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Communications Corner: Using alt text

8/10/2022

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​If you post an image on your website or on social media, be sure that you include alt-text (alternative text). Alt text is a description of the image that doesn’t appear on the site or post but is “behind the scenes” if needed. You should include alt text because:
 
  • It is a principle of web accessibility. Visually impaired viewers with the aid of a screen reader will be able to better understand the image. The reader will read the image description that you provide.
  • It will display in place of an image if it can’t be loaded.
  • It helps with search engine optimization because search engine crawlers use alt text to properly index images.
 
Your alt text should be concise, but descriptive enough that someone could visualize the image in their head using the words that you provide. You can and should use targeted keywords when appropriate but don’t overly use keywords, which search engines may ding you for.
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Celebrate Water and Wastewater Workers of Iowa Week

8/10/2022

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Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a proclamation declaring August 21 – 27 as Water and Wastewater Workers of Iowa Week. This week is set aside for Iowans to honor those workers in the water and wastewater industry for their commitment to representing their community, protecting public health, and caring for the environment.
 
Water and wastewater workers are unsung heroes in our communities, and many people often take for granted the quality, affordable, and reliable water that we rely on every day.
 
According to Gov. Reynold’s proclamation, “science-based practices continue to be a vital element in improving the quality of life and preserving and protecting public health in the state.” The proclamation also stated that “the wastewater workforce has dedicated themselves to applying environmental science to enhance drinking and recreational waters of Iowa.”
 
The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) encourages all members to thank the water and wastewater workers in their communities.
 
During Water and Wastewater Workers of Iowa Week, IAMU will share social media posts. Feel free to use these posts on your utility’s and/or city’s social media.
 
In addition, here are some other ideas for how to recognize water and wastewater workers.

  • Provide a breakfast or lunch sometime during the week
  • Include a surprise treat in the breakroom
  • Give utility-branded gear
  • Schedule a recess – an extra half hour off during the day (or extend the lunchtime break)
  • Rotate the prime parking spot(s) among the workers – either each day or assign them a week at a time in the future
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Natural Gas Leak Investigation & Repair Workshop: August 30 & 31, 2022

8/10/2022

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Registration is open!

Location: the IAMU Training & Office Complex.
​
Who Should Attend?
All personnel responsible for responding to reports of natural gas leaks, investigating leaks, classifying leaks, determining if emergency conditions exist, determining leak repair priority and repairing leaks.

Additional information, brochure and online registration can be found HERE

IAMU updated payment options:
When registering for an IAMU event online you will be required to pay with a credit card or ACH transfer. 
The “Bill Me” option will no longer be accepted.

If you prefer to pay by check you may request a registration form be emailed to you if one is not provided online by contacting Ashley with IAMU at 515-289-1999 or email aulrich@iamu.org. 

Once IAMU receives the completed registration form and payment you will be registered for the event and an email confirmation will be sent.

If you have any questions, please contact Nick Vandegriff, IAMU Gas Services Compliance Specialist at nvandegriff@iamu.org, or (641) 919-8411.
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Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program (RMUC Program) Listening Session

8/10/2022

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​The Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) will launch its Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program on Thursday, August 18, 2022, from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT. The event will include a listening session focused on inputs from rural, municipal, and small investor-owned electric utilities that have limited cybersecurity resources, are critical to the reliability of the bulk-power system, and/or own defense critical electric infrastructure. More information on how to register will be posted online.
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EPA Releases Much Anticipated Lead Service Line Inventory Guidance

8/10/2022

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​From EPA Website

On August 4, 2022, EPA released Guidance for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory to support water systems with their efforts to develop inventories and to provide states with needed information for oversight and reporting to EPA. The 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. Specifically, EPA’s Lead Service Line Inventory guidance:
  • Provides best practices for inventory development and communicating information to the public.
  • Includes a template for water systems, states, and Tribes to use or adapt to create their own inventory.
  • Contains case studies on developing, reviewing, and communicating about inventories.
  • Highlights the importance of prioritizing inventory development in disadvantaged communities and where children live and play.

EPA is harmonizing regulatory requirements with unprecedented funding through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make rapid progress on removing harmful lead from America’s drinking water.   

Guidance for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory (pdf) (6.98 MB, August 4, 2022, 816-B-22-001)
Inventory Template (xlsx) (1.53 MB, August 4, 2022)
Press Release

Upcoming Webinar- On August 10, 2022, EPA will host a webinar: Getting the Lead Out: Guidance for Developing Service Line Inventories and Funding Information on BIL (2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT). This webinar will provide an overview of EPA’s Guidance for Developing and Maintaining a Service Line Inventory and provide information on addressing lead with the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
  • Registration information available Here
    ​

**Note from Iowa DNR:  We are currently reviewing the 160 page guidance document  and performing a crosswalk of our draft lead service line inventory template with the example template that EPA has released.  We will need time to ensure that we understand the guidance and make any modifications necessary to our template based upon pilot testing and the EPA guidance.  We encourage you to review the guidance and register for the webinar, but as an agency we have not finalized our template or made decisions on items that EPA has left to the state's discretion. 
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IAMU Underground Electric Distribution Workshop (Sept 15)

8/10/2022

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​Mark your calendars for the 2022 IAMU Underground Electric Distribution Workshop.  This year’s workshop will take place September 14 - 16, 2022 at the IAMU Training and Office Complex.

