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One Day Training Sessions
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2022 Fall Conference Recap! |
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Fall Conference in Downtown Fort Wayne last month! It was the biggest one yet, with over 600 people!
The Sportsman's Raffle, which raises money for the Water Pac Fund and represents rural water and wastewater in Washington D.C., was a popular stop for our attendees and exhibitors! This year's Grand Prize Winner was Bob Hyatt from Covalen, who walked away with $1,500 cash! Bob and the guys of Covalen donated $300 back to the Alliance Scholarship Fund! How amazing of them! Bill Vaughn from Bluffton claimed the shotgun during our Shotgun Raffle! Our brand-new conference app was a huge hit, and four people walked away with a cash prize or Amazon gift card from their engagement: 1st – Erin Michael of BBP Water Corp., 2nd – Becki Gaines of Portage Utilities, Tied for 3rd – Tracie Marshall of Portage Utilities & Angie Martin of Aqua Indiana – Fort Wayne.
Thank you to all of our attendees, speakers, vendors, and sponsors for helping make this another fantastic event!
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We Welcome a New Board Member in 2023!
Our Annual Membership Meeting at the Fall Conference included the election of three board members: Jackie Hilgartner - At-Large, Tom Speer - District 2, and Nate Besse - District 1. All were elected for 3-year terms beginning in 2023. Tom Speer and Nate Besse were re-elected. Newly elected Board Member, Jackie Hilgartner, is the General Manager of And-Tro Water Authority. Congratulations to Jackie, Nate & Tom!
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Welcome to our New Advisory Council Members!
During the conference, we shared the newly selected Alliance Advisory Council Members, Josh Hawley with Ziptility & Derrick Short with Advanced Rehabilitation Technology! We're excited to have them onboard Team Alliance!
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Fort Wayne Utilities Wins Best Tasting Water in Indiana! |
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Wednesday's luncheon at the conference featured the finals for the Best Tasting Water in Indiana contest. Fort Wayne Utilities was crowned as having the tastiest in the state and will move on to compete in the Great American Water Taste Test next year at the National Rural Water Association's Rural Water Rally in Washington DC. Congrats to Fort Wayne Utilities!
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Call for Speaker Applications for 2023 Conferences |
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We're looking for speakers for our upcoming conferences!
Some things we're looking for: highly engaging sessions, current industry issues and concerns, and topics of interest for utility professionals.
We will be selecting classes to fill 3 tracks - water, wastewater, & administrative.
The deadline to apply for the Spring Conference is Friday, December 2!
The deadline to apply for the Fall Conference is Friday, June 30.
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New Executive Director Announced! |
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We recently announced the retirement of our current and longtime Executive Director, Connie Stevens. Taking her place as the new ED in January 2023 is Alliance employee, Dee Deig! We're so excited for her and know she will do amazing things as our next leader!
Dee began working for the Alliance in early 2019. She has a B.S. in Business Management from Oakland City University, along with 15+ years of previous experience in the energy efficiency industry and a plethora of industry knowledge, skills and abilities to lead us to success!
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National Apprenticeship Week Recap! |
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We celebrated the 2022 National Apprenticeship Week (#NAW2022) November 14-20. This nationwide celebration through the Department of Labor brought together industry leaders, career seekers, labor, educational institutions, and other critical partners to demonstrate their support for apprenticeship. This important week provided us with a great opportunity to showcase our nationally recognized program and the amazing and essential work our nearly 60 apprentices have been doing each day in their communities.
Some Alliance #NAW2022 Highlights:
- We recognized several of the women in our Apprenticeship Program. Less than 1 in 5 industry employees are females, and while studies are showing this number has been growing, much still has to be done to ensure the water and wastewater industry provides equal opportunity to women, as well as supportive, inclusive environments that allow them to enjoy long, successful careers.
- We had the pleasure of showing some appreciation for our Apprentices who are also Veterans or Active-Duty Military. Not only have these wonderful individuals provided service to their communities, but also to their entire country!
