Creating Learning Options for Water/Wastewater Operators

,
Julie Sievers,
Senior Water Solutions Specialist
April 29, 2024

Public works systems are crucial for community well-being and functionality as they contribute to the quality of life for residents. With an in-depth understanding of regulations, environmental conditions, processes, and procedures, ISG aims to develop strategic partnerships with municipalities and deliver right-sized solutions for their unique systems.

To support communities and their needs, ISG offers free online drinking water and wastewater operator training opportunities to ensure operators are qualified, trained, and equipped with the skills to operate, maintain, and protect systems.

Certification Challenges

Prior to 2020, water and wastewater operators were required to maintain certifications by receiving continuing education units (CEUs) or contact hours through in-person training sessions. When all in-person training ceased in 2020, there was no indication that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was going to change their requirements even though opportunities to receive CEUs or contact hours were not available.

Around that time, ISG hired former Iowa DNR employee and Senior Water Solutions Specialist, Julie Sievers. Julie’s background with drinking water compliance and water operations paired with ISG’s passion for providing technical support to water and wastewater partners resulted in discovering an innovative solution that would address operator training challenges.  

Operator Opportunities

Leveraging technology and resources, ISG created an online training platform that offers operators virtual opportunities to maintain their certifications. Training sessions are led by in-house water and wastewater experts, industry partners who offer relevant products or services, or DNR staff. Topics are relevant, specific to state nuances, and geared toward operator certification needs.

“This is a great opportunity for our industry to connect while gaining useful training and CEUs." – Julie Sievers, Senior Water Solutions Specialist

Benefits of Online Water + Wastewater Training

What started as an opportunity to fulfill a need for operators, has grown and gained momentum due to its success. While in-person trainings have resumed offering operators face-to-face networking and learning options, the Iowa DNR has encouraged ISG to continue online training sessions due to the benefits they provide.

  1. Convenience. In-person training sessions pull day-to-day operators from their communities for extended periods. Due to this constraint, communities are also limited to sending one or a few operators to in-person sessions at a time. By joining virtually, operators will remain within their communities to respond to emergencies. Multiple operators are also encouraged to participate as a group and discuss the training.
  2. Time + Cost Savings. Not only are virtual training sessions free, but they also save communities the cost of transportation, accommodations, registration, and meals associated with in-person events.
"Very convenient for us smaller systems that can't travel. I will be signing more of our operators up for future trainings." – February 2024 Participant

Session Success

Due to positive response and a growing demand since the first online training session in April 2020, ISG expanded operator training to serve operators in South Dakota. Nearly 200 operators participate in each session and attendance continues to grow. ISG’s training resource has allowed operators to attend more frequently, expand their knowledge, earn more CEUs, and advance their careers.  

“These are a great way to earn CEUs. It keeps costs low as our city struggles with its budget.” – February 2024 Participant

ISG will continue to identify opportunities for supporting Iowa and South Dakota communities in their pursuit of ensuring long-term maintenance of their infrastructure. Visit the website to learn about upcoming topics, register for online water and wastewater training sessions, and contact ISG about supporting your community’s water/wastewater needs.

No items found.
More from
Julie Sievers,
Senior Water Solutions Specialist

Related Articles

Streamlining Hydrant Maintenance: GIS On-Call Impact

The City of Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, like many municipalities, faces the challenge of maintaining its infrastructure with limited staff.

Industry Insights

Community Resiliency: Plan Now To Protect The Future

Following the 2024 wettest spring on record in the state, flood risks have become a pressing concern for Minnesotans. Whether dealing with damage firsthand, volunteering in clean-up, or feeling the impact in another way, many realize that future planning for intensifying weather patterns is crucial.

Industry Insights

Designing with Purpose: Reflections on Leadership, Passion, and the Future

Recently, I had the opportunity to join inspiring women leaders from across architecture, engineering, and construction at the AIA WLS. I left feeling energized by the conversations about the history of women in AEC, where we are now, and where we are headed as an industry.

Industry Insights

Elevating Play: ISG’s Innovative Approach to Multi-Purpose Athletic Field Design

The trend of multi-purpose athletic fields is rapidly growing in K-12 and community sports. This surge is driven by the escalating costs of construction and the increasing need for flexible fields that accommodate multiple sports and extend outdoor seasons.

Industry Insights

Boost Your High-Speed Internet Services: Five Steps to Prepare for Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Funding

Is your internet company seeking to expand its high-speed services through Fiber to the Home (FTTH) funding? With 21.3 million Americans—6.5 percent of the population—lacking access to broadband, expanding your services is more crucial than ever in closing the digital divide. While securing funding can be a game-changer, the process is considered by many to be daunting and complex.

Industry Insights

The Impact of A Public Works Water Professional

Picture this. You turn on the shower in the morning before work and nothing happens. No water. You flush the toilet—same thing. When you contact the City, you learn this is a community-wide issue. How does your City respond?

Industry Insights