Wednesday October 20th, 2021
8am-9am Managing Sewer and Water Assets with GIS
Speaker:
Ben Hill, Diamond Maps
In this presentation I will show several small case studies showing how small systems us GIS as part of their day to day operations. This includes things like doing locates, tracking valve exercising, tracking flushing, recording maintenance, and more. In the second part of the presentation I will demonstrate how to build a map of your system(s) from scratch using low cost tools. This includes discussion on best practices, GPS, and the pros and cons of doing it yourself versus hiring someone.
9:30am-10:30am Manganese: A Not So Innocent Drinking Water Contaminate
Speaker:
Jason Bradley, AdEdge Water Technologies
This presentation will provide an overview of manganese research, existing and potential manganese regulation, highlight key design factors and considerations, performance data from actual case studies.
11am-12pm News from Regulatory Land
Speakers:
Matt Prater, Travis Goodwin, Stacy Jones, Lucio Ternieden, & Liz Melvin
, IDEM
This Session will provide updated information regarding new, upcoming, in effect regulatory changes and requirements.
1:15pm-2:15pm Siting and Permitting of New Public Supply Wells
Speaker:
Katelynn Shail, Peerless Midwest
Learn the process and steps of locating potential wells, permit applications, isolation distances, etc.
2:45pm-3:45pm Chemical Shortages / Outages… Are You Ready?
Speaker:
Dave Harvey, Water Solutions Unlimited
With chemical shortages on the rise are you prepared for what to do if you run out of any certain chemical? Join us to explore alternative options you might not have considered.
Thursday October 21st, 2021
8am-9am How Can I Improve Pressure in My Water System?
Speaker:
Jeremy Schmitt, Commonwealth Engineers, Inc.
We will discuss some of the problems which can develop with pressure differentials such as damage to plumbing, poor quality, and customer complaints. We will then go over some ways to correct the problems. We will also cover some dos and don’ts.
9:30am-10:30am Starting Your System's Lead Service Line Inventory
Speakers:
Stacy Jones & Hayden King, IDEM
Public Water Systems should be able to start working on their Lead Service Line Inventory, which is currently due October 16, 2024.
11am-12pm Concrete and Plant Rehabilitation
Speaker:
Marc Hansen, Suez
Learn how to avoid the model of "run-to-failure" for your water and or waste plant.
1:15pm-2:15pm The Importance of Water Audits
Speaker:
Sherri Winters, Alliance of Indiana Rural Water
This class will provide you with quick start guidance for completing water audits using the new version 6.0 AWWA software. Preparation documents that are needed will be discussed, as well as who should participate from your utility.
2:30pm-3:30pm The Importance & Challenges of Mentorship for Water and Wastewater Professionals for Today & Tomorrow
Speaker:
Tony Wood, Town of Osgood
Industry leaders from Federal, State, Trade
Organizations, Lobbying Organizations, and through
utility's themselves, all have recognized the need for
a growth and workforce development for water and
wastewater professionals. In this session we will
explain the importance of mentoring for continuity
for the utility.
Wednesday October 20th, 2021
8:15am-9:15am Board and Council Responsibilities
Speakers:
Allie Terrell & Gerry Harstine, ServLine by Homeserve
The Board/City Council play a vital role in the future of every community. Their responsibilities with regards to the water utility is crucial to the success and sustainability of their community. The water utility is the most critical asset of any community and should be among the highest priorities. There are many issues facing water utilities today such aging infrastructure, reduced revenue, maintaining water quality, etc. We will show how the water utility is a critical asset to the community and discuss the responsibilities of board and council members. We will finish with discussing solutions and tools that are available to board and council members to assist them in their fiduciary responsibilities.
9:45am-10:45am Recruiting, Retaining and Succession Planning for Utilities – Need to Know for Utility Board Members and Supervisors. (Part 1)
Speaker:
Tonya Bronleewe, Wichita State University Environmental Finance Center
Elected officials and others responsible for ensuring utility compliance, safety and reliability must recruit and retain qualified operators and managers. As retirement looms for many senior utility personnel, succession planning is also important. In this session attendees will learn keys for ensuring a quality “pipeline” of talent, important reasons why employees decide to stay in their job or leave and cover key considerations for succession planning to ensure continuity of reliable utility services.
