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BROADCAST WORKSHOPS

Upcoming Broadcasts

NOTE: All broadcasts are being offered online only.


Please check back for 2023 updated topics, course descriptions and instructor information.


February 15, 2023
Topic: Water System Hydraulics
Description & Registration

March 15, 2023
Topic:  Sampling: Collection, Monitoring and Interpretation
Description & Registration

April 12, 2023
Topic:  Managing and Developing the Water & Wastewater Professional
Description & Registration

May 17, 2023
Topic:  Distribution System Disinfection Practices for Waterlines and Storage Tanks
Description & Registration

June 14, 2023
Topic:  Alternative Disinfectants
Description & Registration

 

July 12, 2023
Topic: VDH Office of Drinking Water Update
Description & Registration
September 20, 2023
Topic: Working Genius & Communication
Description & Registration

October 11, 2023

Topic: AWWA Water Audit Software
Description & Registration

November 8, 2023

Topic: Improvement Case Studies
Description & Registration

February 15, 2023
Topic: Water System Hydraulics

Course Description

This course will cover the basics of water system hydraulics including pumping stations, storage tanks, and gravity distribution systems. Practical applications of standard hydraulic equations will be reviewed to help attendees develop tools to better understand and assess the operation of their water systems. Tips and tricks will also be presented for troubleshooting pressure and flow issues using standard data typically collected by water system operators.

About the Instructor

Paula Moore, PE is an Associate and leads the water/wastewater group for Whitman, Requardt and Associates in the firm's Blacksburg office. She has performed water system modeling and hydraulic design for 26 years focusing on water systems across Southwest Virginia. Paula holds a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Brandon Flora, PE is a Senior Project Engineer with Whitman, Requardt and Associates based in the firm's Blacksburg office. His experience includes program/project management, design, and construction management for a wide variety of water and wastewater projects across the mid-Atlantic region. Project experience includes master planning and hydraulic modeling; potable water pumping, transmission, and distribution; sanitary sewer design, construction, and rehabilitation; and combined sewer overflow diversion, storage, and pumping. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Registration

NOTE: This workshop will be delivered completely online via Zoom. Participants will view from their home instead of traveling to the sites. Through the use of interactive technology, you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and to ask specific questions of the presenters and participants around the Commonwealth. Each workshop will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. and conclude at approximately 3:00 p.m.

You will be provided with detailed instructions for accessing the live course online from home using your personal computer, phone, or other device (a camera is not needed). It is important for each participant wishing to receive credit to register individually. You will also receive 3 contact hours for successful completion of the workshop.

To ensure your FREE participation in this workshop, please register by February 13 - 12:00 PM.

Register Online

View the complete list of upcoming broadcasts.
 

March 15, 2023
Topic: Sampling: Collection, Monitoring and Interpretation

Course Description

This course will focus on the reasons why waterworks collect samples, how to prepare to sample, how to collect and most importantly, analyzing what the sample results mean.

About the Instructor

Denise Houchins is a 2002 graduate from Longwood University with a B.S in Biology. Shortly after graduation, she started working in a Quality Control lab at a milk plant that led to a job with ProChem Analytical, an environmental testing lab where she prepared and analyzed several industrial waste water and drinking water samples including Volatile Organic Compounds and Disinfection By-products. From there she started working in the drinking water lab for the Western Virginia Water Authority (WVWA) running process analysis at Spring Hollow Water Treatment Facility and collecting bacteriological and chemical samples from the distribution system along with collecting all well samples to maintain compliance with the Virginia Department of Health-Office of Drinking Water. She moved into Water Operations at a Class 1 facility with WVWA and currently still hold a Class 1 Waterworks Operator's License. She started working with the Office of Drinking Water in 2016 as an Environmental Health Specialist where she inspected groundwater and distribution systems in the Lexington Field Office service area. She recently made the jump to Capacity Development where she assesses and assists waterworks with their Technical, Managerial, and Financial (TMF) capacities.

Registration

NOTE: This workshop will be delivered completely online via Zoom. Participants will view from their home instead of traveling to the sites. Through the use of interactive technology, you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and to ask specific questions of the presenters and participants around the Commonwealth. Each workshop will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. and conclude at approximately 3:00 p.m.

You will be provided with detailed instructions for accessing the live course online from home using your personal computer, phone, or other device (a camera is not needed). It is important for each participant wishing to receive credit to register individually. You will also receive 3 contact hours for successful completion of the workshop.

To ensure your FREE participation in this workshop, please register by March 13 - 12:00 PM.

Register Online

View the complete list of upcoming broadcasts.
 

