October was the 22nd annual Group seminar held at the La Quinta Inns and Suites in Tacoma.
Dale Baxmann our Chair opened the seminar and introduced our speakers and vendors.
Our first session was Rachel Neville. Rachel is the BAT Program Manager from Washington State Certification Services Green River at College. She manages both the BAT certification and professional growth program for over 1,300 BAT’s.
Rachel provided updates with current information regarding Washington Certification Services and the deadline for Professional Growth Exam for BAT’s Professional growth- what it is and what you need to do to satisfy it. The new Western Washington Location in Auburn, the Exam Application Process, Renewal process online for BATs and Waterworks Operators and the Diversity Initiative / Womens Awards (BAT Certification Glass Hammer Award). See the web site at www.wacertservices.org/
Next up was Bill Bernier Washington State Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water. Bill is the Distribution and Cross Connection Control Advisor.
Bill provided the group with updates on the development of the joint DOH / UPC Guidance; he discussed updates and revision of the DOH CCC for small water systems manual. Recent backflow incidents, he also updated us on the Annual summary report, he talked about the importance of filing complaints with the DOH Operator Certification Program. Cross connection control for reclaim water and non- potable reuse and current and continuing CCC issues.
A new topic for us this year was presented by Patrick Gibbs, Patrick is the Technical Services Provider for Northwest Kidney Centers and is a licensed BAT since 1994. He is responsible for daily operations of the Technical Services department, which maintains dialysis and water treatment equipment in 15 dialysis centers and 4 ancillary departments including an extensive Home Hemodialysis program. . His Topics covered will be an overview of dialysis as a treatment, home dialysis equipment, its water requirements, and how that relates to water providers.
Daniel Shier: CCC Mitigation for fire protection. Daniel has been in the fire protection sprinkler industry for more than 44 years, and is the Lead designer and former CEO of Inland Empire Fire Protection in Spokane and has a NICET Level IV (Senior Engineering Technician) certificate in the field of water-based systems since the mid-1980s. He also holds a Washington State Level III Certificate of Competency and an Alaska State Level IIC- DO Fire System Permit. Is a member of the Washington State building Codes Council’s Technical Advisory Group on the International Fire Code (IFC-TAG) for the last two code cycles. This discussion covered the history of his experience in this field, and current issues that we in the fire protection industry face today.
Next up was Scott Hemmingway from the Washington Environmental Training Center and Bill Bernier from WDOH. The session topic was CCC for wastewater treatment plants. discussed recent project to survey 47 wastewater treatment plants for cross-connection control issues. Also provide an update of the DOH cross-connection control program. The Washington State Department of Health has collaborated with the Washington Environmental Training Center to perform Cross-connection Control (CCC) surveys at 29 Severe High Hazard facilities throughout the State in 2016. This presentation discussed;
- A summary of the CCC requirements for WWTPs
- The purpose of the surveys,1
- What we found, and
- What are the lessons
Cross-connection control is paramount to providing safe and reliable drinking water. This session
Provided:
- Lessons learned during CCC hazard surveys,
- What to look for during surveys, and
- The consequences of
Cross-connection control is the responsibility of every operator. Though the drinking water program sponsors these surveys; they are performed in wastewater treatment plants. The lessons learned and findings will have high value to wastewater treatment plant operators.
And from C3 Backflow; Mobile and Cloud Technology: Brock Sheehan Doing More with Less:
A discussion on major concepts (and a few of the important related details) to help you ensure your organization is as efficient as possible by leveraging mobile & cloud technologies. He centered on cross connection program management and beyond the common areas to expose potential efficiencies that are often left unconsidered-accounting, billing, customer communication, human error & more.
And Bill and Torrey Kitchens Owners of Big Dog Sales NW:
Their presentation discussed the Derringer and AR assemblies, the innovative and new backflow assemblies that have entered the marketplace in the last few years. They began with a brief history of the two companies and how they have gotten to present day. The presentation included information about the many unique qualities that differentiate these backflow assemblies than any others currently in use and how they can benefit the backflow industry.
A huge Thank You to All the Vendors Speakers, Attendees, Organizers and Volunteers!
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Next meeting will be hosted by the City Of Kent. We will be meeting at the Kent Commons located west of Kent Station and south of Showare. Address is 525 4th Avenue North, Kent 98032 we will be having elections. Interested in having a seat on the board, plan to attend!
Employment Opportunity with the Office of Drinking Water!
We are looking for a Wellhead Protection Specialist. This position supports our Source Water Protection Program, with primary focus on wellhead protection, climate change, and critical aquifer recharge areas. The Wellhead Protection Specialist provides expertise on issues related to water quality and quantity, and wellhead and source water protection activities. The position works with the program manager to evaluate and implement complex rules, policies, and program plans of importance statewide and nationally. For a complete job description, click the link below.
governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/1885409
The Northwest Regional Office (NWRO) in Kent is looking for two strong regional engineering candidates.
Environmental Engineer 2. Along with other duties, this position participates in the NWRO team to regulate public water systems, respond to drinking water emergencies, conduct field inspections, and provide technical assistance and reviews For a complete job description, click Environmental Engineer 2.
Environmental Engineer 3. This position represents ODW as a registered professional engineer, using engineering expertise to respond to drinking water emergencies, regulate public water systems, conduct sanitary surveys, and provide technical assistance and review. For a complete job description, click Environmental Engineer 3.