11:15am-12:15pm Recruiting, Retaining and Succession Planning for Utilities – Need to Know for Utility Board Members and Supervisors. (Part 2)
Speaker:
Tonya Bronleewe, Wichita State University Environmental Finance Center
Continuation from part 1.
1:30pm-2:30pm Strategic Planning and Budgeting for Setting Rates
Speaker:
Todd Gardner, BBP Water Corp.
How to utilize your water audit and other information you already have available in preparing for rate setting.
3:00pm-4:00pm The Right Balance: Utility Rates & Aging Infrastructure
Speakers:
Rochelle Owen - USDA Rural Development,
Kimberly Blanchett - Barnes & Thornurg, LLP,
Gary Smith - Reedy Financial Group, P.C., &
Bill Harkins - Indiana State Revolving Fund
Please join our panelists for an in-depth discussion
about how deferred maintenance and stagnate utility
rates have led to many communities to receiving
mandates from Federal and State agencies. In a
post-pandemic world, cities and towns are faced
with the requirement for a substantial rate increase
at a time when their constituents are still reeling
from the effects of the global pandemic. To facilitate
the discussion on this critical and pertinent subject,
we have brought in the experts to explain the
various funding options that may be available.
Thursday October 21st, 2021
8:15am-9:15am American Rescue Plan – Funding Sources and Eligible Uses
Speaker:
Jeffrey Rowe, Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC
When the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) was signed into law, it allocated $195.3 billion to states and $130.2 billion to local governments. Most, if not all, local units have received the first of two distributions of their Fiscal Recovery Funds (FRF). Now that FRF funds are available, water utilities may be asking, “What are the eligible uses for those funds to help meet utility needs and what steps should utilities take to capitalize on the influx of dollars that are now available?” This presentation will provide information on the eligible uses of FRF based on the Interim Final Guidance from the U.S. Treasury. The session will also explore other funding sources that are now available for utility infrastructure projects as a result of the ARP and strategies to maximize these funding sources.
9:45am-10:45am Sustainable Communities
Speakers:
Allie Terrell & Gerry Harstine, ServLine by HomeServe
To have a sustainable community we need to begin a planning process which starts with an assessment of where we are and a goal of where we would like to be in the future. Putting together a community plan will aid you in knowing what your community’s goals are and what amounts of funding will be required. As you identify what your goals are you will have to decide how to structure your economy and ensuring you have the proper infrastructure to support your community now and in the future. All aspects of infrastructure are critical to growing, but we will focus on the local water and wastewater infrastructure. Water is a vital component to any industry or business. It is crucial for local water/wastewater utilities to be ahead by not only providing clean water, but also providing quality protections and services. We intend to show how water is the critical building block for all aspects of a sustainable community and discuss trends in the water industry such as privatization and how this hinders the growth of a sustainable community.
11:15am-12:15pm Employee Benefits; Cutting Through the Clutter
Speaker:
Josh Estelle, McGowan Insurance Group
This session will provide the audience an update on the group health insurance market and other employee benefits while sharing the education and information necessary to make the process as productive and efficient as possible.
1:15pm-2:15pm Risk and Resilience for Small Utilities
Speaker:
William Etzler, Abonmarche
A risk and resilience self assessment primer for utilities with less than 3000 customers. Even though not required for utilities with less than 3000 population utilities should still assess their vulnerabilities and develop a plan to address them.
2:30pm-3:30pm IFA Regional Planning Meeting
Speaker: TBA
Attending this meeting will fulfill the requirement for utilities to report their participation to the IFA.
