Join us for the Montana Rural Water Annual Conference
A three-day event bringing together water and wastewater professionals from across the state for training, networking, and industry updates. Attendees will have access to expert-led sessions, exhibitor showcases, and opportunities to earn CEUs.
To register visit Conferences – Montana Rural Water Systems
Hello Everyone!
The American Backflow Prevention Association and Montana Rural Water are hosting a Proctor Training and exam at the Billings Convention Center during the Montana Rural Water Conference from 8:00am-5:00pm on March 23, 2026. Hotel rooms are available at the Convention Center or the surrounding area (other hotels are listed below).
Please see details:
Billings Convention Center
1223 Mullowney Ln, Billings, MT 59101
What Is It?
Proctors are used in the ABPA Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification Program to observe and evaluate the performance examinations. The proctor needs to fully understand, and be proficient with, the backflow prevention assembly field test procedures. It isn’t enough to just be a proficient Tester, Proctors also need to know the rules and policies of the ABPA examination process. They are trained to administer a fair and impartial hands-on performance exam. The Proctor will be appointed by the Administrator for a specific examination date and location. Complete Proctor qualifications are available on the ABPA website.
How Do I Become A Proctor?
You must currently be an ABPA certified Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester, and you should have completed at least one ABPA Tester re-certification. You must also successfully complete a proctor training program.
Do I Have To Take a Test?
Yes, after attending an 8-hour Proctor Training class. The Proctor Applicant shall observe a mock performance exam, during which the person performing the field test procedures may make deliberate errors in the field test procedure and recording of data. The Proctor Trainee shall identify all errors and record them on a form.
What Do I Get?
A qualified proctor applicant who successfully completes the Proctor Training Program will receive a wall certificate containing your name, date, and number. A wallet card is also provided. Each day you act as a proctor, you are eligible to receive a Proctor Compensation fee of up to $200 plus mileage and ABPA will waive Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Recertification Fee (every three years) for each Proctor complying with Proctor Qualification Requirements.
Do I Still Have To Maintain My Tester Certification?
Yes. However, your Tester re-certification fee (every three years) will be waived as long as you comply with the Proctor Qualification Requirements. Contact the home office for your promo code to waive your fee when registering for an exam.
Click Here to Register:
American Backflow Prevention Association
Additional Hotels:
Montana Trailhead Inn
5500 Midland Road
406-248-7701
$129 + tax
Quality Inn Homestead Park
2036 Overland Ave.
406-831-8791
$103 + tax
Howard Johnson
1345 Mullowney Lane
406-252-2584
$85 + tax
C’mon Inn
2020 Overland Ave.
406-655-110
$104.99 + tax
Use code MRWS
Hampton Inn Billings
5110 Southgate Dr
406-248-4949
$139.00 + Tax
Please let hotels know that you are booking for Montana Rural Water to get the room rate.
Hope to see you there!
Christine Maday
Montana Rural Water
Training Specialist
406-595-3502
cmaday@mrws.org
This webinar will be instructed by John Schwartz from USABlueBook.

Every system works with centrifugal pumps. This overview explores classifications, essential parts, maintenance and troubleshooting techniques every operator needs to know.
