Welcome!
Welcome to the home page for the Mariana Islands Water Operator Association. This web site provides information about upcoming continuing education training for water and waste water operators in the Northern Mariana Islands (click on "Training Calendar" to the left), and links to on-line training resources and exam study materials (click on "Links:). To learn more about the benefits of becoming a member of the Mariana Islands Water Operator Association click on "Membership." To learn more about the water operator certification requirements in the Northern Mariana Islands click on "Certification." Members of the Association are eligible to check out books from the Association "Lending Library". Click on "Lending Library" at the left to see what titles are available.
COVID-19 Resources for Water Operators
We have created a webpage with links to COVID-19 resources for water and wastewater operators. Click on "COVID-19 Resources" in the menu or the button below.
Continuing education classes in March 2023
WEEK OF MARCH 20 - 24, 2023
RCAC (Rural Community Assistance Corporation) with help from BECQ will be offering five water operator classes on Saipan the week of March 20 - 24. There will be a total of ten sessions (some classes are presented twice) each four hours long. Class size is limited to 20 people per class. The in-class part of the class will be at the BECQ office (Gualo Rai Center) 3rd floor training room. There will also be a field trip portion of some classes. The class schedule is below, and class descriptions are below that.
To sign up for a class and reserve your slot, please call either Loy Atalig or Austin Flores at BECQ at (670) 664-8518.
CLASS SCHEDULE
MONDAY MARCH 20, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm: Generator Operations and Maintenance session 1, in-class and in-field (20 slots)
MONDAY MARCH 20, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Pumps and Motors Troubleshooting session 1, in-class (20+ slots)
TUESDAY MARCH 21, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm: Pumps and Motors Troubleshooting session 1, in-field (20 slots)
TUESDAY MARCH 21, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm: Effective Leadership, Leading from the Front, in-class (20+slots)
TUESDAY MARCH 21, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Pumps and Motors Troubleshooting session 2, in-class (20+ slots)
WEDNESDAY MARCH 22, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm: Pumps and Motors Troubleshooting session 2, in-field (20 slots)
WEDNESDAY MARCH 22, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Intro to Corrosion Control session 1, in-class (20+ slots)
THURSDAY MARCH 23, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Intro to Corrosion Control session 2, in-class (20+ slots)
FRIDAY MARCH 24, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm: Generator Operations and Maintenance session 2, in-class and in-field (20 slots)
FRIDAY MARCH 24 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Basic Cross Connection Controls, in-class (20+ slots)
DESCRIPTION OF CLASSES:
GENERATOR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE: Attendees will learn the basics of generator connections and general maintenance requirements.
PUMPS AND MOTORS TROUBLESHOOTING: Attendees will learn about common issues and basic troubleshooting steps for single and three phase AC induction motors and centrifugal pumps.
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP, LEADING FROM THE FRONT: Attendees will learn effective leadership techniques and how to build trust with team members.
INTRO TO CORROSION CONTROL: Attendees will learn the basics of corrosion prevention of infrastructure using cathodic protection and other means.
BASIC CROSS CONNECTION CONTROLS: Attendees will learn about the basics of cross connection controls to protect your drinking water system.
A more detailed description of the classes can be found here.
RCAC (Rural Community Assistance Corporation) with help from BECQ will be offering five water operator classes on Saipan the week of March 20 - 24. There will be a total of ten sessions (some classes are presented twice) each four hours long. Class size is limited to 20 people per class. The in-class part of the class will be at the BECQ office (Gualo Rai Center) 3rd floor training room. There will also be a field trip portion of some classes. The class schedule is below, and class descriptions are below that.
To sign up for a class and reserve your slot, please call either Loy Atalig or Austin Flores at BECQ at (670) 664-8518.
CLASS SCHEDULE
MONDAY MARCH 20, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm: Generator Operations and Maintenance session 1, in-class and in-field (20 slots)
MONDAY MARCH 20, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Pumps and Motors Troubleshooting session 1, in-class (20+ slots)
TUESDAY MARCH 21, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm: Pumps and Motors Troubleshooting session 1, in-field (20 slots)
TUESDAY MARCH 21, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm: Effective Leadership, Leading from the Front, in-class (20+slots)
TUESDAY MARCH 21, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Pumps and Motors Troubleshooting session 2, in-class (20+ slots)
WEDNESDAY MARCH 22, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm: Pumps and Motors Troubleshooting session 2, in-field (20 slots)
WEDNESDAY MARCH 22, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Intro to Corrosion Control session 1, in-class (20+ slots)
THURSDAY MARCH 23, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Intro to Corrosion Control session 2, in-class (20+ slots)
FRIDAY MARCH 24, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm: Generator Operations and Maintenance session 2, in-class and in-field (20 slots)
FRIDAY MARCH 24 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Basic Cross Connection Controls, in-class (20+ slots)
DESCRIPTION OF CLASSES:
GENERATOR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE: Attendees will learn the basics of generator connections and general maintenance requirements.
