Montana Rural Water Systems, Inc. 2015 Spring—Summer Edition

Montana Rural Water Systems, Inc.
2015 Spring—Summer Edition
The 2015 Legislative Session at the Capitol
Training, Technical Assistance, & Regulatory Information
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MRWS STAFF
Article Table of Contents
2015 Spring-Summer Edition—Front Page
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Donna Wadsworth—Executive Director
[email protected]
National Director’s Report (Dan Keil—MRWS)
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Developing ERP for Protection of Source Water (Kristi Kline—MRWS)
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Nick Clos—Water Circuit Rider
[email protected]
MRWS WW/Septic Tank & Other Electronic Links—(Rory Schmidt—MRWS)
John Weikel—Water Circuit Rider
[email protected]
Dan Kramer—Wastewater Technician
[email protected]
Kristi Kline—Source Water Specialist
[email protected]
Rory Schmidt—Training Specialist
[email protected]
John Camden—Technical Asst. /Trainer
[email protected]
Tanya Shadrick—Billing Clerk
[email protected]
Wendy J. Weissman—Auditor/CPA
[email protected]
MRWS Executive Board Members
Dan Keil
George Dengel
Vincent Chappell
Dennis Peppenger
Robert Moog
National Director
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
MRWS Board Members
Allen Kelm
Dave Jones
Lon Sibley
Jim Magone
City of Miles City
Hill County Water Dist.
City of Roundup
City of Deer Lodge
Main Office Contact Information
Office Phone:
Office Fax
Address:
406-454-1151
406-454-3116
925 7th Avenue South
Great Falls, MT 59405
[email protected]
FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS!
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The Curb Stops Here (John Weikel—MRWS)
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MRWS Conference Notes
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A Word From Your MRWS President
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DNRC...NEWS
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2015 Annual Conference
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MRWS Conference Awards
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In The Trenches—(Nick Clos)
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Certification Corner
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Water Tanks and Severe Weather—Erika Henderson (Pittsburg Tank)
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Web Based Tool for NetDMRs—(Dan Kramer—MRWS)
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We Appreciate our Advertisers!
(Please Review the Ads)
Robert Peccia & Associates
Xylem (Godwin Pumps)
Medora Corporation
Environmental Dynamics International
DOWL
Rain For Rent
HDR
Sanderson Stewart
Bio Logical Solutions, Inc.
TD&H Engineering
Pittsburg Tank & Tower Maintenance Co. Inc.
Able Wright, Inc
Bio Lynceus, LLC
Bartlett & West
Ambiente H20 Inc. - Benjamin Lewis
FERGUSON Waterworks
DN Tanks
Interstate Engineering
Stahly Engineering
Black Mountain Software
AE2S Engineering
Montana 811
Wendy J. Weissman, CPA
Dorsey & Whitney, LLP
Montana Environmental Laboratory LLC
NCI Engineering
KLJ
Northwest Pipe Fittings
Maguire Iron, Inc.
Energy Laboratories
American Leak Detection
Pipe and Tank LCC
dpc
Great West Engineering
Hawkins Water Treatment Group
Chemical Montana Company
Yellowstone Water Works
Engineering America
Bio Logical Solutions, Inc.
Anderson-Montgomery Consulting Engineers
Morrison Maierle, Inc.
USA BlueBook
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Front Page…
By the time this edition reaches you the legislative session will be nearing the end of the 90
day session. As for utility systems, the biggest question will be if HB 5 passed and if current
utility projects will be funded. If not, how will this impact the cost of the project to the rate
payers?
At the start of the session, 252 bills were introduced for the 2015 Legislature to consider
and hundreds of other bills will have been requested. Our leaders will have worked hard to
balance the budget, provide necessary changes to current laws, and pass laws that protect
the state and citizens of Montana.
Some top issues for the session are: Bullock’s “Build Montana” legislation that seeks to
spend about $380 million on infrastructure construction such as water and sewer systems
and capital improvements across the state. The Governor proposes using a mix of bonding
and cash to finance the projects. Some Republicans have said they would like to use cash
only to pay for the projects.
Flathead Water Rights Compact— Governor Bullock and Attorney General Tim Fox have
made an agreement with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on the Flathead Water Rights Compact that must be approved by the Legislature, tribes, and congress. The
2015 session is the final chance for lawmakers to approve the compact. If they fail, the
tribes will have to file claims in a state stream adjudication court by June 30, 2015.
