| Programs |
| Louisiana Rural Water Association has many programs to provide operator training and technical assistance to utility systems throughout the state of Louisiana. Listed below are the programs that LRWA has to offer. |
The following programs and their services are free of charge.
LRWA Training & Onsite Assistance Program: Funded by National Rural Water
Association through the Environmental Protection Agency. LRWA has one Training
Specialist covering the state. This program provides technical assistance to systems
throughout the state with a population under 10,000. The program also provides
training sessions across the state to keep systems updated on Safe Drinking Water
Act rules and regulations. The training hours received are used to comply with state
re-certification requirements.
Water Circuit Rider Program: Funded by National Rural Water Association through
USDA-Rural Development. LRWA has three Water Circuit Riders covering the state
providing technical assistance to water system personnel on the daily operations of
their system. These services include on-site visits and information on Safe Drinking
Water Act rules and regulations, water quality analysis, disinfection and chemical
feed, treatment processes, distribution maintenance, line and valve locations, pump
and motor maintenance and rate structures.
Wastewater Program: Funded by National Rural Water Association through USDA-
Rural Development. LRWA provides on-site technical assistance throughout the state
of Louisiana with three wastewater technicians. Technical assistance provided
includes treatment plant operations, maintenance, finance, management, regulatory
requirements, health concerns and operator certifications. The wastewater technician
provide training sessions throughout the state of Louisiana on a small scale. This
small scale training enables them to have more of a one-on-one with the operators,
managers, etc.
USDA Source Water Protection Program: Funded by National Rural Water
Association through the United States Department of Agriculture. Through this
program LRWA provides technical assistance to rural and small communities served
by public water systems to reduce or eliminate the potential risks to drinking water
supplies through the development of Source Water Protection Plans and providing
assistance to entities for the implementation of contaminant preventative measures.
Rural Water Board Development Training: This training will focus specifically on
providing training to governing officials and utility managers of small rural water and
wastewater systems. This training will emphasize topics that will enhance knowledge
of basic governing skills and responsibilities. This training will also offer guidance in
specific areas such as hiring and managing managers, ensuring adequate financing
and accountability and board self-evaluation. It will also work with board members and
upper management in expanding their system's financial, managerial and technical
capacity through the use of self-assessment. Training in areas of budgeting, policy-
making, customer relations, and board member's legal obligations will assist each
system with their capacity development process.
Rural Water Energy Program: LRWA offers specialized training and technical
assistance to small water and/or wastewater systems with six field technicians in the
state of Louisiana. The program is designed to reduce energy consumption and
increase the efficiency of operation with emphasis on the following:
Louisiana Compliance Initiative Program (LCI): Funded by the Department ofHealth and Hospitals. LRWA's LCI Program employs two technician covering
Louisiana. LRWA began offering this program in August of 1992 to assist very small
water systems in returning to compliance with EPA and DHH regulations and after a
brief lapse LRWA is offering this program once again. This assistance is provided
through in-field technical assistance visits and periodic one-day training sessions
taught in conjunction with DHH enforcement officials. The program concentrates on
the very small water systems such as restaurants, mobile home parks, RV parks,
industries, country stores, etc. It also offers assistance to larger public water systems
that have received Administrative Orders from DHH. The LCI Program is designed to
help the system return to compliance through operator initiative rather than by
continued enforcement action from EPA and DHH.
Very Small Water System Training Program: LRWA offers the Very Small Water
System (VSWS) Training Program to all water and wastewater systems throughout the
state of Louisiana. LRWA provides three two-day training sessions located
throughout the state of Louisiana, annually. The VSWS Program targets the small
systems (systems under 500 pop., mobile home parks, subdivisions, etc.). The
training is done by the LRWA staff in conjunction with DHH and other sources
available through LRWA.
The Annual Conference and the 32 or 40 hours of Certification Training described
below cost to attend. There is a fee payment due to attend the conference and the
certification training classes.
Conference: LRWA provides an Annual Conference to over 1,500 water and
wastewater professionals, as well as mayors, board members, clerks, and decision
makers. This conference allows these professionals to receive up to 32 hours of re-
certification credits. This conference has had over 120 exhibitors displaying their
state of the art products, which is important to the water and wastewater industry. Our
annual conference puts water and wastewater personnel in touch with vendor's
products while obtaining valuable training.
Training Program: LRWA takes pride in the Training and Technical Assistance that
we offer throughout the year from one end of Louisiana to the other. The training
sessions are instructed by individuals with a wide variety of expertise in water and
wastewater related issues, as well as LA Department of Health & Hospitals, Office of
Public Health personnel to keep attendees abreast of current and changing State
Regulations. LRWA offers a wide variety of training sessions such as Environmental
Protection Agency, LA Compliance Initiative, Very Small Water System, Board/Council
Member, Wastewater, Safe Drinking Water "The Basics" as well as our Annual
Conference which includes Certification Training and Technical Training for office
personnel.
LRWA provides training for 32 or 40 hours of water and wastewater certification for
levels 1 and 2 at the Wayne Fontenot Training Center located at our office in Kinder.
