Vermont Rural Water Association

Calibration of Weirs, Flumes, and Flow Meters
2025-03-19 09:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | National Life Complex, Dewey Building, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT, 05602, United States
Description
This class will cover different types of common flumes and weirs and the various ways of monitoring flows in open channels. We will also look at the calibration of the measuring devices used in open channel flow along with the calibration of flow meters.
Credit
3 TCH (Water & Wastewater)
Instructor
Don Martin (Pump Control Solutions, LLC)
Proctor
Allison Smith (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Cost
$24 Member
$48 Non-member

Water Operator Math Course: Day 2
2025-03-20 08:30 - 14:30 | Vermont Rural Water Association, 20 Susie Wilson Rd, Essex Junction, VT, 05452, United States
Description
This class will cover intermediate math concepts, including:

Density
Specific gravity of liquids
Flow
Calculations of chlorine dose, demand, and residual
Dosage
Pounds removal
Pump discharge
Pumping
Flow rate
Weir overflow rate

Textbook
The following book is required for all students:
Math for Water Treatment Operators (American Water Works Association) – $89
You can purchase this book along with your registration. Books will be distributed at the beginning of class.
Credit
5 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)
CLASS CANCELLED
This class will be offered again on Friday, April 11. Register here.

TNC Operations
2025-03-25 09:00 - 12:30 | Zoom, Zoom
Description
This course is designed for Transient Non-Community (TNC) Water System Operators. No matter what your experience as a water system operator, this course will help you better manage your system. The course will review the following topics: disinfecting your water system (UV and chlorine), sampling procedure and sampling schedules, sanitary survey review, common water system deficiencies, rules and regulations (current and upcoming rules), discussion of seasonal operations, basic site investigations.
For Class 1B operators, this course will fulfill the requirement to obtain 3 continuing education credits prior to renewal of your certification.
Credit
3 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Meredith Maskell (VT Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division)
Proctor
Tim Russo (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Class Full
This class will be offered again on the following dates:
April 25 – Register Here
May 29 – Register here

Basic Wastewater Course
2025-03-26 08:00 - 2025-05-13 15:00 | Chester Public Safety Building, 130 Pleasant St, Chester, VT, 05143, United States
Dates
Wednesday, March 26
Wednesday, April 2
Wednesday, April 9
Wednesday, April 16
Wednesday, April 23
Wednesday, April 30
Wednesday, May 7
Tuesday, May 13
8 am to 3 pm each day
Description
This eight-session course will prepare attendees to take the Grades 1, 2, or 3 Domestic Wastewater certification exams, and is a great primer for those taking higher grade exams. Attendees will learn the basic concepts of wastewater treatment from collection system to final disposal of effluents and solids.
The course will be taught by Elijah Lemieux and Wayne Graham from the Vermont Rural Water Association, along with guest presenters to provide expertise on specific topics.
Textbook
The course is based on Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants (Volume 1, 8th edition) by the Office of Water Programs. All students are required to have a copy of this book. You can purchase it for $100 when you register.
Credit
48 TCH – Wastewater
Cost
$760 (with textbook)
$660 (no textbook)
Register early! The maximum class size is 20.

Water Operator Math Course: Day 3
2025-03-27 08:30 - 14:30 | Vermont Rural Water Association, 20 Susie Wilson Rd, Essex Junction, VT, 05452, United States
Description
This class will cover advanced math concepts, including:

Surface loading rate calculation
Filtration rate problems
Calculations for wells
Hardness problems
Flow and velocity problems
Detention problems
Lime dosage problems
Solution feed rate problems
Percent solution and mixture problems
Log removal and CT problems

Textbook
The following book is required for all students:
Math for Water Treatment Operators (American Water Works Association) – $89
Books will be distributed at the beginning of class.
Credit
5 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)
CLASS CANCELLED
This class will be offered again on Friday, April 18. Register here.

