WaterOperator.org BlogArticles in support of small community water and wastewater operators.http://wateroperator.org/blogChemical Grouting: A Solution to Infiltrationhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1556/featured-video-chemical-grouting-a-solution-to-infiltrationSanitary SewersWed, 30 Sep 2020 00:01:39 GMT<p><em>Editor's Note: We want to thank Avanti International for permission to use their&nbsp;photo&nbsp;as Figure 1 in this post.</em></p> <p>Infiltration is defined as an excess of unwanted water entering a sanitary wastewater system from groundwater or storm water. More specifically, infiltration occurs when groundwater enters the sanitary sewer through defects in pipes and manholes (Figure 1). This excess water can cause damage to the collection system when sewers are forced to transport more flow than they are designed to handle. Increased effluent also raises wastewater treatment costs because the facility must treat harmless storm water and groundwater with the sewage. This added flow increases wear on equipment, electrical cost, and overall operation and maintenance expenses. In addition, if the capacity of the collection system or treatment plant is exceeded, untreated wastewater may be discharged into the environment. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/4%20Points%20of%20Entry_WM_hi_res.png" alt="infiltration source diagram" style="width: 50%; height: auto;" /> </p> <p style="text-align: center;">Figure 1. Potential Sources for Infiltration</p> <p> As with most utility problems, there are many potential solutions. For infiltration where defects are localized, some of these solutions include mechanical point repair, injection methods, or rerounding. A discussion of the chemical grout injection option is given below.&nbsp;</p> <p>The chemicals used for grouting have been available since the early 1960s. They are usually urethane based and when they come in contact with water react to form a polymer material that is a barrier to water flow.&nbsp;The conditions/steps required for grouting are:</p> <ol> <li>A pipe or joint cannot be failing structurally</li> <li>There must be a path for the grouting solution to flow out into the soil</li> <li>The area must be free of debris such as roots, grease and other obstacles that may prevent proper application of the grout.</li> <li>Application of the chemicals at a pressure higher than the water table of inflowing water.</li> <li>Final testing of the repair (air pressure or visually).</li> </ol> <p>A video providing an overview of this process using remotely operated equipment is given below.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P75VKjMWSHE" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Chemical grouting can also be applied manually and can stop the leak almost instantly.&nbsp;A video of manual grouting for a leak in sewer wall is shown below.&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M5c9Uv1fJeI" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <p><span>In summary, chemical grouting technology for stopping infiltration is attractive because the chemicals are non-toxic to the wastewater treatment plant and can be applied using remote controlled equipment or manually for small localized defects. Chemical grouting is a flexible low cost option for infiltration repairing of sewer mains in addition to sewer laterals.</span></p>1556Preventing & Responding to Security Threatshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1554/preventing-responding-to-security-threatsEmergency Response,SecurityFri, 18 Sep 2020 20:09:54 GMT<p>Facility and infrastructural security are an important component of any emergency response plan. Whether the outcome can result in vandalism, theft, terrorism, or a threat to staff or community safety, suspicious activity should always be taken seriously. When the city of Woodland Hills was alerted of trespassing at their water storage tank, the utility promptly <a href="https://gephardtdaily.com/local/officials-searching-for-young-men-who-trespassed-at-woodland-hills-water-storage-tank/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">issued a boil order</a> until they could confirm that their water was safe to drink. These actions prevented any potential harm due to contamination leaving community members safe and reassured that their utility was taking an active role in water security. Evaluating risk to malevolent acts will allow your system to initiate or upgrade preventive measures and develop an appropriate response plan to protect staff and the community.</p> <p>To prevent malevolent acts, start by taking an assessment of your facility&rsquo;s <a href="https://deq.utah.gov/legacy/permits/drinking-water/docs/2014/07Jul/SmallWSSecurityChecklist.pdf">vulnerabilities</a>. Consider entry points, security code accessibility, chemical tanks, storage tanks, vehicles, utility equipment, hazardous chemicals, and infrastructure within the distribution or collection system. Infrastructure essential to operations and limited in redundancy or identified to be at greater risk to malevolent acts may require more meticulous security measures. To assess physical security threats, check out the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/621.pdf">Security Vulnerability Self-Assessment Guide for Small Drinking water Systems</a>. </p> <p>The goal in a vulnerability assessment is to determine where prevention measures can be implemented and develop a response plan to suspicious activity.<span>&nbsp; </span>According to the Minnesota Department of Health, <a href="https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/factsheet/security.html">many facilities increase security</a> by locking entry points, using external lighting, posting warning signs, requesting law enforcement patrol, fencing in critical infrastructure, or installing motion sensors, alarm systems, and video cameras. Once all preventive measures have been taken, develop a response protocol for each potential threat. The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators has developed <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/14983.pdf">response guidelines</a> for security violations. In each response scenario, utilities should plan for how they can maintain internal, interagency, and external <a href="https://assets.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/frwa/pdfs-and-documents/communications_for_an_emergency_event.doc">communication</a>.</p> <p>Utilities should practice emergency <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-05/documents/how_to_develop_a_multi-year_training_and_exercise_plan_a_tool_for_the_water_sector.pdf">response exercises</a> regularly and keep track of necessary changes to response protocols. During these exercises reserve time to monitor which staff have access to key entry points at the utility. Successful security programs will also build and maintain a close relationship with local law enforcement. This relationship will allow utilities to respond swiftly and efficiently in coordination with law enforcement when suspicious activity does occur.</p> <p>Remember that final goal of these measures is to prevent any interruption in services, damage to infrastructure, and safety threats to staff and the community. For more information on Malevolent Acts check out the EPA&rsquo;s Baseline Information on <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-07/documents/baseline_information_malevolent_acts_508_072519.pdf">Malevolent Acts for Community Water Systems</a>.</p>1554Featured Video: Infusing Innovation into the DNA of Our Culturehttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1550/infusing-innovation-into-the-dna-of-our-cultureAsset Management,Financial Management,Utility Management,WorkforceWed, 09 Sep 2020 16:04:07 GMT<p>There are many factors that drive the current utility model for wastewater operations. With traditional values in play, we have reached difficult economic and operational challenges. In order to address these challenges, we must adapt a new mindset and new utility model to push affordability for water customers, better equipment management, and increased compliancy.</p> <p>Adapting a more innovative approach and mindset:<br /> Our current utility practices suggest that our societal and business values coincide with "extraction, use, and waste disposal". This creates a motivation that is, at bare minimum, driven by public engagement, capital investment, and operations &amp; maintenance. As a result our current water resources are being utilized inefficiently and ultimately running low. We must instead adapt a Resource Recovery business model for a circular economy. Focus must be shifted from regulatory compliance, utility impact, and traditional utility models to pivot toward ecological uplift, collective impact, and a transformative entrepreneurial business model. This new business model should include focus on resource recovery and watershed health as well as pump, plant, and pipe health.</p> <p> The start of a new, innovative, and effective approach might be slow but can grow exponentially. Water organizations must start with efficiency and work their way to optimization, which will lead into investments for bigger ideas and new intellectual property such as smart meters, efficient pumps, proper monitoring equipment, better facilities, and so forth. Collective cooperation and corresponding mindsets will keep the industry on the same track with the addition of new water personnel and management turnover.</p> <p> In this week&rsquo;s featured video by the Water Research Foundation, Diane Taniguchi-Dennis, Deputy General Manager at Clean Water Services, presents a case study for how her organization is improving utility functionality through a culture of innovation.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y1e7LjBy3kQ" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1550How to Find Free Webinars on WaterOperator.orghttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1553/how-to-find-free-webinars-on-wateroperatororg-tutorialCertification,Internet,Training/CEUs,WaterOperator.orgFri, 04 Sep 2020 15:30:09 GMT<p>Our staff at WaterOperator.org work hard to make sure operators can easily find all potential training opportunities for their water or wastewater operator certification using our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">national training calendar</a>. This calendar currently links to over 11,000 events each year, all of which are pre-approved for operator continuing education credits and many which are free. Whether it&rsquo;s a training hosted by your primacy agency, <span>the Rural Community Assistance Partnership,&nbsp;</span>a subsection of the American Water Works Association, or another local training provider, we strive to list them all.</p> <p>Given the increased demand for virtual training opportunities, we&rsquo;ve recently created a tutorial to help you optimize your search for live, online training. We hope that this video will help you to more easily meet the training requirements under your certification.</p> <p>Please note, that these opportunities all have a time and date associated with their registration. We do not list on-demand training in our calendar. If you require assistance searching for pre-approved, on-demand training opportunities, please email us at <a href="mailto:info@wateroperator.org" class="ApplyClass">info@wateroperator.org</a>.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9xe1DmzhCpI" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1553Featured Video: Sewer Dye Testinghttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1548/past-titleSanitary SewersMon, 17 Aug 2020 18:06:36 GMT<p>A municipal sanitary sewer system is designed to collect and transport wastewater from homes, offices, businesses, restaurants and other sources to a municipal wastewater treatment plant for treatment and safe discharge into the environment. If other sources of water are allowed to enter the sewer system, the collection system and wastewater treatment plant can become over loaded allowing untreated water to be discharged. This is defined as <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1533/managing-sanitary-sewer-overflows-ssos">sanitary sewer overflows</a>, or SSO&rsquo;s. One of the biggest sources of excess water is infiltration of storm water and groundwater into the sanitary sewers. A method to detect this infiltration is through dye testing.</p> <p>Dye testing is a simple procedure where storm drains, yard drains, and the outside of the foundation walls of the house, or other areas are flooded with water to simulate a period of heavy rainfall. The colored water is pumped through the ground and storm water system and appears in the sanitary sewer collection system where leaks occur. This test is simple and complements smoke testing that may have been done previously.</p> <p>The dye testing procedure can be accomplished in the following steps.</p> <ol> <li>Isolating a section of the storm water network to test by plugging pipes at specific locations.&nbsp;</li> <li>Then, bright-dyed water is pumped into the storm water network until it reaches capacity.&nbsp;</li> <li>Remote CCTV cameras are deployed into the sanitary sewer system, where any points of storm water ingress are highlighted clearly by the dyed water.</li> </ol> <p>Once the testing is completed, the locations of these sources of infiltration makes the process of repairing these leaks far more straightforward facilitating effective piping and system repairs which keep infiltration to a minimum.</p> <p>A video showing how dye testing can be carried out is shown below:</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XydoWDtSPos" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1548Inspiring the Future of Women in Wastewaterhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1546/inspiring-the-future-of-women-in-wastewaterWastewater,WorkforceFri, 17 Jul 2020 18:03:48 GMT<p><em>Editor's Note: We would like to thank NYC Environmental Protection for permission to use this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErVzoy9uk1I">photo</a>.</em></p> <p>Despite such worthwhile career prospects, in 2018 women made up only 5.8% <span>&nbsp;</span>of water and wastewater operators according to <a href="https://datausa.io/profile/soc/water-wastewater-treatment-plant-system-operators#demographics">statistics by the U.S. Census Bureau</a>. As the water workforce ages and experienced operators retire, the water and wastewater industry can benefit by recruiting more women into the field. Mutually so, inquisitive women with interests in protecting public health and sustaining our environment have much to receive from the opportunities available within the industry.</p> <p>In the field of wastewater treatment specifically, professionals can exercise their curiosity in the sciences while building technical and mechanical skills. The <a href="https://www.workforwater.org/careers-in-water/water-resource-recovery-facility-wastewater-treatment-operator/">wastewater operator career</a> not only offers extensive opportunity for growth and advancement, but starting positions often pay well, sustain job security, and will provide on-the-job training. The duties of an operator are an essential public service that require knowledge of wastewater safety, math, chemistry, microbiology, treatment processes, and utility operations and maintenance. Those with a penchant for problem solving and mechanical skills will fare well in the field. Other skills women can develop as a wastewater operator involve communication, presentation, collaboration, and eventually, management.</p> <p>In the <a href="https://www.empoweringwomeninindustry.com/podcast/episode/b698c9d2/empowering-women-podcast-christen-wood-operations-administrator-at-the-county-of-summit-department-of-sanitary-sewer-services">Empowering Women Podcast</a>, Christen Wood, wastewater operations administrator of Summit County Department Sanitary Sewer Services and three time participant of WEFTEC&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.weftec.org/attend/operations-challenge/">operations challenge</a> (with two of her teams making it all the way to nationals), describes the &ldquo;happy accidents&rdquo; that allowed her to stumble upon the field. She explains why she continues to hold such passion for her position noting that work as a wastewater operator is a career path, not a job. Listen to Christen&rsquo;s interview to get a better idea about the type of tasks involved in the day to day work of an operator and the significance of those tasks in public and environmental health.</p> <p>Still not convinced? NYC Water offers an excellent summary of the benefits a wastewater career will offer to women interested in the field. If you get anything out of this video, we hope its that you start to consider how you can fit into the wastewater industry! Find more information about the experience of women in the water industry at the Words on Water Podcast&rsquo;s <a href="https://wordsonwaterwef.com/2019/03/08/inspiring-women-in-water/">Inspiring Women in Water</a> podcast series. The same podcast produced a separate interview with Mel Butcher, an engineering consultant at Arcadis. Her interview discusses how <a href="https://wordsonwaterwef.com/2019/04/02/words-on-water-84-mel-butcher-on-the-status-of-women-in-the-water-workforce/">challenges that women do face</a> as minorities in the industry can be overcome through honest conversation.&nbsp;</p> <p>Workforce diversity leads to new ideas, innovation, and progress. Consider how you can bring your skills to wastewater treatment.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ErVzoy9uk1I " frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1546AWWA & RCAP Release AWIA Small Systems E-Traininghttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1545/awwa-awwa-rcap-release-awia-small-systems-etrainingInternet,Training/CEUsMon, 13 Jul 2020 00:52:08 GMT<p>The <a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterresilience/americas-water-infrastructure-act-risk-assessments-and-emergency-response-plans">America&rsquo;s Water Infrastructure Act</a> (AWIA) was signed into law in October 2018, requiring drinking water systems serving more than 3,300 people to develop or update risk and resilience assessments (RRA) and emergency response plans (ERP) within the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterresilience/americas-water-infrastructure-act-risk-assessments-and-emergency-response-plans#CD">deadlines</a> determined by system size. With this Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed guidance documents to help systems comply with these new requirements. These <a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterresilience/americas-water-infrastructure-act-risk-assessments-and-emergency-response-plans">resources</a> include a qualitative <a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterresilience/small-system-risk-and-resilience-assessment-checklist">RRA Checklist</a> specifically designed for small systems as well as an <a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterutilityresponse/develop-or-update-drinking-water-utility-emergency-response-plan">ERP template</a>. The purpose of these materials is to help systems achieve the minimum compliance under AWIA Section 2013.</p> <p>To complement these small system resources, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) have partnered to build a free e-learning program with funding from the U.S. EPA. The on-demand training condenses ANSI/AWWA standards for security, risk management, and resilience as well as the AWWA&rsquo;s Risk and Resilience Certification Program to help systems comply with AWIA. This new <a href="https://www.awwa.org/Professional-Development/Small-Systems">AWIA Small Systems Certificate Program</a> contains four courses:</p> <ul> <li>Introduction to Resiliency and America&rsquo;s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (EL272)</li> <li>Operational Measures for Resiliency (EL273)</li> <li>How to Develop a Risk and Resilience Assessment (EL274)</li> <li>How to Develop a Small System Emergency Response Plan (EL275)</li> <li>Bonus: Cybersecurity (Available late 2020)</li> </ul> <p>Each course (<a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/AWIA-Modules-Preview.PNG">See preview 1/2</a>) features a series of video presentations with regular knowledge checks, a course evaluation, and a final assessment. The modules within the course (<a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/AWIA-Modules-Preview-Inside.PNG">See preview 2 /2</a>) are easy to follow and offer an excellent overview of AWIA knowledge requirements. At the end of the training, participants will receive a certificate of completion. CEU approval is available depending on your operator certification agency. <a href="https://www.awwa.org/Professional-Development/CE-Credits">See AWWA's credit policy</a>.</p> <p>The training also includes a separate AWWA/RCAP worksheet that can be used in the field to conduct an RRA. While housed under the AWWA&rsquo;s resources for small systems, free registration is available to both members and non-members of the AWWA. To access the course participants are required to create or use a (free) AWWA account. We&rsquo;ve highlighted the steps to create an account as well as how to access the courses. Any of the following screenshots can be enlarged by simply clicking on them to open the image in a new tab.</p> <p><strong>Creating a Free Account:</strong></p> <ol> <li>At the top right-hand corner of the <a href="https://www.awwa.org/">AWWA website</a> is a link that says Login. Click this link to create a free account. </li> <li>Turn your attention toward the 'Create New Account' section of the new webpage. Read the Privacy Policy and select &lsquo;I Agree &ndash; Create Account&rsquo;. <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/AWIA-ELearning-2CreateAccount-LogIn_CreateNewAccount.PNG" target="_blank"><img alt="Screenshot of Login Page" src="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/AWIA-ELearning-2CreateAccount-LogIn_CreateNewAccount.PNG" style="max-width: 90%;" /></a><br /> <br /> </div> </li> <li>Enter your email address in the next page.<br /> Note: During this step the AWWA will check to see if you&rsquo;ve already created an existing account with this email. If your account already exists and you&rsquo;ve forgotten your password, you can perform a password reset. </li> <li>To continue creating a new account you will want to fill out each field to the best of your abilities. For the address type, you can select Home, Delivery, or Office/USmail. <br /> If you choose to use your utility address, keep the address type as office/USmail. Enter every field and select &lsquo;Find Company&rsquo;. <ol> <li>If your utility is already in the database, select the utility name and then Continue. </li> <li>If your utility is not listed in the results, you will have to manually enter your address by selecting &lsquo;None of the Above&rsquo; and Continue.</li> </ol> </li> <li>More fields will appear after entering the address. Entering a phone number is optional, but you will have to choose a secure password. Be sure it is something you will remember or keep it written in a safe place.</li> <li>Check the agreement box to agree to the Consent Capture statement. This statement grants AWWA permission to collect and store your personal information to maintain your account. Your page should now look close to this: <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/AWIA-ELearning-7CreateAccount-LogIn_EnterYourInfo_Entered.PNG" target="_blank"><img alt="Completed Fields for Account Set Up Screenshot" src="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/AWIA-ELearning-7CreateAccount-LogIn_EnterYourInfo_Entered.PNG" style="max-width: 90%;" /></a><br /> <br /> </div> </li> <li>Select Next.</li> <li>Now your account is active! You can tell that you&rsquo;re logged in because your name will appear at the very top, right-hand corner of any AWWA webpage. </li> </ol> <p><strong>Accessing the Courses:</strong></p> <ol> <li> Information about the AWIA Small Systems Certificate e-training can be found at the <a href="https://www.awwa.org/Professional-Development/Small-Systems">Small Systems</a> webpage. To find this page using the AWWA navigation bar, hover over &lsquo;Professional Development&rsquo; and select &lsquo;Small Systems&rsquo;. Lots of great small system training and resources can be found here! <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/AWIA-ELearning-A1CourseAccess-SmallSystemsPage.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Finding the Small Systems Page Screenshot" src="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/AWIA-ELearning-A1CourseAccess-SmallSystemsPage.png" style="max-width: 90%;" /> </a><br /> <br /> </div> </li> <li> From this page, scroll down to &lsquo;Safe Drinking Water Act Compliance Training&rsquo; heading. Select the tab &lsquo;AWIA Small Systems Certificate Program&rsquo;. This tab includes the redemption code &lsquo;SMSYS20&rsquo; that will be required in the following steps to provide account access to the courses. <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/AWIA-ELearning-A2CourseAccess-FindTrainingOnline.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Screen Scot of the Certificate Program Tab" src="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/AWIA-ELearning-A2CourseAccess-FindTrainingOnline.png" style="max-width: 90%;" /></a><br /> <br /> </div> </li> <li>Now make sure you&rsquo;re logged into the AWWA site and select your name in the top, right-hand corner of the webpage. If your name does not appear in the top navigation then you are not logged in. </li> <li>A page called &lsquo;My Account&rsquo; should be loaded. Now select &lsquo;My Courses&rsquo; in the left-hand menu. This will bring you to the <a href="https://awwa.learnercommunity.com/">AWWA eLearning platform</a>. You might want to bookmark this link for easy course access in the future! <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/AWIA-ELearning-A5CourseAccess-FindCourse.PNG" target="_blank"><img alt="Screen Scot of the My Courses Link" src="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/AWIA-ELearning-A5CourseAccess-FindCourse.PNG" style="max-width: 90%;" /></a><br /> <br /> </div> </li> <li>In this page under 'Small System Course Access', enter the code &lsquo;SMSYS20&rsquo; and select Redeem. </li> <li>Now all free courses available to small systems will be placed in your enrollments. A temporary menu will pop up where you can look through these courses. <br /> If you close this menu you will be returned to the eLearning home page. By scrolling down you can find the same small system enrollments. These enrollments include the individual courses that make up each small system certificate program. Since this list is not sorted by certificate program, you&rsquo;ll want to search for each course by the names listed at the beginning of this blog. Start with EL272 and work toward EL275. <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/AWIA-ELearning-A8CourseAccess-Enrollments.PNG" target="_blank"><img alt="Course Enrollments Screenshot" src="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/AWIA-ELearning-A8CourseAccess-Enrollments.PNG" style="max-width: 80%;" /> </a><br /> <br /> </div> </li> </ol> <p><strong>Returning to the Course:</strong></p> <ol> <li>Sign in to the AWWA site with your existing account by selecting &lsquo;Login&rsquo; in the top, right-hand corner of any AWWA webpage. The username is your email. </li> <li>Once logged in, select your name in the top, right-hand corner of the page where it used to say Login.</li> <li>A webpage called &lsquo;My Account&rsquo; should be loaded. Now select &lsquo;My Courses&rsquo; in the left-hand menu. This will bring you to the <a href="https://awwa.learnercommunity.com/">AWWA eLearning platform</a>. You might want to bookmark this link for quicker access next time.</li> <li>Scroll down on the e-learning homepage to access your courses. </li> </ol> <p>We recommend systems check out both the EPA tools as well as the new e-training to decide what worksheets and strategies are best for your utility. Remember that RCAP&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.rcap.org/assistance/">technical assistance</a> providers are available throughout the country to help you achieve AWIA compliance, work through these courses, and even facilitate tabletop exercises for emergency preparedness. For a deeper understanding of AWIA compliance and these small system resources, operators can view the June 10, 2020 <a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/5069393325384192001">webinar recording</a>: Small Systems Guidance for America&rsquo;s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.</p>1545Promoting Equality and Equity: Resources for the Water Industryhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1544/promoting-equality-resources-for-the-water-industryWorkforceMon, 29 Jun 2020 19:55:50 GMT<p><em>Editor's Note: We want to thank NYC Environmental Protection for permission to use their <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nycwater/46954090134/">photo</a> in this post.</em><br /> <br /> Our team at WaterOperator.org was pleased to see organizations such as the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1542/a-message-from-nathan-ohle-rcap-ceo">Rural Community Assistance Partnership</a> (RCAP), <a href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/a-statement-from-the-water-environment-federation-board-of-trustees-0001">Water Environment Federation</a> (WEF), and the <a href="https://www.awwa.org/AWWA-Articles/statement-from-minnesota-section-and-awwa-on-george-floyd-tragedy-and-protests">American Water Works Association</a> (AWWA), make public statements in support of the racial justice movement. Our program is committed to promoting and upholding the principles of inclusion in everything we do.</p> <p>Racial injustice affects all of us &mdash; at home, at work, and in our daily societal interactions. Times like these define who we are, shed light on our world view, and, most importantly, are an opportunity to affect change. We all play an important role in developing and maintaining equitable places to work and live. Here are just a few resources that might be helpful as your organization navigates this call to action:</p> <p><a href="https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/AWWA/Communications/AWaterUtilityManagersGuidetoCommunityStewardship.pdf" style="font-weight: bold;">A Water Utility Manager&rsquo;s Guide to Community Stewardship</a><strong><br /> </strong>Highlighted by David LaFrance, CEO of the American Water Works Association, in his <a href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/we-re-better-together-0001?vm_tId=2219314&amp;user=c2ad9abc-b2b0-4cca-84fb-386f8e278a0d&amp;vm_alias=We%26amp;%238217;re%20Better%20Together&amp;utm_source=mkt_WOL&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=WOL_06-11-2020&amp;utm_term=c2ad9abc-b2b0-4cca-84fb-386f8e278a0d&amp;utm_content=We%26amp;%238217;re%20Better%20Together&amp;mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT0RKbU5XVXlPRGMzWmpBeiIsInQiOiJuYWJ0ak5ob016dDNMK2E0M3FZVHZiK25mdlM4M1c4MkliZHFZKzA0S0FjYkJhVVpjUGgrQ1JoUFEzRVNKbmdCVk5HMUNsUWJGV0tHMW5mR1hpZjdJbHVCVkNnVThGWGJnWVJVa3RkT0laQ296cEIrQk1uS1pINkhGNmtsSDlFNiJ9" style="background-color: #ffffff;">message</a> to the water industry from a <a href="https://www.wateronline.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Water Online</a> commentary, this manual features a chapter on human resources identifying how to promote welcoming cultures and increase diversity in the workplace.<br /> <strong>Host</strong>: <em>American Water Works Association</em></p> <p><a href="https://www.apwa.net/Library/Reporter/201802_ReporterOnline.pdf" style="font-weight: bold;">Could This Be What Employees Experience in Your Workplace?</a><strong><br /> </strong>On page 26 of the February 2018 edition of the APWA Reporter, author and operations manager for St. Paul Public Works Department, Beverly Ann Farraher, highlights how public works employee Antione Posey faced racial discrimination in the workplace. The objective of this article is to invigorate readers to consider how they can take positive action to support diversity and inclusivity.<br /> <strong>Host</strong>: <em>American Public Works Association</em></p> <p><a href="https://hbr.org/2020/06/u-s-businesses-must-take-meaningful-action-against-racism" style="font-weight: bold;">U.S. Businesses Must Take Meaningful Action Against Racism</a><strong><br /> </strong>Featured in a recent <a href="https://www2.smartbrief.com/servlet/encodeServlet?issueid=3F5DEA6F-530F-43A7-993A-FB69B2C720B6&amp;sid=c1a5edf9-f7e9-43a5-9f03-cd2b5f2a95c8" style="background-color: #ffffff;">WEF Smart Brief</a>, this article outlines ways that industry leaders can support minority employees to feel physically and psychologically safe in their workplace during such difficult times of racial injustice.<br /> <strong>Host</strong>: <em>Harvard Business Review</em></p> <p><a href="http://uswateralliance.org/wec" style="font-weight: bold;">Water Equity Clearinghouse</a><strong><br /> </strong>This online database showcases organizations and the practices they implement to make water and wastewater service accessibility more equitable and inclusive.<br /> <strong>Host</strong>: <em>U.S. Water Alliance</em></p> <p><a href="http://www.pnws-awwa.org/uploads/PDFs/conferences/2016/Technical%20Sessions/Thursday/Pozos%20Working%20Toward%20the%20Utility%20of%20the%20Future%20by%20Understanding%20and%20Addressing%20Bias.pdf"><strong>Working Toward the Utility of the Future by Understanding and Addressing Bias<br /> </strong></a>Presented at a 2016 conference hosted by the Pacific Northwest Section AWWA, these slides teach readers how the brain processes information to form subconscious biases.&nbsp; Water industry professionals will learn how to negate these biases to produce and foster a more innovative and diverse workforce.<br /> <strong>Host</strong>: <em>Pacific Northwest Section American Water Works Association</em></p> <p>Echoed by RCAP CEO Nathan Ohle in his statement on the death of George Floyd, there is more diversity found in rural and tribal communities than most people realize. This diversity is one of the many things that make them so extraordinary. We encourage all systems and the communities that they serve to examine how they can promote diversity and remove any barriers that hinder its livelihood both inside and outside of the workplace.&nbsp; With that, we will leave you with a quote taken from a <a href="https://awwa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/awwa.1239">Workforce Diversity article</a> by Rachel Gilbert included in the AWWA Journal:&nbsp;</p> <p>&ldquo;<em>The concept of Diversity &amp; Inclusion needs to be regarded as a value &mdash; not just a program or priority. Priorities change <em>&mdash;</em> values don&rsquo;t</em>.&rdquo;</p>1544A Message from Nathan Ohle, RCAP CEOhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1542/a-message-from-nathan-ohle-rcap-ceoWorkforceMon, 29 Jun 2020 19:54:34 GMT<p><em>Editor's Note: WaterOperator.org is proudly funded through a partnership with <a href="https://www.rcap.org/">the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP)</a>. In this blog post we have highlighted a recent statement by RCAP CEO Nathan Ohle in response to the death of George Floyd and the protests that followed.</em></p> <p>Throughout the past few weeks, we have witnessed yet another systemic injustice with the death of George Floyd and the protests that followed. Over four decades, the RCAP Network has always stood for the common good, including a fair and just society that fosters healthy conversations, true collaboration and equitable partnerships. We strive to celebrate and lift the incredibly diverse make up of rural and tribal communities that we see every day through our work.</p> <p>We do not have all the answers to address the inequity taking place across the country, or yet know what role the RCAP Network can play in this conversation. However, it is clear that we need to create a space for those conversations to take shape, and to elevate the voices of the rural communities that are working collaboratively with people from all walks of life. We work on regionalization and regional collaboration projects across the country, helping to facilitate tough conversations and bridge differences between and among communities. Those tough conversations are critical to ensuring that we create equitable opportunity for all communities.</p> <p>What we see happening today in America is not just happening in big cities, it lives in communities of all sizes. Everyone wants to feel safe, secure, and valued, but too many people in this country do not.</p> <p>Rural communities are much more diverse than most people realize. It is the diversity that exists in rural communities that makes them so special. Ensuring that everyone has affordable access to safe drinking water and sanitary wastewater disposal was the founding principal of RCAP, with a specific focus on the most vulnerable populations across the country. As we consider where we can play a role, we are always here to listen, learn and to support important conversations in whatever form they should take. RCAP will continue to focus on creating and lifting up positive stories, encouraging continued collaboration, providing venues for fruitful conversations, and ensuring that rural communities of color have an equitable opportunity.</p>1542The Lytton Tribe Manages Government to Government Wastewater Agreementshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1541/the-lytton-tribe-manages-government-to-government-wastewater-agreementsTribal SystemsFri, 12 Jun 2020 12:00:00 GMT<p><em>Editor's Note: This article was originally published in the June 2020 edition of our Tribal Utility Newsletter. You can subscribe to this newsletter or find past editions <a href="http://wateroperator.org/newsletters">here</a>.<br /> </em></p> <p>In 1961 federal recognition of the <a href="https://www.homelandforlytton.com/">Lytton Band of Pomo Indians</a> was unlawfully terminated. While this recognition was restored in 1991, the Tribe was only granted <a href="https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/10640514-181/lytton-pomo-tribe-secures-windsor?sba=AAS" target="_blank">federal recognition</a> of a reservation in December of last year. During this time the Lytton Tribe built its success by establishing a San Pablo casino. Funds from the casino were used to purchase 500 acres of land near Windsor, California. Since then the Tribe has been working with Sonoma County to develop 147 housing units as well as a resort and winery.</p> <p>Now that this ongoing development can be performed on land officially held in trust by the U.S. federal government, the Tribe is no longer subject to local land use restrictions. As such, the Lytton Tribe must assess all potential options to best meet future wastewater needs. Collaboration with their Windsor neighbors as well as an environmental assessment identified two primary options: </p> <ul> <li>Onsite construction of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.homelandforlytton.com/faq">private wastewater treatment facility</a> with management overseen by a private firm.</li> <li>Joining the Windsor wastewater treatment plant to meet residential needs with construction of a smaller treatment plant for commercial wastewater.</li> </ul> <p>Construction of a separate wastewater facility drew concerns for the town of Windsor. Effluent discharge would flow into gravel pits near the town's well field and a local watershed. Windsor residents were also concerned about potential treatment odors. If the Tribe connected to the existing treatment plant, they would benefit from the plant's existing efficiencies and reuse opportunities while leaving land available for future Tribal housing.</p> <p>After accessing the capacity of the Windsor plant, the Tribe and town agreed to <a href="https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/10982701-181/lytton-rancheria-agrees-to-pay">connect to the existing facility</a> for a $20 million connection fee. Approximately $3.5 million of this will go toward aeration basin improvements to increase capacity for the Tribe's future development projects. Costs to connect services will be funded by the Tribe. Agreements such of these can often be tedious, however the town and the Lytton Tribe are working well to overcome disagreements, maintain transparency, and find a solution that mutually benefits both parties. The next steps in this project involve drafting a <a href="http://www.sonomawest.com/the_windsor_times/news/town-agrees-to-start-the-process-of-connecting-wastewater-services-to-lytton-tribe/article_91536f48-9c80-11ea-b665-9b2c5d41dc55.html">Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement</a> over the wastewater services.</p> <p>Through this work, the Lytton Tribe demonstrates how to traverse the formation of complex government to government agreements.To assist tribes with future water or wastewater system agreements and partnerships take advantage of the U.S. EPA's <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/watersystempartnership_handbook_508_final_1.zip">Water System Partnerships Handbook</a>, the Rural Community Assistance Partnership's <a href="https://www.rcap.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/RCAP-Regionalization-Research-Report_March-2020_Pages.pdf">Resiliency Through Water and Wastewater System Partnerships</a>, and the Water Research Foundation's <a href="https://www.waterrf.org/system/files/resource/2019-10/DRPT-4750.pdf">Water Utility Partnerships Resource Guide and Toolbox</a>.</p>1541Featured Video: Sewer Cleaning in Los Angeles California with Kent Carlsonhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1538/featured-video-sewer-cleaning-in-los-angeles-california-with-kent-carlsonoperation & maintenance,Sanitary SewersFri, 22 May 2020 11:00:00 GMT<p>For roughly 30 years Kent Carlson worked for the City of Los Angeles to bring innovation and new technology to the Department of Public Works&rsquo; Bureau of Sanitation. When the Bureau observed that new technology was falling behind on their collections side, Kent was brought over to assist with tool development and the standardization of sewer cleaning procedures. Under the mission to reduce sewer overflows and recognize increasing drought in southern California, one of his favorite inventions featured a sewer nozzle designed to reduce water use and save time during cleaning.</p> <p>In his article with <a href="http://cweawaternews.org/cwea-member-profile-heres-how-we-can-honor-sewer-workers-a-qa-with-the-city-of-las-kent-carlson/"><span>CWEA Water News</span></a> he offers his predictions on the future of the sewer profession asserting, &ldquo;<em>I think it&rsquo;s an exciting future &ndash; technology is exploding in this sector &ndash; CCTV, GIS, computers on the trucks. Sewer workers of the future will be much better with technology. Rather than using rudimentary brute force for cleaning we&rsquo;ll get smarter, more strategic and more efficient at what we do</em>.&rdquo;</p> <p>Kent&rsquo;s enthusiasm for tool development is demonstrated in this week&rsquo;s featured video. The 5-minute video highlights the history of sewer cleaning in Los Angeles as well as a demonstration of how his team tests and develops their sewer cleaning tools. Back in the day, sewer cleaning featured manual removal of clogged pipes and sewer mains. Today, his team takes advantage of high-pressure tools and robotics. Kent says the best tools for sewer cleaning are designed or personally modified by the facility staff. These tools ultimately help the Bureau of Sanitation affordably maintain approximately 6,500 miles of pipe, some of which was originally installed as far back as 1883. We hope this week's featured video inspires your system to find new and innovative ways to help your utility operate more efficiently.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fewPbl0k9VA" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1538Opinion: Challenges Quantifying COVID-19 Cases Using Wastewaterhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1537/opinion-issues-quantifying-covid-19-cases-using-wastewatermonitoring,WastewaterTue, 19 May 2020 19:21:12 GMT<p><em>Editor's Note: The views expressed in this post are the sole opinion of the author and not those of WaterOperator.org, our sponsors, or the University of Illinois.<br /> </em><br /> In the <a href="https://mailchi.mp/smallwatersupply/3awpeaqebc-1308809?e=548774da96" style="background-color: #ffffff;">May 5, 2020 edition</a> of the WaterOperator.org <span style="background-color: #ffffff;">newsletter</span>, we highlighted ongoing research that uses wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Especially in locations where no confirmed cases have been identified, any samples positive for SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA implies that there are people infected in that community excreting it. For that purpose, wastewater monitoring shows real promise as an approach to early detection. By monitoring wastewater influent, scientists hope we can develop an advanced warning system for outbreaks.</p> <p>There has been significant buzz about using wastewater to quantify the actual number of people infected within a given service area, but there are some issues with quantifying cases I want to discuss. In our newsletter we highlighted MIT research aiming to quantify the number of infected from a large area in Massachusetts. In that article, the researchers point to concerns about meeting the litmus test of sound science.</p> <p>The wastewater system they studied had 450 confirmed cases at the time of sampling. Results from this monitoring suggested the number of people infected could be much higher. They estimated somewhere between 2,300 and 115,000 infected people. A range this wide does little to help planners or health officials prepare for what might be coming during a pandemic.</p> <p>Quantifying the number of people infected with COVID-19 using wastewater samples requires a much more comprehensive data set that we cannot gather today in any cost effective way. Here are a few of the problems I see in quantifying the positive COVID-19 population within a given wastewater system:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Not everyone excretes the viral RNA:</strong> <br /> A <a href="https://journals.lww.com/ajg/Documents/COVID19_Han_et_al_AJG_Preproof.pdf">recent study</a> published March 30 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that some COVID-19 patients exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms, with those patients more likely to produce a positive stool test. In other words, COVID-19 positive patients may not have ANY viral RNA in their stool. How do we identify those people?</li> <li><strong>Wastewater varies throughout the day and throughout the week:<br /> </strong>The influent coming through a plant varies based on the discharges from the users. A lot of variables can affect wastewater characteristics at the specific time a sample is collected. The time of day, time of week, and even the time of year can affect the flow into a plant depending on the types of users in the system.</li> <li><strong>Every system has a variety of sources for their wastewater:</strong> <br /> What percentage of the wastewater is residential? Are there commercial or industrial facilities that are discharging to the community system? If so, how much, and what types of businesses? In some communities, commercial and industrial users could make up a significant portion of the wastewater treated. In a rural area, the regional hospital may be in a smaller community making it a significant source and contributor. Other communities could be almost completely residential.</li> <li><strong>Sampling time and frequency can skew the results:</strong><br /> Sampling time matters, as do the number of samples collected. How do we decide what is representative? Once an hour? Once a day? Sampling may need to be continuous to really understand the variability.</li> <li><strong>Wastewater collection systems leak:</strong> <br /> Leaking can occur both ways. Some wastewater leaks into the environment through the collection system while, at other times, a high groundwater table may be leaking groundwater into the collection system. I looked at approximately 50 smaller systems in Illinois to compare the amount of wastewater discharge to the amount of groundwater they withdraw from drinking water wells. (You would expect the amount withdrawn from wells to be more than that treated at the wastewater plant because of consumptive use.) In many cases systems were treating more wastewater than the raw water being used for their community supply and, in some cases, it was 2-3 times a much. This would be significant factor when using any volumetric approach to evaluating COVID-19 sampling results.</li> <li><strong>We have no benchmark to compare results:</strong> <br /> Without having data for a number of communities where the total number of residents with active COVID-19 infection is known, there is no way to validate assumptions and calibrate estimates built into the method. This would not be possible without a consensus understanding about the rate of asymptomatic cases.</li> </ul> <p>If researchers must accept such a high degree of uncertainty, how can this method ever be accurate or useful? Many factors would have to be considered to quantify the number of positive cases for a given community and these would be unique to the individual system. That said, these are not likely new considerations for the talented researchers working on this effort.&nbsp;</p> <p>In the future I hope an approach to accurately quantify an infected population using wastewater-based epidemiology becomes a reality. It would be a tremendous asset. In the meantime, however, I believe our focus should be on evaluating the pitfalls mentioned above and working toward technologies/protocols needed within a wastewater plant to reduce uncertainty and move us closer to our common goal of protecting public health.</p>1537Managing Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs)http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1533/managing-sanitary-sewer-overflows-ssosAsset Management,Sanitary SewersFri, 15 May 2020 01:17:35 GMT<p>The U.S. EPA estimates that approximately 23,000 to 75,000 <a href="https://www.epa.gov/npdes/sanitary-sewer-overflows-ssos">sanitary sewer overflows</a> (SSOs) occur in the United States each year. An SSO is defined by the release of untreated sewage into the environment through an overflow, spill, basement backup, or unpermitted discharge before completed treatment at the sewage plant. These overflows can degrade water quality, cause property damage, and <a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/200043V8.PDF?Dockey=200043V8.PDF">pose serious threats</a> to public and environmental health due to the release of harmful pollutants, disease causing microorganisms, metals, and nutrients into the environment.&nbsp;</p> <p>Section 301 of the Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants to any Water of the United States from a point source without a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. To address compliance challenges associated with SSOs, the EPA recently completed a <a href="https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/former-national-compliance-initiative-keeping-raw-sewage-and-contaminated-stormwater-out">National Compliance Initiative</a> that first began in 2000 to reduce the discharge of raw sewage in national water ways.</p> <p><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/sso_casestudy_control.pdf">SSOs occur through</a>&nbsp;debris or grease blockages, <a href="http://cswea.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/CSWEA_JUNE_11_2009_Nelson.ppt">root intrusion</a>, vandalism, inflow and infiltration, <a href="https://www.wef.org/globalassets/assets-wef/3---resources/topics/a-n/collection-systems/technical-resources/ss-fact-sheet-with-wider-margins-1.pdf">improper design</a>, aging infrastructure, operational mistakes, and structural, mechanical, or electrical failures. Typically, the most frequent culprit takes the form of blockages. After an overflow, clean up and response is not only <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/enfpreventingbackups-basement0609.pdf">expensive, but traumatic</a> for the impacted communities.</p> <p>In Queens, NY a sewage backup on the Thanksgiving holiday weekend of 2019 <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/19/nyregion/queens-sewer-flooding.html?auth=login-email&amp;login=email">flooded the basements</a> of approximately 100 homeowners creating a putrid odor and exposing the community to harmful pathogens. Liability for residential damages and repairs to the pipe was projected to reach millions of dollars.<span>&nbsp; </span>The culprit for the backup? While operators initially theorized a grease induced fatberg was to blame, investigation later revealed a collapsed sewer pipe instigated the SSO.</p> <p>In New England and around the country, many communities maintain collection systems of 100 years old or more. Aging infrastructure exacerbates SSO prevention challenges. As years of wear on system equipment increases, the likelihood of mechanical or electrical failures as well as the opportunity for inflow and infiltration increases. Pipe deterioration due to natural freeze-thaw cycles, environmental conditions, water flow, and water chemistry can also increase the likelihood of structural failures. When this deterioration is not routinely inspected and maintained, resulting failures will only add further hydraulic stress to the system.</p> <p>The frequency of SSOs can be reduced significantly through preventative maintenance and the implementation of an appropriate asset management program. To upgrade your preventative maintenance program, an <a href="https://krwa.net/portals/krwa/lifeline/1703/BasicsofLiftStationMaintenance.pdf">article</a> from the March 2017 Kansas Lifeline discusses the basics of lift station maintenance. The Georgia Association of Water Professionals provides a more comprehensive guide of collection system maintenance practices in its 2016 guide <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.gawp.org/resource/resmgr/Collections_BMP_Manual/WW_Collection_Systems_BMP_Ma.pdf">Wastewater Collection System Best Management Practices</a>.</p> <p>Developing an asset management program will allow systems to plan for the replacement or rehabilitation of aging pipes, pumps stations, valves, manholes, and collection system infrastructure. During program development systems can predict and plan for population changes, capacity objectives, equipment deterioration, and more. To encourage proper asset management of collection systems, the EPA developed the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/assetmanagement.pdf">CMOM program</a>. CMOM stands for Capacity, Management, Operations, and Maintenance.&nbsp; The information-based management approach encourages dynamic collection system management through the prioritization of activities and investments. Utilities can access how well their current practices meet the CMOM framework using this <a href="https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/cmomselfreview.pdf">Self Assessment Checklist</a> and the EPA <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/cmom_guide_for_collection_systems.pdf">Evaluation Guide for CMOM at Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems.</a> Follow up this evaluation by integrating CMOM best practices into a new or updated asset management program using this&nbsp;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1499/developing-an-asset-management-program">blog post</a>.</p> <p>Even with the implementation of these programs, systems should still prepare for the event of an unexpected overflow. As in Queens, NY, preventative maintenance and asset management did not stop the SSO on the Thanksgiving weekend. Systems must be prepared to respond swiftly with a <a href="https://assets.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/frwa/pdfs-and-documents/sanitaryseweroverflowfinalrevision010818.doc" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Sanitary Sewer Overflow Response Plan</a>. These emergency response plans will limit potential damages and reduce community distress. By combining preventative maintenance, asset management, and emergency response planning, systems can ensure that their community and its environment have the best protection from SSOs.</p>1533ISAWWA COVID-19 Utility Impact Surveyhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1534/isawwa-covid-19-utility-impact-surveyEmergency ResponseFri, 01 May 2020 21:05:38 GMT<p>To assess management approaches and concerns utilities have adopted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois Section of the American Water Works Association (ISAWWA) released a utility survey to their membership via email on April 3, 2020. Available for one week, 141 members responded with 139 of these respondents representing public water or wastewater systems. Eleven survey questions focused on operational, managerial, and financial changes implemented in response to the pandemic as well as system concerns and needs moving forward. Three additional questions gathered information on utility demographics. Results from the survey can be found in the report:&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.isawwa.org/resource/collection/AF6DE88F-7824-45FC-BEBC-A7253F747E73/COVID-19_-_Impact_on_Utilities_Survey_Results.pdf">COVID-19 Impact on Utilities</a>. In this blog we will highlight some of the key findings below.</p> <p>The report indicates that the primary concerns for Illinois utilities focus on maintaining staff health, staff availability, and the continuity of operations. To respond to the pandemic, many systems have implemented staff scheduling changes, split shifts, and the reduction of staffing hours. The survey report goes on to note how other changes are being implemented and how those changes are impacting operations. Regarding revenue, many systems believe it is still too early to understand the full financial impact of the pandemic and have not begun planning for worst-case scenarios. Of those who have noticed changes in revenue, few have witnessed a positive impact on finances. The majority note that they are experiencing lowered commercial water use, an increase in non-payments, cuts to capital projects, or hiring freezes. Emergency response plans offer an effective way to mitigate many pandemic challenges, however the survey notes that only 56% of respondents are developing plans.</p> <p>Additional questions from the report elucidate the training needs identified by respondents and how utilities are complying with an order by the Illinois Commerce Commission to discontinue water shutoffs.</p> <p>Of notable interest to small systems, the report includes a section to highlight how system size impacts pandemic response and concerns. To develop these size related trends, the ISAWWA asked respondents whether they represented a small system serving a population of 5,000 or fewer, a medium system serving between 5,001 to 50,000, or a large system serving greater than 50,001. The report reflects that small systems generally have less capacity to respond to the pandemic likely as a result of fewer employees, fewer resources, and the use of a single staff member to maintain a large portion of the system. On the other end, though large systems may have a greater capacity to address the pandemic, they must also overcome the challenges that result from managing a greater number of staff members. Small systems may have fewer challenges related to staff management, however they must also plan for absenteeism more carefully.</p> <p>For a more detailed review of the survey results, we recommend <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.isawwa.org/resource/collection/AF6DE88F-7824-45FC-BEBC-A7253F747E73/COVID-19_-_Impact_on_Utilities_Survey_Results.pdf">reviewing the report for yourself</a>. Reading utility responses, concerns, and approaches to managing the virus may assist your system in planning for future challenges and concerns. Visit our web page <a href="http://wateroperator.org/coronavirus">COVID-19 Resources for Water Systems</a> to find clear and concise information, tools, and resources to make managing these pandemic challenges a little easier.</p>1534Challenges Developing an Asset Management Programhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1529/challenges-developing-an-asset-management-programAsset ManagementFri, 17 Apr 2020 19:47:49 GMT<p>Developing and maintaining an asset management program benefits the short and long-term operations of any utility. During operational, financial, and managerial decision making, choices can be backed by quantifiable data and knowledge gathered from asset inventories, condition assessments, and risk assessments. Furthermore, the maps, spreadsheets, and reports generated for asset management programs can improve communication between board members and utility staff. Asset management programs allow utilities to shift their operations to preventative maintenance and long-term planning.</p> <p>The recommended methods to <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1499/developing-an-asset-management-program">develop asset management programs</a> are well documented, however implementation of such methods in the real world generates a slew of both predictable and unpredictable challenges. Fortunately for all communities, it is the responsibility and the nature of any utility to problem solve and overcome these challenges.</p> <p>In October of 2017, the Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA) and the Michigan Section American Water Works Association (MI-AWWA) hosted a roundtable seminar on asset management plan development. The results of this roundtable highlight how communities and their consultants developed their own plans in response to new regulatory requirements in Michigan. The <a href="https://www.kelmanonline.com/httpdocs/files/MWEA/mweamattersspring2018/index.html">Spring 2018 Edition of MWEA Matters</a> summarizes the actual approaches undertaken by these facilities and how they overcame individual challenges in developing an asset management program. These approaches and challenges were divided into six categories:<span>&nbsp; </span>inventory, condition assessment, risk, O&amp;M/ capital planning, rate integration &amp; level of service, and software.</p> <p>Most challenges in asset inventories arose around the question of how and where to organize data so that information could be related to other data sources. Challenges in condition assessment were often rooted in cost limitations, evaluating underground infrastructure, and weighting the data available from equipment history, maintenance history, age, condition scores, visual inspections, engineering judgement, and operational institutional knowledge. During risk assessment difficulties emerge when estimating risk for uninspected equipment or considering system redundancies. The final challenge lies in determining how to make maintenance program and financial decisions by balancing institutional knowledge with system modeling.</p> <p>Utilities can find expertise in avoiding or overcoming these common program develop challenges through the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (<a href="https://www.rcap.org/contact/">RCAP</a>) or the National Rural Water Association (<a href="https://nrwa.org/state-associations/">NRWA</a>). We also recommend searching through our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">online resource library</a> to find program develop manuals, spreadsheets, and tips to get started. For a general overview of the program development process, review the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/asset-management-workshops-training-slides">13 Session Asset Management Training Slides</a> by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.</p>1529RCAP Advocacy and Policy Update: COVID-19 Responsehttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1531/rcap-advocacy-and-policy-update-covid-19-responseSmall System O&MFri, 03 Apr 2020 20:45:00 GMT<p>Over the last two weeks, the National Office has been active in promoting the needs of rural water systems and small communities during this ongoing COVID-19 crisis. In the last two weeks, Congress has approved and President Trump signed into law Phase 1 (H.R. 6074) and Phase 2 (H.R. 6201) legislation addressing the COVID-19 crisis in a variety of ways. Phases I, II, and III are the three parts to COVID-19 legislation so far.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <strong>Phase I</strong>, enacted into law March 6. Provides $8.3 billion in emergency funding for federal agencies to ensure vaccines developed to fight the coronavirus are affordable, that impacted small businesses can qualify for Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs), and that Medicare recipients can consult with their providers by telephone or teleconference, if necessary or desired.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <strong>Phase II</strong>, signed into law on March 18. This package includes provisions for paid sick leave, free coronavirus testing, expanded food assistance, additional unemployment benefits, and requirements that employers provide additional protection for healthcare workers.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <strong>Phase III</strong>, signed into law on March 27. The Trump administration struck a deal with Senate Democrats and Republicans on a package providing an estimated $2 trillion in spending and tax breaks to strengthen the U.S. economy and fund a nationwide effort to curtail the coronavirus. The price tag of this package is enormous, unprecedented, and is roughly equal to 10% of the country&rsquo;s economic output. The plan includes approximately $500 billion that can be used to back loans to distressed companies, including $50 billion for loans to U.S. airlines, as well as state and local governments. It also contains more than $350 billion to aid small businesses. While stipulating the airlines as eligible for a special fund of money available for loans, the legislation is otherwise broad in its approach, recognizing that the coronavirus has affected almost every sector of the economy.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> It provides payment to states to reimburse nonprofits, government agencies, and Indian tribes for half of the costs they incur through December 31, 2020 to pay unemployment benefits; and funding to support &ldquo;short-time compensation&rdquo; programs, where employers reduce employee hours instead of laying off workers. Employees with reduced hours receive a pro-rated unemployment benefit. This provision would pay 100 percent of the costs they incur in providing this short-time compensation through December 31, 2020.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Under Phase Ill, all U.S. residents with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 ($150,000 for married couples) would get a $1,200 ($2,400 for couples) "rebate" payment. They are also eligible for an additional $500 per child. The payments would start phasing out for earners above those income thresholds and would not go to single filers earning more than $99,000; head-of-household filers with one child, more than $146,500; and more than $198,000 for joint filers with no children.</p> <p><em>Thank you to Ted Stiger, Senior Director of Government Relations and Policy at the <a href="https://www.rcap.org/">Rural Community Assistance Partnership</a>&nbsp;for providing this update on enacted legislation related to the pandemic.