Colorado Rural Water Association

• Year: 2004
• Title: Colorado Rural Water Association
• Author: National Rural Water Affiliate
• Description: 4th Edition 2004
• Publications - Doc Type: Other

PLANNING
by Rich Hayes
CRINA Executive Director
Where did the year go? It seems like only
yesterday that I became a member of the
Rural Water Team. During this time, I have
gotten to know many new friends and col-
leagues across this beautiful state and
across our nation. I thank all of the CRWA
Staff for all of their hard work during the
year. The success of rural waters depends
on our Board, members, staff, speakers,
trainers, suppliers, factory representatives,
and all of the other folks that support our efforts. I thank them
all for their help.
In Rural America, as well as mainstream America, the
water and wastewater providers are continually challenged to
provide a better product (cleaner water and wastewater) and
better services and do so at a fair price. System improvements
required to meet new regulation will tax the resources of many
small systems.
In 2005, surface water systems, with populations less
than 3,300,will be required to meet the new turbidity standards.
Many ground water systems struggle to find a treatment solu-
tion for Radionuclides (otherwise known as "Rads "). In 2006,the
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for arsenic will be reduced
from .050 mg /1(50ppb) to .010 mg /1(10ppb). Other systems will
struggle to find the resources required to provide new infrastruc-
ture improvements demanded by an increase in population in
their communities. What may be the most difficult scenario for
systems to deal with is finding the resources required to properly
maintain an aging system in an environment with a declining
population base.
Often in Rural Colorado,the managerwater and waste-
water operatorand maintenance person are the same individual.
These systems function extremely well in most cases. They pro-
vide excellent water and wastewater services to their customers
at a fair price. How do they do it?
They may be blessed with an "ideal system" They have
abundant water rights with excellent source water quality and
low operation costs. Others, however, may operate complex sys-
RMI
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Regulatory Management Inc
Permits, Grants, Program Management,
Compliance Assistance
James T.Egan, P.E. Phone [phone]
Max M. Grimes FAX [phone]
PNW
tems with high energy cost and yet they are still able to provide
adequate services at fair value to their customers.
Having the can certainly make life easier, however, it
does not always equate to a successfully run system. A well
run system depends on many factors. Success depends on
good managers, operators, administrative personnel, and
other key personnel. Some of these folks will be honored at
the award banquet during the CRWA Convention in February.
The common ingredient to the success of all of these systems
is planning. Yogi Berra once said "Ifyou don't know whereyou
are going, you might wind up someplace e /se. "Systems that fail
to plan will most likely find it difficult to meet the current and
future needs of their communities!
There are numerous tools and support available to help
small water and wastewater systems with their planning efforts.
CRWA has teamed with Integrated Utilities Group to develop
financial planning software for CRWA members.This Excel based
model assists managers and operators in developing 5 year fi-
nance plan. The program is designed to include funding options
that are available to small systems. The first step in using the
model requires developing a five year plan. Developing a five
year plan takes some effor,the benifits are worth it. Defining your
long term capital projects and O &M requirements are a must in
order to assure that your system meets its compliance needs.
The staff at CRWA can help with the process. Once the capital
projects and O &M needs are identified, they can be added to
the model. The model can then be calibrated to match funding
requirements needed in order to complete the plan.
Other tools available include "show me rate maker"
and Capacity Development software. "Show me rate maker"
is a free program that can be down loaded on the web. Go
to google.com and type "show me rate maker" to obtain your
copy.Capacity Development assistance can be obtained from the
CDPHE. All water systems are required to complete a capacity
development analysis of their system. Completing and follow-
ing a finished capacity development plan will help give systems
assurance that they will have the necessary resources in order
to meet current and future requirements. A capacity develop-
ment template can be down loaded by logging to the CDPHE
web site at http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/Wq/Drinkinci Water/
New Systems.htm or by clicking on the link at the CRWA.NET.
Contact the CRWA offices at 719- 545 -6748 for assistance with
any of these resources.
PAINT • REPAIR • DISMANTLE • INSPECT
TANKS RAISED, LOWERED AND MOVED • NEW AND USED TANKS
DON JOHNSTON
PRESIDENT
EXT 228 OR DIRECT LINE (270) 869 -1028
e -mail: [e-mail]
PITTSBURG TANK & TOWER CO., INC.
P. O. BOX 913
HENDERSON, KENTUCKY 42419 -0913
TEL. [phone] • FAX [phone]
http: / /www.watertank.com SINCE
1919