|
1 ~'.
<br />H
<br />+ ~ v.
<br />~.
<br />d ~ '~n
<br />,•,,,
<br />},~ ~~
<br />y
<br />' 4..
<br />
<br /> ~
<br />'~ S`. ~_ .v.
<br />• 5 ~ 4 ''X'~~~ ?
<br /> ~
<br />
<br /> ~
<br />~
<br />'
<br />j
<br />_Y9 [~~ IY1~Ti$ err T i ~;f ~, +`~r
<br />i '
<br />~
<br />. ~
<br />~ - kW .
<br />~ ~ s,
<br />~ ~
<br />p~~ar~,~
<br />That was the subject of a recent presentation by Boepple,
<br />who spoke to a group of elected officials as well as water
<br />and wastewater department professionals. "An aging infra-
<br />structure, an aging work force and limited resources could
<br />lead to a catastrophic failure of a water system. Talk about
<br />the perfect storm. It's coming," she said. This is a problem
<br />that many municipalities are facing nationwide. The perfect
<br />storm is on the horizon, and utilities, state rural water as-
<br />sociations and state governments all need to do their part
<br />to ensure the safety and longevity of our drinking water
<br />supplies.
<br />Many municipalities are facing intense challenges in the
<br />efforts to find and hire professional water and wastewater
<br />certified operators. The discussion focused on the elected
<br />officials' lack of knowledge as to what it takes to run a treat-
<br />ment plant, the need for training and raising rates to cover
<br />expenses and salaries associated with these positions.
<br />"We must be able to prevent disasters such as what hap-
<br />pened in Walkerton, Ontario, in May 2000, when the town's
<br />water system became contaminated with E. coli bacteria.
<br />The contamination caused seven deaths and 2,300 illnesses.
<br />Our top priority in any disaster is to get potable water to the
<br />people," said Boepple.
<br />Several factors can contribute to the perfect storm. One
<br />is water system owners or managers who fail to realize the
<br />significance of being able to provide safe drinking water,
<br />including planning for the future of the system. System op-
<br />erators must have the skills and moral judgment to operate
<br />a water system, one of the main problems in the Walkerton
<br />scenario.
<br />It's estimated that more than 50 percent of the nation's
<br />water-system operators will leave their jobs in the next five
<br />to 10 years. System owners need to start recruiting now and
<br />will most likely have to raise salaries to attract qualified op-
<br />erators. The public, who often don't want to invest in system
<br />maintenance and upgrades, needs to be educated about the
<br />importance of a water system.
<br />Another factor is elected officials who don't have the
<br />time to educate themselves on infrastructure needs and
<br />don't support increases in water rates, which ensure that
<br />their communities' investments (drinking water/wastewater
<br />infrastructure) are protected and maintained.
<br />Finally, regulators need to recognize when water sys-
<br />tems are not being maintained and operated according to
<br />regulations.
<br />Pat Scalera, CEO, New York Rural Water Association,
<br />said, "The aging infrastructure and aging work force came
<br />up at a national meeting back in 2005 and then again at the
<br />NYRWA's regional meeting in Brewerton, N.Y., that same
<br />year. During a group discussion on `Operators of the Future,'
<br />concern was raised on the aging work force and the lack of
<br />`•a r --~-~ ","" ~ -
<br />?' y ~t... r2J y ~ t u _
<br />.c,fww~~x't~~~ ~y.~pyid'. T'4~'~.- Y 1, ~
<br />ka~i~~}S ..,
<br />.7. :. :... ~.-
<br />uY5wx'~,.,~y^ ii E ~.. '.=~'` _`~„---._,no....,r_i~ _ ....i-::?:~o'~_.*.w'`e.c~......,
<br />operators to fill positions in the water and wastewater in-
<br />dustry when our current work force retires."
<br />Ask yourself, does the public realize what it takes to re-
<br />ceive clean, safe, affordable drinking water? To raise the
<br />professionalism of our industry and the level of those dedi-
<br />cated individuals who provide safe drinking water daily to
<br />their neighbors, families and friends, we must rise to the
<br />challenge and do our best to tell the story. A 2005 needs
<br />survey commissioned by Congress showed water infrastruc-
<br />ture problems in the United States would cost $264 billion to
<br />fix. To prepare, it's crucial to educate all of a municipality's
<br />stakeholders on the looming crisis.
<br />The state of New York has become proactive in ad-
<br />dressing these issues. Partnering with many associations,
<br />schools, elected officials and groups, it has developed a
<br />DVD that discusses these issues, along with interviews with
<br />several water professionals across the state and their views
<br />on what is required to run a successful water and waste-
<br />water facility. The DVD, entitled "Is the Water Rising? - A
<br />brief look at New York's Water and Wastewater Systems,"
<br />was developed and distributed to help educate elected of-
<br />ficials. To view the video, go to www.nyruralwater.org/
<br />ElectedOfficialsTraining/ElectedOfficals.cfm.
<br />Next, an environmental career brochure was created
<br />and distributed to high school guidance offices, vocational
<br />techs, colleges, unemployment offices, etc. The goal was to
<br />reach out and create interest among students to pursue a
<br />career as water and/or wastewater operators. For the New
<br />York workgroup, future plans are to focus on educating the
<br />public by creating another educational brochure and pos-
<br />sibly public service announcements.
<br />We all need to do our part. It is important that all ru-
<br />ral water associations, utilities and operators get involved.
<br />Begin educating your elected officials, your customers and
<br />students in your area today. Attend high school career days
<br />to promote our industry to a new generation. Consider get-
<br />ting booth space at your state fair to encourage individuals
<br />to consider the water industry for their future. We're really
<br />in this together. O
<br />
|