April 12, 2023
Topic: Managing and Developing the Water & Wastewater Professional

Course Description

The water & wastewater industry requires a well-educated and well-trained workforce. The requirements of federal, state, and local governmental regulation demand the full attention of all water and wastewater professionals to provide and treat the most precious resource our world knows. Water and wastewater professionals need a strong foundation in chemistry, biology, environmental science, and math. Additionally, they must be a good manager and steward to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of those that would use the potable waters and have the knowledge that their streams, rivers and tributaries are free from any contaminant that could harm them.

This class will cover management of attracting, hiring, orienting, training, developing, coaching, disciplining, all water and wastewater professionals for water and wastewater utility operations.

Class participants will cover employee-related development from the beginning to hopefully the employee's retirement.

About the Instructor

Thomas “Tom” W. Fore, Sr., began in the water industry in 1980. He has served in progressively more responsible positions since that time, including pipe fitter, operator, Superintendent of Plant Operations to Utilities Director until retirement in August 2021. Currently, consulting for three municipal government entities and holds the titles of Director of Public Services, Utility Development Specialist and Development Support Specialist. He also owns his own consulting firm.

Tom holds a Virginia Class II Wastewater Operator License, a Virginia Class I Water Works Operator License, and a Water/Wastewater Management Certificate from Central Virginia Community College.

He has served on a Service Authority Board and was elected to the Amherst County Board of Supervisors, where he served in many capacities for twelve years. He holds a Board Chairman's Institute Certificate from the Virginia Association of Counties.

Currently one of his employers has membership with Virginia Rural Water Association (VRWA) where he once served on the Board of Directors and its legislative and by-laws committees and in 2022 was recognized by VRWA with the award of Friends of Rural Water. He is a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), where he was awarded the Edward H. Ruehl Water Works Operator of the Year Award for the Virginia Section of the AWWA in 2012. He is a member of the Water Environment Federation. He currently serves on the DPOR Board.

Tom was twice honored by the Commonwealth of Virginia with House Joint Resolutions honoring his volunteerism and his career.

Tom has served through his church and community associations. In his spare time, Tom served on two Life Saving Crews in various capacities and coached youth sports, primarily football. He has a wife, two grown sons, and two grandsons.

Registration

NOTE: This workshop will be delivered completely online via Zoom. Participants will view from their home instead of traveling to the sites. Through the use of interactive technology, you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and to ask specific questions of the presenters and participants around the Commonwealth. Each workshop will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. and conclude at approximately 3:00 p.m.

You will be provided with detailed instructions for accessing the live course online from home using your personal computer, phone, or other device (a camera is not needed). It is important for each participant wishing to receive credit to register individually. You will also receive 3 contact hours for successful completion of the workshop.

To ensure your FREE participation in this workshop, please register by April 10 - 12:00 PM.

Register Online

View the complete list of upcoming broadcasts.
 

May 17, 2023
Topic: Distribution System Disinfection Practices for Waterlines and Storage Tanks

Course Description

Participants are presented information regarding disinfection practices in the distribution system specific to waterlines and storage tank disinfection procedures during water main and storage tank repairs and installations. The presentation discusses the Office of Drinking Water expectations during these events and identifies the standards and processes that are to be followed as adopted by the Waterworks Regulations. Examples of disinfection will be presented.

About the Instructor

Brian Blankenship is a 1993 graduate of Virginia Tech where he received a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He is a registered professional engineer licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Brian is employed by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water (VDH-ODW) as the Engineering Field Director for the Abingdon and Danville Field Office service areas. Previous roles with the Office of Drinking Water include serving as a District Engineer, a Division of Financial and Construction Assistance Program Project Engineer and Deputy Field Director for the Abingdon Field Office. Brian also has several years of practical waterworks related experience as a Public Works Director and Executive Director for a small town and service authority in Southwest Virginia. He participates in delivering training to waterworks staff and operators at several AWWA, VDH-ODW and VT sponsored training events.

Registration

NOTE: This workshop will be delivered completely online via Zoom. Participants will view from their home instead of traveling to the sites. Through the use of interactive technology, you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and to ask specific questions of the presenters and participants around the Commonwealth. Each workshop will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. and conclude at approximately 3:00 p.m.

You will be provided with detailed instructions for accessing the live course online from home using your personal computer, phone, or other device (a camera is not needed). It is important for each participant wishing to receive credit to register individually. You will also receive 3 contact hours for successful completion of the workshop.

To ensure your FREE participation in this workshop, please register by May 15 - 12:00 PM.

