Vermont Rural Water Association

The current administration?is considering cutting funding to the USDA–Rural Development’s Water & Environmental Programs (WEP). This could impact Vermont Rural Water, as WEP funds several of our staff positions, allowing us to provide free technical assistance. WEP also provides grants and loans to water and wastewater systems. The National Rural Water Association launched a campaign called Rural Water Strong to encourage the federal government?to maintain funding for WEP. There is a pledge form that you can fill out to show your support at https://lnkd.in/e4YQS-SP The goal is to collect 30,000 signatures?from across the country to show the current administration the far-reaching impacts of rural water programs. So far 141 people from Vermont have signed. Please take a moment to sign the pledge, and then share it with your?colleagues, board members, friends, and family!

Register?now for our 2025 Conference! The event features?a trade show, luncheon, and training classes (earn up to 3.5 TCH for water and/or wastewater)?on Thursday, May 15?at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT.?There will also be a golf tournament on Wednesday, May 14. Find more information and register at https://lnkd.in/e_KQV-vX P.S. There's only 15 booth spaces left in the trade show!

We are pleased to announce details for this year’s Vermont Drinking Water Week Poster Contest and Fair! The Fair is a field trip for students in 4th and 5th grade. It will be held on Friday, May 9, at Veteran’s Memorial Park in South Burlington for a day of fun and festivities learning about Vermont’s drinking water and the importance of water in our lives. Students in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade are also invited to submit artwork that reflects this year’s theme: Water’s Many Powers. The deadline for the poster contest is Monday, March 31. Find more information on the contest and fair at https://lnkd.in/e7fchdx6

We are excited to share that at the beginning of the month, Harry Dunn-Davenport joined Vermont Rural Water as a Water Systems Specialist. Harry comes to us with nearly 10 years of experience as a water and wastewater operator with Simon Operation Services. He has a?Bachelor of Arts in Outdoor Education from Johnson State University and has previously worked for the US Forest Service and other outdoor recreation organizations in Vermont, North Carolina, and Utah. Harry will be providing technical assistance to municipal water systems in southern Vermont. Aaron Perez will be shifting to work with?municipal water systems in northern Vermont. If you are in need of assistance, you can find their contact information at?https://lnkd.in/egCq4m-n

Join us in saying farewell to Paul Sestito, who has left Vermont Rural Water because his family moved to Connecticut. Paul worked at Vermont Rural Water for over 10 years as a Water Systems Specialist, providing technical assistance to drinking water systems across Vermont. We will miss Paul's expertise, friendship, and sense of humor! Read more: https://lnkd.in/dJWZG6Eq

Good luck to the City of Montpelier, whose drinking water is representing Vermont in the Great American Water Taste Test in Washington, D.C. on February 5! https://lnkd.in/euAyiefV

It's cold out there! If you're going to be working outside this week, review these cold-weather safety tips from our archives: - Dress in layers with insulating clothes like wool or fleece on the inside and a wind-proof/waterproof outer layer - Proper footwear that fits well and has good traction is especially important on snow and ice - High-visibility clothing is always essential, but especially during the short, dark days of winter - Stay hydrated (you won’t feel thirsty like you do in hot weather) - Plan extra time for the challenges of mobility and visibility that cold temperatures can cause - Use extra caution when driving on slippery roads - Take frequent breaks to warm up - Work in shifts to reduce the time each person spends outside - Hold tailgate safety meetings to remind workers of the safety hazards of cold weather Or perhaps this is a good week to check some items off your “punch list” of indoor jobs like interior painting, cleaning, or maintenance projects. Training classes are another way to stay out of the elements and get credits towards license/certification renewal. https://lnkd.in/d_AC37x8

Burr Snow has been the sole water operator for the Town of Arlington, Vermont since 1991. That means he’s been on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for 33 years—a total of more than 12,000 days. He worked tirelessly to restore water service after Hurricane Irene destroyed transmission lines in 2011. He was front and center in 2016 when the water system transitioned from being owned by a private company to being purchased by the town. Each day, Burr is responsible for treating about 140,000 gallons and providing clean water to roughly 1,250 residents. He is a true hometown hero!

Did you know that Vermont Rural Water has an apprenticeship program to train new drinking water and wastewater operators? There are currently has 19 apprentices enrolled the program. To date, the program has graduated 9 apprentices into water careers. For more info, head to VRWA’s website and click on the “Careers” page. #NationalApprenticeshipWeek

We’re hiring! The Water Systems Specialist will provide?on-site assistance to public drinking water systems?throughout the northern half of Vermont (coverage area could be adjusted for the right candidate).?This assistance includes all areas of water system operations, maintenance, and management.