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Colorado Distribution Operator Training Series
WATER AND WASTEWATER NEWS
By Grace Ami, publications and graphic design specialist
For the next nine months, water distribution operators in Colorado will have the opportunity to attend free classes for small drinking water systems across the Front Range and Western Slope. The workshops are funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in partnership with Oxenford Consulting, Damon S. Williams and Associates and RCAC.
Dubbed Colorado Distribution Operator Training Series (Colorado DOTS), the workshops were developed especially for the needs of rural Colorado operators and include three classes that will each be repeated in Clifton, Dolores and Boulder. The courses will provide participants with a skill set that can be brought back to their respective utilities, which will help to create better maintained systems the provide consistently higher quality water delivered to their customers.
Three workshops have already taken place in Boulder with full classes and positive response. The majority of attendees attended all three workshops in the series and work for small community water systems.“These workshops are really needed for small water system operators in these areas,” said Boulder instructor and RCAC staff member Bill Hogrewe. “At a time when funding for training is being cut from many water systems’ budgets, these free courses will help operators maintain their certifications and stay current on water distribution methods.”
Jay Mashburn, RCAC rural development specialist and instructor from the Colorado Western Slope, agreed with Hogrewe and said, “Workshops for drinking water operators are more often held on the Front Range and are rarely held on the West Slope. This is a unique opportunity for small water systems to receive free training in their own communities, without having to travel so far.” The workshops are hosted by a local water system in each location and held at their facilities.
"This is a unique opportunity for small water systems to receive free training in their own communities."
~ Instructor Jay Mashburn
One attendee said the “Clifton Water District did beautiful job hosting the event with a plant tour and a hands on hydrant flushing demonstration that woke everyone downstream right up. The Clifton Water District facility was a wonderful facility. Thanks so much Clifton for hosting the training.” Another was thankful that “CDPHE staff on hand were able to give immediate and depth responses to participant questions on Colorado regulations.” A participant found the material especially relevant, saying that “the curriculum contained data based upon a study of three years of distribution surveys across Colorado to help class participants use the data to form their own best practices.”
These workshops are offered free of charge to small Colorado water systems serving a population of 3,300 or less and are available to larger systems at a nominal fee. Small-System participants attending all three workshops will receive free chlorine analysis equipment. Colorado Water and Wastewater Operator Certification training units will be awarded to attendees. Visit our webiste to register today for an upcoming workshop near you.
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