Conference 2006: At your service– it’s automatic! C · Conference 2006: At your service– it’s automatic! C Conference planning for 2007 is well underway. Now is an excellent

70 T H E K A N S A S L I F E L I N E July 2006

by Dan Knupp

ool mornings and warmafternoons during the last

few days of March werewelcome accompaniments for

the year’s largest gatheringof water/wastewater and

associated professionals in MidAmerica. Those attending the 2006KRWA conference includedoperators, administrators, decision-makers, public/industry andgovernment/agency representatives.

The 39th Annual Conference andExhibition also saw records brokenwith an attendance of 2,183. Theexhibition portion of the week wasalso record setting with 275 vendorbooths stocked with the latest inproducts and technologies for everyaspect of interest for those workingat the bottom of a pipeline trench tothe top floor of city hall.

Conference planning for 2007 iswell underway. Now is an excellenttime for those who want to attend todo the same. March 27 through 29,2007 are calendar dates to mark forKRWA’s 40th Annual Conferenceand Exhibition at Century IIConvention Center.

For information on Wichita’shotels, their addresses and numbers,check the sidebar on page 84.Again, now is a good time to callbecause the rooms are filling fast!The Hyatt has already sold out!

Pre-conference RoundupUnofficial conference kickoff

There is no official ceremony toopen the “pre-conference Tuesday”and the nine all day sessions that

get the Conference out of the blocksin a hurry. As EXPO Hall exhibitsand evening party decorations aregetting spiffy finishing touches,more than 900 people who signedon to the extra conference day oflearning and study about a broadrange of topics are already takingnotes.

Attorneys’ Forum

The sixth KRWA Attorneys’Forum got things started at 9 a.m.with speakers and discussionsdesigned to keep lawyers who workfor water systems and municipalities“up to snuff” on issues old andnew that might cross their desks inthe future.

“This Forum provides a serviceto members in that attendinglawyers become more efficient in

Conference 2006:At your service – it’s automatic!

C Conference planning for 2007 is well underway. Now is anexcellent time for those who want to attend to do the same.March 27 through 29, 2007 are calendar dates to mark forKRWA’s 40th Annual Conference and Exhibition at Century IIConvention Center in downtown Wichita.

Tuesday morning pre-conference attendees in line at theregistration desk hurrying to pick up their registrationpackets, grab a snack and find their day-long sessions.

The Tuesday morningAttorneys’ Forum isshown underway withDavid Traster, Foulston,Siefkin, LLP, speaking on“Water Rights Permittingand Transfer Issues.” The 36 attorneys whoattended received credit from the KansasContinuing Legal Education Commission.The forum is organized and moderated byGary Hanson, Stumbo, Hanson andHendricks, LLP., Topeka.

71July 2006 T H E K A N S A S L I F E L I N E

dealing with water issues, savingcosts in billings and the ability toprovide a more knowledgeableservice,” noted session moderatorGary Hanson, Stumbo, Hanson andHendricks, LLP., Topeka. “The

number attending the session isoptimal for the unique ‘U’ shapedroom layout, giving the participantslively, spirited discussions that areheads above the norm for mostlegal educational forums.”

Bob Myers, Newton cityattorney started off by discussingthe detailed roles of house anddefense counsel in representinggovernment agencies againstclaims. David Traster,Foulston Siefkin, LLP,Wichita, updated the groupon water rights, permittingand transfer issues. Afterlunch roundtable discussionspart I and II sparkeddiscussions on key issuesfrom right-of-way use bycities to antennae contractsfor water towers.

Karl Mueldener, Director,KDHE Bureau of Water andYvonne Anderson, GeneralCounsel, KDHE, made apresentation to the forum onregulatory enforcement actions.

Ken Grotewiel, assistantdirector Kansas Water Office,described for the group ADRservices available to public watersupplies coordinated by the KansasWater Office.

Rate Setting

Carl Brown, a nationallyrecognized expert in user chargeanalysis for smaller systemsconducted a day-long sessiontackling financial water system

problems. City and RWD clerks,managers, finance staff, board andcouncil members and system leadoperators studied the differentsteps for successfully developingand executing solid business andfinancial plans – starting with thefoundation of system finances.

Last September and DecemberCarl presented six seminars withmore than 150 managers, board-council members and operators

learning about improving assetand financial management. Theylearned a great deal about settingrates so systems could continue tobe well-funded. KRWA and theKansas Rural Water Finance

Authority plan to sponsoradditional sessions in thecoming months.

Agreement Skills

The Kansas WaterOffice just wishes everyonecould just get along! Assolutions to water issuesbecome more complex toaccomplish, achieving thebroader goals of dealingwith these issues in themost civil and cost effective

way, they have partnered withKRWA to provide some unique andadvanced training. The principles offacilitation and mediation and theirvalue in negotiating agreementswas one of the highlights of theseminar entitled, “ReachingAgreements in New Ways.” Someof the workshop participantscommented, “The program tips will

help us understand the dynamics ofa conflict and see how to worktowards a resolution.” Anotherparticipant noted that, “Theseprincipals will make more peoplein my field aware of how to getthings done, help with day to dayproblems and definitely improvecommunication.”

The Kansas Water Office andKRWA conducted four additionalsix-hour workshops following the

Above left: Carl Brown, Carl BrownConsulting, LLC, makes a point during asession on rate setting.Above: Kristin Zerger, Kansas Institute forPeace and Conflict Resolution, works withhoning attendee “agreement skills.” Below: Tim Hodson, EnvironmentalConsulting Services, explains content of achart to a packed classroom.Below right: Jim Harms, EMC InsuranceCompanies, leads a discussion in his session.


Conference 2006 . . .

March Conference in April, Mayand June. They were held in Parsons,Salina, Lawrence and El Dorado.

Instructors/trainers for theworkshop and the follow upsessions included: from Newton,

Gary Flory, Director of the KansasInstitute for Peace and ConflictResolution (KIPCOR); fromMcPherson, Kirsten ZergerKIPCOR Senior Training Associate;from Wichita, Lynne McCrawSchall Associate at Wichita StateUniversity’s Hugo Wall School ofUrban and Public Affairs; fromPrairie Village, Julie McLachlan,RN, JD facilitator, mediator, trainerand consultant; and from Topeka,Ken Grotewiel, Assistant DirectorKansas Water Office.

