COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

NETCSC’s 2003 Institute features five concurrent training tracks:

Drinking Water Track

Wastewater Track

Security Track

Finance Track

Training Assistance Track

Additional Program Highlights

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2003 INSTITUTE
SCHEDULE-AT-A-GLANCE

DRINKING WATER TRACK:

A. A Business Approach to Managing Small Water Systems
Tuesday, July 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Using sound business practices to run a small water system is one of the most important factors influencing the system’s long-term viability. This course focuses on key administrative and management practices that will help those responsible for the system run it like a business and improve managerial capacity. This course will help participants understand what a business plan is; how a good business plan helps to ensure the long-term success of a water system; how to work effectively with governing boards, operators, managers, and other staff members; and how partnerships or restructuring can improve system operation and customer service. This is an introductory level course designed for those who are new to this topic or new to their job. Assistance providers, trainers and others who work with small community officials or board members, or anyone with decision-making authority for a small water system will find this course useful.

F. Local Officials’ Responsibilities for Providing Safe Drinking Water
Wednesday, July 30, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The responsibility to provide safe drinking water and protect and manage water resources resides with most local governments. This course will cover local officials’ responsibilities for overseeing a community’s small drinking water system, providing safe drinking water, and protecting public health. Participants will learn about basic compliance, administrative, financial, and legal issues associated with system oversight; liability issues; source water protection; system security requirements; and resources available to help small communities. This is an introductory level course designed for those who are new to this topic or new to their job. Assistance providers, trainers and others who work with small community officials or board members, or anyone with decision-making authority for a small water system will find this course useful.

I. Building the Technical Capacity of a Small Drinking Water System
Thursday, July 31, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This course will examine the local official’s role in overseeing the technical operations of a small drinking water system. It will review basic water treatment facilities and processes as well as address the administrative aspects of source water and source water protection, treatment and distribution processes, and key operation and maintenance procedures, including sampling/testing, operator training, record keeping, and system evaluations and assessments.

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WASTEWATER TRACK:

B. Assessing Wastewater Options for Small Communities: For Local Officials (A Train-the-Trainer Course)
Tuesday, July 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, July 30, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This train-the-trainer course provides a comprehensive overview of wastewater treatment options for communities with fewer than 10,000 people. Participants will learn how to assess community needs and resources, select and work with consulting engineers, understand state regulatory requirements, choose appropriate wastewater technologies based upon the issues impacting a small community, identify financing options, and ensure ongoing system viability. Instructors will guide participants through the information gathering and decision-making process. Participants will learn about the unique characteristics of small communities and develop strategies for working with local officials. Instructors will address adult learning principles and presentation skills throughout the course. The instructors will model the delivery of the entire course content while demonstrating interactive training, how to manage a diverse group, how to tailor the session to meet audience needs, and how to use multi-media visuals, small group activities, and case studies. Tours offered on Thursday, July 31, are designed to complement this course. This course will be useful for experienced environmental professionals, staff assuming responsibilities in a new area of wastewater service, anyone new to the wastewater field, local officials, and others who work with small communities.

K. Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Technologies
Thursday, July 31, 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, August 1, 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This course highlights alternative onsite wastewater treatment technologies. Instructors will outline the advantages and disadvantages of different onsite wastewater technologies as well as discuss site characteristics, special uses, installation, initial costs, and long-term maintenance costs and management requirements. Participants will gain an appreciation for the range of technologies that may be used to treat wastewater in small community settings. This course requires that participants have a basic knowledge of onsite wastewater treatment principles. The session will be held at the West Virginia Onsite Wastewater Training Center and will include field activities using the center’s above-ground systems. Comfortable walking shoes for uneven terrain and a light jacket are recommended. Shuttle service will be provided to and from the Mountainlair and hotels as well as to the evening cookout at Coopers Rock State Forest.

J. Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour
Thursday, July 31, 9 a.m. to Noon

A tour of a small wastewater treatment plant will allow participants to learn more about centralized wastewater treatment and how to deal with wastewater in a rapidly expanding suburban area. This .75 MGD plant, which uses two oxidation ditches, replaced nine package plants, a small extended aeration plant, and a number of septic systems. Participants will also discuss long-term operation and maintenance costs. Shuttle service will be provided to and from the Mountainlair.

O. Alternative Onsite Wastewater Systems/A Unique Drinking Water System in a Remote Area Tour
Thursday, July 31, 1:45 to 4:30 p.m.

This field trip will showcase six different alternative onsite systems that provide wastewater treatment for a county park. Technologies include septic tanks used with a constructed wetland, a drip irrigation system, a low-pressure pipe dosing system, a recirculating sand filter, gravelless trenches, contour chamber trenches, and a sand-lined trench. The tour will also stop at West Virginia University’s Natural Resource Center where participants will see an innovative onsite wastewater treatment system and a unique drinking water system that serve this remote facility. Comfortable walking shoes for uneven terrain and a light jacket are recommended. Following the tour, the Institute shuttle will drop off tour participants at Coopers Rock State Forest for sightseeing and the cookout before returning to the Mountainlair and hotels.

