Our most popular event of the year. Vendor exhibits, technical sessions and presentations. Click below for info on attendee registration, conference schedules, hotel discounts and more.
Looking for training, operator qualifications and other services? Click below to find out how you an stay trained with the LRWA on water, wastewater and more.
About the LRWA
Read all about the LRWA
Louisiana Rural Water Association (LRWA) is governed by a membership elected board of directors. LRWA is a non-profit organization established in 1978 to assist small water and wastewater systems through training, on-site technical assistance, and state operator certification. Our assistance is geared toward the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems and to assist them in understanding the rules and regulations of said operation. LRWA has been the driving force providing water and wastewater training and technical assistance to small towns and rural areas of all sixty-four parishes of Louisiana.
In short, LRWA has a proven track record of providing the highest quality training, technical assistance and information products and services necessary for promoting public health and environmental protection. The professional staff of LRWA is skilled in all areas of water and wastewater operations and management. The goals of LRWA, through the Safe Drinking Water Program, is to protect the public’s health by ensuring the provision of safe drinking water and compliance with federal and state rules, regulations, and standards as we have in years past.
Technical assistance is a key ingredient in LRWA’s effort to improve the quality of utility services in rural Louisiana and America. More than 2,700 water and wastewater systems benefit from this assistance each year. Our dedicated group of professional technical assistance providers makes over 7,700 on-site visits annually. They assist systems with their efforts to comply with complex regulations and to protect the public’s health. LRWA provides assistance by telephone, on-site technical assistance, and classroom instruction training. We have various programs in place with qualified field technicians per program. By simply calling the office at 1-800-256-2591 or 337-738-2896 you will be provided with the necessary information or your message will be relayed to the proper field technician, followed by a telephone call and/or an on-site visit.
Our mission is to provide water and wastewater utility members with the highest quality of leadership, representation and support services.
Staff
Board Members
2017 Annual Conference
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Upcoming Events
2017 Annual Conference for Class Attendees
2017 Annual Conference – Day Passes
2017 Conference – Call for Presentations
August 8 & 9 – Erwinville – 8 Hours Each Day – 8th W & 9th W/WW
August 14-17 – Monroe – CANCELED — Water 1, 2, 3, & 4 and Wastewater 1 & 2 Certification Training
August 23 & 24 – Pineville- 8 CEUs Each Day – W/WW
August 29th – Goldonna – 4 Hours – *Management Training
September 7 – West Monroe – 4 Hours – *Management Training
September 25 – Athens- 4 Hours – *Management Training – W/WW
Recent News
August 14-17, 2017 Certification Class – CANCELED
Due to unforeseen circumstances LRWA had to cancel the August 14-17, 2017 certification classes (Monroe area) that showed on the calendar. We have the following certification classes scheduled: Conference in…
USDA Press Release
Press release from USDA National Office, where Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a $331 million investment in rural communities
Workforce Advancement Center
What: NRWA is announcing the creation of a Workforce Advancement Center, which will develop the WaterPro Apprenticeship Program in 2017, a nationally recognized standard that will be registered with the U.S. Department of…
Membership Services
“…We were not charged anything for that service. This association is a great asset to the small rural water system because we cannot afford to hire someone to help with problems that come up. We know we can always turn to the Rural Water Association for help.”
“…We highly recommend to any system that is exploring a rate increase to ask for assistance from Louisiana Rural Water Association. With your assistance you not only get the rate analysis, but you get the experience and dedication of highly trained personnel to help board members navigate the negotiation process.”
“…We are grateful for your assistance and savings you provided the Village of Loreauville by conducting the smoke testing at no cost to the Village…”
The following programs are offered free of charge by the LRWA and partners to utility systems throughout Louisiana.
Funded by National Rural Water Association through the Environmental Protection Agency. LRWA has one Training Specialist covering the state. This program provides technical assistance to both community and non-community water systems throughout the state. The training sessions are geared to keep systems updated on Safe Drinking Water Act rules and regulations. The training hours received are used to comply with state re-certification requirements.
Funded by National Rural Water Association through USDA-Rural Development. LRWA provides on-site technical assistance throughout the state of Louisiana with three wastewater technicians. Technical assistance provided includes treatment plant operations, maintenance, finance, management, regulatory requirements, health concerns and operator certifications. The wastewater technician provide training sessions throughout the state of Louisiana on a small scale. This small scale training enables them to have more of a one-on-one with the operators, managers, etc.
Funded by National Rural Water Association through USDA-Rural Development. LRWA has three Water Circuit Riders covering the state providing technical assistance to water system personnel on the daily operations of their system. These services include on-site visits and information on Safe Drinking Water Act rules and regulations, water quality analysis, disinfection and chemical feed, treatment processes, distribution maintenance, line and valve locations, pump and motor maintenance and rate structures.