Water Distribution Workshop

A five-credit hour wateroperator’s training sessionincluded topics relevant to mostpublic water supply distributionsystems. The first-hourpresentation by Stuart Porter ofSchwab-Eaton’s Manhattan, Kan.office, detailed distribution systempipeline materials and differentways to use them. He focused on

the advantages and disadvantagesof using each. The second sessionpresenter was Dale McDaniel,Hersey Meters of Olathe, Kan. Hebrought the group in-depthinformation concerning the correct

application, sizing and installationof water meters. After lunch, thesession recommenced with thetopic of selection and maintenanceof storage tanks with KendallSmith of EAI West, Loveland,Colo. presenting. He provided anoverview of the different kinds ofstorage tanks and how to selectone according to application, costand maintenance issues. Theafternoon concluded with KRWA’sPat McCool discussing re-chlorination to maintain chlorineresiduals in a water system. Patexplained how it is essentialbefore purchasing expensiveequipment to know what is neededand what chlorine treatment willbe used.

Wastewater StabilizationLagoons

This session targeted attendeeshaving the number one model ofwastewater treatment in the state –lagoons. Tim Hobson,Environmental ConsultingServices, Salina, covered a widerange or lagoon related topics. Hisdiscussions enabled attendees topeg the efficiency of their lagoon,determining if optimal lagoonefficiency is being achieved. Hetalked about which physicallagoon problems like short-

circuiting, water levels, flowpatterns, detention time, rainfallinflow commercial wastewaterflows, and sludge buildup mightbe adversely affecting theirlagoon. Biological lagoon

processes were discussed alongwith maintenance problems oferosion control, mowing, andmuskrat control being reviewed.The group also discussedwastewater collection systems,pumping stations and regulatoryrequirements.

Managing Safety

The two-part session waskicked-off by Jim Harms, EMCInsurance Companies, Wichita,Kan. He provided an overview ofkey components for any safetyprogram. He also presented workcomp issues and discussed auto,property and liability concerns.The second half of the session waslead by Cheryl Trepto and KevinJones, Mid West Fire TrainingAssociates, Burlington, Kan. Theyreviewed confined space entry,trench safety including retrievalsystems and shoring requirements.Their demonstrations includedbody harnesses, gas monitoring,permit requirements and federalregulations. Cheryl and Kevindiscussed traffic safety topicsincluding sign and coneplacement, clothing and hard hats,electrical hazards and generalprotective measures for allpersonnel involved at a roadsideworksite.

Above: Jen Sharp, Jen Sharp.com, brings smilesto attendees with one of the many examplesshown during her Web site improvement class.Center: Kevin Jones, Mid West Fire TrainingAssociates, puts emphasis on a strategy that maysave a life on the job site. Right: Cynthia Stotlar, Creative BusinessSolutions, is animated while showing an example,making a point during her presentation on officeskills and awareness.


KanCap Board/CouncilTraining

The new KanCap training wasinaugurated at the Conferencewith 51 attending all of part of theTuesday sessions. The financialsegment, first of three trainingsegments, was taught by JohnHaas, Ranson FinancialConsultants, Wichita, Kan. Heutilized the new KanCap manualand interactive training CDshowing testimonial videos,interactive group quizzes toreview the subjects of revenuesufficiency, fiscal management,fiscal controls and creditworthiness. The financial sectionwas followed with the technical,taught by Pat McCool and GaryArmentrout, both of KRWA. Thepair also utilized the uniquemanual and CD to detail aspectsof source water protection, systemcapacity, system operations andinfrastructure adequacy. CathyTucker-Vogel, Kansas Departmentof Health and Environment,anchored the training day with themanagement segment. Shereviewed records maintenance,personnel issues, public relationsand regionalization. Cathy, who isCapacity DevelopmentCoordinator at KDHE, noted that,“Of the 51 attending all or part ofTuesday’s training segments, 37passed a certification exam andwere mailed completioncertificates. Not a bad start forwhat is promising to be numerousand ongoing training sessionsstatewide.”

Web site creation/improvement

With Internet usage increasingdramatically, it is becomingobvious that an effective Web sitecan serve customers and savemanagement time. Award winningWeb designer Jen Sharp of JenSharp.com, Ottawa, Kan., putparticipants through their pacesstarting with Web site planning.Using her many visual examples,Jen helped those attending to

quickly move through the topicsof choosing a domain name, Webhosting that is just right, the rightsoftware to use for sitedevelopment, selecting contentand looking at graphics and layout

tips. With Web site examples sheexplained the benefits of creatinga site that grows with usage, offinding affordable but easilyaccessible help, of using a Website effectively and how to doWeb site marketing. She finishedher presentation by explaininghow to easily and inexpensivelyaccomplish necessary sitemaintenance.

Improving office skills

The first half of the programtaught by Cynthia Stotlar, M Ed,SPHR, focused on how anorganization and its image can behelped or damaged by the

appearance and content of allwritten paper and electronicdocuments coming from an office.Approach and style are detailedrather than grammar inimportance to achieving success.Attendees learned how todetermine who a document’sreader will be and determine thespecific needs each documentmust address to project theappropriate image. Part II of the

During pre-conference sessions, attendees get a chanceto spend quality time with top-notch presenters whohave researched cutting-edge topics that if not already,will soon be at the top of the list of concerns forsystems, cities and businesses in the industry.



workshop presented by KristinScott, MSM, Ph D, of CreativeBusiness Solutions, sought toimpress how important and howcostly sexual harassment cases canbe – especially to a small

business. Laws regarding sexualharassment and discrimination inthe workplace were reviewedalong with the behaviors that getworkers in trouble. The sessionended with a review addressingmanagement’s responsibilitiesand duties.