National Director’s Report—Dan Keil
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has delayed the Rural Water Technical
Assistance Funding. This is the funding for rural water association technical assistance and training.
EPA has raised questions concerning minor issues that need to be addressed by the National Rural
Water Association (NRWA) staff. I am hoping that this discussion will last for a short duration and
not like the last contract which took nine months to negotiate.
This EPA Technical Assistance funding has been reduced by approximately 2/3 since Congress
stopped the funding to the state associations 4 years ago. The funding once provided for one or two
full-time state association staff and now only a 3/4 position for water and a 1/4 position for
wastewater. As rural water on-site EPA funding continues to decline and becomes unstable, the
Agency is expanding its internal spending on other small community water issues.
NRWA is requesting that the “Operative Provision” in H.R. 654 be included in the EPA appropriations
bill which was the original intent of the law. NRWA is requesting full funding of the authorization of
$15,000,000. This is the only portion of EPA’s internal $2.5 billion budget that assists small and rural communities with EPA water mandates. Including this “provision” in the appropriation bill is the
only way to ensure EPA follows Congressional intent to help the small communities versus allowing
EPA the discretion to fund EPA priorities.
About this Newsletter
Montana H2O-NEWS-4-You is the official publication of Montana Rural Water Systems, Inc. It is published 2 times per year for distribution to representatives of rural and municipal water and wastewater systems. Articles, news items, and photographs are welcome. Submit to MRWS at 925 7th Avenue
South, Great Falls, MT 59405. Statements of fact or opinion are the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Montana Rural Water Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This is a non-profit bulk mailing permit at Great Falls, MT.
Compilation, Editing, & Layout completed by John W. Camden & Staff.
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Developing Emergency Response Plans for Protection of Source Waters
by Kristi Kline - SWP Specialist
To put together a comprehensible, workable source water protection plan (SWPP) for public water systems
(PWS), assessment information must be gathered about the drinking water watershed. Characterizing the source
water and identifying current and future threats to that water will help to guide the development of a successful
plan.
Whether the PWS source water is surface or groundwater, the protection areas can range from the entire watershed or recharge area to the surrounding area around the intake and/or wellhead area (consider the time of travel
to the well).
Identifying what type of threats to the PWS source water will guide the management strategies developed for the
protection plan. In addition, an annual monitoring plan should be included to ensure that the identified threat
sources are remediated, controlled or prevented for the future. For point sources, regulatory approaches are an
option to monitor, control, remove or prevent further creation of a point source. For non-point sources, regulatory (i.e. zoning) and volunteer strategies (i.e. Best Management Practices) are options to consider.
Another important management element of any SWPP is to develop an emergency response plan (ERP). Once
you have identified the threats to your source water, by furthering exploring the vulnerabilities and “what ifs”
that could happen, developing an ERP provides an opportunity to develop further protection of the source water
and mitigate the harmful impacts these threats could cause. Tabletop exercises are an excellent tool to “try out”
the developed ERP and see if it works, fails or needs improvement.
Elements of a SWP Emergency Response Plan should include:
• Information about the water system
• Potential contamination sources/threats and locations
• Necessary equipment and supplies needed
• Available resources to PWS
• Names and phone numbers of PWS Emergency Contacts
• Coordination with County DES Coordinator
• Procedures to communicate with water users about emergency and resumption of service after an event* Door to door; phone calls; reverse 911; Radio, TV, newspaper, social media
• Short and long-term water supply options
The final SWP plan should be provided to local DES Coordinators, fire, sheriff/police departments, health officials and any other coordinating entities that would respond to an emergency. SWP planning that includes
Emergency Response Planning is an added benefit to a process that will empower a community in protecting
their drinking water source for the future.
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Quick Rhubarb Cake
Use 3 or 4 cups of cut-up rhubarb
Layer in 9 x 13 greased pan
Sprinkle 1 cup of sugar over the rhubarb
Sprinkle 1 3oz, dry strawberry Jell-O
Add 1 white or yellow dry cake mix
Take 1/2 cup sliced butter and place over the dry cake mix
Pour 1 cup water over the top
Bake at 350 o for 45 minutes
It’s really good!