Small, High-Strength Dischargers
2025-03-27 09:00 - 12:30 | National Life Complex, Dewey Building, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT, 05602, United States
Description
This class will discuss issues with small, high-strength wastewater dischargers—which do not need Pretreatment Discharge Permits from the Agency of Natural Resources—and their potential impacts on wastewater treatment facilities. The class will provide information on pollutants discharged from these businesses, how these discharges are typically controlled and their potential impacts on the wastewater treatment facilities. You will receive detailed guidance on how to inspect and sample these dischargers. We will discuss how to reduce their impacts, tips to help these businesses to control their discharges, and how to coordinate with the Agency if the discharge becomes problematic.
Credit
3 TCH (Wastewater)
Instructor
Randy Bean
Proctor
Wayne Graham (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Water Operator Math Course: Day 1
2025-04-04 08:30 - 14:30 | Vermont Rural Water Association, 20 Susie Wilson Rd, Essex Junction, VT, 05452, United States
Description
This class will cover basic math concepts, including:

Conversions, including temperatures and parts per million
Percentages
Averages
Area
Circumference
Volume
Detention time
Pressure

Textbook
The following book is required for all students:
Math for Water Treatment Operators (American Water Works Association) – $89
You can purchase this book along with your registration. Books will be distributed at the beginning of class.
Credit
5 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Cost
$40 Member
$80 Non-member
$89 Textbook
Additional Classes
This is the first in a series of three classes. You are not required to take all three.
Water Operator Math Course: Day 2 on Friday, April 11 – Register Here
Water Operator Math Course: Day 3 on Friday, April 18 – Register Here

Regulatory Communications and Recordkeeping for Small Water Systems
2025-04-08 09:00 - 12:30 | Hybrid (Zoom & Essex), 20 Susie Wilson Rd, Essex Junction, VT, 05452, United States
Description
This class will discuss communications with the State and recordkeeping for small water systems. The first part is a guide to routine correspondence with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), including what to expect, what to do, and who to call. The second part will cover recordkeeping, including what papers to keep in your file, where and how to find them, and the valuable information they have for your knowledge.
Credit
3 TCH (Water)
Hybrid
This class will be held simultaneously in-person at our office in Essex and on Zoom. You will receive a Zoom link by email the day before class. Click here for more information about webinar trainings.
In-person address:
20 Susie Wilson Rd, Suite B
Essex Junction, VT 05452
Please park in lower lot, behind building. Handicap parking is available in upper lot by entrance.
Instructor
Ashliegh Belrose (VT Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division)
Proctor
Tim Russo (Vermont Rural Water Association)

State Revolving Funds (SRF) for Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater
2025-04-10 09:00 - 12:00 | Zoom, Zoom
Description

This training will provide a comprehensive overview of the State Revolving Funds (SRF), with a focus on the administrative and financial aspects of these programs. Participants will learn about eligible borrowers and project types under both the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The session will cover planning and design loans available through each program, including the role of asset management in project development.
The training will also explain the annual funding cycle, including the development of the Intended Use Plan (IUP) and priority lists for competitive construction funding. Attendees will gain an understanding of eligibility requirements for lower-cost loan terms and Clean Water (CW) grants. Additionally, the course will outline the necessary documents and approvals required for a complete loan application.
Key administrative topics will include recordkeeping best practices, reimbursement processes, compliance with federal funding requirements, and loan repayment expectations. The session will also discuss the roles and responsibilities of board members, consultants, and operators in planning and implementing SRF-funded projects.
Credit
2.5 TCH (Water & Wastewater)
Instructor
Tom Brown, Amy Galford, Sarah Bayer, and Katie Parrish (Vermont Department of Conservation, Water Infrastructure Finance Program)
Proctor
Allison Smith (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Cost
$20 member
$40 non-member

Water Operator Math Course: Day 2
2025-04-11 08:30 - 14:30 | Vermont Rural Water Association, 20 Susie Wilson Rd, Essex Junction, VT, 05452, United States
Description
This class will cover intermediate math concepts, including:

