2019 KRWA Annual Conference Review hen people attend the largest water and wastewater conference in mid-America, they expect to become better informed through a broad spectrum of training sessions, see or learn about Walmost any product or service available to the water and wastewater industries, be entertained – and of course, have food that meets everyone's expectations. The KRWA 2019 Conference held March 26 – 29 at the Century II Convention Center in Wichita met most everyone's expectations on all issues. The Kansas Rural Water Association's Annual Conference and Exhibition is the Midwest’s largest conference and it's a highly respected event as witnessed by the attendance and record number of exhibitors. The total registration was 2,265. Operator certification exams The KRWA conference provides something for everyone An additional bonus for the conference is that is provides – and that something is non-stop. A complaint which ends an opportunity for operators to the certification exams. up being a compliment is that “there are too many sessions KRWA appreciates the operator certification department at that I want to attend.” That’s one of the main reasons that KDHE for making the exams available. There were 231 the KRWA conference has the reputation of being one of the water and wastewater operators who took the operator best water and wastewater conferences in America. In 2019, certification exam on Thursday, March 28. Tuesday, March attendees came from 317 cities and 202 rural water districts, 27, was a full day of training on for water operators for public wholesale systems or other types. There were Small System through Class IV as exam refresher registrants from 30 additional states aside from Kansas and preparation. KRWA appreciates the staff at KDHE for their also several registrants from Sweden and Canada. There's extra efforts in helping provide special training for been a regular attendance by operators from larger cities in wastewater operators on Thursday morning, March 28 as Oklahoma; KRWA welcomes their attendance. preparation courses to the exam. The 2019 conference was the 52nd annual. The conference featured nine, full-day pre-conference sessions Who attended? for water and wastewater operators and managers, city clerks, board/council members and RWD bookkeepers and In 2019, registrants came from 317 cities and 202 rural managers son Tuesday, March 26. The Attorneys' Forum water districts or other public water or wastewater systems. The attendance breakdown is as follows: was the 19th consecutive event. It was organized and u Operators: 1,033 facilitated by KRWA General Counsel Gary Hanson of u Administrative Staff: 104 Stumbo Hanson. The conference included 48 other u Board/Council Members: 139 concurrent training sessions which involved 68 presenters. u Industry: 848 Read more about the various events on the following pages. u Agency: 70 The 2019 conference involved 209 different exhibitors, filling all 365 available booth spaces in EXPO Hall. Conference planning is something of a year-round event at KRWA. As of June 10, 2019, more than 180 booth spaces have already been reserved for 2020. And all 250 rooms in the KRWA block at the Hyatt sold out on April 15 in just a little more than 30 minutes after the block opened at 8 a.m. Rooms have been blocked at many other hotels for 2020; that information will be posted and included in the next magazine and also on the KRWA website.

Mark your calendars for the 2020 KRWA Conference at the Century II Convention Center in Wichita. The dates are March 24 – 26.

32 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE Attorneys Forum: Planting Good Ideas – Harvesting Results!

v he 2019 Conference marked the 19th consecutive Representative Tom year for the KRWA Conference Attorneys' Forum. Sloan (Retired), Kansas Those attending must be attorneys who represent House of KRWA-member water or wastewater systems. A total of 34 Representatives, Tattorneys attended. Attendees receive 6.5 hours of Lawrence, Kansas. Continuing Legal Education (CLE credit). The forum The afternoon roundtable offers a unique opportunity for attorneys discussions focused on age to develop relationships with peers but discrimination and local more importantly, to participate in government; easements, discussions on topics of concern. leasing water storage tanks Gary Hanson, JD Presenters were: v for commercial antennae, Earl Lewis, Interim Director, Kansas recent cases and AG Water Office, Topeka, Kansas v opinion, pending legislation, KORA exceptions, Penny R. Moylan, Deputy collecting a debt from a governmental entity, and more. Disciplinary Administrator, Topeka, Kansas

The 2019 "Almost 5K-KRWA Conference Run/Walk" here was no shotgun start ... the 17 runners sprinted forward on command to start the 6th Annual "Almost 5K-KRWA Conference Run/Walk". It was a great morning for running or walking. An early morning run is invigorating. Should more people do it? Yes. TKRWA's Mark Thomas headed up this year's run. Jeff LeMire from the city of Gardner took home 1st place. His time was 20:05 on the 2.8 mile course. Matt Kerr from Public Wholesale District No. 5 at Iola, Kansas earned second place with a time of 20:50. Third place finish was by Jesse Hale from Jeff LeMire from the city of Micro-Comm at Olathe, Kansas with a time of 21:06. Gardner placed first in the Hot chocolate with rolls and fresh fruit was enjoyed by the runners as they returned 5-K Run. to Century II.

Matt Kerr from Public Jess Hale from Micro-Comm Wholesale District No. 5 placed third. earned second place.

July 2019 33 THE KANSAS LIFELINE Pre-conference Sessions

Engineers' Forum for Water and Wastewater Systems Attendance: 41 This training session was not just for engineers but instead for anyone wanting to learn more about funding programs and the process of employing an engineer. The training provided the most current Guidance for the Use of Engineers Joint Contract Thoughts and Action for Operators Documents Committee Documents on Water and Waste Attendance: 299 Projects with RUS Financial Assistance and information on This session stressed the the continued compliance of American Iron and Steel (AIS) importance that local communities Requirements with Rural Utilities Service Financial have good infrastructure and what Assistance (RUS 1780-35). Agency personnel also presented the means. The very flow of a updates to the agency's ePER and RD Apply. The training community’s economy and health was intended to help engineers, environmental consultants, is dependent on that delivery of and other professionals who provide services to applicants clean safe water. But as those who by preparing Engineering and NEPA documents. Presenters work in the industry are aware, that comes with many were Richard Boyles, Program Support Director, Rural challenges. With the average age of a water system Development, USDA Randy Stone, Civil Engineer, Rural exceeding 40 years and replacement expensive, local Development, USDA and Dan Fischer, Community communities try to only hope to maintain what they have. Programs Director, Rural Development, USDA. This session discussed preventing “man-caused” accidents. Knowledge about the local system is critical. Those Water Operator Forum; Preparing for attending learned that system resources need to be a priority as time and finances are limited. A water audit is okay, but Certification Exams incomplete. This session covered a full gamut of issues Attendance: 230 related to the basics of quality water distribution. The This session is a must for presenter was Don VanVeldhuizen, USABlueBook, Gurnee, operators planning to take the Illinois. KDHE certification exam. This session offered water operators an excellent opportunity to refresh and to review Microbiological materials prior to taking the operator certification exam. Experienced operators also found the information Monitoring of informative and helpful. The session covered many topics Activated Sludge including the following: chlorination concepts (free vs. Processes combined, etc.); Chlorine residual monitoring; sample collection procedures (bacteriological, THM/HAA5, lead Attendance: 143 and copper, etc.); well operation and maintenance; This session was so knowledge of water quality issues; regulatory demanding that it has been update/Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs); distribution repeated two years. The system operation, including leak detection; waterline training is intended to teach the operators, lab personnel and disinfection procedures; water loss; storage tanks; review of consultants how to optimize the wastewater treatment plant plans required by KDHE, including emergency operation processes using the microscope and knowledge of Plan, Cross-Connection, and much more. Presenters were wastewater microbiology. Wastewater professionals learned Pat McCool and Delbert Zerr, both who are consultants with how to identify the microorganisms that are favorable to the the Kansas Rural Water Association. activated sludge treatment process. The session included

34 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE presentations to help attendees understand the methods for Micro-Bubble Diffusion controlling, identifying and monitoring microorganisms in Treatment Technology biological phosphorus and nitrogen removal systems. Participants also learned to diagnose treatment system Attendance: 89 problems based on the microbiology of the system and This training focused on the gained an understanding of identifying and controlling challenges of updating old wastewater filamentous bacteria. Practical step-by-step laboratory lagoons to meet current NPDES effluent procedures for tracking, identifying and diagnosing limits. Many times, the cost of going to an entirely conditions in activated sludge processes were provided. mechanical or activated sludge plant is not practical or Because the microorganisms are responsible for removing feasible. Attendees learned that Micro-Bubble Diffusion the nutrients from the wastewater, it is important to (MBD) has been used with various types of industries and understand the conditions that allow them to do their best installed in many locations and using numerous designs to work. And the system operators need to do their best to accommodate customer needs since 1995. The presentation create these conditions. The presenter was Toni Glymph- provided a case history at the city of Ackley, Iowa. Ackley Martin, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater has been using the MBD since August 2001, replacing their Chicago, Illinois. original blower system and removing 30 inches of sludge from the cell one (1) lagoon. MBD has also proven very City Clerks' Forum successful with animal waste lagoons. A special adapted MBD application has been used for moving BTEX Attendance: 31 (Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl benzene, and Xylenes), which are City clerks are busy people. The contaminates from underground storage tanks at former gas tasks are dictated by law or statute stations where leakage of fuel into the groundwater has include some of the most basic services expected by contaminated the water and soil. The session was presented residents. In fact, municipal clerks are often the first and by John Jacobs, WTR Solutions, LLC. Earlham, Iowa. most direct link between residents and government. The 2019 Clerks' Forum provided valuable information on two Board/Council Leadership – Leading subject areas: Human Resource Pitfalls and Data Security. The first presenter, Tim Huston from Human Resource More Effectively Solutions, Olathe, Kansas, weighed on his experience of Attendance: 46 providing human resource support serving nearly 90 clients While many board/council members are frustrated with in Kansas and other Midwestern states. He presented on certain situations. They dread the topics such as Employee Handbooks; Harassment Cases - next conflict-riddled board meeting Dos and Don’ts: How to protect your city – policies; and seeing no way to effectively investigations and Employment Classification. The govern their system. This training afternoon portion of the training was by Chad Hollis, was a resounding success as it Collection Bureau of Kansas, Inc. Mr. Hollins discussed provided some cutting edge tools housing of data and the risks associated with different designed to give board members storage options. The information concerning what local confidence and help them develop communities should ask and expect of vendors was very their governance skills. Financial/budget difficulties, informative. personnel issues, construction or renovation project complications, territorial disputes with neighbor utility systems are the types of problems that require an innovative approach to leadership and decision-making. The training helped attendees learn how to deal with conflict resolution whether that be with customers, agencies or other professionals. Just learning how to be a better board member by developing a culture of collaboration with other board members and employees was a big part of the overall training. Presenters were John Hawley, JWH Enterprise, LLC, Virginia Beach, Virginia and Elizabeth Dietzmann, Esq., Virginia Beach, Virginia.