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The Curb Stops Here
by John Weikel—Circuit Rider
To disconnect and reconnect that is the question. At first this issue appears to be straight forward so why does
the answer continue to be debated in barber shops and council chambers around the state. Perhaps the base
word, “Connect” with respect to utility services, “Service Connection” should be evaluated and associated to
wording used in Montana Code. In fact, MCA 69-7-201 uses the terms discontinuance (Cessation; ending; giving up) of service and reestablishment (restore to new) of service rather than disconnect (to shut off) and connect (to Join). Furthermore, the definitions of these words bring enlightment to this over debated subject.
Should customers be allowed to determine what constitutes service or more importantly when they want to pay
for service? I read an excellent definition of service when researching this article and I believe that it should be
standard language in all water and sewer ordinances. The definition comes from The Rural Water and Sewer
District NO 5, in Bryan County, Oklahoma. “The term service when used in connection with the supplying of
water shall mean the availability for use by the consumers of water adequate to meet the consumer’s requirements and adequate sewage collection and treatment facilities. Service shall be considered as available when
the District maintains the water supply at normal pressure at the point of delivery, in readiness for the customer’s use, regardless of whether or not the consumer makes use of it and when the District has available to
the member sewage collection and treatment facilities. “
Alas, this debate has already been solved for some of Montana’s systems. Lakeside Water and Sewer District’s
ordinance includes the following:
Owners of property shall be responsible for payment of water or sewer services provided to that property regardless of occupancy or residency. Minimum billing is based on continuing service availability at each service location. Disconnect and reconnect transactions shall not relieve the customer from minimum monthly
charges.
The City of Belgrade goes right to the heart of this debate with clear and concise language making rates Reasonable and Just in full cooperation with MCA 69-3-201:
RATES: Water use rates will be charged to the property owner from the date on which the water use is established until the date on which the property owner or agent thereof orders the water use terminated. In no
event shall the charge be less than the minimum monthly rate.
Lastly, Water and Sewer Utilities have capacity requirements and every
property that is connected to the system is accounted for in their capacity
regardless if that property is developed, undeveloped or simply vacant.
Therefore, the costs for capacity are obligated to each and every property
owner. It seems this discussion may still leave many Montanans disconnected. It is Montana Rural Water’s hope that we can assist in connecting everyone in the near future.
Montana Rural Water Systems
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The 2015 Annual Conference was another successful conference in Great Falls, MT. for our MRWS family. I would like
to begin by saying thank you to all of the MRWS staff, volunteers, and board members who help make this conference so
successful every year!
Our theme, “Shaping Our Future Together” was co-hosted by
Bob Morrison from Morrison—Maierle and Bill Johnstone
from DA Davidsons. It showed how engineering has progressed from 75 years ago along with financing current projects today.
There were over 110 vendors and 900 attendees and we were
able to provide you with 55 training topics and over 70 plus
speakers. We also had a wonderful night of entertainment with
hypnotist “Sami Dare”.
Again, a big thank you goes out to my staff, our many volunteers, moderators, and speakers who worked so hard to make
our annual conference so positive. So many hours goes into
making the conference a success, I cannot thank everybody
enough. And to the attendees who took time off from work to
attend the conference (operators, clerks, consultants/engineers,
board/council members, and spouses) we’re glad you were
with us!
At the conference we honored our operators who had more
than 30 years of service. We will continue to honor these operators when they attend the annual conference.
Again, thanks and we will see you in 2016!
(February 17 – 19).
Donna Wadsworth - Executive Director
Shaping Our Future Together!
Creating the foundation for new opportunities requires us to
increase the strength and flexibility of our utilities. Investing
in man-made and natural infrastructure and building on pioneering science, mechanical improvements, and leading practices is vital. Investments in and benefits from good utility
management can be a driver for a better economy. Shaping
our utility’s future happens on a daily basis by you and other
experts in the water and wastewater industry. What do we
value most in our utility? What should we strive for over the
next 10, 20 or 50 years? What should we do more of? And
what should we stop doing? Shaping Our Future Together
is about us working together as a group and really thinking
about the future.
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A Word From Your MRWS President….
It is an honor and privilege to be the next President of the Board of Directors of Montana Rural Water Systems. I also know I have a rather large pair of shoes to fill. Dave has said he will not change his phone number.
Our February conference was one of the best yet. There were 900 persons in attendance and in excess of 100 vendors. That is terrific!. Montana has the largest conference in the northwest. But then, we are largest state in the
northwest.
