MEP mentors needed
Water Quality Association is looking for experienced individuals willing to serve as mentors for water treatment professionals who are earning their certification. The paid mentors are needed when a mentor is not available from the learner’s company to help learners complete the field activities in the Modular Education Program (MEP) three-step approach of reading, e-learning and field activities. Mentors assist by reviewing the documented results of the field activities and providing the learner with technical knowledge and support throughout the learning process. These activities help learners understand how they will apply their training to their everyday work.
Learners are required to have mentors to successfully complete the MEP, but sometimes companies cannot provide one in-house or would rather outsource that work. The greatest need is often for dealer and distribution company owners who are new to the industry, or individuals within plumbing or well drilling companies tasked with the water treatment portion of the business.
WQA will maintain a list of approved mentors from which learners could select, but WQA will not regulate fees nor mediate disputes. Mentors will set their own fees for their services and collect payment directly from the learners. Details on the program and mentor qualifications can be found at wqa.org/mentor_program.
Early bird convention pricing
The Water Quality Association reminds those planning to attend the 2020 WQA Convention & Exposition, April 1-3 in Orlando, FL, that savings are available for registering early. Advance pricing is available through February. 5 for the convention and the March 31 WQA Business Boot Camp, both at the Orange County Convention Center. WQA members can save $50 per person on the convention registration fee (or $65 per person off show week registration) by taking advantage of early pricing, and another $50 per person on registration ($75 per person off show week price) for Boot Camp. And more savings are available on housing: Several hotels with walkways or shuttles to the convention center offer rooms at special WQA block rates to those reserving through March 9.
More than 3,000 dealers, manufacturers and consultants attend the annual convention, which this year offers Vision 20/20 as its theme. Expanded hours for this year’s trade show, open April 2 and 3, offer greater opportunities to see the latest products and services in drinking water treatment. Education sessions are scheduled for all three days of the event, with many providing Continuing Professional Development credit toward re-certification. Two technical workshops – one on Commercial/Industrial RO Sizing and one an introduction to water contaminants and drinking water regulations – are set for April 3 for additional fees. Professional certification exams will be held during the convention at a discounted price.
The Opening General Session will feature keynote speaker Simon T. Bailey, plus industry awards and the election of WQA officers. A New Attendee Breakfast, Welcome Reception and committee and section meetings provide networking opportunities. The convention website has all the details, including a full schedule and sponsorship opportunities.
Comments for Federal copper rule sought
WQA supports Lead and Copper Rule revisions proposed by the US EPA and is encouraging its members to review them and submit public comment by the new deadline of February 12. The revisions were designed to improve how communities treat and test for lead in drinking water and force quicker action when lead is detected.
The proposal continues the push for replacing lead water service lines and requires communities to inventory lead lines, provide corrosion control treatment, follow new improved sampling procedures, monitor schools and child-care centers and increase communications with residents when their water tests at higher than the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) of lead. Although the plan does not change that action level, it sets a new lead trigger level of 10 ppb, which would require water systems to take actions working toward lead reduction at that point.
The revised rule also would allow community water systems serving less than 10,000 people and all non-transient non-community water systems to use POU devices certified to remove lead in place of corrosion control treatment. In addition, to address potential lead line disturbance, such as during a lead line replacement, systems will provide a certified pitcher to remove lead for up to three months and conduct a follow-up test.
WQA applauds efforts to reduce lead in public drinking water wherever possible while standing ready with immediate solutions, such as the use of certified filtration systems. The association has submitted its own letter of support of the revisions and invites members to use it as a template for their own. Members also can read about the revisions affecting the water treatment industry at a new page on the WQA website.