Once again, we will be having an official T-shirt for this workshop.  This keepsake for workshop attendees is a great marketing tool!  Display your company name proudly as an official workshop sponsor during and after this year’s Underground Electric Distribution Workshop.
 
Your sponsorship also provides for the workshop luncheon.  This will take place during the training day on Thursday, September 15.  Sponsors are welcome to attend the luncheon to network with workshop attendees.  Tables are also available to sponsors who wish to set up a display during lunch.
 
Location and Time:
IAMU Training and Office Complex
1735 NE 70th Avenue
Ankeny, IA  50021
Thursday, September 15 - 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
 
  • T-Shirt Sponsorship is $150 for IAMU Associate Members and $250 for Non-Members.  This includes one complimentary T-shirt.  (Additional shirts are available at $15 each.)
  • Break Sponsorship - $100 per break
  • Lunch Sponsorship - $300 per lunch
 
The registration deadline for the T-Shirt sponsorship is Thursday, August 25.
 
For additional information including online registration, please click HERE.  If you have questions regarding the workshop, please contact Jared Masker at jmasker@iamu.org or IAMU at (800) 810-4268.
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IAMU Water Distribution & Leak Detection/Line Locating Workshops (Sept 21-22)

8/10/2022

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Mark your calendars for the fall IAMU Water Distribution & Leak Detection/Line Locating Workshops.  The workshops will take place September 21 - 22 at the IAMU Training and Office Complex.
 
These workshops will be IN-PERSON training events.
 
Water Distribution Training topics will include:
  • Fire hydrant maintenance
  • Water main tapping / HydraStop
  • Water main installation / repair & fittings
  • Valve Exercising Demo by EH Wachs
 
Water Leak Detection / Line Locating topics will include:
  • Water leak detection
  • Line locating
  • Trenching & shoring
  • GIS Mapping
  • Demo by TBD
 
0.6 CEUs each day for Water Distribution
 
Cost:
IAMU Members - $75/day or $135 both days
Non-Members - $115/day or $210 both days
 
*IAMU Members, please remember to sign-in to your member profile to receive member pricing.*
 
For more information about the workshops, brochure, and online registration, click HERE.
 
Questions?  Contact Steve Marsh at smarsh@iamu.org, or (800) 810-4268.​
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How to Reduce Turnover With Ergonomics

8/10/2022

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​In many cases, improving ergonomics can break the cycle of pain, medical bills and workers’ compensation claims. Check out how you can keep your employees happy and healthy by improving ergonomics in the workplace.

​Click here to read the EMC Loss Control Insights article.
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Communications Corner: Tips for taking video with your phone

8/3/2022

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Videos can be a powerful way to provide tips for your customers, show people how your utilities work, update everyone on a project, and more. You can post videos on your website or social media, include them in a presentation, or email a link to them.

These days, anyone can become a videographer, thanks to smartphones and the various free apps available.
​
Here are a few tips to taking great videos.
  • Frame your subject. Put him, her, or it slightly off-center for a more visually interesting scene. Most phone cameras have a gridline view option. The most popular framing technique is the “rule of thirds.” Line up your subject with one of the vertical “third” lines.
  • Avoid backlighting. Your subjects will appear dark, and you won’t be able to pick up details. Move to a different position, if you can, to avoid backlighting.
  • Take time to edit. Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to do a little editing to give your videos a “wow” factor. Many smartphones have basic video-editing included, and there are various apps that you can download for even more options. You don’t have to go Hollywood with the effects; think about adding simple titles and transitions. 

​Take your video in landscape orientation
to avoid having the two black vertical bars on both sides of your video. Just remember: Hold your phone horizontally.
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Iowa Submits Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan to Federal Government

8/2/2022

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Iowa’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment plan was submitted to the federal Joint Office of Energy and Transportation for review on August 1, 2022. This plan allows the state of Iowa to access earmarked funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA). You can view the plan here today:

Iowa Electric Vehicle Plan - Overview (iowadot.gov)

After certification by the joint office, there will still be many details to work out regarding program implementation and administration, so we anticipate it will be later this winter before Iowa is able to officially announce the availability of funding and the process for seeking those funds.
​
IAMU is reviewing the plan now, and will send a summary in next week's edition of the IAMU Informer Newsletter. If you have any questions regarding Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding opportunities, please contact Jeff Gorrie, jgorrie@iamu.org, 309-678-5579. 
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