July 2019 35 THE KANSAS LIFELINE Excuse Me, Do You Know the Way to Great Rates? Attendance: 23 RWD Office Forum Many water and wastewater utilities want to know what their rates should be. Attendance: 41 The topic of rate setting covers a lot of This forum is always a great territory. The board or council ends up place for the RWD bookkeepers dealing with it. Are the rates fair; are they and managers to get together to adequate? This training provided an discuss topics of interest. The RWD Forum is intended to excellent summary of the good logic that better equip RWD managers and office staff with resources should go into establishing fair and so they can be as prepared as possible to deal with equitable rates. How are rates to be customers, agencies and others. A more structured program calculated? Are the rates that are being considered was provided in 2019. Attorney Todd Luckman of the firm sustainable or adequate? Are they fairly structured? Are they Stumbo Hanson, LLP in Topeka, Kansas led this first easy to explain and understand? What about system section of the Forum with summaries of topics including development fees? The presentation took the attendees customer bankruptcies; tax exemptions; office through the proper steps to use in a rate review and setting embezzlement/theft; rate disputes; billing errors, investment process. How does a utility get a “yes” from customers on a of funds, etc. Tim Huston, Human Resource Solutions, rate increase? Attendees were encouraged to bring their LLC, Overland Park, Kansas, discussed employee questions. The presenter was Carl Brown, handbooks and the ten most common handbook mistakes; GettingGreatRates.com, Jefferson City, Missouri. harassment cases and employment classifications. The afternoon program began with a presentation concerning payroll matters. The presenter was Michael Peroo, CPA, Olathe, Kansas. Peroo also discussed employee vs contractor designation; accounting reports for the board; and, indicators that a rate change may be needed. The session provided a lot of open discussion.

36 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE Butler Headliners Perform “From Page to Stage” at Opening Session

here is no other conference that gets a kick-start like the KRWA conference does, thanks in great measure T to the incomparable Butler Headliners. This troup of 36 members and additional support staff have provided a rousing start to the opening session on Wednesday, March 27. And those young folks enjoy performing for KRWA, even though it does mean getting up, traveling from El Dorado and being at Century II by 7 a.m. to run through quick sound checks and short rehearsal. This year’s show was entitled “From Page to Stage”. The Butler Headliners have national acclaim as a show choir. Their performance at the 2019 conference was described as “tremendous” – and they received a standing ovation from the estimated 1,500 in the audience. The Headliners sang and danced to a nearly full house on the lower level of Concert Hall. The choir is directed by Valerie Lippoldt Mack. Two other students serve as stage manager and sound manager. To be a participating member of the KRWA again provided a $3,000 stipend to the Butler Headliners requires that the students maintain a minimum Headliners. The group always brings a complete new show, grade point average. The group’s members go on after they there's hardly a way to have a more inspiring group singing graduate from Butler Community College to become and dancing their hearts out to help those attending the performers for the Walt Disney theme parks, Worlds of Fun, KRWA conference to leave feeling good about young people and other venues – and to own their own dance studios, and and the aspiring futures they should have. to direct church and community choirs. They become doctors, lawyers and teachers.

Opening Session Prize Winners Prize Winner System $250 VISA Gift Card Richard Simmons City of Salina $250 VISA Gift Card Brian Meier Burns & McDonnell

July 2019 37 THE KANSAS LIFELINE 2019 Opening Session KRWA Board President Paul Froelich

RWA President Paul Froelich thorns. But the farmer who scattered that speech, she had her 3 x 5 index cards with welcomed the estimated 1,500 seed on the good fertile ground – that all of her notes of what she was going to K who were seated in Concert Hall seed came back to produce and multiply say. And it must have been this time of at 8:30 a.m. for the opening session. 60 times. year that they had the banquet, because as Following the invocation, he provided How many times do we go we go to a she's stepping up to the podium, she this address: training session and we do nothing with tripped, and her note cards went flying. In Well as we get the conference what we learned? We don't take it back to her flustered state of affairs, she reached, underway officially this morning, last our systems. We just let it die. Well folks, picked up the note cards and she said, night was a very fun event. I hope some today we challenge you to take that, and "Ohhh, I gave up beer for Lent and this of you won a few don't be like the parable whiskey is about to kill me." things. There will be of the sower, but instead, I could relate to that, but the funny more prizes today. I'd plant that seed on that thing about it is, she gave a message: That like to remind you all rich fertile ground, open at 84-years-old, it was on her bucket-list, about the WaterPAC your mind, cultivate your because she couldn't afford to finish her raffle that will be going mind to accept the ideas college. She wanted to go back. all day long today. You and concepts that are Everybody always asked her, “But why? can buy your tickets. presented to you in the You're 84; you don't need that degree.” More great prizes to coming days, and take She said, "No, I owe it to myself." Those win. But to remind you that back and plant that in of us who get to be this age can just go to that furthers our your fields, in your sleep, sleep all year, and what does that lobbying efforts in systems, in your boards get us? Another year older and not one Paul Froelich, President, KRWA Washington, D.C. So and councils and make thing accomplished. There's a lot to be every penny that you that multiply. said from this 84-year-old lady, because can give helps us get to a better goal It reminds me of the story that you can after she graduated, less than a year, she there. And in the last couple of years, hear some good things on Facebook every did stay close friends with that young Kansas Rural Water Association has done once in a while instead of some of the man from the football team and he gave very well in out-showing other states garbage that is out there. But it was an the eulogy at her funeral. But she was around the U.S. for the contributions to interesting story – a story about an 84- happy to die because she knew she made the WaterPAC. So to remind you to please year-old woman who went back to a difference. She didn't go on in life just give generously; it is for a good cause and college to finish her college degree. And making it another year with nothing lets show our folks from National what there was a young man who happened to accomplished. Kansas can do to further our cause at the be one of the stars on the football team Folks, as your president of your National level. that was in the class behind her and he Association, it has been an honor this last And as I first learned of what the theme was kinda awe-struck that this 84-year- year to represent you and your systems as was for this conference – “Planting Good old woman was in his college class. He a collective voice in the state of Kansas. Ideas, Harvesting Results”, it reminds me struck up a conversation before the Your association has been working for of a biblical story growing up that was professor came in. And he said, "Well, you in the state house in Topeka, whether told quite often. I can remember, and it is what are you doing after class? I don't we opposed certain bills or supported based out of the book of Matthew, the have class right after this. Would you like certain bills, we have been at work for 13th Chapter. And some of you may to go to the union and have a drink you. We have been at work for you across recognize that as the parable of the sower. together?" And they got a Pepsi and sat the state of Kansas. But it isn't us; it is The farmer going along, was planting down and that relationship was cultivated you that makes the Association. So I seed. Some would fall along the walkway. through that entire semester. That young welcome you to the 52nd annual And while that seed would sprout and man learned that it was on this 84-year- conference and exhibition. Take grow quickly, the walkway had very old woman's bucket list to complete her advantage of the sessions that we have. shallow soil. When the heat of the day college degree. He was so impressed by Make something of this. Do not sleep would come, that young sprout would her great attitude and outward spirit, that another year and come back this time next wither and die. Some of that seed would as the semester came to a close, they year and say I accomplished nothing.Take fall upon the thorny patches and yes it invited her to be the keynote speaker for what you learn this week back with you. would germinate and sprout. But that seed the football banquet. And as she was Make something out of this conference too would be soon choked out by the approaching the podium to give her and make it return 60-fold back to you.

38 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE “Life is like a garden” “The Mayberry Deputy” explores the notion of planting ideas for good results.

here has been increased law enforcement presence at “In my life, whatever power is out there decided that out of the Kansas Rural Water Association annual all my struggles, with these three children coming up, then T conventions in recent years from a famous fictional when I was ready, when I had been tilled, when I was ready sheriff’s deputy. and that soil was great, the idea came to do Mayberry.” David Browning, an actor from Virginia, adopts the He shared three lessons he learned: u persona of “Mayberry Deputy” Barney Fife entertains rural As he planted corn, cucumbers, cantaloupe and tomatoes, water staff, spouses and friends with his uncanny he said, he realized he didn’t really know what he was resemblance to the character made famous by actor Don doing, but he realized that by planting the seeds, he was Knotts. making an investment. “People make an investment in us, Browning remains in character for most of the conference, and somebody out there is just waiting to see if we grow,” including the opening night meet-and-greet festivities. In he said. u 2019, he also delivered the keynote address during the An attempt to grow watermelons yielded vines that grew conference’s opening session on Wednesday morning. all over his yard. What looked like a perfect watermelon After performing a stand-up comedy session in Fife’s cut from the vine was disappointing, almost raw inside, character, Browning leaned in to the 2019 conference theme because it was cut before it was ready. “We do this all the “planting good ideas – harvesting results” with stories and time, especially with our children,” he said. “We see them examples of his own personal growth. grow up to think ‘things are going to be perfect.’ But they As a younger man, Browning said he had enjoyed being a might be pulled off the vine too soon, and might not be part of theatre productions as a director, giving young artists ready for the hard stuff.” u positive experiences, but knew he would have to do more to One must be wary of weeds that come into the garden to provide for his young family. smother out the productive plants. “These vines come into Browning made ends meet by taking other jobs that our lives and they wrap around us and pull us in different weren’t related to the theatre, a disappointing decision that directions and they try to smother us and kill us and drag he now regards as one that would set him up for success us down.” decades later. “The world is waiting for us to flourish, to be the thing we “I didn’t realize that those moments in my life, these seeds, were intended to be,” he said. “I’m a garden, and there have or ideas, were being planted in my mind and in my heart,” he been seeds planted in my all of my life.” said. “You need those low times. I heard some great speaker The image of the scarecrow in the conference logo also say here recently that we gotta be down in the valley reminded Browning of playing the same role in a production of sometimes so we can appreciate the mountaintops. And it’s “The Wizard of Oz” in the 1970s – alongside 90 children true.” playing Munchkins. Now that he has reached the later years of his life, he said, “The children in the production are now in their 40s,” he he is realizing his own life has been said. “They drove me crazy, but now these 40- much like a garden. year-olds will tell me ‘you created a love for Browning said that he and his wife being in front of people in my life,’” he said. planted a vegetable garden in their yard “Isn’t that what we are supposed to be about? at their home in Bristol, Virginia last We are to plant those seeds that help someone year, which yielded further lessons for do what they are shooting for.” his life. There are lessons, too, from that story, “When you plant a garden, I Browning said, about the importance of having discovered, you gotta decide when’s the a heart, a home, a brain, and courage – and right time,” he said. If you plant too having some fun, too. early it’s not going to do well, if you “These are great lessons, if you look for plant too late, it’s not going to work. them, for so many things in life,” he said.

