bottled vs.tap: - Virginia Water Environment Association

have gained an interest in careers in thewater industry through exposure to the waterdepartment training. Similar programs exist inIrving, Texas and Arlington, Texas. Studentsparticipating in the program are given theopportunity to compete in the Texas Sectionawwa’s Meter Madness, Jr. competition.For more information on Waco Water UtilityServices visit www.wacowater.com.The Partnership for Water presentationwas followed up by a presentation on theWater and People Program created by theConnecticut Section of awwa. The Waterand People Program provides classroomand field training to high school juniorsand seniors in the town of Portland, CT.The program qualifies the students to sitfor the state’s entry-level water licenseexam and qualifies for credit towards awater management program at a localcommunity college. According to presenterDave Kuzminski, CT awwa past chair anda program champion, the program recentlycompleted its fourth successful year. Asan outgrowth of the success, CT awwadeveloped a one-week summer bootcamp funded by the USEPA for the Waterand People Program. The boot camp hashad two successful seasons thus far, withsessions offered in New Haven, CT andHartford, CT. The Connecticut programs,as the programs in Texas, are intended toattract qualified individuals to the waterindustry to offset the anticipated retirementof baby boomers in the coming years.The final Work for Water Workshoppresentation was given by MicheleAtkinson of the Virginia Department ofProfessional and Occupational Regulation(DPOR). She discussed Virginia licensingof waterworks and wastewater treatmentoperators. She noted that Virginiaregulations differ from those of Texas andConnecticut, essentially precluding highschool students from sitting for a water orwastewater licensing exam. A discussionof these differences, and the process bywhich the Virginia regulations may bechanged, followed.The Virginia Work for Water Committeeis planning activities and initiatives for thecoming year. We invite people from allareas related to the water and wastewaterindustry to join the committee. Weespecially encourage human resourcemembers of water and wastewater utilitiesto join. Please contact committee chairBob Canova at bob.canova@cox.net orcommittee vice chair Bob Forgione at bob.forgione@uosa.org.Michele Atkinson and Bob Canova led a lively discussion of Virginia licensing requirements and how they mayrelate to VA Work for Water initiatives.Fall 2012 – The Conduit11