Training Calendar

MRWS offers an array of professional training workshops to help you run and manage your water or wastewater system.
Below is the link to the training calendar and further below are the links to training that is confirmed and ready to go!

Click HERE for full MRWS 2026 Calendar pdf

Just click on an event below for details or to register.

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Apr
29
Wed
Water & Wastewater Operator Training – Browning MT @ Glacier Peaks Hotel
Apr 29 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

**CEC Biennium Ends May 31**

 

Water and Wastewater Operator Training

 

April 29, 2026, 9:00AM –4:00PM

Glacier Peaks Hotel

 

50 Museum Lp, Browning, MT 59417

 

Safety – Confined Space and PPE

Security – Cyber, Physical, Operational and Situational Awareness

9:00 AM to Noon

 

Hands-on Valve Training 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

 

Disaster Preparedness – Crisis Communications 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

 

For more information, contact Robin at (406) 781-8775

 

CECs: .6 Water and .6 Wastewater

 

This training event is free of charge

 

Please Register at www.mrws.org

MRWS Workshop Registration (No Fees)

  • This usually begins with MT00 unless you're Tribal.
  • If you're not certified or do not have a number, please use N/A.

May
6
Wed
Glacier Park & Small Systems Operator Training @ Park service Community Center
May 6 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Annual Glacier Park and Small System Training Workshop

Park service Community Center

Administration Complex

West Glacier, MT – May 6, 2026

 

8:00am—8:10am   Welcome (Christine Maday, MRWS)

 8:10am – 9:00am   Water Audits                             

                   (Nate Wesienburger, AE2S) [0.100  Water CECs]

9:00am—10:00am  Valves- Choosing the Right one for the Job

                    (Nate Wesienburger, AE2S) [0.100 Dual CECs]

10:00am-11:00am  Water Chemistry for Opertaors

                     (Kyla Terry, MRWS) [0.100 Dual CECs]

 11:00am-12:00pm   Sampling and Monitoring

                     (Jon Cuthbertson, ME Labs) [0.100 Dual CECs]

12:00 – 1:00pm    —    >>>>>> Lunch on your Own <<<<<<

1:00pm— 2:30pm      Pump Operations and Troubleshooting- Hands on demo

                    (Marie Gerrish, Stenner Pumps)[0.150 Dual]

 2:30pm—4:00pm     Intro to Backflow Prevention

                   (Christine Maday, MRWS) [0.150 Dual CECs]

May
19
Tue
Water & Wastewater Operator Review Session – Columbia Falls @ Columbia Falls Fire Department
May 19 @ 9:00 am – May 20 @ 4:00 pm

Water and Wastewater Operator Exam Certification Review Session

 

Columbia Falls Fire Department

624 1st Ave W, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

 

May 19th and 20th @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Lunch on your own 12:00 – 1:00

 

 

· Comprehensive look at the “Needs to Know” list for your classification.

· Math Formula Sheets and several practice questions.

· Intro to all pertinent terminology.

· Water treatment and distribution, Source Water and more.

· Wastewater collection and treatment.

· Safety and Security.

· Discuss pump and valve characteristics.

· Intro to disinfection properties and methods – Chlorine, UV.

 

BRING ALL STUDY MATERIALS!!!

Whether you’ve applied to take an exam or are planning to apply, this review will get you on the right track for the comprehensive review at the MRWS Conference!!

Review presenters are MRWS Staff

Contact Robin Franzen or John Paddock for details!

rfranzen@mrws.org (406) 781-8775

jpaddock@mrws.org (406) 460-1934

No CECs for these sessions.

MRWS Workshop Registration (No Fees)

  • This usually begins with MT00 unless you're Tribal.
  • If you're not certified or do not have a number, please use N/A.

Water/Wastewater Operator Training @ Polson Rural Fire District
May 19 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

This workshop will be hosted by MRWS and Marty Walker from Prestige Worldwide Technologies.  The agenda may be adjusted to provide the best training for those in attendance! Class starts at 9:00am.  Lunch is 12:00pm-1:00pm and adjourned at 4:00pm.

0.600 Water and 0.600 Wastewater CECs

AUTOMATIC CONTROL VALVE MAINTENANCE

  • SYSTEM SHUT DOWN
  • BASIC TROUBLE SHOOTING OF VALVES
  • SYSTEM START-UP & PILOT SETTING

How program is related to maintenance and managing the operations of a water/wastewater system

This instruction is intended to provide maintenance personnel with a fundamental understanding.

Guidelines for troubleshooting control valves during emergencies and restoring them to operational status.

Valve Types;

  1. Main Valve
  2. Pump control Valve Installation & Applications Water vs Wastewater
  3. Pressure Reducing
  4. Pressure Relief
  5. Pump Control
  6. Altitude Control Valve
  7. Basic Troubleshooting
  8. Trouble Shooting Pilot Controls
  9. System Shut Down D. System Start-up & Pilot Setting
  10. Hands on demo in Truck Trailer

Time allotted for questions.

May
21
Thu
Water/Wastewater Operator Training @ Norley Hall, Conrad
May 21 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Agenda to be announced

May
27
Wed
Spring Water School CHANGE OF DATE/LOCATION @ Flathead Valley Community College Kalispell, MT
May 27 @ 8:00 am – May 29 @ 4:00 pm

Spring Water School is a offered by MW2OI.

