On February 23-24, 2010 in Bowling Green, Kentucky, representatives of water districts, water associations, and municipal utilities from around Kentucky gathered for the 2010 Management Conference at the Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center. This year’s conference, attended by nearly 400 participants, was themed Bridging the Gap. Representatives from water and wastewater service providers, the private sector, and related industries, offered excellent perspectives and initiatives promoting sustainable practices to bridge today’s utility management gaps and challenges. Tabletop exhibits enabled industry professionals to demonstrate the best and latest in supplies, materials, and services appropriate for utilities’ needs. We sincerely appreciate our Associate member sponsors for their generous contributions toward this successful event!

Tuesday morning sessions began with Clay Kelly, Mark Sneve, and Mark Askin, Strand Associates; James Jeffries, Hardin Co. Water District #2; and Damon Talley, Attorney at Law, leading discussions examining Managed Wastewater Service in Rural Kentucky.

Julie Roney and Julie Smoak, Kentucky Division of Water addressed some of the possible infrastructure modifications and changes in New Drinking Water Regulations-IDSE/Stage 2 DBP Rule and Capacity Development.

Tuesday afternoon sessions included Aaron Keatley, Kentucky Division of Compliance Assistance, on Regulations-New Water & Wastewater Operator Cerification Rules. Christal Wade, WKU-Center for Water Resource Studies reviewed recent changes in state regulations’ effect on utility staffing with The Water Training Institute (WTI): A Bridge into our Profession. Robert Mohan, The Neil Group, LLC, ended the day’s sessions discussing the six stages of change and Excelling Through the Chasms of Change.

The day concluded with a Membership Appreciation Reception providing everyone an opportunity for fellowship and great food.

On Wednesday morning, Clem Wethington demonstrated New Tools for Building Better Utilities (recordkeeping and reporting); Vernon Brown, USDA Rural Development, and John Covington, KIA, led a team discussion on Filling the Infrastructure Gap for Water & Wastewater Utilities. Sessions concluded with a presentation on Diversity-Stregthening Relationships by Recognizing Differences, by Barbara Crow, Water Utility Professional.

Kentucky’s Best Tasting Water Luncheon and contest finished off the successful conference. Guest Speaker, John Padalino, Special Assistant, Office of the Administrator, USDA Rural Delevopment, provided an update on Rural Development funding and activities, while a panel of judges including Gene Birk of WBKO News; Paulette McKinney, Insurors of Kentucky; John Covington, KIA; Barbara Crow, Water Professional; Vernon Brown, USDA Rural Development; and Jimmy Adcock, Public Service Commission, were trying to determine the Best Tasting Water in Kentucky from a total of 17 water samples provided by utilities competing for the coveted award. Hardin County County Water District #2 was chosen to have the ”tastiest” water, with second place awarded to Manchester Water & Sewer; and third place going to Warren County Water District.

Because of the quality of the drinking water from Hardin County Water District #2, Kentucky has a great chance of winning the national Best Tasting Water Contest in Washington, D.C., during the Rural Water Rally, an annual legislative event for the 48 state affiliates of the National Rural Water Association.