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NGWA Certification

I read the column (“Thoughts on Certification”) in your March issue and wanted to correct the factual misstatements contained in it.

The annual renewal requirements for the NGWA Voluntary Certification Program are as follows – not as Mr. Cutter states – and must be received by Dec. 31:
  • seven hours of annual continuing education;

  • a signed affidavit attesting there is no pending legal action against the certificant related to well construction or pump installation;

  • a renewal fee.
Those who fail to meet the renewal requirements by the Dec. 31 deadline are deemed “out of compliance” for up to one year, and may not legally represent they are NGWA-certified.  The “out of compliance” individual has until Dec. 31 to submit any and all missing renewal requirements, in addition to a $50 reinstatement fee, requirements incorrectly stated by Mr. Cutter.  After Dec. 31, that individual must reapply to enter the Voluntary Certification Program, just like a new entrant.

Mr. Cutter erroneously states that NGWA membership is required for reinstatement in the Voluntary Certification Program.  NGWA membership is neither required to enter the Voluntary Certification Program, nor for renewal, although nonmembers pay higher fees.

I would appreciate your stating the facts; thanks for your assistance.

Kathy Butcher,
director of professional development,
National Ground Water Association

AECOM Honors Students

AECOM Technology Corp., headquartered in Los Angeles, recently announced that a team from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colo., won first prize in AECOM’s 2010-2011 Water/Wastewater Academic Design Competition.

In its eighth year, the annual design competition challenges students from post-secondary institutions in North America to develop solutions to real-life engineering problems, then present and defend their solutions to a panel of water and wastewater industry professionals.

“This year, 15 teams from 10 universities across the United States and Canada entered the competition,” says Rob Andrews, AECOM global managing director. “It’s really important for today’s youth to think about real-world issues in the industry.”

The winning team received a trophy and cash award for its proposed design and cost estimate of an expansion to a surface water treatment plant for removal of conventional contaminants and hardness.

Green Ribbon Award Recipients

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has announced the recipients of its 2011 Green Ribbon Award. Criteria for the award included either an ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems certification, or a combination of environmental programs, policies and initiatives. Based on the criteria, recipients were determined by AWWA’s Manufacturers/Associates Council.

Recipients of the 2011 Green Ribbon Award:
  • American Cast Iron Pipe Co

  • ADS LLC

  • Ameron International

  • East Jordan Iron Works

  • EBAA Iron Inc.

  • Electrolytic Technologies Corp.

  • Fairmont Water Solutions

  • Flomatic Corp.

  • Ford Meter Box Co.

  • Georg Fischer Central Plastics LLC

  • Griffin Pipe Products

  • Hach Company

  • High Country Fusion

  • Master Meter Inc.

  • Mazzei Injector Corp.

  • Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc.

  • MWH Constructors

  • Neptune Technology Group Inc.

  • NSF International

  • Orica Watercare Inc.

  • PAX Water Technologies Inc.

  • Performance Pipe

  • Schneider Electric

  • Severn Trent Services

  • Sieglock Systems LLC

  • Trojan Technologies

  • Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water


Vermeer Adds Hammer Line

Vermeer Corp., Pella, Iowa, has signed an alliance agreement with Pioneer One Inc., based in Mooresville, Ind., a leading manufacturer of horizontal directional drilling air hammers. The exclusive agreement offers contractors access to the Pioneer One line of rock tooling solutions through the global Vermeer dealer network.

“This agreement provides our customers with access to a proven rock boring system that can enhance rock boring productivity,” says Vermeer’s Dave Wisniewski. “Horizontal directional drilling contractors are looking for better solutions to bore through rock, and Pioneer One has a system that can help complete the job.”

“I’m excited about this alliance agreement with Vermeer,” says Daryl Swinney of Pioneer One Inc. “Our Prospector Drilling System has been proven in the field as an economical way to bore through difficult ground conditions, and this agreement with Vermeer will expand our reach.”
ND