July 2019 39 THE KANSAS LIFELINE 2019 Exhibition Hall Vendors Again Report Encouraging Results at Mid-America’s Largest Trade Show

rian Lang, an area salesman for NAPCO Pipe & Staff members from the Kansas Department of Commerce Fitting, spoke highly of his experience attending the were on hand in the EXPO Hall to answer questions about BKansas Rural Water Association’s Annual Conference their grant and loan programs for water systems and and Trade Show. communities. “This is always a good show for us,” he said. “I can’t “We’re seeing a lot of people we’ve worked with and remember how many years I’ve been here, at least 12, even know the program from the past,” said Linda Hunsicker, a though I have worked for different companies.” specialist who works with the Community Development The company is based in Houston, but they have a local Block Grant program. “They’ll bring people by (the booth) tie to the state, Lang said. for more information.” “We have a manufacturing plant in McPherson, and it’s In addition to providing information, they’re also often always good to advertise that.” able to make sure that communities leave with all the Conversations with engineers and potential buyers necessary pieces for a project, said Debbie Beck, the indicated that this was a good year for funding projects, he Community Development Block Grant program manager. said. The fact that organizations such as the U.S. Department of “There’s money available, and that’s good for the Agriculture’s Rural Development staff members are present, industry,” he said. “That’s what puts pipe in the ground.” as well as professional industry representatives, are all in the same place makes it easy to take care of many details at –––––––––– once. It’s fairly common to meet vendors who have been to “You can network a whole issue at one time instead of every KRWA Conference and Exhibition. It’s far more making numerous phone calls,” Beck said. “We’ve done unusual to meet newcomers. that with several engineers, and it really works well.” Sean Wallace participated in his first KRWA Exhibition in 2019. He is a territory manager for Berry Tractor in Wichita, which purchased another company that sold Global Street Sweepers. They’d only found out about the trade show a few weeks before it began, and secured a spot in the far northwest corner of the EXPO Hall. “This is something we will be coming back for,” Wallace said. “I’ve heard that it used to be just rural water folks, but now every town in Kansas is here. It’s a good show.”

40 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE July 2019 41 THE KANSAS LIFELINE Opening Nite Meet & Greet Is One-of-a-Kind! he annual conference opener is one big shindig! How else do you describe two large halls at Century II filled with the following: n Seating for 1,100 to enjoy a great barbecue meal and desert bar Tn Ten Midway game trailers – from "Kentucky Derby" to "The Exterminator" n A Midway amusement ride – “The Sizzler” in 2019 n Kansas oldest Rock 'n Roll band on stage – King Midas and The Muflers n An area filled with casino games n Beverage trailer and beverage stations n Three caricaturists n The Oxygen Bar n Numerous table top games n Video car racing n Laser skeet shooting n Instant photo shoot n And, more than $10,000 in door prizes! This Tuesday evening event is a one-of-a-kind opener that was attended by nearly 1,400 people. There was something for everyone, all night long. And at 9:45, it was time to turn in the tickets that were won at the various games for the prizes that filled the side stage. Thanks again to The Mayberry Deputy for his help in drawing names and delivering the prizes. And certainly for The Deputy’s participation in several musical numbers including “Ghost Chickens in the Sky!” It was a good time for everyone – like one big happy family reunion.

42 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE TuESDAY NiGHT MEET & G REET PRizE WiNNERS Prize Winner Represents $500 Cash Mike Duerksen City of Hillsboro KitchenAid® Artisan 5 Qt Mixer Kathy Havelka Miami RWD 4 Amazon Echo Julie Winter Riley County Public Works Sodastream Fizzi Sparkling Water Kit Camryn Duryea Farberware Oil-Less Fryer Oven Maria Dressman Elliott Insurance Group Dyson V6 Cord Free Vacuum Lori Stone Instant Pot Bryn Shaffer Butler RWD 5 Ninja Professional Kitchen System Chance Thomas KRWA Milwaukee M18 Drill/Driver Set Clint Fraser Cloud RWD 1 Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Coffee Maker Howard Wehrman Ellsworth RWD 1 (Post Rock) Coleman SaluSpa Hot Tub Lynne Borton Montgomery RWD 12 SentrySafe with Digital Keypad Kathy Mostrom City of Burdett Craftsman 6 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac Bradi Stephens Butler RWD 5 Hamilton Beach Digital Steamer Penny Lumbley Montgomery RWD 12 Stanley FatMax Power Station Jump Starter Alan Phillips Leavenworth County Stanley 2150 Electric Pressure Washer Lori Stone Great Northern Popcorn Machine Ellen Lewallen City of Winona GoPro Hero7 Austin St. John City of Marysville Windmill Welcome Sign Bradi Stephens Butler RWD 5 KitchenAid Hand Blender Krista Brown Butler RWD 5 Tackobox Smartrod Alex Wood City of Haysville DeWalt Drill Tim Dietrich City of Colony DeWalt Grinder Robert Miller Montgomery RWD 2 DeWalt Socket Set Robert Miller Montgomery RWD 2 Mini Refrigerator/Freezer Nick Polsinelli Informational Data Technologies LG 43" Smart LED TV Debra Schlabach Washington RWD 1 Nesco Dehydrator Sharon Condit Ellsworth RWD 1 (Post Rock) Cuisinart Griddle Bo Merrick, Jr. Montgomery RWD 6 Garage & Patio Heater Rachel Merrick Public Wholesale 4 Gravity Lounger Brian Treaster City of Alden Instant Sun Shelter Rachel Merrick Public Wholesale 4 Drone Maria Dressman Elliott Insurance Group Presto Traveling Slow Cooker Kathy Havelka Miami RWD 4 $250 VISA Gift Card Perry Smith Finney RWD 1 / WECI $250 VISA Gift Card Leslie Harvey City of Morland $250 VISA Gift Card Jesse Sasso SEMS Technologies $250 VISA Gift Card Wayne Kauffman City of Edgerton $250 VISA Gift Card Michelle Rickel City of Harveyville $250 VISA Gift Card Cody Haddock Osage RWD 4 $250 VISA Gift Card Craig Lacey Osage RWD 4 $250 VISA Gift Card Jane Edmonds Douglas RWD 3 $250 VISA Gift Card Kayla Westerman Woodson RWD 1 $250 VISA Gift Card Tom Orazem Riley RWD 1

July 2019 43 THE KANSAS LIFELINE Attendees share positive reactions - Experience gives water staff members time to learn, connect and network

udy Price, a member of the Harveyville City Council, gave high marks to the board and council leadership Jsession. “It will be so helpful for our city council,” she said. “It was so purposeful. I really enjoyed it, and I laughed a lot.” This is the fourth year Price has attended the KRWA conference. “It’s just fun,” she said. “I love the game night.”

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Tiffini Gross of Phillipsburg attended her first KRWA On the opposite end of the experience spectrum, John conference in 2019. She had served as the city’s water Knighten, who has just joined the city’s public works billing clerk until January, when she was sworn in as the department as a maintenance operator, came to take classes city clerk. to prepare for his license, which he will obtain later this year. “I have a lot to learn about my new job,” she said. “I’ve “I like it so far,” he said. “The classes are good.” enjoyed networking and meeting people, and learning about Katy Wohlgemuth, bookkeeper for Butler RWD #4, my new responsibilities.” attended her second KRWA conference in 2019. –––––––––– “I went to the pre-conference session for bookkeepers, and I think that’s what I enjoy the most,” she said. “It’s good that Two northeast Kansas residents reconnected at the KRWA we’re all bookkeepers, and all work for rural water districts, conference for the first time in more than two decades. and so we can really talk about our work together. They Terry Baker, the new maintenance operator for the city of always do a good job getting speakers.” Robinson, came to his first KRWA conference to take his wastewater examination. As he stood at a table on the –––––––––– carnival midway Tuesday night, he recognized a familiar Mark Genova, a new operator for Atchison Consolidated face. RWD #5, said he was impressed by the educational Mark Bachamp, with Olsson, Inc. in Manhattan, had opportunities offered during the conference. worked with Baker on a KDOT project when they both “I’m preparing for my exam and I’m hoping it will be worked for the agency as young men. really helpful when that time comes,” he said. “I’ve been at “I’ve been coming here over 20 years to meet with my job for just short of a year so this is all new and fresh to clients,” he said. “I haven’t seen Terry in 25 years.” me.” In addition to catching up with Bachamp, Baker said he Jamie Taylor has recently returned to the Atchison was impressed by his first Meet and Greet experience. Consolidated RWD #5 after a couple of decades away from “I couldn’t believe it when I walked in,” he said. the industry. –––––––––– Her first trip to the KRWA conference helped her understand the new technology and expectations now in A trio from Butler County found a resting spot between place. sessions in the back of Expo Hall on “A lot of things have changed, like the Wednesday morning. way water is chlorinated now,” she said. Richard Kearney, city “And there are a lot more rules and superintendent for the City of regulations than there used to be.” Towanda, said he has been coming Adam Potts, a board member for the to the KRWA conference for 26 Atchison district, said he appreciated the years. leadership seminar to help think about how “I keep coming so I can keep my to make board meetings more useful for license,” he said. “It’s a little his district. different every year. They have “I’ve been to the other leadership different people teaching the classes, classes, and this was a nice change,” he and they each present the said. “They brought a good and active information in a little different way.” perspective about how to do a class.”

