VRWA Conference and Technical Exposition

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

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Glossary

1

Virginia Rural Water Association (VRWA)

A Virginia non-profit that provides training, technical assistance, and advocacy for rural water and wastewater utilities. VRWA organises this Roanoke conference and maintains the schedule at vrwa.org.

2

Rural water system

A community water system, often outside a city's service area, that may be managed by a utility district, authority, cooperative, or small locality. VRWA's members are typically these small and mid-sized systems, and conference sessions focus on their compliance, funding, and operating realities.

3

National Rural Water Association (NRWA)

The national network that supports state rural water associations such as VRWA. NRWA provides training and technical assistance programmes that state associations use to help small utilities.

4

Operator certification

The state-issued credential that allows personnel to operate water treatment, distribution, wastewater treatment, or collection systems. VRWA training often supports continuing-education requirements; confirm approved credits and session eligibility with VRWA.

5

SCADA

Supervisory control and data acquisition - the controls and telemetry used to monitor and operate pumps, tanks, treatment processes, and alarms remotely. At the exhibit hall, SCADA and instrumentation vendors show how small systems can add remote monitoring without adding staff.

6

Backflow prevention

Devices and programmes that stop contaminated water from reversing into the potable supply. Backflow assemblies, testing kits, and cross-connection training are common exhibit and session topics for rural utilities.

7

Water loss audit

A standard accounting method that compares treated water produced with water billed and consumed, helping a utility quantify leaks and unbilled use. Rural systems use audits to prioritise leak detection, meter replacement, and rate adjustments.

8

Lift station

A pump station that moves wastewater uphill or over a ridge to reach a treatment plant or gravity main. Exhibits typically include pumps, controls, corrosion-resistant wet-well components, and odour-control products.

9

Asset management

The practice of inventorying pipes, tanks, pumps, and equipment, then tracking condition and criticality to plan repairs and budgets. For small systems, asset management is often the bridge between emergency repairs and a fundable capital plan.

10

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

The federal law that sets the framework for drinking-water standards, monitoring, and reporting. Many conference sessions translate SDWA requirements into practical steps for small Virginia systems.

11

Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI)

Smart meters plus a communication network that lets a utility read usage remotely, detect leaks, and improve billing. AMI is a frequent exhibit category for rural systems trying to reduce truck rolls and water loss.

12

Capital improvement plan (CIP)

A multi-year list of planned infrastructure projects with cost estimates and funding sources. Utility boards and managers use the conference to compare equipment and engineering options before committing CIP dollars.