Plan for pre-conference 2007

These pre-conferenceworkshops offer some of the mostcost-effective training of theconference. During pre-conferencesessions, attendees get a chance tospend quality time with top-notchpresenters who have researchedcutting-edge topics that if notalready, will soon be at the top ofthe list of concerns for systems,cities and businesses in theindustry. To take advantage ofthese critical informationeducation venues, utility andmunicipality administrators should

plan now to invite board andcouncil members to schedule keywater or wastewater employees,and bring themselves to attendnext year’s pre-conferenceworkshops.

“Servin’ Up a Good time!”

An official Blues Brothersfedora was a gift to get in the

mood for some fun! Tuesdayevening’s KRWA BBQ brisket andbrats were sizzling, the potatosalad and beans were just right butthey were but a warm-up for thered-hot rock and roll and dancingto the premier Kansas Rock andRoll band, The Benders.

After dinner things warmedeven more as the crap tables were

jamming and hotter yetwith members andfamily trying their handwith the dice, TexasHold’em, blackjack,roulette and slotmachines. Games were

Above left: Kelly Buckly, CloudRWD 1, is sporting her BluesBrothers fedora and has been“served up” a great plate ofBBQ. The brats, potato salad,baked beans and cole slawwere mighty tasty. Above: Rock and Roll is centerstage as the BBQ, casino, gameand fun venues start to getwound up at the “Servin Up aGood Time” Tuesday night. Left: This pair met the BubbleMan, who put them in a soapbubble. Quite an experience forthese conference attendees.


everywhere including oldstandbys like Kentucky Derby,Basketball Toss and Balloon Pop,but new attractions were alsoplentiful including: the ShockingBattle Tanks, Rural Water Bingo,Titanic Slide, Bull Ride,

the Palm Reader and MachineGun Alley. They providedentertainment for all until nearlymidnight. The eveningentertainment activities were co-sponsored by associate members

and KRWA. Banners over eachvenue identified the sponsors whostood by to award tickets to beredeemed for prizes.

It wasn’t a real casino but thethrill was there! The Tuesday

evening activity is a free eventthat comes along with a pre-registration – otherwise it’s anextra $20 at the door. Plan now topre-register and get in on the fun atthe Conference in ’07.

Official 39th Annual ConferenceOpens – with a backhoe!

On the dimly lit stage of theConcert Hall in Century II abright yellow backhoe,compliments of Price BrothersEquipment Company of Wichita,sits alone on stage with dirt piledhigh around a hydrant with PVCwater pipe sections, shovels,power tools, valves, five-buckelboots and replacement parts, setdown as if workers had just left ina hurry for an emergency – or togo to lunch. They wouldn’t returnto this job until after a welcome,video and rousing KRWA keynoteaddress.

KRWA General ManagerElmer Ronnebaum’s voice overthe loudspeaker welcomed thecrowd to the KRWA Conferenceopening and then he keyed LindaWindler’s fantastic opening video,“Waiter, there’s a fly in my soup!”

Board Member Carl Carrollgave the invocation and BoardPresident Dennis Schwartz

Right:The blackjack tableswere busy the entire evening.

The serious and not-so-serious were entertained atthe same tables – althoughthe more serious ones may

have been hoping to redeema pile of chips for a prize.

Below: Some of the gamingtables including this pokertable definitely showed a

serious side – showing theirpoker faces. Have these

guys done this before? Below right: The Monkey

Man made the rounds duringthe evening and captured

everyone’s attention with hismimes and ability to make a

member think, “I’m not inKansas anymore!.”



officially welcomed attendees andintroduced Wichita Mayor CarlosMayans. Mayor Mayanswelcomed all to Wichita andinvited attendees to eat, drink andsee all of Wichita.

Keynote address

Dennis Schwartz then followedwith a short bio-sketch about aspecial Kansan with a specialmessage for all attending theopening session. Speaker,comedian, inspirationist MarkMayfield kept the rapt attention ofall with his dynamic keynote on“Creating Dazzling CustomerService.” “How many of you don’thave a problem, but youexperience some form of stress,”Mark asked. With a few raisingtheir hands he quickly added,“How many of you don’t havestress but you are a carrier,” hewent on to ask. And he was off,hitting the gas and not slowingdown through his personal lifeexperience of stories coupled withunique timing for humor thatdrilled home his points.

Besides invoking remembrancesof training from his mother heasserted that, “A lot of the reasonsthat service is absent is that we’vebeen following a rule that soundsgood but is bad. It’s the golden

rule – I want you to stop followingthe golden rule!” He went on toexplain, “Think of what thegolden rule says, ‘Do unto othersas we would have them do untous.’ That implies that everybodywants to be treated

just like us. It impliesthat everybody IS equal! The fallacyhere is that if you give everybodywhat you want, treat them like youwant to be treated – you’re going tobe wrong. You’re going to be wrongabout 75% of the time when you try

to solve somebody’s problems byjust automatically giving them whatyou want. And that’s what we willinstinctively do.” This 75% failurerate seemed pretty drastic but hesaid that there’s an easy explanation.

Mayfield also described hisadmittedly simple, easy and easilyremembered “PersonalityAssessment Program.” Wheremany of these types of programsassess but don’t let one know how

to use them. This programinvolves a language approach, oras he said, “A common man’sview.” Mayfield promised that wewould leave the theater knowingwho we were by asking two

simple questions; one, what isyour pace of activity, a ‘1’ is slowpaced and a ‘2’ is fast paced.Second, is a question that gives usan evaluation of an emotionalscale. For those who internalize

Left: What moreappropriate stage prop at

the KRWA Conferencethan a backhoe

excavating right into thefloor of the Concert Hall

stage. Thanks to PriceBrothers Equipment for

the loaner. Below: Keynote speakerand Kansas native, MarkMayfield, used the entire

stage and the backhoe forhis rousing motivationaltalk on an entirely new

and innovative way to lookat customer service.


emotions, their second number isa “1.” If a person externalizestheir emotional state, their secondnumber is a “2.” The possiblecombinations for one’spersonality profile are “11”, “12”,“21”, or “22.” As the audiencesettled on what their numberswere, a show of hands revealedthat in large groups there is awide variance of personalitytypes. He further explained, “Thebest organizations, the best workunits and the best family units arethose having a dichotomy ofpersonalities. If you had nothingbut people with the samepersonality traits you wouldn’thave checks and balances in theorganization or family – nodiversity. People in anorganization may all look alike,but as we saw in our audience,the ratio is 25%, 25%, 25% and25%, about the same for each ofthe audience’s personality groups.”

