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Winter 1999

New Certification guidelines affect states, water systems, and training
New drinking water certification guidelines issued by the U.S. EPA will affect state certification programs, water systems, and those who provide training or techinical assistance to operators. Read how the federal guidelines Final Guidelines for the Certification and Recertification of the Operators of Community and Nontransient Noncommunity Public Water Systems will affect your program or system.

An interview with Gary Hudiburgh
EPA helping underserved communities
Meet Gary Hudiburgh, who since March 1998 has served as chief of the Municipal Assistance Branch within EPAÕs Office of Wastewater Management (OWM). In this interview, Hudiburgh stresses two new initiatives concerning how the U.S. EPA can help small, underserved communities meet their wastewater treatment needs.

Managing a Drinking Water System:
NETCSC developing new short course for local officials
If you are a local official who needs to learn more about managing a drinking water system, or if you train others to manage these systems, the National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities (NETCSC) is developing a new training package that may be what you are looking for. Check out this article to learn what the course addresses.

Training Skills:
How to make a professional presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint¨
If you have ever wondered how you could improve your presentation for a conference or training session check out this article. In this article learn how this modern technology is user-friendly and will provide professional results, even for the novice.

E-news
There are five selections in this issue to gain information about training activities, resources, and events to assist with environmental training across the country.

• Troubleshooting Guide for Lagoons,
• Troubleshooting Guide for Rotating Biological Contactors,
• Troubleshooting and Optimizing Wastewater Treatment for Small Communities
• Industrial Pretreatment and Hazardous Material Recognition, and
• NETCSC Training Skills Handbook: A Reference Guide for Environmental Trainers.

Winter 1999 E-Train

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Spring 1999

Academy assists onsite wastewater training center directors in building better programs
The Academy for Onsite Training Program/Center Development was held March 4 to 6, 1999 in Weslaco, Texas. In a first of its kind "academy," directors of onsite wastewater training centers and programs practiced what they preach by helping each other learn how to build better programs.

RCAP representatives travel to NETCSC
Representatives from the national office of the Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP) recently visited with National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities (NETCSC) staff in Morgantown, WV to discuss assistance efforts for small communities. Randolph Adams, Ph.D., executive director of the organization and his staff are visiting small community assistance organizations to affirm existing partnerships and create new ones.

An interview with Gary Hudiburgh
EPA helping underserved communities
Meet Gary Hudiburgh, who since March 1998 has served as chief of the Municipal Assistance Branch within EPAÕs Office of Wastewater Management (OWM). In this interview, Hudiburgh stresses two new initiatives concerning how the U.S. EPA can help small, underserved communities meet their wastewater treatment needs.

NODP seeks to promote onsite management systems
A new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prooject is working to promote the use of onsite wastewater management systems to ensure public health, improve water quality, and assist small communities in planning for sustainable growth. The National Onsite Demonstration Project (NODP) began in October 1998 to ensure that onsite management systems are the wave of the future.

Training Skills:
Using graphics in PowerPoint¨
This is the second in a series of articles that explains how to use Microsoft PowerPoint¨. This article goes into more detail about the graphic capabilities of the program.

Web sites help keep trainers up-to-date
An overview of two Web sites that deliver a comprehensive collection of resources that will help trainers as they strive to release information that is comprehensive yet concise, current yet proven, and proactive yet relevant.

E-news
An "Intermountain States On-Site Wastewater Treatment Symposium" will be held July 27 to 29 at Utah State University in Logan. The symposium will bring together people from Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming to address onsite wastewater treatment issues in these states. The National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities (NETCSC) summer schedule of course offerings is announced. New York, Texas, and Oregon have approved courses offered by the National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities for continuing education credit.