This facility comfortably seats 48 attendees by providing educational instructions to
assist them with the certification exam and training to meet all state and federal
regulations by learning the Rules and Regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act and
the Clean Water Act.
The LRWA's specialized training sessions provide water and wastewater systems'
personnel with an opportunity to solve problems by sharing ideas with state and
federal agencies, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, and other water and
wastewater system personnel. Training sessions cover a broad spectrum of needs
ranging from water treatment, state and federal water and wastewater regulations, to
financial management practices, and operator certification. This training allows water
professionals to upgrade their skills, improve the quality of their utilities' service, and
protect their community's health.
LRWA provides one or two day training sessions to keep systems updated on Safe
Drinking Water Act Rules and Regulations, Water Conservation, Operation &
Maintenance, Board/Council Members Training, and Training for Secretaries, Clerks,
Office Managers, etc. The training hours you receive at these training sessions can
be used to comply with state re-certification requirements.
Below is a list of some topics that are covered during these training sessions and
conferences:
LaWARN (Louisiana Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network): Following the impacts of Hurricane Katrine and then Hurricane Rita, it became apparent that even with the
extraordinary efforts of utilities, water associations, and state regulatory agencies, the demand for
resources and knowing where those resources were available overwhelmed the ability to effectively
coordinate the initial response. Realizing that utilities needed a different approach, leaders in the
water community and state agencies have joined together to create the Louisiana
Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network or LaWARN. Our mission is to support and promote
statewide emergency preparedness, disaster response, and mutual assistance matters for public
and private water and wastewater utilities. The LaWARN program provides its member utilities
with: LaWarn Mutal Assistance Agreement.
Legislative: LRWA works with coalitions to provide data and disseminate rules and regulations to evaluate effectiveness and cost to rural water systems. Attend legislative sessions in
Baton Rouge and Washington, DC, to inform our congressional members of problems in Louisiana.
LRWA Training & Onsite Assistance Program: Funded by National Rural Water
Association through the Environmental Protection Agency. LRWA has one Training
Specialist covering the state. This program provides technical assistance to systems
throughout the state with a population under 10,000. The program also provides
training sessions across the state to keep systems updated on Safe Drinking Water
Act rules and regulations. The training hours received are used to comply with state
re-certification requirements.
Water Circuit Rider Program: Funded by National Rural Water Association through
USDA-Rural Development. LRWA has three Water Circuit Riders covering the state
providing technical assistance to water system personnel on the daily operations of
their system. These services include on-site visits and information on Safe Drinking
Water Act rules and regulations, water quality analysis, disinfection and chemical
feed, treatment processes, distribution maintenance, line and valve locations, pump
and motor maintenance and rate structures.
Wastewater Program: Funded by National Rural Water Association through USDA-
Rural Development. LRWA provides on-site technical assistance throughout the state
of Louisiana with three wastewater technicians. Technical assistance provided
includes treatment plant operations, maintenance, finance, management, regulatory
requirements, health concerns and operator certifications. The wastewater technician
provide training sessions throughout the state of Louisiana on a small scale. This
small scale training enables them to have more of a one-on-one with the operators,
managers, etc.
USDA Source Water Protection Program: Funded by National Rural Water
Association through the United States Department of Agriculture. Through this
program LRWA provides technical assistance to rural and small communities served
by public water systems to reduce or eliminate the potential risks to drinking water
supplies through the development of Source Water Protection Plans and providing
assistance to entities for the implementation of contaminant preventative measures.
Rural Water Board Development Training: This training will focus specifically on
providing training to governing officials and utility managers of small rural water and
wastewater systems. This training will emphasize topics that will enhance knowledge
of basic governing skills and responsibilities. This training will also offer guidance in
specific areas such as hiring and managing managers, ensuring adequate financing
and accountability and board self-evaluation. It will also work with board members and
upper management in expanding their system's financial, managerial and technical
capacity through the use of self-assessment. Training in areas of budgeting, policy-
making, customer relations, and board member's legal obligations will assist each
system with their capacity development process.
Rural Water Energy Program: LRWA offers specialized training and technical
assistance to small water and/or wastewater systems with six field technicians in the
state of Louisiana. The program is designed to reduce energy consumption and
increase the efficiency of operation with emphasis on the following:
 | Leak Detection | |
| Bench Testing for Water Meters | |
| Consumer Metering Program | |
| Infiltration (Smoke Test) Survey | |
| Sewer Video Camera | |
| Source Metering Program |
Louisiana Compliance Initiative Program (LCI): Funded by the Department of
Louisiana. LRWA began offering this program in August of 1992 to assist very small
water systems in returning to compliance with EPA and DHH regulations and after a
brief lapse LRWA is offering this program once again. This assistance is provided
through in-field technical assistance visits and periodic one-day training sessions
taught in conjunction with DHH enforcement officials. The program concentrates on
the very small water systems such as restaurants, mobile home parks, RV parks,
industries, country stores, etc. It also offers assistance to larger public water systems
that have received Administrative Orders from DHH. The LCI Program is designed to
help the system return to compliance through operator initiative rather than by
continued enforcement action from EPA and DHH.