</em></p> <img alt="" src="http://wateroperator.org/portals/1/RCAP-logo---CMYK---web-address.png" style="width: 200px; padding-top: 10px;" />1531WaterOperator.org Recommends Agencies Postpone Operator Certification Renewals During COVID-19http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1530/wateroperatororg-recommends-regulatory-agencies-postpone-operator-certification-renewals-during-covid-19Certification,Emergency ResponseMon, 30 Mar 2020 18:23:46 GMT<p>As communities tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, the critical services that water and wastewater utilities supply are ultimately pulled into the spotlight. While reliable drinking water and wastewater services remain essential to public health, they also sustain adequate hygiene practices to prevent the spread of illness.</p> <p>Central to the continuity of operations for every utility lies our water and wastewater operators. Under normal operating conditions, operators, especially those of small or rural systems, must juggle the challenges of aging infrastructure, regulatory compliance, customer communication, board collaboration, and regular operations and maintenance. During the pandemic these challenges can be exacerbated by handling COVID-19 customer concerns, cross training staff, updating contingency and emergency response plans, connecting with critical suppliers, acquiring backup equipment and parts, reaching out to neighbors or mutual aid groups, etc. Operators must take on this workload while sustaining personal health and safety.</p> <p>As operators manage the ongoing challenges associated with the Novel Coronavirus and Stay-at-Home orders, we have observed that several certifying agencies are extending or postponing their deadlines for continuing education requirements and the recertification of licenses expiring during this pandemic. WaterOperator.org believes that the focus of our operators should remain on continuity of operations and customer outreach without having to manage renewal and recertification requirements at this time. Our concern for small system operators, especially those of rural communities, is that some do not have access to reliable internet. Internet access that may have previously been obtained through public libraries or recreational centers is no longer accessible as a result of community shutdowns leaving operators with no alternative locations to complete online training for certification renewal. Given the extent of these shutdowns, online trainings do not offer a reliable substitute for in-person training sessions at an <a href="https://www.rcap.org/internet-speed-below-federal-standard-in-over-half-of-u-s-counties-smallest-counties-most-impacted-by-digital-divide/">equal opportunity</a> to all operators.</p> <p>Many agencies are already working to address the accessibility and burden of licensing renewal. Among the certification programs who have provided relief for operators, agencies in <a href="http://deq.mt.gov/water/operatorcertification">Montana</a>, <a href="https://www.deq.ok.gov/water-quality-division/operator-certification/">Oklahoma</a>, <a href="https://www.tceq.texas.gov/licensing/covid-19">Texas</a>, and <a href="https://dnr.wi.gov/regulations/opcert/">Wisconsin</a> as well as the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/ITCA-Coronavirus-Response.pdf">Inter Tribal Council of Arizona</a> are working to suspend or extend the time period for licensing renewal and continuing education requirements. In <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/MECP-Ontario-Licencing-COVID19.pdf">Ontario, Canada</a> an emergency order offers relief to utilities by allowing operators with recently expired licenses to continue work while temporarily allowing non-certified, but qualified individuals to perform operational duties if deemed necessary. Taking a different approach, the drinking water program in <a href="https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Compliance-Assistance/operator-certification-program/Pages/default.aspx">Kentucky</a> is currently waiving late fees for renewals until August 31, 2020. While licenses can still expire, the Kentucky Operator Certification Program will consider this grace period when performing inspections or alternate staffing plans. At this time other agencies are actively considering similar measures to the examples we&rsquo;ve highlighted.</p> <p>Where these actions are not possible, we ask that agencies consider supplementing other educational resources to operators in need. The <a href="https://epa.ohio.gov/ddagw/opcert">Ohio Environmental Protection Agency</a> notes on their website that correspondence courses are available for operators to earn continuing education credit. They recommend reaching out to local training providers to find these courses and other training alternatives. The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona is also <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/ITCA-Coronavirus-Response.pdf">researching</a> self-guided distance learning and the loaning of training books distributed via mail.</p> <p>For some operators, achieving educational requirements and licensing renewal through the duration of the pandemic will create an added burden that may impact their ability to protect and serve the citizens of their communities. Other operators may be left unable to run their facility due to an expired license. We are grateful to the primacy agencies that have taken positive action to support their operators. WaterOperator.org believes that these measures will help utilities of all sizes to protect their communities.</p>1530Featured Video: Disinfection Byproducts in Tap Water: 5 Things To Knowhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1527/featured-video-disinfection-byproducts-in-tap-water-5-things-to-knowDistribution,Public Education,Regulations,Water TreatmentFri, 13 Mar 2020 11:00:00 GMT<p>The challenge of <a href="https://epa.ohio.gov/portals/28/documents/pws/Byproductsfactsheet.pdf">disinfection byproduct</a> (DBP) control in drinking water lies in balancing the varying health risks of over 600 known DBPs with the benefits of microbial waterborne illnesses prevented via disinfection. While DBPs can originate from industrial sources, they generally form in water treatment systems when natural organic matter reacts with a disinfectant, usually chlorine-based. Ongoing studies have suggested that the toxicity for any given DBP can range from having no known health effects to exhibiting links between exposure and cancer, birth defects, or reproductive disorders. Disinfectant type and dose, residual chlorine, inorganic and organic precursor concentrations, pH, temperature, and water age can impact DBP formation.</p> <p>The management of DBPs in drinking water is enforced through the <a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi?Dockey=P100C8XW.txt">Stage 1 and Stage 2 Disinfection Byproduct Rule</a> (DBPR). Collectively, the rules set maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for total trihalomethanes (TTHM), 5 haloacetic acids (HAA5), bromate, chlorite, chlorine/chloramines, chlorine dioxide, and DBP precursors.</p> <p>According to a <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-07/documents/in-depth_analysis_final_07-02-2019_508.pdf">2019 report</a> by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Stage 2 DBPR invoked the largest number of community water system violations between 2017 and 2018, accounting for approximately 30% of all drinking water violations. Consecutive water systems, those with surface water sources, and systems serving populations of 501 to 10,000 people experienced violations more frequently. A greater compliance challenge is experienced by consecutive systems because they have little control over the water that they receive. While treated water may have achieved compliance at the system&rsquo;s interconnection, DBP concentrations can rise through the receiving distribution system.</p> <p>Non-consecutive utilities experiencing compliance challenges for the Stage 1 or 2 DBPR can start by troubleshooting the system using our previous blog post on<a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/postid/1421/the-disinfection-by-product-challenge"> The Disinfection By-Product Challenge.</a> Consecutive systems should coordinate with their wholesale system following the approaches suggested in the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-07/documents/in-depth_analysis_final_07-02-2019_508.pdf">2019 report</a> discussed above. The preferable methods of control often lie in prevention and optimization. As your system troubleshoots the cause of high DBP concentrations, keep the community informed on your efforts as well as some basic information on the health effects and sources of DBPs. Operators can find a general overview on DBP challenges in this week&rsquo;s featured video. We recommend using this video to provide customers with answers to the following questions:</p> <ul> <li>What are disinfection byproducts? </li> <li>How are DBPs regulated?</li> <li>How do I know if my water has high levels of DBPs?</li> <li>How are people exposed to DBPs?</li> <li>How do I remove DBPs from my home&rsquo;s water?<br /> <br /> </li> </ul> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-pJ7PtQJr98" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1527Controlling Legionella in Drinking Water Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1526/legionella-in-drinking-water-systemsWater TreatmentWed, 26 Feb 2020 19:29:24 GMT<p style="font-size: 70%;">Photo Credit: <a href="https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=11148">CDC Public Health Image Library ID #11148 </a>by Janice Haney 2009; Edited with cropping.</p> <p>The prevalence of <em><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/legionella-factsheet.pdf">Legionella <span>bacteria</span></a></em> in drinking water and distributions systems has gained notice over the past several years due to its increasing rate of infection in the United States. Inhalation or aspiration of small aerosolized <em>Legionella </em>bacteria from water can cause Pontiac fever and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/downloads/fs-legionnaires.pdf">Legionnaires&rsquo; disease</a> most frequently in sensitive or immunocompromised populations. Between 2000 and 2015, the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/health-depts/surv-reporting/2014-15-surv-report-508.pdf">reports</a> that the incident rate of Legionnaires&rsquo; disease in the U.S. increased from approximately 0.42 cases per 100,000 persons to 1.89 cases per 100,000 persons. According to the Ohio Department of Health, <a href="https://nebula.wsimg.com/f7769e07456591c4a9fb5db80c4f40dc?AccessKeyId=1F27DF2D33BCDD2F21A0&amp;disposition=0&amp;alloworigin=1">potential reasons</a> for this change in rate might include increased monitoring and awareness, higher population susceptibility, climate change, water-saving fixtures, and/or aging infrastructure. <a href="https://www.nap.edu/download/25474">As of 2019</a> Legionnaires&rsquo; disease is reported to afflict and kill more people in the U.S. than any other waterborne disease.</p> <p><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/legionella-report.pdf">Existing research</a> indicates that, though<em> Legionella</em> bacteria can be found in all parts of the water treatment system, they amplify best inside protozoan hosts and near the biofilm typically found within premise plumbing or drinking water systems<em>. </em>The resiliency of biofilm to disinfection acts as a protective barrier for <em>Legionella</em> while creating an environment abundant in nutrients. Protozoan hosts also offer defense against extreme temperatures and treatment technologies. A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7916875">1994 study</a> by Kramer and Ford found that hundreds of <em>Legionella </em>bacteria can be contained within a single amoeba vesicle. <em>L. pneumophila</em>, the species responsible for most human infections, can also differentiate into various life cycle forms that alter susceptibility to water treatment. This symbiotic relationship with other microorganisms complicates <em>Legionella </em>disinfection.</p> <p>Hot spots for growth include showerheads, faucets, plumbing systems, cooling towers, hot tubs, fountains, and distribution systems where water stagnation, insufficient disinfectant residual, warm temperatures (77-124&deg;F), or excess nutrients foster biofilm formation. As a result, the most frequent outbreaks from <em>Legionella</em> have been documented in hotels and healthcare facilities. Management of outbreaks can start at the site of these impacted buildings as well as the treatment plant. Drinking water utilities can participate in prevention by understanding the conditions that favor propagation and the methods to control growth.</p> <p>The U.S. EPA established a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for <em>Legionella</em> at <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations#three">zero microorganisms</a>. While this is not an enforceable limit, the Agency believes that if <em>Giardia </em>and other viruses are removed or inactivated as required under the Surface Water Treatment Rule, <em>Legionella </em>will also be controlled<em>. </em>Requirements to manage bacterial contamination under the Revised Total Coliform Rule and Ground Water Rule also contribute to <em>Legionella</em> management. Though some systems may routinely monitor for <em>Legionella</em> bacteria, testing methods can <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5295263/">often yield</a> both false positives and false negatives. Given the complications of environmental monitoring as well as the cost, management generally starts in response to outbreaks or sporadic cases. </p> <p>Ongoing research has identified that potential drinking water treatment methods for <em>Legionella</em>&nbsp;include chlorination, copper-silver ionization, ultraviolet (UV) light, ozonation, and thermal disinfection. Among these technologies, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, chloramine, and ozone are the most widely used disinfectants. A combination of these techniques offers the most effective defense against recolonization and biofilm formation. To inactivate individual bacteria as well as those contained within biofilm,&nbsp;<span>operators should also pay attention to the contact time and concentration of disinfectant used</span>&nbsp;during treatment. Equally important to contact time is the maintenance of disinfectant residuals throughout distribution. The National Academy of Sciences&rsquo; <a href="https://www.nap.edu/download/25474">Management of <em>Legionella</em> in Water Systems</a> details the recommendations for proper disinfection using free chlorine, chlorine dioxide, monochloramine, and technologies more commonly used by building water systems.</p> <p>To effectively manage <em>Legionella </em>in drinking water, utilities must also collaborate with impacted buildings. Facilities that have experienced outbreaks can develop their own management plan using the Center for Disease Control&rsquo;s (CDC)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/downloads/toolkit.pdf">Developing a Water Management Program to Reduce <em>Legionella </em>Growth &amp; Spread in Buildings</a> and the World Health Organization&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/emerging/legionella.pdf">Legionella and the Prevention of Legionellosis</a>. This literature, along with the CDC training on <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/elearn/prevent-LD-training.html">Legionella Water Management Programs </a>and the other resources linked within this guide will ensure that your community members, especially those at greater risk to illness, are protected from <em>Legionella</em>.</p>1526A Look at Protozoa in Wastewater Treatment Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1524/understanding-protozoa-in-wastewater-treatment-systemsmonitoring,WastewaterMon, 17 Feb 2020 18:10:00 GMT<p>Wastewater treatment is fundamentally a biological process. When influent enters the microbial ecosystem of a treatment plant, nutrient removal is accomplished through the consumption of organic matter by microorganisms. The bulk of all nutrient removal is performed by bacteria, however protozoa and metazoa balance these bacterial populations and offer insight into wastewater conditions. Operators who understand the varying roles of wastewater microbes and the conditions that favor their growth can foster an ecosystem that promotes optimal treatment. In this week&rsquo;s blog post we will review the niche protozoa fill in wastewater systems to enhance monitoring efforts and inform process control.</p> <p>Roughly four percent of a wastewater system&rsquo;s microbial ecosystem is made up of protozoa. Protozoa are single celled microbes both larger in size than bacteria and more complex. The most common types of wastewater protozoa include amoeba, flagellates, and ciliates. By consuming free bacteria and small, unsettled floc, protozoa enhance the clarity of the final effluent. Observing protozoa populations under a microscope can also alert operators of treatment conditions and <a href="https://youtu.be/8xtkT-S1Kzk?t=1276">sludge age</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.environmentalleverage.com/Flash%20wastewater%20training/Amoeba/Amoeba.htm">Amoeba</a> are predominant under a young sludge age because they require high nutrient levels or low competition to grow. Under shock loads of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), high concentrations of particulate matter, toxic conditions, or low dissolved oxygen (DO), amoeba can also dominate. The latter two conditions generally trigger the amoeba to develop a protective gelatinous shell that gives them an advantage over other microbes. Furthermore, their slow movement reduces oxygen demand required for growth and reproduction.</p> <p><a href="https://www.ebsbiowizard.com/resources/micro-gallery/flagellates/">Flagellates</a> are typically present under a young sludge age as well. Since flagellates compete poorly with bacteria for the same soluble nutrients, their growth is favored at the younger sludge age before bacteria have had a chance to populate. As such, a wastewater sample relatively high in flagellates can indicate high soluble nutrient levels also known as a high food to mass (F:M) ratio.</p> <p><a href="https://www.ebsbiowizard.com/resources/micro-gallery/free-swimming-and-crawling-ciliates/">Ciliates</a> are favored under a healthy sludge age. While they do not consume organic matter, they do feed on bacteria making them excellent indicators of healthy floc formation and useful clarifying agents. Without ciliates, bacteria and algae populations can grow out of control in the wastewater microbial ecosystem. Among the three types of ciliates common to wastewater, each group has different conditions under which their populations are favored.</p> <p>Swimming ciliates start to form as flagellates disappear. They may experience a spike in population when levels of free bacteria are abundant for predation. If too many free bacteria are present, the ciliate population surge can ultimately result in a cloudy effluent. Crawling ciliates dominate when those free bacterial populations begin to stick together forming floc through a secreted slime layer. This slime layer is produced when dissolved nutrients become limited. Since swimming ciliates cannot readily pick off bacteria within the floc, crawling ciliates begin to out-compete them. As they feed on bacteria, crawling ciliates can improve flock structure. A more mature sludge age with reduced BOD allows stalked ciliates to compete with crawling ciliates. <a href="https://www.ebsbiowizard.com/resources/micro-gallery/stalked-ciliates/">Stalked ciliates</a> anchor themselves to floc using the cilia surrounding their mouth structure to create currents that draw in bacteria. Once their food levels have diminished significantly more, stalked ciliates begin to branch into colonial units to acquire food more efficiently. If sludge continues to age, stentors and vaginocola protozoa grow in abundance.</p> <p>For more information on wastewater protozoa and how to monitor them, we&rsquo;d like to recommend the following documents. These resources and others like them can be found using our online, <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">resource library</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.iowaruralwater.org/tools_tips/toni_glymp/Bacteria-Protozoa.pdf">Bacteria Protozoa</a> &ndash; Toni Glymph<br /> The guide overviews basic wastewater microscopy, slide preparation, sample collection, and the microbiology of activated sludge plants.</p> <p><a href="https://www.wwoa.org/files/publishedpapers/2013/Microbiology/Wastewater%20Microbiology.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Wastewater Microbiology &amp; Process Control</a> - Wisconsin Wastewater Operator&rsquo;s Association<br /> Learn the about microscopes, slide preparation, and the microorganisms found during wastewater treatment.</p> <p><a href="https://www.iowaruralwater.org/tools_tips/toni_glymp/PROTOZOAN%20COUNT.doc" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Protozoan Count</a> &ndash; Toni Glymph<br /> This guide describes how to sample protozoa for observation under the microscope.</p>1524Developing Your Source Water Protection Programhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1522/developing-your-source-water-protection-programSource Water ProtectionMon, 27 Jan 2020 17:46:22 GMT<p>Effectively safeguarding drinking water sources will ensure that your community has reliable access to affordable, potable water for generations to come. As such, utilities of all sizes should strive to develop and implement a source water protection program. Not only do these programs reduce the need to adopt costly advanced treatment processes, but their value extends environmentally, socially, and through public health as well. By maintaining water quality at the source, systems protect a fundamental barrier under the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/1406.pdf">multiple barrier approach</a>. Furthermore, a protection program has potential to not only maintain, but improve water quality.</p> <p>Developing and enforcing a source water protection plan will act as a proactive defense against contamination introduced from <a href="https://www.env.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/04/AppendixK.pdf">various land uses</a> such as agriculture, commercial facilities, landfills, mining, oil and gas operations, stormwater runoff, failing septic systems, and more. A plan can also act to mitigate impacts from climate changes such as drought or saltwater intrusion. To start a program, systems can break down the process into <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/guide_swppocket_2002_updated.pdf">six steps</a>:</p> <ol> <li>Delineating your source water protection area</li> <li>Inventory sources of potential contamination</li> <li>Assess susceptibility of your system to these contaminants</li> <li>Notify and engage the public about these contaminant threats</li> <li>Develop and implement a protection plan to reduce, prevent, or eliminate threat</li> <li>Develop contingency planning strategies if source water is compromised</li> </ol> <p>Of course, some of these steps are easier said than done. To assist in your source water protection endeavors, we&rsquo;ve highlighted several resources to get you started. If you expect challenges along the way, consider contacting your regional <a href="https://www.rcap.org/about/">Rural Community Assistance Partnership</a> (RCAP) partner for support.</p> <p>Before developing a plan, review your source water protection area and any existing contaminant sources identified by your state&rsquo;s Source Water Protection Assessment Program (SWAP). Under the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act, <a href="https://www3.epa.gov/region1/eco/drinkwater/pc_sourcewater_assessment.html">state programs</a> were required to identify the land area that could impact water quality at each public water system. In addition, each state program completed an inventory of potential contamination sources in that area, evaluated water quality susceptibility to that contamination source, and made these results publicly available under SWAP. States completed the source water assessments in 2002, but were not required to maintain updates. To locate the results of your assessment, start with the EPA&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/source-water-contacts-epas-regional-offices">Source Water Regional Contacts</a> or contact your state&rsquo;s source water protection program.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/conducting-source-water-assessments">methods</a> in which source water protection areas were identified and evaluated depend on the state. Many states published resources on how they chose to carry out the SWAP as demonstrated in the Connecticut Department of Public Health&rsquo;s <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/drinking_water/pdf/SWAPWEB0512pdf.pdf?la=en">SWAP document</a>. For updated or more local source water delineations and contaminant source inventories, public water systems can reach out to local environmental consulting firms, federal agencies like the <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home/">NRCS</a> or <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/">USGS</a>, state cooperative extensions, and local colleges. The EPA has also developed a How-To Manual to <a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/60000CH0.PDF?Dockey=60000CH0.PDF">Update and Enhance Your Local Source Water Protection Assessments</a> that describes why and how you should collect more data.</p> <p>With the state SWAP results and the EPA&rsquo;s How-To manual, utilities can complete the first three steps in developing a protection program. Making the public aware of these results will allow systems to start collaborating with local organizations on source water protection efforts. By engaging local stakeholders such as the town officials, environmental groups, watershed organizations, farmers, businesses, town&rsquo;s conservation commission, county extension, non-profits, etc. systems will better understand any existing source water protection strategies, who is conducting them, and how the facility&rsquo;s present and future strategies can collaborate with existing strategies.</p> <p>Based on data gathered from the source water delineation, assessment, and susceptibility evaluation, utilities can work with local stakeholders to develop a protection and contingency plan. While protection plans are optional in many states, utilities should first check with their state&rsquo;s source water protection program to determine if a plan is mandatory and, if so, what elements must be included. The ease of which a utility implements their protection plan will depend on source water location, contaminant threats, financial and technical resources, and the degree of community involvement. To develop the plan, public water systems will need to identify management strategies and the funding to facilitate the plan.</p> <p>A strong source water protection plan will have clearly defined goals with a list measurable actions and those who are responsible for them. Most plans should also include a timeline to measure progress, requirements for water quality monitoring, and a plan to track the successful completion of measurable actions. The goals outlined in the plan will ultimately <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/methods-local-source-water-protection">address the water quality risks</a> identified in the assessment through land use controls, land acquisition, and education. The scope of the plan may range in focus from local, regional, or statewide involvement. Check out the 2019 <a href="http://www.roswell-nm.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5619/Roswell-SWPP---Final-DRAFT-2019-04-22">Roswell Municipal Water System</a> plan to view an example of a medium-sized system&rsquo;s source water protection program. To help develop a plan of your own, we&rsquo;d like to recommend the following:</p> <p><strong>Guides:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.cleanwateraction.org/files/publications/national/sourcewater-stewardship-guide.pdf">The Source Water Stewardship: A Guide to Protecting and Restoring Your Drinking Water</a><br /> <em>The Clean Water Fund</em><br /> The handbook walks public water systems through the process of understanding an assessment, reaching out to stakeholders, and designing an action plan.</p> <p><a href="https://www.env.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/04/NewMexicoSourceWaterandWellheadProtectionToolkit.docx">New Mexico Source Water and Wellhead Protection Toolkit</a><br /> <em>New Mexico Environment Department</em><br /> This toolkit will help public water systems develop a source water protection program in six steps.&gt;</p> <p><strong>Templates:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/28/documents/swap/OH_Sm_Sys_Template.doc">Drinking Water Source Protection Plan Template (Systems Serving &lt;5,000 people)</a><br /> <em>Ohio Environmental Protection Agency</em><br /> This template can be used by Ohio or other public water systems to outline a successful source water protection program. Instructions should be deleted from the Word document upon completion.</p> <p><a href="http://www.taud.org/Resources/Downloads/FreeDownloads/Sourcewater/Source%20Water%20Plan%20Template.doc">Source Water Protection Plan Template</a><br /> <em>Tennessee Association of Utility Districts</em><br /> This Microsoft Word template can be used as a starting point for developing your source water protection plan.</p> <p><a href="https://denr.sd.gov/des/gw/Sourcewater/Source_Water_Assessment_quick_guide.pdf">Source Water/Wellhead Assessment &amp; Protection Program Planning Guide</a><br /> <em>South Dakota Department of Environmental and Natural Resources</em><br /> This 10-page guide describes the sections that should be included in a source water protection plan.</p> <p><strong>Notification Templates:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.taud.org/Resources/Downloads/FreeDownloads/Sourcewater/Letter%20to%20Potential%20Contaminant%20Sites.doc">Wellhead Letter to Potential Contaminant Sites</a><br /> <em>Tennessee Association of Utility Districts</em><br /> Use this letter template to request assistance and cooperation in implementing your source water protection program.</p> <p><a href="http://www.taud.org/Resources/Downloads/FreeDownloads/Sourcewater/Letter%20to%20County%20Mayor%20and%20Planning%20Board.doc">Wellhead Letter to County Mayor and Zoning Board</a><br /> <em>Tennessee Association of Utility Districts</em><br /> This letter template can be used to request assistance and cooperation from the county mayor and zoning board in the development and implementation of a source water protection plan.</p> <p>Developing an effective source water protection plan will take time and collaboration. For more resources on protection plans, check out our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document library</a> and use the category filter to filter by Source Water/Source Water Protection.</p>1522The Best YouTube Channels for Water & Wastewater Operatorshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1521/the-best-youtube-channels-for-water-wastewater-operatorsInternet,Training/CEUsWed, 22 Jan 2020 17:34:18 GMT<p>Whether it&rsquo;s to troubleshoot a treatment process, practice for a certification exam, or update your facility&rsquo;s standard operating procedures, working as a small system water or wastewater operator means that you&rsquo;re always learning something new to get the job done. Our mission at WaterOperator.org is to make sure you can easily find the best resources to manage and maintain your utility and reliably serve your community. A great way to bolster your knowledge at your own convenience is through training videos and webinar recordings. In this week&rsquo;s blog post, we&rsquo;d like to highlight our favorite YouTube channels so you can reference them when you need to develop a new skill, practice for a certification exam, or simply learn more about how to manage your system.</p> <p><strong>Certification:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/AmericanWaterCollege/videos">American Water College</a><br /> The American Water College features a variety of water and wastewater training videos that teach operators about operator math, treatment processes, operation and maintenance best practices, and utility management.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CAwastewater/videos">CAwastewater</a><br /> This YouTube channel includes several wastewater math training videos for Grade 1 to Grade 5 operators of California.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/wastewaterdan/videos">Wastewater Dan</a><br /> The training videos by Wastewater Dan teach operators how to calculate anything from annual energy costs to chemical oxygen demand (COD).</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWaterSifu/videos">TheWaterSifu</a><br /> Training videos on TheWaterSifu demonstrate water treatment math, laboratory techniques, and skills useful for the water treatment or distribution exam.</p> <p><strong>Treatment, Operations, and Maintenance:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBugmanVideos/videos">Aquafix, Inc</a><br /> The Aquafix YouTube channel hosts webinar recordings on wastewater treatment and process control. <em>Please note that some of these videos may include promotions for Aquafix products.</em></p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdkg9OToVsvidgumZSKDQAQ/videos">Lagoons Do It Better</a><br /> Wastewater operators can find webinar recordings on lagoon treatment and troubleshooting. The channel also features interviews with industry professionals. <em>Please note that some of these videos may include promotional material for industry products.</em></p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/RCworstwater/videos">R.C. Worst &amp; Co., Inc.</a><br /> On this YouTube channel, operators can learn about the selection and maintenance of valves, joints, switches, pumps, motors, and tanks involved in onsite wastewater treatment systems, packaged pumping systems, drinking water wells, and water treatment. <em>Please note that some of these videos may include promotional material for industry products.</em></p> <p>RCAP (Try their <a href="https://vimeo.com/rcapinc">Vimeo</a> and their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/RCAPnetwork/videos">YouTube</a> channels.)<br /> Both RCAP&rsquo;s Vimeo and Youtube channels feature training videos and webinar recordings pertaining to water and wastewater treatment, operations and maintenance, monitoring, and utility management.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmg0o8zJJ9uR7k6IllrfMig/videos" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Wastewater Operations Channel</a><br /> <span>On this YouTube channel, Wastewater Operator Jon Kercher uploads educational videos filmed during the workday at his wastewater treatment facility. Videos range from troubleshooting treatment processes to learning about biosolids.</span></p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfvzfNtMkLT_4kvTg6kEmlA/videos">The Water Research Foundation</a><br /> The Water Research Foundation includes webinar recordings of utility case studies, water research, and innovative technology.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/WWIS/videos">Waterworks Training</a><br /> Operators can watch brief training videos that demonstrate the installation and use of pipe fittings, restrainers, saddles, and couplings.</p> <p><strong>Utility Management:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/efcunc/videos">Environmental Finance Center at UNC-Chapel Hill</a><br /> This YouTube channel includes training videos and webinar recordings to teach systems how to improve their financial, technical, and managerial practices.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaqr1qdsIVRjOqSdJ9bdWwA/videos">Smart Management for Small Water Systems</a><br /> Small systems can use these webinar recordings to improve or develop asset management plans, start a capital improvement project, or better understand utility finances.</p> <p>WaterOperator.org also maintains a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMQQ6sDktiOKuVI9gejCB8w">YouTube channel</a> of our own so you can find previously recorded webinars, interviews, and playlists that highlight our favorite videos. Check out the playlist <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSRuRZ2vYw3pIFdIovb42i1YoNT8GDaDQ">Free Webinars for Water/ Wastewater Utilities</a> to find other useful webinar recordings by organizations like the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.</p>1521Featured Video: Interviewing Basics Webinarhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1519/featured-video-interviewing-basics-webinarCertification,WorkforceFri, 27 Dec 2019 12:00:00 GMT<p>In this week&rsquo;s blog post, we&rsquo;d like to feature an excellent webinar recording hosted and published by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOF1vZlK6SJQPv_jIGbiAdA/about">CA Water Pros</a> with the California Water Environment Association and California-Nevada Section AWWA. The webinar introduces both incoming water professionals and those seeking new industry positions to some interview best practices that will help any operator stand out above the competition during a job hunt. The webinar is presented by Todd Novacek, Director of Operations at the Moulton Niguel Water District. Todd frequently interviews professionals for the District and started putting together popular interview questions with his favorite answers when his son received his Water Distribution II certificate.</p> <p>From the video job seekers will learn how their social skills, attire, attitude, honesty, and pre-interview research can make all the difference in a first impression. Todd stresses the importance of gauging an audience and making every interview question count. You&rsquo;ll learn popular questions that can likely be expected during an interview at a water district. These questions will help you start thinking of your own answers now. Remember that questions can vary with utility size, location, and job requirements. As Todd emphasizes, you should know the facility you&rsquo;re applying to before the interview. Even when you feel that you&rsquo;re already the best candidate for the job, practicing and preparing beforehand will demonstrate your dedication to the position.</p> <p>Once an operator fulfills their certification and educational requirements, interviewing at utilities can seem like a completely different challenge that neither training workshops nor any workbook has adequately prepared them for. This one hour webinar is worth the time and will help operators start a new aspect to their professional development, interviewing.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ISTZFu7IFEE " frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1519Managing Dissolved Oxygen in Activated Sludge Plantshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1518/managing-dissolved-oxygen-in-activated-sludge-plantsmonitoring,WastewaterFri, 20 Dec 2019 12:00:00 GMT<p>Sustaining optimal dissolved oxygen levels in activated sludge plants is necessary for biological treatment of organic material and ammonia. While raw wastewater often contains some amounts of oxygen, <span><a href="https://www.wef.org/globalassets/assets-wef/direct-download-library/public/03---resources/wsec-2017-fs-024-mrrdc-lsf-aeration-design_final.pdf">aeration systems</a></span> can increase dissolved oxygen (DO), mixing, and the suspension of microbes through mechanical agitation or diffused aeration. Aerobic microorganisms use this oxygen to breakdown organic waste into inorganic byproducts. The amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by microbes during biological treatment is referred to as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). According to an <span><a href="http://www.triplepointwater.com/remove-ammonia-from-wastewater-lagoons/#.Xeqwm5NKiUn">article</a></span> by Triplepoint Water, approximately 1.5 pounds of oxygen is consumed for every pound of BOD oxidized. To oxidize one pound of ammonia, that value increases to 4.57 pounds of oxygen. Most plants aim to maintain around 2 mg/L of DO which allows microbes contained within the center of floc to receive oxygen.</p> <p>Wastewater operators should regularly<strong> </strong>monitor oxygen availability in the form of dissolved oxygen. <span><a href="https://www.watertechonline.com/wastewater/article/15543520/what-are-process-controls-for-dissolved-oxygen-during-biological-treatment">Insufficient oxygen levels</a></span> will allow aerobic and nitrifying microbes to die and floc to break up. At DO concentrations under 1 mg/L, the potential for filamentous growth increases. On the other end of the spectrum, too much oxygen increases power consumption and, at very high levels, inhibits settling. Research has estimated that aeration can use up to <span><a href="https://www.wef.org/globalassets/assets-wef/direct-download-library/public/03---resources/wsec-2017-fs-025-mrrdc-lsf-blowers_final.pdf">45 to 75%</a></span> of a treatment facility&rsquo;s overall electricity use. With an online DO analyzer equipped to automated controls, the EPA reports that <span><a href="https://www.emerson.com/documents/automation/application-data-sheet-dissolved-oxygen-measurement-in-wastewater-treatment-rosemount-en-68468.pdf">energy costs can be reduced</a></span> by as much as 50%.</p> <p>Where and when an operator samples for DO will be determined by the requirements written in the facility&rsquo;s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and basic process control. To compare dissolved oxygen levels throughout the day, samples should be collected at the same location. The Ohio EPA&rsquo;s <a href="https://epa.ohio.gov/Portals/29/documents/CAU/Activated%20Sludge%20Process%20Control%20and%20Troubleshooting%20Manual.pdf">Activated Sludge Process Control and Troubleshooting Chart Methodology</a> recommends that systems sample <span>within 1-2 feet of the surface water&nbsp;</span>near the discharge of the aeration tank into the clarifier. By collecting multiple samples in the same location throughout the week, operators can reliably determine if DO concentrations are sufficient for treatment while developing a DO profile. In addition, measuring DO at multiple depths and locations in the aeration tank can help find dead spots. <span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p>To supply adequate DO, the Ohio EPA manual includes how to determine blower runtime based on organic loading and system design. We should&nbsp; still note that temperature, pressure, and salinity can all influence the solubility of oxygen<strong>.</strong> Additional sampling locations <span><a href="http://vertassets.blob.core.windows.net/download/4b991b74/4b991b74-aaf8-4ef1-8aaf-114c868dbd07/l2133.pdf">can include</a></span> the raw wastewater, aerobic/ anaerobic digester, and final effluent. Final effluent with high dissolved oxygen can cause eutrophication in the receiving waters, however low DO can harm aquatic organisms. Some permits set a minimum DO level for effluent to ensure aquatic organisms have the necessary oxygen levels to sustain life.</p> <p>While every technique and tool has its <span><a href="http://cswea.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Hach-Luminescence-Based-Oxygen-Sensors.ppt">strengths and weaknesses</a></span>, operators can measure DO through a Winkler Titration test (<a href="https://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/wrd-ot-ww-lab-manual_558729_7.pdf">see Michigan DEQ Laboratory Training Manual pg.91</a>), electrochemical sensor, or optic sensor. The <span><a href="https://wwtonline.co.uk/features/technically-speaking-dissolved-oxygen-control">two sensors</a></span> mentioned can be purchased as portable handheld meters or stationary devices. For automated blower control and continuous sampling, an online sensor is used. For NPDES compliance monitoring, measurements must be taken through an EPA approved method at the frequency specified in the permit.</p> <p> When using any DO sensor, the EPA&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-07/documents/field_do_measurement106_af.r4.pdf">Field Measurement of Dissolved Oxygen</a> (SESDPROC-106) procedures require that the equipment be well maintained and operated per manufacturer instructions. Upon initial purchase, probes should be inspected, calibrated, and verified for accuracy. During each additional use the instrument should be calibrated and inspected again. The EPA recommends checking instrument calibration and linearity using at least three dissolved oxygen standards annually. All maintenance and sampling activities should be documented in a logbook per NPDES requirements. Any time a measurement is taken, the temperature of the water and any notable wastewater conditions should also be recorded in the logbook.<span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p>Dissolved oxygen is a frequently monitored parameter in wastewater treatment systems. Operators should have a firm understanding of how dissolved oxygen is involved in wastewater processes and how they can manage DO to achieve compliance. Check out our online <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document library</a> to find useful resources to learn more.</p>1518Featured Video: What is Water Hammer?http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1517/featured-video-what-is-water-hammerDistribution,operation & maintenance,Operator Math,Sanitary SewersFri, 13 Dec 2019 12:21:00 GMT<p>Any water or wastewater operator should possess a strong understanding of water hammer and the implications it can have on piping systems. <a href="http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/pdf/dw/publications/ontap/2009_tb/water_hammer_DWFSOM27.pdf">Water hammer</a>, also referred to as hydraulic shock, occurs when there is a sudden change in flow velocity or direction that results in a momentary increase in pressure. If high enough, the pressure can cause damage to pipes, fittings, and valves. An example where water hammer can occur is when an operator rapidly closes a valve halting flow and sending a shockwave through the system. In Jefferson City, MO, operators responding to a ruptured water main <a href="https://www.newstribune.com/news/local/story/2019/oct/31/breaks-cut-water-southwest-boulevard/802152/">created a second break</a> during repairs as a result of water hammer. Pressure surges can also occur through unexpected power outages or equipment failures.</p> <p>Engineers consider several variables when designing piping systems to limit potential for water hammer. Whenever a major change is made to the distribution or collection system, implications for water hammer should be evaluated.</p> <p>This week&rsquo;s featured video demonstrates how water hammer occurs and what it looks like using 100 feet of clear PVC pipe with an analog and digital pressure gauge. The host explains how engineers can modify the potential for water hammer in piping systems by manipulating the variables that make up the mathematic equation for the pressure profile of a water hammer pulse. Such design parameters include pipe size, recommended operating procures for closing valves, and more. Watch the video to understand how the design considerations for your piping system impact water hammer.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xoLmVFAFjn4" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1517Rural Water Representation in the 2020 Censushttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1516/rural-water-representation-in-the-2020-censusFundingFri, 06 Dec 2019 12:00:00 GMT<p>As we approach the execution of the 2020 decennial census, rural communities and their water and wastewater facilities should be aware of the ramifications a new count will have on funding allocation in their community. The U.S. census is updated every 10 years in an effort to enumerate every living person in the United States. While it&rsquo;s common knowledge that the count is used to update congressional district lines, the census is also used by many federal programs to determine <a href="https://www.georgetownpoverty.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/GCPI-ESOI-Why-the-2020-Census-Matters-for-Rural-America-20181010.pdf">funding distribution</a>. Census data will help programs access population characteristics of communities, the allocation of funds to eligible recipients, and the success of ongoing programs.</p> <p>In 2015 <a href="https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/program-management/working-papers/Uses-of-Census-Bureau-Data-in-Federal-Funds-Distribution.pdf">132 federal programs</a> used census data to distribute over $675 billion in funding. Many of these programs targeted rural development, source water protection, emergency water assistance, and water and wastewater infrastructure.</p> <p>The upcoming census will start <a href="https://2020census.gov/en/important-dates.html">April 1, 2020</a> by issuing every home on record with a mailed invitation to participate. Responses can be submitted online, over the phone, or by mail. The <a href="https://www.krwa.net/portals/krwa/lifeline/1911/Census2020.pdf">questions</a> asked by the census cover information about property ownership, gender, age, race, and the number of people living in the residence. Responses are kept confidential under federal law. Census takers will also begin visiting colleges, senior centers, and large community living groups to conduct quality checks. By May 2020, the Census Bureau will visit the homes of those who have not submitted responses. To achieve an accurate count, the U.S. Census Bureau has worked to build an inclusive address list of housing units and <a href="https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/2020-census/about.html">develop methods</a> to improve both self-response and follow-up procedures for those who do not respond.</p> <p>While intensely <a href="https://thecensusproject.org/2018/03/05/the-rural-undercount/">rural and marginalized</a> communities are historically more <a href="https://becountedmi2020.com/wp-content/uploads/2020-Census-Faces-Challenges-in-Rural-America.pdf">susceptible to undercounting</a> than urban, the 2020 census design poses new concerns for rural areas. In an effort to reduce field costs and visits, the <a href="https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/program-management/planning-docs/2020-oper-plan4.pdf">upcoming census strategy</a> will be the first to encourage internet self-response. To address known areas of low internet connectivity, the Bureau will mail identified households a paper questionnaire or request responses over the phone. Areas with noncity-style addresses such as rural route numbers will receive a paper questionnaire from a census worker at their door. In the most remote areas, a census taker will enumerate households in-person. Unfortunately, two of the three &lsquo;End-to-End&rsquo; tests to evaluate these methods were <a href="https://www.georgetownpoverty.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/GCPI-ESOI-Why-the-2020-Census-Matters-for-Rural-America-20181010.pdf">cancelled</a> leaving insight into how rural communities will be effected by the census design poorly assessed.</p> <p>The in-person visits pose significant challenges since the homes of remote areas are often spread apart, hidden from the main road, and made up of non-traditional living quarters. As a result, communities in <a href="https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/2020-census-affects-representation-billions-stake">rural Alaska</a> and <a href="https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-na-census-native-americans-navajo-nation/">tribal lands</a> are typically the most undercounted. Furthermore, minority groups, low-income individuals, and rural areas with slow internet connections will find response more difficult than those of urban areas.</p> <span>Encouraging participation will ensure that your community receives a fair share of rural development and water infrastructure funding. Undercounts can impact anything from justifying water rights to determining eligibility of grants and loans. Public water and wastewater systems, especially those in <a href="https://mailchi.mp/smallwatersupply/jh2uk8s6vx-1308549">Indian Country</a>, should request that their local government promote census participation. To start this process, towns or tribal governments can become a <a href="https://www.census.gov/partners.html">Census Bureau partner</a> to have access to promotional materials and census updates. Using local media, radio stations, social media, <a href="https://www.census.gov/partners/workshops.html">public meetings</a>, and <a href="https://www.census.gov/library/fact-sheets/2019/dec/census101.html">flyers</a>, rural communities can host <a href="https://2020census.gov/en/partners/outreach-materials.html">outreach campaigns</a> that advocate the <a href="https://youtu.be/Eq-FMB4epyw">significance of the census</a> and how to pro-actively participate. When possible, we encourage communities to make internet response publicly&nbsp;available at local churches, libraries, community centers, etc. With community planning and education, rural communities can be accurately represented in the 2020 census.</span>1516Featured Video: Wastewater Treatment Process Control Testinghttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1512/featured-video-wastewater-treatment-process-control-testingSmall System O&M,WastewaterFri, 29 Nov 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>This week&rsquo;s featured video was produced by the Athens Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant serves a small town of approximately 1,050 people in West Virginia. In an effort to educate their small town and others across the country, Athens WWTP has developed a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjgNmpkP5mKlnsnrfP4u8w/videos">videos</a>. In this particular recording, the plant will demonstrate several <a href="https://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/comm_exec/pubs/rg/rg-002.pdf">process control</a> tests they use to evaluate their wastewater conditions. You&rsquo;ll learn how Athens performs a settleometer test and monitors pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, oxygen reduction potential, mixed liquor suspended solids, and volatile suspended solids.</p> <p>Tests likes these are valuable for troubleshooting the dynamic environment of wastewater treatment processes and meeting regulatory compliance. As such, it&rsquo;s important for sampling to be performed accurately, consistently, and in a location that is representative of the wastewater quality as a whole. The types of tests you perform, the number of samples taken, and the laboratory methods used to analyze these samples <a href="http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/ndwc/articles/OT/SP05/testthewater.pdf">will depend on</a> your system&rsquo;s treatment type, chemical usage, equipment, and raw water quality. Results from the analysis will promote process optimization. A detailed copy of your facility&rsquo;s sampling and testing procedures should be accessible in the utility&nbsp;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/postid/1252/creating-om-manuals-that-actually-get-used">Operations and Maintenance Manual</a> for reference.</p> <p>To provide more information on process monitoring, we&rsquo;d also like to recommend:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://nebula.wsimg.com/a459faf0a7e35f97f5538731ddb39cee?AccessKeyId=1F27DF2D33BCDD2F21A0&amp;disposition=0&amp;alloworigin=1">How to Utilize Your Lab Data to Optimize Process Control</a> &ndash; <em>Kim Riddell</em></li> <li><a href="https://www.iweasite.org/docs/labbasics_2.pdf">Wastewater Laboratory Basics</a> &ndash; <em>Illinois Water Environment Association</em></li> <li><a href="https://epa.ohio.gov/Portals/29/documents/CAU/Activated%20Sludge%20Process%20Control%20and%20Troubleshooting%20Manual.pdf?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery">Activated Sludge Process Control and Troubleshooting Chart Methodology</a> &ndash; <em>Ohio EPA</em></li> <li><a href="https://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/wrd-ot-activated-sludge-manual_460007_7.pdf">Activated Sludge Process Control</a> &ndash; <em>Michigan Department of Environmental Quality</em></li> <li> <span><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-06/documents/Wastewater-Sampling.pdf">Wastewater Sampling</a> &ndash; <em>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</em></span> </li> </ul> <p><em><br /> </em> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dxiRWJfA20c " width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> </p>1512Studying for the Certification Examhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1511/studying-for-the-certification-examCertificationFri, 22 Nov 2019 23:53:59 GMT<p>Studying for the certification exam can seem difficult or tedious for the many of us who are out of practice when it comes to taking and preparing for standardized tests. Adding to the challenge, most operators or operators in training must balance daily responsibilities and work with studying. In this week&rsquo;s blog post, we hope to make your certification exam prep more productive by reviewing the best methods to study.</p> <p>Before studying for the exam, operators should start by briefly researching the exam itself. Knowing the topics that will be covered and the resources that will be available during the test can help you make the best use of your study time. For starters, each certification agency can have a substantially different distribution of topics included on their need-to-know (NTK) criteria. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) <a href="https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/AWWA/ETS/Resources/Final_Report_Compiled_2.19.18.pdf">published a 2018 summary</a> of each state&rsquo;s licensing requirements and NTK criteria (if developed), however operators should check with <a href="http://www.abccert.org/certification_contacts/default.asp?stateProvince=All">their primacy agency</a> directly to really familiarize themselves with the test requirements, format, and design.</p> <p>For most primacy agencies, certification exams are administered online at a certified testing center, however many agencies offer a few pencil and paper exams throughout the year. Operators that are taking an online exam can familiarize themselves with the feel of an online test using the Association of Boards of Certification&rsquo;s (ABC) <a href="http://www.abccert.org/testing_services/sample_exam_questions.asp">exam demo</a>. For either exam format, the test taker should find out how many questions will be included in the exam, what the question format will be, and how many minutes they have to complete the exam<strong>. </strong>Certification agencies that use ABC testing services require candidates to bring photo ID, a non-programmable calculator, two sharpened #2 pencils, and an eraser. The exam will likely provide a Formula/Conversion table that you should practice with during your studies. Please check with your primacy agency to determine what score is required to pass. Most agencies require a 70% or higher.</p> <p>The AWWA suggests that operators should <a href="https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/Awwa/Professional%20Development/Operator%20Resources/WSOWWP_Study-Tactics.pdf?ver=2019-07-29-091218-283">begin studying</a> immediately after submitting their testing application. Applications are generally due two to three months before the test date itself offering ample time to study. During this period, test takers should strive to learn and <em>understand</em>, not memorize<em>,</em> all the material identified on the NTK criteria. Setting a goal to study at the same times and location each day will help improve focus when you sit down to work. As you study, keep your notes and study material in the same binder or notebook to improve organization. How long you study each day will depend on your current knowledge and experience. Even if you think you know some material pretty well, set aside time to review just in case.</p> <p>Deciding <a href="http://www.csc.edu/learningcenter/study/studymethods.csc">how to study</a> and the resources you want to use will depend on <a href="https://www.oxfordlearning.com/complete-study-guide/">how you learn best</a>. Some operators retain information by reading and writing. For the exam, this might look like learning from a textbook or manual and then summarizing the information in flashcards or a study guide. Research has shown that writing down information improves retention. Generally by the time a student has finished their flashcards, they already know the material pretty well. Reviewing those written summaries will only reinforce that knowledge. Check out our previous blog post on <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/postid/1386/free-online-small-system-training-operator-manuals-can-help-prepare-for-certification-exams">free test prep resources</a> to find downloadable study manuals. If you want to use a textbook instead, we recommend purchasing them used whenever possible!</p> <p>Many other operators prefer a visual or auditory form of learning that comes from watching training videos online or enrolling in a certification exam prep course. If already studying from a textbook, we encourage visual learners to make their own diagrams and charts. Operators can find upcoming certification classes by visiting our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">national training calendar</a> and selecting &ldquo;Certification/Exam Prep&rdquo; in the Category filter. Training courses are also good for kinesthetic learners that retain information by 'doing'. To really prepare for the exam, chances are high that you will need to apply a combination of these study methods. When none of these tips seem to work and you just can&rsquo;t seem to remember an important fact or process, try developing your own mnemonic.</p> <p>The last important tip we must offer is to repeat, repeat, repeat! In order to remember anything long-term, you should review the same material several times without cramming. For example, during the duration of your exam prep try reading from your study manual and summarizing the information in a notebook. Return to those summaries periodically, perhaps creating diagrams when possible or even rewriting the material for a second time. When you feel like you know your stuff, take a practice test to assess your knowledge.</p> <p>Practice tests will help students determine where they need to improve while letting them get used to the types of questions that will be asked on the exam. Some primacy agencies have developed their own practice tests, however we recommended several additional practice exams in the <a href="https://mailchi.mp/smallwatersupply/3awpeaqebc-1308625">October 29, 2019 edition</a> of the WaterOperator.org Newsletter. The edition also includes some of our own practice questions and helpful test taking tips for the day of the exam.</p> <p>Remember that doing well on the exam requires developing a study plan and sticking to it. With any luck, and a lot of practice, these tips will have you acing your certification exam!</p>1511Managing Hexavalent Chromium in California Small Drinking Water Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1510/hexavalent-chromium-the-impacts-of-an-uncertain-regulatory-future-on-california-systemsRegulationsMon, 11 Nov 2019 21:11:20 GMT<p><span style="font-size: 10px;">Photo Credit: "<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hinkley.jpg">PG&amp;E Did It, And Always Knew, Since 1952!</a>" by Alison Cassidy 05/31/2015; Edited with cropping and color correction.</span></p> <p>In recent years, hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) has become a taxing contaminant for small water systems in California to manage. The contaminant has a complex regulatory and legal history, some of which was made renowned by the 2000 film <em>Erin Brockovich</em> starring Julia Roberts. Presently, an invalidated state drinking water standard, an uncertain regulatory future, and varying positions on the potential drinking water health risks, leave small systems unsure how to proceed. Chromium-6 challenges have only been exacerbated by its history of environmental contamination through industrial sources.</p> <p>On a federal level, there is currently no drinking water standard. Hexavalent chromium was evaluated under the third round of Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring (<a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/third-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule">UCMR 3</a>). While the U.S. EPA is still evaluating the results and risks of chromium-6, there is no current undertaking to develop a new drinking water standard. A regulation does, however, exist for <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwstandardsregulations/chromium-drinking-water">total chromium</a> which includes all forms of chromium. The total chromium standard of 100 ppb assumes that the chromium sample is composed entirely of its most toxic form, chromium-6, to safeguard against the greatest potential risk. In California the total chromium standard was set at 50 ppb. At the time these total chromium standards were established, ingested hexavalent chromium was not associated with cancer risks. <a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/hex-chromium/index.cfm">Exposure</a> through drinking water has now been <a href="https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/topics/hexchrom/index.html?utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=prod&amp;utm_campaign=ntpgolinks&amp;utm_term=20369">linked to both cancer</a> and skin reactions.</p> <p>According to a <a href="http://www.advancesinwaterresearch.org/awr/20180103/MobilePagedArticle.action?articleId=1335141#articleId1335141">2018 publication</a> by the Water Research Foundation, the three most reliable water treatment technologies for chromium-6 removal include: reduction, coagulation, and filtration (RCF); adsorption onto regenerable strong base anion (SBA) resin; and adsorption onto disposable weak base anion (WBA) resin. Each technology generates unique waste with different handling and disposal requirements that can be expensive for very small systems to adopt and maintain. In a recent <a href="https://awwa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/aws2.1151">2019 publication</a> by the American Water Works Association, researchers identified a treatment technique that does not generate concentrated waste by reducing chromium-6 to easily separable and <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/chromium-compounds.pdf">non-toxic chromium-3</a>.</p> <p>Much of the chromium found in drinking water was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.exponent.com/knowledge/alerts/2019/02/sources-of-hexavalent-chromium-in-ca/?pageSize=NaN&amp;pageNum=0&amp;loadAllByPageSize=true">introduced from</a>&nbsp;rocks, animals, plants, or volcanic activity. While both chromium-3 and chromium-6 can occur naturally, chromium-6 is more often affiliated with industrial sites that use chrome plating, paints and sprays, leather tanning, or corrosion inhibitors.</p> <p>Hexavalent chromium was brought to the forefront of public health concerns in 1996 as a result of a <a href="https://www.iveyengineering.com/class-action-lawsuits-2/">class-action lawsuit</a> between Hinkley, CA and Pacific Gas &amp; Electric (PG&amp;E). Prior to 1996 PG&amp;E had released chromium tainted wastewater into unlined spreading ponds around Hinkley, a remote desert community in San Bernardino County. When Hinkley learned of the contamination years later, it filed a lawsuit against PG&amp;E. During this time, legal clerk Erin Brockovich worked to link cancer illnesses to chromium-6 exposure. A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinkley_groundwater_contamination#History">convoluted series of legal battles</a> between PG&amp;E and those who developed illnesses from the contamination left the scientific community uncertain about the health risks of chromium-6 in water.