Frequently Asked Questions
General
How can VRWA help my system?
How can you provide these services at no cost? What's the catch?
How does this work? Who do I call?
After I call you, how long will it be before someone comes to my system?
What's the typical background of your field staff?
Where can I go for more information?Membership
Why should I become a member?
How do I become a member?
Do you offer memberships to engineers, distributors or manufacturers?
How do I join the Board of Directors?Training & Continuing Education
How do I find out what new classes are being offered?
If the course sign-up deadline is today, can I sign up now and pay you later without having to pay the $20 late fee?
When is the sign-up deadline for this course?
Do you accept credit cards?
I don't know if I can make this class, but it's close by. Can I just show up?
What's a TCH?
My license expires next week and I still need TCH. What do I do?
Do you offer online training?Source Water Protection
I have no control over some possible sources of contamination near my source. Can you help?
Why is so much emphasis being placed on source water protection when my source isn't being threatened?Emergencies
What type of emergencies do you handle?
Do you have an emergency pager number?General
Q: How can VRWA help my system?
A: We offer onsite assistance, training, and source water protection planning. We are a safety net and a resource to help public water and wastewater systems provide safe, clean water and comply with regulations. We can act as a go-between for you with the state primacy agency and we can answer your questions, no matter how small. See our onsite services, training, and source water protection pages for more information on our services. Q: How can you provide these services at no cost? What's the catch?
A: Our success at securing government funding allows us to offer onsite assistance without charging systems directly. VRWA hires only experienced water and wastewater professionals; our field technicians average more than 18 years in the industry. Our onsite work and training is supported by a series of federal and state grants and contracts that promote safe, clean water for our communities. We are also funded by you, our members. Our classroom training is available at a fraction of what equivalent courses cost from other providers. Q: How does this work? Who do I call?
A: Call 802-660-4988. Vermont Rural Water staff will ask for some information about your needs, your system, and where you are located. You will then be directed to one of our field staff, who will set up an appointment to visit your system. (Since our field staff are often on the road, we may ask you to leave a voicemail for your field contact. Rest assured, they will return your call promptly and arrange a visit.) After you have established contact with a field staff member who works in your region, they may also give you a field office or mobile phone number so that you can call directly to arrange for future visits. Q: After I call you, how long will it be before someone comes to my system?
A: As soon as possible-it depends on the urgency of your issue and the availability of our staff. In general, one of our field technicians will come within a month to fulfill your request. Sometimes your appointment will be set for the same week, and sometimes it'll be a few weeks down the road. Q: What's the typical background of your field staff?
A: Everyone has extensive experience in the water/wastewater industry. Many are "master operators," who've operated, managed, and served as superintendent for many different systems over the years. Some are trained as hydrogeologists, engineers, educators, public health officers or ecologists. Our staff has expertise in many aspects of managing and operating a system so that we are able to assist with a wide range of issues. Q: Where can I go for more information?
A: Our website, www.vtruralwater.org, is a great source of current information about VRWA. For a live person, call 800-556-3792 during our business hours (M-F, 9:00-4:30 EST). You can also email VRWA. Back to TopMembership
Q: Why should I become a member?
A: By becoming a member, your system supports having expert operators and trainers on tap when you need them. Need to map out an older system? Want to design a flushing program? Especially if you're on a shoestring budget, you should invest in VRWA... a safety net of experienced technicians providing answers and onsite assistance without charge to you. A membership also keeps you informed... through our newsletter, training announcements, local discussion groups and networking opportunities. Know what new regulations are coming and what funding is available. Think of us as an insurance policy against not knowing everything. If we can't provide an answer, we'll point out other resources and work with you to find a solution. And we don't just fix problems, we pass along what we know and help to mentor new operators. For more information about member benefits, see our membership page. Q: How do I become a member?
A: Fill out our online form, print it, and send it to our administrative office with your dues. To request a paper form, call 800-556-3792. Q: Do you offer memberships to engineers, distributors or manufacturers?
A: Yes, we have an associate membership program for companies that provide support services to water and wastewater systems. Q: How do I join the Board of Directors?
A: Fill out the online Director Nomination Form. It is very common for people to nominate themselves, so please feel free to do so. You can also nominate other people who work for (or otherwise represent) a member system. Elections are held in the spring of each year. Directors are elected for three-year terms. Back to TopTraining & Continuing Education
Q: How do I find out what new classes are being offered?
A: Our online training schedule is always current and shows the latest course offerings. If you do not have internet access, please call 802-660-4988 and we will fax or mail you a schedule. Q: If the course sign-up deadline is today, can I sign up now and pay you later without having to pay the $20 late fee?
A: Yes. To avoid the late fee we just need to have confirmation that you are coming by the deadline. If your payment is delayed, we will waive the late fee as long as you signed up by phone or fax before the deadline. Note that you must also cancel by the deadline to avoid being charged for the course. Q: When is the sign-up deadline for this course?
A: The deadline is always one week before the course takes place. Q: Do you accept credit cards?
A: Not yet. We hope to offer this in the near future. Q: I don't know if I can make this class, but it's close by. Can I just show up?
A: Please don't walk into a class and expect us to have space for you! While this is occasionally possible, you should at least call the administrative office at 800-556-3792 to ensure that we have space available. It is difficult for the trainers to plan properly without a decent head count. We appreciate everyone's cooperation on this one. Q: What's a TCH?
A: Training Contact Hours. Each state requires that you obtain a certain number of TCHs during a specific period to maintain your operator certification. Operators of TNC systems (Transient Non-Community Systems, such as campgrounds or hotels) may or may not need to be certified depending on the state. All of our courses provide valid TCHs in Vermont. Q: My license expires next week and I still need TCHs. What do I do?
A: We can help point you towards scheduled classes, but there is a limit to how many TCHs you can earn in a few days. Please do not allow yourself to end up in this situation! While it is true that our field staff can award a small number of TCHs while teaching operators onsite, this is only appropriate in very specific circumstances and we cannot award TCHs to a large number of operators just before a state deadline or issue a large number of TCHs to any one operator in a short span of time. (We are evaluating online training methods and may be able to offer this option in the future to those who are facing a deadline.) Q: Do you offer online training?
A: Not yet. Since we know that leaving the system unattended or driving across the state is just not possible for some operators, we are investigating this option. Back to TopSource Water Protection
Q: I have no control over some possible sources of contamination near my source. Can you help?
A: Yes, we work with you to address contamination sources that are not within your system's control. See our source water protection page for more information. Q: Why is so much emphasis being placed on source water protection when my source isn't being threatened?
A: Preventing water contamination is far, far easier than having to replace or clean up a contaminated source. Not only is it less stressful for all involved, it is undeniably cheaper. Source water protection planning can also provide an opportunity for communities to think about future growth and adapt their zoning to protect open space and their water supply. VRWA can help with this process. Back to TopEmergencies
Q: What type of emergencies do you handle?
A: We often respond to water main breaks, positive hits for coliform bacteria, security breaches, and other system emergencies. Call 800-556-3792 for assistance. Q: Do you have an emergency pager number?
A: No. While our response times are fast, they are not instantaneous. The state primacy agencies do maintain on-call assistance at all hours: call VT WSD at 802-741-5311. If you are unable to reach someone in an emergency, please leave a voicemail either at the field office of the person you are trying to reach or at our administrative office at 800-556-3792. We will return your call ASAP. Back to Top
