"Our mission is to provide professional training, support services, and representation for the water and wastewater industry."

The Rural Water Association of Utah is Utah’s representative to the National Rural Water Association, the nation’s largest utility association. RWAU is dedicated to promoting the success of rural water and wastewater systems throughout the state. We provide ongoing training and resources to our members to continually improve the industry. Today, our organization continues to grow as we remain committed to providing the most relevant resources to our members.

Our members represent 95% of the states water and wastewater systems. Our membership base consists of public works superintendents, plant managers, certified operators, mayors, elected officials, engineers and more

The RWAU On-Site Training Program provides training to water system personnel that is specific to their water system and their work situation. By providing the training using real-life, hands-on water system situations experienced by the operations staff the training is made more meaningful and useful.

• The On-Site Trainer covers all areas of the state.
• The program is coordinated with classroom training to enhance the learning experience.
• Multiple system on-site specific issues may be conducted.
• The On-Site Training Program is funded through US EPA via the National Rural Water Association

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RWAU Circuit Riders provide on-site training and technical assistance to water as well as wastewater system management and operators. Circuit Riders consist of two water and one wastewater field staff who are located strategically throughout the State of Utah and systematically travel around the State so every system gets regular training.

• travel extensively throughout the state to offer onsite technical assistance.
• Provide assistance in all areas of operations, maintenance, management, security, loan application, health, and environmental issues to water and wastewater systems.
• Provide the type of assistance that offers "training" rather than "fixing".
• Obtain a minimum of 35 contacts per month (a contact is defined as a minimum of 30 minutes of on-site technical training and assistance with system personnel)
• The RWAU Circuit Rider program is funded through USDA Rural Development via the National Rural Water Association

The Rural Water Association of Utah (RWAU) puts on two conferences each year providing training and access to the industry’s newest technologies for the water and wastewater operators in the State of Utah.

• The Annual Conference is held in southern Utah in February/March each year. With an attendance of over 1700 people, this is one of the largest industry conferences in the United States.
• The Fall Conference, held in Layton, Utah at the end of every summer is a smaller and more intimate conference. With over 400 in attendance, more hands-on topics are addressed.
• Operator Certification classes, including the certification exam for both water and wastewater, are held at both of these conferences.
• We provide a series of specialty on topics that are critical to the water and wastewater industry

The RWAU Sourcewater Technician works with the DDW to provide assistance to water systems in completing their source protection plans. Additionally, water systems receive assistance in their regularly scheduled source protection plan updates. The RWAU Sourcewater Technician works with water systems to:

• Develop and implement a plan to address the state-specific source water protection needs of rural and small community water systems in the state.
• Provide assistance and support in facilitating the implementation of source water protection plans.
• Facilitate and mediating planning meetings between various cross-jurisdictional entities.
• provide assistance and support in source water protection planning.
• Provide presentations and assistance to local officials, community groups, and others.
• Respond to inquiries from facilities, consumers, governmental agencies, and others regarding technical matters.
• The RWAU Source Protection Program is funded through USDA Farm Services via the National Rural Water Association.

RWAU works very closely with the DDW in order to achieve the goal of helping water systems provide safe drinking water to their customers. Along with day-to-day communication with the DDW while helping water systems from the RWAU Circuit Riders, RWAU partners with DDW to do the following:

• RWAU Managers meet every other month with DDW managers to discuss current issues and upcoming events and regulations.
• RWAU Compliance Circuit Rider works directly with water systems that are on the EPA’s ETT list as well as those systems on the DDW’s top 25 list. The goal is to help these systems solve the regulatory problems they have encountered and return them to good standing in order to provide safe drinking water to their customers.
• RWAU Management Technician works with water systems to provide the managerial expertise many systems, boards, and individuals throughout the state are lacking. Examples of areas of assistance this position provides are Rate Structuring; Impact and Connection Fees; Ordinances, Resolutions, and By-Laws; Public Relations; Ethics and Conflicts of Interest; Elected Officials Fiduciary Responsibilities; Project Funding; Budget Preparation and How to Follow a Budget; Fraud Prevention; Parliamentary Procedure, etc.
• RWAU Development Specialist works with counties, water systems, and state agencies with the goal of helping ensure that all new water system development results in properly designed and self-sustaining water systems.
• Emergency Response Training classes are provided in partnership with DDW through a homeland security grant to provide training and assistance to water systems so they can put emergency response procedures and vulnerability assessments in place. 6 classes are held throughout the state each year.
• The programs provided through the DDW are mostly funded through the SRF program.

RWAU works with DDW as well as other industry leaders to promote and maintain the Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network. RWAU staff members serve key roles in this agency including the Chair (RWAU Executive Director) as well as the website maintenance (RWAU Information Technology Specialist).

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