</p> <p>Only in 2008 did the U.S. EPA recognize research by the National Toxicology Program identifying cancerous tumors in rats and mice who ingested heavy doses of hexavalent chromium. By 2013 the growing plume of contamination in Hinkley had spread to over six miles long and two miles wide. Following a <a href="https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/Chromium6timeline.html">long regulatory investigation</a> of the chromium-6 health effects during the PG&amp;E legal battles, California eventually recognized the link between chromium-6 and cancer in 2014, <a href="https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/Chromium6.html">approving a maximum contaminant level</a> (MCL) in drinking water at 10 ppb effective July 1, 2014.</p> <p>The new standard proved difficult for many small utilities to meet compliance.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/documents/lawbook/sb385_hexavalent_chromium_compliance_fnl.pdf">Senate Bill 385</a> gave systems with source water above the new MCL until January 1, 2020 to come into compliance without violations. During this time, impacted systems had to submit plans for achieving compliance, obtain approval of the plan, and carry out the plan in a timely manner. Plans could include steps for finding funding, conducting a feasibility study, investigating treatment options, performing an environmental review, acquiring land, facilitating construction, and testing.&nbsp;</p> <p>Developing, implementing, and submitting reports for these plans was no small task for any utility. Drinking water systems granted time to meet compliance were also monitoring sources of hexavalent chromium quarterly.&nbsp;<span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-family: inherit; color: #777777;">As systems <span style="padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext;">notified</span> customers of new exceedances, they took on the burden of managing strong community concerns.</span>&nbsp;It&rsquo;s estimated that chromium-6 has been detected in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cleanwateraction.org/features/dangers-hexavalent-chromium-chromium-6-california-drinking-water" style="background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">2,475 California drinking water sources</span></a>&nbsp;spread across 48 out of 51 counties. The Environmental Working Group published a map that includes the&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://www.ewg.org/interactive-maps/2016-chromium6-lower-48.php" style="background-color: #ffffff;"><em>average</em>&nbsp;detected chromium-6 concentration</a>&nbsp;</span>by county across the country.</p> <p>In developing the new MCL, California <a href="https://www.arnoldporter.com/en/perspectives/publications/2017/06/california-court-orders-water-board-back">estimated that costs to implement</a> the rule would increase water bills by $64 per year for customers of large systems and $5,640 per year for customers of small systems. Polluters were not held accountable to assist with compliance costs in areas of industrial contamination.&nbsp;For <a href="https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20170831/chromium-6-standard-removed-by-state-water-resources-control-board">small drinking water facilities</a> like the Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District (PPHCSD) or the San Bernadino County Special Districts Department, the sticker price for compliance came at a cost in the millions. Furthermore, these small systems must spread costs over fewer people making the adoption of hexavalent chromium solutions cost prohibitive. In San Bernadino County, PPHCSD opted to take on a water blending project while the San Bernadio County Special Districts began exploring a pilot program for new treatment technology. Ultimately&nbsp;<a href="https://www.californiaenvironmentallawblog.com/water/sacramento-superior-court-finds-chromium-6-water-standard-not-economically-feasible/">petitioners against the rule</a> claimed that the MCL was too stringent with compliance too expensive. As a result, the <a href="https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/superior-court-invalidates-hexavalent-58418/">rule was invalidated</a> in 2017 by Sacramento Superior Court under grounds that the Department of Health failed to consider the economic feasibility for small water systems. By this time towns like <a href="https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20170831/chromium-6-standard-removed-by-state-water-resources-control-board">Phelan</a>&nbsp;had already spent $3.7 million toward the mitigation of chromium-6.</p> <p>Using the data collected during the standard&rsquo;s three years of implementation, the State Water Resources Control Board intends to develop a new MCL. As regulatory development ensues, impacted systems are left uncertain how to proceed. There is no certainty that a new MCL will in fact be implemented. Yet if the Board successfully passes a new MCL, systems cannot be certain that the standard will remain at 10 ppb. The board developed this <a href="https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/documents/chromium6/chrome_6_faqs.pdf">FAQ sheet</a> to help systems with ongoing loans and project plans determine their next steps. The PPHCSD in Phelan believes that the 10 ppb standard will be reinstated and has continued to move forward with their $17 million blending project.</p> <p>Systems that choose to pause or discontinue projects are still left uncertain whether they are providing their community with safe drinking water. While legally facilities must now comply with the total chromium standard of 50 ppb, California did set the chromium-6 <a href="https://oehha.ca.gov/water/public-health-goals-phgs">public health goal</a> (PHG) at 2 ppb. This PHG conflicts with the U.S. EPA&rsquo;s total chromium maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) of 100 ppb and existing research debating that ingestion of chromium-6 can <a href="https://www.acwa.com/resources/chromium-6-facts/">alter its toxicity</a>. For now systems must use their best judgement and remain transparent with their community about all decisions. If the 10 ppb standard is reinstated, operators of nearly <a href="https://www.exponent.com/knowledge/alerts/2019/02/sources-of-hexavalent-chromium-in-ca/?pageSize=NaN&amp;pageNum=0&amp;loadAllByPageSize=true">800 groundwater supply wells</a> will be in violation of the rule according to a 2018 publication by Hausladen.</p> <p>California small water systems are not alone in their challenge to manage drinking water contaminants in the absence of strong regulatory guidance. Water systems across the country have had to make tough decisions about treating unregulated drinking water contaminants, many of which were spread through commercial practices. An example of such contaminants is per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and cyanotoxins. Utility decision making to handle these unregulated contaminants must factor in finances, source water conditions, potential project affordability, availability for partnerships, existing infrastructure needs, and more. As we move closer to the new year, water systems and regulatory agencies should take note of the chromium-6 decision-making in California to understand the potential impacts of new regulations on small systems.</p> <p><em>Katie Buckley substantially contributed to this article.</em></p>1510Collaborating Effectively with Board Membershttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1508/collaborating-effectively-with-board-membersAsset Management,Boards,Utility ManagementFri, 25 Oct 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>To protect public health and maintain reliable services, operators and board members, or other governing bodies, must collaborate effectively. This collaboration is essential to successfully establish and execute short-term and long-term system goals. In this blog post, we will discuss how to improve collaboration between board members and operators by distinguishing responsibilities between the two groups and providing communication tips for operators.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 24px;">RESPONSIBILITIES</span></p> <p>To work effectively in any team, each member must understand their own responsibilities and how those responsibilities are distinguished from the responsibilities of others. The <a href="https://efcnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Talking-to-Your-Decision-Makers_-A-Best-Practices-Guide.pdf">primary role</a> of board members is to ensure the system provides reliable and compliant services by setting policies and goals, maintaining finances, and communicating important utility information to customers. Their <a href="https://efcnetwork.org/board-member-responsibilities-managing-water-utility/">responsibilities</a> include:</p> <p><strong>Management:</strong> Board members are in charge of hiring, retaining, and contracting qualified workers. They must <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/13480.pdf">set policies (pg. 9)</a>&nbsp;and goals&nbsp;that allow the utility to operate efficiently and legally. Evaluating these goals regularly will ensure that the system can maintain a desired level of service, protect source water, apply appropriate asset management programs, and keep customers informed. Boards should operate ethically and make sure records are retained properly. To do all of this, each board member should facilitate active participation in decision making while acting as a <a href="https://www.rcap.org/resource/board-building-blocks/">good team member</a> for the utility. They must also acquire the required knowledge to fulfill these duties.</p> <p><strong>Financing</strong>: Decision makers must maintain budgets, monitor spending, and ensure that the system will have&nbsp;<a href="https://efcnetwork.org/waterclips/">enough money</a> to meet <em>both </em>present and future needs. When necessary, boards are in charge of acquiring the funds to finance infrastructure projects and other activities required by the system. Any major contracts must also be approved and properly recorded by the board.</p> <p><strong>Communication</strong>: Board members must keep customers informed on ongoing projects, system services, and potential emergencies. They should act as the liaison between the system's staff and the community. Additional responsibilities include maintaining transparent communication to the public through open meetings that have been scheduled with appropriate public notice and an organized agenda. By publishing meeting minutes and key decisions, customers can remain informed and provide additional input.</p> <p>After board members have established the financial and managerial policies for the system, it is the <a href="https://legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/water/dw/download/epa_sys_operator.pdf">operator&rsquo;s responsibility</a> to implement and enforce those policies. Operators must develop, update, and execute maintenance plans and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that meet board policies and regulatory compliance. These procedures will help staff facilitate daily operations, monitor the system, and maintain detailed <a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/2000ZZB2.PDF?Dockey=2000ZZB2.PDF">records</a> of the system&rsquo;s status as well as any financial expenditures. Operators must also maintain, monitor, and replace existing assets. While both operators and board members should possess a sufficient education to manage the facility, operators must do so by upholding their certification license. In addition to these tasks, it&rsquo;s important for operators to keep board members informed of system updates and needs.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 24px;">COMMUNICATION</span></p> <p>To effectively collaborate and communicate as a team, board members and operators should attend regularly scheduled meetings. The Nevada Bureau of Health Protection Services recommends board members schedule these meetings <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/12990.pdf">on the same day once every month</a>. During meetings customers can discuss concerns with board members, board member can inform customers of changes to the system, and operators can provide updates to their board. <a href="http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/ndwc/articles/OT/WI05/meetings.pdf">Successful meetings</a> should always be conducted to comply with the region&rsquo;s Open Meeting Laws and to follow a pre-written, detailed agenda.</p> <p>Before any meeting the board&rsquo;s secretary should collaborate with operators and other board members to produce a <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/13018.pdf">clearly written agenda</a> that will include discussion topics, action items, and time for public comment. This is the time where operators can schedule to bring forth concerns, needs, and system updates. The Environmental Finance Center hosted an excellent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nROat6oebQ">webinar in 2016</a> on successful communication with board members. The webinar describes what topics and details are important to discuss at meetings and what are not. The webinar also demonstrates how policies are made and updated during these meetings. The following figure was taken from this webinar:</p> <p><a href="http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nROat6oebQ" title="Image from EFCN's 2016 Webinar: Successful Communication with your Board"><img src="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/blog_boardcommunicationrelationship.JPG" alt="Board and Staff Relationship" /></a></p> <p>When an operators bring up concerns, requests for funding, or updates on the system, they should do so with the following strategies:</p> <p><strong>Presenting the Update or Issue:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Present information using organized data, figures, records, and supporting documents. Bringing in photos or physical examples (ex. A recently replaced pipe) can be even more effective. </li> <li>Tailor presentations to the audience. New board members may need more background information. Think about the board&rsquo;s perspective to address potential questions and concerns early on.</li> <li>To communicate finance information and rate increases check out these resources: <ul> <li><a href="https://efc.sog.unc.edu/sites/default/files/Kerwin%20Communicating%20Finance%20and%20Rate%20Information%20To%20Your%20Board_0.pdf">Communicating Finance and Rate Information to Your Board</a></li> <li><a href="https://efc.sog.unc.edu/sites/default/files/Tiger%20Raising%20Rates_0.pdf">Quick Messages and Selling Points on Raising Rates and Financial Performance for your Board and Public Presentations</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>If operators are investigating a potentially serious problem, but don&rsquo;t yet have all of the details, inform the board any ways. Board members should be aware of serious issues early on.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Proposing Solutions to Challenges:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Provide reasonable options to resolve system issues and clearly explain the risks involved in not taking action. Describe how the proposed solution will resolve the issue. </li> <li>When the solution involves replacing new equipment, explain estimated life cycle costs in addition to upfront costs. Identify where the funding to finance the solution will come from and where that will leave the system financially afterword.</li> <li>Understand how proposed solutions and projects will affect other funding needs in the community. Explain how the solution will benefit the community as a whole.</li> <li>Offer the board a non-technical explanation of why the proposed solution is required so they can relay this information to customers.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Other Tips:</strong></p> <ul> <li>When operators don't know the answer to questions from the board, it&rsquo;s best to offer to investigate the answer later rather than guess. Waiting to provide an accurate answer limits confusion and unnecessary conflict.</li> <li>Board members are often unfamiliar with the daily operations of the utility. It can help improve collaboration to offer tours of the facility that demonstrate operating requirements and updated conditions of the plant. Alternatively, operators can invite board members to attend training classes and conferences. The Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) also offers <a href="https://www.rcac.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Non-operatorsGuideDRINKINGWATERSystems.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">water</a> and <a href="https://www.rcac.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Non-operators-GuideWASTEWATERSystems.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">wastewater</a> guides for the non-operator that can act as a starting point for this technical knowledge.</li> <li>Keep the lines of <a href="http://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/p2926.pdf">communication open</a>. When board members can communicate their opinions openly it will lead to reciprocation and more effective problem solving.</li> <li>Compromise!</li> </ul> <p>When collaboration becomes difficult, remember that both operators and boards have the same goal: protecting public health and ensuring the longevity of the system. While board members can face <a href="http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/ndwc/articles/OT/SP06/OT_SP06_RESPONSIBILITY.pdf">different pressures</a> than operators, they still want to maintain this goal. Elizabeth Dietzmann with the Kansas Rural Water Association has written two excellent articles for operators on <a href="https://krwa.net/portals/krwa/lifeline/1703/MicromanagingBoard.pdf">How to Manage a Micromanaging Board</a> and <a href="https://krwa.net/portals/krwa/lifeline/1611/018.pdf">How to Manage a Problem Rural Water Board Member</a>. The latter addresses &ldquo;No Show&rdquo; members, &ldquo;Blabbermouths&rdquo;, the &ldquo;Angry Bird&rdquo;, and other problem members.</p> <p>Remember that <a href="https://www.mass.gov/doc/talking-to-your-decision-makers-a-best-practices-guide/download">communication doesn&rsquo;t have to be limited</a> to monthly meetings. Operators can provide weekly email updates or use phone calls to inform boards of important issues. For additional resources on board responsibilities check out&nbsp;RCAP&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.rcac.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/RCAP-Guide-for-Small-Systems_Boards.pdf">Big Guide for Small Systems: A Resource for Board Members</a>. As operators maintain their own continuing education requirements, they can also encourage board members to attend any upcoming&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rcap.org/training/">RCAP board training</a>&nbsp;that will help them brush up on their job duties and stay up to date on the industry.</p>1508Peracetic Acid (PAA) in Wastewater Disinfectionhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1507/peracetic-acid-paa-in-wastewater-disinfectionTechnology,WastewaterFri, 18 Oct 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-08/documents/disinfection_-_paa_fact_sheet_-_2012.pdf">Peracetic acid</a> (PAA) has grown in popularity over the last several years for its use in the disinfection of wastewater and stormwater. Utilities use disinfectants as the primary mechanism to inactivate and destroy pathogenic organisms that spread waterborne disease. An appropriate disinfectant will sufficiently treat any disease-causing microbes including bacteria, spores, helminthes, and protozoa. While PAA technology has been employed in Canada and Europe for the last 30 to 40 years, this disinfectant has only become noticed in U.S. municipal wastewater treatment within the last 10 years. Competing with chlorine, an already well-established disinfectant, its use is still slow growing, however systems are discovering that PAA offers several benefits to wastewater treatment that chlorination does not.</p> <p>What is peracetic acid? The <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/alternative-technologies-and-assessment-water-and-wastewater">alternative disinfectant</a> is a clear, organic peroxide compound that readily hydrolyzes to acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide in water. It&rsquo;s characterized as a strong oxidant and fast reacting disinfectant. Commercially available peracetic (CH<sub>3</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>H) is purchased in an equilibrium mixture of acetic acid (H<sub>3</sub>CO<sub>2</sub>H), hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>), and water (H<sub>2</sub>O). Manufacturers typically add a stabilizer as well. The following formula represents the equilibrium equation: CH<sub>3</sub>CO<sub>2</sub>H + H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> &larr;&rarr; CH<sub>3</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>H + H<sub>2</sub>O.</p> <p>PAA can generally be purchased in concentrations of 5% to 22%. When PAA decomposes in water, free hydrogen peroxyl (HO<sub>2</sub>) and hydroxyl (OH) radicals are formed. These radicals have significant oxidizing capacity that play an active role in microbial disinfection. According to the EPA, bacteria are destroyed through cell wall lysis and leakage of any cellular constituents.</p> <p>Wastewater systems consider <a href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/emerging-trends-in-disinfection-peracetic-acid-0001">moving to peracetic acid for several reasons</a>. Unlike chlorine, PPA decomposes into biodegradable residuals of vinegar (acetic acid) and hydrogen peroxide that can pass fish toxicity tests without removal. These residuals are not toxic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic. <a href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/the-age-of-peracetic-acid-a-solution-to-increasingly-challenging-regulations-0001">Bioaccumulation</a> in aquatic organisms is also highly unlikely. Neither chlorinated compounds nor harmful disinfection by-products (DBPs) are produced with its use. As such, PAA has been considered the potential answer to tough DBP regulations. Peracetic acid can also disinfect over a wide range of pH and is unaffected by nitrate and ammonia concentrations.</p> <p>Chemical handling of PPA is toted for being easier and safer than chlorination. The disinfectant can be stored for long periods of time exhibiting <a href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/epa-investigates-peracetic-acid-as-a-green-alternative-to-chlorine-0001">less than 1% decrease</a> in activity per year when properly stored. Its use does not require any special risk management plans (RMPs) required by the EPA when handling certain toxic chemicals. For systems that operate under cooler conditions to prevent contamination or elevated temperatures, PAA has a low freezing point. Switching to PAA requires minimal retrofitting with the chemical itself being offered at <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-08/documents/disinfection_-_paa_fact_sheet_-_2012.pdf">prices competitive</a> to other disinfectants.</p> <p>There can be some disadvantages to peracetic acid. Depending on the formula purchased, PAA introduces varying amounts of acetic acid into the wastewater effluent. This can contribute to biological oxygen demand (BOD) and may not be appropriate for systems that are struggling to meet these limits. The biggest challenge wastewater systems face is regulatory approval. While PAA has been approved by the EPA as a primary disinfectant, each state regulatory agency must also approve its use. A WaterOnline guest column includes an <a href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/emerging-trends-in-disinfection-peracetic-acid-0001">infographic</a> of states that have approved PPA as of 2017. The guest column discusses how systems can approach local regulatory agencies to seek approval on a case-by-case basis.</p> <p>The overall effectivity of PPA will depend on wastewater characteristics, the PAA concentration, contact time, and the reactor configuration. Dosage will depend on the target organisms, wastewater quality, and level of inactivation required. When monitoring PAA residuals, operators can use the same analyzer and method as for chlorine residuals. A standard EPA sampling method does not yet exist. The lack of established methods and protocols for PAA makes approval difficult for local regulatory agencies. To help investigate the use and implications of PAA in wastewater, the Water Research Foundation (WRF) <a href="https://www.wwdmag.com/energy/peracetic-perspective">completed a study</a> to evaluate effluent toxicity as well as dosage and contact times required to meet compliance. Metro Vancouver&rsquo;s Northwest Langley WWTP in Canada has also published findings from a <a href="https://www.usptechnologies.com/wp-content/uploads/PAA-Langley-BC-WEFTEC-2014-1.pdf">multi-year pilot program</a> that used PAA as a disinfectant. More studies will have to expand on existing research until peracetic acid can become easily and widely adopted.</p>1507Featured Video: How to Use a Hydrant Samplerhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1506/featured-video-how-to-use-a-hydrant-samplermonitoringFri, 11 Oct 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Through the use of a hydrant sampler, operators can monitor water quality at various points in the distribution system without the need for access to indoor taps from local businesses or residential homes. Sampling hydrants allows operators to protect public health by routinely collecting bacteriological samples required by their regulatory agency. Operators should sample along the distribution system at the locations and frequency specified by their RTCR sample siting plan. For assistance in developing or updating your sampling plan, check out the EPA documents&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-04/rtcr_siting_plan_template.docx">Sample Siting Plan Instructions</a> (download) and the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-12/documents/usepa_sampling_siting_plan_final_published-2018_508.pdf">Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) Sample Siting Plan with Template</a>. Please check with your Primacy Agency to determine if stricter requirements may apply to your system.</p> <p>In this week&rsquo;s featured video, the U.S. EPA&rsquo;s Area-Wide Optimization Program demonstrates how to use a hand-built hydrant sampler on dry barrel hydrants to collect water quality samples throughout the distribution system. The procedures used <span>&nbsp;</span>in this video, including how to <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-05/documents/hydrant-sampler-procedure.pdf">calculate flush time</a> and how to build a sampler, can be found at the EPA&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwstandardsregulations/hydrant-sampler-procedure-and-parts-lists">Hydrant Sampler Procedure and Parts List</a> web page. Calculating an appropriate flush time is important to yield sample results that accurately characterize the quality within your distribution system. The <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-04/documents/hydrant-sampler-parts-list.pdf">hydrant sampler</a>&nbsp;from the video can be built with parts from your local hardware store however, since 2018 AWOP has created a <a href="https://www.asdwa.org/2018/09/17/streamlined-hydrant-sampler-redesign-smaller-lighter-and-less-expensive/">new sampler design</a>&nbsp;that requires less parts making it cheaper to build and easier to use. Check out this week&rsquo;s featured video to find out the best practices and safety concerns for using a hydrant sampler.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4RWrrMxbwac" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1506Using Reed Beds for Sludge Treatmenthttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1504/the-use-of-reed-beds-for-sludge-treatmentonsite wastewater,operation & maintenance,WastewaterFri, 04 Oct 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>The use of reed beds in both central and decentralized wastewater treatment systems can offer a low cost and energy efficient opportunity to process sludge. Originally developed in Germany, the practice was brought to the United States in the 1980s. Under this technology, a variety of marsh grass, also known as <em>Phragmites</em>, is planted in reed beds built with concrete walls and lined with an impermeable layer to protect groundwater. <a href="https://www.tpomag.com/online_exclusives/2013/03/reed_bed_technology_for_biosolids_dewatering_and_storage">TPO magazine</a> suggests using a concrete bottom because PVC liner can be easily damaged during maintenance. The beds themselves contain a porous, finely aggregated media such as sand or <a href="https://www.prwa.com/sites/default/files/files-webpage/2017/2188/2017-spring-keystonetap.pdf">recycled glass (pg. 12)</a>. This media allows the reeds to grow and excess liquid to pass through an underdrain system connected to the head of the plant for recycling. Risers can help distribute and load the sludge.</p> <p>After the reeds have been established during a period of roughly three months, sludge can be loaded into the beds every three weeks. As the plants&rsquo; <a href="https://www.wwoa.org/files/publishedpapers/2017/conf/CWG-%20Reed%20Bed%20Wisconsin%20Presentation.pdf">extensive root structure</a> absorbs sludge moisture, water will be released through leaves and into the atmosphere via evapotranspiration. The microbes found in the root rhizome will help the sludge continue to break down. During the winter months when the reeds are dormant,<strong> </strong>the freeze-thaw cycle will allow liquid to easily separate from sludge to continue dewatering. When spring arrives, the reeds will return to their active growing cycle.</p> <p>According to <a href="https://www.tpomag.com/online_exclusives/2013/03/reed_bed_technology_for_biosolids_dewatering_and_storage">TPO Magazine</a>, reed beds can adequately manage facilities that treat up to two million gallons per day provided that the required land is available. The reeds themselves can handle climates that experience several weeks of freezing temperatures during the winter. Before temperatures drop too low, operators will typically burn off the reeds in the fall. Alternatively, the reeds can be composted or disposed in a landfill. After approximately 8 years, the solids must be removed. At this time, the beds will be taken out of service in the summer and given an additional 90 days to dry out. Once the sludge is removed, the reeds will need to be re-established. A <a href="https://www.wwoa.org/files/publishedpapers/2017/conf/CWG-%20Reed%20Bed%20Wisconsin%20Presentation.pdf">presentation</a> by the Constructed Wetland Group provides a detailed overview of how to perform maintenance on reed beds.</p> <p>While this technology is low maintenance and energy efficient, there are still pros and cons. As an advantage, reed beds can help to remove heavy metals from sludge. This should be considered during reed harvesting. As a drawback, constructing new beds requires significant capital costs, however utilities may be able to <a href="http://www.bradfordera.com/news/local/upb-students-plant-reed-beds-at-sewage-treatment-plant/article_0f675837-311f-5b63-a723-5f4bbca7bea8.html">convert existing sand pits</a> or drying beds to reduce costs. TPO Magazine notes that unpleasant odors can emerge during the spring when winter ice melts. Many scientists also worry that wastewater facilities using non-native grasses can encourage the <a href="https://bugwoodcloud.org/mura/mipn/assets/File/UMISC-2016/Monday/2/Norwood_IsPhragmitesBiengSpreadbyWastewaterTreatmentFacilities.pdf">establishment of invasive species</a>. <em>Phragmites </em>spread predominantly through their underground rhizomes, laterally growing stems with roots. Furthermore, when non-native grasses escape into a new area, they can easily take over since their native competitors aren&rsquo;t present. Facilities should practice careful harvesting and monitor the integrity of their bed structures to ensure containment. Despite these drawbacks, reed bed systems can be a successful and efficient form of sludge treatment even <a href="https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/ca86/2f1aee0be84b82b7f310147df88105c7fac1.pdf">in comparison to conventional treatment</a> methods.</p>1504Featured Video: How To: Develop a Cross-Connection Control Planhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1503/featured-video-how-to-develop-a-cross-connection-control-planBackflow,DistributionFri, 27 Sep 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>A well-developed cross connection control plan ensures that backflow events are an infrequent occurrence in drinking water distribution systems. Cross connections involve any connection between treated water and untreated water. The connection can allow for backflow and ultimately drinking water contamination.<span>&nbsp; </span>You can learn about the two types of backflow, backpressure and backsiphonage, as well as how they occur in RCAP&rsquo;s 2018 blog on <a href="https://rcap.org/cross-connections/">Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention &ndash; Underutilized Protection for Potable Water</a>. Additionally, WaterOperator.org has featured two backflow videos in a <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1314/featured-videos-backflow-prevention-cross-connection-control-from-awwa">previous blog</a> that will help you learn more about the phenomenon. </p> <p>To prevent unnecessary contamination in your distribution system this week&rsquo;s blog post features an RCAP video on how to develop a cross connection control plan. This short video describes the key administrative and technical provisions that should be included in your plan. We&rsquo;ve also highlighted some useful resources that can help you follow their suggestions. If you'd like to find state or territory specific resources such as a sample ordinance or cross connection control plan template, visit<span>&nbsp;our&nbsp;</span><a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents" style="color: #0099e6; background-color: #ffffff;">document library</a><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/344624121" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Now that you know the key provisions to a successful backflow prevention program, check out these additional resources.&nbsp;<span>Remember that many state or tribal territories can have their own rules and specifications that need to be met by your utility. Consults with your system's primacy agency before starting or updating a cross connection control program.</span></p> <p><a href="https://idahoruralwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/My-backflow-pamphlet.pdf">Backflow Prevention</a> &ndash; Idaho Rural Water Association<br /> This 2-sided brochure can be used to educate your customers about potential sources of backflow and the impacts of contamination.</p> <p><a href="https://www.inh2o.org/Portals/36/Documents/residential-X-conn-survey.docx?ver=2018-01-05-152827-870">Residential Cross-Connection Questionnaire</a> &ndash; Alliance of Indiana Rural Water<br /> This 2-page questionnaire can be set to customers to identify potential sources of cross connection.</p> <p><a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/26095.pdf">Selling Cross-Connection Control to Management</a>- University of Florida Center for Training, Research, and Education for Environmental Outcomes<br /> This power point, presented by Ron Chapman, describes how you can encourage your utility to implement a cross connection control program.</p> <p><a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/2000262T.PDF?Dockey=2000262T.PDF">Cross-Connection Control Manual</a> &ndash; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency<br /> This manual has been designed as a tool for health officials, waterworks personnel, and plumbers to understand the basics about backflow prevention, preventer testing, and control programs.</p>1503Professional Recognition Opportunities for Water & Wastewater Operatorshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1502/professional-recognition-for-water-wastewater-operatorsWorkforceFri, 20 Sep 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p><span>Water and wastewater operators in responsible charge are required to hold an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-03/documents/summary_of_state_operator_certification_programs.pdf">operating license</a>&nbsp;issued by their primacy agency equivalent to or greater than the classification of their treatment system. This certificate ensures that the operator has demonstrated the skills and knowledge necessary to operate and maintain their facility. Each primacy agency sets its own licensing requirements, ultimately targeted at safeguarding public health and the environment. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;">In addition to a primacy issued license</span><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;">, there are many operators that look to other forms of professional certification to set themselves apart from their peers. While there are a variety of ways to demonstrate excellence in the industry, many operators enjoy the format of professional certificate programs. These programs are not often recognized by primacy agencies, however they demonstrate that an operator has taken the initiative to learn more about their field and develop additional skills that can be utilized in operations, treatment, or management.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;">Shaun Livermore is an operations manager of the Utilities Authority for the Parch Band of Creek Indians. He recently <a href="https://twitter.com/alruralwater/status/1161397184455221248?s=21">obtained Utility Management Certification</a> with Water University.</span> <span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;">After taking the program Shaun concluded that the certificate is a good tool to help operators make the jump into management. He notes that, <em>&ldquo;</em></span><em>the utility management certification does give me validation that I have the knowledge to be in utility management. It is also a way to demonstrate that to others. The requirement of degrees for higher level positions at utilities is often a barrier for highly capable individuals that could more adequately perform the duties of the position. This practice will continue to change moving into the future, but affordable programs like this one and Professional Operator designation will be a way to measure the aptitude for upward mobility of developing operators. It is something that I hope to see on more job descriptions in the future</em>.<span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;"><em><span style="color: windowtext;"></span>&rdquo;</em></span><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit; color: windowtext;">&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></p> <p>Programs like these often require more training than the average operator license. Upon request, some states may allow the training to be used toward an operator's certification. If you&rsquo;re interest in a professional certificate, we will review a few programs available to water operators in this blog.</p> <p><a href="http://www.professionaloperator.org/" style="font-weight: bold; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Professional Operator (PO)</span></a><br /> <span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;"><strong>Provider</strong></span><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;">: Association of Boards of Certification &ndash; Certification Commission for Environmental Professionals </span><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;">(C2EP)</span><br /> <span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;"><strong>About</strong></span><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;">: The PO certificate was the first professional desig</span>nation created for operators. To earn the PO title, operators must pass a certification exam and meet specific educational and professional experience requirements.<span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;"><br /> </span><strong><a href="http://www.professionaloperator.org/C2EPHome/C2EPIndex/42?type=C" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Certificate Options</a>:</strong>&nbsp;Certificates include water treatment, distribution, collection, and wastewater treatment.&nbsp;<span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;">Each option c</span>onsists of four certification classes ranging from Class I to Class IV. The highest class reflects the highest level of job complexity and operational requirements.<br /> <strong>Certificate Requirements:</strong> Each OP class has different certification requirements. Check them out <a href="http://www.professionaloperator.org/C2EPHome/C2EPIndex/42?type=C" style="background-color: #ffffff;">here</a>.<br /> <strong>Cost</strong>: As of now, the application ranges from $145-$195 while the exam costs $67. This cost does not factor in the continuing education training that could be necessary to meet PO certification qualifications.<br /> <strong><a href="http://professionaloperator.org/C2EPHome/C2EPIndex/43?type=B" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Re-certification</a>:</strong>&nbsp;Required every 2 years.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://wateruniversity.org/?redirect=0" style="font-weight: bold;">Water University&rsquo;s Utility Management Certification (UMC)</a><strong><br /> </strong></span><strong>Provider</strong>: National Rural Water Association<br /> <strong>Certificate Options</strong>: <a href="https://wateruniversity.org/course/index.php?categoryid=2" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Utility Management Certification</a><br /> <span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;"><strong>About</strong>: The</span> Utility Management Certification is the first professional certificate to recognize an operator&rsquo;s knowledge and skills in the management of a water or wastewater utility. The certification program is designed to evaluate a participant&rsquo;s education, work experience, and training.<br /> <strong>Certificate Requirements:</strong> The certification process starts when an applicant submits their education, industry experience, and training history. Each experience is assigned a point value that must ultimately add up to 100. Once an operator confirms their 100 points, they will take a certif<span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: inherit;">ication exam.</span><br /> </span><strong>Cost</strong>: The program costs $250 in addition to any training necessary to meet the 100 points of experience that might not already be met.<br /> <strong>Re-certification:</strong> Renewal is required every 3 years and costs $125. Certificate holders must complete 40 hours of additional training. After five renewals the certificate does not expire.</p> <p><a href="https://www.wqa.org/profcert" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;">WQA Water Treatment Industry Professional Certification</a><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong><br /> </strong></span><strong>Provider:</strong> Water Quality Association (WQA)<br /> <strong><a href="https://www.wqa.org/Portals/0/Publications/ProfCert_ebook.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Certificate Options</a>:</strong> Certificates types include water specialist, master water specialist, and water treatment representative.<br /> <span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;"><strong>About:</strong></span><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;"> The WQA cert</span>ification is a voluntary credentialing process that can demonstrate an operator&rsquo;s commitment to higher education, professional growth, and customer service.<br /> <strong><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-family: inherit;">Certificate Requir</span>ements: </strong>To achieve any WQA certified designation, the candidate must complete the appropriate course work, pass a comprehensive exam, and abide by the WQA Code of Ethics for the Water Quality Improvement Industry.<br /> <strong>Cost: </strong>Enrollment costs $315-$815 which includes a 1-year subscription to the learning modules required for certification. The exam ranges from $145 to $320.<br /> <strong><a href="https://www.wqa.org/programs-services/professional-certification/recertification-information">Re-certification</a>:</strong> Certificates must be renewed every three years. Re-certification requires a renewal fee and to have obtained three approved credits during the certificate cycle.</p> <p>There are an increasing number of professional certificate opportunities available to the water industry. These programs are growing in diversity, focus, and program format. As operators look to these programs for development, they should identify a program that will be best suited to their previous experiences and future career goals.</p>1502Resources to Complete Your Risk & Resilience Assessment and Emergency Response Planhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1498/resources-to-complete-your-risk-resilience-assessment-and-emergency-response-planAsset Management,Emergency Response,RegulationsFri, 13 Sep 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Drinking water utilities should be aware of the risk and resilience assessment (RRA) and emergency response plan (ERP) requirements mandated by section 2013 of the America&rsquo;s Water and Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018. Under <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/03/27/2019-05770/new-risk-assessment-and-emergency-response-plan-requirements-for-community-water-systems">section 2013</a>, community water systems (CWS) serving populations of 3,300 people or more are required to perform a risk assessment using the results to develop or update their ERP. The due date to certify the completion of these requirements is dependent on the population served by the system. If a CWS provides water to a consecutive system, they must include the population of the consecutive system in the total population served.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/Blog_awia_certificationdeadline.PNG"><img alt="Table1" src="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/Blog_awia_certificationdeadline.PNG" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0px;" /></a></p> <p><span>*After submitting the RRA, the ERP must be submitted and certified within six months. Community water systems will be required to review and revise, as necessary, their RRA and ERP every five years after the initial certification dates.&nbsp;</span></p> <p>These new AWIA requirements amend section 1433 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), originally created from the <a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P10056E3.PDF?Dockey=P10056E3.PDF">Bioterrorism Act</a>&nbsp;of 2002. The Act focused on incidents of terrorism and required CWS&rsquo;s serving more than 3,300 people to conduct a vulnerability assessment (VA) and develop an ERP. The <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-04/documents/awia_factsheet_04-16-2019_v2-508.pdf">new AWIA requirements</a> place an emphasis on the risks of malevolent acts, natural disasters, and cybersecurity.<span>&nbsp;</span>Since the vulnerability assessments from the Bioterrorism Act are now more than 10 years old, AWIA approved the destruction of these assessments. Utilities that want their VA returned instead can submit a <a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterresilience/americas-water-infrastructure-act-risk-assessments-and-emergency-response-plans#FD">request letter</a> to the EPA before the due date of their risk assessment.</p> <p>To assist in <a href="https://www.asdwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/EPA-WSD-AWIA-Webinar.pptx">meeting the new requirements</a>, the EPA has developed several resources designed specifically for AWIA. Resources and tools are uploaded on this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterresilience/americas-water-infrastructure-act-risk-assessments-and-emergency-response-plans">EPA web page</a> as they become available.&nbsp;<span>The risk and resilience assessment is the first requirement due under section 2013 and necessary to develop your ERP. The assessment must include&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterresilience/americas-water-infrastructure-act-risk-assessments-and-emergency-response-plans#RRA" style="background-color: #ffffff;">six criteria</a><span>. Following the assessment, the ERP must include&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterresilience/americas-water-infrastructure-act-risk-assessments-and-emergency-response-plans#ERP" style="background-color: #ffffff;">four criteria</a>&nbsp;in addition to any state requirements.&nbsp;</span>In this blog we will provide information about these AWIA resources in addition to other documents that can be useful to complete your RRA and ERP.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>EPA's AWIA Resources:</strong></p> <p>Resiliency and Risk Assessment:</p> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterriskassessment/conduct-drinking-water-or-wastewater-utility-risk-assessment">Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool (VSAT) 2.0</a>&nbsp;<br /> <em> U.S. EPA </em><br /> This downloadable tool was updated to help utilities conduct risk and resilience assessments under AWIA. The tool can estimate risks from malevolent threats and natural hazards while evaluating potential improvement strategies.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> </li> <li><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-07/documents/baseline_information_malevolent_acts_508_072519.pdf">Baseline Information on Malevolent Acts for Community Water Systems</a>&nbsp;<br /> <em> U.S. EPA</em><br /> AWIA requires that the RRA addresses risks to &lsquo;malevolent acts&rsquo;. The EPA provides baseline information on malevolent acts and how to assess their potential threats in this 51-page guide.</li> </ul> <p>Emergency Response Plans:</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-07/documents/190712-awia_erp_template_instructions_kab_508c_v6.pdf">Community Water System Emergency Response Plan</a>&nbsp;<br /> <em>U.S. EPA</em><br /> This 13-page document includes a emergency response plan template with instructions developed to assist systems in meeting the ERP requirements under AWIA.</p> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Other Helpful&nbsp;Resources to Get Started:</strong></p> <p>Resiliency and Risk Assessment:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.epa.gov/crwu/creat-risk-assessment-application-water-utilities" style="background-color: #ffffff;">CREAT Risk Assessment</a><br /> <em> U.S. EPA</em><br /> CREAT is a risk assessment tool to help utilities to adapt to extreme weather events. New users will be required to fill out a registration form. While your account is processing, check out a more preliminary EPA climate adaptation tool, the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/crwu/resilient-strategies-guide-water-utilities#/">Resilient Strategies Guide for Water Utilities</a>.<br /> <br /> </li> <li><a href="https://efcnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Inventory-and-Risk-Reference-Guide.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Reference Guide for Asset Management Inventory and Risk Analysis</a>&nbsp;<br /> <em>Southwest Environmental Finance Center</em><br /> This 9-page guide acts as a starting point to inventory assets and consider potential failure risks. The table suggests the information that should be collected while taking an inventory of assets.<br /> <br /> </li> <li><a href="https://www.env.nm.gov/dwb/Documents/Public Info/RCAC Financial guide_final_6.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Financial Planning: A Guide for Water and Wastewater Systems</a>&nbsp;<br /> <em>Rural Community Assistance Corporation</em><br /> Utilities need to include a financial infrastructure assessment in their RRA. The 59-page guidebook provides a process for developing and monitoring a utility budget, evaluating rates, and developing a 5-year financial plan.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> </li> <li><a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/water/simplified_va_01_03.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Simplified Vulnerability Assessment Tool for Drinking Water</a>&nbsp;<br /> <em>Kansas Department of Health and Environment</em><br /> In this 24-page guide systems will learn about risk minimization, the probability of asset threats, consequences of threats, and threat deterrents.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>Emergency Response Plans:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.map-inc.org/uploads/5/2/2/1/52214049/flood_emergency_action_procedures-_feap.docx">Flood Emergency Action Procedures: Preparation Guide for Small Communities</a>&nbsp;<br /> <em>Midwest Assistance Program</em><br /> The 50-page document provides a flood preparedness planning methodology for small rural communities.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> </li> <li><a href="https://www.waterisac.org/system/files/articles/15 Cybersecurity Fundamentals %28WaterISAC%29.pdf">15 Cybersecurity Fundamentals for Water and Wastewater Utilities</a>&nbsp;<br /> <em>Water ISAC</em><br /> This updated 56-page guide explains the best practices water utilities can use to reduce security risks to their IT and OT systems.</li> </ul> <p>To certify the completion of your RRA or ERP, the EPA has developed <a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterresilience/how-certify-your-risk-and-resilience-assessment-or-emergency-response-plan">guidelines for certification submittals</a> via their secure online portal, email, or mail. If your system needs any additional help to meet these requirements, the EPA will be hosting in-person and online <a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterresilience/americas-water-infrastructure-act-risk-assessments-and-emergency-response-plans#TNG">training sessions for each region</a>. If these document suggestions don&rsquo;t meet your system needs, check out our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document library</a> to find a variety of resources on risk assessment and emergency response.</p>1498Featured Video: Wastewater Treatment -Troubleshooting Aeration Basinhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1496/featured-video-wastewater-treatment-troubleshooting-aeration-basinoperation & maintenance,WastewaterFri, 06 Sep 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>This week&rsquo;s blog features a wastewater troubleshooting video by the YouTube account&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmg0o8zJJ9uR7k6IllrfMig/featured">Wastewater Operations Channel.</a> The account is run by Jon Kercher, an operator of 10 years who uploads educational videos filmed during the work day at his wastewater treatment plant. </p> <p>In this video, Jon demonstrates how to troubleshoot a disparity between two air legs within an aeration basin that should be equal flow. The problem was noticed when the basin was put into lead position. This video not only demonstrates how to troubleshoot a flow disparity, but teaches a great methodology for troubleshooting any wastewater treatment issues. Jon notes that while we have a general tendency to gravitate our troubleshooting toward process parameters, we must also consider monitoring parameters as well. Watch his video to find out what was causing the flow disparity!</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vFlPbhSVz4c" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1496Developing an Asset Management Programhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1499/developing-an-asset-management-programAsset Management,Capacity Development,Financial Management,Utility ManagementWed, 28 Aug 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Asset management is a critical component to the short and long-term success of every water and wastewater utility regardless of size or system type. When a system understands the condition of its assets, in addition to present and future projected needs, the utility can make informed decisions about infrastructure operations, management, and investments. These decisions will minimize expenditures, equipment failures, and risk to public health while promoting reliability, resiliency, compliance, and customer satisfaction. Asset management moves utilities from reactive to proactive decision making and allows systems to get the most out of what they have.</p> <p>If your facility has never developed an asset management plan or it&rsquo;s been quite some time since you&rsquo;ve last revised your plan, we&rsquo;ve highlighted our favorite resources to get you back on track. A well-developed plan includes asset inventories, operation and maintenance tasks, emergency response and contingency planning, comprehensive financial plans, succession planning, and an understanding of current and future service level goals. Without addressing the technical, managerial, and financial management of your system, your plan will be incomplete. So without further ado, here&rsquo;s our favorite resources to help you improve your understanding of asset management and develop your own program.</p> <p><strong>What is Asset Management?</strong></p> <p> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-07/documents/asset_management_fact_sheets_20170602.pdf">Successfully Protecting Your Investment in Drinking Water Infrastructure: Best Practices from Communities &amp; Local Experts</a> <br /> <em>U.S. EPA and USDA</em> <br /> This 12-page guide explains how asset management can improve system reliability, cost efficiency, and customer communication. Strategies for developing a plan and case studies that highlight solutions to asset management challenges are included in the document. <br /> Learn more: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/asset-management-resources-states-and-small-drinking-water-systems">U.S. EPA Asset Management Resources for States and Small Drinking Water Systems</a> </li> <br /> <li> <a href="https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/AWWA/ETS/Resources/AMGuidebook.pdf?ver=2018-12-13-100101-887">AWWA Asset Management Definitions Guidebook</a> <br /> <em>American Water Works Association</em> <br /> In this 33-page guidebook, systems can clarify common terminology used by asset management professionals and asset management program guides. <br /> Learn more: <a href="https://www.awwa.org/Resources-Tools/Resource-Topics/Asset-Management#9665331-technical-resources">AWWA Asset Management</a> </li> <br /> <li> <a href="http://southwestefc.unm.edu/amkan/main.php">A.M Kan Work! An Asset Management and Energy Efficiency Manual</a> <br /> <em>Southwest Environmental Finance Center</em> <br /> A.M Kan Work Is a digital asset management manual that uses videos and texts to teach systems how to develop their own program based on their <a href="http://southwestefc.unm.edu/wp-content/themes/swefc/assets/PDFs/Introduction%20to%20AM.pdf">five core components</a> of asset management. <br /> Learn more: <a href="http://southwestefc.unm.edu/asset-management/">SW EFC Asset Management</a> </li> <br /> <li> <a href="https://www.watereum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Effective-Utility-Management-A-Primer-for-Water-and-Wastewater-Utilities.pdf">Effective Utility Management: A Primer for Water and Wastewater Utilities</a> <br /> <em>Water Effective Utility Management (EUM)</em><br /> This 60-page guide identifies 10 key attributes of an effectively managed utility that should be considered in your asset management plan. The Primer teaches utilities to self-assess operations and make improvements. An <a href="http://www.watereum.org/resources/interactive-primer/">interactive primer</a> is available to assist in self-assessment. <br /> Learn more: <a href="https://www.watereum.org/resources/">Water EUM Resources</a> </li> </ul> </p> <p><strong>Developing an Asset Management Plan</strong></p> <p> <ul> <li><a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/2000261D.PDF?Dockey=2000261D.PDF">Asset Management: A Handbook for Small Water Systems</a> <br /> <em>U.S. EPA</em> <br /> This asset management STEP Guide Series will teach water systems how to inventory, prioritize assets, and develop long-term maintenance plans.<br /> Learn more: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/asset-management-water-and-wastewater-utilities">Asset Management Resources</a> </li> <br /> <li> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/background-information-check-program-small-systems-cupss-asset-management-tool">Check-Up Program for Small Systems (CUPSS)</a> <br /> <em>U.S. EPA</em> <br /> CUPSS is a desktop application (Windows-only) based on the EPA&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/simple-tools-effective-performance-step-guide-series">STEP guide series</a> that will help utilities record assets, schedule required tasks, assess their financial practices, and develop and asset management plan. <br /> Learn more: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity">Building the Capacity of Drinking Water Systems<br /> <br /> </a> </li> <li> Asset Management Guidance for <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-ess-mfs-formsguidance-am-dw_426762_7.xls">Water Systems</a> and <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-ess-mfs-formsguidance-am-ww-sw_426763_7.xls">Wastewater Utilities</a> <br /> <em>Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy</em> <br /> This Excel workbook can be filled out as utilities acquire data for their asset management program. The pre-made tables make it easy to know what information to record during the planning process. <br /> Learn more: <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/egle/0,9429,7-135-3307_3515_3517-10784--,00.html">EGLE Forms and Guidance</a> </li> </ul> </p> <p><strong>Writing Your Plan</strong></p> <p> <ul> <li> <a href="https://epa.ohio.gov/portals/28/documents/pws/OPR-08-001.pdf">Asset Management Program &ndash; Small Community Guidance</a> <br /> <em>Ohio Environmental Protection Agency</em> <br /> The state of Ohio requires all public water systems to maintain a written asset management program. This 22-page guide describes what should be included in a small community asset management plan to increase technical, managerial, and financial capacity. The link below includes Ohio template plans for non-community systems and small systems.<br /> Learn more: <a href="https://epa.ohio.gov/ddagw/pws#113435168-asset-management">Public Water Systems (PWS) &ndash; Asset Management<br /> <br /> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.gawp.org/resource/resmgr/Small_Water_Systems_Guide_20.pdf">A Guide to Asset Management for Small Water Systems</a> <br /> <em>Georgia Association of water Professionals</em> <br /> This 19-page guide describes what to include in a strategic asset management plan and how to implement a program.&nbsp;<br /> Learn more: <a href="https://www.gawp.org/page/TechResources">Georgia Association of Water Professionals Technical Resources</a></li> </ul> </p> <p><strong>Additional Help: Asset Assessment, Financial Planning, and Program Review</strong></p> <p> <ul> <li> <a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi?Dockey=P100U7S0.txt">Taking Stock of Your Water System</a> <br /> <em>U.S. EPA</em> <br /> Use this 38-page guide to understand the elements of an asset inventory and perform a simple inventory using the worksheets provided. The document includes how to prioritize assets and integrate the inventory results into a budget and asset management plan. <br /> Learn more: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/asset-management-resources-states-and-small-drinking-water-systems">U.S. EPA Asset Management Resources for States and Small Drinking Water Systems<br /> <br /> </a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.rcac.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/RCAP-Financial-Management-Guide.pdf">The Basics of Financial Management for Small-Community Utilities<br /> </a><em>Rural Community Assistance Partnership</em><br /> This 44-page guidebook describes how to manage utility finances through cost planning, budgeting, record keeping, and financial oversight.<br /> Learn more: <a href="https://www.rcac.org/news-publications/guidebooks/">RCAC Guidebooks<br /> <br /> </a></li> <li><a href="https://www.waterrf.org/resource/effective-utility-management-benchmarking-tool" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Effective Utility Management Benchmarking Tool<br /> </a><em>The Water Research Foundation</em><br /> This download is designed to help systems evaluate their current management program based on the 10 key utility management attributes that were identified in the EUM Primer report listed above.<br /> Learn more: <a href="https://www.waterrf.org/search?resource=Web%20Tool&amp;topic=Asset%20Management" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Water Research Foundation Asset Management Resources<br /> <br /> </a></li> <li><a href="http://southwestefc.unm.edu/asset-management/">Asset Management IQ<br /> </a><em>Southwest Environmental Finance Center</em><br /> Use this online tool to establish a baseline for your system&rsquo;s current asset management practices. Return to the test over time to monitor and measure system progress.<br /> Learn more:&nbsp;<a href="http://southwestefc.unm.edu/asset-management/">Asset Management</a></li> </ul> </p> <p>Developing a new plan can seem like an intimidating project, however utilities will ultimately improve their services and decision making capacity while saving time, resources, and money. If your system needs help developing or assessing a program, check out the EPA&rsquo;s list of technical and financial&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/capacity-development-resources-states-and-small-systems">assistance providers</a> or contact WaterOperator.org to have help finding a provider. The EPA maintains a list of <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/find-epa-capacity-development-contact">capacity development contacts</a>&nbsp;that can answer any questions about specific requirements of your primacy agency.</p> <p>To find additional information on asset management, visit our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">resource library</a>. You can use the category filter to narrow down your search by topics in asset management, financial management, utility management, and more. Our library can also be filtered by resource type such as manuals, videos, or templates. The other filter options can refine your results to a specific host organization or state. Check out our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38ZDLDA0GS4">tutorial</a> to use the library to the best of its capabilities.