Shyam S. Mohanka, Ph. D., P.E., BCEE
Civil & Environmental Engineer
Discussion of one of the top five critical issues facing the water industry
Regulatory Impact on the Water Utilities - Water Professionals are generally concerned about compliance with new regulations, the scientific basis of new regulations and the value of new regulations relative to their cost. Continuing to regulate contaminants one by one is not sustainable in the long term and there must be a balance between real-world abilities and the need to meet increasing regulatory requirements. Streamlining drinking water regulations and their implementation is essential to the long-term efficacy and viability of the US regulatory program.
Over the 30-year history of the Safe Drinking Water Act, an immense regulatory maze and administrative superstructure has developed that may now be at risk of collapsing under its own weight. Lack of adequate funding to comply with new regulations is a matter of great concern for water utilities, especially the construction and operation of water system facilities to meet the ever increasing mandated improvements. The regulatory tangle and administrative superstructure has strained financial and personnel resources especially at a time when state agencies and water utilities face shrinking budgets and economic downturn. In fact, traditionally low water rates might need to be raised to cover the actual costs of state primacy.
Everyone agrees that drinking water regulations and regulatory oversight are necessary, but if the US regulatory program is to survive, we must regulate smartly, efficiently, and economically.
Water for People Charity Golf Tournament
The 4th annual Water for People Charity Golf Tournament is scheduled on September 15, 2008 at the “Links at Union Vale” near Poughkeepsie, New York. Our goal in 2008-09 is to raise approximately $ 15,000.00 through various fund raising events, as well as personal and corporate donations. As a water professional, you realize the vast importance of safe drinking water. Your support will help many people take their first step out of life threatening health concerns and poverty. Thank you for supporting the 4th annual charity golf tournament and considering this request on behalf of the Water for People and those we serve around the world.
Sponsorship and registration forms are available at http://www.nysawwa.org/ or contact Jessica in the Section Office.
WATER FACTS, NEWS, IQ & TIPS
The Water Policy Institute (http://www.waterpolicyinstitute.com/) – A non-partisan, member driven organization of water leaders, including scientists, academics, water users, industries, water suppliers, government entities and non-governmental organizations was formed in May 2008. Its purpose is to collaboratively develop innovative, sustainable solutions for water supply and quality issues, and to provide leadership on legal, regulatory and policy issues involving water locally, nationally, and internationally. Christine Todd Whitman, former EPA Administrator and past Governor of New Jersey, is the Chair of the institute.
Water Saving Tips – Turn off the water while you shave and you can save more than 100 gallons a week.
AWWA & NYSAWWA MILESTONES (1910-19)
1910 – Thousands flee Naples, Italy to escape cholera epidemic and chlorine purification at the Boonton plant approved in New Jersey
1911 – AWWA Annual Conference was held in Rochester, New York
1912 – Charles Wallace and Martin Tiernan create gas chlorination system for drinking water. Niagara Falls Water Treatment Plant first utilizes liquid chlorine for disinfection.
1914 – First federal drinking water standards adopted (limited to bacteriological quality and legally binding only on water supplies used by interstate carriers). Many state and local governments adopted 1914 standards as guidelines. Standards were revised in 1925, 1942, and 1946.
1914 – Journal AWWA begins publication as a quarterly with a circulation of 1,200. Typhoid statistics show death toll to be 16.2 per 100,000 as of 1913. Henry C. Hodgkins proposes dual distribution systems as a conservation measure. Greeley and Hansen engineers founded.
1914 – AWWA drafts first constitution creating geographical “Sections”, the concept still used today. New York Section was established and held its first meeting at the Manhattan Hotel, New York City on January 10, 1914. The New York section, at first included members from New Jersey was the first AWWA section to be inaugurated in 1914.
1915 – Nicholas S. Hill Jr. was elected AWWA President from New York
1915 – Panama Canal opens, with Ross valves regulating pressure that controls its gates. S.T. Powell observes effect of ozone on algae growth.
1916 – Kentucky, Ultraviolet disinfection process used. Francis F. Longley reports on the status of disinfection of US water supplies. Joseph Race’s landmark article advances the ammonia-chlorine process of disinfection. AWWA Annual Conference was held in New York City, New York. Black & Veatch is founded.
1917 – John M. Goodell becomes editor of Journal AWWA. Northern Gravel begins production of filter media and support gravel.
1918 – Abel Wolman and Linn H. Enslow develop the Wolman-Enslow chemical formula for treating water with chlorine at filtration plants.
1919 – Journal AWWA becomes a bimonthly. AWWA Annual Conference was held in Buffalo, New York
EVENTS CALENDAR
September 15 – Water for People Charity Golf Tournament, Links at Union Vale, NY
September 17 – AWWA WEBCAST on PVC Pipe in the Field
September 21-24 – AWWA Distribution System Symposium & Exposition, Austin, TX
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Bruce W. Barton (Village of Endicott Water Dept.), David Dunston (American Water), Nicholas R. Fisher (Village of Silver Springs), James F. Gaughran (Suffolk County Water Authority), Michell Goldstein (Skanska USA Civil), Harry J. Hagan, Rita Mitchell (Clinton County Health Dept.), Joseph Toscano (Severn Trent Services), Philip Erik Whitney (City of Ithaca DPW W & S Division) and David A. Winter
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. Dale Carnegie
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