Funded by National Rural Water Association through the United States Department of Agriculture. Through this program LRWA provides technical assistance to rural and small communities served by public water systems to reduce or eliminate the potential risks to drinking water supplies through the development of Source Water Protection Plans and providing assistance to entities for the implementation of contaminant preventative measures.
This training will focus specifically on providing training to governing officials and utility managers of small rural water and wastewater systems. This training will emphasize topics that will enhance knowledge of basic governing skills and responsibilities. This training will also offer guidance in specific areas such as hiring and managing managers, ensuring adequate financing and accountability and board self-evaluation. It will also work with board members and upper management in expanding their system’s financial, managerial and technical capacity through the use of self-assessment. Training in areas of budgeting, policy-making, customer relations, and board member’s legal obligations will assist each system with their capacity development process.
LRWA offers specialized training and technical assistance to small water and/or wastewater systems with six field technicians in the state of Louisiana. The program is designed to reduce energy consumption and increase the efficiency of operation with emphasis on the following:
- Leak Detection
- Bench Testing for Water Meters
- Consumer Metering Program
- Infiltration (Smoke Test) Survey
- Sewer Video Camera
- Source Metering Program
LRWA offers the Very Small Water System (VSWS) Training Program to all water and wastewater systems throughout the state of Louisiana. LRWA provides three two-day training sessions located throughout the state of Louisiana, annually. The VSWS Program targets the small systems (systems under 500 pop., mobile home parks, subdivisions, etc.). The training is done by the LRWA staff in conjunction with DHH and other sources available through LRWA.
LRWA works with coalitions to provide data and disseminate rules and regulations to evaluate effectiveness and cost to rural water systems. Attend legislative sessions in Baton Rouge and Washington, DC, to inform our congressional members of problems in Louisiana.
The Annual Conference and the 32 or 40 hours of Certification Training described below cost to attend. There is a fee payment due to attend the conference and the certification training classes.
LRWA provides an Annual Conference to over 1,500 water and wastewater professionals, as well as mayors, board members, clerks, and decision makers. This conference allows these professionals to receive up to 32 hours of re-certification credits. This conference has had over 120 exhibitors displaying their state of the art products, which is important to the water and wastewater industry. Our annual conference puts water and wastewater personnel in touch with vendor’s products while obtaining valuable training.
LRWA takes pride in the Training and Technical Assistance that we offer throughout the year from one end of Louisiana to the other. The training sessions are instructed by individuals with a wide variety of expertise in water and wastewater related issues, as well as LA Department of Health & Hospitals, Office of Public Health personnel to keep attendees abreast of current and changing State Regulations. LRWA offers a wide variety of training sessions such as Environmental Protection Agency, LA Compliance Initiative, Very Small Water System, Board/Council Member, Wastewater, Safe Drinking Water “The Basics” as well as our Annual Conference which includes Certification Training and Technical Training for office personnel.
LRWA provides training for 32 or 40 hours of water and wastewater certification for levels 1 and 2 at the Wayne Fontenot Training Center located at our office in Kinder. This facility comfortably seats 48 attendees by providing educational instructions to assist them with the certification exam and training to meet all state and federal regulations by learning the Rules and Regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act.
The LRWA’s specialized training sessions provide water and wastewater systems’ personnel with an opportunity to solve problems by sharing ideas with state and federal agencies, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, and other water and wastewater system personnel. Training sessions cover a broad spectrum of needs ranging from water treatment, state and federal water and wastewater regulations, to financial management practices, and operator certification. This training allows water professionals to upgrade their skills, improve the quality of their utilities’ service, and protect their community’s health.
LRWA provides one or two day training sessions to keep systems updated on Safe Drinking Water Act Rules and Regulations, Water Conservation, Operation & Maintenance, Board/Council Members Training, and Training for Secretaries, Clerks, Office Managers, etc. The training hours you receive at these training sessions can be used to comply with state re-certification requirements.