</p>1499An EPA Guide for Climate Resiliency Planninghttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1495/updated-epa-resource-for-climate-resiliency-planningEmergency Response,Funding,Internet,SustainabilityFri, 23 Aug 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Many utilities are developing plans to increase short-term and long-term climate resiliency in response to extreme weather events, changing water availability, or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterresilience/americas-water-infrastructure-act-2018-risk-assessments-and-emergency-response-plans">risk and resiliency assessment requirements</a>&nbsp;set forth in the America&rsquo;s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA). To assist in the early developmental stages of resiliency planning, the EPA's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/crwu">CRWU</a>&nbsp;program designed the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/crwu/resilient-strategies-guide-water-utilities#/">Resilient Strategies Guide for Water Utilities</a>. This online application prompts utilities with a series of questions about their system and its resiliency concerns to provide recommend strategies that will decrease vulnerability. This web application was updated in August 2019 to allow utilities to specify their system size and find funding sources for the projects they want to pursue.</p> <p>Both water and wastewater systems can use the tool. The foundation of the guide is built using the CRWU <a href="https://www.epa.gov/arc-x/water-utility-adaptation-strategies-climate-change">Adaptation Strategies for Climate Change</a> and a funding list maintained by the <a href="https://ofmpub.epa.gov/apex/wfc/f?p=165:3:14911212083031::NO:3,RIR::">Water Finance Clearinghouse</a>. Completing the guide takes roughly 20 minutes. After answering a series of questions that identify your system type, size, location, assets, preferred resiliency strategies, and funding interests, the application will produce a report that can be used as a starting point to develop a more complex plan.</p> <p>Once the guide is launched, you will start by answering <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/Blog_CRWA_Utility%20Info_First%20part.png">questions about your facility</a> and its resiliency priorities. The <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/Blog_CRWA_priorities.PNG">priorities</a> indicate the concerns that your system wants to address. You can <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/Blog_CRWA_PriorityFilters.PNG">filter</a> the list of priorities in the left hand menu to narrow your focus to topics such as drought preparation, flood protection, energy efficiency, etc. The &lsquo;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/Blog_CRWA_MOREINFO.png">More Info</a>&rsquo; button will elaborate on any option you're considering. Once you&rsquo;ve selected your priorities, you&rsquo;ll indicate what <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/Blog_CRWA_assets.png">assets</a> are present within your system. From there you can select your preferred planning <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/Blog_CRWA_strategies.PNG">strategies</a> that have been suggested based on your previous answers. Filter the strategies with the left hand menu to narrow down your options by cost or category. For example, if you want to exclude strategies that require new construction, you could check the &lsquo;repair &amp; retrofit&rsquo; category instead. The last section recommends potential <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/Blog_CRWA_fundingsources.PNG">funding sources</a>&nbsp;that might assist with the strategies you've selected earlier. </p> <p>The strategies and funding sources will be used to generate the final report. Continue to the end and select &lsquo;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/Blog_CRWA_generatereport.png?ver=2019-08-02-135315-400">Generate Report</a>&rsquo;. This report will include a detailed summary of your answers, contact information for any funding sources you've selected, and case studies relevant to your utility. To save a copy of the report you will have to copy and paste the results into a Word document. If you have a <span><a href="https://www.epa.gov/crwu/creat-risk-assessment-application-water-utilities">CREAT account</a></span>, you can select &lsquo;Export CREAT File&rsquo; to download a file that can be imported into your CREAT account&rsquo;s existing analysis. CREAT (Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool) is a more in-depth risk assessment and planning tool that can be used once you've done your initial research. You can preview the CREAT tool framework with their guide <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-05/documents/creat_3_0_methodology_guide_may_2016.pdf">here</a>.</p>1495Developing & Implementing a Cost Effective Water Utility Safety Programhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1494/preventing-injuries-illnesses-and-fatalities-at-your-water-systemOperator SafetyFri, 16 Aug 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Even with advances in smart water technology, any supervisor knows that a utility can't run without its dedicated staff. While workers take care of equipment operations, maintenance, billing, or customer service, it's the responsibility of the person in charge to ensure these duties are being carried out in a safe environment using appropriate precautions. </p> <p>Water and wastewater utilities have a history of experiencing occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities (IIF) at a higher rate than most other occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistic&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshsum.htm">Incidence Rates - Detailed Industry Level</a> table from each year&rsquo;s Industry Injury and Illness Data Summary Tables has generally supported this trend. Their reports show the average non-fatal incident rate for the water and sewage industry has historically been higher than the industry average as a whole. </p> <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/Blog_safety_table1.png"><img alt="Table1" src="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/Blog_safety_table1.png" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0px;" /></a> <p>The data from this table was taken from the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshsum.htm">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>&nbsp;Incidence Rates- Detailed Industry Level for 2008 and 2017. (Click table to enlarge.)</p> <p>The table above shows the rate of non-fatal injuries reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in <a href="https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/os/ostb2071.pdf">2008</a> and <a href="https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/os/summ1_00_2017.htm">2017</a>. While any year can have variability, in 2008 the non-fatal injury incident rate was much higher than the industry average. In 2017 you can see that the average number of injuries has decreased since 2008 and is now closer to the industry average. These values don&rsquo;t include the number of <a href="https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm">fatal injuries</a> experienced by the water and wastewater industry, but as an overall trend, non-fatal injury reports to the Bureau of Labor Statistics support that the water industry has improved since the early and late 2000&rsquo;s.</p> <p><strong>Types of Injuries</strong><br /> As utilities continue to prioritize and promote a safe work culture, we hope to reduce the frequency of incidents even further. There are many <a href="https://www.tpomag.com/online_exclusives/2013/10/wastewater_plant_injuries_plummet_with_proactive_safety">hazards that pose a risk to operator safety</a>. The most frequent non-fatal water and wastewater injuries reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in <a href="https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/case/cd_r8_2017.htm">2017 </a>were due to over exertion during lifting, being struck by a tool or object, and falls, slips, and trips. Water and wastewater utilities also have to manage the risks posed by confined spaces, electrical equipment, trenching, road safety, ladders, hazardous chemicals, blood borne pathogens, and more.</p> <p><strong>Safety Costs</strong><br /> According to Bureau Veritas&rsquo; <a href="http://cswea.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Safety-Concerns-Insurance-View.ppt" style="background-color: #ffffff;">presentation </a>at the 2008 CSWEA <a href="http://cswea.org/illinois/resources/papers-proceedings/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Maintenance and Safety</a> Seminar, the financial costs for water and wastewater injuries can be quite expensive. <a href="https://www.mi-wea.org/docs/3 Hart -Cost of Safety Employee Wellness.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Budgeting for a good safety program</a> will protect your employees and incur less expenses than the direct and indirect costs that result from a poor safety program.</p> <p><strong>Developing and Implementing a Safety Program</strong><br /> Since every system faces different hazards, your safety plan should be specific to your system hazards. To get started, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends seven core elements for your system&rsquo;s safety program: management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification and assessment, hazard prevention and control, education and training, program evaluation and improvement, and communication and coordination for host employers, contractors, and staffing agencies. OSHA&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.osha.gov/shpguidelines/">Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs</a> website provides an explanation of these elements in addition to a list of helpful tools, case studies, additional resources, and a download for the <a href="https://www.osha.gov/shpguidelines/docs/OSHA_SHP_Recommended_Practices.pdf">recommended practices guide</a>.</p> <p>We also encourage you to check out the Water Research Foundation&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.waterrf.org/resource/water-utility-safety-and-health-review-best-practices-0">Water Utility Safety and Health</a> report to review safety program best practices and cost evaluations for various proactive and reactive programs. Once you&rsquo;ve done your research, West Virginia Rural Association has developed an Injury and Illness Prevention Program <a href="http://www.wvrwa.org/shared/content/I&amp;I.pdf">template</a> that systems can expand from.</p> <p><strong>Water System Specific Hazards</strong><br /> As you continue to promote safety in the work place remember that <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0gff1jz9smnh7l9/AAB5EJwl0ke5zTQV9rmbsPt6a/Presentations?dl=0&amp;preview=RNauta_WTenorio_PREVENTING+ACCIDENTS+IN+THE+WORKPLACE.pdf&amp;subfolder_nav_tracking=1">complacency</a> is the adversary to injury and accident prevention. More specific <span>&nbsp;</span>guidelines for electrical safety, traffic control, hazardous material communication, competent persons, confined space, chemical handling, chlorine exposure, fires, and waterborne disease can be found in <a href="https://dec.alaska.gov/media/11465/chapter-8-intro-to-water-sys-safety.pdf">Chapter 8</a> of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation&rsquo;s <a href="https://dec.alaska.gov/water/operator-certification/intro-to-small-water-systems-course/">Intro to Small Water Systems Correspondence Course</a>. The <a href="https://www.oshatrain.org/pages/water_sewer_industry_safety.html">OSHAcademy</a> also offers a variety of water and wastewater specific safety training. If you have a different safety question, more resources are available at WaterOperator.org&rsquo;s <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document library</a> or under our blog post category <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/cid/54?Category=operator-safety">Operator Safety</a>.</p>1494Nocardia Foam in Activated Sludge Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1489/managing-nocardia-foam-in-activated-sludge-systemsoperation & maintenance,WastewaterFri, 09 Aug 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Nocardioforms are filamentous, Gram positive actinomycete bacteria that can cause persistent and excessive foaming in activated sludge plants during the summertime. There are nine main genus of nocardioforms. <a href="http://web.deu.edu.tr/atiksu/ana55/725.html">Two of these genera</a> are involved in activated sludge foaming, <em>Rhodococcus </em>and<em> Nocardia</em> with the latter<em> </em>being the better known troublemaker. How to best control <em>Nocardia </em>foam is a highly debated topic.</p> <p>Nocardioforms are known for their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SevHbZdHos">branch-like hyphae</a> that extend from the cell wall similar to the hyphae found in fungi. These branches link together with other filaments and floc. Simple and complex organic material make up their diet which includes fats, oils, and grease (FOG). Nocardioforms are slow growing and utilize the aerobic conditions established by an aeration tank. These actinomycetes generally have difficulty out-competing other wastewater microorganisms, but once established they're a handful to remove.</p> <p>Present in lower concentrations, <em>Nocardia</em> help to stabilize floc structure. The bacteria can rapidly breakdown biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) which can be beneficial to high strength wastewater. In higher concentrations, <em>Nocardia</em> can rip the floc apart and swiftly breakdown BOD starving out floc forming bacteria. The <a href="https://nebula.wsimg.com/4bb73abb25124c19d84aa49ddde825b9?AccessKeyId=1F27DF2D33BCDD2F21A0&amp;disposition=0&amp;alloworigin=1">dense, brown foam</a> that accompanies an outbreak forms when filaments float to the surface as a result of their low-density fatty acid membrane and the waxy, hydrophobic biosurfactant that coats their bodies. Bubbles from the aeration system can also help the filaments to float. Unlike <em>Microthrix</em>, nocardioforms are not often associated with sludge bulking.</p> <p>Unfortunately, the <a href="https://oawu.net/wp-content/uploads/H2OregonSpring2016.pdf">conditions required for a nocardioform outbreak</a> are still debated. In general, any change in temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), solids concentration, or nutrients might spur an outbreak. It&rsquo;s believed that nocardioforms will be most favored under warm temperatures with a high concentration of <a href="https://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2012/04/fogged_in">FOG</a>, low <a href="https://www.alken-murray.com/NocardiaFrameSet.html">food to mass</a> (F/M) ratio, and/or a high mean cell residence time (MCRT). Since nocardioforms grow slowly, they need ample time to proliferate, and under low F/M their larger surface area helps to secure nutrients easily. Some people theorize that anaerobic conditions in parts of the aeration tank or surfactants can encourage <em>Nocardia</em> growth as well.</p> <p>Before deciding on a treatment solution, it helps to confirm that you are dealing with nocardioforms and not some other filament. Just because your foam is brown, doesn&rsquo;t ensure that <em>Nocardia </em>is the culprit. Toni Glymph has developed a manual that describes how to <a href="http://www.iowaruralwater.org/tools_tips/toni_glymp/Filaments.pdf">identify filaments under the microscope</a>. <em>Nocardia </em>is both Gram positive and Neisser positive, but after reading his guide you&rsquo;ll find that only a Gram stain is really required for identification.</p> <p><a href="https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4658/a6cb08a9456bab28f4aa200525d53253d22b.pdf?_ga=2.44736740.1385342067.1562164161-220591680.1561579939">Treatment solutions for nocardioform foam</a> are also highly debated. Using a high volume water spray will temporarily break down the foam, but be prepared for its return. A better solution is to skim off excess foam so the bacteria is not recycled back into the system. Chlorination is not highly recommended. The branching <em>Nocardia </em>filaments prevent sufficient disinfectant contact while healthy floc bacteria are killed. Many companies promote defoaming products, but the interlocking filaments are often too stable for these chemicals as well. Most resources recommend reducing your <a href="https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/34373.html">MCRT to under 8 days</a> while <a href="https://teamaquafix.com/activated-sludge-fm-calculator/">increasing (F/M)</a>. Wastewater technician, Jeff Crowther, lists three of his own treatment recommendations on page 10 of the <a href="https://oawu.net/wp-content/uploads/H2OregonSpring2016.pdf">H2Oregon Springs 2016 Newsletter</a>. Solids wasting may be the most common control method. Operators should learn about the <a href="http://www.iowaruralwater.org/tools_tips/toni_glymp/Filaments.pdf">life cycle of <em>Nocardia</em></a> to maintain a system that avoids future foaming incidents.</p>1489Featured Video: Replacing the Power Cord on a Sewage Pumphttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1490/featured-video-replacing-the-power-cord-on-a-sewage-pumponsite wastewater,Small System O&M,WastewaterFri, 02 Aug 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Submersible sewage pumps can be used for a variety of applications spanning the needs of residential homes to wastewater treatment plants depending on their size and design. A submersible pump is made up of a submerged motor filled with air or oil. Various impellers designs determine what sized solids the pump can handle.</p> <p>In this week&rsquo;s featured video, Chris with R.C. Worst &amp; Co. demonstrates how to replace the power cord on a submersible sewage pump. This particular pump is designed for septic tanks and the sewage handling of commercial and residential applications. While working on the pump, he offers some tips and tricks that can help you to save money during repairs and prevent additional damage. As a bonus he discovers some unexpected factory damage and demonstrates how to repair broken wiring.<span>&nbsp;If you need to fix a pump from your own system, remember that this sort of repair work should only be made by operators with the appropriate training. You can find hands-on pump training in your area by visiting our operator&nbsp;</span><a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar" style="background-color: #ffffff;">event calendar</a><span>.</span></p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ly60kBWILcg" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1490A Veteran’s Guide to Becoming a Water or Wastewater Operatorhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1488/a-veterans-guide-to-becoming-a-water-or-wastewater-operatorCertification,WorkforceFri, 26 Jul 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>The career path of a water or wastewater operator is a <a href="https://www.mynextmove.org/vets/profile/summary/51-8031.00">great fit for veterans</a> that want to continue serving the public with the skills developed during their time on active-duty. The <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1435/featured-video-what-does-it-take-to-be-an-operator">profession</a> requires mechanical, hands-on problem solving abilities and in turn offers job security, <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.kytnawwa.org/resource/resmgr/veterans/7262_veteran_flyer_hyperlink.pdf">good pay</a>, benefits, and professional development opportunities.</p> <p>Utilities can <a href="https://wordsonwaterwef.com/2018/01/29/words-on-water-dustin-price-and-brandi-madden-on-veterans-working-in-water/">mutually benefit</a> by recruiting veterans. Talent gaps created by retiring operators can be filled by veterans returning home from active duty. Their military training ensures that they have the dedication, flexibility, accountability, and communication skills necessary to juggle small system needs. Furthermore, veterans are familiar with working nontraditional hours that are sometimes required to maintain smaller water systems.</p> <p>Given the compatibility between veterans and the water industry, this blog will provide resources and guidelines veterans can use to <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1463/featured-video-becoming-a-water-operator">become a water or wastewater operator</a>.</p> <p>Obtaining certification will be easiest if military personnel can start developing the necessary qualifications <a href="https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/331-471.pdf">before leaving the military</a>. Operators need to have a broad knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, math, equipment operations, and mechanics. Try to work in water operations or other positions that develops <a href="https://www.careeronestop.org/BusinessCenter/Toolkit/civilian-to-military-translator.aspx?keyword=Water%20and%20Wastewater%20Treatment%20Plant%20and%20System%20Operators&amp;currentpage=1">transferable skills</a> during active duty. Request that these experiences be documented by your superiors. Saved military evaluations can also be useful to demonstrate qualifications.</p> <p>Once you&rsquo;ve left the military, research the <a href="https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/AWWA/ETS/Resources/Final_Report_Compiled_2.19.18.pdf">certification requirements</a> under your state. Each state&rsquo;s certification requirements can vary, however many programs will convert military training into college credits or certification requirements. In the state of <a href="http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/WMFO/">Virginia</a>, &ldquo;substantially equivalent&rdquo; military training, education, or experience can be credited toward licensure requirements. Virginia also waives the costs for the certification exam. If you haven&rsquo;t met all the requirements necessary to sit for the certification exam, use our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">national training calendar</a> to find relevant certification courses and local training providers.</p> <p>Veterans that are just beginning to fulfill certification requirements should consider joining a certificate program within their state. <a href="http://wateroperator.org/operator-training-programs">Certificate programs</a> consist of a series of classes that take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years for completion. At the end of the program students will be prepared and qualified to <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1386/free-online-small-system-training-operator-manuals-can-help-prepare-for-certification-exams">take the state certification exam</a>. The best programs facilitate hands-on training at a local utility, however these experiences can also be gained in an <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1417/focus-on-apprenticeship-programs">apprenticeship</a>. To find an apprentice program, reach out to local water utilities, assistance providers, and the National Rural Water Association&rsquo;s nation-wide <a href="https://nrwa.org/initiatives/apprenticeship-program/">apprentice program</a>. Working at a water utility early on will ease the job hunting process after passing the exam.</p> <p>For additional assistance, contact the AWWA&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.awwa.org/Resources-Tools/Resource-Topics/Workforce/Veterans">veteran program</a>. Scholarships, internships, and career advice in the water workforce can be found at <a href="https://www.workforwater.org/veterans-focus/">Work for Water</a>. Residents of New England states, can look into the <a href="https://www.newea.org/about-us/committees/veterans-workforce-development-committee/">Water Warriors Initiative</a> to find assistance in certification, training, and internships. If you need help finding additional resources for your state&rsquo;s certification program, contact <a href="mailto:info@wateroperator.org">WaterOperator.org</a> and we&rsquo;ll point you in the right direction.</p>1488Featured Video: Water Tower Collapse Compilationhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1486/featured-video-water-tower-collapse-compilationDistributionFri, 19 Jul 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Online trends can seem bizarre, but browsing the web is worth the effort when you stumble upon videos likes these. If you&rsquo;ve ever searched for distribution maintenance videos on YouTube, you may have already encountered water tower tipping videos. Some of them have reached millions of viewers. Once you watch a few for yourself, you&rsquo;ll realize why.</p> <p>There are many reasons a water system might want to remove an existing water tower. Older towers have a higher probability of <a href="http://www.wcsjnews.com/news/local/coal-city-water-tower-coming-down-later-this-year/article_d13478ac-eef7-11e7-9670-e712e336f936.html">failing an inspection</a> or causing <a href="https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2018/12/01/brunswick-county-plans-to-tear-down-defunct-water-towers-in-carolina-shores-bolivia/">safety issues</a> to the community. When that happens, it may be easier to just remove the tower provided it&rsquo;s no longer necessary for the system. If a system has already connected to a newer tower, the <a href="https://www.nbc-2.com/story/40079579/water-tower-in-bonita-springs-to-be-torn-down">costs to maintain</a> redundant towers may drive the incentive for removal. Other times, communities might remove a tower due to damage incurred from a natural disaster or because they want <a href="https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2018/12/01/brunswick-county-plans-to-tear-down-defunct-water-towers-in-carolina-shores-bolivia/">to open the property</a> for other uses.</p> <p>Only a very small number of tanks are tipped over like the ones in this week&rsquo;s featured video. Collapsing a tower is a dangerous job only performed in wide open areas with experienced professionals. Generally most tanks are dismantled with a crane instead. Before removal the site may undergo an environmental review. Then if the tower is still in use, it will have to be disconnected from the current water and power supply. After putting out a bid and selecting a contractor, the system will coordinate the rest of the planning with them. Crane dismantling involves cutting the tower into pieces with a torch and lowering those pieces down with a crane. Often times any leftover steel can be sold to a local scrap yard.</p> <p>So even though tipping a tower is much less common, please enjoy this week&rsquo;s featured video. It&rsquo;s hard to look away once you start!</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WDY7uD4E8p4" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1486Preventing a Bloodworm Invasionhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1484/bloodworms-red-worms-and-midge-flies-oh-myWastewaterFri, 12 Jul 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Midge fly infestations can pose considerable challenges for activated sludge systems and lagoons. Also known as Chironomids or bloodworms in their larvae stage, these insects resemble mosquitos without the blood sucking proboscis. Adult males can be distinguished from females based on their <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chironomidae#/media/File:Chironomus_plumosus01.jpg">feather like antennae</a>. After dormancy in the winter, midge flies emerge in the summer ready to lay between 100 and 3,000 eggs per female.</p> <p>Though midge flies do not suck blood like mosquitos, they disrupt communities in other ways. Swarms annoy both local residents and operators by flying into unsuspecting mouths and flooding outdoor lighting. A study by Selden <em>et al.</em> (2013) found that wastewater operators can develop <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3842108/">allergic reactions</a> from midge fly exposure. Chironomids can also cause quite a startle to the public when bright red larvae make their way into <a href="http://www.mrwa.com/PDF/parasiticwormswinter2014.pdf">drinking water systems</a>.</p> <p>When it comes to maintaining treatment systems, wastewater operators may be most concerned with the larvae stage of midge flies. Their sticky red bodies cling to suspended solids encasing them in a cocoon of decaying organic matter. Under the protection of these cocoons, they can consume considerable amounts of sludge, bacteria flocc, and nitrifying bacteria. An infestation will cause sludge clumping, rising solids, or foaming issues. In one small town a bloodworm invasion <a href="https://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2012/06/where_have_all_the_solids_gone">wreaked havoc on an activated sludge plant</a> over a single weekend. The wastewater operator found sticky clumps of eggs had congested the system&rsquo;s pumps while larvae had eaten away at his mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS).</p> <p>Facultative lagoons and secondary clarifiers are a favored breeding ground for these pests. Midge flies prefer to lay their eggs in still, high-nutrient water with fixed media, floating scum, or algae. Once the eggs hatch, larvae will likely sink to the bottom to feed on organic matter and sludge. The hemoglobin that gives bloodworms their red color also allows them to live in low dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions.</p> <p>To avoid bloodworm infestations, operators should focus on encouraging circulation and limiting food sources. Systems can start <a href="https://www.wwoa.org/resources/tips-and-ideas/miscellaneous/control-of-midge-flies/">midge fly control</a> with mixing, limiting surface scum and algae, installing bug zappers, attracting bats and swallows, or turning off lights at night. Introducing a predatory fish can also help. <a href="http://www.triplepointwater.com/lagoon-midge-flies/#.XOV-zVJKiCg">Lagoon operators</a> can encourage circulation by cutting back overgrown vegetation. Any dead spots in circulation should be addressed. When these methods don&rsquo;t work, some systems will use larvicides and chemical agents as a last resort. Operators should check that the control methods they&rsquo;ve selected are approved by their local regulatory authorities before use.</p> <p>When summer starts make sure your treatment system is kept clean and free of obstructions to circulation. With good preventative maintenance, you can spare yourself the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M94732VTlM">nightmares </a>of a bloodworm invasion.</p>1484Featured Video: Tech Review: Liquid Flow Velocityhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1483/featured-video-tech-review-liquid-flow-velocityCertification,Distribution,Operator MathFri, 05 Jul 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Knowledge of flow velocity, volumetric flow rate, and pipe diameter can assist operators in selecting, installing, and troubleshooting flow meters. This week&rsquo;s featured video will guide operators in the math used to calculate flow velocity using volumetric flow and or pipe diameter.</p> <p>Brent Baird with Instruments Direct demonstrates three techniques that will estimate flow velocity. The old school method utilizes a flow calculator <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog Docs/Blog_flow_flowslideruler.PNG?ver=2019-05-17-144901-003">slider ruler</a>. With Brent&rsquo;s particular ruler, by sliding to the known value for the inside pipe diameter (ID) in inches, the velocity in feet per second (FPS) can be read above the known value for volumetric flow in millions of gallons per day (MGD). Alternatively, the inside pipe diameter can be estimated by lining up the known values for velocity and volumetric flow and then looking at the value indicated under pipe diameter. Brent demonstrates that a <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog Docs/Blog_flow_crossrefrencechart.PNG?ver=2019-05-17-144901-160">cross reference chart</a> performs the same calculations using a different visual. </p> <p>Both of these tools are based off the equation GPM=2.45*ID<sup>2</sup>*FPS. If neither of his reference tools are available, plugging in the known FPS value for velocity and the inside pipe diameter in inches will calculate the volumetric flow rate. By rearranging the equation to solve for FPS, the flow velocity can be calculated using FPS=GPM/(2.45*ID<sup>2</sup>). Remember to follow <a href="https://www.mathsisfun.com/operation-order-pemdas.html">PEMDAS</a>. To calculate the internal pipe diameter with known values for FPS and GPM, rearrange the equation to solve for pipe diameter: ID= &radic;(GPM/FPS/2.45). If the value for the internal pipe diameter is unknown, Brent demonstrates how an <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog Docs/blog_flow_ansipipechart.PNG?ver=2019-05-17-144901-287">ANSI chart</a> can be used to find that value.</p> <p>With the video's final explanation of basic flow meter requirements, these calculations can be used to spot and avoid problem areas for flow metering in your distribution system.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y63LgAFh7ks" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1483Guidelines for Public Water Systems in Submitting Public Comments on Regulatory Proposalshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1482/guidelines-for-public-water-systems-in-submitting-public-comments-on-regulatory-proposalsRegulationsFri, 28 Jun 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Submitting comments on proposed regulations can help the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish inclusive rules that consider the perspective of your public water system. Just one effectively written and well supported comment can create a much bigger impact than hundreds of poorly written arguments.</p> <p>Your best opportunity to submit a comment for a drinking water or wastewater regulation is offered after the Agency releases a <a href="https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/basics-regulatory-process#regulation">Notice of Proposed Rulemaking</a> (NPRM) to the Federal Register. A copy of the proposed rule and supporting documents will be available on the EPA&rsquo;s electronic public docket system, <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/">Regulations.gov</a>, where the public can also submit comment. To <a href="https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/get-involved-epa-regulations#comment">comment on a rule</a> with Regulations.gov you should know the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dockets/about-epa-dockets#docket">Docket number</a>, title of the regulation, or some title keywords. Once you <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dockets/access-epa-dockets#visualguide">search for the regulation</a>, select &lsquo;comment now&rsquo; or &lsquo;Open Docket Folder&rsquo; under the correct rule. The docket folder includes information about the proposed regulation, its supporting documents, and other public comments.</p> <p>An <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/docs/Tips_For_Submitting_Effective_Comments.pdf">effective comment</a> will be written concisely with clear, professional language and sound reasoning. You will want to provide examples that support your stance citing data driven evidence, publications, case studies, or technical resources when possible. Explain the impact of the proposed regulation from the perspective of your water industry experience. If the impact includes a cost analysis, make sure to include how those costs were calculated. A <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets#tips">well written argument</a> for or against the regulation will consider both sides of story. When you oppose a particular regulatory action, suggest potential alternatives. Comments that address particular wording or actions within the regulation should cite their exact page number, column, and paragraph from the register document.&nbsp;</p> <p>When submitting the comment, you can choose to attach supporting files, however be sure to read through the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets#rules">restrictions</a> associated with attachments. Finally, remember that anyone can view your comment. Once the public comment period has ended, your decisive utility perspective will inform the revision considerations to the final rule.</p>1482Featured Video: Clean Water Is So Close for Tulare County's Toolevillehttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1481/featured-video-clean-water-is-so-close-for-tulare-countys-toolevilleAsset ManagementFri, 21 Jun 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Tooleville, a rural community in the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sanjoaquinvalley/actions-cleaner-water">San Joaquin Valley</a>&nbsp;of California, lacks reliable access to safe drinking water. For over 10 years Tooleville has been working on a <a href="https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article229142559.html">consolidation campaign</a> with the neighboring city of Exeter to access clean water through a connection to their system. Like many rural towns in the area, Tooleville&rsquo;s groundwater has been contaminated with nitrates, pesticides, and hexavalent chromium. Given the city&rsquo;s financial limitations, meeting&nbsp;drinking water compliance and customer satisfaction has been precarious. </p> <p>While <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwstandardsregulations/chromium-drinking-water">hexavalent chromium (chromium-6)</a> was evaluated under the third round of Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring (<a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/third-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule">UCMR 3</a>), there is currently no federal drinking water regulation. A regulation does exist for total chromium which includes all forms of chromium. The total chromium standard of 0.1 mg/L assumes that the chromium sample is composed entirely of its most toxic form, chromium-6, to safeguard against the greatest potential risk. In 2017 <a href="https://www.acwa.com/resources/chromium-6-facts/">California withdrew</a>&nbsp;the state standard of <span>0.01 mg/L of&nbsp;</span>hexavalent chromium.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/materials/hexavalent_chromium_508.pdf">Chromium-6 exposure</a>&nbsp;through drinking water has been linked to cancer and skin reactions in some research studies. <span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p>For <a href="https://safewater.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/211401718-4-What-are-EPA-s-drinking-water-regulations-for-nitrate-">nitrates</a> the EPA has set both the maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) and maximum contaminant level (MCL) at 10 mg/L. Consuming water <a href="https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/contaminants/nitrate.html#HealthEffects">above this level</a> can cause methemoglobinemia in babies and other health conditions.</p> <p>Though the town has met federal limits for nitrates and total chromium, its <a href="https://drinc.ca.gov/ear/CCR/CCR2017CA5400567.pdf">2017 consumer confidence report</a> indicates compliance issues with total coliform. Within the last year, the city of Exeter has agreed to evaluate the capacity of its own water treatment system to access the possibility of providing water to Tooleville. This recent progress offers hope to many residents who have pushed for consolidation.&nbsp;</p> <p>As negotiations move forward, two options have been identified. Exeter could use a master meter to bill monthly water use while Tooleville continues to operate its own system. Alternatively, Exeter could consolidate Tooleville&rsquo;s system entirely. Regardless of the option, Exeter will require new infrastructure to make the connection possible. For now Tooleville must wait for an evaluation to be completed. Once Exeter has a better understanding of their system capacity, the final decision will be left in the hands of the Exeter City Administrator and City Council.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fRwX7umu68M" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1481A Microscopic Look at the Role and Life Cycle of Daphnia in Wastewater Lagoonshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1480/a-better-look-at-the-role-and-life-cycle-of-daphniaWastewaterFri, 14 Jun 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Knowledge of lagoon microbiology can provide proactive insight into the present conditions of your wastewater treatment processes. Since we have already covered&nbsp;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1305/featured-video-wastewater-microbiology" style="background-color: #ffffff;">general wastewater microbiology</a>&nbsp;in a previous featured video, this week&rsquo;s blog post will highlight the specific roles of&nbsp;<em>Daphnia&nbsp;</em>in wastewater digestion.</p> <p><em>Daphnia</em>, also known as water fleas and&nbsp;<em>Ceriodaphnia</em>, are metazoan crustaceans that maintain a useful position in the wastewater digestion food chain if&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ati-ae.com/2012/06/avoid-the-springtime-blooms/">controlled</a>&nbsp;by a limiting food source or the careful addition of hyacinths. These one-eyed crustaceans can consume yeast, algae, bacteria, protozoa and occasionally sludge during the winter. In the wild&nbsp;<em>Daphnia&nbsp;</em>are a food source for small fish, tad poles, and aquatic insects. General stressors for water fleas include cold temperatures, overcrowding, low dissolved oxygen (DO), high ammonia levels, and high pH.</p> <p>To provide context for&nbsp;<em>Daphnia's</em>&nbsp;role in lagoon treatment requires a review of the wastewater food chain. Bacteria are at the heart of waste digestion breaking down organic material into settleable particles. Protozoa feed on these bacteria populations reducing the organic load. Metazoan organisms like&nbsp;<em>Daphnia&nbsp;</em>keep the populations of protozoa, bacteria, and algae in check.</p> <p><em>Daphnia&nbsp;</em>can be useful to wastewater operators under healthy lagoon conditions. These water fleas control green algae populations in the summer. As long as cyanobacteria weren't competing with those algae populations, overall pond health will improve by a reduction in total suspended solids (TSS), cloudiness, and turbidity. At the cost of growing&nbsp;<em>Daphnia&nbsp;</em>populations, d<span>issolved oxygen levels decrease</span>.</p> <p>Water fleas are often indicators for&nbsp;<a href="http://www.triplepointwater.com/lagoon-daphnia/#.XMH8FjBKiCg">low dissolved oxygen</a>&nbsp;and water toxicity. Under low DO,&nbsp;<em>Daphnia&nbsp;</em>produce&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wwdmag.com/wastewater-treatment/web-exclusive-what-water-fleas-say-about-your-lagoon-water-quality">hemoglobin&nbsp;</a>to increase oxygen efficiency. This hemoglobin turns water fleas reddish-pink causing red streaks to appear in your lagoon. When operators see red water fleas, they should consider treating the lagoon with aeration or mixing. Given their low tolerance to toxicity and short generational cycles,&nbsp;<em>Daphnia&nbsp;</em>are also used in the EPA's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/cwa-methods/whole-effluent-toxicity-methods">whole effluent toxicity tests</a>&nbsp;(WET).</p> <p>Now that we have a better understanding of water fleas, we can appreciate this microscopic view of&nbsp;<em>Daphnia&nbsp;</em>as told by Sacramento Splash. The video reviews the natural life cycle and anatomy of these helpful water crustaceans.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F2wCvIPgAjk" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1480Data Protection and Cybersecurity for Small and Medium Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1479/data-protection-and-cybersecurity-for-small-and-medium-systemsEmergency Response,Internet,SecurityFri, 07 Jun 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Many water utilities rely on online technology and computer systems to increase their working efficiency. In the office space, data management software, pay roll systems, customer billing programs, utility websites, and social media improve customer services and provide an organized method to retain and access utility information. On the operational side, employees may rely on remote access control systems such as SCADA or smart metering to monitor or control systems while performing maintenance in the field. These control systems allow for improved response times and monitoring.</p> <p>Yet as we all learned from Spiderman, with great power comes great responsibility. Without sufficient cybersecurity measures, <a href="https://waterandhealth.org/safe-drinking-water/drinking-water/cyber-security-101-for-drinking-water/">systems risk the health and security of their customers</a>. Successful attackers can steal customer personal data such as credit cards, social security numbers, and contact information.<span>&nbsp;</span>They may attempt to deface utility websites compromising customer confidence. If your system uses <a href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/why-on-earth-would-you-put-scada-on-the-internet-0001">online process control systems</a>, hackers could lock out utility access, alter treatment processes, damage equipment, and override alarms.<span>&nbsp;</span>The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has listed a variety of cyberattacks and their consequences in its 2018 <a href="https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/AWWA/Government/AWWACybersecurityRiskandResponsibility.pdf?ver=2018-12-05-123319-013">Cybersecurity Risk &amp; Responsibility in the Water Sector</a> Report. These attacks resulted in leaked customer information, considerable financial losses, altered chemical dosing, and even source water contamination.&nbsp;<span>Just recently staring in May of 2019 the City of Baltimore has been held hostage by an ongoing&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/hackers-hold-baltimore-s-public-services-including-water-hostage-0001?vm_tId=2133588&amp;user=c12feec2-856c-4f44-9663-5bf2ceeec108&amp;vm_alias=Hackers%20Hold%20Baltimore%26amp;%238217;s%20Public%20Services,%20Including%20Water,%20Hostage&amp;utm_source=mkt_WOL&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=WOL_06-06-2019&amp;utm_term=c12feec2-856c-4f44-9663-5bf2ceeec108&amp;utm_content=Hackers%20Hold%20Baltimore%26amp;%238217;s%20Public%20Services,%20Including%20Water,%20Hostage&amp;mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT1RVMU5qSmxNVFppTjJSaSIsInQiOiJJSGNoMThUZzVReEk2Z1BCTDJRajY1bExxdGZUQzlLQmdVSmU4NE1NeHNsd294U2FhbzdpaWdydndVNmdPeDFEQXAxMWlnU2Q4OER3cUZjMW5DZGJKakxkbThKWDdaa0FScVc0ZzlzVlRnRndOZzJGTTNTWkhlY3d2UURTSzNlXC8ifQ%3D%3D" style="background-color: #ffffff;">three week cyberattack</a><span>&nbsp;that demands $100,000 in Bitcoin to free city files and water billing data.</span></p> <p>There are many <a href="https://idahoruralwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/cybersecurity-melinda.pdf">types of cyberattacks</a> including password hacking, the exploitation of software vulnerabilities,&nbsp;<span>denial of service,</span>&nbsp;and malware. Common <a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P100KL4T.PDF?Dockey=P100KL4T.PDF">malware</a> includes ransomware, spyware, trojan horse, viruses, and key loggers. Attacks can even happen through opportunity theft, improper disposal of computer equipment, or phishing attempts where thieves pose as legitimate organizations requesting confidential information.</p> <p>To prevent cyberattacks, start by <a href="https://www.us-cert.gov/ccubedvp/assessments">identifying vulnerabilities</a>, developing a multi-tier security plan, and actively enforcing that plan. The EPA has developed a guide explaining <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-06/documents/cybersecurity_guide_for_states_final_0.pdf">10 key components for a cybersecurity plan</a> that includes planning worksheets and information on how to respond in the event of an attack. Systems should plan to update software regularly and require strong passwords that are different for each account. Installing anti-virus software and firewalls is also effective. A security plan should include measures to educate employees on cybersecurity awareness and limit access to security information based on job function. </p> <p>For an in-depth list of security practices, read through WaterISAC&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.waterisac.org/system/files/articles/15%20Cybersecurity%20Fundamentals%20%28WaterISAC%29.pdf">2019 guide to reduce exploitable weaknesses</a> or the EPA&rsquo;s <a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P100TCIR.PDF?Dockey=P100TCIR.PDF">Incident Action Checklist</a>. The AWWA&rsquo;s guide on <a href="https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/AWWA/Government/AWWACybersecurityguide.pdf?ver=2017-03-16-081619-443">Process Control System Security Guidance for the Water Sector</a> can aid systems using smart technology. To improve social media and website security, start with Hootsuite&rsquo;s <a href="https://blog.hootsuite.com/social-media-security-for-business/">social media security tips</a> and Sucuri&rsquo;s <a href="https://blog.sucuri.net/2018/11/10-tips-to-improve-your-website-security-2.html">website security tips</a>.</p> <p>If a data breech does occur, utilities will want to have and established protocol to <a href="https://moruralwater.org/download/data-privacy-and-security/?wpdmdl=2785&amp;ind=L3d3dy93cC1jb250ZW50L2Rvd25sb2Fkcy9Db25mZXJlbmNlIFByZXNlbnRhdGlvbnMvMjAxNiBBbm51YWwgQ29uZmVyZW5jZS9EYXRhIFByaXZhY3kgYW5kIFNlY3VyaXR5IFByZXNlbnRhdGlvbi5wZGY">resolve and mitigate potential damage</a>. The <a href="https://www.lfcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dhs-csa-fact-sheet-2014.pdf">Cyber Security Adviser Program</a> with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offers regional affiliates that will assist systems in vulnerability assessments, plan development, and informational support. While the costs associated with response, forensics, and legal fees can be expensive, waiting to take action can incur an even greater cost. Remember to keep an active cybersecurity plan and, if incidents should occur, report them to local law enforcement, the <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/how-do-i/report-cyber-incidents">DHS</a>, and <a href="https://www.waterisac.org/report-incident">WaterISAC</a>.</p>1479Featured Videos: Pump Curves and Pump Selection Basicshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1478/featured-video-how-to-read-a-pump-curve-simple-explanationoperation & maintenance,Small System O&MFri, 31 May 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Pump curves inform operators to select and run pumps at optimal efficiency for their system. Whether preparing for a certification exam or looking to refresh your knowledge of pump hydraulics, this week&rsquo;s featured videos will teach you how to read pump curves, calculate system curves, and use these curves to select an ideal pump for your system.</p> <p>For any given pump, flow will impact pressure head, efficiency, horse power requirements, and vulnerability to pump damage. This video reviews three different pump curves starting with a very simple curve and moving to more complex curves with increasing pump information. Understanding performance, efficiency, horsepower, and net positive suction head (NPSH) curves is essential in selecting the proper pump for your system&rsquo;s needs. After covering the basics, this video introduces concepts that will help operators to select and run pumps at recommended operating zones to maximize pump life and reduce operational costs. </p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VuD1yuvB5mg" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <p>Once you start to feel comfortable with these concepts, the next step is learning how to compare pump curves to your own system. For pump curves to be useful during selection, you must first have a system curve of your own. Prepare for a bit of math because this next video walks through the calculations needed to develop a simplified equation that graphs system pressure head (Hp) as a function of flow rate (Q) squared. When watching the video, remember that z1 is the starting elevation and z2 is the final elevation.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q4wFSlaf-KA" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <p>With a well developed knowledge of pump curves and system curves, selecting a new pump becomes much easier. This last video demonstrates how to compare the system curve to the pump curve . When comparing these two graphs, the pump&rsquo;s best efficiency point should be fairly close to the system operating point. Other considerations include how much power is required to operate the pump and the net positive suction head available to avoid pump cavitation.&nbsp;</p> <p>These videos simplify many of the factors that go into a real system, however they offer a good foundation for operators to better understand the theory behind pump curves and pump selection.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YIQ5HCeELFg" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1478A Review of the EPA's New Drinking Water Training Systemhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1476/a-review-of-the-epas-new-drinking-water-training-systemRegulationsMon, 29 Apr 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>The newest tool released by the EPA allows operators to learn about national primary drinking water regulations through an <a href="https://cfpub.epa.gov/epa_dwts/dsp_welcome.cfm" target="_blank">online and self-paced training system</a>. According to the EPA, this system was developed at the request of states, water associations, and operators. Stakeholders wanted operators to have accessible regulatory training easily available to an industry where shrinking resources and a retiring workforce make taking time away from water facilities difficult.</p> <p>Approximately 130 training modules on various drinking water rules make up the system. The modules runs well in most browsers as long as Adobe Flash is installed and running. Both audio and closed captions are available during the training with the option to run the modules at your own pace. To use this system, each operator will have to create their own account using an email address that has not been registered prior.</p> <p>The system has a fairly easy setup. When an operator signs in, the homepage shows an <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog Docs/blog_DWT_homeannouncements.PNG?ver=2019-04-05-122026-800" target="_blank">Announcements</a> section that will update users on new modules or changes to the system. Operators can design their own lesson plan for the regulations that apply to their system under the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog Docs/blog_DWT_curriculumbuilder.PNG?ver=2019-04-05-121725-123" target="_blank">Curriculum Builder</a>. The Builder asks questions about the system type, source water, and treatment methods. A new curriculum can be made and started at any time with each curriculum found under the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog Docs/blog_DWT_curriculumlist.PNG?ver=2019-04-05-121725-123" target="_blank">Curriculum List</a>.</p> <p>Usually 5-15 modules will make up a curriculum. Each <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog Docs/blog_DWT_trainingmodule.PNG?ver=2019-04-05-121725-123" target="_blank">module</a> will cover a different rule with a <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog Docs/blog_DWT_quiz.PNG?ver=2019-04-05-122646-480" target="_blank">quiz</a> of 4-5 questions at the end. The operator must answer each question correctly to pass. If operators want to run through the modules individually they can find a list under the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog Docs/blog_DWT_coursecatalog.PNG?ver=2019-04-05-121725-137" target="_blank">Course Catalog</a> tab, however this mode does not offer quizzes or completion credit by the system. A complete list of training modules available as of May 2019 can be found <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog Docs/EPADrinkingWaterTrainingModules_May2019.xlsx?ver=2019-05-09-122742-367">here</a>.</p> <p>An interesting feature to note about the training is that within each module slide includes the CFR citation number so operators can find the corresponding rule in the Code of Federal Regulations. It should also be noted that these topics cover federal regulations only and do not apply to states with stricter drinking water requirements.</p> <p>When a training has been completed, the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog Docs/blog_DWT_certificates.PNG?ver=2019-04-05-124710-987" target="_blank">Certificates</a> tab will create a print out certificate of the desired curriculum. The only drawback for operators is that this training is not pre-approved for CEUs in any states as of yet. To provide credit, a state primacy will have to review each of the 130 modules. The next plans for this training system involves designing new modules on Special Drinking Water Topics. While these modules have yet to be developed, drinking water operators can look forward to those resources in the future!</p>1476Featured Video - WaterClips: Financial Benchmarking for Water Utilitieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1473/featured-video-waterclips-financial-benchmarking-for-water-utilitiesFinancial Management,FundingMon, 15 Apr 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>In this Featured Video, the Environmental Finance Center at UNC-Chapel Hill reviews the basics on how to properly monitor utility finances. Financial monitoring is crucial in making successful short-term and long-term management decisions to maintain optimal treatment levels, good customer service, and the longevity of your system. The financial benchmarking methods covered in this video include Current Ratio, Days Cash on Hand, Operating Ratio, and Debt Service Coverage Ratio. Implementing consistent benchmarking tools will ensure that your utility is working to cover the true system costs while planning for infrastructure depreciation and unexpected expenses. </p> <p> </p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QkwTJe-Nbuk" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1473Tools and Resources for Workforce Planninghttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1475/tools-and-resources-for-workforce-planningWorkforceMon, 15 Apr 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Workforce planning is an essential step in any small system&rsquo;s asset management plan. Just as your utility cannot run without functioning infrastructure, services will not continue in the absence of a talented, knowledgeable operator. Without developing and facilitating workforce development plans, you risk the short and long-term security of your system and your customer's health.</p> <p> That being said, workforce planning can often seem overwhelming. Many rural systems rely on just a few people to take on the many positions that keep a system running. If those employees left, much of their system knowledge would be lost with no one capable to take over. Yet the struggle to find and retain talent for small systems won&rsquo;t get any easier without action. </p> <p>In this blog post, we&rsquo;ll review helpful resources for small systems in succession planning, knowledge transfer, employee hiring and retention, and talent attraction.</p> <p> Succession planning can become considerably less overwhelming when you invest a small amount of time each day to increase your knowledge of workforce development. This <a href="http://nywea.org/images/temp/uploads/SuccessionPlan1112.pdf">white paper</a> by the the New York Water Environment Association summarizes the resources needed for succession planning. To actually develop your own plan, this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOwt_8uKddc">one hour webinar</a> by the Environmental Finance Center covers how to write and implement a plan by evaluating your utility&rsquo;s workforce condition, identifying critical positions, understanding employee life cycles, and facilitating leadership development plans.</p> <p>An important step identified in any succession plan involves implementing knowledge management techniques to <a href="https://awwa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/j.1551-8833.2006.tb07754.x">retain critical employee institutional knowledge</a>. An article from Kansas Rural Water Association&rsquo;s <em><a href="https://krwa.net/portals/krwa/lifeline/1607/020.pdf">The Kansas Life Line</a></em> describes how employees can make small changes to their day to create digital workflow records that can be easily found by future employees. The EPA has also developed a <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-03/knowledge_retention_tool_spreadsheet_for_small_water_systems.xlsx">knowledge retention tool</a> operators can use to consolidate utility information onto one document.</p> <p> Among the challenges associated with discovering new talent, managers must also learn better practices for recruiting and <a href="https://efc.sog.unc.edu/sites/default/files/opflow_72809_retention.pdf">retaining</a> new employees. The Environmental Finance Center has written a useful blog that describes <a href="https://efcnetwork.org/workforce-planning-recruiting-retaining-employees-water-system/">how to hire utility staff</a> through online job networks and how to retain those employees through performance evaluations. For a more <a href="https://www.waterrf.org/research/projects/workforce-planning-water-utilities-successful-recruiting-training-and-retaining">in-depth resource on talent recruitment and retention</a>, the Water Research Foundation partnered with the EPA to publish research findings on operator and engineer recruitment strategies. Chapter five lists the strategies developed from their research. For a video geared more toward small systems, check out the Environmental Finance Center&rsquo;s one hour webinar on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgmDMksKXd0">recruiting new staff</a>. </p> <p> To recruit and retain employees, managers will have to <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/oawwa.site-ym.com/resource/collection/72E06A16-EC0C-4A20-8612-8272326BD199/Managing Generational Differences in a Utility.pdf">understand generational differences</a>. While these differences can seem daunting, an Environmental Finance Center blog points out that many other <a href="https://efcnetwork.org/working-millennials-miserable-experience-misunderstood-opportunity/">generations in their twenties</a> were labeled with a similar stigma. The article debunks many misconceptions about millennials.</p> <p>When it comes to any age group, utilities find that a lack of awareness about the profession makes hiring new talent in the water sector difficult. Though many states, local governments, colleges, and water organizations are <a href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/building-the-post-boomer-water-workforce-0001">working to draw interest</a> to this career path, small water utilities can also participate. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.wichita.edu/academics/fairmount_college_of_liberal_arts_and_sciences/hugowall/efc/Project_Pages/Work_in_Water_materials/Work-in-Water-Webpage.php">Work in Water</a> program at Wichita State teaches utilities how to engage schools and develop internships while offering mini-grants to cover program costs. If you&rsquo;re interested in developing your own internship program, you can also check out the <a href="http://baywork.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/BAYWORK-Internship-Guidebook2.pdf">internship guidebook</a> developed by Baywork for their own program. In addition utilities can work with their local <a href="https://nrwa.org/initiatives/apprenticeship-program/">Rural Water Association&rsquo;s apprenticeship program</a> to take on apprentices. Military veterans are another group utilities can recruit since they already possess a series of practical professional skills. The American Water Works Association has created a 12 page guide that provides <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.kytnawwa.org/resource/resmgr/veterans/veterans_employer_toolkit_-_.pdf">veteran recruiting tips</a></p> <p>Every workforce development plan is unique. With these resources, it's left up to you and your facility to determine what methods will best achieve the goals set for your community.</p>1475What Operators Should Know about PFAS in 2019http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1467/managing-pfas-levels-in-2019Water TreatmentMon, 08 Apr 2019 21:17:12 GMT<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #777777;">In February of&nbsp;2019, the EPA released an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-acting-administrator-announces-first-ever-comprehensive-nationwide-pfas-action-plan"><span style="padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0088cc;">action plan</span></a>&nbsp;to manage the contamination of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaRgWcwwmXc&amp;index=2&amp;list=LLMQQ6sDktiOKuVI9gejCB8w&amp;t=1004s"><span style="padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0088cc;">plan</span></a>&nbsp;will propose an MCL regulatory determination for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-laws-and-regulations" style="background-color: #ffffff;">detected</a><a href="http://https//www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-laws-and-regulations" style="background-color: #ffffff;">&nbsp;</a>under the UCMR3 by the end of 2019 and will continue environmental cleanup</span>.<br /> <br /> The&nbsp;<a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.6b00260" style="color: #777777;"><span style="background: white; padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0088cc;">UCMR3 found</span></a>&nbsp;that areas with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.health.ri.gov/water/about/pfas/" style="color: #777777;"><span style="padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0088cc;">affiliated&nbsp;</span></a>industrial sites, military fire training, and <a href="https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/wisconsin-case-shows-how-sewage-plants-spread-unregulated-toxins-across/article_e9e50bb6-85b8-5377-95ab-736541129386.html">wastewater treatment plants</a> were associated with PFOA and PFOS detection. <span>Once released, PFASs can&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: #ffffff;"><a href="https://www.qgdigitalpublishing.com/publication/?i=554427&amp;p=&amp;pn=#{%22issue_id%22:554427,%22page%22:12}">persist</a></span><span>&nbsp;in the environment for the long periods of time, bioaccumulating in humans and animals that consume contaminated drinking water.&nbsp;</span>A new <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/drinking-water-health-advisories-pfoa-and-pfos">health advisory</a>&nbsp;for these chemicals has set the maximum recommended concentration in drinking water at 70 ppt.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-06/documents/drinkingwaterhealthadvisories_pfoa_pfos_updated_5.31.16.pdf" style="color: #777777;"><span style="background: white; padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0088cc;">Exposure</span></a>&nbsp;above this threshold may cause developmental defects, cancer, liver damage, immune issues, metabolic effects, and endocrine changes.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Unfortunately, a health advisory is not enough to protect consumers from PFAS in drinking water as it does not legally require utilities to take action against unsafe levels. In the absence of necessary regulatory authority, <a href="https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060123043">several states have pushed forward</a> with their own policies. These states have struggled with how to implement a standard without clear federal guidelines. Despite this, <a href="https://www.asdwa.org/pfas/">many states are working to set</a> or have already set their own maximum contaminant levels.