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SECURITY TRACK:

C. Preparing for the Unexpected: Security for Small Drinking Water Systems
Tuesday, July 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Small drinking water systems serving populations between 3,300 and 10,000 must comply with new federal requirements for securing and preparing their systems to handle terrorist and other intentional acts that could disrupt their ability to provide a safe and reliable water supply. This course will present key strategies for complying with the regulations, including methods for assessing system vulnerabilities, putting security measures in place, and preparing an Emergency Response Plan (ERP). Participants will discuss how to handle additional threats, such as natural disasters, and the administrative aspects of implementing and overseeing these strategies. Worksheets and resources will be provided for on-the-job use. Course attendees may need to provide identification and may be required to comply with other basic security measures.

L. Emergency Response Planning to Protect System Assets and Public Health
Thursday, July 31, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This session will provide guidance and strategies for preparing and updating an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) specific to small community drinking water and wastewater systems. Because systems are vulnerable to natural disasters, vandalism, security breaches, tampering, accidents, internal sabotage, and the more recently recognized threats of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, an up-to-date ERP is essential. Participants will learn how to plan for and respond to potential threats and how to tailor an ERP to address a variety of incidents. National experts will address regulatory requirements, elements of an ERP, staff training, planning strategies, the changing nature of threats, Department of Homeland Security code alerts, and how to integrate a system’s ERP into the larger jurisdiction-wide plan to help protect critical assets and public health. Consultants will be available to review and provide feedback on existing ERPs. Course attendees may need to provide identification and may be required to comply with other basic security measures.

P. Assessing Vulnerabilities and Improving Wastewater System Security
Friday, August 1, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wastewater systems are important assets for small communities. They enable economic growth and protect both public health and the environment. Small community wastewater systems also face a variety of potential threats, including natural disasters, vandalism, and terrorist acts. Participants in this workshop will learn how to improve the security of wastewater-related assets in smaller communities. They will learn how to identify assets, identify and rank important threats to those assets, assess system vulnerabilities, and prioritize corrective actions to improve system security. Participants also will receive a copy of NETCSC’s Protecting Your Community’s Assets: A Guide for Small Wastewater Systems. This is an introductory course designed for assistance providers, regulatory officials, and small community professionals seeking to improve the security of smaller wastewater systems. Course attendees may need to provide identification and may be required to comply with other basic security measures.

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FINANCE TRACK:

D. Financial Management Basics for Small Utilities
Tuesday, July 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tracking and accounting for a small utility’s revenues, expenditures, investments, and other financial transactions are crucial to keeping the system financially healthy. This session will cover key financial management practices that will help keep the system financially sound and running like a business. Topics include bookkeeping, record keeping, accounting, and preparing reports and statements that provide essential information about the utility’s financial operations. Participants also will discuss the basics of business plans, capital improvement plans, rate setting, and audits. This is an introductory level session designed for those who are new to this topic or new to their job. Assistance providers and trainers who work with small community decision makers or anyone with decision-making authority for a small water system will find this course useful.

G. “Show-me Ratemaker” (A Train-the-Trainer Workshop)
Wednesday, July 30, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This workshop will introduce trainers to the process of rate analysis using the “Show-me Water Ratemaker” and “Show-me Sewer Ratemaker” software programs. Developed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resource’s Environmental Assistance Office, these easy-to-use programs help systems to examine their current rates, set new—more equitable—rates, convince customers to support new rates, and persuade funding agencies or the bond market to invest in their sewer or water project. The software produces a five-year projection of rates, costs, reserve balances, and numerous financial condition indicators. It also generates easy-to-understand tables and visual charts that local officials, board members, and customers can use. Based in Microsoft Excel, the software makes it quick and easy to develop “what if” scenarios by changing inputs to see what the results would be. All participants will receive the “Show-me” software, budgeting booklets and guides, handouts, and related materials. This workshop will be helpful for trainers and technical assistants who help small communities with decisions that affect utility finances.

M. Financial Information and Decision Making for Small Utilities
Thursday, July 31, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Making sound financial decisions for a small utility depends upon maintaining and interpreting financial information. This course builds on the concepts presented in “Financial Management Basics for Small Utilities” by examining how to read and use financial information, records, and reports to make budgetary and financial decisions. It will help participants understand the political and policy impacts of financial decisions. Key topics include balance sheets, income statements, budgeting, capital budgeting, financial analysis and ratios, and project financing. This is an advanced level course designed for those who are familiar with utility bookkeeping, record keeping, and accounting practices. Assistance providers and trainers who work with small community decision makers or anyone with decision-making authority for a small water system will find this course useful. Recommended pre-requisites for this course include two years experience with small utility bookkeeping and accounting practices or completion of “Financial Management Basics for Small Utilities,” offered on Tuesday, July 29.