Density
Specific gravity of liquids
Flow
Calculations of chlorine dose, demand, and residual
Dosage
Pounds removal
Pump discharge
Pumping
Flow rate
Weir overflow rate

Textbook
The following book is required for all students:
Math for Water Treatment Operators (American Water Works Association) – $89
You can purchase this book along with your registration. Books will be distributed at the beginning of class.
Credit
5 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Additional Classes
This is the second in a series of three classes. You are not required to take all three.
Water Operator Math Course: Day 1 on Friday, April 4 – Register Here
Water Operator Math Course: Day 3 on Friday, April 18 – Register Here

Small Systems Class 2 Water Treatment Course
2025-04-15 09:00 - 2025-04-24 13:30 | Hybrid (Zoom & Essex), 20 Susie Wilson Rd, Essex Junction, VT, 05452, United States
Description
This course is designed for those who will be taking the Vermont Class 2 Water Operator Certification Exam. The four-session class provides an overview of how to operate a small public water system using groundwater as a source. Topics include the Safe Drinking Water Act requirements, source water sampling, well construction, source protection, water storage, distribution, hydraulics, cross-connections, safety, disinfection, treatment, and relevant math.
This class is not designed for the operators of Transient Non-Community Systems (TNCs).
Credit
16 TCH (Water)
Textbook
Introduction to Small Water Systems is recommended for this class. You can purchase it here for $60. Please purchase by April 7 to receive it by the first day of class.
Dates
Tuesday, April 15, 17, 22, 24
Thursday, April 17
Tuesday, April 22
Thursday, April 24
9 am to 1:30 pm each day
Hybrid
Each session will be held in-person at our office in Essex and on Zoom. For each session, you will receive a Zoom link by email the day before class. Click here for more information about webinar trainings.
In-person address:
20 Susie Wilson Rd, Suite B
Essex Junction, VT 05452
Please park in lower lot, behind building. Handicap parking is available in upper lot by entrance.
Instructor
Tim Russo (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Exam
Those seeking a Class 2 water operator certification after completing this course are encouraged to sign up early to take an exam. There are two options:

Paper exams will be offered on Friday, May 2 in Montpelier and Rutland. The registration deadline is April 4. Register at https://dec.vermont.gov/water/drinking-water/public-water-system-operator-certification/public-water-system-operator-exams
Computer-based exams are offered by appointment in South Burlington and some PSI testing centers in other states. Learn more about computer exams here.

Preventing Heat Illness in the Workplace
2025-04-17 09:00 - 11:15 | Zoom, Zoom
Description
In this session, participants will learn what heat illness is, risk factors, and simple safety practices to prevent heat illness. Different types of heat-related illnesses will be reviewed. The class will also examine the responsibility and tools that employers have to keep employees safe from heat illness.
Credit
2 TCH (Water & Wastewater)
Instructor
Miriam Owens (Vermont Occupational and Health Administration)
Proctor
Allison Smith (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Water Operator Math Course: Day 3
2025-04-18 08:30 - 14:30 | Vermont Rural Water Association, 20 Susie Wilson Rd, Essex Junction, VT, 05452, United States
Description
This class will cover advanced math concepts, including:

Surface loading rate calculation
Filtration rate problems
Calculations for wells
Hardness problems
Flow and velocity problems
Detention problems
Lime dosage problems
Solution feed rate problems
Percent solution and mixture problems
Log removal and CT problems

Textbook
The following book is required for all students:
Math for Water Treatment Operators (American Water Works Association) – $89
Books will be distributed at the beginning of class.
Credit
5 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Additional Classes
This is the third in a series of three classes. You are not required to take all three.
Water Operator Math Course: Day 1 on Friday, April 4 – Register Here
Water Operator Math Course: Day 2 on Friday, April 11 – Register Here

