Water and wastewater members: Registration is open, plan to attend the annual Water and Wastewater Operators Training Workshop which will be held Nov. 28 – 30.
The workshop will take place at Prairie Meadows – The Meadows Events Center in Altoona.
 
This three-day workshop is geared toward water and wastewater professionals wanting practical information to help them do their jobs. There will be both basic and advanced topic for water treatment, water distribution, and wastewater. Attendees can earn 1.2 CEUs toward certification.
 
For more information or to register as an attendee or vendor, visit the event webpage on the IAMU website.
 
The early registration deadline is November 10.

Article provided by EMC Insurance

Keep your table saws in safe, working order and your employees injury free with these five tips.
 
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Be sure to say hello to Alex, our newest employee.  Alex Lemons joined the IAMU team on Monday, October 23, as a Safety Specialist.  Alex will travel the state providing training and safety expertise to our members, and work remotely from his home in Newton. Alex received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Iowa State University.  He has numerous certifications including Blood Bourne Pathogen Red Cross Certification, Hazardous Material Clean Up, Self/Team Rescue from Heights, Fall Protection, Confined Space, and First Aid/AED/CPR Certification, just to name a few.
 
Alex’s most recent employer was Duke Energy where he was provided leadership and safety expertise as a Renewable Blade Team Lead.  His responsibilities included providing strategic direction to staff, optimizing logistics and facilitating training programs.  He worked closely with business partners to ensure efficient repair while maintaining strict adherence to safety standards.  Previous roles at GE Renewables and TPI Composites included oversight of diverse projects, designing comprehensive training platforms plus hands-on equipment repair alongside his team to ensure safe and efficient performance. 
 
His strong safety background, numerous certifications and team leadership skills will allow IAMU to continue providing quality training to our members.

Do you have a big project coming up? As utility workers, we sometimes find ourselves saying “I could really use another set of hands on this project.” What if you could get a skilled, professional, and highly diligent worker on the project for little to no cost to your utility? The Iowa Economic Development Authority has teamed up with the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council to provide externships for Iowa teachers at Iowa utilities for little to no cost to the host utility. Hosts are encouraged to cost share the expense of the STEM Teacher Extern through a tax-deductible donation for up to half the cost or $3,000. In an effort to generate more interest in Energy Sector Externships there is an Iowa Economic Development Authority Grant to help with the host cost share.
 
To learn more about this great opportunity join IAMU and Iowa STEM Externship Coordinator Ann Gritzner for an informational webinar on November 15th 10AM – 11AM. Register by clicking HERE!
 
The Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program aims to build bridges between Iowa’s workplaces and STEM educators across the state by having teachers work at local businesses, organizations, and other workplaces alongside knowledgeable and skilled employees for six weeks during the summer.

Iowa STEM Teacher Externships are full-time professional development experiences that operate during six weeks in the summer. The Host will identify a hands-on project that contributes to an organization’s bottom line. A flexible work schedule may be negotiated between the Workplace Hosts and STEM Teacher Externs. STEM Teacher Externs must devote 200-240 hours at the Workplace Host site to complete the experience.

Since the program launched in 2009, over 850 Teacher Externs have worked at more than 250 Iowa workplaces, building long-lasting school-business partnerships across Iowa that provide educators with the ability to improve student STEM experiences and career knowledge.
 
The Iowa STEM Teacher Externship Program is a great opportunity to spread the word about Iowa Municipal Utilities to educators and students. Each Teacher Externship experience is different and matched to the interest of the Host and the Extern.

IAMU member Muscatine Power and Water hosted Lone Tree Teacher and Extern Jessica Howard. Learn more about their story below:
Jessica collaborated with Muscatine Power and Water’s (MPW) HR and Marketing departments helping with projects including the Customer Appreciation Day event, Employee Recognition Programs, and exploring the different departments at MPW. From water, power, communications, and internet, MPW allowed for a unique experience for Jessica to explore and bring back to her classroom. Specifically working on helping different departments bring their education for customers to fruition, creating custom designs, and working across organizational boundaries to help fulfill needs. Here is what Jessica has to say about her time with MPW: “My experience at Muscatine Power & Water was phenomenal. I probably would not have chosen that as one of my top picks for an Externship without the push and I am so glad the IEDA Grant gave me that push! I have so many applicable skills and insights into future jobs and the future of our energy sources that I wouldn't have had if I wasn't able to be at MPW. In my classroom, I have used the real-life engineering skills that I learned firsthand from MPW engineers to teach and educate my students, as well as, looking at industry trends and job opportunities. MPW has been amazing at welcoming my students into their company as well as supporting my classroom by visiting and providing resources and information.
 
And here is what Extern Host, Muscatine Power and Water had to say about the experience. “We loved having Ms. Howard with us, not one, but TWO summers. We wanted more opportunities to take our work to the schools but struggled developing content geared towards students. Jess learned from us and used her skills to develop that content with us. Very highly recommend the extern program to other employers! These partnerships are important and beneficial to both parties.”
 
Below are a few informational PDF's:
 
Event Flyer
 
Iowa STEM Teach Externship Timeline
 
Additional Information

Water and wastewater members: Registration is open, plan to attend the annual Water and Wastewater Operators Training Workshop which will be held Nov. 28 – 30.
The workshop will take place at Prairie Meadows – The Meadows Events Center in Altoona.
 