44 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE 2019 Presenters

The Kansas Rural Water Association appreciates the time and effort by all the presenters at the 2019 conference. Thank you for helping all those who attended “Planting Good Ideas, Harvesting Results”.

Richard Ammel Evans, Bierly, Hutchison & Associates Daryn Martin Kansas Dept. of Health & Environment Eileen Battles Data Access & Support Center Pat McCool Kansas Rural Water Association Debbie Beck Kansas Department of Commerce Traci Miles Kansas Dept. of Health & Environment Jeff Bergman ABB Drives Brent Miller Data Access & Support Center Richard Boyles USDA Rural Development Chris Miller Miller & Assoc. Consulting Engineers, P.C. Brent Briley Subsurface Solutions Penny Moylan Kansas Judicial Branch Carl Brown GettingGreatRates.com Mathew Mullen Kansas Highway Patrol, Troop F David Browning Mayberry Deputy Chris Muller Purafil, Inc. David Butler One Call Concepts Michael Peroo Michael D Peroo, CPA William Carr Kansas Dept. of Health & Environment DavidPratt EPA, Drinking Water Branch Region VII Danny Coltrane Midwest Engineering Group, LLC Don Rankin UtiliWorks Consulting, LLC Ann D'Alfonso Kansas Dept. of Health & Environment Emily Reichart Kansas Health & Enviro. Laboratories Kristina Dietrick HR Partners, LLC Kelly Rundell Hite Fanning & Honeyman Elizabeth Dietzmann Elizabeth M. Dietzmann, Attorney at Law Jen Sharp JenSharp.com Peter Dyke Alliance for PE Pipe Darrell Shippy Kansas Dept. of Health & Environment Dan Fischer USDA Rural Development Andy Singer Singer Valve Elizabeth Fitch Division of Water Resources Tom Sloan Douglas RWD 1 Marsha Fleming Kansas Dept. of Health & Environment Kris Staff Hawkins, Inc Paul Froelich City of Enterprise Randy Stone USDA Rural Development Toni Glymph-Martin Metro. Water Reclamation, Chicago, IL Keith Thompson Chlorinators Incorporated Tara Hammer Kansas Dept. of Health & Environment Don Van Veldhuizen USABlueBook Gary Hanson Stumbo Hanson, LLP Rance Walker Kansas Dept. of Health & Environment John Hawley JWH Enterprise, LLC Steven Weber Axiom Instrumentation Services Mark Hendricks Axiom Instrumentation Services Merle Windler Thoroughbred Systems, Inc. Jason Hock NEO Chemicals & Oxides Monica Wurtz Kansas Rural Water Association Chad Hollins Collection Bureau of Kansas Hannes Zacharias University of Kansas Tim Huston Human Resource Solutions, LLC Teresa Zeller Elliott Insurance, Inc. John Jacobs WTR Solutions Delbert Zerr Kansas Rural Water Association Rich Kemmis Maguire Iron, Inc. Dr. Saeed Khan Kansas State University Andy Kohler Clow Valve Company Dana Kreeger Federal Bureau of Investigation Brian Lang NAPCO Pipe Len Lehmann KPERS 457 Earl Lewis Kansas Water Office Jessica Lewis One Call Concepts Brent Lies Kansas Highway Patrol, Troop F Todd Luckman Stumbo Hanson, LLP Alan Luttrell Evans, Bierly, Hutchison & Assoc. Ned Marks Terrane Resources Company

July 2019 45 THE KANSAS LIFELINE By Sarah Green

Wednesday Luncheon The “Power of One” Former lawmaker and rural water advocate elevates relationships as key to policy success single person – a single water casting one vote easily determines who plant operator – can make an wins or loses an election, and who makes Aoutsized difference by having the policies that impact each and every one right relationships in place. of us. That’s the message from former state “One person not speaking to a state Rep. Tom Sloan, who represented the legislator is more than just one voice that 45th district in the Kansas House of is lost. It’s an opportunity to educate, and Representatives. The 45th district is in to impact state policies that is lost.” Douglas County. Sloan is also chairman Building a relationship with elected of Douglas RWD #1. officials, especially those in the Sloan spoke about “the value of one” Statehouse, is critical to ensure that for the keynote address during the policymakers truly listen to concerns, Wednesday luncheon of the 2019 KRWA Sloan said. annual conference. He recalled three types of Water system operators already know communications that he frequently about the importance even a small received while in office: u amount of water loss can have in a Form e-mails from “click here to system. contact your legislator” webpages Tom Sloan “One gallon does not concern us, but for any number of topics, some Former Kansas Legislator (Retired) one gallon can easily lead to other germane to current legislation, but losses,” Sloan said. most not. u It’s the same with voting, he said. Someone writing just once – and think through how he might vote on bills, Sloan offered two examples from recent only once – about a specific bill. he said. u years: People who he knew personally, who “As a legislator I voted on issues u A former Johnson County colleague had invited him to tour their ranging from income taxes to banking who lost a bid for re-election by organization and sit down with him regulations, autonomous vehicle seven votes. During the candidate’s when the Legislature had adjourned operating rules, budgets and more,” election-night watch party, the for the year, who he knew and Sloan said. “And even though I’m candidate realized he personally trusted. reasonably well educated, I could not knew seven family members who He assembled a list of professionals know everything on every subject.” were eligible but did not vote. and practitioners from these Water issues in particular are often too u A state House of Representatives conversations and relied on them to help complicated for every Legislator to fully race in the Arkansas City area that him understand complicated issues and grasp, he said. Water system operators was tied. The recount was tied. The candidate could have, under the general rules of the House, allowed “One person not speaking to a state for the body to choose the candidate along party lines. But instead, he legislator is more than just one voice that opted for the race to be decided by a third party pulling either a black or is lost. It’s an opportunity to educate, and white ping pong ball from a box. “One vote that is not cast in an election to impact state policies that is lost.” may not seem like much,” he said, “but the cumulative effect of many people not

46 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE are uniquely poised to educate sedimentation and algal blooms attend the educational events or policymakers on the top issues related to impacting your treatment. If it’s an otherwise resistant to engagement, water water in their area. aquifer, what are the problems associated district leaders should find a neighboring Sloan suggested working with local with the declining aquifer if you have system with which to partner who might elected officials to take fun, educational one, or the change in the water have a more receptive representative. tours of water systems. composition. And don’t stop at the Statehouse, Sloan “The idea is that here is a chance for “Legislator ignorance, generally more said. Contact the Congressional you to get them out, show them what you than willfulness, results in poor public delegation, as well as local city and do,” he said. “They’re not going to be policies.” county commissions to participate in the particularly interested in how many Sloan also suggested that water educational outreach activities. pounds of chemicals you use to treat the systems develop an action plan to engage “They all need to know what’s on your water, but they will be interested in your their elected officials, not just during a agenda,” he said. operating issues. What’s the source of single tour but to follow-up regularly and These relationships are the foundation your water, if it’s a lake, how is to keep the rural water association for broader systemic impacts that affect notified of these the entire industry, Sloan said. contacts. “One voice, your voice, can impact “Your goal should be public policy decisions,” he said. “If your that your legislator legislator has information that he or she knows you as John or needs, and is confident in that Mary, and you know information and can communicate them as Representative effectively with his or her peers and or Senator Tom or colleagues, you have the power of one to Jackie,” he said. “You make a difference for your water system want that personal and all water systems.” touch.” And if they still don’t listen? If a legislator is “Become a candidate yourself,” Sloan unable or unwilling to said.

Spouses “Paint the Towne!”, Again t has been labeled "a party with a purpose". It was a The group, which totaled 46 women and several men, totally unique spouse program at the 2019 KRWA thoroughly enjoyed "Paint the Town". It was an afternoon Iconference. of fun, friends, and fine art. Where else could anyone The fun-filled event began at 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, enjoy the food and drink and KRWA provides the canvas? March 27 in a draped off section inside Convention Hall In about two hours, those who attended created their at the Century II Convention Center. A total of 46 spouses own work of art from by following the instructions of the attended. teacher. Everyone worked on a large petal flower. As in When KRWA first proposed “Paint the Towne” as a 2018, many of the spouses had never painted before. program in 2018, one person commented, “Well, let's have some wine and chocolate covered strawberries too!” And so it was. And so it was again in 2019. There were also other soft drinks, ice tea and cookies. To say a good time was had by all is an under-statement.

