Blog Archives - IAMU Informer

DNR Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Operator Exams

7/31/2020

Iowa's Drinking Water and Wastewater operators, pre COVID19, took proctored, standardized certification exams either at DMACC Southridge Computer Lab or, by appointment, at one of the IDNR Regional Field Offices. Due to the ambiguity of when, and if, these venues will again be open to the public, Iowa is switching to "remote proctoring". In early August an operator will be able to take their Drinking Water or Wastewater certification exam on any computer that has a camera and microphone.

Once they log in on the link and put in their unique number assigned upon eligibility, their browser is frozen; a proctor from the company we are using can see them through the camera; their surroundings are monitored for extra materials or cheating; and the test session is recorded for future reference if there is any cheating suspicions or accusations. The testing company will provide a YouTube Video and live customer support for any technical issues arising during a "remote" session. Once we are up and running all our backlogged exams should be cleaned up pretty quickly, potentially within a couple of days, and if we have to shelter in place again down the road there will be no interruption in examination services. Post Covid19 our operators will have two options for exam delivery: "remote proctoring" and our traditional method of on-line at an IDNR Field Office or Community College computer lab.

How do operators get signed up for a remotely proctored exam? IDNR will send out letters; utilize the DNR listserves and post on our website all information relative to an operator's new testing options when we have a more finite start date. Potential examinees should monitor our OpCert Static Webpage https://www.iowadnr.gov/environmental-protection/water-quality/certification/water-wastewater-operators; all information will be posted here the minute it is finalized. Also, if you are not signed up for the Drinking Water or Clean Water listserve, you should be. Drinking Water Listserve contact is Diane.moles@dnr.iowa.gov and Wastewater is courtney.cswercko@dnr.iowa.gov. All you do is send them an email and they will add your email address to the distribution list. Stay tuned for more info!!!

Water and Wastewater Workers of Iowa Week: August 16 - 22

7/28/2020

Governor Reynolds has signed a proclamation proclaiming August 16-22, 2020 as "Water and Wastewater Workers of Iowa Week". This week is set aside for cities and towns to honor those workers in the water and wastewater industry for their daily environmental work in keeping Iowans and the Iowa environment safe and healthy.

IAMU Safety Group Insurance Program 2020 Risk Management Workshops Cancelled

7/27/2020

The safety of our program members, local agency partners, EMC staff, and our own employees continues to be paramount. As a result, we have decided not to hold our annual in-person Risk Management Workshops for the IAMU Safety Group Insurance Program this fall.

In lieu of the workshops, we plan to provide everyone with a few short, pre-recorded videos that will concentrate on property/casualty market conditions and program updates, along with a few topics that directly relate to the challenges our members are currently facing. Links to the recordings will be emailed to all IAMU Safety Group Insurance Program members, and the local agents that represent them, in mid-October.

We look forward to seeing everyone live and in person in 2021! Thank you for your continued support and participation in the Safety Group Insurance Program for Iowa municipalities and municipal utilities.

Toolbox Talk - What is Hearing Protection NRR?

7/22/2020

The latest edition of IAMU's Toolbox Talks - What is Hearing Protection NRR? is now available.

Click here to download it.

Other Toolbox Talk articles are available here.

If you have a Toolbox Talk idea, please send it to Margret Meade.

Small Business Utility Disruption Prevention Program

7/20/2020

The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA) Small Business Utility Disruption Prevention Program will provide short-term relief to eligible small businesses and nonprofits that face significant hardship in the payment of utility bills for service provided during the months of disruption to their business.

Read more here.

Please Welcome New Associate Member - Barco Municipal Products, Inc

7/20/2020

BARCO Municipal Products, Inc.
PO Box 45507
Omaha NE 68145

800-228-2703 Website: www.barco1.com
Email: barcosales@barco1.com

Serving Iowa with Quality Products since 1969.
Utilities, Streets, Roads and Highways
Traffic Control and Roadway Safety Products.

Open Positions at IAMU

7/15/2020

IAMU currently has multiple career openings for anyone looking to join our talented staff. For more information and to apply, click the links below.

