Mr. Grafft joined Kuehl & Payer, Ltd. in January, 2001 as a Certified Operator by Affidavit for water treatment, distribution, and wastewater treatment systems. As an Operator by Affidavit, his job responsibilities include managing water and wastewater facilities to allow them to stay in compliance with Iowa Department of Natural Resources permits, preparing and filing all necessary reports to the IDNR, performing all required sampling and testing, performing general maintenance, and submitting reports to the City Council or Board of Directors.

Water - Wastewater Experience

Prior to joining Kuehl and Payer, Ltd., Tom was an Operations Manager for Krudico, Inc., an equipment supplier and contractor for the water treatment industry. While at Krudico, Inc. he served as Project Manager for over a dozen municipal water treatment construction and rehabilitation projects. His responsibilities as a Project Manager included working with engineers, public works officials, government councils, and industrial offices to advise economical solutions for water treatment problems and overseeing projects from design through construction.

Operator Training

Mr. Grafft’s Operator by Affidavit responsibilities also include providing operator training services to those communities who have hired a new operator with little or no experience. Tom provides the training necessary to understand state regulations, permit requirements, sampling procedures, and general theory of treatment in preparation for the State Operator’s Certification Exam. In addition, Tom also frequently volunteers his time to present topics at operator training seminars and continuing education courses in the water and wastewater industry.

Water and Wastewater Treatment - Upgrades and New Construction

Because of Tom’s background in Water and Wastewater, he also serves as a Resident Inspector for various Water and Wastewater projects ensuring better communication between the City, Contractor, and Engineer. With an experienced Operator and former contractor as the Inspector, the City is assured better quality control.

With Mr. Grafft’s background and experience, overseeing projects has helped save construction delays, time, and money by being able to recommend alternate solutions for situations that arise during construction projects.

Additional Experience

Performing evaluations of water and wastewater facilities to ensure equipment is being operated properly and the overall operation of the facility is meeting or exceeding IDNR requirements. Conducting Inflow/Infiltration studies, performing smoke testing and dying storm sewers, finding direct connections, broken lines, and channels to the sanitary sewer. Assisting communities in developing valve and hydrant exercise programs in accordance with regulatory standards.

Performing sanitary landfill water quality sampling of leachate and groundwater monitoring wells in order to compare the environmental and regulatory impacts of sanitary landfill facilities.

Permitting of confined animal feeding operations in accordance with IDNR regulations. Evaluating animal feeding operation siting requirements utilizing the Master Matrix scoring system adopted by Iowa counties.

Education and Certifications:

B.A. Buena Vista University, 1997 - Business Management and Entrepreneurship

Grade II Water Treatment Plant

Grade II Water Distribution System

Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant

Continuing Education Courses

Technical Specialties:

Water Treatment and Distribution Operation

Wastewater Treatment System Operation

Water - Wastewater Construction Inspection

Public Water Supply Permit Compliance

Stormwater Permitting and Compliance

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems Permit Compliance

Confined Animal Feeding Operations Permitting and Compliance

Sanitary Landfill Water Quality Monitoring

Professional Memberships:

Iowa Rural Water Association

American Water Works Association

Iowa Onsite Wastewater Association

Alliance of Certified Operators

Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities

Association of Certified Operators

Iowa Water Pollution Control Agency

Water Environment Federation