Mayfield then explained, “Ifyou go on the easy assumptionthat you are going to treateveryone the same, just like thegolden rule, you will fail 75% ofthe time. That’s where myoriginal number comes from. Ifyou are only treating the onegroup, the other three have needsgoing unmet.” So we found outwhere that 75% failure rate camefrom!

Self assessment, according toMayfield, is important. “Moreimportant though, is ‘who arethey?’ They are everyone else.What’s most important is whatmakes them tick. It doesn’t matterabout you as long as yourecognize everybody else’sprofile,” he quickly explained.“Remember this: when you areunder stress you will fall back onsomething you trust the most. Ifthere’s a little bit of conflict youwill most often respond with whatwould remedy the situation foryou – with what would make youfeel better. Wrong answer! When

you fire back with what makesyou feel better you will be wrong75% of the time,” concludedMayfield. “To succeed in thissituation you need to stop, stepback and think, wait a minute,

what do they need, what tripstheir trigger? Pause and think forjust a second as to whom you aredealing with.”

Mark Mayfield’s golden ruleof human relations reads nearlylike the old standard, but as heexplained it with a twist, “Dounto others as they want to bedone unto. Treat them as they

want to be treated. Give themwhat they think is important. Theonly way to provide goodcustomer service is to actuallythink about it. Customer care is ahuman thing. No charts, graphs or

surveys. If you lose the ability tobe human, you’ve lost yourcustomer service!”

Mayfield went on to provideeven more insight into his specialart of positively dealing withpeople. People who attended hisconference sessions were truly infor a treat – and they learnedsomething while having fun!

Mark Mayfield’s golden rule of human relations reads nearlylike the old standard, but as he explains it with a twist,“Do unto others as they want to be done unto. Treatthem as they want to be treated. Give them whatthey think is important. The only way to providegood customer service is to actually think about it.”

Above: The EXPO Hall homebase for KRWA staff and Board

Members was busy with members“wish shopping” the display of

fantastic prizes for the raffle.Right: Board member Mike

Mayberry takes a donation for aWater Pac Raffle coupon. Winners

are listed later in the article.



The EXPO Hall, open for business

Brochures were in the racks,paint on equipment was shining,and pictures were straightened onthe displays. KRWA AssociateMembers were standing in theirbooths waiting for the crowd toappear. They were notdisappointed. In just a few minutes,after leaving the Opening Sessionin Concert Hall, the wave ofKansas water operators,administrators, public officials andindustry experts – all decisionmakers with input at some level on

system purchases, streamed intoEXPO Hall. The morning’s muffledecho of activity heard beforehandin the big room perceptiblychanged with the progression oftalk and movement like turning upthe volume on a radio.

EXPO Hall keeps pace as anintegral part of the Conference andExhibition. Sessions, meals andsocial times are structured to keepthe isles of EXPO Hall busy duringthe day. EXPO Hall openedofficially at 4 p.m. after pre-

conference sessions on Tuesdayand opened at 10 a.m. after theopening session for conferenceattendees. As of this writing, morethan 190 vendor exhibition boothshave been reserved for the 2007Conference and Exhibition.

One associate member standingat his booth mentioned, “My homestate rural water conference isscheduled concurrently withKRWA’s conference. My sales staffand I can only attend one – andwe’re here for good reason.”

The largest salesfloor for water andwastewater utilitysupport products andservices in the Midwestwas laser focused andopen for businessduring the three daysof the conference.Associate membercompany marketingrepresentatives can beseen in the picturesabove and left, talkingup their products andmaybe writing anorder.


Associate Member benefits

Associate members hosting abooth in the EXPO Hall findKRWA employees waiting at thedoor, manning carts to assist withthe hectic move-in. The wellattended, well planned, smoothlyrun Exhibition is designed to getpeople together to take care ofbusiness and to take care ofcustomers, even down to the kiddrinking a glass of water afterriding his bike home from school.

In order to reserve a booth, avendor must be an AssociateMember. For the $150 per yearmembership fee, AssociateMembers are also able to advertisein this publication, The KansasLifeline, and have access to regularmembership mailing lists on aregular basis. Associate Membersalso enjoy the support of theKRWA award winning Web sitethat has many beneficial featuresfor doing business with the Kansaswater industry. Associatememberships allow businesses tobetter serve the regular members –

those folks who make that glassof safe, cool water available to kidscoming home from school. (Notethe list of supporting 2006 EXPOHall Associate Member vendorson page 80.)

Concurrent conference sessions

Conference sessions werepresented by professionals from avariety of different disciplinesdealing with water issues in theirown businesses or organizationsincluding: Association membersfrom Kansas RWDs, cities, andvendors (many doing double dutywith presentations and their EXPOHall booths), state and federalgovernment agency representatives,and KRWA staff.

Conference sessionpresentations included topicsdictated by today’s industry to berelevant, up-to-date, cutting edgeand essential for success in dealingwith water utility issues in Kansas.

These sessions were presented bydedicated, enthusiastic, competitiveand caring professionals whoexpect the best from themselvesand their presentations. It is whatKRWA Conference attendees havecome to expect from their AnnualConference.

KRWA member volunteermoderators who monitored each ofthe 56 breakout sessions allowedsessions to run smoothly andefficiently. They made

introductions, tookroll for creditedsessions, assistedwith presentations,helped findadditional seating

and performing innumerable othertasks contributing valuably to theConference organization. (Note thelist of presenters contributing toConference 2006 on page 82.)

Long time KRWA Associate Members and conference supporters Sammy andEdgar Peck of the Anderson Peck Agency share a lighter moment with JimCobler, Chairman of Shawnee Cons. RWD 4.

Left: Terry Randles,Randles Consulting,Topeka, Kan. teaches a full class (above) theimportance of “CrossConnection ControlOrdinance or Policy.” His class stressed the importance ofenforcement, inspectionsand testing requirements.