Energy Services Coordinator

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) is currently seeking a member-focused, innovative, and results-oriented Energy Services Coordinator. The ideal candidate would have experience in and knowledge of the electric and natural gas utility industries.

Candidates should submit a cover letter including salary expectations and resume via email only to IAMU’s Executive Director, Troy DeJoode at IAMU Energy@iamu.org.

Regional Safety Coordinator SEISG & SGCIS

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) is seeking qualified applicants for three open positions of Regional Safety Coordinator for various sections of the state.

Please submit cover letter, resume and references to:
(Add to email subject line and cover letter the acronym of which position you are applying for)
Dawn Hyler, Director of Finance
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
1735 NE 70th Ave, Ankeny, IA 50021-9353
Phone: 515.289.1999
Email: recruiter@iamu.org

2019 State of Iowa Public Drinking Water Program Annual Compliance Report

7/15/2020

Under the 1996 reauthorized Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the State of Iowa is required to publish an annual report of the status of its public drinking water program. The 2019 report is available electronically at the following address: http://www.iowadnr.gov/WS-Annual-Compliance-Report.

The report was compiled by the staff of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' Water Supply Engineering and Operations Sections, using data collected in 2019 from all active public water supplies in the state. The report contains a summary of the program, a description of the requirements that systems must meet, the year’s violation statistics, and the list of the systems with each health-based standard or major monitoring or reporting violation incurred during the year.

The photographs in the report are from Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund projects, primarily those that were completed during the year. The maps depict the public water supply system universe in Iowa and the locations of the systems that incurred the health-based standards and major monitoring and reporting violations. The maps are also separately listed on the website.

Iowa had 1,855 active public water supply systems in 2019. Of those systems, 95.5% were in compliance with all health-based drinking water standards, and 82.8% were in compliance with all major monitoring and reporting requirements. There were no waterborne disease outbreaks or deaths attributed to the drinking water at any active public water supply in Iowa during the year.

If you have any questions about the report, please contact Diane Moles via email.

Emil Segebart passes away

7/15/2020

https://www.overtonfunerals.com/guestbook/emil-segebart-jr#guestbook

FEMA Infrared Thermometers Available to Critical Infrastructure Workers Through IOWARN Network

7/15/2020

Infrared thermometers originally available to the Water/Wastewater Sector has been expanded to include additional private critical Infrastructure listed below:

Agriculture Co-ops
Food Processors
Critical Manufacturing
Banks & Credit Unions
Utilities – Water/Wastewater, Electric, Telecommunication
Trucking & Transportation Companies

In an effort to promote preparedness throughout private Critical Infrastructure industries and utilities, IHSEMD is making additional infrared thermometers available at any of the ten distribution points listed below. Locate the distribution point closest to you and follow their instructions for making a request. Public Safety, Police, Fire and EMS can obtain thermometers through their local County Emergency Managers.

Water/Wastewater Utility’s in each region have provided the location and instructions on how to request and pick up a thermometer in a minimal contact manner below. You MUST inform the pickup location of the organization name, number of employees and city.

Site # 1: Region 1 - Waterloo
Pickup Location: 325 Sycamore St. Waterloo IA
Pickup Instructions: Email request to: ryan.manahl@waterloo-ia.org Provide: organization name, number of employees and city. Thermometer can be picked up the following day from 8am – 9:30 am or 10am – 12:00pm at the west overhead door across from the Post Office. The facility is locked. Upon arrival remain in your vehicle and call Ryan at 319-415-5340, the thermometer will be brought out to your vehicle.

