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The Mission Is The

Same! Kyle Kedrowski, MRWA Technical Advisor

T thoroughly. MRWA has started these online training

Times may have changed, but our mission has not! understand the basic water system components and
The mission of the Minnesota Rural Water Association what they are designed to do. Each training session
is “to provide the latest information, education and will focus on different components of the water
technical assistance to protect our public waters and system. Topics will then be covered specifically and
improve the quality of life in Minnesota”.
sessions with great success. Topics covered so far
Who would have ever thought we would still be in include: Small Public Water Systems, Well Basics, and
this situation with COVID-19. At the start of the Storage Tanks. The questionnaires and comments
COVID-19 pandemic, many people thought that the we received back from the attendees up to this point
situation would be over in a couple of weeks or maybe have been supportive and with excellent feedback.
a month. It has turned into a huge, extremely quick
wakeup call for all of us! We all have had to make Months after the pandemic hit, some things have not
many changes during this time, including developing changed! We are from Minnesota and understand that
emergency plans, working staggered shifts, isolating certain things need to get done during each changing
employees, and creating standard operating plans season. Locating key items in the distribution system
that include cleaning and disinfecting every possible can be very helpful. It is a good time of the year to
thing. Business has changed: Offices doors became go outside and locate and mark all your gate valves,
locked, appointments in general are the norm instead hydrants, curb stops, and wells. It is much easier to
of stopping by, and staff are isolated and sometimes do this now, before any emergencies happen.
quarantined. Remote Work Stations or Tele-Offices
are currently more common than an “in-the-office” If you have maps of your water system, that is great.
work day. Keep them in a safe, dry place. Take care of them.
Old maps and records can be very beneficial if an
The COVID-19 pandemic turns into 2, 3 and 4 months. emergency occurs. If there are any problems with
During this time, we were all a little more surprised water quality and/or if there will ever be any expansion
that it is still continuing. The “Stay Home, Stay Safe” of the water system, maps are critical. Review your
mandate goes into effect for our state. Safety measures maps occasionally to be sure everything is included.
are continually implemented. The state mandates If the maps are incomplete, draw the water lines,
everyone to wear protective face masks. We all pitch hydrants, and valves on the maps. Be sure to include
in to help by limiting the number of people we can what size the water lines are and include the length of
safely socialize with and around. Limiting the number the pipe. Accuracy is key.
of attendees at gatherings. Limiting our travel plans.
It changed the way we live, the way we socialize, and Reminder, if you are going to be doing any work or
it changed our jobs. It changed our training sessions, upgrades on your water system, and your system is
our technical assistance, and the way MRWA, classified as a public water system (PWS), it falls under
Minnesota Department of Health, and other entities different rules than a homeowner. Contact your local
operate. But, it did not change our mission. Minnesota Department of Health District Engineer or
Sanitarian before you start any projects.
MRWA small systems water training sessions
have changed dramatically. MRWA is Your control system pressure gauge
working with the MDH and small can be your friend. It should be in
water systems to help them perfect working condition, clear
obtain their water certification from debris and easy to read. A
credit hours required for good working pressure gauge
their licenses. MRWA has can assist you to run your
focused on presenting water system to perfection.
online training sessions It is a simple, easy way
for small water systems. to monitor your system
Each online training will working pressure, your
be one hour in length for system cycling pressure, or
one credit hour, offered your start pressure (turn on)
approximately every three and stop pressure (turn off).
weeks. These sessions are
specifically designed to help Times are changing, but the
small water systems run their mission stays the same!
systems safely, efficiently, and
effectively. These sessions focus Stay safe!
on trying to help operations specialists

18 MRWA TODAY S WINTER 2021