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Options for reducing exposure to elevated PFAS contamination&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/drinking-water-health-advisories-pfoa-and-pfos" style="color: #777777;"><span style="padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0088cc;">include</span></a>&nbsp;changing sources, closing off contaminated wells, alteration of blending rates, or implementation of treatment. <a href="https://iaspub.epa.gov/tdb/pages/contaminant/treatmentSummary.do;jsessionid=PkgWKrTCTsMtwMydzICd48DblgYoksF_RbGQdDqi7qPg9ZiOZCRJ!1296331510">Studies&nbsp;</a>have found that granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange, or membrane separation can treat PFAS. The&nbsp;<span style="background: white; padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0088cc;"><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sciencematters/reducing-pfas-drinking-water-treatment-technologies">removal efficiency</a></span>&nbsp;can reach 98-99%, but it will ultimately depends on the length of the PFAS chain and the treatment method used. Installing a new treatment method is <a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/2019/03/pfas-pollution-already-costing-michigan-communities-millions-of-dollars.html">financially devastating</a> for many systems. Alabama&rsquo;s West Morgan East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority (WMEL) estimates that the costs to install a permanent R.O. filter will reach $30-50 million. The authority has filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.al.com/news/2019/02/epa-moving-forward-to-limit-pfas-chemicals-found-in-alabama-tap-water.html" style="background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0088cc;">lawsuit</span></a>&nbsp;that could assist with funding the necessary upgrades.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #777777;"> <br /> </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #777777;">There is currently&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #777777;"><a href="https://www.epa.gov/pfas/epa-drinking-water-laboratory-method-537-qa"><span style="background: white; padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0088cc;">no standardized analysis</span></a><span style="padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext;">&nbsp;approved for PFAS testing in drinking water, however laboratories have modified the EPA groundwater detection&nbsp;</span><span style="background: white; padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0088cc;"><a href="https://www.epa.gov/water-research/epa-drinking-water-research-methods">method 537</a></span><span style="padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext;">&nbsp;for systems in need of monitoring. When using this method, the EPA recommends that systems &ldquo;evaluate its appropriateness relative to your goals for the data.&rdquo;&nbsp;In some locations PFAS regulators and manufacturers have also set up programs to monitor groundwater contamination. You can contact your state primacy to learn about these types of resources.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> If test results repeatedly indicate water concentrations of 70 ppt or greater for either contaminant, systems should follow any existing state regulations and promptly notify their primacy and customers. In absence&nbsp;of regulations, c</span>ustomers should be informed of the health effects and&nbsp;<span style="background: white; padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext;">advised&nbsp;</span>to consume bottled water until a better option is available. <a href="https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/docs/pfas_fact_sheet.pdf">Download a consumer-friendly fact sheet from CDC</a>.</span></p>1467Featured Video: Flushable Wipe's Effects on Our Sewer Systemhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1466/featured-video-flushable-wipes-effects-on-our-sewer-systemPublic Education,Sanitary Sewers,WastewaterMon, 25 Mar 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Many collection systems struggle to prevent the costly and time consuming repairs associated with flushable wipes. Despite the label these wipes remain intact in sewer systems. They often clump into large blockages held together by grease. When the blockage becomes too large, sewers experience sanitary backups and pricey pump damage.&nbsp;</p> <p> This week&rsquo;s featured video reviews the management options for flushable wipes as explained by Great Lakes Water Authority. One common solution for wipe buildup requires the installation of sewer grates and filter screens. Though operators will be required to regularly clear away wipe accumulation, systems can plan for the added maintenance expenses while preventing unexpected downtime. Other systems may choose to break down wipes with chopper pumps or grinder pumps, however this can lead to reweaving later in the collection system.</p> <p> The video ultimately demonstrates that there is no single and efficient method to avoid wipe backups other than consumer education. With the final costs of wipe maintenance funded by the rate-payer, collection systems should be vocal in educating their customers about the products that can and cannot be flushed down the toilet. For more information on flushable products, check out our blog post&nbsp;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/postid/1265/featured-video-will-it-flush" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Will it Flush</a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">.</span></p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5u-KGEH75_E" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1466Featured Video: Smelly Lagoon? Diagnosing and Correcting Lagoon Odorshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1465/featured-video-smelly-lagoon-diagnosing-and-correcting-lagoon-odorsWastewaterMon, 25 Feb 2019 12:00:00 GMT<p>As weather begins warming up for spring, many lagoons system owners have to manage odor issues and water turnover. In this week&rsquo;s featured video, an experienced &ldquo;Lagoon-atic&rdquo; describes what causes lagoon odors and the best practices to manage them.</p> <p>The most dreaded odors from lagoons systems are caused by sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide gases. These gases emit a rotten egg odor that often leads to complaints from locals in the area. Under oxygen-stressed conditions, insufficient dissolved oxygen (DO) levels favor anaerobic digestion of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and sludge by sulfur bacteria.</p> <span>There are many causes for low DO in lagoon systems including overloading, sludge build up, and lagoon turnover during season changes. The video suggests solutions for low DO reviewing aeration, baffles, bioaugmentation, and lagoon covers. When aeration is not financially practical, using a pump to recirculate the water can resolve most odor issues caused by sulfur bacteria.</span><br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y9xFAY6lWEU" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <p>This video also discusses the earthy smell of a healthy lagoon and other <a href="http://www.triplepointwater.com/lagoon-odors/#.XGXT8lVKiCg">odor causing problems</a>&nbsp;a lagoon may experience.&nbsp;Grassy odors indicate <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/9781118981771">high levels of algae</a> favored by warming temperatures, long detention times, excess sunlight, and excess nutrient<span>s. As spring approaches the s</span><span>olubilization of solids from the sludge blanket can cause nutrient&nbsp;release. This issue can be corrected by a reduction in the sludge blanket.&nbsp;Fishy odors may result from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.makwater.com.au/prevent-algae-blooms-wastewater-lagoons/">cyanobacteria growth</a> under conditions&nbsp;with warm temperatures, high nutrient levels, thermal stratification, and still water. The longer water remains still, potential for cyanobacteria growth increases. Cyanobacteria can be reduced with&nbsp;chemical control, aeration, circulation, and ultrasonic waves.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span>Spring time has potential to pose many odor issues for lagoon systems. Operators can maintain a healthy lagoon by ensuring sufficient DO levels, controlling sludge buildup, and mixing.</span></p>1465An Overview of Drinking Water Fluoridationhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1464/an-overview-of-community-drinking-water-fluoridationWater TreatmentTue, 19 Feb 2019 12:00:00 GMTDespite a long history of dental health benefits, the fluoridation of community drinking water remains a topic of concern for many customers. Given this apprehension, water operators must be able to explain the societal impacts and history of water fluoridation to alleviate concerns.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Fluoridating drinking water first began in 1945 in <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/basics/70-years.htm">Grand Rapids, Michigan</a>. The new practice resulted in a clear reduction in cavities and tooth decay, one of the most <a href="https://www.apha.org/policies-and-advocacy/public-health-policy-statements/policy-database/2014/07/24/13/36/community-water-fluoridation-in-the-united-states">prevalent chronic diseases</a> experienced during childhood to this day. As of 2014 about <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/statistics/2014stats.htm">74%</a> of consumers under a community public water system received fluoridated water. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), school children in communities without fluoridation have <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/basics/70-years.htm">25% more tooth decay</a> compared to children in treated communities. These cavities can cause a <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/guidelines/cdc-statement-on-community-water-fluoridation.html">variety of issues</a> related to pain, diet, sleep, physical health, and mental health.<br /> <br /> <p> With cost efficiency community fluoridation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/guidelines/cdc-statement-on-community-water-fluoridation.html" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">overcomes disparities</a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;in oral health regardless of community size, age, education, or income level. A dental health study found that the savings from fluoridation in communities of 1,000 people or more exceeded program costs by </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27920310" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">$20 per every dollar</a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;"> invested. When Juneau, Alaska voted to end fluoridation in 2007, a study found that children six years and under had an increase of </span><a href="https://www.asdwa.org/2019/01/02/study-estimates-dental-costs-from-water-fluoridation-cessation-in-juneau-alaska/?sf_action=get_data&amp;sf_data=results&amp;_sf_s=juneau" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">one dental cavity per year</a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">, roughly equivalent to $300 in dental costs per child annually. Juneau&rsquo;s increase in cavities was also reflected in adults.</span></p> <p> All water contains some levels of naturally-occurring fluoride though these levels are often too low for health benefits.&nbsp;<span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">In untreated water,&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.astdd.org/docs/natural-fluoride-fact-sheet-9-14-2016.pdf" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">fluoride levels vary</a><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">&nbsp;considerably with geology and land practices. Fl</span><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">uoride is introduced to water when dissolved from the Earth&rsquo;s crust into groundwater or discharged from fertilizer and aluminum factories. Systems with fluoridation should set final levels near 0.7 mg/L as suggested by the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4547570/?report=classic" style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Department of Public Health</a><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-family: inherit;">. This concentration factors for other sources of consumer fluoride exposure such as toothpaste. Fluorosilicic acid (FSA) is most commonly used in water treatment. Though fluoridation decisions are left to a state or local municipality, the EPA has established federal standards for the upper limits allowed in drinking water.</span></p> <p> At high levels fluoride can cause the development of bone disease and tooth mottling. As a result, the EPA has set both the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (<a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/20003HN4.TXT?ZyActionD=ZyDocument&amp;Client=EPA&amp;Index=1991+Thru+1994&amp;Docs=&amp;Query=&amp;Time=&amp;EndTime=&amp;SearchMethod=1&amp;TocRestrict=n&amp;Toc=&amp;TocEntry=&amp;QField=&amp;QFieldYear=&amp;QFieldMonth=&amp;QFieldDay=&amp;IntQFieldOp=0&amp;ExtQFieldOp=0&amp;XmlQuery=&amp;File=D%3A%5Czyfiles%5CIndex%20Data%5C91thru94%5CTxt%5C00000007%5C20003HN4.txt&amp;User=ANONYMOUS&amp;Password=anonymous&amp;SortMethod=h%7C-&amp;MaximumDocuments=1&amp;FuzzyDegree=0&amp;ImageQuality=r75g8/r75g8/x150y150g16/i425&amp;Display=hpfr&amp;DefSeekPage=x&amp;SearchBack=ZyActionL&amp;Back=ZyActionS&amp;BackDesc=Results%20page&amp;MaximumPages=1&amp;ZyEntry=1&amp;SeekPage=x&amp;ZyPURL" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">MCLG</a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">) and the MCL for fluoride at </span><a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P100N56T.PDF?Dockey=P100N56T.PDF" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">4 mg/L</a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">. Levels higher than 4 mg/L can lead to increased rates of </span><a href="https://www.nap.edu/read/11571/chapter/13#349" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">bone fracture, Enamel Fluorosis, and Skeletal Fluorosis</a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">. If systems find fluoride concentrations higher than the MCL, they are required to notify customers within </span><a href="https://safewater.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/211402328-6-How-will-I-know-if-fluoride-is-in-my-drinking-water-" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">30 days</a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;"> and potentially install treatment methods such as distillation or reverse osmosis to remove the excess fluoride.&nbsp;</span></p> <p> The EPA has also set a secondary standard for fluoride at 2.0 mg/L. The secondary standard is intended to be used as a guideline for an upper bound level in areas with high levels of naturally occurring fluoride. Below this level, the chance for tooth mottling and more severe health impacts are close to zero. Even if the secondary standard is reached, systems must notify customers. In the U.S. very&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/2011_fluoride_questionsanswers.pdf" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">few systems</a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;"> have exceeded the fluoride MCL at all. Where violations have occurred, the concentrations are generally a result of natural, geological conditions.&nbsp;</span></p> <p> Even with this track record, some&nbsp;<a href="http://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/topic-files/waterboard/customer_service_mp4.m4v" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">concerned customers</a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;"> are still weary of fluoridation. When customers broach fluoridation concerns, operators can offer educational materials and </span><a href="http://www.pnws-awwa.org/uploads/PDFs/conferences/2015/Technical Sessions/Thursday/2_Credible or Approachable_Whats Your Message.pdf" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">refer customers</a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;"> to consumer confidence reports. The </span><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/index.html" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">CDC </a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">and the </span><a href="https://safewater.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/202346337" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">EPA </a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">offers a variety of consumer-friendly educational material that operators can reference in addition to the resources linked in this blog post. Remember that good customer service starts by establishing a </span><a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/18971.pdf" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">trusted relationship</a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;"> with your community.</span></p>1464Featured Video: Becoming a Water Operatorhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1463/featured-video-becoming-a-water-operatorCertification,WorkforceFri, 15 Feb 2019 22:15:16 GMT<p>Succession planning in the water industry has led to a growing demand for new operators. In addition to job security, the career path offers great benefits and opportunities to develop professionally while directly improving local communities.&nbsp;</p> <p>In this 10 minute interview by California Water Jobs, a successful operator describes the plans he accomplished to become an operations technician foreman for the Desert Water Agency. Before his career in water, Emmanuel Sarpong worked as a Field Radio Operator for the U.S. Marine Corps. He notes that his experience in the military gave him the discipline, communication skills, and problem solving abilities essential for utility operations and maintenance. A workday for Emmanuel is always changing, whether he&rsquo;s putting treatment filters back on line, collecting water samples, or even pushing a broom for an upcoming tour.</p> <p>To become an operator, Emmanuel began employment with a water utility as a general worker in construction. During this time he took correspondence courses with the state of California to obtain the certification that would allow him to advance into operations. He discusses his mentor Tom, an experienced foreman who trusted him to tackle projects that trained him in the skills he uses everyday. Emmanuel&rsquo;s advice to operators is to keep pushing for higher levels of certification.&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OAkWOcnn5AI" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1463What Real Estate Agents Need to Know About Small Public Water Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1459/what-real-estate-agents-need-to-know-about-non-community-water-systemsAsset Management,Utility ManagementThu, 17 Jan 2019 17:23:45 GMT<p>If you're a real estate agent representing the buyer or the seller of a commercial property (not a private home), you may have questions about how to best inform your client about a property's water system during a property transaction. A good place to start is to understand if this property has its own water supply (typically a water well), and if so, if it might be a public water system. Public water systems are required by law to meet the requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure the water is safe to drink.</p> <p>According to the Safe Drinking Water Act, a <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/information-about-public-water-systems">public drinking water system</a> is defined as &ldquo;a system for the provision of water to the public for human consumption." If such a system has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year, then it is a public water system. The 15 connections part of the definition is for a community system, meaning a water supply providing water to at least 15 residential services where people live (their homes). The only examples of a community water system that you might deal with for property sales would likely be a mobile home park or apartment complex with at least 15 residences or 25 residents AND its own water supply.</p> <p>The rest are all considered &ldquo;non-community&rdquo; systems. For non-community systems, which are commercial private properties that are not residential, it means that if the property has its own water supply and at least 60 days a year has 25 people who could be drinking the water, then it is a public water supply. Examples of non-community systems include places many people stop at frequently (transient systems), like restaurants, gas stations, motels, churches, state parks, or rest areas; or places where people spend their day for work, school, or care (non-transient systems), like factories, schools, day cares, or businesses. So there are two types of non-community systems, transient non community water systems (TNC&rsquo;s) and non-transient, non-community water systems (NTNC&rsquo;s). TNC&rsquo;s serve at least 25 people at least 60 days a year, but they are not necessarily the same people. NTNC&rsquo;s serve at least 25 of the same people at least 60 days a year.</p> <p>To complicate matters a bit, TNC&rsquo;s and NTNC&rsquo;s may have different certification, testing and reporting requirements, although you will need to check with your individual state&nbsp;as the requirements may vary state to state. In Illinois, for examples, the state regulates licensed operators differently for community and non-community systems.</p> <p>It is important that you understand these differences and can share them with the potential buyer. They may have no experience with managing a public water supply, and being informed in advance and understanding these responsibilities is a critical component of any property transaction. If a property is a public water supply, we would advise the potential buyer or seller to have an inspection conducted to learn more about the system (and help you promote the property if the inspection report is positive). Some states may require a public water supply review or have disclosure requirements when a property changes hands; be sure you check with your state agency.</p> <h3>Other Considerations</h3> <p>It may be that a sale hinges or is held up because it is a public water supply. A possible alternative is to contract with a management entity that has licensed operators and would be responsible for the water supply. Another consideration, if there is a community water supply nearby, would be to determine the feasibility of connecting to that existing supply, thus becoming a water customer instead of a water provider.</p> <p>In addition, the state regulatory agency may provide informational resources for buyers, sellers and their agents. The Wisconsin DNR, for example, offers a handbook for <a href="https://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/DG/DG0056.pdf">non-transient, non-community (NTNC) systems</a> as well as one for <a href="https://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/DG/DG0061.pdf">transient, non-community (TNC) systems</a>. Washington State Department of Health also provides <a href="https://www.doh.wa.gov/portals/1/Documents/pubs/331-084.pdf">fact sheets to advise parties involved in real estate transactions</a> on owning and managing small water systems.</p> <p>You can find more resources in <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">our document search</a>&nbsp;by selecting &ldquo;Non-community systems&rdquo; as the category, and then using the terms &ldquo;owner&rdquo; or &ldquo;guidance&rdquo; in the keyword filter. If you have any questions, you can also contact our staff (info@wateroperator.org) for additional help finding information.&nbsp;</p>1459Getting Started With ArcGIS Story Mapshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1457/how-to-get-started-with-arcgis-story-mapsPublic Education,Utility ManagementWed, 09 Jan 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Interested in a new way to tell your water system stories? Do you want to reach out to a diverse audience using maps and data in order to help them visualize and more completely understand the issues? Then a Story Map might be just the ticket.</p> <p>In the past year or so, we at WaterOperator.org have collected examples of how ESRI's Story Maps are being used by water utilities, agencies, states and local governments. Here are few of our favorites:</p> <p>This&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=a46b083b9f534549b834acd3431b8cac">Story Map</a> from Cobb County, GA answers the age-old question, "Where do we get our drinking water from?"</p> <p>And this <a href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=f5603ccfcf3a47ae881e3006865146ce">one</a> from Clarkstown, NY uses all sorts of graphics, 3-D visualizations and maps to illustrate how it maintains its vast MS4 stormwater system.&nbsp;</p> <p>The USEPA has also been using this new tool to collect case studies and utility stories for its <a href="https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=22ce8bf3bcd742b68101d679828a00d7">Drought Response and Recovery Project for Water Utilities</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>The state of California Division of Drinking Water is using Story Maps to present <a href="https://waterboards.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=9d17731cae2c4452957fadc5d8ee2d75">lead sampling results</a> for its public schools, updated monthly to reflect additional samples they receive.&nbsp;</p> <p>And here is an example of a <a href="https://samish.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=a28a212bf84b4b8e9e743ee88fe3dc5b">tribal Story Map</a> that shows how the Samish Indian Nation is building resilience for the future impact of climate change in Washington State.&nbsp;</p> <p>For even more inspiring examples, Esri hosts a website of contest-winning <a href="https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/esri-story-maps/contest/winners-gallery/2018-winners">Story Maps</a> and a <a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/en/gallery/">Gallery</a> of Story Maps using creative approaches and best practices in a wide range of subjects and industries.&nbsp;</p> <p><span>Story Maps are a great way to combine maps with text, images, videos and more to create impactful stories to leverage support for your water system and to communicate effectively with your audience. Story Maps are part of ArcGIS Online, Esri's cloud-based mapping and GIS platform, and you can register for a free ArcGIS public account <a href="http://www.arcgis.com/features/free-trial.html">here</a>.</span></p> <p><span>Ready to get started? The Learn ArcGIS website has <a href="https://learn.arcgis.com/en/projects/get-started-with-story-maps/">this series</a> of three 30-60 minute lessons, and/or you can watch the video below, and/or read this recent <a href="https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/story-maps/mapping/how-to-make-a-story-map/">blog post</a>&nbsp;on How to Make a Story Map.&nbsp;</span></p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NuIGKw5g-88" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1457What's on the Drinking Water Radar for the Year Ahead: 2019http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1458/whats-on-the-drinking-water-operator-radar-for-the-year-ahead-2019Innovative Technology,operation & maintenance,Regulations,Small System O&M,Technology,Water Treatment,WorkforceWed, 02 Jan 2019 11:00:00 GMT<p>Being a small-town water operator is not easy;&nbsp;it is up to you to ensure the quality of your community's water day-in and day-out, often with very limited resources. Let WaterOperator.org help you meet the challenge head-on with this list of tools and resources to put on your radar for the year ahead:</p> <ul> <li>Have you gotten in the groove yet with the <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=0082e1ff9b&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">new RTCR requirements</a>? Here are&nbsp;two new documents from the USEPA designed to help small public water systems: <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=b88da6461c&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">Revised Total Coliform Rule Placards</a> and a&nbsp;<a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=c8735e19db&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">Revised Total Coliform Rule Sample Siting Plan with Template Manual</a>. Additional compliance help, including public notification templates, a RTCR rule guide, a corrective actions guidance and more can be found <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=e55b459498&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">here</a>.</li> <li>While we know your hands are full just getting the job done, there are new and emerging issues you may have to deal with in the year ahead. For example, this past year many communities have been dealing with PFAS contamination issues.&nbsp;This ITRC&nbsp;<a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=992cf8ef60&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;provides PFAS <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=37e624a6f9&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">fact sheets</a>&nbsp;that are regularly being updated on PFAS regulations, guidance,&nbsp;advisories and remediation methods. Especially of interest is this <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=81ab0b44b8&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">excel file</a> that has begun to list&nbsp;the different state&nbsp;standards and guidance values for PFAS in drinking water as they are developed. Be sure to check back often for updates.</li> <li>Your utility may also have to adjust to&nbsp;new compliance rules in the coming year. In Michigan, for example, a new <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=fad358e1cf&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">Lead and Copper Rule</a> arising from the water crisis in Flint has gone into effect, making it the strictest in the nation. Other states, such as <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=bf7fe1e193&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">Ohio</a>, have also adopted tougher standards, or are now <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=cd1b1fd474&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">requiring</a> schools to test for lead.&nbsp;Oregon has established <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=0b6ed2691e&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">temporary rules</a> that will require drinking water systems in the state using certain surface water sources to routinely test for cyanotoxins&nbsp;and notify the public about the test results.</li> <li>With a warming climate, these incidences of harmful algal blooms in surface water are on the increase, causing all sorts of challenges for water systems that now have to treat this contaminant. This cyanotoxin <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=4406e613c0&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">management&nbsp;template</a> from the EPA can help assist you with a plan specific to your location.</li> <li>Worker turnover and retirements will still be an issue in 2019.&nbsp;According to this <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=e815ccef7b&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">article</a>, the median age for water workers in general (42.8 years) and water treatment operators specifically (46.4 years) are both above the national average across all occupations (42.2 years). You can keep transitions as smooth as possible by using EPA's <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=4866399881&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">Knowledge Retention Tool Spreadsheet </a>and/or this <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=127f136ec4&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">Electronic Preventive Maintenance Log</a>.</li> <li>New Tech Solutions: A UMass lab focusing on <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=f1aa5c493a&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">affordable water treatment technologies</a> for small systems will be rolling out its Mobile Water Innovation Laboratory in 2019 for on-site testing. In addition, the facility is testing approaches to help communities address water-quality issues in affordable ways. "Early next year, in the maiden voyage of the mobile water treatment lab, UMass engineer David Reckhow plans to test ferrate, an ion of iron, as a replacement for several water treatments steps in the small town of Gloucester, MA.</li> </ul> <p>But even without all&nbsp;these challenges and new ideas for the future,&nbsp;simply achieving compliance on a day-to-day basis can be tricky - if this sounds familiar, you may want to check out our <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=4be311d3d4&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">recent video</a> on how operators can approach&nbsp;the most common drinking water compliance issues.</p>1458Featured Video: Drought Response and Recovery in the Town of Castine, MEhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1456/featured-video-drought-response-and-recovery-in-the-town-of-castine-meAsset Management,Emergency Response,Source Water Protection,Sustainability,Utility ManagementFri, 28 Dec 2018 11:00:00 GMT<p>This week's featured video tells the story of how&nbsp; the small town of Castine, ME headed off recent drought and infrastructure challenges - a story that may be adaptable to other small systems nationwide. This video is featured on the USEPA's Drought Response and Recovery <a href="https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=22ce8bf3bcd742b68101d679828a00d7">StoryMap Project</a> for Water Utilities (ArcGIS) and is included as a case study resource in their recently updated <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-10/documents/drought_guide_final_508compliant_october2017.pdf">Drought Response and Recovery Guide for Water Utilities</a> guide.&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nbY8vXew21Q" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1456Ethics for Small Water Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1446/ethics-for-small-water-systemsUtility Management,WorkforceFri, 21 Dec 2018 17:54:16 GMTBeing a small town operator takes strong character and a community spirit, but there are always those few who make it rough on all of us. Whether it is doctoring compliance reports, siphoning off grant money for personal use, or, as this recent news <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/former-hounsfield-water-operator-accused-of-stealing-town-water--20180920" href="http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/former-hounsfield-water-operator-accused-of-stealing-town-water--20180920" target="_blank">article</a> reports, using inside knowledge and/or tools to avoid&nbsp;water bills, water operators can sometimes find themselves on the wrong side of the law.&nbsp; <div><br /> <p>That is certainly what happened in the town of Walkerton, Ontario, back in 2000. According to the <a href="http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/e_records/walkerton/index.html">inquiry report</a>, water operators there <span style="color: #595959;">"<em>engaged in a host of improper operating practices, including including failing to use adequate doses of chlorine, failing to monitor chlorine residuals daily, making false entries about residuals in daily operating records, and misstating the locations at which microbiological samples were taken. The operators knew that these practices were unacceptable and contrary to MOE guidelines and directives.</em><em>&rdquo;</em>&nbsp; In the end, o</span>ver 2300 people (about half the population of the town!) contracted a virulent strain of E. Coli, and 7 people ended up dying.&nbsp;</p> <p>While this example is extreme, it is a good reminder that unethical behavior can result in very real, and tragic, consequences, for the community as well as for the operators involved - and this goes for even small oversights or infractions. This is why it is important to be reminded of ethical responsibilities on a regular basis, whether through required trainings, or a review of an operator Code of Ethics.&nbsp;</p> <p>Wondering what is included in a Operator's Code of Ethics?&nbsp; Some states, like <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.pwea.org/docs/Operator_Code_of_Ethics_Adopted_by_PWEA_12-10-2015.pdf" href="https://www.pwea.org/docs/Operator_Code_of_Ethics_Adopted_by_PWEA_12-10-2015.pdf" target="_blank" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Pennsylvania</a> and <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.vaawwa.org/files_PDFs/OpsCodeofEthics.pdf" href="http://www.vaawwa.info/files_PDFs/OpsCodeofEthics.pdf" target="_blank" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Virginia</a>&nbsp;offer them, as do some operator's association such as the <a href="https://www.fwpcoa.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&amp;club_id=859275&amp;module_id=204874">Florida Water and Pollution Control Operators Association</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="http://newwa.org/Portals/6/Training%20and%20Certification/OperatorCodeofEthics.pdf">New England Water Works Association</a> (they also have <a href="http://newwa.org/Portals/6/Resources/CodeofEthicsforLabPersonnel.pdf">one</a> for laboratory personnel). NEWWA also has a <a href="http://newwa.org/Portals/6/Training%20and%20Certification/ListofOffensesforEnforcement.pdf">list of offenses</a> that should invoke enforcement action against operators, including suspension or revocation of certification. In addition, NEIWPCC has a <a href="http://www.neiwpcc.org/waterresourceprotection/wrp_docs/DrinkingWaterOperatorDisciplineSurveyReport.pdf">report</a> on the results of a nationwide survey on how operator discipline &amp; rule enforcement is conducted.&nbsp;</p> <p>It is also a good idea to attend ethics trainings when they are available in your area. You can check for these trainings using the keywork "ethics" (and then click on "view list") on our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">event calendar</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>We here at WaterOperator.org are interested in finding more about how to support <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.mi-wea.org/docs/6%20Erlandson%20-%20Ethics.pdf" href="https://www.mi-wea.org/docs/6%20Erlandson%20-%20Ethics.pdf" target="_blank" style="background-color: #ffffff;">ethical conduct</a> at small systems - not just for board members or government officials, but for everyone involved in producing or cleaning water in the interest of public health. See our ethics checklist above for ideas about how to support ethical behavior at your water system, and <a href="mailto:info@wateroperator.org">let us know</a> if you have additional ideas.&nbsp;</p> <p> <br /> <br /> </p> </div>1446Featured Video: The Future of Waterhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1455/featured-video-the-future-of-waterInnovative Technology,Source Water Protection,Sustainability,Wastewater,Water Reuse,Water TreatmentMon, 03 Dec 2018 11:00:00 GMT<p>Water is a scarce resource for many communities around the globe, and this scarcity is becoming more and more widespread. Our featured video this week from Quartz Media looks out how one locality half a world away has addressed this challenge, and how the rest of us can learn from systems like these where the "future of water" has already arrived.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4URapRHxsmE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>While this video focuses on a larger metropolitan area, there are some interesting takeaways for smaller systems as well such as:</p> <ul> <li>&nbsp;Solutions to water challenges are best solved at the individual and/or community level.&nbsp;</li> <li>&nbsp;Water reuse is most likely already happening in your community and efforts can be made to change public perceptions. For example, a wastewater pipe enters the Mississippi River every 8 miles - meaning almost every community using the river as a water source is already drinking someone else's wastewater!&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</li> </ul>1455Focus on Chemical Feed Controlhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1454/focus-on-chemical-feed-controloperation & maintenance,Small System O&M,Water TreatmentWed, 21 Nov 2018 23:28:25 GMT<p>Chemical dosing at&nbsp;the water treatment plant is a critical,&nbsp;but often underrated step in producing&nbsp;safe drinking water. Historically, process control points have focused on the hazards present in incoming source water - with emphasis on the filtration and disinfection steps to&nbsp;minimize microbial risks. But while many hazards do indeed enter the plant with the raw water, it is just as important to identify the multiple&nbsp;<a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=2facc86072&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">risks</a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;"> associated with treating this raw water.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></p> One significant&nbsp;hazard&nbsp;in the treatment of water at the plant is overfeeding, resulting in discoloration, strong smells, or health hazards at the tap.&nbsp;Some of the most common root causes of overfeeding problems are pump or equipment&nbsp;failures, variations in water temperature, and source water characteristic fluctuations, to name just a few. In addition, bringing new technology online can sometimes <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=0bd16d9d41&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">trigger</a> an event as well.&nbsp;This is why it is important to carefully document&nbsp;chemical handling and feeding information specific to your system&nbsp;on forms such as <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=342496d1c6&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">this one</a>&nbsp;from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> <br /> It is also essential to be on top of monitoring,&nbsp;<a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=56f3fd6550&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">chemical feed math skills</a>&nbsp;and feed pump maintenance in order to correct&nbsp;situations as they arise (not to mention&nbsp;how to use&nbsp;activated carbon or sulfur dioxide to correct water quality issues). This <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=0bed205c29&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">resource</a> from MASSDEP lists immediate action levels for water treatment plant chemicals. This <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=02426e4420&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">tool</a> from Missouri Rural Water can help you quickly size a chemical feed pump. This NCSE&nbsp;<a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=ca58a4b6ca&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">Tech Brief</a>&nbsp;can help you calibrate a liquid feed pump.&nbsp;In addition, overfeed alarm systems are another solid choice for avoiding this problem.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Finally, if and when <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=afd447ab2a&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">an overfeed</a> occurs in your system, prompt reporting can help speed up remediation. The Minnesota Department of Health provides this emergency response <a href="https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/docs/com/response.pdf" target="_blank">guide</a> to its community PWSs in the case an event is affecting functionality or water quality. Learning who to call for help sometimes is the most difficult step in an emergency response situation, so preparing ahead can save you critical time and effort!&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <em>*WaterOperator.org staff member Phil Vella contributed to this post.</em>1454Revisiting History: How One Firefighter Protected a Town's Water Supplyhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1448/revisiting-history-how-one-firefighter-protected-a-towns-water-supplyEmergency Response,Source Water ProtectionFri, 16 Nov 2018 13:00:00 GMT<p>Our featured video this week tells the story of how, 31 years ago, Dayton, OH's Fire Chief Glenn Alexander collaborated with the city's water and environment departments to make a difficult, but very crucial decision to stand aside and allow a Sherwin Williams paint factory to burn down. By doing so, he saved the city's water supply for generations to come.&nbsp;</p> <p>This story highlights the importance of collaborating with affected parties in order to make smart decisions during emergencies - certainly a lesson that never grows old. And among the many additional lessons gleaned from the incident: the importance of involving emergency responders in wet-field protection task forces or similar partnerships.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yZO0C1nO_6s" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1448Featured Video: Regional Collaboration for Clean Water in York Countyhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1447/featured-video-regional-collaboration-for-clean-water-in-york-countyAsset Management,Funding,StormwaterTue, 13 Nov 2018 13:00:00 GMT<p>Over 500 communities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are working to meet NPDES&nbsp;permit standards for stormwater discharges from their municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s). MS4s that discharge to impaired surface waters or directly to the Bay are required to develop Pollutant Reduction or TMDL Plans. Meeting these requirements while also addressing important local issues such as increased flooding can be a challenge for any municipality, regardless of size.</p> <p>However, Pennsylvania's York County has proven that there is strength in numbers. This video from <a href="https://efc.umd.edu/mostcenter.html">MOST</a> (Municipal Online Stormwater Training Center, an initiative of the University Of Maryland's Environmental&nbsp;Finance Center) features Felicia Dell, the director of the York County Planning Commission discussing how municipalities in her county banded together in a consortium&nbsp;to attract funding, and then distributed this funding in an equitable way to construct projects that would benefit all.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9AOSvowheHg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1447Solving the Rural Water Crisishttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1451/solving-the-rural-water-crisisAsset Management,Capacity Development,Funding,Source Water Protection,Sustainability,Utility ManagementFri, 09 Nov 2018 13:00:00 GMTEvery fall, Americans from all walks of life and locations drive through the countryside to enjoy the changing foliage,&nbsp;apple orchards and park-lands, often barely glancing at the small water or wastewater utilities along the roadsides&nbsp;that serve area residents. Yet if they took the effort to speak to the people who are struggling, often at great odds, to provide or clean&nbsp;water in these rural areas, they might begin to understand that even in this country, with all its resources and technological advances, there are many places&nbsp;&mdash; just around the bend&nbsp;&mdash; where clean water&nbsp;is not a given. In fact, according to this recent&nbsp;<a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/147011/rural-americas-drinking-water-crisis" target="_blank">article</a>, of the 5,000 drinking water systems that racked up health-based violations in 2015, more than 50 percent were systems that serve 500 people or fewer.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> The challenges of these small rural systems are many:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=90&amp;v=BhJEsscB3-g" target="_blank">aging&nbsp;infrastructure</a>&nbsp;(add to this a lack of overflow capacity for wastewater systems),&nbsp;<a href="https://earther.gizmodo.com/theres-a-huge-drinking-water-problem-plaguing-rural-ame-1819655918" target="_blank">water quality issues</a>, comparatively&nbsp;<a href="https://www.awwa.org/publications/connections/connections-story/articleid/5138/water-industry-compensation-survey-shows-higher-than-expected-2018-salary-increases.aspx" target="_blank">lower</a>&nbsp;water operator wages, increasing man-made and natural disaster hazards such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2018/10/10/tennessee-towns-sewer-systems-amid-heavier-rains/1510232002/" target="_blank">extreme rain events</a>, stricter health standards, a small pool of paying customers,&nbsp;and, always, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/livingston_tangipahoa/article_b12250a6-53c5-11e8-b960-87f480cda511.html" target="_blank">lack of funding</a>.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.enr.com/articles/45685-trump-signs-water-infrastructure-bill-providing-37b-for-new-corps-projects" target="_blank">new infrastructure bill</a>&nbsp;just recently signed by the president is providing some hope for the future (it has a significant catch, though &mdash; its authorizations still require yearly appropriations installments), but for now, many communities live in a constant state of worry about their water.<br /> <br /> On top of this, many rural communities are dealing with the political and economic pressure to sell their utilities to private companies, if they haven't already&nbsp;done so, a particularly tempting option&nbsp;in times of crisis. According to a recent special&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/10/03/649850498/you-just-don-t-touch-that-tap-water-unless-absolutely-necessary" target="_blank">series</a>&nbsp;on the rural water crisis from NPR, this "complicated mix of public and private ownership often confounds efforts to mandate improvements or levy penalties, even if customers complain of poor water quality or mismanagement."<br /> <br /> But there is hope on the horizon. Certainly increased funding for infrastructure is part of the solution.&nbsp;But according to California water commissioner Maria Herrera&nbsp;in this recent&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ppic.org/blog/tackling-safe-drinking-water-in-the-san-joaquin-valley/" target="_blank">article</a>, more can&nbsp;be done. She suggests that legislation should also increase&nbsp;technical assistance funding and give communities an opportunity to hire consultants to develop shovel-ready projects and fund safe drinking water projects. Also on her wish list: "We need to not only fund mitigation of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/03/us/water-contaminated-rural-america.html" target="_blank">contaminated</a>&nbsp;wells and treatment plants, but also help communities develop redundant water sources,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ppic.org/blog/connecting-water-systems-for-safe-drinking-water/">promote consolidation</a>&nbsp;of small systems to larger ones, and help them with drought contingency planning. Communities need guidance and technical assistance in order to develop solutions and participate in water planning."<br /> <br /> In Louisiana, circuit rider Timmy Lemoine says in this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/livingston_tangipahoa/article_b12250a6-53c5-11e8-b960-87f480cda511.html" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;that he&nbsp;is "seeing a shift as small systems allow larger systems with a certified operator take over management." And at the University of Iowa, engineers&nbsp;<a href="https://craigjust.org/research/flush/" target="_blank">are testing</a>&nbsp;new wastewater treatment technologies, hoping to defray costs for aging small-town systems. In addition, organizations such as the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) have a wealth of resources to support rural utilities and help them save money, such as this energy efficiency&nbsp;<a href="https://vimeo.com/73964121">video</a>.&nbsp;The question remains if solutions such as these will be sufficient to ensure that rural residents can count on clean water now and into the future.&nbsp;1451Featured Video: The Big Emptyhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1452/featured-video-the-big-emptyAsset Management,Funding,SustainabilityWed, 07 Nov 2018 18:28:11 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #606060;">Many rural and small water and wastewater systems throughout the country face significant management and operational issues.&nbsp;O&rsquo;Brien, Texas is just one of thousands of small communities in the United States that struggle to find the resources to ensure that the water coming out of the tap is safe to drink. Watch this documentary short produced by Tom Roseberg and Earth Institute fellow Madison Condon that details O'Brien's drinking water crisis.&nbsp;</span></p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1IvQaChO2lM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1452Spooky Sewers and Things That Go Bump at the Treatment Plant: 2018 Editionhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1449/spooky-sewers-and-things-that-go-bump-at-the-treatment-plant-2018-editionEmergency Response,operation & maintenance,Sanitary Sewers,Small System O&M,Wastewater,Water Treatment,WorkforceWed, 31 Oct 2018 16:49:30 GMTAn October chill is in the air and darkness is falling earlier and earlier. It must be time to share&nbsp;our annual bone-chilling list of some of the wierdest, wackiest and downright most frightening water operator stories we came across this year (check out last year's list&nbsp;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/postid/1364/its-alive-spooky-sewer-creatures-and-things-that-go-bump-at-the-treatment-plant" target="_blank">here</a>)! <div>&nbsp; <p>First, can you imagine what it would be like to get sucked through a sewer for over a mile? Well,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgf4LASxRLg" target="_blank">it happened to this man</a>&nbsp;when his safety harness came undone back in 2010. And although he survives, the crappy experience is surely something he will never forget.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> While we are talking collections&nbsp;O&amp;M, here's a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3YVlV_0h-A" target="_blank">video</a>&nbsp;describing one characteristic of a successful wastewater operator: a strong stomach. Another characteristic? Knowing not to "fling this on your partner."&nbsp; And believe me, you don't want to know what "this" is!<br /> <br /> Sometimes, though, what flows into a sewer simply doesn't come out, no matter how much you work on it. That is when you call in the professionals: sewer divers.<br /> <br /> This is exactly what&nbsp;the water system in Charleston, SC&nbsp;did when they could not clear an obstruction earlier this month. They sent specialized sewer divers 80-90 feet deep into raw sewage in complete darkness to search for the obstruction with their hands..<br /> <br /> What did they find? You guessed it: a large mass of "flushable" wipes. Lucky for us, the water system&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wwdmag.com/sewer-systems/wipes-cause-massive-clog-south-carolina-water-system?eid=414684132&amp;bid=2278060" target="_blank">documented</a>&nbsp;the whole episode on social media, but respectfully shot the pictures&nbsp;in low-res for our benefit.</p> <p>If you want to dive deeper into the topic of sewer exploration, we double dare you to watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlRjbV-rT-E">this video</a> about a man who swims through Mexico City's wastewater system on a regular basis to keep it working.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Other types of obstructions have to be dealt with in other ways.&nbsp;This past summer, utility workers&nbsp;<a href="https://wjactv.com/news/local/gator-hunt-animal-seen-swimming-in-sewage-treatment-plant" target="_blank">spotted an alligator</a>&nbsp;swimming in the Mineral Springs, PA wastewater treatment plant. A private contractor hired by the state Fish and Boat Commission had to use&nbsp;dead animals as bait to try and snag the gator with a fishing hook.&nbsp;</p> <p>You have to admit, wastewater often gets a bad wrap. To prove this, just ask any operator from Baltimore's wastewater treatment plant <a href="https://www.tpomag.com/blog/2014/11/did_someone_say_4_acre_spider_web">what happened there</a> back in 2009. That was the year they had to call in experts&nbsp;to deal with a 4-acre spider web that had coated the plant. According to a scientific paper that appeared in&nbsp;American Entomologist, the &ldquo;silk lay piled on the floor in rope-like clumps as thick as a fire hose&rdquo; where plant employees had swept aside the webbing to access equipment.&nbsp;Scientists estimate the megaweb contained about 107 million spiders<br /> <br /> Finally, it wouldn't be Halloween without ghosts, or ghost water, to be more precise. What is ghost water you ask? Well, pervasive leaks and long repair delays are causing water to disappear in Kansas City, Missouri&nbsp;(a kind of haunting experienced&nbsp;by&nbsp;water systems all across the country it seems). According to this 2017&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flatlandkc.org/public-works/overviews-introductions-public-works/digging-in/city-haunted-ghost-water/" target="_blank">article</a>, nobody knows exactly where the water is going, but the water department points to faulty meters, theft, aging pipes and abandoned houses. Spooky!</p> <br /> </div>1449Featured Video: Using Powdered Activated Carbon to Remove Cyanotoxins http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1445/featured-video-using-powdered-activated-carbon-to-remove-cyanotoxinsEmergency Response,Source Water Protection,Utility Management,Water TreatmentTue, 09 Oct 2018 21:44:16 GMT<p>In May of this year, the city of Salem, Oregon discovered the state's first-ever algae breach in finished drinking water. Since then, there has been quite a bit of soul-searching, as well as a third-party <a href="https://www.cityofsalem.net/CityDocuments/water-advisory-after-action-report-2018.pdf">assessment</a> of exactly what happened and the effectiveness of the water utility's response after the event. In the end, the assessment <a href="https://www.opb.org/news/article/salem-oregon-algae-water-hazardous-new-report/">concluded</a> that the city was not prepared to deal with the public relations fallout, or the more practical matter of helping citizens access emergency water supplies.&nbsp;</p> <p>In the meantime, the Oregon Health Authority responded by creating almost unprecedented new cyanotoxin monitoring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oregon.gov/deq/wq/Pages/Drinking-Water-Cyanotoxin-Monitoring.aspx">regulations</a>&nbsp;for systems across the state, and the city of Salem was left to figure out how to cope with what may turn out to be a long-standing threat.</p> <p>As an emergency measure, the utility started using <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21459402">powdered activated carbon</a> (see video below from Statesman Journal reporter Dick Hughes) but it can cause clogging of the filtration plant.&nbsp; The city is now also looking into ozone filtration, as well as other improvements including hazard response and crisis communication planning in order to be better prepared to handle future events.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LePMEHxh0Zk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1445What's New in our Document Library: Fall 2018http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1441/whats-new-in-our-document-libraryEmergency Response,operation & maintenance,Operator Math,Small System O&M,WorkforceWed, 03 Oct 2018 20:05:43 GMT<p>Every day, staff members at WaterOperator.org search the internet to find events, resources and tools that have the potential to make a water operator's job easier and more effective. Here is a selection of our most recently-entered resources of interest to small system operators.&nbsp;</p> <p>Have we missed anything especially helpful recently? Let us <a href="mailto:info@wateroperator.org" style="background-color: #ffffff;">know</a>!&nbsp;</p> <p>Biosolids</p> <p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.clackamas.edu/docs/default-source/degrees-certificates/departments-programs/wet-orwef---biosolids-comparison-of-biosolids-dewatering-options-(current).pdf?sfvrsn=5ba8d68_0">Comparison of Options for Biosolids Dewatering</a>&nbsp;(slide presentation, ORWEF)&nbsp;</li> </ul> </p> <p>Cyanobacteria/Harmful Algal Blooms</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/09/27/pws-cyano-guidance-0918.pdf">Cyanobacteria and Public Water Systems</a>&nbsp;(guidance manual, MassDEP)</li> </ul> <p>Emergency Response</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.acwa.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/SC18_051018_Region-1-Issue-Forum_930am_Bennett-Horenstein.pdf">Santa Rosa: Response and Recovery from 2017 Fires</a> (slide presentation, ACWA)</li> <li><a href="http://www.iowaruralwater.org/presentations/2015/DisasterManagementWaterUtilities.pdf">Disaster Management for Water Utilities - What is Your Emergency Response Plan</a>&nbsp;(slide presentation, Iowa Rural Water Association)</li> <li><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-01/documents/field_capabilities_guidance_january2017.pdf">Guidance for Building Field Capabilities to Respond to Drinking Water Contamination</a>&nbsp;(guidance manual, US EPA)</li> </ul> <p>Financial Management</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.iowaruralwater.org/tools_tips/WaterCost-of-Production_feb15.xlsx" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Water Cost of Production</a>&nbsp;(spreadsheet, Iowa Rural Water Association)</li> </ul> <p>Inflow/Infiltration</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.clackamas.edu/docs/default-source/degrees-certificates/departments-programs/wet-orwef---collection-systems---newberg-inflow-and-infiltration-study.pdf">Newberg Inflow and Infiltration Study</a> (slide presentation, ORWEF)</li> </ul> <p>Non-community Systems</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/331-474.pdf">Small Water System Management Program Guide for Noncommunity Systems: An Operations and Management Tool for Owners of Nonresidential Water Systems</a> (manual, WDOH)</li> </ul> <p>Safety</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.nawt.org/documents/2017/Krulac_PPT_0013.pptx.pdf">Safety Issues in the Treatment Plant</a>&nbsp;(slide presentation, NAWT)</li> </ul> <p>Sampling/Monitoring</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://vimeo.com/203492129">How to Develop a Sample Siting Plan</a> (video, Alaska DEC)</li> </ul> <p>Test-Prep Resources</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/files/publications/documents/Operator%20Reference%20Sheet%20Math.pdf">Water Treatment and Distribution Operator Math Reference Sheet</a>&nbsp;(factsheet, AWWA)</li> <li><a href="https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/files/publications/documents/Operator%20Reference%20Sheet%20Chemistry.pdf">Water Treatment and Distribution Operator Chemistry Reference Sheet</a>&nbsp;(factsheet, AWWA)</li> </ul> <p>Wastewater</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.clackamas.edu/docs/default-source/degrees-certificates/departments-programs/wet-orwef---biosolids-current-trends-in-digester-mixing-technologies.pdf">Current Trends in Digester Mixing Technologies</a>&nbsp;(slide presentation, ORWEF)</li> <li><a href="https://www.rusa-or.org/files/2836b72c8/Handling+Flushable+Wipes+in+Wastewater.pdf">Handling Flushable Wipes in Wastewater</a>&nbsp;(slide presentation, RUSA/UCC/PNCWA)</li> </ul> <p>Water Security</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_c-qHP-OE8&amp;feature=youtu.be">Enhanced Security Monitoring</a> (video, USEPA)</li> <li><a href="http://www.mrwa.com/TA%20Times/SVAERPWW2MRWA20172.pdf">Wastewater Systems Security Vulnerability Assessment &amp; Emergency Response Template</a> (form/template, Minnesota Rural Wastewater)</li> </ul> <ul> </ul>1441Featured Video: A Day in the Life of a Water Treatment Plant Operatorhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1443/featured-video-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-water-treatment-plant-operatoroperation & maintenance,Public Education,WorkforceFri, 28 Sep 2018 20:04:03 GMTA career in water can provide a great opportunity to earn a good living and make a difference in your community. But what is a water operator job really like? Watch this video from Carmichael Water District in California to find out! Note: This video is shot from a first person POV, and may cause motion sickness.<br /> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aKv5wDseLC8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1443Energy Efficiency Resources for Small Utilitieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1433/energy-efficient-utilitiesAsset Management,EnergyMon, 24 Sep 2018 20:46:40 GMT<p>On a typical day at the plant, water and wastewater system personnel are challenged to do a lot with a little in the service of protecting and producing water for their community. Certainly one way staff members are demonstrating this resourcefulness has been in their adoption of energy efficient strategies and programs.&nbsp;</p> <p>Why is this important? Simply stated, saving energy can help small systems put their scarce resources towards what really matters: safe drinking water and clean wastewater discharge.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>According to Wisconsin's Focus on Energy <a href="https://dnr.wi.gov/aid/documents/eif/focusonenergy_waterandwastewater_guidebook.pdf">Best Practices Guide</a> for the Water and Wastewater Industry, additional benefits to water systems include improved control and treatment as well as shorter paybacks compared to other industries on capital costs for energy efficiency improvements. Of course, the amount of energy savings will vary depending on the type of system in use, the age and condition of the equipment/infrastructure and the capital available to implement major changes, if necessary.&nbsp;</p> <p>But even if you have little to no capital available to make improvements, energy savings are still very much possible! This <a href="https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/energy/documents/SWIFt_Low-No_Cost_Measures_List_Final_2017.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">resource</a> from the U.S. Department of Energy, and this <span style="background-color: #ffffff;"><a href="http://www.mcet.org/Assets/mcet/ENG/trainers-materials/9.%20WWTP%20Energy%20Efficiency%20OM%20Measure%20checklist%2008%2027%2012.pdf">list</a></span> from ORACWA, for example, list the many low or no-cost measures plants can take to save energy, and therefore, money.&nbsp;</p> <p>But before you start an energy savings programs, the EPA recommends that you conduct an energy audit or assessment of your system. Free tools for doing this can be found on the EPA's Energy Efficiency for Small Drinking Water Systems <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/energy-efficiency-and-management-resources-small-drinking-water-systems-0">webpage</a>, or you can view this webinar <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/webinars-energy-efficiency-water-and-wastewater-utilities">recording</a>. In addition, the<span style="color: #a5a5a5;">&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #7f7f7f;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.16px;">Rural Community Assistance Project (RCAP) staff across the United States may be able to carry out energy audits for drinking water and wastewater facilities. Find the contact information for your RCAP region at <a href="https://rcap.org/contact/">https://rcap.org/contact/</a></span>.