Vermont Rural Water Association

Personal Protective Equipment, Ladder, and Electrical Safety
2026-05-19 09:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom, Zoom
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)
Water Treatment Category 3, Distribution Category 1 | Learn more
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Operation and Maintenance of Distribution Systems
2026-05-20 09:00 - 12:30, 2026-06-25 09:00 - 12:30
Description
Water distribution systems require preventative maintenance to reduce the risk of equipment failure and provide safe drinking water to consumers. This class will discuss some of the maintenance basics, including valve exercising, flushing, pipe replacement, pipe rehabilitation, and storage tank inspection and cleaning.
Credit
3 TCH (Water)
Treatment Category 2, Distribution Category 2 | Learn more
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Water Treatment: Filtration Processes
2026-05-26 09:00 - 12:30
Description
Water filtration is one of the most important treatment processes for the removal of contaminants from drinking water. Groundwater and surface water treatment facilities may use filtration processes for the removal of pathogens, iron and manganese, PFAS, radionuclides, as well as taste and odor control. In this class, we will look at how filters work and how they should be operated and maintained.
Credit
3 TCH (Water)
Treatment Category 2, Distribution Category 2 | Learn more
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Permit Required Confined Space Entry
2026-05-27 09:00 - 12:30
Water and wastewater facilities contain many confined spaces which can be dangerous to operators. We will discuss common confined spaces in water and wastewater facilities and the difference between a confined space and a permit-required confined space. This class will build awareness about the safety hazards of a confined space such as atmospheric hazards (hydrogen sulfide, methane); mechanical hazards; and blood-borne pathogens that are a concern for wastewater collection system workers. You will learn about the proper protective equipment, procedures for entry into a permit-required confined space, the need for a rescue plan, and how to rescue a co-worker if the situation arises. OSHA CFR 1910.146
Credit
3 TCH (Water & Wastewater)
Water Treatment Category 3, Distribution Category 1 | Learn more
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Trench and Excavation Safety
2026-05-28 09:00 - 12:30
Description
Water and wastewater operators face dangerous situations when excavating trenches to repair water and sewer lines. Trench collapses happen without warning and cause severe injuries or death. Open trenches and pipe repairs include many other hazards such as water accumulation, other buried utilities, surface encumbrances, and traffic. This course focuses on OSHA 1926 and the safe procedure for operators to follow when working in or around a trench or excavation.
Credit
3 TCH (Water & Wastewater)
Water Treatment Category 3, Distribution Category 1 | Learn more
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Preventing Heat Illness in the Workplace
2026-06-03 09:00 - 11:15
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)
Water Treatment Category 3, Distribution Category 1 | Learn more
Instructor
Miriam Owens (Vermont Occupational and Health Administration)
Proctor
Elijah Lemieux (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Issuing a Boil Water Notice
2026-06-16 09:00 - 12:30
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)
Treatment Category 1, Distribution Category 1 | Learn more
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Safety: Water and Wastewater Facility Flooding
2026-06-18 09:00 - 12:30
Description
Water and wastewater facilities face an increasing threat of flood events in Vermont. Flooding can cause major damage to facilities and assets and pose a safety hazard to all involved.
Knowing the safety hazards that may be present during flooding events and having a solid emergency response plan are key to reducing the risk of injury and fatalities. This class will map out preparations that water and wastewater facility operators can take to be better prepared for future flooding events.
Credit
3 TCH (Water & Wastewater)
Water Treatment Category 3, Distribution Category 1 | Learn more
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Water Treatment: Coagulation
2026-06-24 09:00 - 12:30
Description
Surface water may contain constituents such as pathogenic microorganisms, natural organic matter, and sometimes chemicals. Surface water may also have taste and odor issues. The coagulation process is an important part of removing these constituents. Enhanced coagulation in any surface water treatment facility should be a top priority. pH and alkalinity play an important role in the chemistry of coagulation as well as the flash mix. Enhanced coagulation optimizes pH and coagulant dosages to remove as much natural organic matter as possible.
Credit
3 TCH (Water)
Treatment Category 2, Distribution Category 2 | Learn more
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)