Site# 2: Region 2 - Mason City
Pickup Location: Water Plant 339 13 St NE Mason City IA
Pickup Instructions: Email request to region2masks@masoncity.net or call 641-421-3683 between the hours of 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday thru Friday. Provide: organization name, number of employees and city. Thermometer will be bagged and marked with the organization name on it for pick up and placed in the front entrance of the plant office. Pick up hours will be from 10:00 AM to 3:00PM Monday thru Friday. 641-421-3683

Site #3: Region 3- Sioux City
Pickup Location: Water Plant 1101 Tri View Ave. Sioux City IA 51104
Pickup Instructions: Send email request to bpuetz@sioux-city.org Provide: Organization name, number of employees and city. Thermometers or Masks can be picked up the following day by pulling up to front entrance (South Gate) and push the call button. Tell the operator who you are and where you are from. Proceed to the front entrance of the main building, ring the doorbell and someone will meet you at the front door with your thermometer. Problems call: 712-279-6150

Site # 4: Region 3 - Storm Lake
Pickup Location: Water Plant 6011 Hwy 110 Storm Lake IA
Pickup days & times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:00am to 12:00pm
Pickup Instructions: Email request to: sstewart@stormlake.org Provide: Organization name, number of employees and city. Use South entry gate and enter the front door that is marked for “Mask Pickup”. Thermometers be bagged and marked with the organization name on it for pick up on a table inside the door. Problems call: 712-291-2682

Site #5: Region 4- Council Bluffs
Pickup Location: Water Plant 2000 N 25th St Council Bluffs IA 51501 (I 29 exit 55)
Pickup Instructions: Email request to: fbouska@cbwaterworks.com Provide: Organization name, number of employees and city. Thermometers will be bagged and marked with the utility name on it for pick up the following day at the shipping & receiving door (ring bell). Problems call: 712-328-1006 ext. 1022

Site #6: Region 5- Ames
Pickup Location: Water Plant 1800 E 13th St Ames Iowa 50010
Pickup Instructions: Email request to hpetersen@cityofames.org Provide: Organization name, number of employees and city. Thermometers can be picked up the following day by entering at the main entrance on the east side of the building. Thermometers will be bagged and marked with utility name on a table in the lobby. Problems call: 515-239-5150

Site #7: Region 5- Marshalltown
Pickup location: 205 E State St. Walk in door on East side of building
Pickup Instructions: Email request to questions@marshalltownwater.com Provide: Organization name, number of employees and city. Thermometers will be bagged and marked with organization name on a table inside east door. Problems call:641-753-7913

Site #8: Region 5- Rathbun Regional Water Association East Treatment Plant
Pickup location: 16166 Hwy J29 Centerville IA 52544
Pickup Instructions: Email request to: jbuckingham@rrwa.net Provide: Organization name, number of employees and city. Thermometers or Masks can be picked up the following day between 8am – 4pm. Enter gate and follow signs to East treatment plant overhead door, enter walk in door. Thermometers will be bagged and marked with the organization name on a table inside the walk-in door. Problems: call (641) 895-7353

Site #9: Region 6 - RRWA East Distribution Shop Salem IA
Pickup location: 1677 Salem Rd. Salem IA 52649
Pickup Instructions: Email request to: jbuckingham@rrwa.net Provide: Organization name, number of employees and city. Thermometers or Masks can be picked up the following day between 8am – 9am. Thermometers will be bagged and marked with utility name on a table inside the large overhead Wash Bay door. Problems call: (641) 895-7353

Site #10: Region 6- Iowa City
Pickup Location: Water Plant (Customer Entrance) at 80 Stephen Atkins Drive Iowa City IA 52240
Pickup Instructions: Send email request to -4dceb@iowa-city.org Provide: Organization name, number of employees and city. Thermometers can be picked up the following day between 8am – 4pm. Packages will be clearly marked with the Organization name on a table in the front lobby. Problems call: 319-356-5160

JOIN IOWARN TODAY These times highlight the importance of Utilities being part of a WARN network. IOWARN is a Water/Wastewater Agency Response (WARN) network, a group of utilities committed to helping each other conduct response and recovery operations. A WARN provides a system of aid that may be utilized by water/wastewater utilities requiring emergency assistance from member utilities. There is no cost or obligation to be a member, go to http://iowarn.org/ print and sign the agreement and return a scanned copy to IOWARN Chair, John Lins - lins@dmww.com or 515-208-1993.