“I felt honored to be part of the delegation,” Mergen said. Only five people from Minnesota attended the conference: two staff members of rural water, two board members and Mergen.
Mergen said those attending the conference were there to lobby on behalf of rural water associations and to help protect the funding of several programs that were in jeopardy of being cut.
“On the first day there, we attended the NRWA rally which had topics on the save drinking water act, promoting our product “Quality on Tap,” lead and copper rule, new regulations, and more,” Mergen said. On the second day of the conference, he met with several legislators from Minnesota or their secretaries. Mergen had a chance to talk with Senators Rod Grams and Paul Wellstone and Congressmen David Minge and Collin Peterson.
“They were very receptive to our opinions,” Mergen said. “The program was very exciting and educational. I’m ready to return again.”
Mergen said he explained to the group at large what was happening in small communities like Paynesville and the concerns small communities have in Minnesota.
Mergen stressed that among the concerns were good quality trained personnel and the need for programs to educate employees.
He also explained the need for expert help for waste water operators. “The Circuit Rider Program of Rural Water Associations provides such expertise in any given situation from looking for new methods of treatment to calibration of equipment,” Mergen said.
Another program of the Rural Water Association is the Wellhead Protection Program. Paynesville has been part of this program for two years. There are only several communities in Minnesota with the wellhead delineation program and Paynesville is one of them.
“This program helps determine our aquifer recharge zone and how large an area affects our aquifer.
The program also helps identify a contaminant inventory within the well head protection zone and offers suggestions on how to prevent contamination of our water supply.
The mission statement for rural water associations is: The mission of the Minnesota Rural Water Association shall be to provide the latest information, education and technical assistance to protect our public waters and improve the quality of life in Minnesota.”
When not attending meetings at the conference, Mergen toured the Smithsonian and Arlington National Cemetery. At Arlington he had the opportunity to witness a changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“It’s astonishing how huge and impressive Washington, D.C. is to someone who has never been there,” Mergen said.