2:30pm-3:30pm The Importance & Challenges of Mentorship for Water and Wastewater Professionals for Today & Tomorrow
Speaker:
Tony Wood, Town of Osgood
Industry leaders from Federal, State, Trade
Organizations, Lobbying Organizations, and through
utility's themselves, all have recognized the need for
a growth and workforce development for water and
wastewater professionals. In this session we will
explain the importance of mentoring for continuity
for the utility.
Wednesday October 20th, 2021
8:30am-9:30am TN/Nutrients - What’s missing? Part 1
Speaker:
Pat Beamon, Brenntag North America
This class is for treatment plant operators to learn the meaning of Total Nitrogen. We will show the parameters that make up Total Nitrogen and operational strategies to reduce Total Nitrogen as it relates to ammonia nitrogen removal. This class is a very basic understanding of this operational and compliance parameter.
10:00am-11:00am TN/Nutrients - What’s missing? Part 2
Speaker:
Pat Beamon, Brenntag North America
Continuation from part 1.
11:15am-12:15pm Ask IDEM a Question
Speaker:
Becky Ruark, IDEM
Do you have a question you would like to ask IDEM wastewater staff? Then come to this session. IDEM wastewater inspector will field questions from the audience. Topics can include lab analysis, sample documentation, industrial pretreatment, accurate data reporting, who to contact at IDEM. More things like inspection priorities and documentation of return to compliance, how to submit info like violation response letters, stream flow calibrations and changes in responsible charge operators to IDEM, new sanitary sewer overflow reporting system, wastewater operator certification and exams. We can even talk about DMRQA, Sanitary Sewer Surveys, total nitrogen, new inspector map/coverage areas. Any topic related to your NPDES permit will be addressed. Come on in and ask a question or just listen to the questions your peers are asking. You will learn something!
1:30pm-2:30pm Seasonal Changes
Speaker:
Barb Smith, Wastewater 101
This session will discuss how the different seasons affect the processes in the collection system and at the treatment plant.
3:00pm-4:00pm Emergent Pollutants (PFAS, etc.)
Speaker:
Rick Rochford, Environmental Response Solutions, LLC
This presentation discusses the history of Fluorinated Fire Foam containing PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl Substances) that are a large complex, and every expanding group of manufactured chemicals that are widely used to make various types of everyday products.
Thursday October 21st, 2021
8:30am-9:30am Lead and Copper in the Waste Stream: Effects on Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities
Speaker:
Jim Collins, Brenntag Mid-South
This presentation will discuss the presence of lead and copper in potable water and wastewater today and some of the treatment schemes that are available to the wastewater and water treatment plants of Indiana. We will discuss case studies and how these case studies went from an issue with these pollutants in their water or waste stream to a remedy that satisfies all parties. We will also discuss the impact industry has on water and waste streams and what steps they take in order to minimize and/or eliminate airborne particulate matter that ends up being a lead and copper compound.
10:00am-11:00am Chemical Phosphorous Removal
Speaker:
Kristine Harvey, Water Solutions Unlimited
This class will discuss the various chemicals available for phosphorus removal. Learn about the pros and cons of each product, possible feed locations, impact on solids, as well as how to ensure your feed system is accurately sized.
11:15am-12:15pm Avoiding Dangerous Curves with Pressure Sewers
Speaker:
Keith McHale, Environment One Corporation
After completion of this course, the attendees will be able to (1) describe the principles of pressure sewer systems, (2) recount the process and parameters used in the design of pressure sewer systems, (3) and understand the how the system process and pump characteristic curve are critical components in the successful operation of pressure sewer systems.
1:15pm-2:15pm Nitrogen Control in Wastewater
Speaker:
Bob Holden, Wessler Engineering
What will be required to control wastewater effluent for total nitrogen.
2:30pm-3:30pm The Importance & Challenges of Mentorship for Water and Wastewater Professionals for Today & Tomorrow
Speaker:
Tony Wood, Town of Osgood
Industry leaders from Federal, State, Trade
Organizations, Lobbying Organizations, and through
utility's themselves, all have recognized the need for
a growth and workforce development for water and
wastewater professionals. In this session we will
explain the importance of mentoring for continuity
for the utility.