July 2019 47 THE KANSAS LIFELINE By Sarah Green

Changing it Up Leadership expert urges water boards to change meetings to change results

ural water districts might not be “Look at the average board member,” “Let’s decide on the 60 percent we known for organizing effective and she said, who has likely been on the agree on and not talk about it,” he said. Refficient board meetings. board for many years. “When you serve “Let’s talk about the 40 percent that we Yet the structure and format of those on a multi-year board, that’s got to get disagree on and not waste our time.” meetings are critically important to old. You do the same agenda every month A “molecule map” can help simplify harness the best thinking – which is and you think you have the same challenges by asking groups to identify actually already in the boardroom, not problems every month. And nothing users, problems and solutions. Hawley from experts located elsewhere, said changes.” endorses this idea because it challenges leadership consultant John Hawley. But the world is constantly changing, groups to talk about solutions to solve The 2019 leadership pre-session at the Hawley said, and ideas that didn’t work problems, instead of talking about Kansas Rural Water Association’s annual even five years ago might be possible problems in need of solutions. conference focused on design thinking and today, thanks to technology, infrastructure “It’s a way to help you choose tacit knowledge, two skills that Hawley, a improvements and new people. priorities,” he said. nationally recognized facilitator from “When we get together, we have Former KRWA Board President Sam Norfolk, Virginia, said could improve people saying ‘I’ve been with this system Atherton said the session was the best even the most tedious board experience. for 25 years, and this is the way we do it leadership training he had attended at an “Design thinking” is a term that and this is the way it has been done, and annual conference. generally describes creative ways to solve this is the way we are going to keep “I like that he showed that every one of challenges affecting people. For rural doing it,’” he said. “I’m talking about us can do something about our water districts, that could mean starting a getting away from those ideas and challenges,” he said. “These are things discussion about thinking about customers moving into something different.” that rural water boards can do. My only first, working backwards until there is a One tangible way to bring up those complaint is that the people who should be solution that makes the most sense. different ideas is to do icebreaker here aren’t here.” Hawley asked participants of the activities together as a group, he said. Linda Wymer accompanied her husband session to share concrete concerns that Brain exercises such as those practiced by Lee to the conference. Lee Wymer is the they face on a regular basis, such as improvisational artists can be a source of city superintendent in Morrill. billing, maintenance, rate structures and “mental sherbert” – cleansing the palate, She said she knows about water district staffing. in other words – to help keep board boards from her husband’s experience, but It’s worth taking time to establish a members thinking clearly when dealing found the information applicable to her process that lends itself to a quick with tough challenges. own life outside of the city staff. resolution and is the best for all, Hawley It also keeps conversations civilized, “There are similarities all across the said. Those processes can improve the Hawley said, and helps people listen to board,” she said. “It’s really great to hear experience of everyone – customers, staff each other better. all these different ideas. And it has been members, and board members. Hawley has served as an officer in the interesting to hear that a lot of our Participants shared their frustrations U.S. Navy and now works with military concerns are the same in other with water district board meetings which and government groups, as well as communities.” can sometimes take three or four hours. companies large and small to change Katee Smith is a new city council Some of the most objectionable behavior organizational cultures and help groups member in Edgerton – serving in an is from board members who dominate be more effective. appointed role for just six months. The discussions. He said he had never worked with rural session was her first exposure to anything The nature of water district boards water districts, but that his concepts related to water or wastewater systems, makes change difficult, said Elizabeth would apply to any organization hoping but she said she planned to use the Dietzmann, an attorney based in Norfolk, to improve its culture. strategies for the boards and commissions Va., who also facilitated the session. One of the solutions for which Hawley on which she serves. Dietzmann has years of experience advocates is to quickly determine areas of “It’s helpful to think about how I might working with water districts in Kansas and agreement between members on difficult use this to problem-solve,” she said. “The across the nation. topics. concepts are universal.”

48 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE Red Hot and Crackling . . . The All Nite Strut Wows KRWA Audience

onference entertainment in 2019 was the two-act musical celebration of the 1930 and ‘40s – The All Night Strut ! The C show moved through the Depression, WWII and the post- war boom with jazz, blues, and American songbook standards. The story moves through time and place to highlight a slick slice of yester-year and captures a beloved American era with songs such as “Chattanooga Choo Choo”, “Minnie the Moocher”, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and more. Directed by Kathy Hauptman and produced by The Forum Theatre, the production of the jukebox musical of The All Night Strut! provided a sensational performance by a talented cast and top-notch accompaniment. Cast members included: Kalene “Koko” Blanton, Angelica McRae Breathett, Ted Dvorak, Briley Meek, Simeon Rawls and Diendre Teagle. Band members were Ben Karnes, Andy Bowers, Scott Taylor and Charles Glover.

July 2019 49 THE KANSAS LIFELINE By Sarah Green

Thursday Luncheon

Following a river, following a promise . . . Kayak Trip Down Arkansas River Provides Insight, Inspiration for Kansas Man he Arkansas River – the 6th sewer utilities face. He also knows about about 700,000 people use the river for largest in the nation, and the 45th water quantity, having served as the city whitewater rafting. An additional 300,000 T longest in the world – often goes manager of Hays during the 1990s when use the river for trout fishing, Zacharias unnoticed in Kansas. the city purchased the R9 Ranch and its said. Hannes Zacharias, a Dodge City accompanying water rights for future The Arkansas River near Salida fed the native who has worked in counties water supply needs. state’s fruit and vegetable industry from across the state of Kansas, is now He has been to Pompeii to see the the 1900s to the 1950s, he said, until perhaps more closely acquainted with the ancient aqueduct, lead pipes and other water pollution attributed to the mining river than anyone else in the state. plumbing structures. industry near Leadville made it necessary In 1976, he kayaked alone from Dodge “You all are involved in a great and for producers to relocate to southern City to New Orleans, carrying a admirable profession that has been California. Bicentennial message of goodwill from around for thousands of years,” he said. From Pueblo Reservoir in Colorado to the mayor of his hometown to the mayor “If there is no water, there is no life.” Deerfield, Kansas, the river changes of New Orleans. He vowed on that trip to Zacharias started his 2,060-mile trek again. In Pueblo, the river is seen as a someday follow a drop of water from the on May 31 at Tennessee Pass near nuisance, something to control to prevent river’s source at the Continental Divide Leadville, high in the Rocky Mountains. stormwater from flooding the town. in Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico. He collected water from the river’s Outcroppings of rock in Eastern source in a small vial, which he carried Colorado near Bent’s New Fort still bear for the duration of his trip. evidence of carvings from settlers using His kayak was his primary source of the Santa Fe Trail, reminding Zacharias transportation. He was able to travel the of the river’s importance as an historic river in sections over three months, border between the Cherokee and the taking breaks to return to his home in Cheyenne and a border between United Johnson County between sections. States and Mexico, as well as a major In addition to his kayak, he used barrier for those who used the famous almost any means appropriate to travel trail. the river – which meant that one of his A series of low-water dams divert river first opportunities to explore other water into a series of ditches for vessels was a whitewater raft through the agriculture use in eastern Colorado and Royal Gorge in Colorado. western Kansas. Zacharias described the That was one of his first opportunities river here as a “breathing mechanism,” Hannes zacharias to explore the ways in which the nearby carrying water from reservoirs in people and communities interact with the Colorado to Kansas for agricultural uses – Zacharias’ career has been in local Arkansas River. Norwegian immigrants in other words, he said, the water is government management. He is now a made popular the sport of whitewater diverted from natural channels to a professor of practice at the University of rafting in the 1960s on the river, creating manmade ditch irrigation system, soaking Kansas School of Public Affairs and prospects for tourism, but also for into the fields, then draining into the river Administration. He spoke about his conflicts and arguments about how – and again. In the process, the river takes in travels down the Arkansas River during who – should use the river. pesticides from surface run-off and Thursday’s luncheon at the 2019 KRWA “Guns were pulled and knives were absorbs them into the groundwater. annual conference. drawn” over the question, he said. The “I don’t want to be too political, but The former county manager of Colorado Legislature developed policies there is a massive amount of diversion Johnson County said he was familiar that outlined access points and guidelines that occurs in the Arkansas River,” he with the challenges of that water and for landowners along the river. Today, said. “I’m not opposed to irrigation. I

50 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE know it has been very strong for eastern occasionally did not. Today the river Colorado and western Kansas. Irrigation does not flow on the surface – except rights in Colorado go back to the 1860s, when it does, occasionally. and dams and I understand that. I can see irrigation “I don’t know how you categorize a between the Port of Catoosa and taking maybe 60 percent, maybe 70 river that does not exist,” he said. the confluence of the Arkansas and percent, or maybe 85 percent of the There are points along the way of Mississippi rivers. water. But taking 100 percent of the oasis, where the Ogallala Aquifer comes About 45 percent of all the product that water does not seem appropriate to me.” up to the surface, with pools of water passes through the port comes from Fortunately for Zacharias, Kansas had where fish and other wildlife can thrive. Kansas, Zacharias said. called for a release of water from John All Terrain Vehicle enthusiasts now “Kansas has a real stake in how this Martin Reservoir in southeastern use the dry river bed in southwest river port functions,” he said. Colorado while he was on the river, Kansas for recreation, Zacharias said. At one point, waiting in a lock for the raising the water levels enough to carry “I’m a supporter of that,” he said, gates to open, Zacharias said he spotted a him to the series of diversion canals. “Because if people do not start using the 15-foot log drifting by his kayak – which “I rode that crest, if you will, riverbed, they will start encroaching he quickly realized was looking back at downstream,” he said, noting that during upon it for sand dredging operations or him. It was, in fact, a 15-foot-long the times when the water is released from private hunting opportunities” alligator. the reservoir that locals enjoy floating in The flowing water resumes north of “It’s one thing to see alligators in the the tanks most often used to provide Hutchinson, through Wichita, and wild,” he said, “but when you are in a water to horses. continues to Tulsa. It supplies reservoirs concrete box, and the water is being The river is beautiful as it meanders downstream constructed for flood taken out, it makes your heart go a little through southwestern Kansas, Zacharias control and hydroelectric power. more rapidly.” said, where many species of waterfowl One obstacle he faced south of During his 1976 trip, he pulled up next live in the salt cedars along the Wichita was the abundance of gar, the to a tow boat near the confluence of the riverbanks. long-snouted fish with sharp teeth that Arkansas and Mississippi and offered his He acknowledged that salt cedars are inhabit the river. services as a deck hand. In 2018, he controversial because of their propensity “There would be pools of that stuff, accepted a tow from a boat in the same to propagate quickly and use where a hundred would come out,” he area to get him through the area. comparatively large quantities of said. “Those scare me to death.” “Seven-and-a-half miles an hour feels groundwater taken up through their deep The river supplied the native American like light speed when I was doing two- roots. But without them, he said, there city of Etzanoa, near modern-day and-a-half miles an hour most of the are few other options of natural Arkansas City. The recently discovered time,” he said. vegetation for animal habitat. remains continue to be found by “people The last 600 miles of his trip toward Where the water disappeared excavating their back yards,” he said. the Gulf of Mexico took place on the underground between Deerfield, Kansas “I have to keep reminding myself that Mississippi River. While it was far wider and Hutchinson, and the stream bed was our understanding of the river is only too dry to keep his kayak afloat, several hundred years old,” Zacharias Zacharias used as many transportation said, “but it has been there for thousands methods as he could find to follow the of years.” path: ATVs, a Conestoga wagon, and Paddling across Kaw Lake near Ponca even by horseback. Or, he’d get out and City was especially difficult, he said, walk. because of a strong headwind and lack of “What I found out during this part of flowing water. the trip is that people care a great deal From Tulsa and the Port of Catoosa, about the water that the Arkansas River Zacharias found himself on a much delivers,” he said, “but very few people larger river – with much larger care about the Arkansas River. And that neighboring watercraft. to me is disappointing, given its The massive barges carrying Kansas historical nature and significance.” grain and other commodities use the In the 1970s, he said, the river flowed 445-mile-long McClellan-Kerr on the surface near Dodge City, but Navigation System, the series of 18 locks

