June 14, 2006

Staff of the Department of Environmental Quality recently presented small system water operator training sessions in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Gaylord, Frankenmuth, and Howell. This training has been held annually since 1998 for certified water operators at manufactured housing communities, but this year’s sessions were broadened to include operators from other small water systems such as apartment buildings and condominiums.

The purpose of the training is to educate and assist water operators in complying with Michigan’s environmental laws, and to foster partnership opportunities in keeping our state’s waters protected.

Part of the training was funded through a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, with the purpose of assisting these operators in obtaining required continuing education credits. Over 173 people attended the sessions and took part in workshops including “What’s New With the DEQ and New Regulations,” and learned about water quality sampling and how to prepare for emergencies. DEQ staff also led a discussion on the agency’s permitting programs, and how to prepare a permit application.

Attendees highly rated the sessions, with 87 percent scoring it as excellent or very good. The training is part of a broader effort by the DEQ to partner with the private sector to promote environmental awareness.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised June 14, 2006 by Pat Watson