Protective Coatings and Manhole Rehabilitation
2025-04-23 09:00 - 11:15 | Zoom, Zoom
Description

This training will cover protective coatings as well as inflow and infiltration solutions to extend the service life of water and wastewater infrastructure. During the first hour, participants will learn about proper surface preparation, coating selection based on substrate and chemical resistance, and strategies to prevent premature corrosion in steel and concrete structures. It will walk through a clarifier project at a wastewater treatment plant, a manhole rehabilitation project, and a potable water storage tank project as well.
The second hour (which is only being offered for wastewater credit) will address identifying and correcting inflow and infiltration (I&I issues), including manhole rehabilitation techniques such as repairing mortars and epoxy linings to protect against hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas deterioration. Real-world case studies, industry standards, and cost-saving methods will be discussed to help operators improve system efficiency and longevity.
Please note that the first hour of this training will cover protective coatings and is applicable to both water and wastewater. The second half will review manhole rehabilitation which is applicable to mainly just wastewater operators.
Credit
1 TCH for Water
2 TCH for Wastewater
Instructor
Rick Goyette (Sherwin Williams Protective & Marine Division)
Proctor
Allison Smith (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Advanced WW Series: Microbiology of Anaerobic Digesters
2025-04-24 09:00 - 12:30 | Zoom, Zoom
Description
This class provides an overview of the bacteria and methanogens involved in methanogenesis. The overview includes hydrolysis, fermentation, acetogenesis, and methane production. We will review start up, recovery from inhibition and toxicity, acceptable operational conditions, and monitoring requirements. The monitoring requirements include not only digester sludge but also digester feed sludge. Attention is placed upon specific monitoring requirements for biogas analysis; ORP; temperature and pH; % VSS; minor and critical nutrients; and digester decant. A checklist of analytical tests for identifying an unstable anaerobic digester is provided.
Credit
3 TCH (Wastewater)
Instructor
Michael Gerardi (Michael Gerardi & Associates, LLC)
Proctor
Elijah Lemieux (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Advanced Wastewater Treatment Series
This class is part of the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Series. Classes in this series are intended for experienced wastewater operators. It is recommended that you have attended the Basic Wastewater Course, passed a wastewater certification exam, and/or worked a number of years at a wastewater treatment facility before taking these advanced classes.
These classes are designed for operators who are looking to enhance their understanding of wastewater treatment; preparing for a Grade 3, 4, or 5 wastewater exam; or seeking a management position at a wastewater treatment facility. There is no formal enrollment in the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Series—just sign up for each class you want to take. These classes will have “Advanced WW Series” in the title. Find more information here.

TNC Operations
2025-04-25 09:00 - 12:30, 2025-05-22 09:00 - 12:30 | Zoom, Zoom
Description
This course is designed for Transient Non-Community (TNC) Water System Operators. No matter what your experience as a water system operator, this course will help you better manage your system. The course will review the following topics: disinfecting your water system (UV and chlorine), sampling procedure and sampling schedules, sanitary survey review, common water system deficiencies, rules and regulations (current and upcoming rules), discussion of seasonal operations, basic site investigations.
For Class 1B operators, this course will fulfill the requirement to obtain 3 continuing education credits prior to renewal of your certification.
Credit
3 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Meredith Maskell (VT Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division)
Proctor
Tim Russo (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Class 3 Exam Preparation
2025-04-28 08:30 - 13:00 | F.W. Webb, 80 Park Avenue, Williston, VT, United States
Description
This course is designed as a short review for the Class 3 water operator certification exam. We will review test-taking skills, exam questions, math problems, and general water system operations. You will have the chance to take a practice exam and go over the answers.
Credit
4 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Class 4 Exam Preparation
2025-04-29 08:30 - 13:00 | National Life Complex, Dewey Building, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT, 05602, United States
Description
This course is designed as a short review for the Class 4 water operator certification exam. We will review test-taking skills, exam questions, math problems, and general water system operations. You will have the chance to take a practice exam and go over the answers.
Credit
4 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Distribution Exam Preparation
2025-04-30 08:30 - 13:00 | National Life Complex, Dewey Building, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT, 05602, United States
Description
This course is designed as a short review for the Vermont Water Distribution exam. We will review test-taking skills, exam questions, math problems, and general water system operations. You will have the chance to take a practice exam and go over the answers.
Credit
4 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Wastewater Microbiology: A Monitoring Program for Operators
2025-04-30 09:00 - 15:00 | Zoom, Zoom
Description
Learn the role of bacteria, protozoa and metazoa in the treatment process along with the conditions that allow them to do their best work of removing nutrients from wastewater. Topics will include microbiota identification, development of a wastewater microbiology monitoring program, how to foster system conditions that favor the growth of phosphorus-accumulating microorganisms (PAOs), and how to troubleshoot existing treatment system problems.
Credit
5 TCH (Wastewater)
Instructor
Toni Glymph
Proctor
Elijah Lemieux (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Cost
Member – $72
Non-member – $144