I also must complement our staff. They are second to none. I will put them up against anyone. It is refreshing to
know that when you call on anyone of the staff for assistance, you are calling the best available. They also have a
good working relationship with the state agencies.
Our board is in transition with two new members as well as with the change in officers. I feel we have no way to
go but up. You know the saying, “Don’t just stand there, lead, follow or get the hell out of the way”. So it is onward and upward.
‘Til next time.
George A. Dengel
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Department of Natural Resources and Conservation...NEWS
We had a mild winter and projects are ready to start turning dirt and get into
construction with the help of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
(DNRC) and its funding programs.
STATE REVOLVING FUND PROGRAM
We have wastewater projects in Glendive and Butte that started last fall and
construction on those projects continues. Wastewater projects starting construction in
May or June time frame are in Havre, Eureka, Joliet and Missoula. We have water
projects starting construction in Fort Peck, Billings and Polson this summer. We still
have a number of projects going out to bid in a few months, which will start construction this summer. We will have a busy construction season. These are projects that
solve problems and provide jobs to Montanans. Many of these projects have Renewable Resource Program funding grants in addition to the State Revolving Fund loans
in the project financing package.
REGIONAL WATER SYSTEMS
Fort Peck- Dry Prairie
The big news is that the Water Services Agreement has finally reached a form
which has been agreed upon by the three principal parties: 1) Fort Peck Tribes, 2) Bureau of Indian Affairs, and 3) Dry Prairie Rural Water Authority (Dry Prairie RWA). A
formal ceremony to sign the agreement was held March 31st in Poplar.
Ongoing branch service lines construction between Poplar and Wolf Point will
continue after spring remobilization, and is expected to be completed November
2015.
Dry Prairie RWA has notified the Town of Culbertson of its intention to disconnect from the Culbertson’s water supply for the interim source. The actual date depends on the conversion of the regional Water Treatment Plant to chloramine disinfection. Consultants are working with Dry Prairie’s staff to establish timetables for that
conversion.
Rocky Boy’s-North Central
Construction on the North Central Montana Authority’s Conrad-to-Brady project
is complete. The District has been receiving Conrad water through North Central’s
water mains since early January 2015. There have been necessary adjustments
made to disinfection residuals, and there are chlorination-to-chloramination disinfection conversions here also.
continued on page 16
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On the Shelby-to-Cut Bank pipeline segment, with Shelby the interim source of
water supply; planning is ongoing. Negotiations for easements and rights-of-way for
the construction corridor are nearing completion.
Dry-Redwater
Over two years after a draft Feasibility Study for the project was submitted for
review by the Bureau of Reclamation, additional associated studies were still being
requested by Reclamation, under provisions of rules established after Congress
passed the Rural Water Supply Act of 2006. Presently, the Dry-Redwater Authority is
working with members of the Montana Congressional delegation to reintroduce a
2015 version of their Federal Authorization bill.
The Dry Redwater Regional Water and Wastewater Authority began providing
water service and sewage collection to rural users in Richland County in August 2014.
Water is provided via a pipeline from the City of Sidney to commercial lots and residential subdivisions south and southwest of Sidney. Sewage collection for a smaller
number of those lots is also being provided by the Authority, with mains conveying
wastewater to Sidney’s treatment facilities. Richland County has financed construction, and the Authority is operating the lines with assistance from Sidney’s operators.
Additional sewer and water main extensions in the area are being planned by the Authority.
Central Montana
(Musselshell-Judith project) - A draft Feasibility Study Report submitted to the
Bureau of Reclamation in 2013 has successfully reached the end of an historic review
period. The benefit-to-cost ratio has been determined to be in compliance with the
provisions of the Rural Water Supply Act of 2006. This is an unprecedented achievement for projects reviewed and coordinated by Reclamation under the 2006 Act. The
Authority is requesting the drafting of legislation for Congressional project authorization, with that process set to begin sometime in 2015.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
There is a flurry of activity at the Legislature. The Governor’s HB 5 Build Montana plan is stalled in the House. There are a number of new bills out there for infrastructure. We do not know what the outcome will be, but whatever it is, the DNRC will
be ready to help communities plan and construct water, wastewater and irrigation projects.