A. Y. McDonald Manufacturing Ace Pipe Cleaning Advance Chemical Solutions, Inc. Alexander Pump & Services Allgeier, Martin & Associates Alliance Pump & Mechanical Service Alliance Water Resources American AVK Company Anderson Peck Agency Archer Engineers Arkhola Sand & Gravel ASC Pumping Equipment B & B Permastore B G Consultants Baburek Metal Preserving Company Badger Meter Bartlett & West Engineers BRB Contractors, Inc. Brenntag Southwest Bucher, Willis & Ratliff Bumgardner Sales & Service Burns & McDonnell Engineering Carbon Central Central Tank Coatings, Inc. CES Industrial Piping Supply Chlorinators Incorporated City of Lyons Clarke Well & Equipment Clear Water Equipment Clearwater Associates Comm-Tronix Continental Utility Solutions CUES Cunningham Sandblasting & Painting Custom Aeration Technologies D C & B Supply Company Ditch Witch of Kansas Division of Water Resources Doerr Metal Products, Inc. Douglas Pump Service DPC Enterprise Dworkin Company Dynotek EAI West, Inc. Earles Engineering & Inspection Earth Science Laboratories East Jordan Ironworks EBH Engineers Economy Power & Instrument EFI-Wright Sales Enviro-Line Company Environmental & Process Systems Environmental Protection Agency Flame Engineering Fluid Equipment Company Focus Financial Advisors Foley Equipment Company

Ford Meter Box Gathright Marketing Company George Butler Associates GIS Workshop GPM Services Ground Water Associates Hach Company Hajoca Corporation Haynes Equipment Company Heartland Controls Heartland Waterworks Supply Hersey Meter Company IAPMO Industrial Sales Company InfiniTec Inman Irrigation, Inc. Insituform Technologies Insurance Services Office ISCO Industries Itron Jayhawk Software JCI Industries JCM Industries Johnson Service Company Kaeser Compressors Kansas Correctional Industries Kansas Department of Commerce Kansas Dept. Health & Environment Kansas Geological Survey Kansas Methamphetamine Prevention

Project Kansas One Call System Kansas Rural Water Association Kansas Rural Water Finance Authority Kansas Water Office Key Equipment KS Assoc. For Conservation & Env.

Education Larkin Group Layne Western Lee Mathews Equipment, Inc. Letts Van Kirk & Associates Liquid Waste Management Mack McClain & Associates Maguire Iron Master Meter Company Mayer Specialty Services L.L.C. McAfee, Henderson & Strick, Inc. Mead O’Brien Mellen & Associates Micro Comm Mid Central Supply Mid West Fire Training Associates Mid-America Valve Midland Manufacturing Midwest Custom Materials Midwest Environmental Systems MidWest Meter Miller & Associates, Consulting

Engineers, P.C. MKEC Engineering Consultants MMG Water & Wastewater Products Modern Payment Solutions

Mueller Company Municipal Pipe Services Municipal Pipe Tool/Nutri-Ject Systems Natgun Corporation National Waterworks Nowak Construction Company Olathe Winwater Works Company Paradise Eco Solutions Paving Maintenance Supply PipeLife - Jet Stream Poe & Associates Ponzer - Youngquist Power Specialties Price Bros. Equipment Company Professional Engineering Consultants Pump & Power Equipment PW Eagle R. E. Pedrotti Company R. H. Tauser & Associates Rainmaker Sales Ranson Financial Consultants Ray Lindsey Company RE-Ox LLC Ryan Chemical Company Salina Supply Company Sargent Drilling Schwab-Eaton, PA Sellers Equipment Servi-Tech Laboratories Shafer, Kline & Warren Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure Sherwin-Williams Company Smith & Loveless Smith-Blair SOLARBEE - Pump Systems Inc. Standby Power Solutions Steffen Midwest Sturgis Materials T Christy Enterprises T T Technologies TAC Americas Thoroughbred Computer Systems Tnemec Company/Midwest Coating

Consultants Tomcat Consultants / TAP Company Truck Parts & Equipment Tyler Pipe Company / Union Foundry United Rentals Trench Safety USA Tank Storage Systems USABlueBook USDA Rural Development Utility Maintenance Contractors Utility Service Company Utility Solutions Associates Vermeer Great Plains Inc. Water Products Watertower Maintenance / Water Tank

Inspection WaterWise Enterprises Western Hydro Corporation Wichita Winwater Works Company Wilson & Company Engineers &

Architects

Exhibitors, 2006KRWA Conferenace & Exhibition

Exhibitors, 2006KRWA Conferenace & Exhibition


Governor’s Address atWednesday Luncheon

Governor Kathleen Sebelius' tripto the 2006 KRWA Conference toaddress the 1100 plus who attendedthe Wednesday noon luncheon wasduring the time when it is extremelydifficult for the Governor to be outof the Capitol. Legislators were intheir final days of the '06 Session.

She began her address,explaining the situation by saying,"I apologize for arriving late andleaving early, but with theLegislature finishing debate onseveral issues, I can't be gone forvery long. I am on a legislativebungee cord – I can be pulledquickly back to Topeka.”

Communication

Governor Sebelius described thesuccess in the last three years ofpromoting communication betweenstate agencies involved with watersupply and local water providersand how critical that cooperation is.

“During my early days asgovernor I spent a lot of time takinga look at where our state was indealing with water. I frankly wasdisappointed to learn what hadhappened since those early dayswhen there was a lot ofcollaboration. What I found was thatmillions of dollars in State WaterPlan funds were being allocated toother issues, other priorities inKansas. And the money that wassupposed to be deposited on anannual basis into the Water Planwasn’t being deposited on a regularbasis. I also found that the WaterPlan wasn’t being used any more asa primary source for policyrecommendations either in thelegislative process or at thegovernor’s office. Now water hasn’tdiminished in importance in those20 years, but the feature of thelegislative branch and the governorfocusing on our water needs hadalmost disappeared. I set out tochange that three years ago and I’dlike to report that things are back ontrack,” she explained.