</span></p> <p>The next step is to identify the easy targets. RCAP has an <a href="http://rcap.org/resource/five-things-you-can-do-to-save-on-energy-in-your-utility/">article</a>&nbsp;(Five Things You Can Do To Save On Energy in Your Utility) and a <a href="https://vimeo.com/73964121">video</a> to help you do this. In addition, the EPA has a step-by-step <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-01/documents/solar-energy-for-water-and-wastewater-utilities-step-by-step-project-implementation-and-funding-approaches.pdf">presentation</a> on energy self-sufficiency and the role new technologies can play to help you achieve this.&nbsp;</p> <p>Other resources include:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Florida Rural Water Association's <a href="https://assets.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/frwa/pdfs-and-documents/energyreductiondocument112507.pdf">Energy Reduction Techniques for Small and Medium Water and Wastewater Systems</a></li> <li>EcoWork's <a href="https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/d4c294_f2877ae5963c439ebc07e8d131866273.pdf">Energy Efficiency Strategies for Water and Wastewater Systems</a></li> <li>USEPA's <a href="http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P1003Y1G.PDF?Dockey=P1003Y1G.PDF">Ensuring a Sustainable Future: An Energy Management Guidebook for Wastewater and Water Utilities</a></li> <li>SEPAC's <a href="https://smartenergy.illinois.edu/sites/smartenergy.illinois.edu/files/2018-04/EST_WaterTreatment_2017.pdf">Energy Smart Tips: Water Treatment Plants</a>&nbsp;</li> <li>TNDEC's recent <a href="https://smartenergy.illinois.edu/sites/smartenergy.illinois.edu/files/inline-files/Carthage%20TN%20Ww%20EE%20Case%20Study%20%26%20SWIFT%20handout%20SEPT2018.pdf">Case Study</a> of Carthage, TN (pop. 2300)</li> </ul> <p>Finally, here are some energy facts that might just surprise you!&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Over 90 percent of energy consumed in producing and delivering drinking water is used for pumping.&nbsp;</li> <li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.16px; color: #7f7f7f;">30 to 60 percent of a municipality&rsquo;s energy budget is spent on the treatment of water and wastewater.</span></li> <li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.16px; color: #7f7f7f;">According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, energy audits typically identify potential savings to the user of 10 to 40 percent, with 20 percent being the average.</span></li> </ul>1433Featured Video: What Does it Take to be an Operator?http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1435/featured-video-what-does-it-take-to-be-an-operatorWorkforceMon, 24 Sep 2018 11:00:00 GMT<p>Water and wastewater operators provide critical services to their communities, and yet the work they do often flies under the public's radar. This lack of visibility can make it challenging to attract new talent to the field. At the same time, a shortage of certified operators is expected as older operators retire.</p> <p>This workforce shortage can hit rural areas and small systems particularly hard, as they often can't keep up with pay rates offered by larger, urban systems. Recruitment strategies include apprenticeship programs, partnerships with community organizations, programs for veterans, and more, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to attract the right kind of people to the field in the first place.</p> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/31869236">This video</a> includes interviews with two operators who talk about how they got into the field and what skills they use in their jobs. This video can be shown to encourage people to enter the field, including high school, college and community college or trade school students.</p> <p>If you are interested in learning more, check out this <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Brookings-Metro-Renewing-the-Water-Workforce-June-2018.pdf">new workforce report</a> from the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings describing the range of water jobs available regionally, the potential pools of labor to fill these jobs, and development strategies to equip workers with needed skills.</p> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/31869236"><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/Images/operatorvideo.png?ver=2018-08-24-175226-503" /></a></p>1435Methane Safety at Wastewater Plantshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1439/methane-safety-at-wastewater-plantsOperator SafetyMon, 17 Sep 2018 21:15:38 GMT<p>Last week, a large <a href="https://www.enr.com/articles/45113-possible-methane-explosion-injures-10-collapses-roof-at-chicago-area-water-reclamation-plant">explosion</a> at a water reclamation facility in Calumet, IL served as a somber reminder of the importance of following safe practices when dealing with methane gas or any flammable material at treatment plants. While no one was killed, there were injuries and some of these were severe.</p> <p>With this in mind, there is no better time than now to review safety procedures and training practices for working around potentially explosive materials like methane.</p> <p>An important first safety step, according to this Spring 2018 <a href="https://www.kelmanonline.com/httpdocs/files/Current/spring2018/index.html" target="_blank">article</a> in Missouri WEA's Current Magazine, is to check your facility for gas leaks and accumulations. When doing this, it is better to use a combustible gas meter than to rely on your sense of smell, because an individual's nose can become desensitized to the tell-tale rotten-egg smell over time. In addition, it is essential that workers <a href="http://www.indsci.com/the-monitor-blog/wastewater-treatment-plants/">know</a> how to use monitors properly, and test them regularly.</p> <p>Other recommendations include the installation of an automatic fan/ventilation system and a permanent gas detection system.</p> <p>Finally, as this safety <a href="http://www.pnws-awwa.org/uploads/PDFs/conferences/2016/Technical%20Sessions/Friday/Khan%20Strategies%20For%20Preventing%20Fatal%20Accidents.pdf">presentation</a> from Suez points out, never perform hot work unless explosion risks have been identified and eliminated. If you need a visual reminder about why this is so important, this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65wrGV3AEiA">video</a> from the US Chemical Society &amp; Hazard Investigation Board (USCSB) lays out the events leading up to a fatal Florida wastewater plant explosion in 2006.</p> <p> Gas and chemical hazards are an invisible but unavoidable fact in the operations of a wastewater treatment plant. Get a step ahead of the game by reviewing these <a href="https://www.scadata.net/12-things-wastewater-plant-safety/">tips</a> and following the correct <a href="http://www.nawt.org/documents/2017/Krulac_PPT_0013.pptx.pdf">protocol</a> - it's the best way to ensure that you return home safely each workday.</p>1439Featured Video: Providing Sustainable Utility Management Strategies and Resourceshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1438/featured-video-providing-sustainable-utility-management-strategies-and-resourcesAsset Management,Capacity Development,Utility ManagementMon, 10 Sep 2018 21:10:00 GMT<p>Many rural and small water and wastewater systems throughout the country face considerable management and operational challenges. This week's featured video highlights the benefits of attending a "Workshop in a Box: Sustainable Management of Rural and Small Systems" training to help manage these challenges. The video features people who who attended this training: small system managers, technical assistance providers, workshop participants, and a small town decision-maker.&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9ASpsYlF5ms" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>Interested in attending this training? An in-person <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar_details/ID/141922">session</a> is scheduled for later this month (9/28) in Logan, West Virginia and will cover, among other things, how to use the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-06/documents/rural_and_small_systems_guidebook_-_may_2016_508.pdf">Rural and Small Systems Guidebook to Sustainable Utility Management</a> to make system improvements. This material will be also be covered in an USEPA <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar_details/ID/142159">webinar</a> this coming Thursday (9/13) at 2 pm Eastern Time.</p> <p>Help your utilities provide affordable and dependable water by attending this workshop and make your water systems a community priority.</p>1438New Video Series: Compliance Conversations for Small Water Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1437/new-series-compliance-conversations-for-small-systemsCapacity DevelopmentMon, 10 Sep 2018 19:38:15 GMT<p>Every time we hop on a call or head to a conference, we hear from experts with a wealth of knowledge. From "Why didn't I think of that?" tips to fascinating case studies, we're bringing the juiciest tidbits to you with a new video series. </p> <p><em>Compliance Conversations</em> offers insights on operating and managing a small public water system from a range of contributors. Each episode will feature an interview with a water industry professional so you can learn from the comfort of your computer or favorite device.</p> <p>The first four episodes feature Jeff Oxenford, of Oxenford Consulting and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership. In these episodes, Jeff breaks down the most common drinking water compliance issues:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFbzm4ygFEk&amp;index=4&amp;list=PLSRuRZ2vYw3rSO_Knn1AZHYdPmAf658sz">The Most Common Drinking Water Compliance Issues | 001</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23Bg2w5Rc3k&amp;index=5&amp;list=PLSRuRZ2vYw3rSO_Knn1AZHYdPmAf658sz">A New Way to Look at Your Water System's Sanitary Survey | 002</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-LU3cqsDtI&amp;index=6&amp;list=PLSRuRZ2vYw3rSO_Knn1AZHYdPmAf658sz">How to Prepare for the Unexpected at Your Water System | 003</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnmsir921B0&amp;index=7&amp;list=PLSRuRZ2vYw3rSO_Knn1AZHYdPmAf658sz">The Most Important Factor for Public Water System Compliance | 004</a></li> </ul> <p>We're already working on a new batch of episodes, so make sure to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMQQ6sDktiOKuVI9gejCB8w">subscribe to the WaterOperator.org YouTube channel</a> so you will be the first to know when new videos are uploaded!</p>1437Hiring an Engineer for Your Infrastructure Projecthttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1436/hiring-an-engineer-for-your-infrastructure-projectAsset Management,Capacity DevelopmentTue, 28 Aug 2018 14:40:57 GMT<p>Water and wastewater systems can be some of a community's largest investments, so it is really important to get it right&mdash;decisions made in the early stages of infrastructure planning can impact a community for generations to come.</p> <p>Community leaders are often tempted to let an outside consultant completely handle the project because they are worried they don't have the expertise to make the right decisions. However, it is important to stay actively involved so that the community&rsquo;s voice is not lost and the project is appropriate, affordable, and supported by the public.</p> <p>Certainly one of the most critical early-stage decisions in this process is who to hire as your engineer, the person who will be involved in nearly every aspect of the project from evaluating financing options, completing designs, obtaining permits, bidding the project, and the actual construction. And make no mistake, this hiring process can be a challenging task. Luckily, WaterOperator.org has a collection of resources to help you through.</p> <p>For example, this RCAP <a href="https://rcap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/RCAP-Getting-Your-Project-to-Flow-Smoothly.pdf">guide</a> explains the steps that communities can take to gain control of the project-development process. It is a very detailed how-to and includes many pitfalls to avoid. It discusses securing funding, how to stay organized, and, how to hire an engineer. RCAP recommends following a QBS (qualification-based selection) process in order to choose an engineer whose strengths, experience and skills match your system's needs.&nbsp;</p> <p>For more information regarding the QBS process, you can read this <a href="http://www.acecohio.org/aws/ACEC/asset_manager/get_file/9097">manual</a> from Ohio Qualification Based Selection Coalition (while some of the information may be specific to Ohio, much of the process is similar regardless of the state). In addition, RCAP has a handy list of 10 <a href="http://rcap.org/resource/ten-tips-to-help-communities-hire-an-engineer-2/">tips</a> to help communities hire an engineer.</p> <p>Other helpful resources in our library include Washington State DOH's <a href="https://www.doh.wa.gov/portals/1/Documents/Pubs/331-044.pdf">guide</a> for small public water systems on how to hire an engineer. Included in this guide are considerations regarding how to determine costs of services provided. Idaho's DEQ also has an engineer hiring <a href="http://www.deq.idaho.gov/media/956395-how_to_hire_engineer_pws_pwws_design_modification.pdf">guide</a> that includes questions to ask during the interview. And this MAP <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/10112.pdf">guide</a> emphasizes the importance of having a survey or analysis of the condition of your present system, as well as the problems a new project will address. This "Scope of Work", according to MAP, is perhaps the most important part of your Request for Proposals when searching for an engineer.</p> <p>A final, but valuable, piece of advice, repeated throughout these resources, is that selection should be based on demonstrated competence and qualifications and <strong>not on price</strong> for services rendered. In this way, you can ensure that the project will be a valued community asset for years to come.</p>1436Featured Video: Surviving the Quakehttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1432/featured-video-surviving-the-quakeAsset Management,Emergency Response,FundingMon, 20 Aug 2018 11:00:00 GMT<p>Did you know that almost half of all Americans live in areas prone to earthquakes? Water and wastewater utilities serving this population are extremely vulnerable to damage because of their vast network of underground pipes as well as their pumps, tanks, reservoirs and treatment facilities (not to mention their dependency on electricity!). This week's featured video introduces small and medium-sized water and wastewater utilities to earthquake resilience and introduces EPA tools including the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-02/documents/180112-earthquakeresilienceguide.pdf">Earthquake Resilience Guide</a> and <a href="https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=b795b8588bb14813993ca076c891c333">Earthquake Interactive Maps</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U_098V40t6E" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <p>After watching this video, read about the experiences of actual water utilities that have successfully implemented mitigation measures to address this threat in the EPA's new <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-02/documents/180112-earthquakeresilienceguide.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Earthquake Resilience Guide</a>. And if you wondering if your utility is in an earthquake hazard area, you will soon be able to use a map such as this <a href="https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/EQZApp/app/">one</a> from the California Geological Survey&nbsp;to find out.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>When an earthquake strikes, it can cause breaks in pipelines, cracks in storage and process tanks and even the collapse of an entire plant. When this happens, a community can experience loss of pressure, contamination and drinking water service disruption. The first step in protecting your community is to be prepared because the faster a water or wastewater utility recovers from an earthquake, the faster the community it serves can recover.&nbsp;</p>1432Featured Videos: RCAP's Technical Assistance Providers on What's Really Important About Their Jobshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1430/featured-videos-rcaps-technical-assistance-providers-on-whats-really-important-about-their-jobsCapacity Development,Small System O&MTue, 14 Aug 2018 11:00:00 GMTThese brief <a href="https://rcap.org/resource/technical-assistance-provider-alexander-brandon-at-the-2018-rcap-national-conference/">videos</a>&nbsp;introduce RCAP technical assistance providers and how they work to improve small water and wastewater systems across the country. These videos demonstrate that while every system and community experiences different challenges, the importance of building trusting relationships with stakeholders to address these challenges is a constant.&nbsp; <div> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp; <ol> <li><a href="https://vimeo.com/279910266">Technical Assistance Provider, Alexander Brandon, at the 2018 RCAP National Conference</a></li> <li><a href="https://vimeo.com/279910374" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Technical Assistance Provider, Bud Mason, at 2018 RCAP National Training Conference</a></li> </ol> </p> <br /> </div>1430Citizen Academies Teach About Critical Water & Wastewater Issueshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1428/citizen-academies-teach-about-critical-water-wastewater-issuesPublic Education,Utility Management,Value of WaterFri, 10 Aug 2018 17:58:42 GMT<p>While some water systems host open houses or group tours periodically, citizen academies offer a more intensive learning experience for residents. This experience can leverage a deeper understanding, and support, from the local community for the important and often underappreciated work operators do to protect public health. Residents, in turn, get a rare behind-the-scenes opportunity to learn about water and wastewater issues first-hand and experience how a water utility operates in real-time as it overcomes today's challenges.</p> <p> Citizen academies come in all sizes and shapes. Spartanburg Water in South Carolina hosts a 6-week interactive <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=7c272f9379&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">series</a> at the public library with sessions on source water, water quality and asset management as well as field trips to local plants. In Scottsdale, Arizona, a 5-week <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=2971ad2c5f&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">course</a> takes participants inside the water facility to view demonstrations of daily operations, lab work and water main repairs. In Indiana, the town of Carmel organizes a <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=e4dc920119&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">Citizens Utility Academy</a> that provides insight into the responsibilities and operations of not only water &amp; wastewater, but also trash, recycling and hazardous waste disposal.</p> <p> The benefits to water systems are numerous. Citizen academies offer utilities the opportunity to connect with their residents in such a way that these residents <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=53ceb558fb&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">become</a> informal ambassadors for the utility. In a sense, this connection creates trust between the utility and citizens. In addition, these academies can inspire residents to volunteer to serve on advisory boards or utility committees, or otherwise serve as a liaison between the public and the utility.</p> <p> Interested in exploring the possibility of a citizen's academy for your water system? This <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=a375526446&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">website</a> from the University of North Carolina School of Government includes a "how-to" program component guide as well as case studies and other resources.</p>1428Featured Videos: Small Communities Benefit From Shared Resourceshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1426/featured-videos-small-communities-benefit-from-shared-resourcesAsset Management,onsite wastewater,Utility Management,Wastewater,Water TreatmentMon, 23 Jul 2018 14:00:00 GMT<p>The Small Communities Environmental Infrastructure Group <a href="http://www.sceig.org/default.aspx">assists</a> small Ohio communities in finding resources to help solve their infrastructure and funding problems. These two videos feature water and sewer district officials and staff discussing the benefits of participating in SCEIG regional partnerships in order to better serve their communities.&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sxm044JgMCA" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P8AwWDjaxoY" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1426Testing the Link Between Wildfires and Benzene Contamination http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1422/testing-the-link-between-wildfires-and-benzene-contaminationDistribution,Emergency Response,Source Water ProtectionMon, 16 Jul 2018 14:00:00 GMT<p>In the weeks following the Santa Rosa, CA wildfires last October, city officials&nbsp;found elevated levels of benzene in&nbsp;water system&nbsp;samples taken from the nearly totally-razed Fountaingrove neighborhood. The first round of samples returned 4 results of over 500 parts per billion, with one of these at 918 parts per billion (MCL for benzene in drinking water is 1 part per billion). A second round of testing produced similar numbers over the MCL, without the higher spikes. A total of 145 samples have now shown elevated levels.</p> <p>According to this <a href="http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/8025423-181/benzene-found-outside-fountaingrove-contamination" target="_blank">article</a> in The Press Democrat, city officials, who for months have stressed that the contamination appeared isolated to the advisory area, were taken by surprise that six of those results were from outside the existing advisory area.</p> <p> With the help of a forensic chemist, who helped eliminate the possibility of petroleum leaks,&nbsp;the city now suspects that the most likely cause of contamination is heat damage to high-density polyethylene service lines or other plastic components (such as PVC) in the water or wastewater system. The city is enacting more extensive testing to find out if plastic laterals are responsible. Once the exact cause is identified, the city will consider solutions. Replacing the water system could cost over $20 million.</p> <p>Interested in finding out more about benzene contamination in drinking water supplies, including sampling methods, treatment strategies, and private well concerns? Check out this EPA <a href="https://safewater.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/202346497-Benzene">website</a> or this Oregon Health Authority <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HealthyEnvironments/DrinkingWater/Monitoring/Documents/health/benzene.pdf">factsheet</a>. Another useful resource is this <a href="https://www.ncwater.org/files/pws/pnrule/voc/benzene.pdf">template</a> (from North Carolina) to be used when high levels of Benzene need to be reported to the public.</p>1422Featured Videos: Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems: Regulations, Installation, Maintenance and Inspectionhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1423/featured-videos-on-site-wastewater-treatment-systems-regulations-installation-maintenance-and-inspectiononsite wastewaterMon, 16 Jul 2018 14:00:00 GMT<p>Nationwide, and in Colorado, improperly functioning onsite wastewater treatment systems pose a risk to drinking water supplies. These videos from Colorado Rural Water Association inform system owners about the regulations associated with onsite systems, how the systems function, and most importantly, how to maintain and inspect individual systems to protect water quality and the environment.&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hJ6r18AODpM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <p>Interested in getting under the hood and seeing how a septic system works from a homeowners perspective? While every system is different, they all have the same general parts and pieces. Learn about what goes where and why from Carla Ostberg of All Service Septic &amp; CBO Inc. in this 6-minute video from Colorado Rural Water.&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sp0ExzrQ7QQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1423The Disinfection By-Product Challengehttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1421/the-disinfection-by-product-challengeDistribution,Small System O&M,Water TreatmentMon, 09 Jul 2018 14:00:00 GMT<p>Staying in compliance with Stage II DBP testing can be a challenge for many small systems. Moreover, when preventing DBP formation becomes a pressing need, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the range and cost of options out there, especially if you are trying to keep up with new technologies. Then there is the fact that solutions to DBP problems often involve several different actions or multiple steps, giving the situation an extra level of challenge.</p> <p>However, before planning a <a href="https://www.unh.edu/erg/sites/www.unh.edu.erg/files/WTTAC-Presentations/dbps_control_in_small_water_systems_maine_2-19-09.pdf">remediation strategy</a> it might be valuable to initiate a DBP profile study - testing from the source water through the treatment process, and continuing into the distribution system. Why? Because, as Justin Spears in a recent H2Outlook (Kentucky Water &amp; Wastewater Operator's Association) <a href="https://www.kwwoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/January-2018-Newsletter.pdf">article</a> found out, sometimes the problem isn't where you think it is!</p> <p>According to his article, he was all set to add a mixer to his <a href="http://www.deq.state.ok.us/wqdnew/dwsrf/Presentations/DBP%20Control%20Strategies%20for%20the%20distribution%20system%20June%202014%20(Candy).pdf">storage tank</a> when results from his DBP profile study showed that most of his DBPs were forming in the plant's clearwell. His problem was at the treatment plant, not in the tank! In the end, Justin solved his DBP problem quickly by using chlorine dioxide, made on site by mixing chlorine gas, which he had already in place, with sodium chlorite. However, every treatment plant and source water is different, and what worked for him might not be the best for you.</p> <p>Interested in finding out more about options for DBP control? Check out this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tguk9Iup2Zw&amp;feature=youtu.be">video</a> or this <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/strategies-minimizing-disinfection-products-trihalomethanes-and-haloacetic-acids#section-8">website</a> or this <a href="https://www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship/odw/reg-info/approvals/odw_chlorine_and_alternative_disinfectants.pdf">manual</a>. In addition, you can choose Disinfection and Disinfection By-Products as a category in WaterOperator's <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document</a> or <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">event</a> database to find all sorts of resources.</p>1421Need a Roadtrip Idea? Check Out These Waterworks Museumshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1425/need-a-roadtrip-idea-check-out-these-waterworks-museumsPublic Education,Value of Water,Water TreatmentFri, 06 Jul 2018 12:00:00 GMT<p>&nbsp;Are you fascinated by old steam-powered pumps and engines, or the stories that inspired ingenuity and invention in the water industry? Do you like cool old buildings? If the answer is "yes," then pack up your family and/or friends and take a road trip to one (or more) of the following waterworks museums!&nbsp;</p> <p> <ul> <li>The Waterworks Museum, Boston, MA: This <a href="https://waterworksmuseum.org/" target="_blank">museum</a>&nbsp;interprets unique stories of one of the country's first metropolitan water systems through exhibitions and educational programs on engineering, architecture, social history and public health. The centerpiece of the museum is its collection of original 3-story high coal-powered, steam-driven water pumps. Admission is free (donations accepted).&nbsp;</li> <li>The WaterWorks Museum, Louisville, KY: Located inside the west wing of&nbsp;Louisville Water Company's&nbsp;original Pumping Station No. 1, the <a href="http://www.louisvillewatertower.com/waterworks-museum/about-museum" target="_blank">WaterWorks Museum</a> highlights Louisville Water&rsquo; Company's archive of historic photographs, films and memorabilia, some of which date back to 1860. Discover the company&rsquo;s contributions to safe drinking water through its innovations in science and engineering.&nbsp;</li> <li>The Shreveport Water Works Museum, Shreveport, LA: This <a href="http://shreveportwaterworks.org/" target="_blank">museum</a>, a national historic landmark, is&nbsp;the last known steam-powered municipal water treatment plant in the US. It was also among the earliest facilities to use chlorine in the treatment process. Today, the entire physical&nbsp;plant (pumps, filters and other machinery) remains in place after more than 100 years of service and is a rare example of an intact steam water works. Best of all, admission is free!</li> <li>Fairmount Water Works, Philadelphia, PA:&nbsp;The <a href="http://fairmountwaterworks.org/" target="_blank">Fairmount Water Works</a> is a National Historic Landmark, a Civil Engineering Landmark, and a National Mechanical Engineering Landmark, and was designed and constructed to provide safe, clean drinking water to a city on the cusp of remarkable growth. This museum&nbsp;educates citizens regarding the interconnections between their community and environment, particularly the public&rsquo;s essential role in protecting and stewarding our water and natural land resources. Cost: Free.</li> <li>In the mood for overseas exploration? You might want to check out the <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/sewerage-science-museum" target="_blank">Museum of Sewerage Science</a>&nbsp;in Osaka, Japan (the third floor is dedicated entirely to advanced wastewater treatment technology), or this active steam-powered waterworks <a href="http://www.waterworksmuseum.org.uk/" target="_blank">museum</a> in Hereford, UK or these sewer museums in <a href="https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/blogs/londons-newest-tourist-attraction-150-year-old-sewage-pumping-station" target="_blank">London</a>, <a href="https://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-sewers-museum.htm" target="_blank">Paris</a>, and <a href="http://www.sewermuseum.brussels/en" target="_blank">Brussels</a>!&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> </ul> </p>1425Featured Videos: Solids and Sludge Handlinghttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1410/featured-video-sludge-bags-an-inexpensive-solution-for-small-wastewater-treatment-plantsSmall System O&M,WastewaterTue, 03 Jul 2018 17:05:24 GMT<p>How are solids handled and sludge thickened in the wastewater process? Watch this RCAP video to find out how one wastewater plant uses a <span>dissolved air flotation thickener to settle sludge out before the digestion process and then uses a centrifuges for de-watering.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w4PiF6w8cBg" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>Need to simplify the process? Check out how this small wastewater plant in Ohio reduces the free water content of its sludge - all for under $300 out of pocket cost.&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tOqUo6n4PT8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <p>Looking for more videos on the wastewater treatment process? RCAP offers a free 7-part&nbsp;<a href="https://rcap.org/resources/?k=wastewater+treatment">video series</a>&nbsp;to explain the technical steps in the process of treating wastewater.&nbsp;</p>1410Energy Efficiency in Actionhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1411/energy-efficiency-in-actionAsset Management,EnergyWed, 13 Jun 2018 19:14:41 GMT<p>Small systems across the country are challenged to raise revenue in order to pay for the infrastructure and water treatment upgrades necessary to meet stricter water quality regulations. However, what if this revenue shortcoming could be made-up over time within a utility itself, sometimes without raising rates? Implementing an energy audit and then applying cost-efficient energy-saving strategies may be just the ticket.</p> <p>An audit or self-assessment can help staff understand how their utility uses energy as well as the impact energy-intensive processes such as pumping and aeration has on overall usage. The EPA offers a range of tools <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/energy-efficiency-water-utilities" target="_blank">available</a> to help with this process, including an energy use assessment <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-01/energy-use-assessment-tool-for-excel-2010.xlsm" target="_blank">spreadsheet</a> tool.</p> <p>Once an audit is complete, utilities can develop a program to reduce energy costs. RCAP suggests focusing on these five <a href="http://rcap.org/resource/five-things-you-can-do-to-save-on-energy-in-your-utility/" target="_blank">areas</a>: benchmarking, lighting systems, HVAC systems, pump efficiency, and wastewater treatment. According to <a href="http://www.ohiowea.org/docs/Realistic_energy_cost_savings_Strahley_Fishbaugh.pdf" target="_blank">Ohio RCAP</a> potential energy-cost reductions can range from 6 to 62 percent, with an average of less than a 1-year simple payback for communities that are actively using energy audits and energy-reduction programs.</p> <p>It is always inspiring to learn about energy-saving strategies used by other systems. The <a href="https://www.wwdmag.com/blowers/cutting-costs-copperas-cove" target="_blank">wastewater plant</a> in Copperas Cove, Texas, for example, installed new energy-efficient blowers, a modern aeration control scheme, finer screening at the headworks and a maintenance-friendly air diffusion system in order to cut their energy costs. Since their improvements, total average monthly energy costs at the plant have dropped by nearly 25%&mdash;from $22,000 per month to $16,000.</p> <p>And this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRnG8C9OJcA" target="_blank">video</a> shows how a utility in Evansville, IN was able to upgrade its wastewater plant without raising rates. In addition, the city became the first in the country to generate clean energy using FOG, or fats, oils and grease.</p> <p>A good way to brush up on how to operate efficient small utilities is by reviewing RCAPs planning and resource <a href="http://rcap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/RCAP-Sustainable-Infrastructure-Guide.pdf" target="_blank">guide</a> or the EPA's <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-04/documents/epa816f13004.pdf" target="_blank">Strategies</a> for Saving Energy at Public Water Systems or Florida Rural Water's <a href="https://assets.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/frwa/pdfs-and-documents/energyreductiondocument112507.pdf" target="_blank">Energy Reduction Techniques for Small and Medium Systems</a>. In addition, this <a href="http://denr.sd.gov/documents/11energyaudits.pdf" target="_blank">handbook</a> from South Dakota DENR guides small systems step-by-step through the auditing process and explains how to develop an energy conservation program, identify and implement energy conservation measures (ECMs), and monitor the progress and success of the implementation program.</p>1411Free Resources for Non-Community Water Systems - Recording on June 6, 2018http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1420/free-resources-for-non-community-water-systems-recording-on-may-29-2018Training/CEUs,WaterOperator.orgMon, 04 Jun 2018 19:06:02 GMT<p>This webinar, recorded on June 6, 2018, introduces <a href="http://wateroperator.thinkific.com/courses/groundwater-and-well-care-for-public-water-systems">our free, 2-hour online course</a> that helps owners and operators of public water systems with a groundwater well better understand how to properly care for their water supply. The course curriculum includes the basic science of groundwater, well mechanics, and source water protection best practices.&nbsp; </p> <p> </p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Db6J_TO9o1M" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div>1420Focus on Apprenticeship Programshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1417/focus-on-apprenticeship-programsAsset Management,WorkforceTue, 22 May 2018 17:26:55 GMT<p>It is no secret that drinking water and wastewater utilities are facing a shortage of workers due to job growth and the retirement of the baby boomer generation. Nationwide, over 30-50% of the water workforce is expected to leave the industry in the next decade due to just retirements alone. However, some states, and especially those with a large percentage of smaller, rural systems such as <a href="http://idahoruralwater.com/training-and-education/apprenticeship-program/">Idaho</a>, face even more serious shortages.</p> <p> To make matters worse, it isn't always easy for new folks to get a foot in the door. High school graduates may not be aware of the water industry jobs available in their own communities, and even if they become aware, it can take a significant investment of on-the-job experience and education to obtain the proper knowledge and licensure to become an operater.</p> <p> This is why many state &amp; local governments, community colleges, utilities and water organizations have been collaborating to develop apprenticeship training programs across the country. For example, Indiana Alliance of Rural Water runs an apprentice <a href="http://inh2o.org/Training/ApprenticeshipPrograms.aspx">program</a> as part of a larger NRWA water sector apprenticeship <a href="https://calruralwater.org/nrwa-announces-partnership-with-dol-on-apprenticeship-program/">initiative</a>. Their apprentices <a href="http://inh2o.org/NewsPubs/News/TabId/4433/ArtMID/13643/ArticleID/28946/NRWA-Apprenticeship-Program-Video.aspx">train</a> alongside experienced technicians while earning a entry-level wage, all in the interest of creating a more robust workforce for the state.</p> <p> Another water organization, the Water Environment Association, has recently been collaborating with the City of Baltimore to <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-dpw-youth-jobs-20170613-story.html">train young people</a> for the water industry. The <a href="https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/water-mentoring-program">Baltimore City Water Industry Career Mentoring Program</a>, now in its third year, is an eight-month program for 18-24 year olds that provides water industry career exploration, worksite tours and job shadowing, connections with a career coach/mentor, a summer job at Department of Public Works, and opportunities to interview for full-time, entry-level positions.</p> <p> Other recent initiatives attempt to recruit workers even before they graduate from high school. A youth apprenticeship <a href="http://newwater.us/programs-initiatives/youth-apprenticeship-program/">program</a> sponsored in part by New Water in Green Bay, WI, offers students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and insights into the wastewater industry while still attending high school. NEW Water collaborates with the Greater Green Bay Chamber, Northwest Technical College and area school districts for this program.</p> <p> More and more municipalities are also responding to the need to plan for their futures via apprenticeship programs. The city of Prestonsburg, KY, for example, has recently announced the creation of a 3-year apprenticeship <a href="https://www.lanereport.com/87023/2018/02/prestonsburg-citys-utilities-commission-creates-new-apprenticeship-program/">program</a>. Their program partners with a local community college to reduce the time it takes to become a certified water or wastewater treatment operator, giving the city a competitive edge in the race to replace their retiring operators.</p> <p> Finally, the rise in the need for, and popularity of, apprenticeship programs underscores the importance of continuous monitoring to ensure that apprenticeship outcomes are measuring up to expectations. According to the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-dwp-audit-20170328-story.html">LA Times</a>, an audit of the apprentice program for Los Angeles' Department of Water and Power revealed that only 51% of those enrolled actually graduated, and those with the highest level of training were being recruited elsewhere.</p> <p> Interested in learning about apprenticeship programs in your state? The <a href="https://careercenter.awwa.org/">American Water Works Association</a> and the <a href="https://www.wef.org/about/careers/job-bank/">Water Environment Federation</a> ;each have large and active job banks that are updated daily. You can type "apprentice" as a key word to find some of the opportunities out there.</p>1417Serious Water Gaminghttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1416/serious-water-gamingAsset Management,Utility Management,WorkforceFri, 18 May 2018 21:28:43 GMTInterested in combining work with pleasure? Need a fun idea for a training session? Then take a look at this list of gaming opportunities (using the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serious_game">serious game</a> approach) for water professionals. <div><br /> <p><strong>Utility Management Simulation Game</strong>&nbsp;- <em>free online game</em><br /> Can you keep the utility from going bankrupt? Will service quality bring in more financial resources? What happens when your assumptions change? See how you would cope by playing <a href="http://bewop.un-ihe.org/utility-management-simulation-game">the game</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>California Water Crisis</strong> -&nbsp;<em>board game</em><br /> <a href="https://www.tpomag.com/online_exclusives/2016/02/this_board_game_takes_drought_to_new_level">This game</a> introduces the politics of water and puts players in the driver&rsquo;s seat as they take on drought. Participants assume the role of one of California&rsquo;s three main regions &mdash; NorCal, SoCal and the Central Valley &mdash; all of which have different starting resources, strengths, weaknesses and strategies. Along the way, players are exposed to various challenges like special interest groups and population growth that reflect the real-world complexities involved with resolving an environmental crisis.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The Groundwater Commons Game</strong>&nbsp;- <em>free role-play Excel-assisted</em><br /> <a href="https://www.comses.net/codebases/5634/releases/1.2.0/">Simulations</a> of three major aquifer systems currently facing unsustainable demands&mdash;the Punjab (India/Pakistan), the Central Valley (USA), and the Murray-Darling Basin (Australia)&mdash;reveal tipping points where social norms and collective attitudes towards groundwater conservation shift abruptly with small changes in cultural values and enforcement provisions. &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The Best Dam Simulation Ever</strong>&nbsp;- <em>free online game</em><br /> <a href="https://omsi.edu/exhibitions/damsimulation/">This game</a> will help you learn about the many uses of the Columbia River and how controlling the water behind the dams can affect each one. &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>River Basin Balancer</strong> -&nbsp;<em>free online game</em><br /> <a href="https://www.nwd.usace.army.mil/Basin-Balancer/">This game</a> developed by the Army Corps of Engineers offers insight into an inland waterway and a system of reservoirs, which are operated with a goal for serving each of the benefits, flood control, navigation, hydropower, irrigation, water supply, recreation, fish and wildlife, and water quality. Users can take charge of river operations and experience the unique challenges presented when managing reservoir operations in a variety of weather conditions across a geographically diverse basin.&nbsp; </p> <p><strong>Aqua Republica</strong>&nbsp;- <em>free online game</em><br /> While the world of <a href="https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/toolkit/aqua-republica">Aqua Republica</a> is fictitious, the challenges of sustainably managing a limited supply of water resources in a situation of growing demand between multiple users and uses are very much based on real life scenarios. Decisions involve developing urban infrastructure and agriculture based on water supply of the local river.&nbsp;</p> <p>Interested in how serious gaming can help water managers, utilities and other stakeholders resolve complex issues? Check out this <a href="https://www.mediate.com/articles/HockadayS1.cfm">article</a>.</p> </div>1416Featured Video: The Science Behind Exploding Manhole Covershttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1404/the-science-behind-exploding-manholesEmergency Response,Sanitary SewersFri, 27 Apr 2018 10:00:00 GMT<p>Every season has its challenges for public works departments, and now that spring is just around the corner, it is pretty obvious that this past winter came with more than its fair share. Yet we are not in the clear quite yet, as this <a href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2018/04/02/upper-east-side-manhole-explosions-2/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">news story</a>&nbsp;about two manhole explosions just a few weeks ago demonstrates. In fact, as winter winds down, accumulated road salt compounds corrode through underground electrical cables, causing sparks to ignite gases that can build up in confined spaces. With over 2,000 annual <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/energy/flying-manhole-covers-n411921" style="background-color: #ffffff;">incidents</a> in New York City alone, exploding manholes are not a joke: they can be dangerous, destructive and downright difficult to predict.</p> <p>And while large cities like New York City are especially prone to these incidents due to aging infrastructure and the sheer amount of underground electrical cables present, small towns are definitely not immune. For example, in 2014 the tiny town of Sauget, Illinois (pop. 150) experienced an <a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/sauget-sewer-gas-explosion-sends-manhole-covers-flying-damaging-power/article_38ab3cf1-cb91-56b8-aa04-f86482e9a9c8.html">explosion</a> so powerful manhold covers damaged overhead power lines.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;Find out more about how road salt compounds contribute to this problem in this week's featured video.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/94cYfeoE_m8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>While explosions are the most dramatic hazard associated with manholes, <a href="https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/AccidentSearch.search?acc_keyword=%22Manhole%22&amp;keyword_list=on">research</a> suggests that manholes are in general one of the most dangerous work locations for water system staff. In fact, according <a href="https://www.afscme.org/issues/health-safety">to AFSCME</a>, fully one-third of all injuries/deaths of workers occur in or around manholes. Check out this safety <a href="https://www.mi-wea.org/docs/MWEA%20Manhole%20Safety%209-09.pdf">presentation</a>&nbsp;hosted by Michigan WEA&nbsp;for more information on the types of hazards presented by manholes and how to protect yourself from them.&nbsp;</p> <p>And if you have any lingering doubts about the force, and destructive power, of an expoding manhole, take a look at this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myzX_Unwny4">video</a>.&nbsp;</p>1404Featured Video: Buried History - Wooden Water Mainshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1407/featured-videos-wooden-water-mainsDistributionTue, 17 Apr 2018 17:10:48 GMT<p>There's quite a lot of talk these days about aging underground infrastructure, but I bet nobody is referring to archaeological finds! Long-abandoned wooden pipes left beneath older communities aren&rsquo;t unheard of, but outdated utility plans typically don&rsquo;t pinpoint their location and it is rare to dig one up, according to this Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2015/09/03/rare-100-year-old-wooden-water-pipe-unearthed-in-maryland-suburbs/?utm_term=.e21c62629c5a">article</a>. This week's featured video shows how the New York City Department of Design and Construction worked with Chrysalis Archaeology to preserve their 200-year old wooden water main "find", a portion of the first piped water system in the city.&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1fntV0c-fYE" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Wooden water mains have been found in&nbsp;<span>rural areas and large and&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.leesburgva.gov/home/showdocument?id=3318" style="background-color: #ffffff;">small towns</a><span>&nbsp;across the country</span>, from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r_9M3d-RlI">Baltimore</a>&nbsp;to <a href="https://philly.curbed.com/2017/5/5/15545532/philadelphia-water-infrastructure-old-history-wooden-pipes">Philadelphia</a> to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNjBb3XmEKk">Gladstone, Michigan</a>&nbsp;and all the way to the <a href="http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/article/NE/20160812/NEWS/160819888">West Coast</a>&nbsp;as well. Some of these wooden pipes serviced customers for 100 years or more! Interested in finding out more? Check out this <a href="https://www.portlandoregon.gov/water/article/230327" style="background-color: #ffffff;">article</a> about the era of wooden water pipes in Portland, Oregon.&nbsp;</p>1407The Importance of Customer Outreachhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1406/the-importance-of-customer-outreachPublic Education,Value of WaterTue, 17 Apr 2018 17:08:19 GMTThe more a utility communicates with its ratepayers, the more the ratepayers agree with community and water leaders, a new <a data-cke-saved-href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2017WR021456" href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2017WR021456" target="_blank">study</a> finds. In fact, constituents who received water‐related information from utility mailings or served on committees and boards had perceptions that were more aligned with leaders' concerns. This is why cutting outreach could be a big mistake for utilities of all sizes.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Another study finding is that there is a real disconnect between the concerns of customers and that of water providers. Residents showed most concern about potential water shortages and high water bills, while their leaders were most concerned about deteriorating local water infrastructure.&nbsp;This was the case no matter where cities were located or what their water source was.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> From their end, residents have a good reason to be concerned about their water rates. The labor department has <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-is-paying-to-fix-outdated-water-and-sewer-systems-you-are-1521106201" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-is-paying-to-fix-outdated-water-and-sewer-systems-you-are-1521106201" target="_blank">released findings</a> that show water rates have increased 5.5% on average each year over the past decade, three times faster than the rate of inflation. At the same time, water utilities are feeling the squeeze while trying to provide high quality water with aging or inadequate infrastructure.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> This disconnect is why it is <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/here-s-why-utilities-should-talk-to-their-ratepayers-0001" href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/here-s-why-utilities-should-talk-to-their-ratepayers-0001" target="_blank">crucial</a> for utilities to talk to, and listen to, their ratepayers. Giving the public a voice in major decisions and communicating critical issues&nbsp;results in decisions that are more effective and sustainable. And that is good news for everyone.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Interested in outreach resources? Type in "outreach" in our document <a data-cke-saved-href="http://wateroperator.org/documents" href="http://wateroperator.org/documents" target="_blank">database </a>on WaterOperator.org or you can check out this recent <a data-cke-saved-href="http://makingwaves.xylem.com/public-outreach-water-utilities/" href="http://makingwaves.xylem.com/public-outreach-water-utilities/" target="_blank">listing</a>.1406Featured Video: An Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Program in Missourihttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1399/featured-video-inflow-and-infiltration-reduction-programSanitary Sewers,Small System O&M,StormwaterFri, 06 Apr 2018 10:00:00 GMT<p>Inflow and infiltration (I/I) can be very costly for small communities, especially those communities with outdated combined wastewater/stormwater systems or collection systems in poor repair. According to this classic National Small Flows Clearinghouse <a href="http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/pdf/WW/publications/pipline/PL_SP99.pdf">article</a>, I/I problems place additional burdens on these older and/or fragile systems because the extra water that seeps or flows into them can be very damaging, and, in some cases, even cause contamination issues.</p> <p>This week's featured video describes how the City of Columbia, Missouri is attempting to locate, identify, and correct improper connections and defects that cause these inflow and infiltration problems so that their system capacity improves, and sanitary sewer overflows and basement backups are eliminated.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8rZ3uAsUPEE" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1399EPA Releases Preventive Maintenance Tools for Small Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1402/epa-releases-preventive-maintenance-toolsSmall System O&M,WorkforceMon, 02 Apr 2018 16:12:17 GMT<span style="color: #606060;">USEPA has released two new/updated interactive <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/resources-small-public-water-system-operators">tools</a> to help small systems retain and organize important operator knowledge as well as keep track of regular operation and maintenance tasks. In this way, when an operator takes a vacation, retires, or leaves a system, important knowledge about the system is preserved for those taking his or her place.&nbsp;</span> <div><span style="color: #606060;"><br /> </span></div> <p><span style="color: #606060;">The first tool to be released is an updated version of EPA's popular Preventive Maintenance Card File tool. This&nbsp;<span style="color: #606060;">857-page easy-to-access&nbsp;</span>electronic version&nbsp;<span style="color: #606060;">can be tailored to a system's needs</span>. It<span style="color: #606060;">&nbsp;includes fillable pdf logs for each month as well as logs for common daily, weekly and monthly tasks.&nbsp;<span style="color: #606060;">In addition, it can provide detailed information about maintenance and operation, source water, emergencies, security, treatment processes, monitoring/sampling, storage, distribution, rules/regulations, operator certification, customer complaints, technology, supplies, important people and more.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #606060;">The tool can be <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-03/epa_om_file_set.zip">downloaded</a> in its entirety as a zip file, or you can <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/electronic-preventive-maintenance-logs">download</a> individual&nbsp;months/files.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-family: inherit; color: #606060;">If your system prefers a printed format, the logs can be printed out or you can opt to print out the original 2004 Preventive Maintenance Card File for Small Public Water Systems <a href="http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=P1009V0M.txt">here</a></span><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-family: inherit; color: #606060;">.</span></p> <div> <div> <p><span style="color: #606060;">The second new tool, piloted last summer, is the Knowledge Retention Tool Spreadsheet for Small Water Systems, found <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-03/knowledge_retention_tool_spreadsheet_for_small_water_systems.xlsx">here</a>. This tool also captures site-specific information to help systems maintain water quality in times of transition, but in a spreadsheet format. Tabs providing information on source water, technology, certification, neighboring utilities, suppliers, distribution info and more provide critical information in a quick and easy to read format, all in one place. The spreadsheet also includes&nbsp;<span style="color: #606060;">a daily production well log, conversion tables and flushing/backflow/valve-exercising schedules.</span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #606060;"><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/conversion%20table.png?ver=2018-03-30-115725-670" style="width: 580px; height: 250px;" /><br /> </span></p> <p><span style="color: #606060;"></span><span style="color: #606060;">In a recent <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/34739.pdf?ver=2018-03-29-175635-677">webinar</a> featuring these resources, Melinda Norris from Idaho Rural Water talked about how she has seen utility records written on walls and left on dusty barn shelves, creating situations where years of knowledge are at risk of being lost. For her, theses new tools will increase access and encourage operators to record and preserve critical information for newly hired operators or just for those needing help on a daily basis.&nbsp;</span><br style="color: #606060;" /> <br style="color: #606060;" /> <span style="color: #606060;">These tools were developed by the EPA's Workforce Group to address an identified critical area of need for small systems: preventing the loss of years of accumulated system knowledge when an operator retires or leaves a system.</span></p> </div> </div>1402Focus on Chlorine Safetyhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1395/focus-on-chlorine-safetyOperator SafetyMon, 19 Mar 2018 10:00:00 GMT<p>Chlorine is one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/chemical_terrorism/chlorine_tech.htm" target="_blank">most widely used</a>&nbsp;industrial chemicals in the world today, with 13 million tons produced annually in the United States alone. And although there are&nbsp;alternative treatment methods, the majority of water systems still use some form of chlorine for&nbsp;disinfection&nbsp;because it offers an&nbsp;affordable and well understood means of eliminating waterborne diseases. In fact, filtration of drinking water plus the use of chlorine has been called one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://chlorine.americanchemistry.com/Chlorine/DrinkingWaterFAQ/" target="_blank">most significant</a>&nbsp;public health advancements of the 20th century.<br /> <br /> Yet&nbsp;every treatment technology has its risks, and it is critical to understand the dangers. That is why your employee safety training programs are so important. Here are some&nbsp;<strong>supplemental</strong>&nbsp;chlorine safety resources from our document library to help support an active&nbsp;chlorine safety/emergency response program at your plant.&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/files/2013/01/Pamphlet155Ed2-January-2008.pdf" target="_blank">Water and Wastewater Operators Chlorine Handbook</a>&nbsp;from the Chlorine Institute</li> <li><a href="http://www.doh.wa.gov/portals/1/Documents/pubs/331-364.pdf" target="_blank">How to Handle Chlorine Gas Safel</a><a href="http://www.doh.wa.gov/portals/1/Documents/pubs/331-364.pdf" target="_blank">y</a>&nbsp;from Washington State Department of Health</li> <li><a href="https://assets.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/frwa/pdfs-and-documents/ammoniahydroxidesafety021005__1_.pdf" target="_blank">Ammonium Hydroxide and Sodium Hypochlorite Storage &amp; Handling Issues</a>&nbsp;from Florida Rural Water</li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQKraKxL4wQ" target="_blank">Changing Chlorine Gas Cylanders</a>&nbsp;a video from Grundfos Pumps</li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV6lZbvZBSI" target="_blank">Handling Sodium Hypochlorite Safely</a>&nbsp;a video from the Chlorine Institute</li> <li><a href="https://www.wef.org/globalassets/assets-wef/direct-download-library/public/operator-essentials/wet---operator-essentials---sodium-hypochlorite---march11.pdf" target="_blank">What Every Operator Should Know About Sodium Hypochlorite</a>&nbsp;from WEF magazine</li> </ul> In addition, chlorine safety topics are covered on operator certification exams and are a critical component of operator trainings.&nbsp;You can use the keyword box to&nbsp;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">search our national training calendar</a>&nbsp;for upcoming opportunities.&nbsp;<br /> <div><br /> </div>1395Protecting Your Customers From Utility Scamshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1396/protecting-your-customers-from-utility-scamsPublic Education,Utility ManagementMon, 12 Mar 2018 10:00:00 GMT<p>There's a new hero in town: <a href="http://www.utilitiesunited.org/Pages/default.aspx">Utilities United Against Scams</a>. In the past year, this national organization made up of more than 100 electric, gas, and water utilities, has successfully worked to disconnect more than four dozen 1-800 numbers tracked to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/en/us/article/news-releases/16907-bbb-tip-utility-imposter-scam">scam artists and swindlers</a>&nbsp;who pose as utility representatives threatening to shut off a customer's service unless bills are paid. The organization has also partnered with law enforcement and created <a href="http://www.utilitiesunited.org/Pages/default.aspx#resources">materials and resources</a> for utilities to use to warn their customers.</p> <p>Why are these warnings so valuable?&nbsp; A <a href="https://www.bbb.org/bbbscamtrackerriskreport/">recent report</a> published by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) found that people are particularly susceptible to utility scams. This, combined with a median financial loss of $500&nbsp;&mdash; quite a sum for many customers of small systems&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;means that there is no incentive for this type of activity to decrease. In fact,&nbsp;according to a study by <a href="https://hiya.com/downloads">Hiya</a>, utility scams rose 109 percent in 2016 alone.&nbsp;</p> <p>While only a handful of mostly larger water utilities are on the roster at this time, the AWWA is <a href="https://www.awwa.org/publications/connections/connections-story/articleid/4710/utilities-band-together-against-scammers.aspx">encouraging</a>&nbsp;additional water utilities to <a href="mailto:Lawrence,%20Jared%20%3CJared.Lawrence@duke-energy.com%3E">sign up</a> for a free membership in Utilities United Against Scams in order to pool resources with other systems to fight this growing problem and amplify public outreach. The organization also hopes to create a centralized database for fraud committed against utility customers that could prove useful to water systems of all sizes.&nbsp;</p> <p>To be sure, it is important for organizations such as UUAS to address concerns specific to water utilities, concerns that are different from the typical payment scams common to other utilities: mainly, imposters trying to gain access to homes and businesses with the intent to rob by claiming the need to check meters, test water or check pipes. The Middlesex Water Company advises customers to ask for a photo ID before allowing anyone into their home and <a href="http://www.fraud.org/">Fraud.org</a> suggests customers take&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fraud.org/utility_imposter_fraud_alert">these steps</a> to protect themselves: always call the utility directly, never pay by wire transfer or prepaid cards and never give out personal information.&nbsp;</p> <p>In attempt to raise awareness of these pressing issues, UUAS has created the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.utilitiesunited.org/Documents/Guide_UUAS_Guide_Utility_Scams.pdf">Consumer Guide to Imposter Utility Scams</a>&nbsp;to educate leaders and consumers about the types of scams that are occurring across the country (phone, in-person and internet) as well as provide tips to share with community members to avoid scams and contact information for assistance in case a customer becomes a victim.&nbsp;</p> <p>Are you interested in finding out more about the <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/business/how-avoid-losing-money-utility-company-imposter-scam-ncna823306">utility scams</a> that are showing up in your community? Check out this interactive <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us">Scam Tracker</a> map from the Better Business Bureau. And customers aren't the only ones who can fall prey to crafty scammers: according to this&nbsp;<a href="https://irwa.sharepoint.com/Documents/IRWA%202012%20Fall%20Water%20Gram%20Reduced.pdf">article</a> from Idaho Rural Water, there was an outbreak of scammers in 2012 tricking rural water operators into receiving "free samples" of water treatment products that they were later charged for!</p>1396Featured Video: Using Decommissioned Wastewater Tanks for Fish Farminghttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1398/featured-video-using-a-decommisioned-wastewater-tank-for-paddlefishAsset Management,Capacity Development,WastewaterFri, 09 Mar 2018 11:00:00 GMT<p>Just when you think you've seen it all, someone comes up with a crazy idea that holds some promise. This just might be true in the case of a local aquaculture businessman, <span>who, along with a</span><span>&nbsp;Kentucky State University researcher, </span>looked at outdated wastewater treatment plants and source water reservoirs and envisioned profitable fish farms!&nbsp;</p> <p>This week's featured video explains how Steve Mims and Tim Parrott used a USDA grant a few years ago to turn decommissioned wastewater plants into <a href="http://www.ksuaquaculture.org/Pubs.htm/AquaNews8.07.pdf">working aquaculture farms (pg. 8)</a> using treated effluent in digester tanks and daphnia (as fish food) from upgraded facilities that are often just next door. The tanks don't generate waste because the water cycles right back to the treatment plant.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>His big idea? To establish regional fish hatcheries through public-private partnerships, with young fingerlings sold to local farmers to raise in their own ponds all the while adding commercial-level fish and caviar production to the rural economies of Kentucky. So add fish farming to all the creative ways to recycle wastewater that&nbsp;<span>people have been coming up with recently</span>!