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We shared a congrats to the Alliance nominee for National Rural Water Association's 2022 Outstanding Apprentice, Willie Brock of North Lawrence Water Authority!
- We also did a shoutout to our Apprentice Training Director, Donald Papai, and our Apprenticeship Program Coordinator, Kelly Gardner, who have done a fantastic job at guiding our apprentices through the program.
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Of the 588 apprentices nationwide in the water and wastewater industry, we're proud to share that nearly 10% of them are completing an apprenticeship program right here with the Alliance! Learn more about our program here!
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Utilities, please connect with your designated Alliance Circuit Rider today to complete the Similar Systems Survey. This survey will provide data to help compare utility systems, assist in showcasing the need for utility funding, and potentially help speed up the funding process. Additionally, the data from this survey can help influence the amount of grant money and the interest rate for which applicants may qualify.
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2023 Alliance Scholarship Program |
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Each year, the Alliance awards scholarships based on fundraising from our annual Golf Outing and Clay Shoot. This year, the Alliance will be awarding FOUR $2,000 scholarships! Click here to download the application!
*Eligible applicants must be a citizen or legal resident of the US, a resident of Indiana, and a dependent of a voting member system employee that is pursuing secondary education endeavors in Fall 2023.
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2023 Alliance Awards of Excellence |
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*Eligible nominees must be affiliated with a system member in good standing.
We accept nominations for the following categories:
- MANAGER OF THE YEAR
- ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
- WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR
- WASTEWATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR
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EPA Updates and Webinar Recordings |
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This EPA guidance provides essential information to help water systems comply with the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions requirement to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials by October 16, 2024.
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EPA Releases First-ever Agency-Wide Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities |
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities (Lead Strategy), in conjunction with National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. This first-ever, agency-wide Lead Strategy outlines how EPA will utilize its full suite of authorities, expertise, and resources to reduce lead exposure in communities overburdened by pollution..."
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EPA Issues Final List of Contaminants for Potential Regulatory Consideration in Drinking Water, Significantly Increases PFAS Chemicals for Review |
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Final Fifth Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 5), which will serve as the basis for EPA’s regulatory considerations over the next five-year cycle under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This update includes a substantial expansion of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), an important first step towards identifying additional PFAS that may require regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act."
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EPA 2022 Webinar Recordings |
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Small Drinking Water Systems Webinar Series
Links to closed-captioned recordings of past webinars hosted on EPA's YouTube channel are available below. Certificates cannot be provided for watching the webinar recordings.
EPA Water Research Webinar Series
Recordings of past webinars are available below and are being hosted on EPA's YouTube channel. Certificates cannot be provided for watching the webinar recordings.
The 2023 schedule for EPA Trainings will be posted in December 2022.
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Indiana Finance Authority Regional Water Planning Meetings |
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Regional Water Planning Meetings for the Indiana Finance Authority dates and locations are now available on the IFA website. Please review the map to find the meeting scheduled for your area and plan to attend.
As a reminder, utilities are required to attend at least one regional meeting a year. If you have questions, please email WaterResources@ifa.in.gov.
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NRWA Webinar with 120Water: Lessons Learned Along the LCRR Journey
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Tuesday, December 6| 3:00-4:00pm EST
Roundtable Discussion Style
Speakers: Lowell Huffman, 120Water
System Speakers: TBA
This discussion will include:
- What records could inform your inventory
- Where to find these records and how to organize them
- Next steps once your data is organized
- How to partner with other local departments and the community to fund and build your inventory
- And much more...
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Click link below for resources from NRWA + 120Water
Our members have access to discounts on products and services offered by 120Water
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Affinity Partners/Programs & Services Portfolio |
As the only affiliate of National Rural Water Association in the state, the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water is proud to offer our members an array of products and services that have been vetted and specifically chosen as partners that work well with and for rural water and wastewater utilities. If you have any questions about any of these programs, please contact our office at 888-937-4992 or ask your circuit rider.
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Check out the latest issue of our membership magazine, the Hoosier Pipeline, here!
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