July 2019 51 THE KANSAS LIFELINE While the people he met along the way were “100 percent wonderful,” they were more fearful. The question he was asked most frequently: was he carrying a gun? “People were not fearful about me, but they were fearful for me,” he said. “The fear out there is palpable, and than the Arkansas, it was in some ways It was on this stretch that he had one disappointing, but the character of easier to travel by kayak, Zacharias said. of the most memorable moments of the people is strong.” “People avoid the big rivers,” he said. trip. He towed a stalled pontoon boat He said he intends to dedicate his life “Remember, they were the interstate carrying six people safely to shore. to bringing people together, to helping highways prior to the interstate highway In Louisiana, paddling in “95 degree young people attain careers in public system being put in place, and prior to heat and 95 percent humidity,” service, and to advocate for the Arkansas the railroads being put in place. People Zacharias suffered from heat stroke. He River. traveled these rivers in small canoes and rented a U-Haul truck and carried the “I’m going to keep moving from here rafts all the time. There are no snags, no kayak to Algiers Point in New Orleans. to wherever the river takes me,” he said. waterfalls. If you do it appropriately – On Sept. 1, about three months after wear a life jacket, don’t imbibe too much he started at Tennessee Pass, he reached – you’ll be fine.” the Gulf of Mexico. His family and Sarah Green is a writer, The river barges dwarfed his 14.5-foot friends cheered as he reached Venice, editor and consultant. kayak, Zacharias said. He encountered Louisiana, and poured the water he had A graduate of the William 49 barges lashed together to travel down collected in Colorado into the gulf. Allen White School of the river – spanning a distance more than “What a great experience,” he said. Journalism and Mass Communications at the three football fields long. He shared many of the lessons he He stayed in close contact with the University of Kansas, learned along the way, including a Green has written for captains of the barges with a radio. reflection about the ways in which the local and national publications including The “You have to keep your wits about river had changed in the 42 years Hutchinson News, the KHI News Service you,” he said. between his two trips. and Saveur magazine. She lives in Wichita. Flying Pancakes? Catch Them if You Can . . .

hris Cakes of Wichita makes the KRWA Thursday that allowed her to prepare as many pancakes as anyone C morning breakfast a fun event. wants. “Short-Stack” as Kathy Xenos is known, treats the You need be prepared for a good dose of humor and hungry appetites with flipping flapjacks. Kathy brings in some fancy pancake flipping to enjoy this one-of-a-kind the company’s custom designed grill and dispensing unit event that people just love to watch. “Put that plate on your head, Mister!” – and Wow! There comes a pancake flat on that plate. Short Stack arrives at Century II at about 5 a.m. to set up. She is met by several KRWA staff. Short Stack always brings an ample amount pancake mix and a whole heap of redneck humor. Short Stack flips pancakes left and right, backhanded even, and she rarely misses the plate on top of the head at 15 feet or so. “You want another; here it comes!” It's a lot of fun that was enjoyed by 540 people.

“Short Stack” from Chris Cakes of Wichita provided good pancakes and a wealth of redneck humor for 540 who attended the Thursday morning breakfast.

52 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE Improving a vision Acting water office director shares updates on planning, funding and looking to the future of water in Kansas

he long-term “vision” for the state’s Groundwater Management construction. Contractors don’t want to state’s water resources has Districts are home to an increasing get trained up and geared up if there T guided water planning efforts number of water conservation policies. isn’t a significant funding source in around Kansas since 2015. The number of Water Technology place.” As the planning document reaches its Farms is growing rapidly, Lewis said. State appropriators are slowly fifth birthday, it is time to revisit and The farms are a relatively recent restoring funding to the State Water update the plan, said Earl Lewis, acting public-private partnership to study the Plan Fund, Lewis said. The 2019 director of the Kansas Water Office, effectiveness on using water-saving Legislature approved $3.75 million the agency responsible for long-range technologies in different areas of from state general funds and $500,000 water planning in the state. Lewis Kansas. There will be 15 or 16 such from lottery funds for the fund in State delivered an update on the office’s farms in 2019, an increase from ten in Fiscal Year 2020 for a total of $4.25 work to the Attorney’s Forum at the 2018. million, an increase of about $1 million 2019 KRWA Annual Conference, and, The first three were located near from State Fiscal Year 2019. later, in an interview with The Lifeline. Garden City, Lewis said, and have been The state is, by statute, to transfer $6 Lewis is serving as the interim expanding east. In 2019, there could be million to the water fund from state director after Tracy Streeter, former even be a farm in northeast Kansas that general funds each year and an director, retired from the agency in will study water quality technology to additional $2 million from lottery December 2018. improve soil by reducing sediment and funds, but those transfers have not been Gov. Laura Kelly, in her first term in nutrient runoff. The Legislature made in their entirety since 2008, office, has indicated that she would like appropriated $75,000 for the program. Lewis said. to continue the work to implement The agency is also continuing its “We’re making progress that way,” many of the items included in the Long work on studying the capacity of the he said. Term Vision for the Future of Water state’s reservoirs, and on stabilizing The executive branch isn’t the only Supply in Kansas, Lewis said. The streambanks to prevent losing sediment branch of government experiencing planning document was developed by to collect in downstream reservoirs. transitions in positions of authority cabinet members and agency staff The state is able to provide funds for focused on water. The Kansas House of during former Gov. Sam Brownback’s an average of eight to ten sites each Representatives in 2019 replaced its administration. year through its streambank water-focused committee with one The next step is to work with stabilization program, Lewis said. The dealing with rural issues. The Regional stakeholders to determine existing funding comes from the State Water Advisory Committees tasked with priorities that haven’t yet been Plan Fund as well as other federal developing regional solutions to water accomplished and new opportunities, programs like those designated for challenges are working on finding new he said. “green infrastructure” projects. A total members to fill a number of terms “I think that will be a key question of $1 million is set aside each year for expiring this year. And, a number of for us in the next year or year-and-a- the projects. positions on the Kansas Water half,” Lewis said. “How much do we State officials estimate that there Authority are up for appointment or re- update? How much do we implement could be as many as 1,000 sites that appointment. so we don’t lose momentum by going could benefit from the program. “There are a lot of new folks in the back to rewrite things? It will be a Maintaining a steady source of administration who had not been balancing act for us as we figure out funding for the program is one of the involved in the Water Vision or the where to tweak it a little.” biggest challenges, Lewis said. water plan,” Lewis said. “We are One of the areas of significant “Without a consistent and sustained spending time talking with those folks, progress from the water vision is the funding source, the state can’t hire making sure they know what has agency’s work on studying ways to more dedicated staff than what we’ve happened, and getting feedback on extend the Ogallala Aquifer in western already got,” he said. “Nor can private what they want to see happen in this Kansas, Lewis said. Several of the folks who specialize in design and administration.”

July 2019 53 THE KANSAS LIFELINE 290 Conference-goers Contribute $8,302 to WaterPAC

early 300 attendees at the 2019 KRWA conference participated in the Annual WaterPAC raffle. It's the annual effort by the Kansas Rural Water Association to support WaterPAC which is the PAC for the National NRural Water Association that allows the NRWA to support those members of Congress who have helped support legislation that has been in the best interests of water and wastewater systems. In 2019, raffle tickets to WaterPAC prizes were purchased 290 individual donors, raising $8,302. The WaterPAC was touted numerous times throughout the conference. Paul Froelich, President of the KRWA's board of directors, stressed the importance that the support by Kansas Rural Water Association has been to WaterPAC. This photo shows the layout for the Various legislative proposals including funding WaterPAC Raffle display prior to the requests for training and technical assistance opening of the 2019 conference. programs, USDA Rural Development loans and grants for water and wastewater, the state revolving loan programs are all among the National Rural Water Association priorities in Washington. the KRWA conference. Donations in prior During the conference, KRWA directors took turns years have been as follows: 2005 - $3,001; meeting conference-goes at the Rally booth. 2006 - $3,000; 2007 - $4,324; 2008 - Prizes for the Raffle are paid for by KRWA so 100 $4,692; 2009 - $6,110; 2010 - $5,073; percent of the donations go to WaterPAC. KRWA and 2011 - $5,065; 2012 - $7,193; 2013 - NRWA appreciate the support for WaterPAC during $7,350; 2014 - $7,650.; 2015 - $6,500; 2016 - $7.969; 2017 - $8,795; 2018 - $7,616; 2019 - $8,320. Donations over the last fourteen years total $92,663.