Very Small Water System Training Program: LRWA offers the Very Small Water
System (VSWS) Training Program to all water and wastewater systems throughout the
state of Louisiana. LRWA provides three two-day training sessions located
throughout the state of Louisiana, annually. The VSWS Program targets the small
systems (systems under 500 pop., mobile home parks, subdivisions, etc.). The
training is done by the LRWA staff in conjunction with DHH and other sources
available through LRWA.
The Annual Conference and the 32 or 40 hours of Certification Training described
below cost to attend. There is a fee payment due to attend the conference and the
certification training classes.
Conference: LRWA provides an Annual Conference to over 1,500 water and
wastewater professionals, as well as mayors, board members, clerks, and decision
makers. This conference allows these professionals to receive up to 32 hours of re-
certification credits. This conference has had over 120 exhibitors displaying their
state of the art products, which is important to the water and wastewater industry. Our
annual conference puts water and wastewater personnel in touch with vendor's
products while obtaining valuable training.
Training Program: LRWA takes pride in the Training and Technical Assistance that
we offer throughout the year from one end of Louisiana to the other. The training
sessions are instructed by individuals with a wide variety of expertise in water and
wastewater related issues, as well as LA Department of Health & Hospitals, Office of
Public Health personnel to keep attendees abreast of current and changing State
Regulations. LRWA offers a wide variety of training sessions such as Environmental
Protection Agency, LA Compliance Initiative, Very Small Water System, Board/Council
Member, Wastewater, Safe Drinking Water "The Basics" as well as our Annual
Conference which includes Certification Training and Technical Training for office
personnel.
LRWA provides training for 32 or 40 hours of water and wastewater certification for
levels 1 and 2 at the Wayne Fontenot Training Center located at our office in Kinder.
This facility comfortably seats 48 attendees by providing educational instructions to
assist them with the certification exam and training to meet all state and federal
regulations by learning the Rules and Regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act and
the Clean Water Act.
The LRWA's specialized training sessions provide water and wastewater systems'
personnel with an opportunity to solve problems by sharing ideas with state and
federal agencies, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, and other water and
wastewater system personnel. Training sessions cover a broad spectrum of needs
ranging from water treatment, state and federal water and wastewater regulations, to
financial management practices, and operator certification. This training allows water
professionals to upgrade their skills, improve the quality of their utilities' service, and
protect their community's health.
LRWA provides one or two day training sessions to keep systems updated on Safe
Drinking Water Act Rules and Regulations, Water Conservation, Operation &
Maintenance, Board/Council Members Training, and Training for Secretaries, Clerks,
Office Managers, etc. The training hours you receive at these training sessions can
be used to comply with state re-certification requirements.
Below is a list of some topics that are covered during these training sessions and
conferences:
| Introduction to Safe Drinking Water Program | |
| Enforcement, How to Maintain Compliance | |
| Bacteriological Sampling | |
| Operator Certification Program | |
| Groundwater Protection Program | |
| Operating a water system...Getting Certified | |
| Sewer Lift Stations | |
| Troubleshooting, Control Transformers, Single Phase | |
| Smoke Testing and TV Inspections | |
| Hydrant Operations | |
| Disinfection Challenges and Chlorine Safety | |
| Troubleshooting Filters | |
| Water Leak Detection | |
| Wastewater Plant Operations | |
| Electrical Equipment | |
| Everything You Need to Know About Chlorinators | |
| Cross-Connections | |
| Proper Security for your Water System | |
| Security Vulnerability/Emergency Response Plan |
LaWARN (Louisiana Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network): Following
extraordinary efforts of utilities, water associations, and state regulatory agencies, the demand for
resources and knowing where those resources were available overwhelmed the ability to effectively
coordinate the initial response. Realizing that utilities needed a different approach, leaders in the
water community and state agencies have joined together to create the Louisiana
Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network or LaWARN. Our mission is to support and promote
statewide emergency preparedness, disaster response, and mutual assistance matters for public
and private water and wastewater utilities. The LaWARN program provides its member utilities
with: LaWarn Mutal Assistance Agreement.
| A standard omnibus mutual assistance agreement and process for sharing | |
| emergency resources | ||
| Among members statewide. | |
| A mutual assistance program consistent with other statewide mutual aid | |
| programs. | ||
| The resources to respond and recover more quickly from a disaster. | |
| A forum for developing and maintaining emergency contacts and relationships. | |
| New ideas from lessons learned in disasters. | |
| The Louisiana Sheriffs' Association and the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of | |
| Police, with the support of the LA State Police, have adopted a Joint SOP (JSOP) for Coordinated Statewide Reentry, and that the ER-ITN data system has been adopted to implement the JSOP. The JSOP, and the ER-ITN that implements it, are intended to help solve reentry problems after a natural disaster. | ||
| Visit the LA State Police and LA Sheriff's Association websites for more | |
| information regarding the Joint SOP (JSOP). | ||
| LA State Police: www.lsp.org | |
| LA Sheriff's Association: www.lsa.org |
Legislative: LRWA works with coalitions to provide data and disseminate rules and
Baton Rouge and Washington, DC, to inform our congressional members of problems in Louisiana.
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