Register Online

View the complete list of upcoming broadcasts.
 

June 14, 2023
Topic: Alternative Disinfectants

Course Description

Join us as we discuss Ultraviolet Disinfection with Ryan Maslyn, Ozonation with Bruce Utne, and Chloramines with Paul Delphos.

About the Instructor(s)

Ryan Maslyn - Ryan is a graduate of Longwood University (B.S. in Biology), Old Dominion University (Master of Public Administration), and holds a Class I Waterworks Operator License. He has spent the past seven years in Norfolk as the Operator in Responsible Charge overseeing maintenance and operations at the Kristen M. Lentz Water Treatment Plant. Previously, he spent 10 years with the City of Chesapeake in water treatment operations and in the water quality laboratory as an analyst and laboratory manager.

Bruce Utne - Bruce is the Production Administrator for Newport News Waterworks. He has a degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and has worked in the water industry for over 30 years, first as a consultant and then for a municipal water utility. Bruce has participated in several bench and pilot-scale ozone studies and also on the construction, start-up, and operation teams for the full-scale ozone facilities at Waterworks' two surface water treatment plants. Bruce's presentation provides an overview of the application of ozone in drinking water treatment including some of the changes in design and operation of ozone systems that have occurred over the past 30 years.

Paul Delphos - Paul is the Regional Water Practice Leader for Burns & McDonnell in the Mid-Atlantic Region. He has Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Georgia Tech and over 30 years of water treatment experience focused on a variety of different technologies, most notably membrane technology. He's assisted in the development of industry guidance manuals and textbooks. His current role involves assisting water and wastewater utility owners in delivering projects traditionally as well as through collaborative delivery models. In his free time, enjoys golfing with friends and spending time down near the Virginia Beach oceanfront listening to live music and trying to avoid the tourists that come every summer!

Registration

NOTE: This workshop will be delivered completely online via Zoom. Participants will view from their home instead of traveling to the sites. Through the use of interactive technology, you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and to ask specific questions of the presenters and participants around the Commonwealth. Each workshop will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. and conclude at approximately 3:00 p.m.

You will be provided with detailed instructions for accessing the live course online from home using your personal computer, phone, or other device (a camera is not needed). It is important for each participant wishing to receive credit to register individually. You will also receive 3 contact hours for successful completion of the workshop.

To ensure your FREE participation in this workshop, please register by June 12 - 12:00 PM.

Register Online

View the complete list of upcoming broadcasts.
 

July 12, 2023
Topic: VDH Office of Drinking Water Update

Course Description

About the Instructor(s)

Mr. Edelman is Director of the Division of Technical Services, with the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water and has been with VDH ODW for over 18 years. He previously served as Field Services Engineer. As District Engineer, he worked with waterworks in Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington Counties. His current assignment includes responsibility for the Virginia Waterworks Regulations, overseeing the waterworks permit and sanitary survey programs, overseeing data management, source water protection, and geographic information systems (GIS) activities, and developing policy for ODW, statewide. He leads the Monitoring and Occurrence Subgroup of the Virginia PFAS Workgroup and regularly presents updates to the Waterworks Advisory Committee. He previously served as the Chair of the Virginia Optimization Program Committee at VDH ODW, which has adopted and implemented optimization goals for conventional surface water treatment plants. Prior to joining VDH ODW, he was a licensed professional engineer in private practice for 14 years, practicing environmental engineering. He holds Bachelors and Master's Degrees in Chemical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Registration

NOTE: This workshop will be delivered completely online via Zoom. Participants will view from their home instead of traveling to the sites. Through the use of interactive technology, you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and to ask specific questions of the presenters and participants around the Commonwealth. Each workshop will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. and conclude at approximately 3:00 p.m.

You will be provided with detailed instructions for accessing the live course online from home using your personal computer, phone, or other device (a camera is not needed). It is important for each participant wishing to receive credit to register individually and provide a complete mailing and email address. You will receive a powerpoint via registered email with course material that is presented in the session. This resource can be used again and again as a reference in your daily work. You will also receive 3 contact hours for successful completion of the workshop.

To ensure your FREE participation in this workshop, please register by July 10 - 12:00 PM.

Register Online

View the complete list of upcoming broadcasts.
 

September 20, 2023
Topic: Working Genius & Communication - Instructor: Larado Robinson

Course Description

Please check back for course description and instructor information.

Registration

NOTE: This workshop will be delivered completely online via Zoom. Participants will view from their home instead of traveling to the sites. Through the use of interactive technology, you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and to ask specific questions of the presenters and participants around the Commonwealth. Each workshop will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. and conclude at approximately 3:00 p.m.