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Steven P. Troendle - Community Programs Director
USDA Rural Development Montana
2015
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Conference
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MSU Extensi er Quality Associate Spe
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Bill Decker—Manager of the Year
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IN THE TRENCHES
by Nick Clos – Circuit Rider
This article is not about the Great War of World War I but about part of the war on new and old, run down and
out dated infrastructure. Ninety percent of the people reading this article will be associated with digging trenches for one reason or another.
Trenching accidents are the top cause of fatalities and injuries in the construction industry.
• 100 deaths and an estimated 1,100 injuries per year.
At least four people get hurt in trench work every single day.
The most important thing you need to remember is that because of the nature of the earth and gravity, every
trench will fail, but you don’t know when. No exceptions!
At this point, some of you may still be thinking, “So what? A little bit of dirt can’t hurt all that much.”
• Then think about this: The main reason it can hurt is that dirt and rock are extremely heavy. Consider a
cubic yard of soil. (It may not look like all that much, but a cubic yard of soil can weigh over 3,000
pounds.)(1 front bucket load on a backhoe) That’s the equivalent of a typical four door sedan car.
•So when it comes to a full-scale cave-in, there isn’t much chance you’d be buried alive – you wouldn’t
live long enough for that. With a couple tons on top of you, you’d be crushed within minutes, even seconds.
Even if your head remains above the soil level in a cave-in, there’s only a slight chance a rescue team would be
able to get you out in time. That’s because the weight of the soil would prevent your chest from expanding. Bottom line: You could suffocate and die before anyone could free you from the soil.
Now let’s move on to some of the things you should be aware of.
TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING…You can’t get too much and it doesn’t hurt, I promise.
• Have a competent person.
• Your knowledge and actions play a key role in your ability to stay safe on the job site.
• Call before you dig (811)
• Inspect your trench box. If you don’t have one, get one. (A good one). And
know how to use it. You may not need one if you are faster than a speeding
bullet and can leap a tall building in single bound and change clothes in a
phone booth. For you younger operators a phone booth was 37” x 37” x
100” room with a telephone in it (Good luck finding one of those).
• Know the signs of potential danger and report them immediately
• Soil can destabilize quickly. Stay alert for cracks, bulging or heaving,
sinking along the edges, seeping or running water, trickling gravel or pebbles.
• Every year the MT. Dept. of Labor & Industry hosts a Safety Fest on all kinds of safety in different cities
around the state. For the rest of 2015 it will be in Butte, MT. June 2-4 and Billings on Nov. 16-20. The website
is http://www.safetyfestmt.com/
• An OSHA website on trench safety information is:
www.osha.gov/SLTC/trenchingexcavation
The internet is loaded with training videos and seminar information you can buy on trench safety.
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Here are some trench safety test questions you can look up.
A cubic yard of soil weighs approximately:
3 tons
300 lbs.
30 tons
3,000 lbs.
True or false?
If you get trapped in a trench cave-in, you can be killed even if you’re not completely buried by the soil.
True or false?
Protective systems aren’t necessary if you’re only going to be working in a trench for less than an hour.
The spoils pile should be at least how many feet from the edge of an excavation?
18 feet
4 feet
2 feet
4 inches
The top edge of a trench box should be at least how many inches above the level of materials that could fall into the
trench?
4 inches
18 inches
24 inches
Where does Superman change clothes now that all the phone booths are gone?
In the back seat of a 4 door sedan
In a training room
In a trench
Now ask yourself this! How much is a life worth?
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Saved for Your
Business Card Ad
Call MRWS
At 406-454-1151
To Save This Spot!