Water is a focus

The realization that mediacoverage for water issues takes aback seat to some of the morevisible issues in the political processis acknowledged by many. ButGovernor Sebelius assured theaudience that water issues have not

taken a back seat in the planningprocess of her administration.

The administration believes thatKansas is blessed with a goodsupply of water for the next halfcentury but the location of thatwater doesn’t always occur wherethere is demand.

Partnerships are key

Governor Sebelius explainedpositions on partnership in waterpolicy by saying, “We look forpartners to develop regionalsolutions of the problem of gettingthe available water supply to thegrowing demand. And you in thisroom are in a position of being keypartners to the future. Because ofKRWA’s broad membership andcapable staff and expertise, I’masking each of you in yourcommunity, to plan beyond yourborders when you are planning foryour district’s or community’s water

needs. Think of what you can doand who you can work with to findcooperative solutions that meeteveryone’s needs. We all understandthat local politics often is primary,but we need to do what governorsand legislators have done since1983, and take as much of the

politics as possible out of waterplanning and find the best technicaland financial solutions possible forthe whole state.”

Commitment

Governor Sebelius finished heraddress noting, “The State DroughtResponse Team is encouragingpublic water supply managers tolook at their conservation plans asthis should become increasinglyimportant if the drought continueson into the summer.”

“Just as I continue to becommitted to supporting ourschools, expanding access tohealthcare and creating jobs in allparts of Kansas, I remain equallycommitted to you to ensure a safereliable supply of water for everyperson in Kansas. It’s essential forour future prosperity.”

Governor Kathleen Sebelius addresses theWednesday, March 29 Conference luncheon.



Terry Alexander Alexander Pump & ServicesWayne Titus American AVKArt White Arthur White & AssociatesElizabeth Dietzmann AttorneyAlan Soelter Bartlett & West Engineers, Inc.Brad Lindstrom Bartlett & West Engineers, Inc.Dennis O'Toole Baumgartner & O'TooleCarl Brown Carl Brown ConsultingAllen Dinkel City of HoisingtonDon Rankin City of TopekaTerry Randles City of TopekaDon Teeters Continental TechnologiesCynthia Stotlar Creative Business SolutionsKristin Scott Creative Business SolutionsPhyllis Peck Doyle Harris Davis & HaugheySteve Harris Doyle Harris, Davis & HaugheyJoe Davis DPC EnterprisesKendallSmith EAI West, Inc.Bruce Curtis EBAA Iron SalesDavid Wright EFI-Wright SalesJim Harms EMC InsuranceTim Hobson Environmental Consulting ServicesDouglas Brune Environmental Protection AgencyBob Schumann Focus Financial AdvisorsMichael Jolley GIS WorkshopRachel Herpel Ground Water FoundationDale McDaniel Hershey MetersDawn Blume IET ConsultingRobert Blume IET ConsultingChris Lummus Insurance Services OfficeSteve Kreun ItronJen Sharp JenSharp.comMark Crumbaker Johnson Cons. RWD 6Melissa Arthur KACEESalih Doughramaji Kansas Dept. of CommerceMax Pendergrass Kansas One-CallDan Knupp Kansas Rural WaterGary Armentrout Kansas Rural WaterPat McCool Kansas Rural Water AssociationKen Grotewiel Kansas Water OfficeMargaret Fast Kansas Water OfficeWill Gilliland KDA Division of Water ResourcesGary Flory KIPCORJulie MacLachlan KIPCORKirsten Zerger KIPCORCathy Tucker-Vogel KS Dept. of Health & EnvironmentKarl Mueldener KS Dept. of Health & EnvironmentMarian Massoth KS Dept. of Health & EnvironmentMarsha Carpenter KS Dept. of Health & EnvironmentMike Tate KS Dept. of Health & EnvironmentRod Geisler KS Dept. of Health & EnvironmentTim Wilson KS Dept. of Health & EnvironmentVickie Jo Wessel KS Dept. of Health & EnvironmentWilliam Carr KS Dept. of Health & EnvironmentCristi Cain KS Meth Prevention ProjectRon Graber K-State Research & ExtensionDon Osenbaugh League of Kansas MunicipalitiesScott Hildebrand League of Kansas MunicipalitiesMark Mayfield Mark Mayfield CommunicationsGail Abney Mayer Specialty ServicesCheryl Treptow Mid West Fire TrainingKevin Jones Mid West Fire TrainingShirley Hoch Morris RWD 1John Nowak Nowak Construction

Presenters ContinuedBob Evenson R.W. Evenson InsuranceJohn Haas Ranson Financial ConsultantsM. E. Yeager Ranson Financial ConsultantsJames Cobler Shawnee Cons. RWD 4Tim Paulsen Smith & LovelessGary Hanson Stumbo, Hanson & Hendricks, LLPLinda Windler Thoroughbred Systems, Inc.Merle Windler Thoroughbred Systems, Inc.SusanLang U.S. Dept. of LaborRyan Jakic USABlueBookJim Rowland Watertower MaintenanceLynne McGraw Schall Wichita State University

B G ConsultantsBadger MeterBartlett & West EngineersCronister and CompanyEAI West, Inc.Focus Financial AdvisorsJCI IndustriesOlathe Winwater Works CompanyPonzer - YoungquistRanson Financial ConsultantsSchwab-Eaton, PASherwin-Williams CompanyThoroughbred Computer SystemsUtility Service CompanyWater ProductsWilson & Company Engineers & Architects

A. Y. McDonald ManufacturingAdvance Chemical Solutions, Inc.Alliance Pump & Mechanical ServiceAnderson Peck AgencyBRB Contractors, Inc.D C & B Supply CompanyEAI West, Inc.Ford Meter BoxHaynes Equipment CompanyItronKansas Correctional IndustriesLarkin GroupOlathe Winwater Works CompanyPonzer - YoungquistSchwab-Eaton, PASherwin-Williams CompanyTyler Pipe Company / Union FoundryWichita Winwater Works CompanyWilson & Company Engineers & Architects

Presenters, 2006KRWA Conferenace & Exhibition

Presenters, 2006KRWA Conferenace & Exhibition

The following companies were sponsors ofsome of the carnival games at the openingnight “Servin’ Up A Good Time For You!”