Q. Implementing Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 34 in Small Communities
Friday, August 1, 8:30 a.m. to Noon

Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 34 requires small communities to report on the value of their water and wastewater system assets, develop procedures and methods for asset management, and accurately reflect the financial health of these systems. Participants in this course will learn details of GASB 34 requirements, tools and techniques for moving toward the conversion, resources to determine the cost and depreciation of a system, compliance dates, advantages of the new accounting changes, and consequences for failure to implement these changes. Small community finance staff, drinking water and wastewater system managers, and technical assistance providers will find this session helpful. Participants who are unfamiliar with accounting terminology are encouraged to attend “Financial Management Basics for Small Utilities” as a pre-requisite to this session.

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TRAINING ASSISTANCE TRACK:

E. Regulatory Update: Water and Wastewater Requirements for Small Communities
Tuesday, July 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This workshop provides an overview of recent and upcoming water and wastewater regulatory requirements applicable to small communities with fewer than 10,000 people. A variety of water and wastewater regulations will be covered to help participants understand the range of requirements affecting small communities now and in the future. The workshop is oriented primarily toward those who work in or assist smaller communities in managing water and wastewater infrastructure, although others with an interest in small community environmental management may also want to attend. This course will be of interest to those who are new to small community environmental management as well as those who are experienced in this area and want an update on new and upcoming regulations.

H. Model Environmental Training Programs that Reach Local Officials
Wednesday, July 30, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This interactive session will showcase successful environmental training programs for local officials across the country and examine training needs from a local, state, and national perspective. Environmental professionals who have been actively involved in quality training programs will provide an overview of their programs and the lessons they learned. Instructors will address development, outreach efforts, small community-specific training materials, successful partnerships, funding, logistics, and training evaluation. Instructors represent state-operated assistance programs, community assistance programs, state-mandated training programs, and local official associations. Participants will learn how to assess the results of their training programs, how to measure participants’ improved knowledge and skills, and how to demonstrate actual post-training changes in the way local officials conduct business in small communities.

N. The Art of Training and Presentations and the Science of Learning
Thursday, July 31, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participants in this course will learn about basic training skills, the needs of adult learners, and tips for giving a speech, conducting a training session, or making a public presentation. This session will focus on combining the ability to communicate effectively so that others listen while developing training techniques to ensure transference of skills and concepts. The instructor will demonstrate a discovery learning approach that promotes learning while applying techniques that improve the presenter’s ability to develop relationships with the audience.

R. Using Videoconferencing Facilities to Reach Small Water System Operators and Managers
Friday, August 1, 8:30 a.m. to Noon

Videoconferencing allows trainers to conduct meetings, classes, and workshops via satellite, reaching people across state lines and in remote locations. This workshop will explore the benefits of using videoconferencing facilities to train water supply operators and managers. Participants will become familiar with videoconferencing technology, learn where to access videoconferencing facilities, and discern which topics are suitable for training using this method. The instructor will share his experience using videoconferencing to conduct monthly training programs for small water supply system managers and operators in Nevada. Participants will learn how this successful program operates, how to select training topics, and how to develop successful partnerships with other instructors and agencies.

S. Roundtable Discussion Group
Friday, August 1, 1:15 to 3:15 p.m.

What types of assistance do small communities request? What kind of training is needed to serve the changing needs of small communities? What are the challenges small communities face? This session will provide an opportunity for Institute attendees to share technical assistance experiences in an informal forum guided by a facilitator. Training and training assistance needs will be identified, and participants will have an opportunity to assess needs and share solutions. This session will help define topics and guide course content for future NETCSC Institutes and resource development. All Institute participants are invited to attend this interactive session.

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ADDITIONAL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

“An Evening with Exhibitors” Reception
Tuesday, July 29, 5 to 7 p.m.

This reception will open the 2003 Institute Exhibit Hall for the week. Exhibitors will showcase and demonstrate products, services, and resources that help small communities deal with environmental issues. Participants will have the opportunity to meet nationally recognized trainers, training specialists, consultants, and others who work with small communities.

Working Luncheon and Program—“Emerging Perspectives on Small Community Environmental Management”
Wednesday, July 30, 11:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

This working luncheon will provide an informal forum for Institute attendees to learn about small community needs and training. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with instructors, NETCSC staff, each other, and Institute alumni. A short program relating to emerging perspectives on small community environmental management also will be conducted. James Hanlon, Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Wastewater Management will provide the keynote address. His presentation, “Environmental Management and Technical Assistance for Small Communities,” will allow Institute attendees to learn about EPA’s activities in this area.

Cookout at Coopers Rock State Forest
Thursday, July 31, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Institute participants can hike or stroll on trails amid mountain laurel, enjoy a spectacular view of the Cheat River, and relax in a quiet forest setting while enjoying an evening of good food, conversation with colleagues, and Irish music by the popular band Stewed Mulligan. The Institute shuttle will provide transportation to and from the park.

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