More than 400 people attended a state convention this week in Poplar Bluff organized the Missouri Rural Water Association.
The 16th Annual Bootheel Expo was held Wednesday and Thursday at the Black River Coliseum, bringing together representatives from drinking water and wastewater utilities, office professionals, and exhibitors who provide goods and services to water/wastewater utilities.
The event also included recognition of Allen Tesreau of Campbell for 45 years of service in the water and wastewater industries.
Tesreau was among three recognized for reaching the milestone, according to MRWA Executive Director Howard Baker, who recognized individuals for the milestone.
This was also a day of training for utility board and council members, according to a press release from the MRWA. Decision-makers learn about regulatory requirements governing their water utilities, the Missouri Sunshine Law, governing open meeting requirements, finance and budgeting best practices, and other practical matters related to their leadership roles in publicly operated utilities.
Following the expo welcome attendees joined colleagues in drinking water or wastewater sessions. A separate track addressed the concerns of office professionals.
Expo attendees participated in breakout sessions which provided information for drinking water treatment, water distribution, and wastewater specialists. Some topics included were EPA’s Lead Service Line Inventory, using GIS mapping to assist with the Lead Service Line Inventory, and Leak Detection and Correlation.
Skills demonstration also finds its place during MRWA conferences. The MRWA Rodeo sponsored by Kubota allows individuals to test their skills against those of others in the industry while completing intricate tasks with a mini excavator bucket.
The expo concluded with the registration prize drawing, where each of the registered attendees was entered to win. This year’s prize was a 28” Blackstone flattop grill and the winner drawn was Travis Thomas of Oxly. Travis is employed by Butler County Public Supply Water District 1.