You will be provided with detailed instructions for accessing the live course online from home using your personal computer, phone, or other device (a camera is not needed). It is important for each participant wishing to receive credit to register individually and provide a complete mailing and email address. You will receive a powerpoint via registered email with course material that is presented in the session. This resource can be used again and again as a reference in your daily work. You will also receive 3 contact hours for successful completion of the workshop.

To ensure your FREE participation in this workshop, please register by September 18 - 12:00 PM.

Register Online

View the complete list of upcoming broadcasts.

October 11, 2023
Topic: AWWA Water Audit Software

Course Description

Did you know that there are now effective tools and methods to promote accountability and efficiency in water utility operations? Water utility managers, operators and clerks are now being called on to assess the inefficiencies in their water distribution system, develop a plan and take corrective action. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) M36 Water Audit method presented in this broadcast will help you understand how to accomplish these tasks in an efficient manner. It has been found that water auditing and loss control programs are the most cost-effective ways for a utility to both conserve water and improve its financial bottom line.

This seminar will introduce the NEW version 6 of AWWA's Free Water Audit Software (FWAS) and will introduce the importance of data validation. Using the FWAS is the easiest way for a utility to identify cost-effective measures for reducing non-revenue water, and most importantly developing an implementation plan.

National Landscape of Water Loss Control
Every water system experiences water loss. Establishing a baseline of validated water audit data is the anchor of a successful water loss strategy. The AWWA methodology provides a path to building and progressing your water loss program. Water loss management is gaining significant momentum in the United States, with growing recognition of it benefits which extend from resource conservation to financial gain to ratepayer equity to extended asset life. From pilot studies, watershed-based approaches, and large-scale programs, this presentation will provide a fly-over of water loss programs across North America. It will provide lessons learned and things states should consider when putting together one of these programs.

Introducing the AWWA Free Water Audit Software and M36 Methodology
This segment will introduce the M36 methodology and walk participants through the AWWA water balance and industry standard approach to estimating water losses and how to interpret non-revenue water results through the lens of volumes, values, and validity. It will also demonstrate key developments and upgrades in the new Version 6 of the AWWA Free Water Audit Software (FWAS) including a completely new and improved approach to data grading that will help users of the software complete the data grading process with more confidence and consistency. The FWAS is the industry standard for conducting an annual water audit, and the updates included in FWASv6 promise to make the tool even more useful to the growing number of water utilities, regulatory agencies and consultants performing important water loss work across North America.

Importance of Water Audit Data Validation
Exploring all of the areas error may be introduced into the underlying data for the annual Water Loss Audit - - from supply measurement, instrument maintenance, data archival, customer metering, billing data systems, and data management practices. These 'gremlins' are not usually human error, but errors that are inherent to every water utility because of the limitations of equipment, programming and infrastructure we use to track volumes supplied and delivered. This segment will present these systematic gremlins, provide examples of what to be on the lookout for, and ways to combat error and uncertainty in the Water Loss Audit. Reliable Water Loss Audits provide actionable insight.

About the Instructor(s)

Drew Blackwell - Drew Blackwell is the Director of Water Efficiency at Cavanaugh. Drew has more than 18 years of experience in water resource management. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Environmental Studies. Drew's focus and passion are in working with state and regional agencies to identify their needs in water loss control and designing training and technical assistance programs based on the American Water Works Association (AWWA) M36 methodology to meet those needs through execution, evaluation, and continued monitoring of progress. Mr. Blackwell has facilitated Water Loss programs in more than 15 states and provinces; with appreciation that just like every water system is different, so are the drivers, state policies, and requirements where they are located. In addition to water loss teaching, Drew is involved in water auditing and analysis, water audit validation, and non-revenue water program design and implementation.

Drew is the Secretary of the AWWA Water Loss Control Committee, a member of the International Water Association - Water Loss Specialist Group's Leakage Emissions Initiative, and serves on the Alliance for Water Efficiency Board of Directors. He is also the author of Journal AWWA article, Assessing Recent Efforts and the Future of Water Loss Control in the Tar Heel State (2021), Co-Principal Investigator for Water Research Foundation Project 5057: Level 1 Water Audit Validation Guidance Manual, Second Edition (2021), and co-author of the AWWA Technical and Educational Council report, Governmental Policies for Drinking Water Utility Water Loss Control (2022).

