Delaware Rural Water Association
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Training & Workforce Development
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Rick Duncan, ED, signs Apprenticeship Standards to finalize registration with DOL.
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Delaware registers DRWA's Apprenticeship Program
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On May 16th, DRWA received notice that the Delaware Department of Labor has officially registered our apprenticeship program. The Water Systems Operator Apprenticeship Program will provide on-the-job learning opportunities and classroom hours for current or new employees of a DE water system. We plan to begin classes this fall. Interested in applying as an apprentice, becoming a participating employer, or a classroom instructor?
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Looking Back on Job Shadowing at DRWA
On April 18th, DRWA welcomed a group of 12 Caesar Rodney High School students for a day of job shadowing through the Junior Achievement JA Job Shadow® program. The purpose of the program is to expose students to job and career opportunities and prepare them for what it takes to apply, interview and secure those opportunities. We'd like to thank Cathy Kemp,
JDG (Jobs for Delaware Graduates, Inc) Master Specialist at Caesar Rodney High School and Denise Christiansen, JA's Student Impact Manager, for initiating the event.
Denise shared this student feedback with DRWA after the event:
“Participation in today’s job shadow helped me prepare for future employability because it helped me get involved and socialize, it also helped me with listening skills because we followed a lot of directions.” Nakayla, grade 11
“It (JA Job Shadow) connects with what I’m doing in school by stepping outside my comfort zone and attempting to learn new things and meet all kinds of people.” Jerel, Grade 12
“It (JA Job Shadow) helped me know what I should do at an interview and how I should act.” Kalib
The students had an intro session and then rotated throughout four different stations all afternoon. Stations were run by DRWA Staff to model each work area. See them in action, below!
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Water Testing & Water Pipe Locating
Sherrie Turner (Water Circuit Rider) & Bill Hague (Water Circuit Rider) walked the students through hydrant operation, water testing and underground pipe location, the new way and the ages old way. Sherrie is demonstrating her 'magic wand' for the students.
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Administration & Finance

DRWA's Accountant, Debbie Duncan, described what it takes to keep everything running smoothly at a water utility. The students ran through an exercise in budgeting for new system equipment and got a crash course in water rates.
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Wastewater Pipe Inspection

Joe Godwin (Wastewater Technician), demonstrated some field tools for the students after a classroom briefing on the wastewater cycle. He gave them a glimpse into sewer detection and snaking with a camera.
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Source Water Protection
Anita Beckel (FSA Sourcewater Specialist) took up residence in the Mobile Training Unit Trailer to demonstrate the lifecycle of groundwater and different filtration techniques.
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The Town of Bridgeville recently completed the installation of a security fence around their newest well in the southern section of their distribution system. The well and the treatment plant were already secured in a brick building. The fence will help prevent vandalism to the building and the surrounding area. The fence will allow the Town of Bridgeville to control the land use on their property by protecting it from encroachment of a nearby golf course and construction equipment during possible future development.
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Joe Godwin, DRWA's Wastewater Technician, & Bettina Stern of Selbyville, shared some behind the scenes action of Selbyville's Wastewater operators installing a Blower motor at the oxidation ditch in Selbyville, which has an activated sludge wastewater plant.
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A lucky winner!
Adrienne White (pictured with Mom, Katrina) - Winner of DRWA's barbecue grill raffle. She couldn't wait to collect her winnings!
City of Milford Public Works Dept Touch A Truck Event
Saturday, May 18th 2019
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Tapping and Drilling Class - Lewes, DE
DRWA's Water Circuit Rider, Sherrie Turner, organized this on-site class, with Mark Snyder of Mueller Co. as the instructor. As much as we enjoy hosting classes at DRWA's training facility, our team knows how important it is to meet you in the field, too.
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Miss Utility of Delmarva Damage Prevention Training / Chesapeake Utilities Gas Safety Training @ DRWA
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Now that our Apprenticeship Program is registered, you'll find us promoting and recruiting at local job fairs.
Kim spent some time with Rider at Caesar Rodney High School. Special thanks to Cathy Kemp, JDG Master Specialist, for the invite!
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Our Mobile Training Unit is gearing up to hit the town! DRWA staff will be sporting the trailer at a few upcoming local events. Keep an eye out for us! Contact our office if you'd like to request the trailer at a hands-on event.
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We're also pleased to present DRWA's newest work truck. Together, this dynamic duo will haul water knowledge wherever it may be needed.
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COURSE BROCHURES ARE NOW HITTING YOUR INBOX!
We have started blasting our course brochures through e-mail, and so far we hear you are loving it! You can always reach out to Lisa if you need to update any of your contact information.
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WATER/WASTEWATER PROFESSIONALS
Annual Award Ceremony - May 9, 2019
DRWA Staff was able to attend the ceremony on May 9th to celebrate great achievements by those in our industry. Congrats to all nominees and winners! We are proud to support such a talented and passionate group of professionals every day.
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BUILDING THE FUTURE OF DRWA
Here's a sneak peak at DRWA's newest training center addition. As an ASSE accredited training center, we want to bring a dedicated training space to our adult programs, such as plumbing continuing education, cross-connection control & backflow prevention, and environmental education. We look forward to unveiling the new space before this winter!
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5th Annual Barry Walter Memorial Golf Outing

Thursday, October 3rd, 2019
Jonathan’s Landing
1309 Ponderosa Dr.
Magnolia, DE 19962
9:00 AM Registration
10:00 AM Shotgun Start
Meal Provided After Round
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NEW!
DRWA's 1st Annual Sporting Clays Tournament
Thursday, October 3rd, 2019
Owens Station Sporting Clays
12613 Hunters Cove Rd.
Greenwood, DE. 19950
8:00 AM Breakfast & Registration
9:00 AM Shoot Begins
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DRWA's 11th Annual Water & Wastewater Operators Expo
Friday, October 4th 2019
Milford Elks Lodge
18951 Elks Lodge Road
Milford, DE 19963

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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STAY TUNED:
Flood Resilience: Training for Water and Wastewater Utilities. Learn how to use EPA's guide at our EPA co-hosted event this October. Details will be posted to our website soon.
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If there's something you'd like us to broadcast through the newsletter, please let us know. Great news? Updates to your town or system? Someone who deserves a high five?
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THANK YOU to our corporate sponsors!
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