0.300 Dual CECs
$30 for members
$45 for non-members
Use code MRWS2026 for discounted price of $30 (make sure to hit “apply” for the price reduction)
Water and Wastewater Operator Training
Hamilton, MT – April 7, 2026
Hamilton, MT Forest Service Office, Bitterroot National Forest
1801 North 1st Street Hamilton, MT 59840
0.500 Water CECs Available
0.600 Wastewater CECs Available
10:30-11:30am Selecting the Right Valve for the Job (Nate Weisenberger) [0.100 Dual CECs]
11:30-12:30pm Pump Systems 101 (Nate Weisenberger) [0.100 Dual CECs]
12:30-1:00pm — Lunch on Your Own
1:00-2:00pm Records Retention (Nikki Rogers, MRWS) [0.100 Dual CECs]
2:00-3:00pm NetDMR and FACTS Accounts (Wendy Simons & Gina Self, MDEQ) [0.100 WW CECs]
3:00-4:00pm Hydrogeology (Haley Sir, MRWS) [0.100 Dual CECs]
4:00-5:00pm Intro to Backflow (Christine Maday, MRWS) [0.100 Dual CECs]
This workshop will be hosted by MRWS, Marty Walker from Prestige Worldwide Technologies, and Fairmont Hot Springs: 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;
- Main Valve
- Pump control Valve Installation & Applications Water vs Wastewater
- Pressure Reducing
- Pressure Relief
- Pump Control
- Altitude Control Valve
- Basic Troubleshooting
- Trouble Shooting Pilot Controls
- System Shut Down D. System Start-up & Pilot Setting
- Hands on demo in Truck Trailer
Time allotted for questions.
The instructor of this course will be John Schwartz from USABlueBook.

Learn the useful and practical side of leak detection so you can keep the revenue-generating water flowing. Discussions include leak surveys, isolating leaks, and acoustic locators and correlators. This course also includes a hands-on locating demonstration with helpful tricks of the trade.
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)
Montana Rural Water Systems Presents
Water and Wastewater Operator And Clerk/Board Training
April 15th, 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Northwest Pipe Fittings – 1725 Majestic Ln, Billings, MT 59102
9:00AM – 10:00AM – Emerging Contaminants/PFAS
10:00AM – 11:00PM – Cybersecurity
11:00AM – 12:00PM – Confined Space
12:00PM – 1:00PM – Lunch on your own
1:00PM – 2:00PM Sampling, Monitoring, and Reporting
2:00PM – 3:00PM Board/Council Responsibilities
3:00PM – 4:00PM Records Retention
For more information, contact Robin at (406) 781-8775. CECs: Water 0.6 and Wastewater 0.6
Times subject to change due to guest speaker availability.
MRWS Workshop Registration (No Fees)
Jon Cuthbertson of ME Labs will be the instructor of this hands-on and interactive session on proper sampling techniques and shipping instructions. Monitoring schedules will be discussed. All questions are welcome!
0.6 Water CECs
0.4 Wastewater CECs
Water and Wastewater Operator Training
April 21st and 22nd , 9:00AM – 4:30PM
Wambdi Wahachanka Water Treatment Plant
6029 Road 1068, Wolf Point, MT
Bring your own lunch or hurry into town and back!!
Tuesday, April 21
9:00 – 10:00 Confined Space – Robin
10:00 – 11:00 Sampling, Monitoring and Reporting – Robin
11:00 – 12:00 Crisis Communications – Robin
12:30 – 4:30 Pressure Monitoring, Valves and Hydrants – Dylan and Sebastion
Wednesday, April 22
9:00 – 11:00 Emerging Contaminants/PFAS/Manganese –– Pete
11:00 – 12:00 Cybersecurity – Travis Light (If available) – Pete
12:30 – 1:30 Math Calculations for Operators – Lisa – Pete
1:30 – 2:30 Records – Nikki
2:30 – 4:30 SOPs – Emergency Response/WARN – Roger
MRWS Workshop Registration (No Fees)
Jon Cuthbertson of ME Labs will be the instructor of this hands-on and interactive session on proper sampling techniques and shipping instructions. Monitoring schedules will be discussed. All questions are welcome!
0.6 Water CECs
0.4 Wastewater CECs
Agenda to be announced
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;
- Main Valve
- Pump control Valve Installation & Applications Water vs Wastewater
- Pressure Reducing
- Pressure Relief
- Pump Control
- Altitude Control Valve
- Basic Troubleshooting
- Trouble Shooting Pilot Controls
- System Shut Down D. System Start-up & Pilot Setting
- Hands on demo in Truck Trailer
Time allotted for questions.
Agenda to be announced
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
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)
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
Agenda and CECs to be announced
Agenda and CECs to be announced
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
