2026 Conference Sponsorship
2026-05-13 12:00 - 2026-05-14 15:00 (America/New_York) | Lake Morey Resort, 82 Clubhouse Rd, Fairlee, VT, United States
Your sponsorship helps keep the conference affordable for attendees and supports the work of Vermont Rural Water. Sponsorships are first-come, first-served, so don’t wait to reserve the level you want!
Bronze Sponsor – $150

Sign posted on the golf course announcing your sponsorship of a Golf Tournament tee box
Advertisement (2.5″ x 3.5″) in the conference program
Sponsorship acknowledgment on the conference schedule

Silver Sponsor – $550

All benefits of Bronze Sponsorship
Logo on conference page of our website
Logo on sign posted by snack table
Logo on sign posted at entrance to the trade show

Gold Sponsor – $1,000

All benefits of Silver Sponsorship
Logo on conference email announcements
Logo on sign posted in the dining room announcing your sponsorship of the luncheon
Sponsorship announcement during the luncheon
One-page flyer (provided by you) in all attendee packets

Please send your logo and program ad to kboyk@vtruralwater.org as soon as possible.
Sponsorship registrations close on May 1.
Sponsored by:

2026 Golf Tournament
2026-05-13 12:30 - 17:00 | Lake Morey Country Club, 179 Clubhouse Rd, Fairlee, VT, United States
The tournament is a four-person scramble with a shotgun start at 12:30. You can form your own foursome team or register individually and we will match you with others.
Cost
For those staying overnight at Lake Morey Resort under the Full Package Rate, the tournament fee is $90. If you are not staying overnight (or staying under the discounted vendor rate), the tournament fee is $125.
Sponsored by:

2026 Conference
2026-05-14 08:00 - 15:00 | Lake Morey Resort, 82 Clubhouse Rd, Fairlee, VT, United States
Vermont Rural Water’s 2026 Conference will include a trade show, luncheon, and trainings (earn up to 3.5 TCH for water and/or wastewater). A tentative schedule is available here.
Class Topics:

SCADA Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank – EOS Research
Crisis Communications – Water PIO
Choosing & Maintaining HDPE Infrastructure – FW Webb
Metering Technology to Solve Non-Revenue Water – EJP
Drinking Water Regulatory Updates – DWGPD
Wastewater Regulatory Updates – Wastewater Management Program
Drought Response & Emergency Response – VEM & DEC
Combating Cyber Threats – FBI & VIC

Cost
$90 Member
$140 Non-member
Additional Activities
Vermont Drinking Water Week will be hosting the 2026 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 14.
Taste Test Rules
Entry Form (PDF)
Entry Form (Word doc)
There will be a Golf Tournament on Wednesday, May 13. Learn more and register here.
There will be a friendly Cornhole Tournament starting at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, May 13. No registration is required, just join us down by the lake!
To exhibit in the Trade Show, click here.
To sponsor the conference, click here.
Sponsored by:

Trade Show Vendor
2026-05-14 08:00 - 15:00 | Lake Morey Resort, 82 Clubhouse Rd, Fairlee, VT, United States
The trade show is a popular part of Vermont Rural Water’s Annual Conference. Attendees include water/wastewater operators, municipal staff, board members, state regulators, vendors, and others connected with the water/wastewater industry. Conference sessions are interspersed throughout the day with plenty of breaks to encourage trips into the exhibit hall.
DetailsExhibit spaces are 8′ x 5′ with a 6’ table, 2 chairs, electricity, and wifi. You can set up your exhibit on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 13 from 1–5 pm or the morning of Thursday, May 14 from 6–8 am. You have the option to raffle a giveaway item at your booth. Raffle winners will be drawn at 2:45 pm on Thursday. Please do not clean up your exhibit until 3 pm.
ScheduleThe conference will include a trade show, luncheon, and trainings (earn up to 3.5 TCH for water and/or wastewater). A tentative schedule is available here.
CostSustaining Associate Member – Free booth, $90 per personAssociate Member – $630 booth, $90 per personNon-member – $840 booth, $105 per personYou will need to register attendee(s) in addition to purchasing booth space.
Cancellation Policy

Full refund if cancelled by 5 pm on May 1
50% refund on booth fee and full refund on attendee fees if cancelled by 5 pm on May 8
No refunds after May 8