54 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE WaterPAC Raffle Winners Prize Winner System Quilt - Buzz Saw Kyla Schlabach Washington RWD 1 HP 15.6" Laptop Carl Chalfant City of Washington / KRWA KitchenAid® 5 Qt Mixer - Red Greg Metz Kansas Rural Water Association Hitachi Compound Miter Saw Jeff Schlabach Washington RWD 1 Apple Ipad 6th Generation Eddie Stewart Mission Communications iRobot Roomba Vacuum Erik LeQue City of Independence Stihl Weedeater Tony O'Malley Lamp Rynearson Stihl Leaf Blower/Vac Bob Miller Lyon RWD 3 Cuisinart Cup Brewer Dennis Schwartz Kansas Rural Water Association RTIC 45 Blue Cooler Allan Soetaert Johnson RWD 7 / KRWA Green Mountain Grill Chris Rasmussen City of Mount Hope Iron Eagle Wayne Rowh City of Morganville Stihl Tiller Brad Barbour Sedgwick RWD 2 Stihl Chain Saw Pat Schaffer Butler RWD 5 / KRWA Air Compressor Jerry Swanson City of Scandia Samsung 50" Ultra Smart LED TV Paul Strathman Nemaha RWD 3

100 Quilts and Counting – Lucky Winners Take Grand Prizes Home

our more quilts .. now totaling 100 grand prize drawings since 1984 including F2019, have gone home to lucky conference-goers. This year's patterns were designed and pieced by Kathleen Ronnebaum. The quilting was completed by her friend, Joann Lutcavish of Steinaur, Neb. The patterns were “Broken Star”, “Modern Building Blocks” and “Basket Weave”. The quilt pattern in the WaterPAC Raffle was “Buzz Saw”. Shon Largent, City of Mulvane, selected Although Kathleen passed away in May 2019, she had numerous other projects the more contemporary “Modern in her home that are in various stages of completion. KRWA is pretty confident Building Blocks” at the Thursday noon that there will be four more of her designs for the 2020 conference. luncheon.

Norma Braun from Rural Water District “Buzz Saw” was a popular attraction at No. 3, Rooks County, had the first choice the WaterPAC Raffle. it was won by of quilts. She selected “Broken Star” at The pattern, “Basket Weave” was won Kayla Schlabach from Washington the Wednesday evening awards by Toni Crawford, City of Moscow, also County RWD No. 1. program. at the Thursday luncheon.

July 2019 55 THE KANSAS LIFELINE Award Winners

Clifford has always lived in the experienced from the ground up so to Douglas County area. In his spare time, speak as he began with the water he especially enjoys fishing and treatment during the 2002 construction generally spending time with his of the reverse osmosis treatment plant. grandson and helping his niece with While maintaining plant repairs and showing cattle at the 4-H fair each functionality, Perry oversees the six year. million GPD of treated water to be used in industrial applications and as a wholesale water supplier to Garden City and Finney County Rural Water District #1. In addition to his work with Wheatland Electric Water, Perry is contracted for operations and maintenance of Finney County RWD No. 1. Perry’s responsibilities with the RWD include distribution, metering, locates and system integrity.

RURAL WATER MANAGER Clifford Reusch, Douglas RWD 4 ATER REATMENT LANT Clifford Reusch is a life-long Kansan W T P PERATOR who, for approximately 18 years, O worked for several water systems, Perry Smith, Wheatland starting as an operator, before landing Electric Cooperative in his current position as manager for Rural Water District No. 4, Douglas Few people have spent as many County. He has been in that position years in the water industry as Perry for the past six years. His work as Smith from Wheatland Electric Water manager during this period included has. He has been involved in the water convincing the District Board to treatment and supply industry for the UNICIPAL ASTEWATER purchase a radio read meter system that M W past 30 years. He was initially hired by SUPERINTENDENT has saved the District countless hours the local city to work in the public in reading meters each month. This water and waste water treatment. In Dan Britt, City of Solomon system has also helped in data logging 1995, he became Superintendent of the leaks for customers so they can see adjoining new rural water district, After graduating from high school, times of day and rate of leaks. He Finney County RWD 1. That district Dan Britt spent time upholstering worked with the USDA-Rural provides water service to numerous furniture before taking a job with a Development in obtaining a loan so trailer courts and industries. Since 2002 local electrical manufacturing that crucial projects that need to be he has been in his current role as company. Then, in 1999, he decided to completed in order to help the District Manager of Water Works for make a change and started working for with better pressure and flows will be Wheatland Electric Water. He has the city of Solomon. Even though he accomplished in the near future. He achieved a Class 4 certification as an and his three-man crew are responsible also has purchased a GPS system, operator in water and wastewater by for operating and maintaining all city which integrates with the accounting the Kansas Dept of Health and facilities, it was the wastewater software for real time mapping. Environment – Bureau of Water. He is treatment lagoon system that required

56 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE attention the last few years. As a result of some permit failures, the city received an order from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to bring the facility into compliance with permit limits. After some basic inspection and investigative work, including sludge measurement of the lagoon cells, it became obvious that improvements were needed. Working with an engineering firm, the city secured funding by utilizing a Community Development Block Grant and a Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Loan to make improvements. These improvements included relocating the flow control still being done manually when she UTILITIES DIRECTOR boxes to eliminate short-circuiting began with the districts, and no email Lon Schrader, City of Abilene through the cells and adding another or other technology was being used. cell to increase the detention time to She implemented a computerized “Nobody can outwork me” is a improve overall treatment. In addition billing and accounting system and phrase often said by this award winner to the plant improvements, a sewer began processing payroll for all the and his co-workers confirm it’s true. maintenance program was districts. She also serves as office Lon Schrader has been employed by implemented to inspect and clean a manager for all four districts. During the city of Abilene for almost 40 years, third of the collection system every her nine years with the districts, she having started in 1981 as a laborer in year. Finally, bids are currently being has seen a new chlorination system the street department and working his taken to have sludge removed from the installed with the help of KRWA way into his current supervisory first two lagoon cells. assistance, worked with a district that position. He has overseen all the city’s Dan holds a Class II certificate in replaced all meters with a mobile street, wastewater, and water Water and a Class I certificate in automatic meter reading system, and operations since 2006. Fellow Wastewater. He noted that he feels very created a website for customers to employees describe him as thorough fortunate to have a good crew and a access consumer confidence reports and deliberate. He has that special good working relationship with and other important information. leadership skill of getting the most out neighboring cities, Abilene and Keeping track of four separate districts, of his teams – some say he can work Enterprise to share resources. each with its own set of policies makes your [tail end] off and make you feel her job interesting and different each RURAL WATER BOOKKEEPER good about doing it. He is always day. She especially enjoys working intentional in his actions and decision- Lori Reinhardt, with all the district customers, vendors making. His years of experience give Neosho RWDs 6,7, 9 and 12 and helping each of the Boards of him a solid foundation to base directors to make the best decisions for decisions and his work ethic leaves no Lori Reinhard accepted a position as their districts. job too big or complicated to tackle. bookeeper with Neosho RWD 6 in Lori enjoys watching KC Chiefs Nobody can outwork him, and nobody 2010 after a company in Kansas City football, KU and K State basketball, can replace him. that she had worked at for 24 years going to the movies, traveling and Lon is a trusted friend, wonderful announced it was closing. Five months spending time with family and friends. husband to his wife, Kelly, and later she accepted the position of Her main pleasure is being active in exceptional father and grandfather. He bookkeeper for three additional rural her church and making others feel is considered a jack of all trades – an water districts in the area. Billing was special and feel valued. artist, musician, vocalist, woodworker, mechanic, and classic-car enthusiast.

July 2019 57 THE KANSAS LIFELINE certified Municipal Clerk having met district's board in 1999. A persistent the minimum requirements of the effort has been required to keep the International Institute of Municipal system functioning. And while KRWA Clerks. staff have helped, as a RWD board In addition to serving as city clerk member, Nancy Zogelman took it upon Shari also serves at the bookkeeper for herself to become an operator in Public Wholesale Water Supply training, pass the operator exam and District 26. She also serves on a learn how to conduct the regimen of number of organizations including reporting responsibilities along with these: City Planning Commission, dealing with operational and Economic Development Committee, maintenance issues. With so few users, County Economic Develop Committee, there are no extra funds. Yet, she goes Flood Plan Administrator, and about the responsibilities of operating numerous others. this very small water system with enthusiasm and commitment to providing quality water and service. In Nancy's career before “rural water' she founded Capitol Consulting, a nonpartisan firm specializing in government relations, public affairs and issues-based grassroots. Prior to CITY CLERK OF THE YEAR forming Capitol Consulting, she was the Senior Director for US Public Shari Dewitt, City of Strong City Affairs & Policy for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. She was also the Before starting work for the city of Legislative Consultant for the law firm Strong City in 1993, Shari Dewit Polsinelli and she was also Director of worked on the family pork farm. She State and Federal Relations for Blue began with the city as a part-time meter Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. reader. A short time later she was Before leading corporate government appointed city treasurer and placed on relations offices, Nancy worked for weekend rotation as an operator at the RURAL WATER OPERATOR many years for Kansas legislative water plant. She became a full-time leaders in the Senate President and employee while assisting with the Nancy zogelman, Speaker of the House offices. Nancy clean-up effort as a result of a fire at Sumner RWD No. 7 has been actively involved at the the former city hall that damaged many national level on health care policy and city records. In 2002 she was appointed Nancy Zogelman's journey with a has served on the Board of Directors city clerk and started on a path of new rural water district began in 1998 for the National Conference of State working with grant and funding when she first contemplated where she Legislatures Foundation and the State agencies to achieve a number of major was going to retire. The fact that Government Affairs Council. She improvements including the formation ranchland had been in the family for currently serves as the Chair of the of a regional water district, more than 100 years, it was a natural Board of Directors for Delta Dental of construction of a new water plant, decision to connect to the brand new Kansas. Nancy also is on the Board for replacement of the city distribution rural water district when constructing Surrency Life and Health, the Board of system, and rehabilitation of the her first building. And that's when it Trustees for the Kansas State Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe depot, seemed a second career began. This University Foundation. She received originally built in 1913, to serve as the very small water district was a super- her Bachelor degree in journalism and city hall. She is currently in the process fund project and it has a design that mass communications from Kansas of securing financing for wastewater ends up being extremely costly to State University and a J.D. from improvements and new wells. She is a operate. She was elected to the Washburn University School of Law.