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JgotMcVDPOY" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1398Drinking Water and Lead Service Lines: Partnering to Protect Human Health http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1385/strategies-for-reducing-lead-in-drinking-waterAsset Management,Distribution,Funding,RegulationsMon, 05 Mar 2018 11:00:00 GMT<p>Last month, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lslr-collaborative.org/">Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative</a><span>, a group that includes the AWWA, NRWA, ASDWA, NAWC, RCAP and WRF among others, hosted a panel discussion entitled "Drinking Water and Lead Service Lines:&nbsp; Partnering to Protect Human Health." The focus of this discussion was how partnerships between water utilities and&nbsp;public health agencies are key to helping lead service pipe replacement programs really get off the ground.&nbsp;</span></p> <p>Dr. Lynn Goldman from the Milken Institute School of Public Health started off the discussion by providing historical context, pointing to precedents that allowed lead to be "managed in place" while also allowing higher lead levels in water to be acceptable practice. She explained that when EPA's first Lead and Copper standard (1992) began to improve&nbsp;<a href="http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/DrinkingWater/Monitoring/Documents/health/lead.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">health outcomes</a>&nbsp;<span>for water consumers, <a href="https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/pubhealth/hat/noms/lead/index.html">lower-level effects</a> began to be unmasked. This phenomenon, according to Goldman, underscores the importance of enacting revisions to the Lead &amp; Copper Rule, as well as best practices for lead sampling strategies. Goldman emphasized the importance of developing carefully crafted lead pipe removal programs so that more lead isn't released into drinking water supplies during the remediation process.</span></p> <p>Other takeaways from the panel of speakers include the following:</p> <ul> <li>Some communities bear disproportional consequence of lead contamination.</li> <li>Lead poisoning can go undetected in individuals, but even low levels of lead affect the brain.</li> <li>Action alerts vary state-by-state, but Amanda Reddy from the National Center for Healthy Housing recommends an action level of 5 ug/dL.</li> <li>Lead-based paint is the most widespread cause of lead poisoning, but we need comprehensive solutions to address ALL hazards.&nbsp;</li> <li>There are proven &amp; cost effective solutions. In fact, replacing lead service lines for just the children born in 2018 would protect 350,000 individuals from future lead poisoning.</li> <li>Solutions must include diverse stakeholders including drinking water professionals, public health officials, elected officials, community leaders and concerned consumers.</li> <li>Lead contamination resources need to be easily accessible for individuals affected by lead in their drinking supply.&nbsp;</li> <li>Simply providing bottled water is not a long-term solution.</li> </ul> <p>Public Health representatives from two municipalities (Milwaukee and Cincinnati) also spoke at the forum, and offered their lessons learned:</p> <ul> <li>Partial Lead Service Line replacement can cause more lead to be released into drinking water supplies. Full line replacement should be the desired strategy, and working with all stakeholders to pass city-wide ordinances requiring full replacement is the most effective way to do this.&nbsp;</li> <li>Developing lead protocols for emergency leaks and repairs is critical.</li> <li>City-wide outreach and education/awareness campaigns are a must.</li> <li>Prioritizing schools or childcare facilities for line replacement makes sense.&nbsp;</li> <li>Milwaukee used Wisconsin's Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to replace service lines at schools, Cincinnati used a HUD grant to replace service lines for low-income residents.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Cincinnati formed a county-level collaborative and pooled resources, technical providers, outreach professionals. They also targeted their outreach to PTAs, Church groups, community organizations.&nbsp;</li> <li>Challenges include: switching out interior plumbing (inside private residences), missing out on targeting some childcare/schools because they are not licensed, and finding the time and resources to communicate effectively with customers.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>Finally, Cathy Bailey, from <a href="https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/water/">Greater Cincinnati Water Works</a>, a system that encompasses an area with the second highest child poverty rate and second-highest number of lead lines in the country, offered her perspective. Her system has adopted a 15-year program for full service line replacement, with cost-assistance for low-income residents and cost-sharing arrangements for other property owners. Her advice for water systems?&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Water Utilities should lead the effort to start the conversation about lead in drinking water and service line replacement. Utilities have a&nbsp; big stake in this issue.&nbsp;</li> <li>Utilities can be proactive in providing tools and education to their community. Cincinnati provides <a href="https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/water/lead-information/">online resources</a> such as a lead "map' and free lead testing as well as assistance to schools funded by their general operating budget.</li> <li>Utilities can be proactive in communicating within their organization. Cincinnati Water Works has an internal dashboard to compile lead test results, health statistics and more. They then can identify homes that qualify for free P.O.U filters.&nbsp;</li> <li>Cincinnati Water Works partners with the health department to share data, understand water quality issues and help individuals and schools mediate problems.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>The panel participant's message was clear: lead service line replacement is simply the right thing to do for communities, and partnerships with health departments and water utilities are critical to that process. Want to find out more? Check out the Lead Service Line Collaborative's online <a href="https://www.lslr-collaborative.org/">roadmap/toolkit</a>&nbsp;or follow <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/safewater?src=hash">#safewater</a> on Twitter.&nbsp;</p>1385Featured Video: Flow Meters for Water and Wastewater Applicationshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1389/featured-video-flow-meters-for-water-and-wastewater-applicationsSmall System O&MMon, 26 Feb 2018 11:05:00 GMT<p>With the <a href="http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Water/BSDW/OperatorCertification/TrainingModules/ww25_intro_to_flowmeters_wb.pdf">wide variety of flow meters</a> available these days, problems with flow measurement can sometimes be traced back to having the wrong technology for the job. It is important, then, for those who have their feet on the ground at the plant to know the options available.</p> <p>You&rsquo;ll need to consider: is closed pipe or open channel the right solution? What is the right technology to use once I have decided on open or closed pipe? What are the total maintenance costs involved with each of the decisions? This 43-minute video presents typical water and wastewater applications and flow meter solutions. It reviews theory of operations and application details to help you select the correct flow meter technology. Because, as they say, in order to manage it, you have to measure it!</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tFryvxTSH9A" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1389Featured Videos: Invisible Heroes, Minnesota's Drinking Water Providershttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1394/featured-videos-invisible-heroes-minnesotas-drinking-water-providersSmall System O&M,Water TreatmentFri, 23 Feb 2018 20:59:39 GMT<p>This week's featured videos are part of a new series produced by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/videos.html">Minnesota Department of Health</a> showcasing the "invisible heroes" of Minnesota's drinking water supply. In these 3-minute videos, small town water system heroes face and overcome a variety of challenges including contamination, source water shortages and aging infrastructure in order to provide safe, reliable water for their communities. Three of the videos feature small or very small water systems and the innovative strategies and partnerships they have developed to overcome their challenges.&nbsp;</p> <p>The first video looks at how the tiny community of St. Martin (pop. 350) has become the first town in the state with a biologically active treatment plant in order to effectively respond to high levels of iron and ammonia in their water.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z132-NO3JmU" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <p>The next video explains the unique wellhead protection program developed by the City of Worthington, MN (pop. 13,000). In order to protect the City's drinking water wells from contamination, the city, along with partner Pheasants Forever, created the Worthington Wells Wildlife Management Area.&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/chJMn0dOOCk" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <p>And finally, here is a video about how the small city of Fairmont, MN (pop. 10,000) sprang into action when faced with increasing nitrate levels.&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yg_ZvSS7w0w" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <span> <div><span><br /> </span></div> What do all three of these smaller systems have in common? They worked collaboratively with the Minnesota Department of Health to ensure their strategies would meet with success!&nbsp;<br /> </span>1394Free Test Prep Training Resources for Operatorshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1386/free-online-small-system-training-operator-manuals-can-help-prepare-for-certification-examsOperator Math,Regulations,Small System O&M,Training/CEUs,WorkforceMon, 19 Feb 2018 11:05:00 GMT<p>Are you looking for FREE resources to help you study for upcoming certification/recertification or certification upgrade exams? Are you looking for ways to gain or deepen your knowledge about O&amp;M issues, new treatment technologies or distribution strategies? Look no further!&nbsp;WaterOperator.org has a whole collection of&nbsp;up-to-date, helpful small system manuals and training materials to help you, whatever the reason. Check out these recent finds:</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/DRINKINGWATER/OPERATORCERTIFICATION/SMALLWATERSYSTEMS/Documents/BasicsForSmallPWS.pdf">Basics for Small Water Systems in Oregon Manual</a>&nbsp;- This 155-page&nbsp;manual from the Oregon Health Authority provides a series of fact-sheets of essential information and considerations for small system operators in Oregon. Fact-sheet topics include: Basic Responsibilities of Water Suppliers, Drinking Water Source Protection, Identifying and Correcting Significant Deficiencies, Identifying and Resolving Cross-Connections, Sampling &amp; Reporting, Sampling and Reporting Requirements for Small Groundwater Systems, Public Notice Requirements, Consumer Confidence Reports, Overview of Disinfection and Other Water Treatment Methods, Shock Chlorination, Leak Prevention &amp; Repair, Facility O &amp; M, Storage Tanks and more.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Compliance-Assistance/operator-certification-program/Test%20Preparation%20Documents/Surface%20Water%20Treatment%20Manual%20-%20%20Revised%20040418.pdf">Surface Water Treatment Operator Certification Manual</a>&nbsp;- This 321-page certification manual&nbsp;from the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection&nbsp;provides operators with the basic knowledge required to manage surface water drinking water systems. This manual provides 15 chapters of the surface water treatment operator certification course.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Compliance-Assistance/operator-certification-program/Test%20Preparation%20Documents/WWTreatmentPlantOperatorCertificationManual-FinalRevised-040517.pdf">Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification Manual</a>&nbsp;- This 261-page certification manual from&nbsp;Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection&nbsp;provides operators with the basic knowledge required to manage drinking water systems. The manual is comprised of 10 chapters concerning wastewater treatment plant operation and maintenance. Topic include: the Certified Plant Operator, KPDES Permitting Program, Biology, Preliminary Treatment, Physical &amp; Biological Treatment Processes, Digesters, Disinfection, Flow Measurement, Pumps and Motors, Hazards and Regulations.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://dec.alaska.gov/media/11471/chapter-1-intro-to-drinking-water-and-forward.pdf">Introduction to Small Water Systems: A Course for Level I Operators</a>, Chapter 1. - You can find all 13 chapters of this course on the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation <a href="https://dec.alaska.gov/water/operator-certification/intro-to-small-water-systems-course/">website</a>. Chapter topics include Introduction to Distribution Systems, Basic Electricity and Motor Controls, Regulations and Monitoring, and Waterworks Math.&nbsp;</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://water.me.vccs.edu/courses/ENV110/index.htm">Introduction to Water &amp; Wastewater Treatment Technology</a>&nbsp;- This course from <a href="http://www.mecc.edu/">Mountain Empire Community College</a> includes 19 lessons tracing the flow of water from the source through treatment, storage, distribution, use, waste collection, treatment and discharge back into the environment.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://www.thewatersifu.com/">The WaterSifu website</a>&nbsp;- This website's moto is "turning ordinary water workers into water black belts" and includes 28 free podcasts, a companion guide, YouTube videos, and more. Created by a water operator, this is a fun go-to resource for studying to pass your water treatment or distribution exam. One helpful <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVSgJPyhYkc">video</a> points out the&nbsp;six most common mistakes people make that stop them from passing their state water treatment/distribution exam.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.env.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2016/07/NMWaterSysOperStudyMan.-Update-11-2016.pdf">New Mexico Water Systems Operator Certification Study Manual</a>&nbsp;- This manual from the <a href="https://www.env.nm.gov/drinking_water/uocpstudyguides/#guide4">New Mexico Environment Department Utility Operator Certification Program</a> provides study materials up to the Class 4 level of Water Certification. Chapters include Fluoridation, Distribution, Disinfection, Safety, Mathematics, Water Storage and more.&nbsp;</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.warws.com/images/documents/WastewaterOperatorStudyManual.pdf">New Mexico Wastewater Systems Operator Certification Study Manual</a>&nbsp;- This manual was created as a tool to assist wastewater systems operators in New Mexico in preparation for taking the&nbsp;<em>New Mexico Collection Systems Operator</em>,&nbsp;<em>Small Wastewater Systems Operator</em>, and&nbsp;<em>Wastewater Systems Operator</em>&nbsp;certification exams.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://wwwapp.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/CAP/Class%20A%20Training%20Manual%20Complete.pdf#/green/">Class A Training Manual for the Ohio Wastewater Treatment Certification Exam&nbsp;</a>- This 182-page training manual from the Ohio EPA can assist you in becoming proficient in the operation and maintenance of a small wastewater treatment system.&nbsp;Specifically, this training material will focus on the effective operations and maintenance of the extended aeration activated sludge treatment system commonly referred to as a &ldquo;Package Plant&rdquo;.&nbsp;The concepts and information presented in this training material have been identified by other successful certified operators of package treatment systems as critical in producing clean water acceptable for discharge into your local waterways; your environment.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&amp;v=rHFjt_KnRZo">Five Common Questions on Water Treatment Operator Exams</a>&nbsp;- Questions on drinking water regulations, pumps, chlorination, and lab procedures almost always appear on the test. This video covers these questions to better prepare you for the exam. The video&nbsp;is for operators in the earlier stages of their career, such as the first two certification levels. If you&rsquo;re at a more advanced level, then this video might simply be a review for you. Other test prep videos from this <a href="https://www.waterandwastewatercourses.com/practice-problems/">website</a> include: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jawdm2PoZdc">Water Distribution Operator Certification Exam: 4 Practice Problems</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&amp;v=vVjS4bLmRpw">Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification Exam: 4 Practice Problems</a>.</p> </li> </ul> <p>For more certification prep resources, visit our&nbsp;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a>&nbsp;and search by the category Certification/Exam Prep. Try narrowing it by your state, or search by "distribution", "drinking water treatment", "wastewater", or "collection system" depending on the kind of exam you're preparing for. (Search without the quote marks though, because they confuse our database!).</p>1386Featured Videos: Onsite Wastewater Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1391/featured-videos-onsite-wastewater-systemsAsset Management,Capacity Development,Funding,Small System O&M,WastewaterFri, 16 Feb 2018 11:00:00 GMT<p>According to the US Census Bureau, one in four homes in the U.S. is served by an onsite wastewater system. Our first featured video this week explores some of these onsite options and then explains in simple terms how each of these systems work in different soil conditions and what it takes to maintain them. In the end, the video shows how the cost-effectiveness of septic systems can often more than outweigh the cost of a centralized system for many smaller communities.&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1UpcA_S-Bfg" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <div><br /> </div> <p>Wondering how to find the funding to get these types of decentralized systems off the ground? Our second video this week explores how innovative partnerships and Clean Water State Revolving Funds can be used for exactly these kinds of projects.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/urjvK5L9zJQ" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <span> <div><span><br /> </span></div> Do you want to find out more about onsite wastewater options and how to pay for them? Head over to our&nbsp;</span><a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents" style="background-color: #ffffff;">resource library</a><span>&nbsp;and pick "decentralized ww systems" as a category!&nbsp;</span>1391WaterOperator.org Staff Interviews Illinois Small Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1383/wateroperatororg-staff-interviews-small-systems-in-illinoisAsset Management,Capacity Development,Distribution,Funding,Regulations,Small System O&M,WaterOperator.orgMon, 12 Feb 2018 11:00:00 GMTThis past year, WaterOperator.org program director Steve Wilson and his staff were out and about in rural Illinois talking to water and wastewater operators about their struggles as well as their strategies. The interviews were part of a <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=fbdc8b7730&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">ISAWWA Small Systems Committee</a> (SCC) initiative to bring to light the significant challenges encountered by small systems across the state.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> The results of these interviews were published as a series of eight articles entitled "Putting the Focus on Small Systems" in the <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=0a0ace9372&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">Fall 2017 edition</a> of ISAWWA's <em>Splash</em> magazine. Each article describes the unique challenges encountered by a specific system.<br /> <br /> In the small town of Monticello, for instance, water works manager Scott Bailey (shown above with WaterOperator staff member Alison Meanor) describes how he manages an aging distribution system while tackling arsenic compliance issues. And in the small communities of Beason and Chestnut, Chair of the Water District Board Mark Carlin shares how the board proactively reached out to RCAP staff for help with funding much-needed infrastructure improvements.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <em>Many thanks to the operators, board members, technical assistance providers and government officials who agreed to meet with us and talk about their systems!</em>&nbsp;&nbsp;1383The Trouble With Salthttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1384/the-trouble-with-saltDistribution,Source Water ProtectionMon, 05 Feb 2018 18:14:58 GMT<p>A recent U.S. Geological Survey <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=54beab118a&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;and a new university <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=6f3287244e&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">study</a>&nbsp;both find that many U.S. waterways are becoming increasingly salty, contributing to corrosion in public water distribution systems in systems of all sizes across the country. Areas in the snowy northern U.S are particularly vulnerable because of road salt use, while in the Midwest, certain fertilizers with high potassium content play an additional role. If left untreated, salty water can accelerate corrosion of lead-containing pipes and joints, and can potentially release lead into drinking water.<br /> <br /> So what is a small water system to do? Because water treatment <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=bc9dbcc062&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">options</a>&nbsp;for salt are expensive and complicated, it makes sense to first coordinate with your public works staff to identify opportunities to reduce salt use using proven BMPs. This new web-based <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=9ef3377464&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">tool</a> from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency can help winter maintenance organizations maintain performance while reducing salt use and saving money. This tool works for any location where road salt is used as a de-icer. In addition, this <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=9a0001b242&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">factsheet</a>&nbsp;from New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services includes a concise listing of recommendations to follow for application of road salt. And finally, this recent Washington Post <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=5d919dc189&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;suggests applying brines and different salt compounds, along with upgrading salt-spreading equipment and developing better land-use strategies.<br /> <br /> It also makes good sense to involve your customers, since 45-50 percent of road salt sources come from private roads and parking lots. <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=78291ba8e1&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">Here</a> is an example of a handy postcard that can be distributed in your community with simple rules for protecting clean water.<br /> <br /> More than $36 billion is spent annually in the U.S. on corrosion control to reduce lead and copper in our tap water, <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=b0a24a51f1&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">according to</a> the National Water Quality Monitoring Council. Reducing the detrimental affects of salt can only help mitigate this cost, while protecting public health and our valuable drinking water supplies.</p>1384Featured Video: What It Takes To Replace A Lead Service Linehttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1382/featured-video-what-it-takes-to-replace-a-lead-service-lineDistribution,Small System O&MThu, 25 Jan 2018 18:05:42 GMT<p>Whether your utility is considering, or actually implementing, a lead service line replacement program, this 5-minute video can help you visualize the process involved. Join Water Distribution Supervisor Mark Schweiter, from the City of Galesburg, IL, in the trenches (literally!) to learn, step-by-step, what it takes to replace a lead service line.</p> <p>This video can also be shared with homeowners, local officials, community groups and other stakeholders to achieve a common understanding of the equipment, personnel, labor and costs associated with replacing lead pipes. To find out more about the City of Galesburg's Lead Service Line Replacement program, including infographics, location maps and factsheets, click <a href="http://www.ci.galesburg.il.us/city_initiatives/water/">here</a>.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aykHIqt2bFk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1382The Problem With PFCshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1380/the-problem-with-pfcsRegulations,Small System O&M,Source Water Protection,Water TreatmentMon, 22 Jan 2018 14:51:00 GMT<p>There certainly has been lots of buzz over the scope and <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=b3cc39c153&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">extent</a> of perfluorinated chemical (PFCs) contamination of drinking water lately. A Bloomberg Environment <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=e8c151e4ed&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">analysis</a> of <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=ed490fbf59&amp;e=39b0768ff9">EPA water contaminant data</a> found 65 water utilities in 24 states and territories had at least one sample that came back above the threshold for these chemicals. Altogether, these utilities serve more than six million people. <a href="https://www.bloomberglaw.com/document/X5939JJ0000000?bna_news_filter=environment-and-energy&amp;jcsearch=BNA%25200000015f2adfd07fa35feeffe4d90000#jcite" target="_blank">According</a> to one Center for Disease Control official, the presence and concentrations of these chemicals is "one of the most seminal public health challenges for the next decades."</p> <p> So what do we know about PFCs, then? PFCs are a family of synthetic chemicals used in a wide variety of products such as textiles, packaging, and cleaning products and are also additives in coating/plating processes. One of their most significant uses has been as a compound in firefighting foams used to put out jet fuel fires. In fact, most of the communities dealing with this contamination are ones that rely on groundwater and are located near military installations or airports.</p> <p>Although scientists are still studying the <a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pfc/index.cfm">link</a> between PFCs and certain health issues, some research suggests that exposure to these chemical compounds can cause cancer, and/or liver, thyroid, pancreatic, kidney and fertility problems, among other things. Moreover, PFCs are stable in the environment and resist degradation, allowing them to seep out of underground storage tanks and build up in the bodies of animals and humans.</p> <p> While the U.S. EPA has issued <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=a22ea849cd&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">health advisories</a> of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFCs in drinking water, it is still evaluating health effects before taking any further action. These advisories are designed to provide drinking water system operators, and state, tribal and local officials who have the primary responsibility for overseeing water systems, with information on the health risks of these chemicals, so they can take the appropriate actions to protect people. But just exactly who will pay for these actions, or how the money will be located in the first place, is undetermined. The Seattle suburb of Issaquah, WA, for example, has already paid $1 million to <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=d928dbc053&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">install filters</a> on its wells, and unless income can be generated from legal claims, this will certainly affect their customers' water bills.</p> <p> Earlier this year, U.S. Senator Shaheen (D-NH) introduced the <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=4886916d27&amp;e=39b0768ff9">Safe Drinking Water Assistance Act</a>, bipartisan legislation that will help expedite the analysis of PFCs, and provide resources to states dealing with the health challenges posed by these potentially harmful substances. And last week, the President signed <a href="https://www.asdwa.org/2017/12/14/president-signs-legislation-establishing-nationwide-pfas-drinking-water-contamination-study/">H.R. 2810</a> which includes an amendment for a nationwide health study to be conducted by the CDC on the implications for PFCs in drinking water. In addition, some states, such as <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=da5c509585&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">Michigan</a>, are creating multi-agency response efforts to address this rapidly evolving public health issue.</p> <p> If you need more information about PFCs, a good place to start is this EPA <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=f355d3c378&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">website</a> or <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=cbe6b6e9f1&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">video</a>. In addition, EPA has published a new <a href="https://wateroperator.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d16ba5b97dc0fd4e661dd11e&amp;id=237a97200b&amp;e=39b0768ff9" target="_blank">fact sheet</a> entitled &ldquo;Protecting Public Health &amp; Addressing PFAS Chemicals,&rdquo; to provide basic information to the general public. And the AWWA has its own <a href="https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/AWWA/Programs/AWWAPFCFactSheetPrevalenceandAssessment.pdf">fact sheet</a> on the prevalence and assessment of perfluorinated compounds in drinking water, as well as this <a href="https://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/AWWA/Programs/AWWAPFCFactSheetResources.pdf">listing</a> of resources for identifying and managing PFCs.</p>1380Featured Video: Water Exam Successhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1345/featured-video-water-exam-successOperator Math,Training/CEUs,Water TreatmentFri, 19 Jan 2018 14:00:00 GMTAs the new year gets underway, many operators will have certification exams on their mind! Whether you're re-certifying or looking to level up, a little preparation can go a long way. Even if you're great at your job, tests are a different way of processing information, and it doesn't hurt to spend some time reviewing what you know. Some of you may already have surefire strategies for exam review, but even the best students can often pick up useful tips from each other. If you've ever wanted an experienced fellow operator to offer you exam prep advice, this week's featured video is for you.<br /> <br /> In this 15-minute video, certified operator Ty Whitman (also known as the Water Sifu) offers tips on scheduling, choosing topics to review, study materials, and strategies for test day. <br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DVSgJPyhYkc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <br /> For more certification prep resources, visit our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> and search by the category Certification/Exam Prep. Try narrowing it by your state, or search by "distribution", "drinking water treatment", "wastewater", or "collection system" depending on the kind of exam you're preparing for. (Search without the quote marks though, because they confuse our database!)1345Study Investigates Water Affordabilityhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1372/study-investigates-water-affordabilityValue of WaterMon, 15 Jan 2018 17:23:00 GMTA recent National Science Foundation&nbsp;<a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0169488" target="_blank">study&nbsp;</a>on water affordability found that roughly&nbsp;<a href="http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2017/affordable-water-in-the-us-a-burgeoning-crisis/" target="_blank">13.8 million U.S. households</a>&nbsp;could not afford to pay their water bill in 2014. The study found that while access to water has remained relatively affordable until recently, water rates have increased around 41 percent in just the past seven years. Should the rate hikes continue at this pace, according to the report, more than one-third of all U.S. households&mdash;35.6 percent&mdash;will be unable to afford running water by 2022. <div><br /> <p>One American city, Philadelphia, has taken measures to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructure/gov-philadelphia-income-based-water-bills.html" target="_blank">address this challenge</a>&nbsp;through a new program&mdash;the Tiered Assistance Program (TAP). Enrollees' monthly water bills are not based on consumption but rather set as a percentage of&nbsp; household income and size. Eligible households are provided with water conservation education along with free leak detection tests and low-flow plumbing fixtures.&nbsp;</p> <p>Using data collected from income-based gas &amp; electric utility programs in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Colorado, consultants are predicting that Philadelphia's water department will see a net gain in revenue as a result of lowering the rates and increasing compliance. Perhaps this new approach can be a model for others to follow in addressing a widening water affordability gap.</p> <p>Interested in assessing affordability at your utility? <a href="https://efc.sog.unc.edu/reslib/item/water-wastewater-residential-rates-affordability-assessment-tool">Here</a>&nbsp;is an easy-to-use Excel tool courtesy of UNC Environmental&nbsp;Finance Center to assess the relative affordability of water &amp; wastewater rates using multiple metrics. Interested in learning more about&nbsp;customer assistance programs (CAPs), how to fund them, legal hurdles and their expanding importance? Listen to this <a href="http://thewatervalues.com/2017/10/17/customer-assistance-programs-expanding-importance-stacey-isaac-berahzer/">podcast</a> featuring&nbsp;Stacey Isaac Berahzer from The Environmental Finance Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (EFC).&nbsp;</p> </div>1372Responding to Cold Weather Main Breakshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1381/preventing-and-responding-to-cold-weather-water-main-breaksDistribution,Emergency Response,Operator Safety,Small System O&MFri, 12 Jan 2018 21:01:20 GMT<p><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/Images/winterwatermainbreak.png?ver=2018-01-11-124449-497" style="width: 250px; height: 180px; float: left; margin-right: 20px;" />Recent extreme cold weather has affected a large numbers of private and public water lines across the country, resulting in low pressure, main breaks and water service disruptions, including this&nbsp;<a href="http://pix11.com/2018/01/07/jfk-airport-terminal-evacuated-due-to-massive-water-main-break/" target="_blank">one</a>&nbsp;at New York's JFK airport.&nbsp; During the cold snap over the 2018 New Year's holiday, the St. Louis region alone had to deal with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Cold-Causing-Pipes-to-Burst-Even-at-Water-Company-468028863.html" target="_blank">60 breaks per day</a>, with more than 40 crews out at a time.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Responding to these events, both the dramatic and the more "invisible" ones, can be particularly challenging and can put utility staff at risk. Here are some resources that can help when frigid weather causes trouble:&nbsp; </p> <ul> <li>USEPA's Extreme Cold&nbsp;and Winter Storms&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterutilityresponse/incident-action-checklists-water-utilities" target="_blank">Incident Action Checklist</a></li> <li>Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's Intro to Small System Systems&nbsp;<a href="https://dec.alaska.gov/water/operator-certification/intro-to-small-water-systems-course/" target="_blank">chapter five section</a>&nbsp;on methods for thawing out frozen water lines (p. 181).</li> <li>Of course, prevention is the best cure, so here is Indiana AWWA's updated winterizing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inawwa.org/media/3Q15FYINewsletter.pdf">checklist</a>&nbsp;for ideas on how to prepare for freezing temperatures, snow, ice and sleet at your utility and around town the next time around. For even more readiness tips, take a look at this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/let-s-make-infrastructures-winter-ready-0001">article</a>&nbsp;on how to make water infrastructure winter-ready.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>Need a good public education tool to explain the water main break repair process to the general public? Check out this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOlnoH72mJk">video</a> from the city of Midland, Michigan showing how water distribution crews handle main breaks during the cold winter months.&nbsp;And here is another <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&amp;v=obiA2y8nk_U">example</a>&nbsp;from the city of Arlington, VA.</p>1381Featured Video: Alaska Rural Utility Collaborativehttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1343/featured-video-alaska-rural-utility-collaborativeAsset Management,Business Mindset,Capacity Development,Tribal SystemsFri, 12 Jan 2018 14:00:00 GMTThese past few weeks, our featured videos have highlighted the infrastructure needs and challenges of water utilities from several different angles: kids' PSAs, rural utilities' infrastructure improvement projects, and operational know-how for utility administrators. But maybe your community is past all that. Your community&nbsp; knows what your needs are. You've studied what other utilities in similar situations have done. Your utility's leaders all have a good grasp of what the problem is and how to fix it. What comes next?<br /> <br /> There are a couple of different answers to that question, depending on your specific circumstances and the place where you live. You might need to contact a technical assistance provider or an engineer. You might need to apply for a grant. Depending on where you live, you may also benefit from joining a regional partnership. In Alaska, some rural communities have joined the Alaska Rural Utility Collaborative (<a href="https://anthc.org/what-we-do/tribal-utility-support/alaska-rural-utility-collaborative-aruc/">ARUC</a>), which helps streamline and standardize billing and assists with infrastructure improvements. This week's video features brief interviews with communities that have benefited from this partnership. (Please note that the first 8 seconds of this video are a black screen. The video will begin after this brief pause.)<br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eHlcEm8uHVM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For more on regional partnerships, see our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1304/featured-video-lower-rio-grande-public-water-works-authority">featured video on a regional partnership</a> in the Southwest.</p>1343Featured Video: TXWARN Tabletop Exercisehttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1346/featured-video-txwarn-tabletop-exerciseEmergency ResponseMon, 08 Jan 2018 19:33:00 GMT<p>Most areas of the country will have to deal with a large-scale disaster at some point. Whether it's an earthquake, blizzard, hurricane, tornado outbreak, flooding, or large-scale drought, most regions are great places to live until they're really, really not. Water utilities play a vital role in disaster scenarios, whether they're ensuring the delivery of clean, safe drinking water or safely removing and treating wastewater. Unfortunately, just because these services are vital doesn't mean they'll remain unaffected in a disaster scenario. In 2005, the experiences of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina drove home just how vital utilities are to the disaster response process. However, many utilities are not used to their role as emergency responders, and may not have a plan in place if their services were needed in the event of a disaster.</p> <p> One way to plan for a disaster before you're in the midst of it is to participate in a tabletop exercise. In a tabletop exercise, the major players in a disaster event---police, fire, utilities, mayor, emergency response coordinator---all sit down together and consider step-by-step how they'd respond to a specific disaster if it hit their hometown. It helps to be specific: What if the tornado hit the water tower on the way into town? What if the main road through town was blocked with debris? What if there was a power outage? Specific questions like these can help you think about your resources and emergency planning in more detail. </p> <p> One very detailed introduction to disaster response tabletop exercises begins with today's video. In 2011, the state-level disaster response agencies for the state of Texas met with TXWARN and tried to plan a response to a fake hurricane, as described to them by facilitators from the consulting group Horsley Witten. The exercise begins with the "hurricane" still out at sea while the agencies at the table think through how they would need to plan depending on where the hurricane makes landfull. It progresses through landfall and widespread rain and storms, and concludes with the participants talking about the exercise and identifying things they could change or improve to plan for a real emergency. This first video is an hour and a half long, and the entire run of the exercise comes to a little over 6 hours of video. But even watching selections from the videos will give you an idea of what kinds of problems and solutions might be worth considering for your own utility's disaster planning. </p> <p><strong>Watch the PT 1 TXWARN TABLE TOP video from <a href="https://vimeo.com/texasawwa">Texas AWWA</a>&nbsp;with this&nbsp;<a href="https://vimeo.com/28229161">link</a>.</strong></p> <p>You can also find the remaining exercises here<strong>:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/texasawwa/pt2txwarntabletop">Tabletop Exercise Part 2</a></p> <p> <a href="https://vimeo.com/28238198">Tabletop Exercise Part 3</a></p> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/texasawwa/pt4tabletop">Tabletop Exercise Part 4</a></p> If you'd like to perform your own tabletop exercise, the USEPA has <a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterresiliencetraining/develop-and-conduct-water-resilience-tabletop-exercise-water-utilities">tools and resources available here</a>.1346Does Drinking Water Lead to Happiness? http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1373/does-drinking-water-lead-to-happinessValue of WaterMon, 08 Jan 2018 17:23:00 GMTThe challenges of operating and maintaining a small system water treatment plant can be overwhelming, especially these days, but it is always good to know that your efforts are paying off - and not only because your system is meeting compliance. There is another important&nbsp;contribution&nbsp;you are making&nbsp;to the community as well:&nbsp;the water you help provide can actually make&nbsp;people happy.<br /> <br /> How can we tell? According a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2009/dehydration-affects-mood-not-just-motor-skills/" target="_blank">study</a>&nbsp;conducted by the&nbsp;United States Department of Agriculture, drinking water&nbsp;has a significant impact on our mood.&nbsp;The researchers found that not drinking enough water&nbsp;was associated with negative mood, including fatigue and confusion, compared to those who drank enough water.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> But is isn't just the quantity that matters - the quality is important as well. Recently, author Dan Buettner teamed up with Gallup&rsquo;s social scientists&nbsp;to develop an index that assesses measurable expressions of happiness and identifies where Americans are&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/11/where-to-find-the-good-life/" target="_blank">living their best lives</a>. The results of this index are the subject of Buettner's&nbsp;new book,&nbsp;<em><a href="https://shop.nationalgeographic.com/product/books/books/health-and-wellness/the-blue-zones-of-happiness" target="_blank">The Blue Zones of Happiness</a>.&nbsp;</em>Among the surprises Buettner turned up while conducting&nbsp;his research: &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a strong correlation between quality of water and happiness."&nbsp;<br /> <br /> In fact, according to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/united-states/" target="_blank">OECD Better Life Index</a>,&nbsp;water quality satisfaction leads to&nbsp;higher overall sense of well-being.&nbsp;The United States, for example, does fairly well in terms of water quality, as&nbsp;<strong>84% of people say they are satisfied with the quality of their water</strong>, higher than the OECD&nbsp;country average measurement of 81%. And this important measure seems to be shared by all high scoring nations. Cheers!&nbsp;<span style="color: #606060;"></span>1373Featured Video: Wastewater Treatment Serieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1342/featured-video-wastewater-treatment-seriesAsset Management,Small System O&M,WastewaterFri, 05 Jan 2018 14:00:00 GMTIf you've worked in administration at a wastewater utility, you probably know the whole process is a lot more complicated than some might think. Even the process of getting the waste from the houses in the community to the treatment center requires vigilance. And then the steps of the treatment process start to pile up. Preliminary, primary, secondary, and then there's sludge and effluent and different ways of handling those. Whether you're the mayor, on the board of directors, answering phones in the office, or cutting the checks, you've probably had to deal with different stage of this process over the course of your job. <br /> <br /> If that's the case, here's a chance to brush up on the details of wastewater treatment without getting overwhelmed by technical language. In this week's video series, knowledgeable staffers from the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (<a href="http://rcap.org/">RCAP</a>) explain the technical steps of wastewater in layman's terms. These videos are intended to help leaders, board members, and other administrative staff understand what's going on in the operation of their utility. This understanding can help you understand how to make wise operational, maintenance, and expansion decisions that take the realities of utility operation into account. The introduction video is embedded below; each of the following videos can be viewed by clicking on the titles below.<br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/31501981" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/31501981">Wastewater Treatment - Introduction</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/rcapinc">RCAP</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <ol> <li> <a href="https://vimeo.com/31502783">Wastewater Treatment - Collection System</a></li> <li><a href="https://vimeo.com/31503468">Wastewater Treatment - Preliminary Treatment</a></li> <li><a href="https://vimeo.com/31504081">Wastewater Treatment - Primary Treatment</a></li> <li><a href="https://vimeo.com/31504710">Wastewater Treatment - Secondary Treatment</a></li> <li><a href="https://vimeo.com/31505165">Wastewater Treatment - Solids and Sludge Handling</a></li> <li><a href="https://vimeo.com/31505534">Wastewater Treatment - Effluent Disinfection</a></li> <li><a href="https://vimeo.com/31505779">Wastewater Treatment - Effluent Disposal</a></li> </ol> <p>For more on wastewater treatment for non-operators, see RCAP's <a href="http://rcap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/RCAP-Non-operators-Guide-to-WASTEWATER-Systems.pdf">A Drop of Knowledge</a> handbook for wastewater systems. (There's one for <a href="http://rcap.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Non-operators-Guide-to-DRINKING-WATER-Systems_Small.pdf">drinking water systems</a> too!)</p>1342Pipe Warshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1374/pipe-warsAsset Management,Capacity Development,Small System O&MMon, 01 Jan 2018 17:22:00 GMTDid you know there's a battle going on under our feet? A recent New York Times&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/10/climate/water-pipes-plastic-lead.html?partner=rss&amp;emc=rss&amp;smid=tw-nytimesscience&amp;smtyp=cur" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;unearths the lobbying war between&nbsp;two powerful industries, plastic and iron,&nbsp;over the estimated&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluefieldresearch.com/ns/pipe-suppliers-market-opportunity/" target="_blank">$300 billion</a>&nbsp;that local governments will spend on water and sewer pipes over the next decade. <div><br /> <p> To be sure, pipe material selection can be a complex process. Piping material choices can be influenced by a whole host of factors such as geography, soil characteristics, flow capacity needed, system pressures and more. Some utilities use a single type of piping, while others may use a wide variety depending on specific sites and needs. Moreover, municipal and utility leaders must then navigate through budget constraints and marketing hype as manufacturers fight for a piece of the infrastructure pie.</p> <p>It is no wonder that operators may need more information before making piping decisions. This webinar <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6NSWAOHwPs">video</a> from the Water Research Foundation about the State of the Science of Plastic Pipe provides case studies of how different utilities choose piping materials. The researchers involved in this report found that one of the most important considerations when choosing piping material is overall life cycle cost.&nbsp;</p> <p>Don't forget that there may be unique considerations to include in the decision-making process. For example, last month Bruce Macler from USEPA Region 9 wrote to us to let us know that "an interesting outcome of the recent California wildfires was that plastic water &amp; sewer lines melted in some areas."&nbsp; Who would have thought?</p> <p>Interested in a no-nonsense listing of pros and cons of available piping materials? Check out this&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mswmag.com/editorial/2014/08/theres_a_perfect_pipe_for_every_water_and_wastewater_project" target="_blank">article</a>.</p> </div>1374Featured Video: Liquid Assetshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1339/featured-video-liquid-assetsAsset Management,Business Mindset,Public EducationFri, 29 Dec 2017 14:00:00 GMTEven if you're not into New Years' resolutions, the turn of the year can be a great time to reflect on where you've been and where you're going. Though I don't really make New Years' resolutions, I do like to take this time to think about my goals and strategies for achieving them. Then instead of testing my willpower against a resolution, I can focus on taking a small step toward a goal or even just thanking the people who have helped me along the way. And while this is a great time for personal reflection, organizations can benefit from asking these questions as well. <br /> <br /> A lot of questions facing water utilities are raised in this week's video. It covers a surprising number of topics in just 27 minutes, including crumbling underground infrastructure, the political factors that keep water rates too low to cover needed repairs, and the experiences of small, rural Minnesota communities grappling with infrastructure and sourcewater protection issues. Each issue is presented briefly but thoughtfully, with plenty of input from the local politicians and city officials who had to deal with these problems directly. Though the video was originally created for a PBS station in Minnesota, both drinking water and wastewater utilities from around the country will find a lot to agree with and consider for their own utilities.<br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qBtU2TbxsOc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <br /> For more on rate-setting for small utilities, check out the RCAP handbook <a href="http://rcap.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Formulate-Great-Rates.pdf">Formulate Great Rates</a> and the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/postid/1270/featured-video-the-efc-water-and-wastewater-rate-dashboards">EFCN rate dashboards</a>.1339EPA’s Arsenic Rule Results in Fewer Incidents of Cancerhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1375/epas-arsenic-rule-results-in-fewer-incidents-of-cancerWater TreatmentMon, 25 Dec 2017 17:22:00 GMTA recent New York Times&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/24/well/live/arsenic-reductions-in-drinking-water-tied-to-fewer-cancer-deaths.html" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;reports that the EPA&rsquo;s revised rule on arsenic contamination in public drinking water systems has resulted in fewer lung, bladder and skin cancers. This&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(17)30195-0/fulltext" target="_blank">finding</a>, published last month in Lancet Public Health journal, is the result of a study that compared the urinary arsenic levels of over 14,000 people in 2003, before the new rule went into effect, to those in 2014, well after the rule had been fully implemented. The researchers found a 17 percent reduction in arsenic levels in this time period and they estimate that this reduction has resulted in 200-900 fewer lung and bladder cancers and 50 few skin cancers annually.<br /> <br /> This finding is reassuring to water systems that have spent time, money and effort on arsenic rule compliance &ndash; it is always good to know that regulations are truly making a difference in the lives of community members.<br /> <br /> It also highlights the importance of water systems, and especially those with groundwater sources, working with their local and state officials to determine the best way to test for arsenic and, if necessary, treat their water supply. &nbsp;And because two water systems with similar levels of arsenic in their source water often need two entirely different types of treatment technology, and because these technologies can be expensive, knowledge about arsenic compliance, treatment and funding sources is essential.<br /> <br /> Luckily, WaterOperator.org can help point you in the right direction when you choose "arsenic" as the category in&nbsp;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents" target="_blank">our document database</a>. A good first stop is also this EPA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/arsenic-rule-compliance-community-water-system-owners-and-operators" target="_blank">webpage</a>&nbsp;which offers lots of resources and tools to operators, such as a rule summary and steps to take towards compliance.<span style="color: #606060;"></span>1375Featured Video: Beyond the Drainhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1337/featured-video-beyond-the-drainPublic EducationFri, 22 Dec 2017 14:00:00 GMTLast week, we featured a <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1336/featured-videos-water-and-you-the-water-treatment-process">kid-friendly video</a> describing the water treatment process. This week's video from the <a href="http://thevalueofwater.org/">Value of Water Coalition</a> does the same thing, but for wastewater treatment. Kids are passionate about what they learn, and sometimes our smaller customers can be our biggest advocates. Get them started with these great videos!<br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bFS-EviyrTw" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <br /> For past kid-friendly videos, see <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/postid/1283/featured-video-freddy-the-fish">Freddy the Fish</a> (stormwater quality) and <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1336/featured-videos-water-and-you-the-water-treatment-process">Water and You</a> (surface water treatment).1337The Drive to Privatize: Who Wins, Who Loses When Towns Sell Their Water Infrastructurehttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1371/the-drive-to-privatize-who-wins-who-loses-when-towns-sell-their-water-infrastructureAsset ManagementMon, 18 Dec 2017 18:23:00 GMT<p>Make no mistake about it, small town utilities can represent a lucrative investment for private companies who are offering cash-strapped officials across the nation a way out of their water woes. A recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/towns-sell-their-public-water-systems--and-come-to-regret-it/2017/07/07/6ec5b8d6-4bc6-11e7-bc1b-fddbd8359dee_story.html?utm_term=.5a3ced5b6d5b" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;in the Washington Post is taking a long look at how municipalities are dealing with urgently needed repairs to their water infrastructure, sometimes by offloading the burden to for-profit water companies. According to the article, investor-owned companies bought 48 water and sewer utilities in 2015, 53 systems in 2016, and 23 more through March of this year (figures from&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bluefieldresearch.com/research/us-private-water-utilities-2016/" target="_blank">Bluefield Research</a>).<br /> <br /> Yet the decision to sell can come at a great cost - literally. When a private company takes over a water system, decisions on rate increases are taken out of the hands of local officials and instead decided or monitored by a state utilities regulator. "What can initially seem like a great deal" says Bolingbrook, Illinois Mayor Roger Claar in this 2016 Better Government Association&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bettergov.org/news/private-water-companies-give-big-to-illinois-pols" target="_blank">article</a>, can turn quickly sour: &ldquo;The reality is [these communities] get rate increases like they never imagined.&rdquo; And there are other drawbacks as well.<br /> <br /> Ask the residents of Charlestown, Indiana who are currently in the crossfire of their town's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/water-utility-sale-under-protest-in-indiana-0001" target="_blank">controversial move</a>&nbsp;to sell their water system to Indiana American Water Company, a deal which will significantly raise their water rates. A community group called NOW (No Outsourcing Water) is actively&nbsp;<a href="http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/indiana/2017/07/10/something-murky-charlestowns-deal-sell-water-system-complaint-says/463779001/" target="_blank">opposing the sale</a>, and has filed a complaint with the state's utility regulatory commission, calling into question their mayor's motives.<br /> <br /> Indeed, loss of public accountability can be a result when towns sell utilities. With publically-owned systems, if public officials do not respond to public concerns about the water, they can be voted out of office in the next election cycle. But when a utility is sold, it no longer has to answer to voters for contamination problems, or for rate increases for that matter. In the meantime, the water system in Charlestown still suffers from excessive manganese which turns the water brown.<br /> <br /> Although the <a href="http://efc.web.unc.edu/2016/10/19/public-vs-private-a-national-overview-of-water-systems/" target="_blank">nation-wide percentage</a> of privately-owned water utilities is still rather small (12%), 30-70% of water utilities in Indiana and 14 other states have gone private according to the Washington Post article. Why are so many of these towns then willing to sell?<br /> <br /> Well, for one, private water companies have the capital to invest in infrastructure and meeting water quality regulations. Simply stated, these companies are in a better position to fix problems created by a history of funding shortages. These water company acquisitions can free up towns to use their limited funds to hire and retain critical police/fire and other staff and make much-needed repairs to roads and more. So unless state and federal funding can keep up with the acute need for expensive water infrastructure improvements (which, according to this <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/can-the-private-sector-save-americas-aging-water-systems/">article</a>, it hasn't - and in fact has been decreasing), there often is no place to turn for budget-crunched public officials looking to protect public health.<br /> <br /> But this is not happening across the board. While some small towns are considering selling, groups like Food &amp; Water Watch are actually seeing a reversal of the private water trend especially among larger municipalities - They have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/sites/default/files/report_state_of_public_water.pdf" target="_blank">compiled the water rates of the 500 largest community water systems in the country</a>&nbsp;(the largest water rate survey of its kind in the country) and found that there is an ongoing nationwide trend toward public ownership of water systems.<br /> <br /> All the same, the key finding of this report is that of the 12% of water companies that do operate privately, most are located in small, rural communities. So who wins and who loses? Each situation is unique, and for many small towns, the answers do not come easily.</p>1371How are States Using Drinking Water Revolving Fund Set-Asides?http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1376/how-do-states-use-drinking-water-revolving-fund-set-asides-to-support-small-systemAsset Management,Capacity Development,FundingMon, 18 Dec 2017 17:21:25 GMT<p>Question: What do the following small system programs have in common?&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>A small system electronic asset mapping project in Nevada</li> <li>Free consolidation assessments and facilitations in Texas</li> <li>New equipment to help with energy efficiency audits in Utah</li> <li>A licensed operator internship program in New Jersey</li> </ul> <p>Answer: They were all funded with Drinking Water State Revolving Fund set-asides. </p> <p>While there are many critical infrastructure needs the DWSRF program addresses across the nation, sometimes valuable non-infrastructure opportunities such as these can get lost in the shuffle. A new <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/use-drinking-water-state-revolving-fund-dwsrf-set-asides-0">analysis</a> from the EPA is helping shine a light on the wide variety of capacity-development projects funded via set-asides that have been implemented across the country. Taking a look at this analysis is particularly helpful if state-level decision-makers need ideas about how to use set-aside funding, or have questions about set-aside funding in general.&nbsp;</p> <p>Using data from state DWSRF plans and capacity development reports, the analysis can help answer these needs and questions. It shows that states are using set-aside funding in the following nine (9) areas: Training and Technical Assistance, Financial Management and Rate Studies, Source Water Protection, Program Implementation (Capacity Development), Water and Energy Efficiency, Partnerships, Data Management, and Emerging Contaminants.&nbsp;What is important to note here is that there is a large amount of flexibility inherent in the program, which is a great thing when you are looking for ways to support important capacity-building programs in your own backyard.</p> <p>&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/Portals/1/dwsrfgraph.png?ver=2017-12-06-131205-287" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />&nbsp;</p> <p>What exactly is a set-aside fund? According to the EPA, set-asides are&nbsp;portion of each state's annual capitalization grant that support water system capacity, operator certification, source water protection, and training/technical assistance to PWSs. Set-aside funding cannot be used for water system infrastructure projects.&nbsp;Instead, the set-asides support "activities necessary to ensure safe and affordable drinking water by: (1) providing states with flexible tools to assist water systems with training, technical assistance and pre-construction activities; and (2) extending and enhancing the impact of DWSRF funding by ensuring that water systems have the technical, managerial and financial capacity to obtain a loan and to effectively maintain their resources." States can take up to approximately 31 percent of their capitalization grant for set-aside funding.&nbsp;</p> <p>Each state can develop its own funding balance between infrastructure and non-infrastruture DWSRF loans, and this balance can change year-to-year. Finally, states should review their Public Water Supply System Program priorities on a regular basis to determine the effectiveness of set-aside usage. Happy planning!&nbsp;</p>1376Featured Videos: Water and You: The Water Treatment Processhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1336/featured-videos-water-and-you-the-water-treatment-processPublic EducationFri, 15 Dec 2017 14:00:00 GMTNeed to give a presentation at a school? Have a nephew or niece or a kid of your own who wants to understand what you do all day? Sure, operating a drinking water plant involves a lot of carefully-executed technical processes and meticulous monitoring. But sometimes you need to explain the fun, simple version of your job. <br /> <br /> This week's featured video can help. This 4-and-a-half minute video follows Splashy the water droplet from his home in a reservoir through a surface water treatment system. At the end, he's disinfected with ozone and ready to drink. If you have a surface water treatment plant, this could be a great way to introduce your younger customers to the work you do. <br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KMP9-49I1U4" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <br /> For more water utility videos for young viewers, see our previous blog entry on <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1283/featured-video-freddy-the-fish">Freddy the Fish</a>.1336Water Operator Salaries Depend Largely on Geographic Locationhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1369/water-operator-salaries-depend-largely-on-geographic-locationWorkforceMon, 11 Dec 2017 18:22:00 GMT<span style="color: #606060;">Water operator salaries and wages depend largely on where operators live and work, according to </span><a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes518031.htm" target="_blank">statistics</a> released by the US Department of Labor last year. And even when operators live in the same state or region, salaries can vary depending on if the operator works in or close to a major metropolitan area. Certainly according to these statistics, small town water operator salaries are not competing with those offered by larger metropolitan areas. While top salaries can approach the $70K - $90K range at some metropolitan utilities on the West Coast, top salaries in rural or non-metropolitan areas in the same areas are $10K- $20K less. And then there are larger regional differences as well. Top-paying states such as California, Connecticut, Nevada, Washington and Alaska all offer annual mean salaries over $50K while in many southern states (such as Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky) the average salary range is $25K - $40K. If you are interested in finding out where your state ranks, you can click <a href="http://www.usawage.com/high-pay/states-water_and_wastewater_treatment_plant_and_system_operators.php" target="_blank">here</a>. <div>&nbsp; <p>Other interesting geographic statistics and trends can be found on this <a href="https://datausa.io/profile/soc/518031/" target="_blank">Data USA website</a> and includes the area of the country with the highest concentration of water/wastewater operators (Arkansas!) as well as areas with the highest paying operator jobs. If you are interested in finding out detailed salary information for your specific state, including current and projected employment numbers, concentration data, area profiles and more, check out this <a href="https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-8031.00#WagesEmployment" target="_blank">informative site</a>!