ARWA CEO Dennis Sternberg describes the Emergency Resources ARWA provides to its members across the state.
The Arkansas Rural Water Association (ARWA) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to assist water systems with day-to-day operational and management problems. We have on our staff, experienced and licensed operators who are familiar with all aspects of water systems’ operations and management and are ready to work with you at any time. We conduct training sessions throughout the State. Noted water industry professionals bring informative and up-to-date information to the operators and management personnel.
The Arkansas Rural Water Association (ARWA) was formed in 1977. Prior to that, rural and small utilities in Arkansas had little if any voice in legislative and regulatory issues and NO training and on-site technical assistance provider in the state to assist utilities with their systems needs. Today, ARWA through its member utilities in the state is the largest water and wastewater utility membership association with over 600 utility members.
The ARWA Headquarters was relocated from Little Rock, Arkansas to Lonoke, Arkansas in December 1999. The ARWA Dale Bumpers Rural Water Training Facility is the focal point of the training for utilities in the 11,000 square foot training facility located on seven acres. The facility has three classrooms, a wet-lab and a mini water system designed for classroom and hands on training for the operator. ARWA has trained over 2,000 water or wastewater operators in 2011. These services and many more, specific to your utility, are available through ARWA.
ARWA is governed by a sixteen member non-paid Board of Directors which are elected from the member utilities throughout the state. The state has been divided up into eight districts, with the voting membership in each of the districts electing two directors to represent that district on the ARWA board.
ARWA has Water Circuit Riders, Wastewater Technicians/Trainers, Water Trainers and Source Water Technicians that provide on-site training and technical assistance to utility operators each day throughout the state. ARWA staff is just a phone call away from assisting your utility with on-site assistance in all areas of operation, management, finance, and governance.
ARWA provides a legislative voice for water and wastewater utilities on issues in the state and federal levels during legislative sessions. ARWA is a member of the National Rural Water Association which brings all state rural water associations together to speak from one national organization at the federal level to insure that rules and regulations are reasonable, practical and affordable for all systems.
Each year ARWA has holds an Annual Technical Conference which is held in Hot Springs, Arkansas in the fall. During the two day event classes are held for management, office personnel, water, and wastewater operation and certification. This conference will put you face to face with the industry professionals, the newest products and service providers throughout industry in the exhibit hall.
The Arkansas Rural Water Association strives to meet the needs of each individual water system. If you have any suggestions on how we could better serve you and your system, please let us know.
