18 water division personnel get certification

Eighteen personnel of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. were certified as water operators after successfully completing a weeklong certification training conducted by the Hawaiian Rural Water Association.

Jim Watts, the association’s executive director, led a three-member team in conducting the training.

All 18 newly certified operators are assigned at CUC’s water and wastewater division on Saipan, Rota, and Tinian.

CUC deputy executive director Alan Fletcher said the weeklong training is essential for improving personnel’s skills and providing increased knowledge for its operators. He said the Hawaiian Rural Water Association staffers are top-notch operators and trainers that provide down-to-earth tools and techniques in their programs.

Fletcher said CUC has been fortunate to arrange the training and commended the assistance of training coordinator Greg Burkett and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which funded the training program.

Among the highlights of the weeklong event was the water operator certification course, a 30-minute class concentrated on the Safe Drinking Water Act Standards set by EPA and Division of Environmental Quality. These include water treatment, diseases caused by contaminated water, the importance and responsibilities of being a certified operator, and ensuring safe drinking water for customers.

According to Melvin Tudela, CUC water treatment and distribution trade supervisor, the laboratory tests were the most interesting part for him. He said he learned about chemicals found in water, treatments, and how to add chlorine in the water to kill bacteria and provide safe drinking water.

Anthony DLC. Barcinas of CUC Rota found the lesson on the latest water sampling techniques the most interesting, cost efficient and beneficial for his community. According to Barcinas, the new procedure entails opening the valve and “flushing for 5 minutes, then checking for the right chlorine residuals and then collecting sample.”

Oscar Sablan, CUC treatment and distribution technician, says he is appreciative of the class and would like to take part in more training. “I feel they should do more training, especially for the local employees because this is our island. While others come and go, we will always be here.”

Gary Byrd, one of the training specialists and a 22-year veteran in water and wastewater operation, conducted the 30-hour water operator certification class. Byrd said HRWA conducted the same training in December 2010 to CUC personnel.

“In the past six months, they have come a long way compared to what I’ve seen in the mainland,” said Byrd.

In addition to their certifications, Byrd is confident that class participants will take with them the knowledge to perform their duties safely and more conscientiously.