Below is a list of some topics that are covered during these training sessions and conferences:
- Introduction to Safe Drinking Water Program
- Enforcement, How to Maintain Compliance
- Bacteriological Sampling
- Operator Certification Program
- Groundwater Protection Program
- Operating a water system…Getting Certified
- Sewer Lift Stations
- Troubleshooting, Control Transformers, Single Phase
- Smoke Testing and TV Inspections
- Hydrant Operations
- Disinfection Challenges and Chlorine Safety
- Troubleshooting Filters
- Water Leak Detection
- Wastewater Plant Operations
- Electrical Equipment
- Everything You Need to Know About Chlorinators
- Cross-Connections
- Proper Security for your Water System
LaWARN (Louisiana Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network): Following the impacts of Hurricane Katrina and then Hurricane Rita, it became apparent that even with the extraordinary efforts of utilities, water associations, and state regulatory agencies, the demand for resources and knowing where those resources were available overwhelmed the ability to effectively coordinate the initial response. Realizing that utilities needed a different approach, leaders in the water community and state agencies have joined together to create the Louisiana Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network or LaWARN. Our mission is to support and promote statewide emergency preparedness, disaster response, and mutual assistance matters for public and private water and wastewater utilities. The LaWARN program provides its member utilities with a LaWARN Mutual Assistance Agreement (complete & return to LRWA)
- A standard omnibus mutual assistance agreement and process for sharing emergency resources
- Among members statewide.
- A mutual assistance program consistent with other statewide mutual aid programs.
- The resources to respond and recover more quickly from a disaster.
- A forum for developing and maintaining emergency contacts and relationships.
- New ideas from lessons learned in disasters.
- The Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association and the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police, with the support of the LA State Police, have adopted a Joint SO (JSOP) for Coordinated Statewide Reentry, and that the ER-ITN data system has been adopted to implement the JSOP. The JSOP, and the ER-ITN that implements it, are intended to help solve reentry problems after a natural disaster.
- Visit the LA State Police and LA Sheriff’s Association websites for more information regarding the Joint SOP (JSOP).
- LA State Police: www.lsp.org
- LA Sheriff’s Association: www.lsa.org
- LaWARN Brouchure
- LaWARN Application (complete and return to LRWA)
Here you can find all the resources you need. Applications, training manuals and more.
Louisiana Department of Health Engineering Information
Please visit La Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Engineering Department website for valuable information regarding safe drinking water, contact information, and links to the following:
- Facts About Naegleria Fowleri & Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (CDC information)
- DHH Emergency Rule
- Safe Drinking Water Program
- Operator Certification Program
- Approved Chlorine Residual Forms
- Public Water System Training Videos and Presentations
- Engineering Services Permit Application
- Title 51, Public Health – Sanitary Code (LAC Online)
- Title 56 Public Works
- Recommended Standards for Water Works 2003 Edition
- La State Plumbing Code
- Backflow Prevention Information
Louisiana Department of Health Safe Drinking Water
Please visit La Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Safe Drinking Water website for valuable information regarding safe drinking water, contact information, and links to the following:
- Louisiana Drinking Water Watch (list of Louisiana public water systems)
- Emergency Rules
- Annual Compliance Report
- Stage 2 D/DBP Sample Schedules
- Lead and Copper Schedules
- EPA revised Total Coliform Rule
- Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3
- Bacteriological Sample Collection
- Total Coliform Rule
- Codes and Guidance Documents
- Water Quality Testing Guidance
- Consumer Confidence Reports
- Disinfection Byproducts Stage 1 and Stage 2
- Lead and Copper Rule (LCR)
- EPA links
- Safe Drinking Water Resources
- Chloramination Guidelines
- Safe Drinking Water Program Videos and Presentations
- Monthly Operating Reports (MOR)
Louisiana Department of Health Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Program (DWRLF)
Please visit La Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Revolving Loan Fund Program (DWRLF) website for valuable information regarding DWRLF, contact information, and links to the following.
- Loan Program
- Capacity Development
- Management Training Program
- Area-wide Optimization Program (AWOP)
- Source Water Protection
Louisiana Department of Health Laboratory Certification
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LADHH) Laboratory Certification Program accredits laboratories analyzing drinking water under the EPA Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
- EPA and drinking water
- TNI NELAP
- EPA Scope of Accreditation
- Certificate of NELAP Recognition
- Drinking Water Lab Accreditation Rule (Laboratories certified for Chemistry Tests on Drinking water)
- Laboratories certified for Microbiology Test on Drinking water
US EPA Drinking Water Requirements for States and Public Water Systems
These documents provide a simple and straightforward description of the rule and requirements. The documents include critical deadlines for drinking water systems and states and monitoring requirements. On this page you will find quick references to Arsenic Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Groundwater Rule, Lead and Copper Rule, Public Notification Rule, and Small Systems Record Keeping Rules, just to name a few.
Drinking Water Rule Quick Reference Guides
Water System Design, Operation and Maintenance Committee
To design the Louisiana approach, rules and regulations to design, operate and maintain our states approximately 1,400 water systems. Standards for water system design and water safety are key to protect. To keep up with changes in federal law, technology, engineering and public health practice, changes, updates and overhauls are necessary.
