Monthly Newsletter for Section Leaders: Volume 1, Number 11 (March 2009)

SECTION CHAIR’S MESSAGE

Shyam S. Mohanka, Ph. D., P.E., BCEE

Civil & Environmental Engineer

Discussion of second tier critical issues facing the water industry

INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP

Water utility managers understand that delivery of adequate supply of safe water is essential for public health protection. However, the 2007 and 2008 AWWA State of the Industry reports identified that one of the inadequately addressed issues by the water utility managers is the absence of an “industry-wide strategic direction”. There is a need to rise above local and regional politics to make important water management decisions. Bureaucracy seems to get in the way when hard-line issues need to be addressed. Politics are very costly to water.

The water supply industry is characterized by a very large investment with asset lifetimes ranging from 20 to 100 years. However, the very high replacement cost for existing infrastructure is pushing the water industry to seriously look for funding sources and water rate increase for making necessary repairs, replacements and regulatory mandated improvements. It is recommended that water utilities should formally develop a strategic plan to address the critical issues facing the water industry. The Strategic Direction Statement sets out long term vision, plans and aspirations to ensure that customers continue to receive a high quality service into the future at a sustainable and affordable cost. Here is a suggested Strategic Direction Statement over next 25 years for consideration:

. Provide continuous supply of safe water in sufficient quantity
. Ensure compliance with mandated regulatory improvements
. Plan for full cost recovery of infrastructure repairs, replacements, upgrades, including
Operation & maintenance of the water system
. Provide protection of water resources to ensure continuous supply of adequate quantity
of treatable water supply
. Implement workforce effective succession plan (Identify future workforce needs,
Allow the utility to compete effectively in the labor market and identify training,
recruitment and restructuring needs)
. Plan and educate all stakeholders (public, elected officials and decision makers) to
understand the true value of water and what it costs to deliver this service
. Implement effective, affordable state-of-the-art technology

. Minimize impact on the environment (Reduce energy use, proper handling of
Bio-solids & wastewater and consider impact of global warming/climate change)

TECHNOLOGY

Technology presented respondents with both opportunities and challenges as they tried to implement effective, affordable state-of-the-art advances. Members frequently recommended that water utilities must take advantage of membranes and energy-conservation technologies. The majority of publicly owned treatment works in the USA were constructed during the 1970s and 1980s. As these treatment plants begin to reach the end of their design lives, and as their effluent quality requirements become more restrictive, the need to rehabilitate or upgrade treatment is expanding and the use of innovative treatment technologies is vital.

ENERGY

Conserving energy and improving energy efficiency are the first step in reducing electricity and fuel use. Energy efficiency efforts reduce pollution and demand on resources, and can save money in many ways. With significant surges in energy prices during the last 12 months, it is time for water utilities to seriously consider renewable energy sources that are essentially inexhaustible (e.g. solar, wind, biomass). While fossil fuels are being depleted, renewable energy technologies provide a lasting source of energy. Utilities often resort to alternate, more expensive, polluting sources of energy during times of high-demand such as summer daytime hours. Reducing electricity use at the treatment plant facility during on-peak hours can help to minimize the need for utilities to operate beyond their base loads and can reduce their utility bill.

WASTEWATER

Wastewater, the least-mentioned issue for three years running, drew attention from respondents concerned about bio-solids disposal and storm water handling. The accumulated solids are the result of chemical coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation of raw water. Treatment and disposal of water treatment sludge and treatment of water filter backwash from a drinking water treatment system is eligible under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). CWSRF eligible project components include:

. Construction and/or replacement of sludge storage lagoons and tanks;
. Piping and pumping lines associated with sludge handling;
. Water treatment filter backwash piping, backwash water settling and/or storage tank and pumps, waste sludge piping, backwash recycle piping;
. Filter backwash and/or sludge treatment and disposal, including sludge handling equipment;
. Lime slurry storage and handling facilities;
. and Connection to municipal wastewater system.

Cost can be an important concern in waste disposal and often plays an important part in determining the disposal method used.

WATER FACTS, NEWS, IQ & TIPS

Water Facts (The Global Water Crisis): A person needs 4 to 5 gallons of water per day to survive. The average American individual uses 100 to 176 gallons of water at home each day.