Issuing a Boil Water Notice
2025-05-01 09:00 - 12:30 | F.W. Webb, 80 Park Avenue, Williston, VT, United States
Description
Issuing a Boil Water notice can be a complicated process, but could prevent negative health impacts to your water system’s consumers. It is important to be prepared in advance of an emergency by knowing when and how to issue a Boil Water notice—or even a Do Not Drink order.
This class will look at the reasons to issue a Boil Water notice, the procedures to determine if a notice is needed, and ways to make sure all affected consumers are notified.
This class encourages discussion from participants.
Credit
3 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Water System Sampling
2025-05-02 09:00 - 12:30 | Vermont Rural Water Association, 20 Susie Wilson Rd, Essex Junction, VT, 05452, United States
Description
Sampling is a requirement under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This class will discuss the parameters that are sampled, the health effects of contaminants, maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), and how to collect each sample the proper way. Attendees will gain a more comprehensive understanding of the sampling that they do and why they are doing it.
Credit
3 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Cost
Member – $24
Non-member – $48

Wastewater Operator’s Guide to NPDES Permits and Facility Inspections
2025-05-06 08:00 - 11:30 | National Life Complex, Dewey Building, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT, 05602, United States
Description
This class will cover frequently asked questions about permits, how to review your renewed permit and fact sheet, a brief summary of permit changes based on EPA’s 2021 review of the program and the Vermont Water Quality Standards updated in 2022, and common questions/issues with the nForm. We will also go over the state process for inspecting wastewater treatment facilities, pump stations, and collection systems. Learn how to be prepared for an inspection, including paperwork that you will need to have available.
Credit
3 TCH (Wastewater)
Instructor
Wastewater Management Program staff
Proctor
Elijah Lemieux (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Water Treatment: Chlorination
2025-05-13 09:00 - 12:30 | Zoom, Zoom
Description
Both continuous chlorination and shock chlorination are integral parts of water treatment. Water systems operators should understand both of these concepts to ensure that public health is protected. This class will cover the following topics:

Chlorine chemistry
Breakpoint chlorination and how to achieve it
Sodium hypochlorite feed equipment and how to avoid feed pump malfunctions
Contamination events that warrant shock chlorination
Proper shock chlorination procedures
Shock chlorination of water storage tanks and distribution piping
Proper dechlorination methods and equipment

Credit
3 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Proctor
Allison Smith (Vermont Rural Water Association)

2025 Conference
2025-05-15 08:00 - 15:00 | Lake Morey Resort, 82 Clubhouse Rd, Fairlee, VT, United States
Vermont Rural Water’s 2025 Conference will include a trade show, luncheon, and trainings. Click here to view the full schedule.
Cost
$85 Member
$130 Non-member
Training Classes
Earn 3.5 TCH (water/wastewater) if you attend a class during each session. The first classes begin at 8:30 am. Class descriptions can be found in the conference schedule here.
Class Topics:

SCADA Overview, Troubleshooting, & Resiliency (Tom Allen, LCS Controls)
Peristaltic Pumps 101 (Kevin Moran, Stenner Pumps)
Ice Pigging: Advanced Pipe Cleaning Technology (Paul Treloar, American Pipeline Solutions and Dean Rheume, Town of Middlebury)
Security and Resilience: Champlain Water District’s Partnership with CISA (Joe Duncan, Champlain Water District)
Drinking Water Regulatory Updates (Ben Montross, DWGPD)
Wastewater Regulatory Updates (Heather Collins, Michelle Kolb, and Garrett Walsh, Wastewater Management Program)

Additional Activities
Vermont Drinking Water Week will be hosting the 2025 Water Taste Test during the conference. To participate, submit an entry form by May 1 and deliver one gallon of water to the Taste Test table in the lobby by 9 am on May 15.
Taste Test Rules
Entry Form (PDF)
Entry Form (Word doc)
There will be a Golf Tournament on Wednesday, May 14. Learn more and register here.
To exhibit in the Trade Show, click here.
To Sponsor the conference, click here.
Sponsored by:

Pump School
2025-05-20 08:00 - 15:00 | Franklin Event Center, 1 Scale Ave, Suite 92, Rutland, VT, 05701, United States
This course is being organized and offered by Champlin Associates for FREE. Lunch is also generously being provided for participants.
Description
This three-part class will introduce submersible pump components, pump curves, and diagnosing pump failures using a systems approach. Topics include:

Basics of pumps and systems
Pump curves—how to read them and why you would want to
Optimizing pump selection
Systems-oriented approaches to failure analysis

Credit
6 TCH (Water & Wastewater)
Instructor
Nick Terranova (HOMA Pump Technology)
Proctor
Allison Smith (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Cross Connection Control
2025-05-20 09:00 - 12:30 | Waterbury Municipal Center, Community Room, 28 N Main St, Waterbury, VT, 05676, United States
Description
Cross connections in public water systems can cause adverse health effects to consumers if a control program is not in place. High-risk businesses such as car washes, hospitals, manufacturing facilities, funeral parlors, and veterinarian clinics may pose hazards to a water system if they do have adequate backflow prevention.
This course will discuss the process of identifying high-risk hazards and choosing the appropriate backflow prevention device based on the level of risk.
Credit
3 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Operation and Maintenance of Distribution Systems
2025-05-21 09:00 - 12:30 | Lyndon Public Safety Facility, 316 Main St, Lyndonville, VT, 05851, United States
Description
Groundwater system operators have many tasks to accomplish to operate and maintain their water systems. We will review administrative tasks such as sampling and monitoring, consumer confidence reports, chemical monitoring waivers, source protection, operation and maintenance manuals, monthly operating reports, operator certification and sanitary surveys.
Operation and maintenance of groundwater sources is a very important part of providing safe drinking water to consumers. Ensuring sustainability by performing drawdown tests on groundwater wells will help you to know how sustainable your groundwater source is. Operating your disinfection system and understanding the chlorination process is key to providing safe water that consumers find palatable.
Water distribution systems can often be a contamination vulnerability. Maintenance items such as flushing, valve exercising, and hydrant maintenance are of the utmost importance.
Credit
3 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Personal Protective Equipment, Ladder, and Electrical Safety
2025-05-27 09:00 - 12:30 | National Life Complex, Dewey Building, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT, 05602, United States
Description
This class will cover several safety considerations for water and wastewater personnel. First, we will look at new and improved personal protective equipment (PPE). Falls are the second highest cause of workplace fatality across the nation, so we will discuss ladder safety at home and in the workplace. Water and wastewater operators work on and around electrical equipment at their facilities. This class focuses on the electrical safety measures that should be in place at your facility.
Credit
3 TCH (Water & Wastewater)
Cost
$24 Member
$48 Non-member
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)