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CERTIFICATION CORNER
(List of new operators in Montana)
81ST ANNUAL FALL WATER SCHOOL – BOZEMAN – 2014
PERRY ALCORN
5AB
JOSHUA ANDERSON
2C
ZACHORY BUSCH
BRIAN CALDWELL
1A
PATRICK CLIFFORD
1C
ROBERT CUMMINGS
JOSEPH DAVIS
4AB
MATTHEW DONNELLY
2C
ROBERT FISHER
BRYAN FREY
1C
ROB GOODMAN
2C
JUSTIN GOSELIN
HAL HAEFS
2A3B JASON HANCHETT
3A4B JOHNNA HESER
LUKE HOLESTINE
3C
LACEY HOPPER
5AB
MATTHEW HOWE
JACK HUBER
4C
LAMONT KINKADE
4AB
GARTH MOODY
ROBERT OSTERMAN
1C
JOHN PANKRATZ
4AB
MICHAEL PETERS
BRANDON REID
1A
DAVID REXHAUSEN
4C
TRAVIS RICE
JERRY RODRIGUEZ
2A
COLTON SCHMIDT
2A3B LYN SEAVEY
ERIC SICKAFOOSE
4AB
HOMER (RICH) SMITH
1B
ELTON STICKEL
DANE SULLIVAN
1C
AUSTIN THOMPSON
3A4B AUSTIN THOMPSON
CODY TRIBBY
4C
JAMES TRUELOVE
3A4B LANCE WEDEMEYER
LANCE WEDEMEYER
3C
JOHN WHITE
4AB
MATHEW WHITMAN
GREG JOHNSON
2E
COLONY & SMALL SYSTEM TRAINING – MRWS – GREAT FALLS - 2015
MICHAEL GILSON
4C
ANDREW HUGGINS
4AB
MIKE MAZZA
TAMMY PIKE
3A
SEAN REYNOLDS
5AB
ADAM RUTZ
DAVID WHARTON
3A4B
MRWS ANNUAL CONFERENCE – GREAT FALLS - 2015
MARK AUSTIN
3A4B JAMIE BAIER
3A4B STEVE BRACHA
MICHAEL CLARK
3C
DOUGLAS DIAL
2A
IVAN (MARK) FLOCK
ROGER GANTZ
4AB
ROSS HANSON
1C
JACOB HOFER
MICHAEL HURFF
2A
PHILIP IVERSON
4AB
JUAN KELLY
SAM KLEINSASSER
4C
LUKE McADAMS
3A4B JEFF McALLISTER
CARL McLAUGHLIN
4C
NATHAN NASH
3A4B MARC NEIHAUS
MERCY PADGETT
3A4B ROBERT POSTMA
4C
KENNETH RIDWAY
JEFF STANDAERT
3C
SCOTT WIDHALM
4C
ZANE ROBERTS
CARL SMITH
3C
BILLINGS SPRING SCHOOL - 2015
ALAN BEEBER
5AB
BRANDON BIG LEGGINS 3A
TERRY CAYWOOD
CHRIS DASH
1A
STEVEN FRENCH
3C
LUKE HOLESTINE
JENNIFER SULT
2A3B GREGORY LEEDS
3C
PETER LEYVA
CHRIS LOCKMER
4D
CURTIS LORD
3C
RONALD QUINN
KENNETH RAYOME
1B
STEVE SKUHRA
3A4B JENNIFER SULT
CODY TRIBBY
4A
DAVE WAGGONER
1B
JAMES WICK
NATHAN WILM
4AB
IN-OFFICE EXAMS – HELENA, BILLINGS, KALISPELL – AUGUST 2014 – MARCH 2015
ORRY BROWNING
1B
THEKLA LEITHEISER
4AB
GAY MILLER
HEATH MASON
5AB
KENNETH LUCKOW
3C
BRANDON ALLEN
MARVIN HOFER
5AB
COLTEN HUCKINS
1C
JAMES BOWLAND
JAMES STEVENSON
4AB
OLVIA SIFUENTES
4D
RUSSELL DILL
MICHAELPETERS
4C
RICHARD WILLIAMS
3C3E LOUIS BEAUCHAMP
JOSEPH McCLINTOCK
3A4B KENNETH LUCKOW
2A3B STANFORD BECKER
CURTIS GREEN
3A4B CODY REPNAK
2A3B MICHAEL HOLLIDAY
4AB
1A
3E
1B
1C
2A3B
1B
3A4B
1A3B
1A
4C
3C
3A4B
1A
4A2B
4AB
4AB
1C
4AB
4A
3A4B
3C
3A4B
3A
4AB
3A4B
5AB
4AB
3C
4AB
5AB
2A3B
3D
2A
1A
4AB
3A4B
continued on page 32
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IN-OFFICE EXAMS – HELENA, BILLINGS, KALISPELL – AUGUST 2014 – MARCH 2015
MICHAEL JAYNES
DAVID WARBURTON
3A4B
1C
LANDON KINKADE
CLAY TURNER
4AB
5AB
ERIC SIMS
DAVID BALTZ
4AB
4AB
A = WATER DISTRIBUTION
B = WATER TREATMENT
C = WASTEWATER SYSTEMS
D = INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER
E = ON-SITE WASTEWATER
AB = GROUND WATER TREATMENT & DISTRIBUTION
Information provided by Julie Allen – DEQ/PWS Certification Program
A Hearty Congratulations from MRWS & DEQ!