The Montana Water and Wastewater Operators Initiative (MW2OI) is a collaborative effort
between the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Civil
Engineering at Montana State University to provide training to the operators so critical to
Montana’s communities Please contact them directly with questions.

Telephone: (406) 994-6550
Fax: (406) 994-7856
E-mail: ato@montana.edu

Click link below for more info:

Spring Water School 2026 – Academic Technology and Outreach | Montana State University

May
28
Thu
Virtual Event-Asset Management
May 28 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

The instructor of this course will be John Schwartz from USABlueBook.

This class will cover the basics of asset management, capacity development and funding. Topics included will be critical infrastructure, maintenance and EPA sustainable practices.

0.200 Dual CECs

$20 for members

$30 for non-members

Use code MRWS2026 for discounted price of $20 (make sure to hit “apply” for the price reduction)

Click here to register

Jun
8
Mon
Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers Course – Kalispell MT June 8-13, 2026 @ Evergreen Water District
Jun 8 @ 9:00 am – Jun 13 @ 1:00 pm

Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers Course

A series of lectures followed by guided exercises in a wet lab will provide understanding of field-testing methods on 4 backflow prevention assemblies: pressure vacuum breakers, spill resistant vacuum breakers, reduced pressure principle assemblies, and double check assemblies. Students will gain knowledge in hydraulics, backflow and back siphonage, types of cross connections, and degrees of hazard and state and federal regulations. Friday afternoon participants can take a written exam and on Saturday morning can take a practical exam administered by the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA). Passing scores on both the exams will result in certification by ABPA as a backflow prevention assembly tester. For more information on ABPA see the back of this training announcement or go to their website www.abpa.com

Click here for more information and how to register

Click here to register for exam through ABPA

Exam may not be posted yet on ABPA website. The dates have been approved, and the exams should be posted soon. As a reminder, it is your responsibility to register for the exam.

June 8-13, 2026

Jul
8
Wed
EPA Building Water Sector Natural Hazard Resilience in Montana – July 8th In-person/Virtual @ Montana Wild - Helena MT
Jul 8 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Building Water Sector Natural Hazard Resilience in Montana and Neighboring States

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

In-Person Option: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM MDT (Montana Wild; Helena, MT)

Online Option: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM MDT (Zoom) Register Here!

Learning Objectives:

1. Review water availability and hydrological challenges in the Northern Great Plains region, discover local drought mitigation and source water protection planning strategies, and learn how local watershed groups are working to improve watershed health to benefit community water resources.

2. Learn how EPA’s Natural Hazard Technical Assistance can help your utility quantify risks to drought, wildfire, flooding, and other natural hazard impacts, pinpoint vulnerable assets, and identify cost-effective mitigation strategies that reduce risk and improve resilience.

3. Gain insights into federal, state, and local funding and assistance programs for water sector utilities by engaging and networking with experts.

Preliminary Agenda: Key topics are in Bold

8:30 AM Arrival & Sign-In

9:00 AM Welcome & Agenda Overview

9:10 AM Water Availability & Hydrological Challenges in the Northern Great Plains (Arin Peters, NWS)

9:40 AM Local Drought Planning & Source Water Protection (Valerie Kurth, MT DNRC)

10:00 AM Watershed Health & Management (Kristy Fortman, EPA)

10:20 AM Break

10:30 AM Intro to EPA Strengthening Water Infrastructure for Tomorrow (SWIFT) Technical Assistance (Audrey Ramming, EPA)

10:45 AM Natural Hazard Risk-Informed Planning for Water Utilities (Geneva Gray, EPA)

11:10 AM Utility Resilience-Building Case Study (TBD)

11:30 AM Resilient Infrastructure Funding & Implementation Pathways (Emily Gillespie, EPA)

12:00 PM Lunch (Online Sessions End)

1:00 PM Peer Sharing: “Utilities in Action” (Small Group Activity)

1:20 PM Break

1:30 PM Speed Consulting Rotations: Resilience, Funding & Assistance Programs Networking Session (Interactive Activity)

2:55 PM Closing Remarks, Resource Highlights, Next Steps

3:00 PM Adjourn

Scan QR Code to Register or Click Here

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available

Sep
1
Tue
Water/Wastewater Operator Training @ Forsyth City Hall
Sep 1 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Agenda and CECs to be announced

Sep
3
Thu
Water/Wastewater Operator Training @ MSU Richland County Extension, Sidney, MT
Sep 3 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Agenda and CECs to be announced

Oct
5
Mon
Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers Course – Billings MT October 5-10, 2026 @ Billings Heights Water District
Oct 5 @ 9:00 am – Oct 10 @ 1:00 pm

Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers Course

A series of lectures followed by guided exercises in a wet lab will provide understanding of field-testing methods on 4 backflow prevention assemblies: pressure vacuum breakers, spill resistant vacuum breakers, reduced pressure principle assemblies, and double check assemblies. Students will gain knowledge in hydraulics, backflow and back siphonage, types of cross connections, and degrees of hazard and state and federal regulations. Friday afternoon participants can take a written exam and on Saturday morning can take a practical exam administered by the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA). Passing scores on both the exams will result in certification by ABPA as a backflow prevention assembly tester. For more information on ABPA see the back of this training announcement or go to their website www.abpa.com

Click here for more information and how to register

Click here to register for exam through ABPA

Exam may not be posted yet on ABPA website. The dates have been approved, and the exams should be posted soon. As a reminder, it is your responsibility to register for the exam.

October 5-10, 2026

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