Training Resources
The new NETCSC catalog, Training Resources, is now available from the National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities (NETCSC). The 24-page catalog contains more than 100 helpful training resources and provides detailed descriptions of the current training packages, training aids, and training-related information available from NETCSC. To request a free copy of the Training Resources Catalog, contact NETCSC at (800) 624-8301. Other training resources include:

• RTW Activated Sludge Troubleshooting Guide,
• Designs for Adult Learning, and
• Distance Learning: A Step-by-Step Guide for Trainer

Spring 1999 E-Train

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Summer 1999

Recycling marketing cooperatives: a proven delivery system for training
Recycling marketing cooperatives, cooperatives whose services are directed toward the combined marketing purposes of its members, have a well-established system for training. Three recycling cooperatives that have made great strides in bringing training and education to their memberships are highlighted in this article.

Surfing for solid waste information
Recycling is not a new idea and there are beneficial uses that should be considered when waste generation is unavoidable. Read about three Web sites for the harried government officials, businesspersons, and private individuals to check out for available options for recycling wastes

Training Skills:
Making an electronic presentation
This article explores the advantages of using electronic projection and provides tips to ensure a successful presentation. Two previous issues of E-train have introduced readers to the use of Microsoft PowerPoint to make professional presentations.

E-news
NETCSC announces their fall training schedule. Included are a homeowner septic system training course, an "Insider's View of On-site Wastewater Training," and "Assessing Wastewater Options for Small Communities." Another course offering being considered is a water rate-setting training course to be held in West Virginia in October or November.

NSFC holds conference for state regulators
Read about the first ever National Onsite Wastewater State Regulators Conference that was held in St. Louis, Missouri, April 29 to May 2.

MAP celebrates 20 years of technical assistance with training
The Midwest Assistance Program (MAP) is celebrating 20 years of providing technical assistance and training to small communities by sponsoring a special training conference October 13 and 14 at the Crowne Plaza Northstar Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For information or to register, read this issue of E-train

North Carolina plans onsite wastewater training events
North Carolina State University (NCSU) is hosting two training events that will be of interest to onsite wastewater system operators and trainers. Check this out for more information.

NETCSC Products List
A list of NETCSC products including training packages, training aids, and training related information on Environmental Management, Drinking Water and Wastewater, Wastewater, Drinking Water, Solid Waste, and Training/Adult Education in addition to the NETCSC Database Searches.

Summer 1999 E-Train

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Fall 1999

Minnesota, Maryland programs educate homeowners about septic systems
The concept of personal environmental stewardship is gathering momentum as environmental training professionals target their educational efforts toward individuals. This article profiles two successful state programs that educate the public about the importance of maintaining onsite septic systems.

Delaware provides free training to all operators, achieves major compliance milestone
Thanks in part to the recent funding by the Delaware State legislature; Delaware is now offering free training to all municipal, county, and state drinking water and wastewater treatment plant operators. This article relates how the support in training is paying off and bringing facilities into compliance.

New York's got a plan: State develops comprehensive five-year training plan
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has developed a New Comprehensive Five-Year Training Plan for Wastewater Plant Inspectors and Wastewater Plant Operators. This plan was based on a 1998 survey of 5,000 operators and inspectors. Check out how New York State's Environmental Conservation Department is making their training work.

Baranowski leads EPA's 104(g) training program
Curt Baranowski took over as project officer for an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program that provides onsite assistance to operators of small wastewater treatment plants a little over a year ago. Read about the benefits of the 104(g) program to systems, the evolving role of the regulator, and the short- and long-term goals.

Training Skills:
Volunteers help organizations and themselves
The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2001 as the "International Year of Volunteers." Learn how volunteers benefit your organization, how to train volunteers, and how to have a "win-win" organization.

E-news
Check out the training activities scheduled by the National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities (NETCSC) for fall and January 2000.

• The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) will host its Eighth Annual Conference and Exhibit at Jekyll Island, Georgia, November 3 to 6.
• The Groundwater Foundation's 15th Annual Fall Symposium, ÔThe Road Less Traveled: Understanding and Addressing Groundwater Risks," will be held November 15 to 17 in Atlanta, Georgia.
• December 12 to 15 is the date set for the 15th International Conference on Solid Waste Technology and Management in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Fall 1999 E-Train

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