The following companies contributed assponsors to help offset costs ofhospitality food and socials.


Awards BanquetAfter a busy day Wednesday

with a Keynote speech, sessionpresentations, EXPO Hall vendorattractions and multitude ofmeetings during the day, membersand associatemembers alike weremore than ready for asocial hour. TheEXPO Hall floorpicked up the pace at5 p.m. when thelibation carts wererolled in and openedfor the Wednesdayevent. Just how readythey were wasevidenced by the bigroom’s decibel level –it cranked up a notchor two. As stories inEXPO Hall gotbigger and stomachs startedgrowling, people checked theirwatches and made their waytowards the dining hall for theBanquet and awards presentations.Winners were announced afterthe meal.

The Kansas Water Taste Testwas again won by the City ofEmporia, their third in the past sixyears of the KRWA contest. Eachyear, a different team of judgestastes the samples. Entries arelabeled by number only and evenafter choosing a winner, judges donot know the winner until theannouncement is made.

The Customer ConfidenceReport (CCR) contest is held to findout which systems are doing thebest job in communicating to theircustomers with this required report.First and second place winners andcategories awarded are listed below:

Rural Water Districts and PrivateSystems

• First – Cowley RWD 1

• Second – Shawnee Cons. RWD 4

Systems serving fewer than25,000 population

• First – City of Holton

• Second – City of Enterprise

Systems serving more than 25,000population

• First – City of Topeka

• Second – City of Garden City

In 2007, KRWA will again add acategory for cities serving fewer

than 5000 population.

Source Water Stars

KRWA’s GroundWater, Water RightsTech Doug Helmkeexplained that SourceWater Star awards for2005 were awarded topublic water systemsthat completedgroundwater or sourcewater protection plansin 2005. Dougannounced awardsfor: Geary RWD 2,City of Glade,Leavenworth RWD 7,

City of Lyons, City of Nortonville,City of Matfield Green, City ofUtica and the City of Wilsey. TheCity of Lyons’ efforts werehighlighted in being the first system

in Kansas to complete a sourcewater protection plan under aprogram funded by USDA andfacilitated by KRWA.

KRWA individual and systemawards are profiled beginning on

page 88 with the article titled, “Award winners 2006: At yourservice – and then some!”

Doug Helmke prepares toannounce the Source Water StarAward winners. Mary Alice James, Douglas RWD 6, was the first to

choose a quilt, having her name drawn duringWednesday evening’s Awards Banquet. She chosethe “bear paw” design shown above.

Geary RWD 2 • Glade • Leavenworth RWD 7Lyons • Nortonville • Matfield Green • Utica • Wilsey


Rooms have been blocked at the following hotels forthe 2007 conference. Make sure you request theKRWA block. Rooms fill fast.

• Hyatt Regency, attached to Century II withcomplimentary parking garage; Ph. 316/293-1234;$112 flat rate; SOLD OUT as of 6/12/06

• Best Western Airport Inn, 6815 W. Kellogg; Ph. 888/942-5666. Free breakfast; comp shuttle toCentury II. $69 flat

• Best Western Governors Inn & Suites, 4742 S.Emporia, Ph. 866/522-0775 or 316/522-0775; comp.deluxe continental breakfast; king $59, double $69

• Broadview Hotel, 400 W. Douglas withcomplimentary parking garage; Ph. 316/262-5000; $90(one to two persons). Deluxe king, $119

• Cambridge Suites, 120 W. Orme, downtownWichita; Ph. 316/263-1061, $99 Executive Suite; $109Studio Double; $129 Penthouse Suite

• Clubhouse Inn & Suites, 515 S. Webb Road; Ph.316/684-1111; comp. full hot breakfast buffet, $69 flat

• CrestHill Suites Hotel Company, 12111 E. CentralAvenue; Ph. 888/723-1655 or 316/689-8000; comp.deluxe continental breakfast; studio or one bedroomw/king bed $69

• Days Inn West, 550 South Florence; Ph. 316/942-1717; comp. breakfast; $69 flat

• Four Points by Sheraton, 5805 W. Kellogg Avenue;comp. full hot breakfast; Ph. 316/942-7911; $69 flat,comp. shuttle to Century II

• Hampton Inn, 3800 W. Kellogg; Ph. 316/945-4100;comp. airport shuttle and deluxe hot breakfast bar;$109 flat

• Holiday Inn, 221 E. Kellogg; within walking distanceto Century II, comp. shuttle to Century II and airport;Ph. 316/269-2090; $82 flat

• Holiday Inn Select, 549 S. Rock Road; Ph. 888/558-5113 or 316/681-5083, for king or double,(one to four persons); $79 flat

• Hotel at Old Town, 830 E. First, complimentaryparking garage; Ph. 316/267-4800; $99 Queen; $109King

• Inn at the Park, 3751 E. Douglas; Ph. 316/652-0500, comp. full breakfast buffet; $99 flat;reserve by March 1

• TownePlace Suites by Marriott, 9444 E. 29th St. N.;Ph 316/631-3773 Ext. 520; comp. continentalbreakfast; full kitchen; $89 flat

• Wichita Fairfield Inn, by Marriott; 333 S. WebbRoad; Ph. 316/685-3777; comp. continental breakfast;$79 flat, complete renovation in 2005

• Wichita Airport Hotel, 5500 W. Kellogg Drive; Ph.Hotel Direct Reservations: 1-316-943-2181, $70 flatrate (kings and doubles: one to four persons)

Hotel accommodations for KRWA Conference 2007Hotel accommodations for KRWA Conference 2007

71 GOLFERS PROVIDE FULL FIELDThe 28th of March dawned cool and clear (almost too cool), a

real blessing for a bunch of duffers waiting for the coffee to perk andthe caddies to load their bags on their assigned carts. The 71golfers arrived and were assigned to foursomes for a shotgun startat 8:30 am for the 13th Annual KRWA Spring Golf Tournament. Assoon as the dew was off the greens, the range master signaled thestart and the fun began! This was fifth year for the Rolling Hills GolfClub to host the Tournament and it has gotten better each and everyyear.