Will Jernigan, PE - Will Jernigan is the Chief Operations Officer with Cavanaugh, and has worked with over 1,500 water systems across North America in the field of water loss delivering teaching, auditing & water balance analysis, validation, NRW program design and implementation. Will is a licensed professional engineer, and is recognized as a North American water loss industry leader. Will currently leads the AWWA Water Loss Software Subcommittee which is responsible for the development and management of the freely available water audit software for North America. Will also led this group in executing the Water Audit Data Initiative which pioneered the validation review methodology. Will was Co-Principal Investigator for Water Research Foundation Project 4639 (2016) and 5057 (2020), which formally codified this methodology into Level 1 validation and is now adopted as requirement by several U.S. States. Will has been a key architect for the North American Water Loss Conference, chairing the biennial event since it began in 2015. In 2017, Will was appointed as the United States Expert to an international task force for developing the ISO Water Loss Standards. In 2018, Will was appointed to the Management Committee of IWA's Water Loss Specialists Group.

Registration

NOTE: This workshop will be delivered completely online via Zoom. Participants will view from their home instead of traveling to the sites. Through the use of interactive technology, you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and to ask specific questions of the presenters and participants around the Commonwealth. Each workshop will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. and conclude at approximately 3:00 p.m.

You will be provided with detailed instructions for accessing the live course online from home using your personal computer, phone, or other device (a camera is not needed). It is important for each participant wishing to receive credit to register individually and provide a complete mailing and email address. You will receive a powerpoint via registered email with course material that is presented in the session. This resource can be used again and again as a reference in your daily work. You will also receive 3 contact hours for successful completion of the workshop.

To ensure your FREE participation in this workshop, please register by October 9 - 12:00 PM.

Register Online

View the complete list of upcoming broadcasts.
 

November 8, 2023
Topic: Improvement Case Studies

Course Description

Improvement Case Studies - Something for Everyone
Surprising results from case studies of water utility improvement efforts, along with an overview of the well-managed utility, quick guide to implementing improvements, Virginia's Optimization Program, and getting folks on board.

About the Instructor(s)

David Dawson - David works in the VDH Office of Drinking Water as Abingdon Field Office Deputy Director, providing technical assistance and engineering evaluation/support. During 42 years in water/wastewater, David has served as a public utility general manager, water quality manager, wastewater operations manager, and wastewater operator. He has also worked as an engineering/managerial consultant, and performed environmental engineering research in industry and academia. David chairs the Virginia Optimization Program Committee and frequently provides continuing education presentations. David is a member of the Virginia Rural Water Association and VA AWWA, formerly chair of its Water Utilities Committee. A licensed Professional Engineer in Virginia, David earned BS Civil Engineering and MS (Environmental Engineering) from the University of Cincinnati and PhD (Environmental Systems Engineering) from Clemson University. His Ohio Wastewater Works Operator license is inactive.

Lisa Crabtree - Lisa is a District Engineer with the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water (VDH-ODW), Abingdon Field Office. Lisa also coordinates regulatory documentation and IT support for the Abingdon Field Office, and has been recognized for the excellent quality of her continuing education presentations for the drinking water community. Lisa has over 20 years environmental compliance, overseeing air, water, and waste operations for more than 20 chemical and building material production facilities located in several countries. In addition, Lisa directed regulatory compliance for a paper mill and also managed regulatory and safety compliance for facilities of an international food processing corporation. Lisa is a Certified Safety Professional and holds a BS degree in Physics and Math from Emory & Henry College, and a MS degree in Environmental Engineering from Middle Tennessee State University.

Rebecca Hunt - Rebecca is a graduate of Emory & Henry College with a B.S. in biology. She began working with the Office of Drinking Water in 2019 as an Environmental Health Specialist, Sr. where she inspected groundwater and consecutive systems in the Abingdon Field Office region. Rebecca recently took on the Compliance Specialist role, where she now focuses on assisting waterworks with outstanding compliance issues and enforcement actions.

Registration

NOTE: This workshop will be delivered completely online via Zoom. Participants will view from their home instead of traveling to the sites. Through the use of interactive technology, you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and to ask specific questions of the presenters and participants around the Commonwealth. Each workshop will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. and conclude at approximately 3:00 p.m.

You will be provided with detailed instructions for accessing the live course online from home using your personal computer, phone, or other device (a camera is not needed). It is important for each participant wishing to receive credit to register individually and provide a complete mailing and email address. You will receive a powerpoint via registered email with course material that is presented in the session. This resource can be used again and again as a reference in your daily work. You will also receive 3 contact hours for successful completion of the workshop.

To ensure your FREE participation in this workshop, please register by November 6 - 12:00 PM.

Register Online

View the complete list of upcoming broadcasts.