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Security
By Pat Scalera, CEO
The events of September 11th have made Americans re-evaluate what is important in our lives - our families, friends, the way we spend our time, and how we treat one another. I believe we all have concern for the security of those we love.For the professionals in the water and wastewater industry, we must ask ourselves to consider those we serve, including our families, friends and neighbors. Now is the time to see the security of our water systems in a new light. Take time out of your busy schedules and have a close look at your daily operations, you may discover that your security policies are lacking.The time has come for water and wastewater professionals to become proactive in developing a utility contingency plan. Ask yourself, if you were put into an emergency situation, are you prepared? On September 11th many contingency plans went into effect.Please work to get your plan in order. Our Circuit Riders are here to help you – just give us a call on our toll free line 1-888-NYRURAL.We must all make an extra effort to give thanks and show our respect to the firefighters and police officers that put their lives on the line each day to protect each and everyone one of us. I am in awe of the rise in patriotism across our nation and the show of support for our country. May God bless the families who lost loved ones on September 11th, those who are fighting the war on terrorism, our leaders who stand united in their decisions on our future, and to all Americans as we take responsibility and do our part to keep this nation great. A very special thanks to the men and women that continue the cleanup effort and recovery of those lost at Ground Zero.
White Papers
On November 16, 2001, I attended a symposium on the Critical Issues in Setting Regulatory Standards that was sponsored by National Rural Water Association in Washington, DC. Through a collaboration of experts, NRWA developed white papers on various subject matter representing the small systems across our nation. The White Papers evaluate the current affordability criteria; balancing benefits and costs; compounding effects of regulations; sensitive sub populations; acceptable risks and risk trade-offs; and the health effects thresholds. Each expert presented his or her research findings. Several congressional representatives and their staffers, along with AWWA,ASDWA and EPA representatives attended.If you would like to view these white papers you can access them through NRWA’s website at www.nrwa.org/whitepapers.
Pictured here is Scott J. Rubin, Attorney/Consultant from Selinsgove, PA who presented the paper on Affordability of Water Service and Economic Characteristics of Small Systems.
Founder’s Scholarship
In this issue of Aquafacts, you will find an application for our Founder’s Scholarship. The New York Rural Water Association established this scholarship fund to recognize and assist qualified students in pursuit of a higher education. The Founder’s Scholarship is designed to help defray the costs of tuition, fees, books, and/or room and board. Two Scholarships in the amount of $500 each will be awarded for the academic school year 2002-2003. Scholarship assistance will be made upon presentation of the winner’s college invoice as proof of enrollment. Please have all applicants carefully read the official rules included in the application. In order to be eligible, applicants must reside on a water system that is a member of the NYRWA. Applications must be returned to the NYRWA by the entry postmark deadline, April 17, 2002.
Third Circuit Rider
The NY Rural Water Association is pleased to announce that confirmation has been received from USDA Rural Development for a third Circuit Rider position. By the time you are reading this article, our new Circuit Rider will already be providing on-site training and technical assistance to the many small systems in the western part of New York. If you need assistance with security issues, annual water quality reports, leak or pipe location, emergency planning, or any aspect of your day-to-day operations of your system -- please give our office a call.
NYRWA’s 23rd Annual Conference
It’s almost here, the return to Lake Placid, NY, by special request of our membership. Our 23rd Annual Technical Conference "Excel in the Race for Knowledge" will begin on May 19th with some early training and our annual golfing event. Sunday night come and relax with your peers for a fun Casino Night at the Tables. Monday will be filled with many training sessions to choose from and plenty of time to visit with our vendors in the exhibit hall to see the latest technology and witness live equipment demonstrations. Monday night our exhibitors will host Carnival Nite in the exhibit hall with prizes and refreshments.Tuesday will be packed with three consecutive training classes to choose from all day, the exhibit hall will be open through lunch, more training and then join us for our annual Banquet Dinner and Awards Ceremony. Wednesday will consist of morning training, lunch and the close of our conference.So please plan to join us in Lake Placid and bring someone with you that could benefit from all that we offer. These sessions are designed for the operators, elected officials, clerks, and decision makers. Continue reading this issue of Aquafacts for more details on the conference.
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