KEEP RURAL AMERICA STRONG!
Today’s Congressional policies and funding decisions are jeopardizing the ability of every community in rural America to keep water and wastewater services affordable. Budget cuts will leave USDA WEP unable to accomplish its mission. WEP is instrumental in helping rural America maintain affordable and sustainable water access for all rural people.
Visit https://www.ruralwaterstrong.org/ for more info!
Upcoming Events!
TRAINING CALENDAR
Water and Wastewater Operator Training
Sidney, MT September 3, 2026
0.500 Water CECs Available
0.500 Wastewater CECs Available
9:00-10:00am Water Audits
(Steve Carter, AE2S) [0.100 Water CECs]
10:00-11:00am NetDMR and FACTS Accounts
(Wendy Simons & Gina Self, MDEQ) [0.100 WW CECs]
11:00-12:00pm Intro to Backflow
(Christine Maday, MRWS) [0.100 Dual CECs]
12:00-1:00pm — Lunch will be provided by Interstate
Engineering
1:00-2:00pm Records Retention
(Nikki Rogers, MRWS) [0.100 Dual CECs]
2:00-4:00pm Valves- Uses and Operation
(Dylan Boyle, Clow Valve) [0.200 Dual CECs]
$60 for members
$90 for non-members
Wednesday
8:45 a.m. Sign-in, introductions!
9:00 a.m. Source Water
12:00 p.m. Lunch on your own
1:00 p.m. Math Review. Metric System, Calculations and Formula Sheet Overview
2:30 p.m. Pumps, Motors, and Valves
3:30 p.m. Safety
Thursday
9:00 a.m. Water Treatment
12:00 p.m. Lunch on your own
1:00 p.m. Water Treatment
2:00p.m. Equipment Operation and Maintenance
No CECs are offered for this training.
Schedule subject to change to optimize training.
For more information call or email Robin, rfranzen@mrws.org (406) 781-8775
MRWS Workshop Registration (No Fees)
Water Operator Certification Review
Sleep Inn & Suites Miles City I-94
1006 S Haynes Ave, Miles City, MT 59301
September 23rd and 24th, 2026
9:00AM – 4:00PM
Wednesday
8:45 a.m. Sign-in, introductions!
9:00 a.m. Safety and Security – Pumps, Motors, and Valves
10:30 a.m. Math Review.
12:00 p.m. Lunch on your own
1:00 p.m. Water Treatment
3:00 p.m. Labs
4:00 p.m. Dismiss
Thursday
9:00 a.m. Source Water
12:00 p.m. Lunch on your own
1:00 p.m. Water Treatment
3:00 p.m. Water O&M
4:00 p.m. Dismiss
No CECs are offered for this training.
Schedule subject to change to optimize training
Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers Course
A series of lectures followed by guided exercises in a wet lab will provide understanding of field-testing methods on 4 backflow prevention assemblies: pressure vacuum breakers, spill resistant vacuum breakers, reduced pressure principle assemblies, and double check assemblies. Students will gain knowledge in hydraulics, backflow and back siphonage, types of cross connections, and degrees of hazard and state and federal regulations. Friday afternoon participants can take a written exam and on Saturday morning can take a practical exam administered by the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA). Passing scores on both the exams will result in certification by ABPA as a backflow prevention assembly tester. For more information on ABPA see the back of this training announcement or go to their website www.abpa.com
REGISTRATION FOR NEW CERTIFICATION IS FULL. RECERTIFICATION STILL AVAILABLE
Click here for more information and how to register
Click here to register for exam through ABPA
Exam may not be posted yet on ABPA website. The dates have been approved, and the exams should be posted soon. As a reminder, it is your responsibility to register for the exam.
October 5-10, 2026
Water and Wastewater Operator Exam Certification Review Session – Lewistown
Lewistown Fire Hall
305 W Watson St, Lewistown, MT 59457
October 6th and 7th @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
We will use a floating agenda to best fit your needs
· Comprehensive look at the “Needs to Know” list for your classification.
· Math Formula Sheets and several practice questions.
· Intro to all pertinent terminology.
· Water treatment and distribution, Source Water and more.
· Wastewater collection and treatment.
· Safety and Security.
· Discuss pump and valve characteristics.
· Intro to disinfection properties and methods – Chlorine, UV.
BRING ALL STUDY MATERIALS!!!
Whether you’ve applied to take an exam or are planning to apply, this review will get you on the right track for the comprehensive review in March at the MRWS Conference!!
Review presenters are MRWS Staff
Contact Robin Franzen or John Paddock for details!
rfranzen@mrws.org (406) 781-8775 jpaddock@mrws.org (406) 460-1934
MRWS Workshop Registration (No Fees)
Agenda will be posted soon!
$20 for MRWS members
$30 for non-members
Use code MRWS2026 to get the discounted price of $20. Make sure you hit “Apply” before checkout
Training & Where We Go!
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Our Mission
At MRWS, our mission is to provide quality training and technical assistance to Drinking Water, Waste Water, and Tribal systems — to enable them to produce the best product with their available resources!
“Every man owes a part of his time and money to the business of industry to which he is engaged. No man has the moral right to withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere.”
– Theodore Roosevelt
Need funding to attend training?
The MWEA (Montana Water Environment Association) Board has set aside funds in the current operating budget for assisting Montana operators to attend continuing education/training events. They want to help you get the training you need!
Why Process with GovCard?
For more information please contact: Whitney Johnson wjohnson@poweredbyevolv.com 888.311.7248 Ext 2015
- No processing costs are incurred by the utility company or municipality
- Multiple (ACH, credit, and debit) customer payment options
- Reduce receivables
- Increased service levels for your customers
- Recurring payments
- Customers appreciate the convenience of paying online and by card
- Free landing page with a click-to-pay button https://www.evolvreferral.com/353