PUMPS AND MOTORS TROUBLESHOOTING: Attendees will learn about common issues and basic troubleshooting steps for single and three phase AC induction motors and centrifugal pumps.
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP, LEADING FROM THE FRONT: Attendees will learn effective leadership techniques and how to build trust with team members.
INTRO TO CORROSION CONTROL: Attendees will learn the basics of corrosion prevention of infrastructure using cathodic protection and other means.
BASIC CROSS CONNECTION CONTROLS: Attendees will learn about the basics of cross connection controls to protect your drinking water system.
A more detailed description of the classes can be found here.
CYBERSECURITY ASSESSMENT TRAINING WEBINARS - MARCH 7,9 OR MARCH 22, 24
The US EPA has announced that it will require States (Primacy Agencies) to evaluate public water systems' vulnerability to cyber related threats as a component of the sanitary surveys that the agencies conduct (once every three years in the CNMI). One option available to the agencies is for the PWSs to conduct a self assessment. EPA is offering training (via webinars) on how to conduct self assessments. Unfortunately for the CNMI, these webinars are at 3:00 am - 6:00 am local time. However, if you need Continuing Education Hours, here is an opportunity to get 6 hours of training this month.
Webinar dates/times:
Part 1 Wednesday March 7, 2023, 3:00 am - 6:00 am
Part 2 Friday March 9, 2023, 3:00 am - 6:00 am
or
Part 1 Wednesday March 22, 2023, 3:00am - 6:00 am
Part 2 Friday March 24, 2023, 3:00 am - 6:00 am
to register, go to this EPA website, and scroll down to the part about training:
https://www.epa.gov/waterriskassessment/epa-cybersecurity-water-sector
The US EPA has announced that it will require States (Primacy Agencies) to evaluate public water systems' vulnerability to cyber related threats as a component of the sanitary surveys that the agencies conduct (once every three years in the CNMI). One option available to the agencies is for the PWSs to conduct a self assessment. EPA is offering training (via webinars) on how to conduct self assessments. Unfortunately for the CNMI, these webinars are at 3:00 am - 6:00 am local time. However, if you need Continuing Education Hours, here is an opportunity to get 6 hours of training this month.
Webinar dates/times:
Part 1 Wednesday March 7, 2023, 3:00 am - 6:00 am
Part 2 Friday March 9, 2023, 3:00 am - 6:00 am
or
Part 1 Wednesday March 22, 2023, 3:00am - 6:00 am
Part 2 Friday March 24, 2023, 3:00 am - 6:00 am
to register, go to this EPA website, and scroll down to the part about training:
https://www.epa.gov/waterriskassessment/epa-cybersecurity-water-sector
Upcoming trainings/webinars offered by other organizations
RCAC Training Calendar
Here is a link to RCAC's Training Calendar, so you can see in real time the latest RCAC class offerings:
https://www.events.rcac.org/rcac/Calendar.asp
Many of these classes are on-line, but are geared towards specific States, and are conducted in the local time zone (often early morning hours for CNMI people). If you see one you are interested in, register early, because they tend to fill up, then registration closes.
Here is a link to RCAC's Training Calendar, so you can see in real time the latest RCAC class offerings:
https://www.events.rcac.org/rcac/Calendar.asp
Many of these classes are on-line, but are geared towards specific States, and are conducted in the local time zone (often early morning hours for CNMI people). If you see one you are interested in, register early, because they tend to fill up, then registration closes.
National Rural Water Association (NRWA) Webinars:
coming soon....
EPA Webinars:
coming soon...
On-Demand Webinars
Pall Corporation
Reopening Hotels, Office Buildings And Healthcare Facilities After The COVID-19 Pandemic: Managing Legionella Risks In Building Water Systems (FREE)
https://www.pall.com/en/laboratory/webinars/covid-19-legionella-risks.html
Reopening Hotels, Office Buildings And Healthcare Facilities After The COVID-19 Pandemic: Managing Legionella Risks In Building Water Systems (FREE)
https://www.pall.com/en/laboratory/webinars/covid-19-legionella-risks.html
Add your email to on-line class invitation list
If you are not already receiving training announcements from "Training@MarianasOperators.org" then complete the form below and click submit to get added to the email invitation list for the new on-line CEU classes. If you have been receiving emails, then you are already on the email invitation list. It won't hurt to fill it out again if you want. I enter all these manually so I'll check to see if you are already on the list before I add you. It will take at least 24 hours for me to add you to the list because I only do this once a day at most.
Purchase an Annual Membership Here (COMING SOON)
WE ARE STILL TESTING THIS....PLEASE DON'T PAY VIA THIS WEBSITE JUST YET...COMING SOON.
IT MAY WORK AND TAKE YOUR MONEY, BUT WE ARE NOT EXACTLY SURE WHERE THE MONEY GOES YET!
IT MAY WORK AND TAKE YOUR MONEY, BUT WE ARE NOT EXACTLY SURE WHERE THE MONEY GOES YET!