Hotel RoomsLake Morey Resort is offering two options for exhibitors on the night of Wednesday, May 13:
Full Resort Package – $$334* single occupancy or $235* per person for double occupancyIncludes dinner on May 13, breakfast on May 14, and use of all resort amenities, including the pool and golf course (Vermont Rural Water’s golf tournament fees are extra, though there is a discount for players staying overnight at the Full Package rate). A full list of all amenities is available at www.lakemoreyresort.com.
Hotel Room Only – $189* per room, single or double occupancySpecial exhibitor-only rate. Does NOT include dinner on May 13, breakfast on May 14, or a discount on the golf tournament.
*The above rates are subject to 20% service charge and 9% Vermont Rooms and Meals Tax.
For Reservations: Call the resort directly at 800-423-1211 and mention Vermont Rural Water. Please make your reservation by April 10.
Add-onsSponsor the conference — Register hereParticipate in the golf tournament on May 13 — Register hereThere will be a friendly Cornhole Tournament starting at 1:30 pm Wednesday, May 13. No registration is required, just join us down by the lake!

Sponsored by:

Personal Protective Equipment, Ladder, and Electrical Safety
2026-05-19 09:00 - 12:30 | 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 | Zoom, Zoom
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)

Wastewater Exam
2026-05-26 08:45 - 12:00 | Vermont Rural Water Association, 20 Susie Wilson Rd, Essex Junction, VT, 05452, United States
Licensing exams for all levels of Vermont domestic and industrial (dairy, metal, paper) pollution abatement facility operators. The exam will be administered on a laptop.
Registration closes on May 11. Refunds will not be given for cancellations within two weeks of the exam date. No-shows will be charged the full fee.
You do not need to get approval from the Office of Professional Regulations (OPR) before testing.
What to expect:

Please arrive by 8:45 am. The exam will start promptly at 9 am.
You will be provided with a laptop, mouse, calculator, ABC formula sheet, scratch paper, pencil, and earplugs. You may bring your own calculator as long as it is silent and non-programmable without alphabetic keypads or printing capabilities.
Bring a government-issued ID that shows your name and photograph.
You will not be allowed to have personal items with you during the exam. Coats, hats, and bags should be left in your vehicle or a designated spot outside of the exam room. You will be given a bag to store your cellphone, wallet, and keys during the exam. Cellphones/pagers must be silenced or powered off.
Eating, drinking, or smoking is not permitted in the exam room.
You may take a break whenever you wish, but you will not be allowed additional time to make up for time lost during breaks. During breaks, you are permitted to leave the exam room to use the bathroom. However, you are not permitted to leave the building (including for smoking). Each break cannot exceed 10 minutes.
Results will be emailed to the email address you provide when you register. By registering for this exam, you consent to have your results shared with Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), the Wastewater Management Program, and Vermont Rural Water.

Water Treatment: Filtration Processes
2026-05-26 09:00 - 12:30 | Zoom, Zoom
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)

Wastewater Exam
2026-05-26 12:45 - 16:00 | Vermont Rural Water Association, 20 Susie Wilson Rd, Essex Junction, VT, 05452, United States
Licensing exams for all levels of Vermont domestic and industrial (dairy, metal, paper) pollution abatement facility operators. The exam will be administered on a laptop.
Registration closes on May 11. Refunds will not be given for cancellations within two weeks of the exam date. No-shows will be charged the full fee.
You do not need to get approval from the Office of Professional Regulations (OPR) before testing.
What to expect:

Please arrive by 12:45 pm. The exam will start promptly at 1 pm.
You will be provided with a laptop, mouse, calculator, ABC formula sheet, scratch paper, pencil, and earplugs. You may bring your own calculator as long as it is silent and non-programmable without alphabetic keypads or printing capabilities.
Bring a government-issued ID that shows your name and photograph.
You will not be allowed to have personal items with you during the exam. Coats, hats, and bags should be left in your vehicle or a designated spot outside of the exam room. You will be given a bag to store your cellphone, wallet, and keys during the exam. Cellphones/pagers must be silenced or powered off.
Eating, drinking, or smoking is not permitted in the exam room.
You may take a break whenever you wish, but you will not be allowed additional time to make up for time lost during breaks. During breaks, you are permitted to leave the exam room to use the bathroom. However, you are not permitted to leave the building (including for smoking). Each break cannot exceed 10 minutes.
Results will be emailed to the email address you provide when you register. By registering for this exam, you consent to have your results shared with Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), the Wastewater Management Program, and Vermont Rural Water.

