UK Offers Free Workshop to Small Water and Sewage Utilities in Appalachia

Attendees at a previous workshop work on issues such as operational optimization and resiliency, infrastructure stability, community sustainability and economic development, financial viability, and employee and leadership development.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 8, 2017) — To help small communities manage their water utilities, the University of Kentucky is offering a free, full day workshop titled, "Sustainable Management of Rural and Small Water and Wastewater Systems."

The workshop will be held 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 16, at Carter Caves State Resort Park in Carter County, Kentucky. It will be led by Lindell Ormsbee, director of the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute (KWRRI).

The workshop is targeted to participants who are involved in the operation or management of water or sewage systems that serve 4,000 or fewer customers. Small water and wastewater system managers, operators and their board members are invited to attend along with local decision makers such as mayors and county commissioners.

"This will be an excellent opportunity for small water and wastewater utilities to receive free assistance from the UK KWRRI and the West Virginia University’s National Environmental Services Center (WVU-NESC) and to develop relationships with additional agencies and organizations that provide support to Kentucky utilities," Ormsbee said.

The workshop gives small utilities a simple way to assess their systems' strengths and weaknesses. The assessment will then be used to develop an easy-to-follow management plan for improving their operations.

The workshop focuses on 10 key management areas such as operational optimization and resiliency, infrastructure stability, product quality, water resource adequacy, financial viability, stakeholder understanding and support.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this program is a partnership between the UK KWRRI and the WVU-NESC. A successful workshop was held in West Virginia in March, with another scheduled for August. 

The workshop has been approved for six hours of continuing education units (CEU) for both drinking water and wastewater operators in Kentucky and will be given upon request.

To register online, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/sustainable-management-of-rural-and-small-systems-workshop-tickets-34246511237?aff=es2.

Limited travel expenses are available to qualified individuals on a first come, first served basis. For questions, call the NESC at 800-624-8301.