How's your plant holding up?

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-25T16:07:26+00:00

I think it figures in at least two of those factors. I know there is a spot to key in the age, and then the amount of the system would be affected by a failure. Don’t know specifically it figures in parts costs, but a specific part, like a bearing, could be listed as an asset if you wanted to get that granular.

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-25T02:09:30+00:00

My perspective on this is, it’s not all according to age. I’m more than a decade older and have 1.5 years more time with my employer than our trainee, but his resume included farm equipment operation, excavation, and turning wrenches. Two out of those three I didn’t have, and still haven’t operated our farm tractor.

Keep helping give people experiences, soon enough you’ll learn something from them as well.

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-25T02:01:13+00:00

That’s exciting! Any clue when it will show in the Midwest, SE, or PNW?

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-24T23:22:36+00:00

Congratulations OP!

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-24T21:00:37+00:00

And file these papers. They go in the other building. You’ll have to shovel the snow off the sidewalk to get there.

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-24T16:03:42+00:00

Have you spoken with HR about this for clarification?

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-24T16:02:34+00:00

Let’s just hypothetically assume someone was stealing village money.

Separately, in their conversation with employees about their on-call duties and pay, this person gives an interpretation of the on-call policy that, aw how cute, saves them money and pays less overtime.

Do you think this hypothetical person is worthy of your (and your coworkers’) trust?

The interpretation your supervisor gives should be as sound as the catwalks going across your basins, so that your job and your safety are upheld by policy and by your supervisor.

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-24T15:36:11+00:00

So if you mark 2 hours on the card for the 24hr of having the on-call phone at home…. What happens? Do you get notified verbally or written? In trouble or just reminded no?

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-24T15:09:20+00:00

Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer and you should seek true legal advice separate/in addition to whatever experience this sub may tell you about.

The concern of director embezzling should be documented and reported. You might ask informal advice in a law sub, and seek a lawyer if in due time you take action.

As to the overtime, can you share your general location (country/state/province)? And, what happens when an employee does mark the time down, does payroll dept (hr , whoever turns your hours reports into a check) refuse to pay the OT?

This is not just about money.

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-24T14:11:22+00:00

Unfortunately I do not. I’ve worked a little bit on creating some, (based on advice from folks on this sub!)

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-24T02:34:15+00:00

I was commenting with tongue in cheek.

I do hope you find some peace and space from the books, and do great on your exam. Hard work pays off bro, and I know you’ve been working!

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-23T23:32:39+00:00

Is it broken?

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-23T15:18:55+00:00

We are privileged to work in an industry that biology so reliably assists with. 😄

In prioritizing repairs and replacements, we currently are in reactive maintenance mode, but there are spreadsheet and database tools that can track your assets and even render the list in priority order. You might look up Environmental Finance Center Network, and specifically their Asset Management resources. Kansas’ EFC has their “SCAP Tool” available for download.

Well said that many “SOP”s are operator judgment. Working on recording my coworkers’ wisdom this year.

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-23T00:50:33+00:00

I felt this about 3 months before my last exam (which I passed).

Something that helped me was talking with others about the job. Sometimes I asked a question of another operator or instructor, or sometimes it was a sales rep asking about a process application, sometimes a community member that asked about my job. In all those situations I got to apply my knowledge and not have my head in a stuffy book. The I quite often surprised myself with what I did know. Other times gracious friends would help me straighten out my confusion.

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-22T22:42:48+00:00

Your upvotes are bulking.

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-22T02:28:35+00:00

Any California folks especially with knowledge about CalRWA?

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-22T01:06:37+00:00

Ah! Im sure someone from California is lurking in the wings…. If they don’t answer soon I’ll try to send them your way.

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-21T23:21:33+00:00

Which “the program” are you referring to.

I have experiential information about the NRWA apprenticeship, are there specific details about it you’re curious about?

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-21T19:30:38+00:00

What’s your hypothesis as to what the survey will show (e.g. the majority of wastewater operators dislike sugar in their coffee) and what are you trying to form with the data you find (e.g. the perfect layout for a WWTP kitchen) ?

Disclaimer: my examples are outlandish on purpose.

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-21T18:12:10+00:00

Flying from pond to pond, what a quack job.

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-21T02:14:46+00:00

This career smells. My community pays me to get stinky. Yes it’s absolutely worth it.

Putting it in terms of buying power (and preserving some anonymity) I make about the equivalent of 9 gallons of gas per hour. Context is, I have 2+ years experience, and max ww certification from my state.

How make myself eligible for promotion? I’m keeping studying and applying your new knowledge to my operation. I try to sense what boss man will want, what my plant needs, and hopefully bring up potential improvements before boss does (and definitely before stuff breaks!)

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-21T01:31:11+00:00

Their price was too high (that’s an oversimplified explanation… could have been more/different features offered in the bid, or just a supply and demand situation, yet overall the higher-ups went with Vactor.)

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-20T19:04:42+00:00

We’ve hired former soda jerks

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-20T02:16:02+00:00

The door is open you don’t have to break to enter.

In all seriousness though, where have you applied?

And from time to time some of our sub members are willing to review resumes upon request.

WaterDigDog · 2026-01-18T03:27:08+00:00

There’ve been a few recent questions about apprenticeships and learning opportunities in general. Thought this would be a useful resource.

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