PROJECT STAFF:	Deborah Patton, Water Quality Program Administrator Kevin Evanishyn, Environmental Specialist Jerome Clark, Environmental Specialist
PROJECT PERIOD:	September 29, 2002, to September 30, 2010
FUNDING SOURCES:	Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services Discretionary Grant Agency, Increasing Tribal Capacity and Expertise in Developing Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities and Administration and Enhancement of Tribal Certification Program for Water and Wastewater.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the Tribal Water Systems Program (TWS) is to provide training to effectively meet the environmental health and safety needs of tribal communities. This program provides a system for people who are responsible for the production, treatment and distribution of drinking water for public consumption, and collection and treatment of wastewater. The program allows for the operator to be examined and rated to demonstrate his/her level of competency in operating and maintaining tribal facilities. The program was developed exclusively to meet the needs of water and wastewater operators working on Indian lands by providing an equivalent alternative to state operator certification. Water/wastewater operator certification verifies that an operator has obtained a certain level of competency through practical experience and technical training. The program also provides a clearing house of information to the tribes, updates on current water and wastewater regul ations changes, and provides new trainings on as "as needed" basis.

The goal of the program is to provide each tribal utility with the means to protect the public health and make available training for water and wastewater operators that allows them to operate their systems to the best of that systems capability. The program provides certification that is honored in Arizona and surrounding states.

WORKPLAN OBJECTIVES:

• Provide Training: Water and Wastewater Operator training courses are offered providing the most current methods of operation of water and wastewater systems to the tribal operator. Certification and reciprocity are offered to the operators.
• Provide Certification Examinations: The Association of Boards of Certification recognized ITCA and the TWS program as a certified testing authority, which provides the national level examinations that allow for reciprocity in Arizona and surrounding states to tribal operators.
• Maintains Database: A "state of the art" database is maintained with operator information regarding certification. This database also includes information for Professional Development Hours, tribal affiliation and other information to maintain current records on each operator.
• Conduct Operator Working Groups: The TWS program conducts two Operator Working Groups each year and holds special Advisory Work Group meetings as necessary to complete special projects. The Groups provide an opportunity for tribal water and wastewater information to allow the TWS program to meet the needs of the tribal operator.
• Onsite Training: Specific training onsite and designed to meet the needs of the tribe hosting the training is one specific area that allows for each tribes needs to be served by the TWS programs. Onsite training also allows for other tribes to develop working relationships that can foster better public health through awareness and understanding.
• Development of Wastewater Level-One Training and Examination: The TWS program developed its wastewater programs to meet the needs of the tribal water operators. Many tribes have activated sludge systems in place for their wastewater needs. The TWS program has a Level One - Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment program to serve the larger systems. Training is offered onsite at Activated Sludge facilities to increase the "hands-on" opportunities for learning.

• The Tribal Water Systems Program Operator Certification Training and Examinations include training modules and certifications in the following areas:
• Water Treatment - Levels One, Two and Three
• Water Distribution- Levels One, Two and Three
• Wastewater Treatment - Activated Sludge - Levels One and Two
• Wastewater Collection - Level One and Two
• Small Wastewater Treatment Systems - Lagoon Operator
• Backflow and Cross Connections
• Water Laboratory Analyst - Level One
• Wastewater Laboratory Analyst - Level One
• The Tribal Water Systems Program offers other training classes for skill development, these classes include:
• Hydraulics and Pumping
• Mathematics for Water and Wastewater Operators
• Microbiology for Wastewater Operators
• Drinking Water Sampling
• Water Security: Emergency Operation Planning
• Utility Management

The Tribal Water Systems Working Group meets twice yearly (May and November). The group provides a forum to present ideas, suggestions, and input to the Operator Certification Program. The Tribal Water Systems Advisory Working Group is scheduled on an 'as needed' basis and works on projects specific to Tribal Water Systems Program needs.

CONTACT INFORMATON:

If you would like to be added to the mailing list, like more information on the Tribal Water Systems Work Group, or require any additional information on the Tribal Water Systems Program, please contact Deborah Patton, Water Quality Program Administrator or Elaine Wilson, Environmental Quality Programs Director. Either person can be reached at (602) 258-4822.