BOARD OF LICENSURE OF WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATORS

August 18, 2005 Meeting

 

Members Present:                                                                         Others Present:

Trevor Hunt, Chairman                                                                     Rebecca Reynolds

Alan Frasier                                                                                       Greg Kidd

Carlton Gardner                                                                                Jeff McNelly

Chris Crovo                                                                                       Greg Reid

Teresa Trott                                                                                       David Parent

                                                                                                            Carol Champagne

 

Called to Order: 

 

The meeting was called to order at 9:05 A.M.

 

General Administration:

 

Trevor Hunt Introduced Rebecca Reynolds:  Rebecca is new with the DWP staff.  She came to us from Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA) where she has worked for the past twelve years.  She was a Lab Tech, Operator and Monitoring Coordinator.  She has been an instructor at the Peterson School for the past five years preparing operators for ABC exams in Massachusetts. 

 

Meeting Minutes:  Alan Frasier made a motion to accept the June 16, 2005 minutes, Carlton Gardner 2nd.  The minutes were approved.

 

Financial:

           

            Expenses                               $33,607.00

            Income                                    $46,599.00

 

Exams:  In 2004, on all levels of classes, we were within 6% of the national average passing rate.   There are fewer operators taking the VSWS exam. 

 

Only one person questioned the score on his exam.  The Board put in for request of review with ABC.  The review was done by ABC.

 

The Fall exams are scheduled for October 25, 2005 in Augusta and October 27, 2005 in Presque Isle.  The application deadline is September 17, 2005.

 

 

Operator Updates:   Systems not in Compliance.  One transient surface water system has not been successful in passing the exam.   Seventeen NTNC Systems and forty eight Community Systems are in need of an operator.  This could be for a number of reasons such as upgrade or needing two operators.  Terry Trott is contacting those that need to take the exam to come into compliance.  The training is being provided.

 

Carlton Gardner stated that there are operators holding VSWS licenses that are not aware of needing TCHs to renew their licenses.  Reminder letters will be sent out. 

 

Operator Enforcement:  The Drinking Water Program has a list of systems that have violations, some have failed to monitor.  The DWP has started sending letters to the owners’ to remind them of their responsibility to their water systems.  It is the owner’s responsibility to place the supervision of the water system under the direct control of the water operator.  If they fail to respond corrective action will be taken.

 

Old Business:

 

Rule Change Status:  The Rule Change is still in the process.

 

ERG Grant:  Rebecca Reynolds has started working with the DWP as Water Operator Specialist. 

 

Trainings for the VSWS exams are about 75% completed.

 

New Business: 

 

Dates for 2006 Meeting and Exams: 

 

Board Meetings

 

January 19, 2006      Brunswick/Topsham Water District            Topsham

March 16, 2006         286 Water Street 3rd floor                            Augusta

June 15, 2006           Brunswick/Topsham Water District            Topsham

September 21, 2006 286 Water Street 3rd floor                           Augusta

November 17, 2006  Brunswick/Topsham Water District            Topsham

 

Application Due Dates and Exam Locations

 

Application Due February 25, 2006 – Exam April 4, 2006 Augusta

                                                                             April 6, 2006 Presque Isle

 

Application Due May 13, 2006 – Exam June 27, 2006 Augusta

 

Application Due September 9, 2006 – Exam October 17, 2006 Augusta

                                                                             October 19, 2006 Presque Isle

 

Contract Operations Responsibilities:  The Board will follow the DWP Rules where the operator responsibility is.  The operator is the only one that can make process control and process integrity decisions.

 

Recent Correspondence:  Terry Trott passed around a letter from EPA for the Board’s review.

 

Database Updates;  The new database is called SWOCS.  It will be for the water operators and the well driller’s information and will be connected to SIDWIS.

 

Chris Crovo made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Carlton Gardner 2nd it.  Meeting adjourned at 10:45 am.