Permit Required Confined Space Entry
2026-05-27 09:00 - 12:30 | Zoom, Zoom
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)

Model Sewer Use Ordinance (SUO) and Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Guidance
2026-05-27 09:00 - 12:30 | Vermont Rural Water Association, 20 Susie Wilson Rd, Essex Junction, VT, 05452, United States
Description
This will be a two-part class that reviews Sewer Use Ordinances (SUO) and Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG). The first part of this training will address Sewer Use Ordinances (SUO) by discussing the format and requirements that should be included in a strong SUO and providing example conditions and language to consider when updating your ordinance. Randy Bean has developed a model SUO that wastewater systems and municipalities can use as a template for developing their own ordinance. This template will be shared during class.
The second part of the training will present information on Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG). This will include information on best management practices for FOG control, sizing of interceptors, the generation of FOG by various users, inspections and maintenance of interceptors, and methods to control the discharge of FOG into your collection system.
Credit
3 TCH (Wastewater)
Instructor
Randy Bean
Proctor
Wayne Graham (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Trench and Excavation Safety
2026-05-28 09:00 - 12:30 | Zoom, Zoom
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)

Wastewater Lift Stations from an Operator's Perspective
2026-06-02 09:00 - 12:30 | National Life Complex, Dewey Building, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT, 05602, United States
Description
This comprehensive class was developed from many years of hands-on station experience and is designed for anyone who is tasked with operating, managing, or owning wastewater lift stations. This class will cover a range of topics from a functional perspective, including: what is a lift station, proper operation/maintenance, best practices, operational basics, troubleshooting, and upgrading. Examples of standard operating procedures will be provided. This is a guided, structured presentation intended to pass on the knowledge of seasoned operators to our newer operators and managers. Come ready to participate and share your challenges and successes!
Credit
3 TCH (Wastewater)
Instructor
Rick Chaput (Vergennes WWTF)
Proctor
Wayne Graham (Vermont Rural Water Association)

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

PFAS & Water Supply Rule
2026-06-04 09:00 - 12:30 | Zoom, Zoom
Description
Members of the Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division will be going over recent changes to the Vermont Water Supply Rule involving the regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that go into effect on January 1, 2026. This will include discussion on changes to sampling requirements, the new MCLs, and how systems achieve and maintain compliance with the regulation.
Credit
3 TCH (Water)
Treatment Category 1, Distribution Category 1 | Learn more
Instructor
Ben Montross and Janelle Wilbur (VT Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division)
Proctor
Tim Russo (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Additional Sessions
Wednesday, July 22 – Register Here
Tuesday, August 4 – Register Here

Issuing a Boil Water Notice
2026-06-16 09:00 - 12:30 | Zoom, Zoom
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)

Hands-On Pipe Repair Training
2026-06-17 10:00 - 14:00 | EJ Prescott – South Burlington, 1235 Airport Pkwy, South Burlington, VT, 05403, United States
Description
This training will cover all types of repairs from using repair clamps, couplings, mechanical joint fittings, joint restraints, and saddles. The instructor will go over different types of breaks, leak location, proper ways to outside diameter pipe, and torque recommendations. This class will include hands-on demonstrations or installation of each. EJP will be graciously providing lunch for attendees.
Credit
3.5 TCH (Water & Wastewater)
Water Treatment Category 2, Distribution Category 1 & 2 | Learn more
Instructor
Chris Rogers (EJ Prescott)
Proctor
Wayne Graham & Elijah Lemieux (Vermont Rural Water Association)

Safety: Water and Wastewater Facility Flooding
2026-06-18 09:00 - 12:30 | Zoom, Zoom
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 | Zoom, Zoom
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)

PFAS & Water Supply Rule
2026-07-22 09:00 - 12:30 | Zoom, Zoom
Description
Members of the Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division will be going over recent changes to the Vermont Water Supply Rule involving the regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that go into effect on January 1, 2026. This will include discussion on changes to sampling requirements, the new MCLs, and how systems achieve and maintain compliance with the regulation.
Credit
3 TCH (Water)
Treatment Category 1, Distribution Category 1 | Learn more
Instructor
Ben Montross and Janelle Wilbur (VT Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division)
Proctor
Tim Russo (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Additional Sessions
Tuesday, August 4 – Register Here

PFAS & Water Supply Rule
2026-08-04 09:00 - 12:30 | Zoom, Zoom
Description
Members of the Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division will be going over recent changes to the Vermont Water Supply Rule involving the regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that go into effect on January 1, 2026. This will include discussion on changes to sampling requirements, the new MCLs, and how systems achieve and maintain compliance with the regulation.
Credit
3 TCH (Water)
Treatment Category 1, Distribution Category 1 | Learn more
Instructor
Ben Montross and Janelle Wilbur (VT Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division)
Proctor
Tim Russo (Vermont Rural Water Association)
