Once again this week has been very slow due to the political controversies related to redistricting. Another hearing in Franklin Circuit Court is scheduled for next Monday to discuss the merits of the case brought by the House Republicans and a Democratic Senator from Lexington who has joined the case against both the House and Senate redistricting plans. The U.S. congressional districts are also still up in the air, however, talk late this week indicates that a compromise plan may be agreed upon by early next week.

The KRWA Legislative Breakfast was held on Wednesday, January 18, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Frankfort. The Breakfast provided a great opportunity for our members to meet one-on-one with their state representatives and senators in a relaxed, informal setting. We had a great crowd in a larger room this year with 175 people in attendance.

KRWA recently sent information to our member utilities regarding “letters of support” that are needed for our EPA Training and Technical Assistance and Source Water Protection programs. EPA funding for these programs stopped in 2011 and, consequently, led to the need to begin charging for all KRWA training in Calendar Year 2012. We need letters of support to convince EPA that this funding is needed and supported by our members!

Please make your plans to attend the KRWA Legislative Breakfast which will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 from 7:00 am to 9:00 am EST at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Frankfort. The Legislative Breakfast always provides a great opportunity for our members to meet one-on-one with their state representatives and senators in a relaxed, informal setting. You can make your reservation on-line or by calling the KRWA office at 270.843.2291.

The Kentucky Rural Water Association is hosting a Legislative Breakfast to provide KRWA members the opportunity to meet with their legislators during the 2011 Session of the Kentucky General Assembly. The breakfast will provide a forum to express your views on legislation affecting utilities and discuss the many accomplishments of your utility.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. EST
Capital Plaza Hotel
Frankfort, Kentucky

During the first year of the Compliance Check program several new “tools” and services were provided to eighteen (18) utilities that signed up for the program. These included: Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) development, Public Notice templates, Monitoring Plan modifications and updates, Sample Schedule development, Lead and Copper package, customized Bacteriological forms, enhanced Recordkeeping package, data tracking and trending, violation avoidance, regulation research assistance, and enhanced on-site assistance. These new documents, spreadsheets, services, and assistance have saved participating utilities over $80,000 in the first year.

KRWA has joined the National Rural Water Association and other industry groups requesting congressional support for H.R. 1340 and S. 1578, the “End Unnecessary Costs Caused by Report Mailing Act of 2011.” This legislation will allow the nation’s drinking water utilities to save money and increase efficiency by utilizing modern communications technology when sharing annual water quality reports with their customers.

UMI News
The Utility Management Institute has been offered to KRWA members with no tuition cost for the last twelve years because of funding provided by EPA through a grant to Western Kentucky University. Unfortunately, this funding ceased over a year ago. Nevertheless, KRWA has continued to offer the six courses that make up the UMI through the use of internal Association funds.
The KRWA Board of Directors is fully supportive of continuing the UMI program that now claims over 250 graduates. However, they have decided to charge for this popular training …

Please join the Kentucky Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (KYWARN) and representatives from the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, Kentucky Rural Water Association (KRWA), Kentucky/Tennessee Section American Water Works Association (AWWA), Kentucky Water and Wastewater Operators Association (KWWOA), and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) for a free workshop focused on emergency preparedness and response to an incident affecting water and wastewater utilities.

The Utility Management Institute has been offered to KRWA members with no tuition cost for the last twelve years because of funding provided by EPA through a grant to Western Kentucky University. Unfortunately, this funding ceased over a year ago. Nevertheless, KRWA has continued to offer the six courses that make up the UMI through the use of internal Association funds.