“The lab tests were the most interesting,” he said, adding that he learned about chemicals found in water, treatments and how “ adding chlorine in the water kills bacteria and provides safe drinking water.”
Tudela said it is important to be knowledgeable in safety procedures when handling chlorine handling and using it to treat water.
A three-member team from the Hawaii Rural Water Association led by its executive director Jim Watts conducted the weeklong training for the operations staff of CUC’s water and wastewater division last week.
One of the training sessions was for the water operator certification course.
The 30-hour course concentrated on the Safe Drinking Water Act Standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the CNMI Division of Environmental Quality, including water treatment, diseases caused by contaminated water, the importance and responsibilities of being a certified operator and ensuring safe drinking water.
CUC Deputy Executive Director Alan W. Fletcher said the training is essential for improving the skills and providing more knowledge for their operators.
The Hawaii Rural Water Association trainers are top-notch operators who provide down-to-earth techniques, he said.
Hawaii Rural Water Association training specialist Gary Byrd, a 22-year veteran in water and wastewater operation, conducted the 30-hour class in water operator certification.
Byrd said they conducted the same training in Dec. 2010.
“In the past six months they have come a long way compared to what I’ve seen in the states,” he said, referring to CUC personnel.
Byrd is confident that the class participants now have the knowledge to perform their duties safer and more conscientiously.
Eighteen members of the CUC water division treatment and distribution technicians from Saipan, Tinian and Rota participated in the training.
Anthony DLC. Barcinas of CUC Rota said the training informed them on how “to provide better and safer drinking water” to the community.
Barcinas found the discussions on the latest water sampling procedures most interesting, cost efficient and beneficial for his community on Rota.
He said the new procedure entails opening the valve and flushing for five minutes, then checking for the right chlorine residuals and then collecting sample.
CUC treatment and distribution technician and training participant, Oscar Sablan said he appreciated the training and would like to participate in more sessions.
“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,” he said.
Fletcher said that CUC has been fortunate to arrange the training and thanked Greg Burkett, training coordinator, and the EPA for funding the program.