Water-Related Disease Facts (The Global Water Crisis): 1.8 million children die each year from diarrhea – 4,900 deaths each day. No intervention has greater overall impact upon national development and public health than the provision of safe drinking water and the proper disposal of human waste.

AWWA Public Affairs Advisory (February 20, 2009): Drinking water utilities planning to introduce monochloramine into their systems should be aware of pockets of opposition from citizens’ groups in at least three states. The groups claim the disinfectant can cause rashes, respiratory problems and other negative health impacts. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Greg Kail at 303-734-3410 or gkail@awwa.org.

AWWA Public Affairs Advisory (March 2, 2009): During the week of March 16-20, 2009, WaterSense is launching its very first “Fix a Leak Week”, an opportunity to encourage individuals to improve the water efficiency in their homes by checking for and fixing leaks. For more information on “Fix a Leak Week” visit www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak

AWWA & NYSAWWA MILESTONES (1980-89)

1980 – The 15th edition of Standards Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater is published. R.Rhodes Trussell et al startle the industry with the achievement of a 13.5 gpm/sq.ft filtration rate at Los Angeles, Calif.
1981- AWWA celebrates first 100th anniversary. First AWWA Main Stream issue published. AWWA establishes Education, Engineering & Construction, and Research divisions.
1982 – Third amendment to National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NIPDWRs) – special monitoring requirements for corrosion and sodium goes into effect. AWWA launched Waternet. Iowa returns SDWA primacy to USEPA. AWWA Waternet is launched. AIDS makes news headlines.
1983 – USEPA sets 0.10 mg/l standard for total trihalomethanes.
1983 - Dr. William O. Lynch was elected AWWA President from New York Section
1984 – AWWA Journal circulation grows to almost 30,000.
1985 – December, AWWA membership rises to 38, 787. Abel Wolman Fellowship established.
1986 – Safe Drinking Water Act reauthorized. Challenger explodes 30 seconds after liftoff and nuclear accident at Chernobyl stunned the world.
1987 – Congress overrides presidential veto of Clean Water Act reauthorization. USEPA promulgates the Public Notification Rule, requiring water utilities to notify customers of any noncompliance with regulations, and the Phase I rule, setting maximum contaminant level goals (MCLGs) for eight volatile organic contaminants. USEPA proposes Surface Water Treatment and total Coligorm Rules.
1988 – AWWA membership reaches 45,000. Water Industry Coordination Council founded. USEPA promulgates rule extending primacy to Indian tribes. Lead Contamination Control Act of 1988 amends SDWA.
1989 – USEPA proposes Phase II rule covering 39 organics and inorganic contaminants. AWWA Journal circulation exceeds 40,000. Zebra mussels become problem for northern water suppliers. Cryptosporidium found in 92% of source waters. Four people die in first outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in Cabool, GA. Exxon Valdez spills 11 million barrels of oil along the Alaska coast.

EVENTS CALENDAR

April 1-3, 2009 – AWWA Seminar on Financial Management, New Orleans, Louisiana
April 8-10, 2009 – Water Security Congress, Washington, D.C. (AWWA Conference)
April 8, 2009 – AWWA Web Cast on Water Resources in the West
April 22, 2009 – AWWA Web Cast on Trenchless Technology Applications in the Water Industry
April 20-23, 2009 – New York Section Annual Water Event, Saratoga Springs, New York

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Robert H. Auguston (field Point Mobile Home Park), Albert Baker (Breeze Eastern Comp.), Steven S. Bennett, Allen M. Hill and Rondell R. Potts (vulcraft of New York), Michael J. Boufis (Bethpage Water District), Ashley Brown (Malcolm Pirnie Inc.), Levi Carling (Town of Newfield), Michael E. Cook (U.S. Pipe), Bryan Gonzales and Scott John (Seneca Nation of Indians Tribal Utilities), Gary Holmes (NYSDEC), Thomas House (City of Oneonta WTP), Julie Hoy (Niagara Falls Water Board), David Osborn (Automatech Inc.), Rodney Peets (Ontario Water Utilities), Mark J. Searles (General Control Systems Inc.), Herb J. Werner (Fluid Metering Inc.) and Mark A. Yovella (Camo Pollution Control Inc.)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

THE ONLY THING TO DO WITH GOOD ADVICE IS PASS IT ON. IT IS NEVER ANY USE TO ONESELF. Oscar Wilde