This three-day workshop is geared toward water and wastewater professionals wanting practical information to help them do their jobs. There will be both basic and advanced topic for water treatment, water distribution, and wastewater. Attendees can earn 1.2 CEUs toward certification.
 
For more information or to register as an attendee or vendor, visit the event webpage on the IAMU website.
 
The early registration deadline is November 10.

Presented by KGM
Registration is open! CLICK HERE!
November 8, 2023

Proper natural gas measurement is essential to the overall success of your utility! This workshop is designed to provide natural gas personnel with in-depth training into the fundamentals of natural gas measurement as well as advanced measurement principles.

Training will be provided on the following topics:
• Meter sizing/capacity calculations/correction factors (7” WC, 2#, 5#, etc.)
• Recommendations for meter testing & meter change out programs
• Diaphragm meter installation/maintenance/troubleshooting/common problems
• Rotary meter installation/maintenance/troubleshooting/common problems
• Ultrasonic meter installation/maintenance/troubleshooting/common problems
• ERT/AMR installation/programming for diaphragm, rotary & ultrasonic/ K-factor/common installation issues

If you have any questions, please contact Nick Vandegriff, IAMU Gas Services Compliance Specialist at [email protected], or (641) 919-8411

Iowa DOT and its partners have developed a draft notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) that will be used to disburse federal NEVI formula funds within the state. The final NOFO will be the mechanism to solicit applications and ultimately select funding recipients to support the roll-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure along interstate alternative fuel corridors.

Because this is a first of its kind program within Iowa, Iowa DOT and its partners are distributing draft NOFO documents for comment and feedback from potential applicants and stakeholders. Specifically, we are looking for feedback on the content and requirements outlined in the draft NOFO. Iowa DOT will review all feedback received and make any amendments to the NOFO as necessary before putting the final NOFO out for full advertisement in the coming weeks. Iowa DOT will not be posting the feedback received nor will we be responding directly to questions or feedback. 
 
You can view the draft NOFO document here: Iowa-NEVI-NOFO-draft.pdf (iowadot.gov).

Iowa DOT will be receiving comments for 14 days, until November 2, 2023. To submit a comment, email [email protected] and include “NOFO Feedback” in the subject line. 

For more information on the Iowa EV Plan, visit Iowa Electric Vehicle Plan - Overview (iowadot.gov). 

Article provided by EMC Insurance

Prevent ladder-related injuries and accidents as temperatures drop by considering these ladder safety tips.
 
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Water and wastewater members: Registration is open, plan to attend the annual Water and Wastewater Operators Training Workshop which will be held Nov. 28 – 30.
The workshop will take place at Prairie Meadows – The Meadows Events Center in Altoona.
 
This three-day workshop is geared toward water and wastewater professionals wanting practical information to help them do their jobs. There will be both basic and advanced topic for water treatment, water distribution, and wastewater. Attendees can earn 1.2 CEUs toward certification.
 
For more information or to register as an attendee or vendor, visit the event webpage on the IAMU website.
 
The early registration deadline is November 10.

We reached the point Monday where the lead service line inventories are due in a year and the countdown is ticking. Our water service employees have been fielding questions and making sure that Iowa municipalities have a plan to get the inventories completed. We have pulled together the most frequently asked questions about the lead service line inventories and are answering them below.  We also will be posting these updates on our web page here.               
 
Question:  When is the completed Lead Service Line (LSL) Inventory Template due to the Iowa DNR?
Answer: October 16, 2024
 
Question:  What do I do when I have completed my Lead Service Line Inventory?
Answer: Please email the Lead Service Line Inventory Template to [email protected].
 
Question:  Do I have to use the Iowa DNR Lead Service Line Inventory Template?
Answer: Yes - all systems are required to use the Iowa DNR Lead Service Line Inventory Excel Template. The Iowa DNR will be receiving approximately 1,200 templates from systems and we are required to upload the data from those templates to the EPA in a standardized format. IDNR will only accept electronic submissions of the template and no hard/physical copies.
 
Question:  Where can I download the Iowa DNR Lead Service Line Inventory Template and find more information?
Answer: You can find the Iowa DNR Lead Service Line Inventory Template, general information & contacts, and recorded training at: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/Drinking-Water-Compliance/Lead-Service-Line-Inventories
 
Question:  Does the service address, which is defined as the exact address, include zip code?
Answer:  Yes - the service address should be street, city, state, and zip code.
 
Question:  What determines that a line is Galvanized Requiring Replacement (GRR)?
Answer: Galvanized Requiring Replacement are galvanized service lines that are or ever were downstream from a lead service line or are currently downstream of a lead status unknown service line. Under the initial inventory requirements of the LCRR, a galvanized line that was never downstream of a lead service line but is previously or currently downstream of a lead gooseneck, pigtail, or connector is not considered GRR.
 
Question:  What is required for the notification to people served by LSL, GRR, or lead status unknown service lines? What happens if notices are returned undeliverable, which can happen often in rental situations with changing tenant information?
Answer: IDNR understands your concern with the question. IDNR is waiting until the LCRI comes out to ask further questions of EPA and their expectations.
 
Question:  Who can I contact for assistance?
Answer: The following resources are available:
● General Questions and Technical Assistance: [email protected] or call (515) 289-5203
● Iowa DNR Lead Service Line Inventories webpage
● United States EPA Lead and Copper Rule webpage