guest is welcome to attend the classes, exhibit hall, game night and eat IRWA-provided meals and snacks. They will not be able to earn continuing education units (CEUs).
If you have any questions, please contact IRWA Training Coordinator Tondee Clark (208) 343-7001 or tclark@idrwa.org.
Pumps and Controls: Fundamentals and Applications - Ammon
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: $120 IRWA Members/$210 Non-Members
Lunch is on your own.
Webinar Wednesday! Funding and Collaboration to Deliver Capital Improvement Plans for Small Communities - Online
In many small communities, the scale of water infrastructure needs often outpaces available resources, and without clear prioritization, utility managers struggle to make meaningful progress in addressing aging systems and emerging challenges. Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) are essential for managing aging water infrastructure, but planning alone doesn't build resilience - execution does. This presentation explores how pairing project prioritization with thoughtful funding strategies transforms a CIP from a static document into a united, long-term mission.
Using the City of Rocky Ford (the melon capital of Colorado!) as a case study, we'll demonstrate how a comprehensive assessment of water infrastructure-including tanks, wells, pump stations, and treatment facilities-was paired with risk modeling, remaining useful life estimates, and cost forecasting to prioritize rehabilitation projects. The plan didn't stop at prioritization: financial modeling, rate review, and a custom funding strategy, including cash flow analysis and loan/grant planning, ensured that projects were feasible-not just ideal. We'll discuss how early and ongoing engagement with the finance director, public works staff, and city council, built trust and ownership of the plan, and how keeping the analysis at a high level helped the plan's value stretch further, turning a long list of needs into a unified roadmap for a more reliable and resilient utility. This session offers practical insights for small and rural communities looking to bridge the gap between wishful planning and real implementation.
Instructor: Jacob Strombeck and Travis McStraw, AE2S CEUs: 0.1 Drinking Water/Wastewater Cost: Free to IRWA Members / $40 Non-Members Location: Online using Zoom
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: $120 IRWA Members/$210 Non-Members
Lunch is on your own.
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 Volumes 1 & 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: $120 IRWA Members / $210 Non-Members
The semi-annual golf tournament fundraiser will be held on Tuesday, September 30th, at the Bryden Canyon Public Golf Course in Lewiston, Idaho. Check-in will begin at 9:00 am with a 10:00 am shotgun start.