58 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE People who know Sherry and are After an exhaustive review of all familiar with her work say she is well- available solutions to the well respected for her knowledge of both contamination issue, including drilling the business side as city clerk and new wells, individual and centralized board member, and the operations side treatment, and wholesale sources, it was as a Class 4 plant operator. How much determined that a regional approach more can anyone ask from one person? would best benefit this system. With In her spare time, she enjoys working funding assistance from USDA Rural on their family cattle ranch and fishing. Development and CDBG, and technical support from KDHE and the city's engineering consultant, the city was able to enter into a water purchase agreement with Hill City eight miles east. That installation was made as were 11 blocks of new PVC distribution waterline, a new bolted steel standpipe, new automated PECIAL ECOGNITION S R read meters, new liquid chlorination Sherry Miller, City of Sedan system, new control system, and and Public Wholesale demolition of the old water tank. As part of the funding package, the District No. 20 neighboring community added another well to their well field to better support A life-long resident of Kansas, the added demand. Sherry Miller worked for the city of Sedan in their summer program during her school years and eventually MOST IMPROVED WASTEWATER accepted a full time position in 1985. TREATMENT SYSTEM Soon thereafter, she moved into the water plant operator position and in City of Courtland OST MPROVED ATER YSTEM 1993, became the city clerk. During her M I W S time with the city she assisted with City of Bogue Like many wastewater treatment computerizing city records, was systems, Courtland, Kansas has a cell involved with a major water plant The city of Bogue's new water lagoon system which was constructed rehabilitation project in 1989, and system was completed in July 2018. many years ago. It has provided good eventually helped form Public This concluded an effort that was set in service to the city. Like many lagoon Wholesale Water Supply District No. motion nearly six years earlier. What systems built in that time frame, rip rap 20 to supply the city and other systems started as a project to repair the town’s was not provided on the dikes and as a in the area. She has been the city’s water storage tank evolved into a result after years of use, the earthen dikes representative on the Wholesale comprehensive upgrade to each suffered heavy erosion. After attending a District Board since its inception and component of the water system. training session on lagoons, the city currently serves as vice-president. She The city's two water wells were learned that repairs were needed before a has been very instrumental in experiencing compliance issues with complete failure occurred. It was in 2015 promoting that improvements be made. arsenic and nitrates, along with very when city officials met with KRWA to She is presently working to obtain high levels of hardness and sulfates. review procedures for rehabilitating all financing for a new distribution system About the same time it was determined three cells. Sludge measurements were for Sedan. She continues to hold a that the city’s unique concrete water taken and even though sludge removal Class 4 water operator certification. In storage tank had reached the end of its was considered not necessary, the city addition to all this, she serves as the service life and was in need of decided to remove the sludge anyway operator for two rural water districts replacement. There were also 11 blocks along with reshaping the dikes and which are members of the Wholesale of original cast-iron water main that providing rock rip rap. Due to the District. experienced frequent breaks and leaks. projected cost, the city made plans to do

July 2019 59 THE KANSAS LIFELINE Prior to his election to the Senate in November 2010, Jerry Moran served Kansans in the “Big First” Congressional district for seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, one cell each year until the project was as well as eight years in the Kansas completed. The city provided the State Senate – spending the last two materials and a local contractor rebuilt years as Majority Leader. the dikes. Working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment because the repairs would require taking one cell off-line, the city started work in 2016 and finished in 2018, completing the project as planned in three years. Almost 3,000 linear feet of dikes were rebuilt and covered with rock rip rap at a cost of about Wastewater Programs. He has also $117,000. endorsed various legislative requests by the Kansas Rural Water Association FRIEND OF RURAL WATER for regulatory reform and programs that impact municipalities and rural Jerry Moran, water districts. united States Senate As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Washington, D.C. Construction, Veterans Affairs, and SCHOLARSHIP AWARD KRWA was pleased to name Senator Related Agencies, Senator Moran Jerry Moran as "Friend of Rural prioritizes Department of Defense Jonathan Huehl, Water". Senator Moran serves as investments in infrastructure at home Sylvan Grove, Kansas chairman of the Appropriations and abroad, the quality of life for Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, military families and improving the Jonathan Huehl was named the Science, and Related Agencies, which Department of Veterans Affairs to recipient of the Dennis Schwartz allows him to lead the funding better serve our nation’s heroes. This Scholarship. Jonathan is the son of decisions that impact men and women membership rounds out Senator Jennifer Huehl who is city clerk at working at agencies like the Moran’s focus on national security and Sylvan Grove. Jonathan, or J. C. as Department of Justice, the FBI, the complements his membership on the he’s known in the local community, United States Trade Representative and Appropriations subcommittees on attends Sylvan-Lucas Unified High the Department of Commerce, to name Defense. School. On his application he a few. This wide committee jurisdiction As a member of the Commerce, explained how he was home-schooled allows Senator Moran to advocate for Science and Transportation Committee, by his mother on a small farm. He priorities important to Kansans in Senator Moran advocates on behalf of enrolled in public school in his 9th many different contexts. Kansans regarding a number of issues grade year. At Sylvan-Lucas, he His role on the Senate vital to the state’s economy, ranging decided to participate in as many of the Appropriations Subcommittee on from communications and product school’s clubs and organizations as Agriculture, Rural Development, Food safety to highways, aviation and possible. One of the goals he set was to and Drug Administration and Related railways. As chairman of the making the high school honor roll, so Agencies has allowed Senator Moran Commerce Subcommittee on that he could be accepted to college to advocate for rural Kansas. Senator Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and study engineering and return to a Moran has done so and has regularly Insurance and Data Security, Senator rural community to work as a civil supported funding requests for USDA Moran continues his advocacy for data engineer. We congratulate JC as he was Rural Development Water and security and consumer protections. recently accepted to the Univ. of

60 July 2019 THE KANSAS LIFELINE Kansas School of Engineering. His Tom Sloan was a member of the grade point average is 3.969 of 4.0 in Kansas House of Representatives from high school. JC has also been involved 1995 to 2017. He previously served in in both instrumental and vocal music. the Kansas State Senate from 1983 to He is a member of the marching band, 1985 and 1986 to 1989. Born in concert band, pep band, choir, mixed Holyoke, Colorado, he grew up on a ensemble and men’s ensemble. He has farm in rural Colorado. He received his taken violin solos and performed in bachelor degree from Syracuse select music groups at the state music University in 1968, a Master Degree festival all four years of high school. from Michigan State University in 1969, and PhD in Political Science THE CONGER AWARD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1977. He moved to Tom Sloan, Kansas Kansas in the late 1970s when he Legislator (ret) became an assistant professor at Administration (FDA) in Kansas for Lawrence, Kansas Kansas State University. He has also meetings with KU and other worked as Executive Director of researchers about how to more quickly The Conger Award was established Western Resources, Government (yet safely) move pharmaceutical In 1980 to recognize persons who have Affairs Representative for the Getty Oil made extraordinary contributions to the products from the laboratory to the bedside. In addition, he engaged the Company, and associate executive Association's members and others. The director of the Kansas State Nurses award honors the first president of the Secretary of the U.S. Veterans Administration in a dialogue about Association. And to cap all that off, he Association, Carl Conger of Iola, has been Chairman of Douglas County Kansas. The Conger Award was connecting the VA’s telemedicine system linking their hospitals with Rural Water District No. 1 just west of presented to Tom Sloan, Kansas Lawrence for more than 30 years. Legislator (retired). hospitals in Kansas. Tom Sloan worked tirelessly on behalf of water systems and other utilities in Kansas for more than 35 years. Here’s a snapshot of accomplishments. Tom Sloan was persistent in working with KRWA and in enlisting bipartisan support in the Utilities Committee and then the Kansas House and Senate to bring about sales tax exemption for public water systems. He was the original promoter of establishing the Clean Drinking Water Fee. Tom Sloan introduced legislation that would require the state to reimburse rural water districts for relocation of pipelines in public right of water on state and federal highway projects. As a legislator and citizen, he has worked to promote energy policies that balance reliability, affordability, and responsibility. He has hosted leaders from the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes for Health (NIH), and Food & Drug

July 2019 61 THE KANSAS LIFELINE Best Tasting Water

Water Produced by City of Arkansas City Judged “Best Tasting Water In Kansas” at KRWA Conference itizens in Arkansas City are more than likely not aware that water from their public water system was judged to be the "Best Tasting Water in Kansas" at the 2019 KRWA Annual Conference. CArkansas City constructed and placed a new treatment plant in 2018. According to the city's website, the city decided to construct a GreensandPlus filtration plant. This technology was chosen by the project team due to its ability to remove iron and manganese from water. The City has relatively high levels of iron (0.62 milligram Judges for the Water Taste Test at the KRWA conference were of iron in 1 liter of water) and manganese (3.8 milligrams Heather Thiel, City of Burns; Rusty Redding, Layne per liter). If left untreated, iron left in the drinking water Christensen Company; Rita Clary, National Rural Water would cause rusty color, sediment, a metallic taste and Association; and, Danny Parr, City of inman. reddish-orange staining. Residual manganese would cause a black or brown color, A fresh sample of water from Arkansas City will go up black staining and a bitter metallic taste. against the winner in each state rural water association in In addition, high levels of iron and manganese have a the “Great American Water Taste Test" to be held in propensity to foul RO membranes severely. Washington, D.C. next February.

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