PFAs Resources for Water Operators
Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council - PFAS Resources for Water Operators: https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/
PFOS and PFOA Health Advisory
In 2015 CUC conducted two rounds of sampling for unregulated contaminants. In May of 2016, USEPA announced a health advisory for two of the contaminants that were detected in the Saipan CUC water distribution system. CUC immediately removed one well from service that was known to contain high concentrations of the contaminants known as PFOS and began the process of collecting samples from other wells to determine the extent of the contamination. In late July 2016 CUC received the results from the sampling and were able to determine which wells were contributing significant amounts of PFOS to the distribution system. On July 29, 2016 - six additional wells were removed from service in order to reduce the contaminant concentration to below the health advisory level of 0.070 ug/l. For more detailed information about PFOS and PFOA contamination on Saipan, health affects of PFOS and PFOA and to see a map of the water distribution areas on Saipan that were affected click here or click on the "PFOS - PFOA Health Advisory" link on the menu.
Information about the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR)
The Revised Total Coliform Rule went into effect on April 1, 2016. You may know that a water system is supposed to take some kind of action if they get a total coliform positive sample during their routine monthly sampling, but how many positive samples does it take before action has to be taken? And then what action has to be taken? We have created a page to remind water operators how this new rule works. Click on RTCR Info on the left side menu or click here.
Information about Lead and Copper in CNMI's drinking water
The lead contamination crisis in the drinking water supply in Flint, Michigan became national news in late January 2016. This crisis has revealed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality the need to make the public more aware of the efforts made towards regulating lead and copper in the CNMI's drinking water as well as making sure that the drinking water is free from all harmful contaminants. To further that need, the Mariana Islands Water Operator Association, in conjunction with BECQ, has created several web pages that describe the sampling protocols for lead and copper, guidnace for selection of sampling sites, materials inventories for public water systems in the CNMI, and lead and copper sampling results for most public water systems in the CNMI. To go to the Lead and Copper Information pages click here.
BECQ Publishes Revised Drinking Water Regulations
The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ) Safe Drinking Water Program (SDWP) published the adoption of the final revised drinking water regulations in the December 28, 2015 edition of the Commonwealth Register. These revised regulations adopt the new Revised Total Coliform Rule (Subpart Y of 40 CFR 141). BECQ held a Public Water System Workshop on Tuesday January 26, 2016 where they introduced the new regulation to CNMI water systems. The water operator Association plans on conducting further training for this new rule in March 2016. Specifically the training will address how certified operators-in-charge of public water systems are to conduct level 1 assessments of their system if there is a positive total coliform detected in their distribution system.
To learn more about the Revised Total Coliform Rule visit U.S. EPA's website: http://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/revised-total-coliform-rule-and-total-coliform-rule
You can find the official version of the CNMI Drinking Water Regulations on the CNMI Law Revision Commission website: http://www.cnmilaw.org or http://www.cnmilaw.org/mediawiki-1.21.2/index.php?title=65-20
Also, you can download a pdf copy of the "unofficial" version of the CNMI Drinking Water Regulations by clicking here.
To learn more about the Revised Total Coliform Rule visit U.S. EPA's website: http://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/revised-total-coliform-rule-and-total-coliform-rule
You can find the official version of the CNMI Drinking Water Regulations on the CNMI Law Revision Commission website: http://www.cnmilaw.org or http://www.cnmilaw.org/mediawiki-1.21.2/index.php?title=65-20
Also, you can download a pdf copy of the "unofficial" version of the CNMI Drinking Water Regulations by clicking here.
Attendance certificates now on-line
Attendance certificates for classes are now available as downloadable pdf or tiff files from this website. To find certificates for any class, click on the Training Calendar link at the left > then Past Events > then select the class from the list, like November 9, 2011> at the bottom of each page is a list of people that were at the class. Click on the person's last name to download the certificate for that person for that class.
Lending Library Materials
Our records about who has what book checked out are not up to date. Some members have returned books and others have checked them out - but somehow the transaction did not get recorded. If you have a lending library book out and your name is not on the list please let us know so we can record your name with the book.
Our Mission
The Mariana Islands Water Operator Association is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide and promote training and career development for operators and managers of environmental utilities in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Get Your 2023 membership!
Membership in the Mariana Islands Water Operator Association is ONLY $10 a year. What a bargain. Click on the membership link to the right to find out what the benefits are of being a member of the Association. One of these days we will figure out how to take your money electronically.
Contact Information
We don't have a physical office. Our organization is managed by an unpaid board of directors that volunteer their time and energy. The best way to contact us is via e-mail at the addresses listed below:
Board Members (positions yet to be determined)
P.O. Box 502512, Saipan, MP 96950 (USA)
Electronic mail
General Information, Webmaster, Training Announcements training@marianasoperators.org
Board Members (positions yet to be determined)
- Derek Chambers
- Cecilio Raiukiulipiy
- Mariano Iglecias
- Larry Manacop
- Gary Byrd
P.O. Box 502512, Saipan, MP 96950 (USA)
Electronic mail
General Information, Webmaster, Training Announcements training@marianasoperators.org
Last Modified: 03/01/2023