Water Tanks and Severe Weather
by Erika Henderson, Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group
Severe weather can be devastating, and according to numerous weather sources- is occurring more frequently
and widespread. Tornadoes are now occurring anywhere from the Rockies to the east coast. Currently, the
southern pacific coast is experiencing a severe drought, many areas in the east coast are flooded, and thousands of people were killed in the Nepal earthquake.
Severe weather does not discriminate and it can damage or destroy everything in its path including water
tanks. Necessary water supply for consumption, fire protection, and emergency needs is crucial to everyday
well-being, and even more when a severe weather event occurs. Therefore, water tanks should be designed,
constructed, maintained, and inspected to withstand severe weather.
Tanks that have experienced winter storms and freezing should obviously be inspected for damage, but seismic activity, high winds, lightening, droughts, and flooding also occur in the summer months and tanks are
susceptible to damage from them as well.
High Winds/Lightning Strikes
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states, “Anchor bolts shall be arranged to securely engage a
weight at least equal to the net uplift when the tank is empty and the wind is blowing from any direction (1).”
Lightweight tanks definitely need to be anchored against high winds in areas that experience them, and elevated water tanks should have their windage rods inspected and tightened regularly to maintain winds of 150
mph, blowing from any direction.
Tanks not grounded are subject to lightening damage. Lightning strikes could cause power outages that could
affect the ability to receive water. Water pumps and alarms could malfunction, or a complete tank failure
could occur. NFPA 780 states, “Tanks shall be grounded to conduct away the current of direct strokes and the
buildup and potential that cause sparks to ground (2).”
Drought/Flooding
When a drought occurs, aggressive water conservation measures are often taken; but tanks still need to be inspected and cleaned. To conserve precious water, Robotic Operated Vehicles (ROVs) can be used to inspect
and clean tanks without draining them, thus saving the water.
Foundation damage can easily occur if tanks are subjected to flooding for prolonged periods. Tank sites
should have good drainage to minimize or prevent possible foundation damage from flooding. The site design
should also include provisions for draining the tank and the discharge from the tank overflow without damaging the tank site or neighboring properties.
continued on page 33
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Seismic Activity
Tanks are designed and constructed for resisting earthquake damage by complying with the earthquake design
load provisions of American Water Works Association (AWWA), in accordance with its Seismic Use Group
(SUG) and site class. The SUG is a classification assigned to a tank based on its intended use and expected
performance; Tanks that serve multiple facilities use the highest SUG. Site class accounts for the effect of local soil conditions on the ground motion and are based on the soil present and their engineering properties as
established by a geotechnical investigation. The SUG and site class help determine the appropriate freeboard
and the number of anchor bolts needed. Freeboard is the distance from the Maximum Operating Level (MOL)
to the lowest level of the roof framing and is determined by the sloshing wave height that could occur (3).
Freeboard is taken into consideration to prevent a tank from overturning or causing roof damage due to sloshing.
The design of the piping system connected to the tank should consider the effects of foundation movements
and potential movement of the connection points during earthquakes. Sufficient flexibility should be provided
to avoid release of the tank contents due to failure of the piping system. The piping system and supports shall
be designed so as not to impart significant mechanical loading on the attachments of the tank. Mechanical devices that add flexibility, such as bellows, expansion joints, and other flexible apparatus, may be used when
designed for the seismic displacements and defined operating pressure (4).
What to Look For
Water tanks should be inspected regularly for proper working order and stability before severe weather hits.
Overhead obstructions, trees and overgrowth that could puncture or damage a tank during severe weather
should be removed, and operators should routinely look for foundation, wind, and earthquake damage. Such
damage on tower-supported tanks may be indicated by cracked coating or welds at the tower connections;
broken, bent, or sagging rods; buckled struts; dented or twisted columns; or missing or loose rod pins. If any
of these conditions are observed, the tank should be professionally inspected. In addition, tanks in areas at
high risk for wind or earthquake damage should be inspected more frequently than tanks in low risk areas (5).