- Committee List
- Forum Resources
- Upcoming Committee Meeting Minutes
- Upcoming Sub-committee Meeting Information
- Hot Links
Operator Certification Information
Please visit La Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Engineering Department website for valuable information regarding safe drinking water, contact information, and links to the following.
- Frequently asked questions regarding operator certification
- Operator Certification Publication, Exam Applications, Certificate Applications, etc.
- Internet Links for Associations, Online and Correspondence Courses
- Committee of Certification Information
- Education and GED’s
- Safe Drinking Water Training Videos and Presentations
- Ethics Training Information
- Operator Certification Rule
- Water and Wastewater Need-to-Know
- List of Approved Operator Classes
- Operator Exam Schedule
- Exam Results
- Credit Hour Report
Operators have through December 31, 2015, to receive re-certification CEU hours for the 2014-2015 time period. Please see below the credit hour requirements set by DHH Operator Certification office.
Credit Hour Requirements
Water Certification
The Rule states that, “a minimum of 16 contact hours is required for renewal of any certifications held in water categories or 8 hours per certification whichever is the greater.” If you hold one (1) certification, you are required to have 16 contact hours for re-certification every two (2) years. If you hold two (2) certifications, you are required to have 16 contact hours (8 per category) for re-certification every two (2) years. If you hold three (3) certifications, you are required to have 24 contact hours (8 per category) for re-certification every two (2) years.
Wastewater Certification
The Rule states that, “a minimum of 16 contact hours is required for renewal of any certifications held in wastewater categories.” If you hold one (1) certification, you are required to have 16 contact hours for re-certification every two (2) years. If you hold two (2) certifications, you are required to have 16 contact hours (8 per category) for re-certification every two (2) years.
Louisiana Ethics Education Mandate
Ethics Education Mandate-According to R.S. 42:1170, all public servants, as of January 1, 2012 during each year of his public employment or term of office, as the case may be. According to R.S. 42: 1102(19), “public servant” means a public employee or elected official. Section 1102(18)(a) states a “public employee” means anyone, whether compensated or not, who is: (i) An administrative officer or official of a governmental entity who is not filling an elective office. (ii) Appointed by any elected official when acting in an official capacity, and the appointment is to a post or position wherein the appointee is to serve the governmental entity or an agency thereof, either as a member of an agency, or as an employee thereof. (iii) Engaged in the performance of a governmental function. (iv) Under the supervision or authority of an elected official of another employee of the governmental entity.
Louisiana Ethics Administration Program View the attached link for training schedule for Ethics Education Courses. Louisiana Board of Ethics, PO Box 4368, Baton Rouge, LA 7082, Phone: (225) 219-5600; Fax: (225) 381-7271.
California Manuals
LRWA no longer sells the California Manuals. You may purchase them directly using the links below.
LRWA has partnered with SwiftReach Networks. SwiftReach Networks Inc. has created a powerful, new Public Notification System. Whether it be an urgent event such as “Boil Water” advisories or routine contact for collection calls, you can use this cutting-edge technology to quickly communicate with your customers via telephone, e-mail, Text/SMS or any communications device. Please click the below for more information. Please feel free to contact LRWA for any additional questions.
LRWA is currently in the process of updating our database for potiential employees. Please feel free to complete an application and return to our office along with your resumé. Your application will be retained on file for future reference.
Employment Application
Louisiana Rural Water Association accepts employment applications and resumes from certified Water and Wastewater Specialist. Statewide travel with over-night stays required. Computer and Basic Math knowledge is preferred, as well as Public Speaking skills. Please send resume and application (below) to LRWA, PO Box 180, Kinder, LA 70648. Please contact our office @ 800-256-2591 with any questions regarding this position. LRWA EOE.
Employment Application – Adobe PDF
Employment Application – Microsoft Word
If you would like to place an ad on our website please send the information to our office by e-mail: larwa@centurytel.net or fax to (337) 738-5620. Please include all relevant information including contact information and the deadline date to apply. These ads will also be placed in the LRWA quarterly magazine if they are submitted before the magazine deadline. If the job position has been filled or the sale item has been sold, please contact our office to let us know so that we can remove the ad from our website and our magazine. Ads will be removed after six months unless instructed otherwise. Thank you! Link to the National Rural Water Association Job Network for Louisiana.
Classified Ads
Louisiana Rural Water Association is always accepting applications for employment. Statewide travel with over-night stays required. Computer and Basic Math knowledge is preferred, as well as Public Speaking skills. Please send resume to LRWA, PO Box 180, Kinder, LA 70648 or Please contact our office @ 800-256-2591 with any questions regarding this position. LRWA EOE.