Because of the great turnout and a full course, we were able toflight three flights of golfers and awarded first and second prizes ineach flight. Prizes consisted of gift certificates to the Rolling HillsGolf Club Pro Shop (most were immediately redeemed upon award).The following is a listing of the winners and second place finishers ineach of the three flights:

Flight One:1 – 1. David Warren, Rob Younkin, Jerry Pope and Wayne Titus2 – 2. Larry Combs, Brad Finley and Bob Shankel

Flight Two:1 – 1. Randy Norris, Mike and Henry Ashbacker and Dave Viox 2 – 2. Jim Bradley, Dale Howard, Mike Shemaker and

I.D. Creech

Flight Three:1 – 1. Steve Williams, Scott Millholland, Ike Sizemore and

Jeff Miles2 – 2. Jason and Melissa Schlickbernd, Charlie Suchy and

Bob Schwartz

Good-natured ribbing, fun and fellowship were the order of theday and a good time was had by all. Thanks to all who support thisfun activity and to the busy people who make it happen, includingRod Young, Professional Engineering Consultants, our local hostand co-organizer, Head Pro Don Farquar, Rolling Hills Golf Club andhis wonderful staff of caddies, assistant pro, and food servicepersonnel who prepared the sack lunches and KRWA for allowing usto conduct this fun event.

- John TillmanRay Lindsey Company

KRWA 2006 GOLF TOURNAMENT–A BIG SUCCESS

KRWA 2006 GOLF TOURNAMENT–A BIG SUCCESS



Retreat to the BluesBrothers!

Awards were all awarded, goodthings were said to those deservingand deserts were long gone. It wastime for the Blues Brothers, and ashot of adrenaline through some goodmusic, making a perfect end to thelong day. A little bit of the Chicagoblues was set to invade the Century IILittle Theater with high energyentertainment! The Blues Brotherscast of the Christine Tasheff CabaretOld Towne hadreturned for a “onemore time”performance of themusical revue madefamous in the ‘80s byJohn Belushi and DanAkroyd. Cast membersand singers includedBraden Jones as Jake,Kyle Wright asElwood, Oris Phillips,Jr. as Cab Galloway/Ray Charles andMichelle Martin asAretha Franklin.

The musical followed anabbreviated storyline of themovie with musical numbersincluding: “Everybody NeedsSomebody,” “Think,” “SoulMan,” “Hey Bartender,”“Minnie the Moocher,” andmany more.

The music and the action wasnonstop with Jake and Elwoodexpending more energy making themusic come alive than anyone in theaudience could imagine. Theirexuberance even caused anunscheduled break in the actionwhen Braden Jones in Jake’scharacter, performed a series of backflips to the splits that caused a majorwardrobe malfunction – it was off towardrobe for Christine Tasheff tomake an FCC million dollar fine

saving wardrobe alteration. ChristineTasheff and her players did it again –providing outstanding entertainmentfor another KRWA conference thatwon't be forgotten.

Top left: Kyle Wright singing as Elwood.Top right: Jake and Elwood (Braden Jones,Kyle Wright) cut across the stage.Far left: Braden Jones sings as Jake.Left: Michelle Martin sings an ArethaFranklin number.Above: Michelle Martin, Christine Tasheff andOris Phillips, Jr. sing back up vocals for Jakeand Elwood. Oris also sang the Cab Gallowayand Ray Charles numbers.

Grand finale, Conference 2006

The busy morning included the39th Annual Meeting of Membershipattended by 140 delegates andothers. It included a recap of

activities by the Association in2005, financial and legislativereports and election of directors.Auditor, Art White, Art White andAssociates, discussed the 2005audit; a full copy was available toeach person attending. PatriciaShaffer, Butler RWD 5, and Sam

Atherton, Public Wholesale District4, were elected to three-year terms.

After the last of the concurrentsessions finished and AssociateMembers in the EXPO Hall starteddismantling their booths, attendees

settled in for a greatThursday luncheon,and to listen toNRWA CEO RobJohnson review ruralwater concerns. Heexplained rural waterpositions on federallegislative, fundingand regulatory issuesand how they affectthe working lives ofthose in the industryand customers who

expect the quality product that isproduced.

The luncheon concluded withdoor prize drawings for the last twogrand door prize quilts, theannouncement of vendor doorprizes, and drawings for the WaterPac Raffle prizes. Winners arelisted and some are pictured atthe right.



Below: Darrell Schlaubach, Washington, RWD 1, ishappy with his Portable CD System. Bottom: PaulReynolds, Brown RWD walks away with a K-StateCan Cooler donated by Focus Financial. Next pagetop: KRWA’s Pete Koenig presents a $20 gift cardand portable chair donated by Infinitec, Inc. to MaxKraus, City of Alma. Next page bottom: Petepresents Ralph Bailey, Leavenworth RWD 10, witha premium, 10-piece stainless BBQ tool set fromKRWA, a prize in the Water Pac Raffle.

Rob Johnson, CEO, NRWA

Happy prize winners


A hallmark of the KRWA conference since 1984 has beenthe donation of three beautiful quilts, expertly crafted by Kate

Ronnebaum as grand door prizes. The final two quiltsawarded as door prizes at the 2006 Conference were given tothe lucky winners shown at right, at the luncheon on Thursday.

Left: LLoyd “Bill” Kern, Franklin RWD 6 wenthome with the “Field of Sunflowers” quilt.Right, Alice Geisler, City of Leonardville,

poses with her “Log Cabin” quilt.

The drawings for the top right list, vendordoor prizes, were held at the vendor booths

before the Thursday luncheon andannounced after the meal. The winning

ticket numbers for the Water Pac Raffle inthe list at the right were drawn after the

luncheon prizes and awarded at the time.

Vendor door prirzes 2006

Thursday quilt winners

Water Pac raffle winners 2006

Documents

Conference 2006: At your service– it’s automatic! C · Conference 2006: At your service– it’s automatic! C Conference planning for 2007 is well underway. Now is an excellent