 When wastewater treatment systems do not function properly, untreated sewage ends up in our groundwater and waterways. PRIDE partners with the Kentucky Rural Water Association (KRWA) to tackle this source of pollution.
Many of the 500-plus wastewater systems in the PRIDE region are very small operations, including small cities, hospitals and schools. For these systems, there may not be money in the budget to fix leaks, train personnel or even file reports required by state and federal agencies.
If small wastewater systems want to operate their systems responsibly, then they need help. That is where PRIDE and KRWA come in.
KRWA provides the systems with on-site training and technical assistance, at no charge. PRIDE pays the bill.
Operators have received free services valued at $1,247,835 through the program since 2002.
About the program
PRIDE has contracted with KRWA to provide the Wastewater Training and Technical Assistance program since January 2002.
Wastewater systems are eligible for the program if they operate within the PRIDE service area and serve a population of less than 10,000.
The program makes a wastewater technician available to the region’s wastewater system operators. Also called a “circuit rider,” the wastewater technician visits systems that request training or technical assistance.
Training options include performance of maintenance tasks, such as smoke testing of collection systems. Once trained, wastewater operators can use equipment KRWA purchased with PRIDE grant funds to do the work themselves.
In addition to on-site and classroom training, some of the specific technical services that KRWA can provide include:
- Sewer video taping and analysis.
- Flow monitoring.
- Smoke testing.
- Data collection, analysis and reporting.
- Process control and troubleshooting.
- Manhole inspections.
- Computer mapping.
- Regulatory assistance.
New sewer camera one of few in the state
A state-of-the-art sewer camera is the newest PRIDE-funded equipment available through the KRWA/PRIDE partnership. The new camera gives wastewater system operators in southern and eastern Kentucky free access to cutting-edge technology. Outside the PRIDE region, the cameras are used only by the state's largest municipal sewer systems, such as Louisville.
KRWA/PRIDE wastewater technician
Keith Bevins has been the KRWA/PRIDE wastewater technician since the program began in 2002. He has been with KRWA since 1999. Keith holds a Kentucky Class III certification in wastewater treatment and his professional background covers all facets of wastewater treatment and collection systems, with a total of 16 years of management and operations experience.
About KRWA
KRWA was created by leaders from Kentucky’s drinking water industry in 1979 to provide training, technical assistance, advocacy, and a variety of other services and benefits to water districts, sanitation districts, water associations, and municipalities under 10,000 in population.
An affiliate of the National Rural Water Association (NRWA), KRWA was named the State Association of the Year in 2004. In addition, KRWA earned NRWA awards for Excellence in Training and Technical Assistance and Excellence in Member Services. KRWA was the only state affiliate that received multiple national excellence awards in 2004.
KRWA is a statewide association that offers membership to all water and wastewater utilities in Kentucky. KRWA also offers associate membership to engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, accountants, attorneys, and other individuals or entities active in the water and wastewater industries.
KRWA is governed by a board of directors comprised of eight members elected to staggered three-year terms by the voting membership and an associate advisor elected annually by the associate members.
For more information
To learn more about this program or request Keith’s services, call KRWA at 270/843-2291 or PRIDE at 888/577-4339. |
