However, CUC water and wastewater personnel attending a training are “highly motivated” to become certified operators, field specialist and trainer John Marble of ACR Publications Inc. said.
“They like to see improvements,” he added.
Marble said operators don’t have any control over the government budget and politics, but they seek their own personal advancement.
“I work with operators all over the U.S., Micronesia and the Pacific, and I find that the operators are always the same — they’re just good people who want to try hard, and most of them never had the opportunity for training.”
Through the operation and maintenance improvement program, he said CUC water and wastewater personnel are trained to improve their skills.
He said as the personnel improve their knowledge and skills, they will make things better in the community.
Eighteen water personnel and 15 water and wastewater personnel have been undergoing training since Dec. 14.
Marble said the Safe Drinking Water Act requires that all community water systems have certified operators.
The training helps CUC personnel understand the math, science, theory, terminology and technology of a water and wastewater system, he added.
Once these personnel pass the test, they will get a license but they will also have to undergo continuing education every year, he said.
CUC water and wastewater division operation manager Mariano Iglecias said the training will help protect public health.
“This will be an opportunity for our operators to develop their skills and translate them into better service to the community,” he added.
