LAYTON, Utah – The diesel engine hummed as Congressman Jim Matheson worked the controls on the backhoe. The scene was one of many highlights at the 2009 Rural Water Association of Utah’s Northern Conference this past August.
                 Tabiona, Utah was named the best water in Utah at the conference taste test, topping water samples from Manila Town, third-place finisher Scipio. The top three water samples were taste tested at the closing luncheon, with Layton City Mayor Steve Curtis, Division of Drinking Water Director Ken Bousfield, and Division of Water Rights Deputy State Engineer Boyd Clayton serving as the expert judging panel. A representative from Tabiona will join the Rural Water delegation in February at the National Rural Water Association Water Rally in Washington DC. At the Rally they will help represent the Rural Water Association in meetings with Utah congressmen and senators and will compete in the Great American Water Taste Test.
                 Matheson addressed the assembled water professionals during the conference’s general session. He spoke on the importance of water and the respect the Rural Water Association has at the Capitol, before heading to the backhoe at the conference Operator Rodeo. He received training from RWAU Training Specialist Kcris Hunter before taking the machine through the backhoe obstacle course.
                 The Operator Rodeo is a series of contests that allow water and wastewater operators across Utah a chance to demonstrate their skills and compete for cash prizes. Events include the backhoe obstacle course, pipe tapping, pipe repair, and meter installation.
                 Water and wastewater operators, city managers, mayors, council member, vendors and more flooded the Davis Conference Center to take advantage of the training, classes and events.                 The Rural Water Association of Utah is an organization of over 500 drinking water and wastewater systems.  The Association actively represents and works with over 90 percent of the culinary water delivery systems and wastewater systems in the State of Utah.  The Association provides training and technical assistant to water and wastewater systems throughout Utah. The Association works closely with State Agencies to help Utah’s water and wastewater systems meet state regulations.  They also work with USDA Rural Development, Farm Service Agency, and EPA.  RWAU is an active participant in Utah’s Water Coalition, the Rural Coalition, and the Governor’s Executive Water Task Force. 

###

 NWRA Homepage                              RSS Feed  (What is RSS?)                                         News Archive