References
1. National Fire Protection Association, NFPA-22 Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire
Protection. 2013
2. National Fire Protection Association, NFPA-780 Standard for the Installation of Lightning
Protection Systems. 2014.
3-4.American Water Works Association, D100-11 Welded Carbon Steel Tanks for Water Stor
age. 2011.
5. American Water Works Association, M42 Steel Water Storage Tanks. 2013.
The 2016 Annual Conference
will be held
February 17, 18, & 19 !
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Web Based Tool for NetDMR’s
by Dan Kramer - Wastewater Tech
What is NetDMR?
NetDMR is a free web based tool for regulated permittees to submit Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) electronically via a secure Internet application via the Environmental Information Exchange Network. Any Montana facility that is required to submit DMRs is eligible to
file their DMRs electronically with NetDMR.
Net DMR is upon us and you’ll need to get on board. Many operators have moved on to Net
DMR already. It saves on postage and will not allow you to submit a DMR report unless all the
blanks are filled in and thus decreasing the possibility of getting a violation. First, you’ll need
to get logged in and set up an account and down load the signatory authorization form from the
website. Fill out the signatory form and have the owner of the system sign and date and then
return it to DEQ. When DEQ authorizes you to fill out the DMR on-line, EPA will be notified
as well. After the initial authorization, you will be able to move forward on the website. There
is on-line training that you can participate in with little to no problems. Keep in mind that this
new procedure will not happen overnight. If you need help, I can assist with the set-up or give
Gina Self (DEQ) a call at 406-444-0574. Below is additional information from the Water Protection Bureau.
Website:
http://www.deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/ctss/netdmr.mcpx
Home / Water Quality Information / Compliance & Technical Support Section / Net DMR
Compliance Section NetDMR Submission Information
Benefits of NetDMR
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Reduces paperwork burden
Assists with DMR data quality by automatically checking for certain violations prior to submission.
Improves timeliness and accessibility of DMR data.
Provides instant confirmation of submission.
Allows for fast revisions of DMRs to be submitted electronically.
Allows for the attachment of approved supporting documents – Metal and WET test analyticals, other documents submit
via hard copy.
continued on page 35
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System Requirements
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Internet Access Requirements: High-speed access to the Internet, such as DSL, cable-modem, T1 or partial T1
Hardware Requirements: Minimum Pentium III processor and 128 megabytes of RAM.
Browser Requirements: Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 6.x or higher.
STEPS FOR NET DMR ACCESS
I. Attend NetDMR Training before Creating a NetDMR Account using one of two trainings:
1. EPA Online Training and Presentations – available 24/7 http://www.epa.gov/netdmr/about/training.html
2. EPA Webinar - the page below lists upcoming sessions http://www.epa.gov/netdmr/
II. Create an account in NetDMR Test Site
Step 1:Create an account in the NetDMR Test Site (used for training only)
Step 2: Request your permit (s) and practice entering and submitting data in your NetDMR test account. A subscriber
agreement is required in NetDMR test.
Step 3: After entering DMRs in the test environment log into the NetDMR Production Site.
III. Create an account in NetDMR Production Site
Step 1: Create an account in the NetDMR Production Site (used for actual DMR submissions).
Step 2: Request your permit and VERIFY that your DMRs in NetDMR production match your permit requirements.
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Step 3: Submit a subscriber agreement for each permit/permits to which you are requesting NetDMR production access. You will be prompted to do so when you request your permit/permits. You must receive an email confirming your
account has been approved prior to entering DMR data.
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Step 4: Enter and submit DMR data in your NetDMR production account per your permit (s) requirements.
Step 5: Print a copy of a submitted DMR (COR) Print COR.
Here is another useful website to view your current data, charts, and trends on past data..
This site has most of your information needed to renew your discharge permit. The data can
be down loaded to an excel data format with averages. Great tool!
EPA website:
http://echo.epa.gov/facilities/facility-search
There are great tools out there to help you do your job and be more efficient doing so. You
might be able to save a system some money.
Have a great Spring!
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MONTANA RURAL WATER SYSTEMS, INC
925 7th AVENUE SOUTH • GREAT FALLS, MONTANA 59405
ATTENTION:
When finished reading, please route to:
Operator/Manager
Clerk/Treasure
Board/Council Member
40
Presort Standard
US Postage
Paid
Great Falls MT
Permit #237