</p> <br /> </div>1369Featured Video: NASA's SMAP: Mapping the Water Under Our Feethttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1335/featured-video-nasas-smap-mapping-the-water-under-our-feetSource Water Protection,SustainabilityFri, 08 Dec 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p>NASA's SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive) satellite provides worldwide soil moisture readings every 2-3 days. This data is invaluable to scientists, engineers, and local decision makers alike, improving flood prediction and drought monitoring. To see some of the images it has produced in the past, go <a href="https://smap.jpl.nasa.gov/resources/87/">here</a>.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GCBBEbKVwm4" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1335Top 2017 Resources from WaterOperator.org's Bi-Weekly Newsletterhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1370/top-2017-resources-from-wateroperatororgs-bi-weekly-newsletterEmergency Response,Regulations,Small System O&M,Sustainability,Wastewater,Water Treatment,WaterOperator.orgMon, 04 Dec 2017 18:19:03 GMT<p>2017 was a great year for the WaterOperator.org newsletter team. We not only reached our 200th edition milestone this past fall, but we also were successful in connecting a significant number of water professionals with useful and relevant resources, resources that could be used on-the-spot to solve pressing issues, or help guide utility best practices, or help water decision-makers plan ahead for their communities.&nbsp;</p> <p>While many of the events, articles and resources featured in our newsletters garnered interest, <strong>here is a list of our most clicked-on resources of 2017</strong>.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-06/documents/watersecurity_water_security_handbook_rptb_1.pdf">A Water Security Handbook: Planning for and Responding to Drinking Water Contamination Threats and Incidents</a>, <em>US EPA&nbsp;</em><span style="color: #606060;">This document provides guidelines for utilities to plan for possible contamination incidents, including sampling, public health procedures, and recovery.</span></li> <li><a href="http://cswea.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Love_At-the-Confluence-of-Nutrients-Pharmaceuticals-and-Sustainability.pdf">At the Confluence of Nutrients, Pharmaceuticals and Sustainability:&nbsp;Emerging Issues in Wastewater Management</a>, <em>University of Michigan/</em><em style="color: #606060;">Central States Water Environment Association&nbsp;&nbsp;</em>This presentation discusses the effects of emerging contaminants on wastewater treatment and possible solutions.</li> <li><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-02/documents/sampling_guidance_for_unknown_contaminants_in_drinking_water_02152017_final.pdf">Sampling Guidance for Unknown Contaminants in Drinking Water</a>, <em>US EPA</em>&nbsp;<span style="color: #606060;">This document provides new guidance to first responders and drinking water utility operators on the collection, storage, and testing of potentially contaminated drinking water when the contaminant is unknown.</span></li> <li><span style="color: #606060;"><a href="https://assets.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/frwa/pdfs-and-documents/water_conservation_techniques.pdf">Water Conservation Techniques&nbsp;For&nbsp;Small and Medium Water Systems</a>, <em>Florida Rural Water Association&nbsp;</em><span style="color: #606060;">This paper provides thorough descriptions of water conservation measures that have been demonstrated to be effective for small water systems.</span><br /> </span></li> <li><span style="color: #0070c0;"><a href="https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/sites/default/files/report_state_of_public_water.pdf">The State of Public Water in the United States</a></span><span style="color: #606060;">, </span><em style="color: #606060;">Food &amp; Water Watch </em><span style="color: #606060;">A compilation of water rates of the 500 largest community water systems in the country&nbsp;(the largest water rate survey of its kind in the country).&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span style="color: #606060;"><a href="http://bit.ly/emergency-disinfection">Emergency Disinfection of Small Water Systems</a>, <em>Washington State Department of Health&nbsp;</em></span>&nbsp;Emergency, stop-gap measures to get water quickly to the public in a crisis situation.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>Did you use one these resources at your utility this year? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Do you have a favorite "go-to" resource to share? Again, we'd love to know! Our email is info@wateropertor.org , or connect with us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/help4smallwater/">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/help4smallwater">Twitter</a>.&nbsp;</p>1370Featured Video: Energy Efficiency at Wastewater Treatment Facilitieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1334/featured-video-energy-efficiency-at-wastewater-treatment-facilitiesAsset Management,Business Mindset,Small System O&M,Sustainability,WastewaterFri, 01 Dec 2017 14:00:00 GMTAs winter gets underway, many of communities are thinking about energy costs and energy savings. Utilities will recognize these concerns as well. Did you know 30-40% of a municipality's energy budget is spent on the treatment of drinking water and wastewater? Chances are someone at your utility has been made aware. With energy costs rising everywhere, it doesn't hurt to save money where you can and perform an energy audit at your utility. <br /> <br /> This 7-and-a-half minute video from the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) doesn't go into the details of a full energy audit. But it does outline several areas where energy audits often find opportunities for savings. It can be a great way to introduce water boards, mayors, and other decision-makers to the benefits of energy audits. And even without being a full audit, it might give you some good ideas for your utility. Though the video highlights wastewater treatment facilities, most of the tips could be easily applied to drinking water utilities as well.<br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/73964121" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/73964121">Energy Efficiency at Wastewater Treatment Facilities</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/rcapinc">RCAP</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p>If you're interested in getting an energy audit for your utility, RCAP staff are able to carry out energy audits for both water and wastewater utilities. To find the RCAP partner that serves your region, check their <a href="https://www.rcap.org/about/">website</a>.</p>1334Winterizing for Water Utilitieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1366/winterizing-for-water-utilitiesSmall System O&MTue, 28 Nov 2017 20:07:46 GMT<p>A few years back, we featured a <a href="https://www.inawwa.org/media/3Q12FYINewsletter.pdf">Winterizing Checklist for Water Utilities</a> from the Indiana Section of the AWWA on this blog. As the weather turns colder once again, it's probably a good idea to review their updated&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inawwa.org/media/3Q15FYINewsletter.pdf">checklist</a>&nbsp;for ideas on how to prepare for freezing temperatures, snow, ice and sleet at your utility and around town. For even more readiness tips, take a look at this hot-off-the-press&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/let-s-make-infrastructures-winter-ready-0001">article</a> on how to make water infrastructure winter-ready.&nbsp;</p> <p>Preparing for winter weather can be as simple as making sure workers have warm work clothes, but it also means that every precaution should be taken to keep excess ice off your water tower, which can be not so simple at times. And being prepared means taking a look at all aspects of your operation: hydrants, wells/pumping equipment, storage tanks, backflow, emergency preparedness, trucks/backhoes/equipment, worker needs and emergency stock items.&nbsp;</p> <p>Wastewater treatment plants have unique winterizing needs. Bacteria critical to the treatment process can slow down, resulting in elevated BOD and COD levels in the effluent. So, keeping bacteria warm and cozy might mean <a href="https://www.wateronline.com/doc/winterizing-your-waste-water-treatment-plant-0001">adding additional chemicals</a> or cold weather formulations of hardy cold-resistant bacteria. And did we mention snow? Check out this <a href="http://www.neiwpcc.org/neiwpcc_docs/stormresiliency/Maine.pdf">presentation</a> on how one Maine wastewater treatment plant prepares for winter. They should know!&nbsp;</p> <p>Finally, we all know about the neighbors who went away on vacation in the wintertime, only to return to a house with burst water pipes. You can help your community members avoid this and other winter-related mishaps by sharing this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmchs0NppQo">video</a>&nbsp;or <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/13069.pdf">fact sheet</a>. Stay warm and safe this winter!&nbsp;</p>1366Featured Video: The Importance of an Operatorhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1330/featured-video-the-importance-of-an-operatorAsset ManagementFri, 24 Nov 2017 14:00:00 GMTFor Thanksgiving approaches, we want to take time to give thanks for the water operators who help ensure we have safe, delicious drinking water this holiday season.<br /> <br /> As the employee(s) who handle technical operations at the utility, operators are probably the most important people to the overall operation of your system. They provide one of the most valuable services to Americans: they deliver the water that keeps us alive and treat our wastewater in order to protect the environment we live in. They keep us supplied with a necessity of life 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. <br /> <br /> This video explains the operational and legal importance of operators to a water utility, and features working water operators discussing what they love about the job. It can provide great insight into the field for water utility board members, or high school or community college students who are considering joining the profession. <br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/71441343" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/71441343">The Importance of an Operator in a Community&rsquo;s Water Systems</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/rcapinc">RCAP</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> If you're a water or wastewater operator and reading our blog, thanks! We're grateful for your hard work toward making our communities a healthy and enjoyable place to live.1330Featured Video: Serious Playhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1333/featured-video-serious-playPublic EducationFri, 17 Nov 2017 14:00:00 GMTIf you have kids, you might be very familiar with the shapes and structures that can be built out of Lego blocks. Even if you don't have kids, you might be about to get a healthy dose of kids' building supplies over the holidays, as parents try to keep their kids out from underfoot. But did you know those building supplies could be used to explain complex concepts to your customers? <br /> <br /> In this video, a conservation nonprofit demonstrates how they used colored building blocks to explain possible remediation strategies for polluted sediment in the Lower Duwamish Waterway in Seattle. Even if you're not facing this specific situation, look for ideas on how simple toys like these can be used to explain complex concepts to your board, city council, or customers. After all, everyone loves to play, don't they?<br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wV5cYstzCaM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <br /> For more on communicating complex concepts to people without expertise, check out our past blog entry on <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1301/featured-video-communicating-science">Communicating Science</a>. And if you've found a particularly effective strategy for communicating difficult water utility concepts to your board or community members, let us know!1333Featured Videos: Small On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1329/featured-videos-small-on-site-wastewater-treatment-systemsSmall System O&M,WastewaterFri, 10 Nov 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p>Sometimes wastewater treatment doesn't involve clarifiers or even treatment buildings big enough to walk around inside. Approximately 25 percent of homes in the United States are not connected to centralized sewer systems. These homes and businesses collect and treat their wastewater on their own property using systems that are referred to as onsite wastewater treatment systems, septic systems, or decentralized systems. </p> <p>In some rural and suburban areas, everyone uses decentralized systems. Even in communities with sewers and a centralized treatment facility, there are often areas the sewer does not reach and where homes or businesses are on septic systems. If a community wants to manage all of its wastewater, it is necessary to address both centralized and decentralized systems.</p> <p>This video is for small, rural communities that are looking for wastewater treatment options. You'll hear about the benefits of onsite systems and get a "tour" of one community's system.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/70636878" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/70636878">Small On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/rcapinc">RCAP</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p>Small, on-site treatment systems are an innovative way to treat water. They come in a variety of types and are often found in housing subdivisions, schools and small commercial centers. They have advantages for a variety of situations, especially for locations that are distant from or isolated from centralized sewer systems.</p> <p>For more on operating decentralized wastewater systems, visit our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">documents database</a> and search by the category Decentralized WW Systems and document type Manuals/Handbooks.</p>1329What's That Smell? Eliminating Wastewater Treatment Odorshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1365/whats-that-stink-how-to-eliminate-wastewater-treatment-odorsSmall System O&M,WastewaterWed, 08 Nov 2017 22:49:21 GMT<p>With all this talk about public awareness of hidden water system infrastructure, it is important to point out that there are times when public awareness is definitely NOT on your side. And one of those times is when there is a stink that just doesn't go away.</p> <p>Odors are generated from every phase of wastewater management including collection, treatment, and disposal, and they&nbsp;can cause all sorts of public relations issues, putting pressure on an utility to resolve the problem in a timely way. Certainly, managing odors is one of the most important - and yet most challenging - aspects of wastewater treatment.&nbsp;</p> <p>Why so challenging? Because in part there are many <a href="http://www.waterworld.com/articles/print/volume-32/issue-6/features/odors-at-wastewater-treatment-plants.html">odor control technologies</a> available but no single ideal solution. Some systems, like this Brownsville Public Utilities Board plant in Texas,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxsgwjWk1lE">solve odor problem</a>s&nbsp;by&nbsp;placing covers over wastewater tanks and channels and then blowing the&nbsp;smelly&nbsp;hydrogen sulfide&nbsp;gas through a biological tower. Others such as this <a href="http://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2013/11/wastewater_treatment_systems4">Bridgeport, CN Water Pollution Control Authority plant</a>, capture odorous offgas with coated fabric covers and treat it with a carbon system. Still <a href="http://www.msdlouky.org/programs/pdfs/jtown04.pdf">others</a> use a combination of&nbsp; different measures, such as activated sludge diffusion, carbon adsorber sytems, pump station chemical feed systems, coverings and plant operation modifications.&nbsp;</p> <p>But fixes like these don't come easily, or <a href="http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2008/01/rwsa_odor.html">cheaply</a>. And sometimes, the problem is even more complex. Consider this <a href="http://www.thesalinepost.com/government/city-seeks-answers-wastewater-treatment-plant-odors-worsen" style="background-color: #ffffff;">story</a> of a system in Saline, MI that has been the subject of neighbor complaints for years. Even after odor studies and abatement work, the smell just keeps getting worse.&nbsp;</p> <p>How can a smaller system then, with its limited funding and manpower, address odor problems effectively? The cheapest way to control odors is at their source, according to this Science Daily&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170402111257.htm">article</a>, but sometimes that is simply not possible. Fortunately, researchers from the University of British Columbia may have recently <a href="https://phys.org/news/2017-10-wastewater-treatment.html">developed a solution</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>Many wastewater facilities use anaerobic digestion, but is is expensive to acquire and maintain the associated odor control and biogas safety equipment needed. A much more cost-effective way to mitigate odors, these UBC researchers have discovered, is to revisit metal salts treatment. Simply adding new combinations of these common commercial metal salts during the fermentation process dramatically improves offensive odors, and also improves their ability for remove water from digested sludge. It is these unique doses/formulas and point of addition during the fermentation process that really amplifies the effectiveness of this new approach. Moreover, the cost of adopting their technique is minimal, so smaller systems can afford to test it out.&nbsp;</p> <p>In the meantime, if you need a quick primer on odor generation and management, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) has a 7-page <a href="https://www.wef.org/link/7f69110925734532a0c6d301a5418690.aspx">factsheet</a>&nbsp;explaining the problem and outlining advantages and disadvantages of various mitigation strategies.&nbsp;</p> <p>You can also keep an eye out for odor events right here on WaterOperator.org. For example, this Iowa <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar_details?ID=119044">training</a> later in the month troubleshoots lagoon odor issues. Just type "odor" in the keyword search box on the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">event calendar page</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>Want to brainstorm with other wastewater professionals? Attend WEF's&nbsp;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar_details/ID/122769" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Odors and Air Pollutants Conference 2018</a>&nbsp;in Portland, Oregon in March, 2018. With sessions ranging from "Optimizing Hydrogen Peroxide Dosing"&nbsp;to "Odor Control Scrubber System Planning and Design,"&nbsp;there will be many opportunities to learn in-depth solutions to any smelly situation.&nbsp;</p>1365Featured Video: Nitrogen Removal in Wastewater Treatmenthttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1321/featured-video-nitrogen-removal-in-wastewater-treatmentWastewaterFri, 03 Nov 2017 13:00:00 GMTNeed to brush up on nitrification and denitrification? Wondering how they fit in to the wastewater treatment process? Looking for some troubleshooting tips for common wastewater nitrogen operations issues? Then this week's featured video is for you! <br /> <br /> <br /> This 12-minute video discusses the nitrogen cycle, sources of nitrogen in wastewater, types of nitrogen in wastewater, the processes involved in removing nitrogen from wastewater, and troubleshooting tips for issues such as rising ammonia levels and floating pieces of sludge in the clarifier, among other issues. <br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/7376008" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/7376008">Nitrogen Removal in Wastewater Treatment</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user2031250">Steven Myers</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> The Nutrient Control category in our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> covers nutrient control and removal topics for both nitrogen and phosphorus. You can type "nitrogen" or "phosphorus" (without the quote marks) into the keyword search field to narrow by nutrient. The nitrogen results are particularly interesting in the Factsheets/Case Studies and Slides/Presentations document types.1321Featured Videos: Preparing Your System for Disasters & Emergencieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1328/featured-videos-preparing-your-system-for-disasters-emergenciesEmergency ResponseFri, 27 Oct 2017 13:00:00 GMTBoo! Halloween may be the season for spooky ghosts and spine-tingling stories, but water utility professionals have their own scary stories. A lot of them involve being knee-deep in mud at 2 AM, and most of them end (or begin) with boil orders. This week's video discusses various emergency and water security challenges that could face a utility, and offers practical suggestions to prevent or mitigate them. Your next B-movie night might not feature burst methane or chlorine tanks or vandalism by local teenagers---but maybe it could! This video is one step toward making sure your story has a happy ending. (Though the video is aimed at wastewater utilities, much of it will be relevant to drinking water utilities as well.)<br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/70629802" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/70629802">Preparing Your Wastewater System for Disasters and Emergencies</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/rcapinc">RCAP</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> For more information on water security specifically, see the USEPA's <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-06/documents/watersecurity_water_security_handbook_rptb_1.pdf">Water Security Handbook</a>.1328It's Alive! Spooky Sewer Creatures and Things That Go Bump at the Treatment Planthttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1364/its-alive-spooky-sewer-creatures-and-things-that-go-bump-at-the-treatment-plantSmall System O&MWed, 25 Oct 2017 15:32:48 GMT<p>Every water system has its stories&nbsp;<span style="color: #a5a5a5;">&mdash;</span> whether a particularly forceful water main break or sewage overflow, an unwelcome water tower visitor, or a &ldquo;worse day ever&rdquo; inside the treatment plant.</p> <p>This Halloween season, we thought we would share some of the spookiest water operator videos and news stories we have come across, all with one thing in common: they really happened! (Because we all know that truth is scarier than fiction.) </p> <p>Let&rsquo;s start with a quick <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=32&amp;v=SQmFWYWqTZA">video</a> and resource about a rare, but certainly not unprecedented, hazard. Hopefully, you will never encounter this slow-moving fleshy blob in your wastewater treatment plant or collection system, but just in case you do, you can thank this blog for warning you!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SQmFWYWqTZA?start=32" frameborder="0"></iframe> <p>No, it isn't an alien from another planet.<span style="color: #a5a5a5;"> </span>This nightmare blockage is nothing but a nest of tubifex worms. Along with red worms, blood worms and midge flies, these worms are a normal and occasional nuisance to waterwaster operators, as they can clog filters and eat good bacteria. Although it isn't easy to get rid of them, this <a href="https://teamaquafix.com/how-to-treat-tubifex-worms-in-wastewater-treatment-plant/">website</a>&nbsp;offers hope.&nbsp;</p> <p><span>Speaking of blobs, earlier this year a water utility worker fell off a water main and found himself stuck in a blobby, muddy trench. The more he moved, the more stuck he got.&nbsp;</span>Luckily for him, his nightmare didn't last long&nbsp;<span style="color: #a5a5a5;">&mdash;</span> fellow workers quickly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.clickorlando.com/news/ocfr-works-to-extricate-worker-who-got-stuck-in-mud" style="background-color: #ffffff;">came to the rescue</a>, using their knowledge of <a href="https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/trench_excavation_fs.pdf">trenching and excavation safety principles.</a></p> <p>One thing is for sure: strange encounters are never far away when you work in the water business. In fact, sometimes spooky creatures are as close as the microscope slides in your lab.</p> <p>Wastewater plants in particular house microbiological zoos of the strangest kind. But don't worry about what you can't see, because these <a href="http://www.tpomag.com/online_exclusives/2015/10/6_photos_of_creepy_crawly_wastewater_microorganisms">creepy-crawly microorganisms</a> are really the good guys at treatment plants. The predatory suctoria, for example, uses its spines to suck out the nutrient-rich cytoplasm of organisms it has speared, aiding in breaking down and removing nutrients and organic matter. Or the mysterious&nbsp;<span>Tardigrade</span> (aka water bear) seen below in this video whose appearance usually indicates good BOD degradation.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/kasiagalazka/water-bear-goodies?utm_term=.kiPYxExB#.bdp2mxmL">Water bears</a> can survive in outer space, extreme radioactive environments and high temperatures, making them one of the "toughest animals on earth".</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/soKvFtJRnO8" width="640" height="360"></iframe></p> <p>In addition to strange creatures, strange happenings can also be part of the day-to-day life of a water operator. This Wessler Engineering blog post entitled <a href="https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/bid/345885/Is-your-wastewater-treatment-plant-haunted">"Is Your Wastewater Treatment Plant Haunted?</a>&nbsp;describes an acoustic phenomenon known as "<a href="http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/pdf/dw/publications/ontap/2009_tb/water_hammer_DWFSOM27.pdf">water hammer</a>" that can occur inside the walls of a home as pipe fluids suddenly stop or change direction. This same thing can occur at the treatment plant when automated solenoid valves abruptly open or close, causing a sudden loud boom or knocking. It would be enough to make any night-shift operator jump!&nbsp;</p> <p>Finally, we leave you with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/16/us/houston-manhole-rescue.html?module=WatchingPortal&amp;region=c-column-middle-span-region&amp;pgType=Homepage&amp;action=click&amp;mediaId=thumb_square&amp;state=standard&amp;contentPlacement=1&amp;version=internal&amp;contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&amp;contentId=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F10%2F16%2Fus%2Fhouston-manhole-rescue.html&amp;eventName=Watching-article-click&amp;_r=0">story</a>&nbsp;that is sure to give you the shivers. Recent hurricane flooding in Houston has jarred many manhole covers out of place (more than 65, in fact), and somehow a man fell into a pit that feeds underground sewer lines carrying residential wastewater. After over a week underground, the man was finally discovered by utility workers who were nearby making<a href="http://www.mi-wea.org/docs/5%20Kosnak-MWEA%20Manhole%20Inspecton%20and%20Restoration.pdf"> repairs</a> and heard a disembodied voice crying, "I am here, I am here!". After tossing the man snacks from their lunches, rescuers were able to haul the man to the surface. Thankfully this story has a happy ending, but be sure to watch where you are walking this Halloween.&nbsp;</p>1364The Unique Challenges of Wildfires for Water Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1362/the-unique-challenges-of-wildfires-for-water-systemsEmergency Response,Source Water ProtectionFri, 20 Oct 2017 15:43:00 GMT<p>Recent wildfires in California&rsquo;s Sonoma and Napa Counties have caused loss of life and significant damage not only to over 5,700 homes and businesses, but also to critical water infrastructure in the region. </p> <p><span>In Santa Rosa, residents have been instructed to use only bottled or boiled water for drinking and cooking. <a href="http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/7512945-181/sonoma-napa-fires-wreak-havoc">According to the city's water engineer</a>, the system is currently experiencing unusually low water pressure, due either to high volumes being used by firefighters or damage to infrastructure. She explains that when water pressure drops below a certain level, backflow prevention devices &ndash; particularly in the higher elevations of the system &ndash; many not work properly.</span></p> <p><span>Loss of pressure is only one of the many unique and harmful effects wildfire can have on water systems. This 2013 Water Research Foundation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.waterrf.org/research/projects/effects-wildfire-drinking-water-utilities-and-best-practices-wildfire-risk">report</a> on the effects of wildfire on drinking utilities lists many more, especially the dramatic physical and chemical effects on soils, source water streams and water quality that would necessitate changes to treatment operations and infrastructure. In fact, according to the US EPA, long-lasting post-fire impacts (especially flooding, erosion and sedimentation) can be more detrimental to water systems than the fire itself.&nbsp;</span></p> <p>The WRF report also suggests mitigation and preparedness strategies for utilities, including using fire behavior simulators to identify areas to target for fuel reduction activities, such as this <a href="http://www.ebmud.com/business-center/requests-proposal-rfps/goat-grazing/">goat grazing program</a>&nbsp;in California. The idea behind such collaborative programs is that the less vegetation fuel available for fires to consume, the better.&nbsp;</p> <p>The increase in wildfire incidents such as these across the country make it all the more important for water systems of all sizes to be prepared for the unique challenges of wildfires. A good way to start your preparation is by checking out WaterOperator.org&rsquo;s listing of <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">free wildfire resources</a> by typing in the word &ldquo;wildfire&rdquo; in the search box. </p> <p>No time to lose? The US EPA has a page of "rip &amp; run" resources including this <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-06/documents/wildfire.pdf">Wildfire Incident Action Checklist</a>.</p>1362Featured Videos: Clarifier Basics & State Point Analysishttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1326/featured-videos-clarifier-basics-state-point-analysisWastewaterFri, 20 Oct 2017 13:00:00 GMTYou know what a wastewater clarifier does in a general sense---solids go in the bottom, cleaner water comes out the top---but how do you handle the nitty gritty of day-to-day clarifier operation? How do you understand what's happening? How do you troubleshoot? <br /> <br /> This week's video offers some answers. It begins with a very brief refresher on the basics and then goes on to dive in to state point analysis and troubleshooting scenarios. It's just under 15 minutes and includes clear diagrams and visuals to help guide you through the concepts.&nbsp; And if you click through to <a href="https://youtu.be/rwiXby6j3Io">YouTube</a>, there's a link to the spreadsheet used in the second half. <br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rwiXby6j3Io" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <br /> <br /> For more on clarifier operations and troubleshooting, visit our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a>, type "clarifiers" (without the quote marks) into the keyword search field, and search document type Slides/Presentations.1326Hurricanes, Flooding and Wastewater Plants: What Have We Learned?http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1356/flooded-wastewater-plants-lessons-learnedEmergency Response,WastewaterTue, 17 Oct 2017 15:43:13 GMT<p>In recent months, there have been dozens of&nbsp;<a href="https://qz.com/1076372/hurricanes-irma-and-harvey-overwhelmed-wastewater-treatment-centers-in-florida-and-texas/">reports</a> of wastewater treatment plants that have flooded due to heavy hurricane rains and storm surges in Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico and beyond. Both the sheer number of plants affected, and the extent and duration of the flooding have posed significant public health and technical challenges, often <a href="http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Harvey-caused-sewage-spills-12213534.php">stretching communities to their limits</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>To add to these problems, many rural utilities were already struggling to keep their systems operating before the storms struck, so costly, complicated repairs or replacements of damaged infrastructure is simply not an option. For example, <a href="https://www.texasobserver.org/costs-rural-towns-surge-hurricane-harvey-hits-water-systems/">Patton Village, Texas</a>&nbsp;had just completed a new wastewater plant&nbsp;<span style="color: #a5a5a5;">&mdash;</span> the first of its kind in their community <span style="color: #a5a5a5;">&mdash;&nbsp;</span>before Hurricane Harvey struck. Now they can only hope that USDA/FEMA emergency funding will be available to help repair the damage. And even once the systems are up and running again, it is not a given that water systems can count on water rate income to help with their O&amp;M bills - many residents have fled their flood-damaged homes for good.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-family: inherit;">The sad truth is that</span>&nbsp;lately, floods have been <a href="https://www.processingmagazine.com/flooding-in-st-louis-area-disables-wastewater-treatment-plant/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">affecting wastewater plants</a> with unfortunate regularity, and not just in hurricane-prone areas. For example, in Central Illinois, the&nbsp;<span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-family: inherit;">small town of Hutsonville's&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-family: inherit;">wastewater treatment plant has flooded 3 times in the last 2 years, up from once every 5 years, according to its contract operator Shannon Woodward of Connor &amp; Connor, Inc.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-family: inherit;">Woodward's first piece of advice is not to build on a floodplain, but he also acknowledges that many communities do not have the capital funds for effective protective measures or relocation, and so operators must deal with the hand they are given. His second piece of advice: "Make sure all electrical controls, switch gears and transformers are above the flood stage. That way, when the flood waters subside, you don't have equipment loss and can get back into operation <span style="color: #a5a5a5;">&mdash;&nbsp;</span>even if it takes 3 to 6 weeks for the waters to recede."&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-family: inherit;">Mason City, another small town in Illinois, was able to fund&nbsp;<a href="http://globegazette.com/news/local/lessons-from-flood-paying-off-in-mason-city/article_ae8cf920-8f7d-5c4e-8d9e-c66ae002bf1d.html">improvements </a>after a flood in 2008 cut off the town&rsquo;s water supply and nearly overflowed the capacity of its wastewater system. The following year, the city</span>&nbsp;built a stone wall around the water plant, installed flood sensors on the local river, and built effluent pumping stations for the wastewater plant.&nbsp;</p> <p><span>And this&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2011/01/underwater" style="background-color: #ffffff;">article</a>&nbsp;<span>tells the damage and recovery stories of&nbsp;two flooded wastewater plants in Rhode Island. According to the operators of these plants, it is essential to have a flood plan, even if you think your facility is protected. In addition, they maintain it is important to involve wastewater treatment personnel in emergency response exercises or in the incident command structure. On a practical level, the operators encourage SCADA systems to be elevated on the second floor in the operations building if possible. And lastly, they recommend you back up your files and documents electronically. Papers get wet, they say: move them to a dry storage facility.&nbsp;</span></p> <p>Finally, while every community has different characteristics and needs, there are some universal preparedness strategies for wastewater plants. The US EPA <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjxqsa6sMvWAhWCrVQKHRdNA0MQFggmMAA&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.epa.gov%2Fsites%2Fproduction%2Ffiles%2F2015-08%2Fdocuments%2Fflood_resilience_guide.pdf&amp;usg=AOvVaw0y3UKgqY8uhPe_slU_2Gj6" style="background-color: #ffffff;">recommends</a> practicing mitigation options as the best way to prevent floodwater from invasively appearing. Some of these options include crafting barriers around key assets, having an emergency back-up generator, and keeping key electrical equipment elevated. You can learn more about these options <a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterutilityresponse/flood-resilience-basic-guide-water-and-wastewater-utilities" style="background-color: #ffffff;">here</a>, or you can watch this helpful <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r25J-DJH2NQ" style="background-color: #ffffff;">video</a>. In addition, many states have their own guidances, such as this <a href="https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-wwtp7-01.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">one </a>from Minnesota&rsquo;s Pollution Control Agency.</p>1356Featured Video: Radionuclide Removalhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1325/featured-video-radionuclide-removalSmall System O&M,Water TreatmentFri, 13 Oct 2017 13:00:00 GMTRadionuclides are radioactive particles. They can be manmade or natural, existing in water, earth, and even living creatures. When they're consumed in drinking water, they can cause cancer or kidney problems. The USEPA has established drinking water standards to make sure radionuclides stay below dangerous levels in drinking water. If you're in an area with high levels of naturally occurring radionuclides, you are probably already aware of the issue and working to address it. But seeing how other small utilities are dealing with the same issue can still be useful.<br /> <br /> In this week's video, the chief operator of the drinking water plant for Medicine Bow, Wyoming discusses the radionuclide treatment for his community, using a combination of ion exchange and blending. You might need to crank up the sound to catch everything, but it's still a great look at one small community's approach to this drinking water standard.<br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CE9uuq-IgvA" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <br /> For more on the Radionuclides Rule, see the USEPA's <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/radionuclides-rule">Rule</a> and <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/radionuclide-rule-compliance-help-public-water-systems">Compliance</a> pages, and this <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-06/documents/compliance-radionuclidesindw.pdf">small system compliance guide</a> in particular. You'll also find materials in our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> under the category Radionuclides.1325Featured Video: A Day Without Waterhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1327/featured-video-a-day-without-waterEmergency Response,Value of WaterFri, 06 Oct 2017 13:00:00 GMTA day without water is a daunting concept. Not only would it mean challenges to drinking, bathing, cooking, cooling, manufacturing, and dozens of other day-to-day activities, but as a water professional, it would probably be your job to get the water flowing again! Next week, the third annual <a href="http://imagineadaywithoutwater.org/">Imagine a Day Without Water</a> public education effort will highlight the value of water. Participation in this campaign can help your customers understand the importance and cost of the important work you do. <br /> <br /> For utilities, Imagine A Day Without Water can also be an opportunity to consider your ability to keep the water flowing or restore your operations in the face of disaster. This USEPA video from a few years back highlights the Community-Based Water Resiliency tool (or <a href="https://www.epa.gov/communitywaterresilience/community-based-water-resiliency-tool">CBWR</a>). This tool can help you work with stakeholders in your community to assess your preparedness for various emergencies, and provides suggestions for improvement. If you and your community haven't gone through an exercise like this, the CBWR could be a great place to start.<br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xNJ2qgWYbUo" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <br /> For more on community-based water resilience, see the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/communitywaterresilience">USEPA's website</a>.1327Featured Video: Supplying Community Waterhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1320/featured-video-supplying-community-videoAsset Management,Capacity DevelopmentFri, 29 Sep 2017 13:00:00 GMTManaging a rural utility can sometimes feel overwhelming and lonely. When you're the only ones in your community dealing with challenging infrastructure, bill collecting, and complicated accounting, it can feel like you're the only people on earth to face these issues. Add in the little quirks of a small rural community, and it can feel like no one could possibly understand what you're dealing with or what you're trying to accomplish. <br /> <br /> The truth, though, is that the challenges facing rural communities are nothing new. This week's video is obviously several decades old at this point, but the issues facing the featured communities will probably sound familiar. From aging infrastructure to inadequate rate structures, these utility boards found ways to tackle issues that are still relevant today. Note that the Community Resource Group mentioned in the video recently changed their name to <a href="https://www.communitiesu.org/">Communities Unlimited</a>.&nbsp; <div><br /> </div> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/32925466" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <div><br /> &nbsp; <p>Communities Unlimited is a regional partner of the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (<a href="http://rcap.org/">RCAP</a>). To find the RCAP regional partner offering technical assistance in your area, check the <a href="https://www.rcap.org/about/">regional map</a>. You can also browse RCAP's handbooks for small utilities and utility boards by going to our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> and searching for the host Rural Community Assistance Partnership and the document type Manuals/Handbooks. <br /> <br /> The issues facing your utility may be tough, but they're not unique. There are technical assistance providers and other utilities that have faced them before and found a way to make it work. We and our partners at RCAP want to provide you with the resources to do that too. And if your utility has come up with a particularly good solution to a problem, let us know!</p> <br /> </div>1320Water Documentaries, Public Awareness and Customer Concernshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1354/water-documentaries-public-awareness-and-customer-concernsPublic Education,Value of WaterMon, 25 Sep 2017 17:08:56 GMT<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/waterdoc2.png?ver=2017-09-21-175507-240" style="float: left;" /></p> <p>Much has been said about shining a light on the value of clean water and the hidden infrastructure and personnel involved. In the past decade or so <a href="https://waterfortheages.org/water-films/">dozens</a>&nbsp;of documentary films about water have been produced that do exactly that. From <a href="http://liquidassets.psu.edu/ ">films</a> that expose the aged and decaying pipes under our feet to <a href="http://www.pbs.org/video/poisoned-water-jhhegn/">films</a> that reveal more complex and difficult truths about who is responsible for this decay, documentary filmmakers can bring big water issues, and the controversies and emotions that come with them, into the spotlight.&nbsp;</p> <p>Take for example the recent documentary <a href="https://troubledwater.news21.com/documentary/">Troubled Water</a>, a film that highlights water contamination and public health issues in America. Watching the film, and seeing, sometimes for the first time, that many communities do not have access to safe drinking water can hit hard on the public's emotions. They might wonder about the lack of access to safe drinking water or about why there are so many toxins and, especially, they might wonder what people plan to do, and when, to fix the problems.&nbsp;</p> <p>Or this <a href="https://orbmedia.org/stories/Invisibles_plastics/multimedia">film</a> about plastic microfibers showing up in tap water. Samples taken from Asia to Europe to the Americas, the video maintains, demonstrate that 80% of the world's tap water contain these fibers. Scientists interviewed in the film, while agreeing that more research is necessary, believe that chemicals bound to these fibers could be toxic to humans. With plastic surrounding us everywhere we look, the public can feel like there is no escape!&nbsp;</p> <p>With their dramatic soundtracks and interviews, these documentaries can certainly get people <span>mobilized to </span>push for meaningful change. Yet they can also erode trust and authentic communication between the community, local governments and their water utilities, especially if the concerns are based on incomplete knowledge.</p> <p>The trick perhaps is to first acknowledge that any kind of public water awareness, no matter how it comes about, is essentially a good thing. Indeed, according to this EPA <a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/EPA/html/DLwait.htm?url=/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/60000LWL.PDF?Dockey=60000LWL.PDF">fact sheet</a>&nbsp;on communicating with customers about contamination,&nbsp;every contact with the&nbsp;public provides an opportunity to build up public trust, develop closer ties, explain your utility's commitment to delivering safe water, prepare the public for future communication&nbsp;and gain support for investment in their water system.</p> <p>At the same time it is important to know that whether or not these films play a significant role in public perception, results from recent polls show that Americans are increasingly becoming&nbsp;<a href="http://news.gallup.com/poll/190034/americans-concerns-water-pollution-edge.aspx">more concerned</a> about water quality issues. Many utility personnel field water quality concerns from their customers on a daily basis already, so being prepared with good information and a positive attitude can go a long way in staying calm through a public relations storm, or just as inquiries increase over time.&nbsp;<span>The AWWA has a helpful&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.awwa.org/Resources-Tools/Resource-Topics/Inorganic-Contaminants/Lead/Lead-Communications" style="background-color: #ffffff;">toolkit</a><span>&nbsp;for talking honestly and openly with your community about difficult issues such as lead contamination. &nbsp;</span></p> <p>In the meantime, you can get ahead of the game by anticipating questions that your customers might have about their water, where it comes from, and who is in charge. Here is a list of recent water documentaries (with links for watching if available) that may be weighing on your customers minds lately.&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><span><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6290202/">Water &amp; Power: A California Heist</a>&nbsp;This films explores competing interests in California's groundwater reserves and the privatization of water.</span></li> <li><span><a href="https://troubledwater.news21.com/documentary/">Troubled Water</a>&nbsp;This film investigates drinking water contamination in communities across the country.</span></li> <li><span><a href="http://liquidassets.psu.edu/">Liquid Assets</a> This film tells the story of our water infrastructure</span></li> <li><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72MCumz5lq4">Tapped</a>&nbsp;<span style="color: #7f7f7f;">This film examines the role of the bottled water industry and its effects on our health, climate change, pollution, and our reliance on oil.</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #7f7f7f;"><a href="http://waterfrontmovie.com/">The Water Front</a>&nbsp;This film explores issues of affordability and changing neighborhoods, as well as the strengths&nbsp;and limitations of community activism.</span></li> <li><span><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1149583/">Flow&nbsp;</a>This film asks the question: Can anyone really own water?&nbsp;</span></li> <li><a href="http://www.pbs.org/video/poisoned-water-jhhegn/">Nova: Poisoned Water</a> <span style="color: #7f7f7f;">&nbsp;This NOVA series uncovers the science behind&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">corrosi</span>on control and lead in pipes.</li> <li><span><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6207556/">Parched</a> This National Georgraphic water series treats a variety of topics including affordability, lead in pipes, PFAs/C-8 contamination, rooftop water tanks and more.</span></li> <li><span><a href="http://beyondthemirage.org/">Beyond the Mirage</a>&nbsp;This film focuses on drought, growth and the future of water in the West.</span></li> <li><span><a href="http://www.writtenonwater-themovie.com/">Written on Water</a> This film shows innovators in Olton, Texas who fight to keep their town alive against the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer.&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #100806; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 0.4px;"><br /> </span> </span></li> </ul> <p>Finally, i<span>t is hard to not get overwhelmed by the sense of despair that such documentaries can sometimes produce. However, this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCA60wv81X0">documentary</a>&nbsp;produced in 2011 by the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water takes a more positive spin on how states and towns can tackle water quality challenges a little bit at a time to add up to significant improvements for all.&nbsp;</span></p>1354Featured Video: Running Toilets Waste Waterhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1319/featured-video-running-toilets-waste-waterPublic EducationFri, 22 Sep 2017 13:00:00 GMTAs football season gets underway, it's a good time to revisit Denver Water's clever water conservation PSA. The video may be ten years old, but the simple concept still makes for a fun and memorable message. It's a good reminder that even though water utilities play a vital role in public health and quality of life, that doesn't mean we can't sometimes have a little fun. Happy Friday! <br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A-Fg0ykuQyw" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <br />1319Effective Lead Sampling http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1350/effective-lead-samplingRegulations,Small System O&MMon, 18 Sep 2017 10:00:00 GMT<p>While the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) has <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwstandardsregulations/lead-and-copper-rule-long-term-revisions">helped reduce lead</a> in drinking water over the past 25 years, complying with sampling requirements can certainly be challenging! Even when a water system faithfully follows protocols, results can be inconsistent and/or unreliable. While the conditions in which samples are taken, or procedures used, are often out of the hands of water operators, the results of these tests can have significant consequences for their water systems, not to mention the communities involved. Just ask the residents of Flint, Michigan.&nbsp;</p> <p>Last year, in response to these concerns, the EPA released <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-02/documents/epa_lcr_sampling_memorandum_dated_february_29_2016_508.pdf">this memo</a> to clarify tap sampling procedures. In addition, in a move towards a rule revision due out soon, the EPA has also recently issued a <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-10/documents/508_lcr_revisions_white_paper_final_10.26.16.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">LCR Revisions White Paper</a> that offers suggestions on how to improve the rule as well as considerations for improving tap sampling.&nbsp;</p> <p>In this white paper, the NDWAC Lead and Copper Rule Working Group corroborates what operators have been saying all along: &nbsp;the LCR sample site selection and sampling process "provides opportunity for error, particularly given that samples are collected by residents themselves." &nbsp;In addition, the group says the current system provides "opportunities for systems to implement sampling procedures to avoid exceeding the action level..."&nbsp;</p> <p>How to fix the problem? The group suggests substituting a voluntary customer-initiated sampling program for the current LCR tap sampling requirements and/or partnering with technology developers to identify and develop real-time monitoring technologies (such as <a href="https://news.engin.umich.edu/2017/08/affordable-lead-sensor-for-home-city-water-lines/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">this</a> inexpensive lead monitor), among other things.</p> <p><span>All this is well and good, but until this technology becomes available, and/or a more prescriptive sampling guidance or revised rule released, what is a water operator to do? Is there any sampling method that offers the most reliable results in the most efficient way?</span></p> <p>This is the topic of a recent AWWA/WRF study entitled <a href="https://www.waterrf.org/research/projects/evaluation-lead-sampling-strategies">&ldquo;Evaluation of Lead Sampling Strategies&rdquo;</a>. The study found that the answer to this question does not come easily. In fact, according to the study, "no sampling method was particularly proficient at finding the peak lead level compared to doing a full profile for each sampling event&rdquo;. In addition, the type of lead found in samples was inconsistent: &ldquo;even at a specific site, on some occasions the sampling can be particulate dominated and on other dates the lead can be dissolved dominated or some combination,&rdquo; the report states.</p> <p>It is no wonder that water operators across the country may welcome further guidance on this rule. In the meantime, Michigan's DEQ offers a couple of helpful resources: these&nbsp;<a href=" http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/Resident_Sampling_Instructions-12-11-2015_508290_7.pdf">sampling instructions</a>&nbsp;can help water systems assure residents are following proper procedure and this&nbsp;<a href="http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-odwma-water-cdwu-site-selection-criteria_524543_7.pdf">sample site selection criteria&nbsp;factsheet</a>&nbsp;can help systems ensure a large and diverse enough sampling pool. <em>Please note that the use of guidance material from EPA, other states, and third-parties can offer insight and clarification, but should not be considered a substitute for policies and guidance from your primacy agency.&nbsp;</em></p> <p>To get an update on lead issues in the water industry, join this <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar_details/ID/103166">webinar</a> that will be presented by the VA-AWWA in November.&nbsp;</p> <p>Finally, be sure to check out this AWWA video featured on our blog earlier this year: <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1275/featured-video-lead-and-copper-sampling">Lead and Copper Sampling</a>.</p>1350Featured Video: Formulate Great Rateshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1318/featured-video-formulate-great-ratesAsset Management,Business Mindset,Capacity Development,Value of WaterFri, 15 Sep 2017 13:00:00 GMTIf you're a utility manager or a member of a water utility board, there's a good chance you've had to deal with utility rates at some point. If not, there's an even better chance that a rate-setting conversation is in your future. As the nation's infrastructure ages, many communities are coming to terms with the fact that their utility rates have been too low to allow for replacement costs. Whether you've been forced into an expensive repair by a catastrophic failure or simply know a major piece of your infrastructure is living on borrowed time, you may have no choice but to consider a rate hike and other fundraising measures. But even if your position is not that dire, utility rates have to respond to many complex factors including inflation, fluctuations in number of customers, and changing water treatment standards. <br /> <br /> If the whole thing sounds overwhelming, you're not alone. The Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) has produced several resources to guide utilities through this process. Their handbook <a href="http://rcap.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Formulate-Great-Rates.pdf">Formulate Great Rates</a> provides guidance for small communities that need to conduct water system rate studies. They also recorded a 2-part companion webinar for the handbook, the first video of which is linked below. The webinars are presented by RCAP experts with experience in rate-setting and help explain some of the more challenging sections of the handbook. This first webinar is about half an hour long.<br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/39899557" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/39899557">Formulate Great Rates: A webcast on setting rates in small-community utilities (Part 1)</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/rcapinc">RCAP</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> If you need more help understanding the handbook, or need a hand with rate-setting in general, RCAP's <a href="https://www.rcap.org/about/">regional partners</a> offer technical assistance for rural communities. You might also want to check out the Environmental Finance Center's <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/postid/1270/featured-video-the-efc-water-and-wastewater-rate-dashboards">rate dashboards</a>.1318Disaster Management and Black Sky Eventshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1349/disaster-management-planning-and-black-sky-eventsEmergency ResponseMon, 11 Sep 2017 16:43:22 GMT<p>Coming this October, AWWA will host a webinar entitled <em><a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar_details?ID=118340">Water Sector Black Sky Resilience</a></em>. A Black Sky event is a long-duration, widespread power outage that could, in turn, cause a whole host of additional catastrophes.&nbsp;</p> <p>According to <a href="http://www.eiscouncil.com/BlackSky">The Electric Infrastructure Security Council</a>, A Black Sky event can have many causes: high magnitude earthquakes, severe space weather, electromagnetic pulses or interferences in the upper atmosphere (the kind that a nuclear detonation might cause), hurricanes, cyber-terrorism, coordinated power grid assaults and more.</p> <p><span>Hurricane Harvey has offered a glimpse of the impact&nbsp;</span>a Black Sky event would have on water and wastewater systems and the communities they serve. Black Sky events would cause much longer-term outages than the typical hazard event, and help might not come as quickly, or as easily. Back-up generators might be able to provide a certain amount of power, as long as they are in working order, but what if the treatment chemicals you depend on run out and can't be delivered to you?</p> <p>Last year, the National Infrastructure Advisory Council issued a <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/niac-water-resilience-study-draft-06-09-16-508.pdf">212-page report</a> analyzing water sector disaster scenarios and these types of cascading failures - power losses that lead to water losses and the consequences of those losses. The report concluded that this was an area that needed more analysis and planning. The report also recommends that smaller systems be provided with training as well as assistance in partnering with larger utilities that have more resources.&nbsp;</p> <p><span>Clearly, the effects of a long-term water outage on public health could be devasting, and this is why it is</span>&nbsp;important to incorporate Black Sky response and recovery considerations into disaster management plans. The good news is that if you have a disaster management plan in place, you are already heading in the right direction. Using tools such as this 2016 <a href="http://www.eiscouncil.com/App_Data/Upload/7f41c325-654e-4c67-be3d-6941645f4485.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">E-Pro Handbook II (Water)</a>, you can expand your plan to include even the most severe emergencies. And this <a href="https://www.eia.gov/special/disruptions/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">resource</a> form the U.S. Energy Information Administration can keep you updated with live energy disruption reports across the nation.&nbsp;</p> <p>The USEPA also has a whole host of tools to help your utility prepare for a Black Sky event including a <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-03/documents/160212-powerresilienceguide508.pdf">Power Resilience Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities</a>, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-12/documents/waterwastewatersystemgeneratorpreparedness.pdf">Drinking Water and Wastewater Utility Generator Preparedness</a>&nbsp;guide, and a video entitled "Power to Keep Water Moving" (click below to view). Finally, be sure to check out the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' <a href="https://epfat.usace.army.mil/">EPFAT tool</a>, a secure web-based tool to input and store emergency power assessment data. Using this tool can help USACE provide temporary power faster, getting you the right generator at the right time.&nbsp;</p> <div class="vidWrapper"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zFGEnNsFnok?rel=0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1349Featured Video: WARNs in Actionhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1315/featured-video-warns-in-actionEmergency ResponseFri, 08 Sep 2017 13:00:00 GMTWARNs have been a valuable asset to water and wastewater utilities for several years now. In the event of an emergency---ranging from a tornado to a flood to a major main break---fellow operators can come to your aid and help your utility get back on its feet. This is accomplished through a Mutual Aid Agreement.<br /> <br /> Mutual Aid Agreements are <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/postid/1226/ilwarn-offers-emergency-assistance-for-small-systems">often misunderstood</a>. They are not set-in-stone requirements that you <em>must</em> give aid, regardless of your capacity to do so. Utilities volunteer to offer aid; no one is forced. Mutual aid agreements are different from regional partnerships. This past summer, we talked about the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1304/featured-video-lower-rio-grande-public-water-works-authority">benefits of a full-blown regional partnership</a>, complete with shared responsibilities among operators and centralized accounting and assets. Even regional partnerships can benefit from joining WARNs, since a large-scale emergency like a flood, wildfire, hurricane, or earthquake could still decimate an entire region. But if a regional partnership isn't of interest to your utility, a mutual aid agreement is still worthwhile. Signing on to a mutual aid agreement typically does not cost money, and in many cases utilities that volunteer to help can be reimbursed. <br /> <br /> This 3-minute video from earlier in the history of WARNs provides a general introduction to the concept. It also describes an activation of <a href="http://www.cowarn.org/">COWARN</a> in Colorado, in response to a major water contamination event in a small rural town. <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fa-d_2dNPCc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> To look for a WARN in your state, learn more about the idea, or view situation reports from WARN activations around the country, see the AWWA's <a href="https://www.awwa.org/resources-tools/water-knowledge/emergency-preparedness/water-wastewater-agency-response-network.aspx">WARN website</a>. To see Illinois' ILWARN flyer for small systems, <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/ILWARN%20Small%20Water%20Systems%20FAQ.pdf">go here</a>. And if you know of a particularly good WARN and small systems story, let us know!1315Featured Videos: Backflow Prevention & Cross Connection Control from AWWAhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1314/featured-videos-backflow-prevention-cross-connection-control-from-awwaBackflowFri, 25 Aug 2017 13:00:00 GMTNo one wants to experience a backflow incident. Depending on what contaminant was involved and how much of the distribution system was affected, these incidents range from being a lot of work and expense to being a full-blown public health crisis. (See the bottom of <a href="http://www.abpa.org/?page=Incidents">this page</a> to browse real backflow incidents that have occurred here in the U.S. as well as Australia and Canada.) Either way, a lot of people will have their water service disrupted and you'll have a lot of extra work on your hands until the situation is resolved. <br /> <br /> If you're hoping to prevent a backflow incident in your community, this week's videos, courtesy of AWWA, could help. The first video explains the basics of backflow and backsiphonage and provides a brief overview air gaps and backflow prevention assemblies. The second video covers similar topics but goes more in-depth on backflow prevention assemblies, discussing the most common models, how they work, and where and how they should be installed. The first video is about 5 minutes and the second is about 7-and-a-half.&nbsp; <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l5QoNSPpDZE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qr7JYhDe7fc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <br /> If you'd like more training on backflow and cross connection topics, visit our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">event calendar</a> and select the Backflow category and your state. If you'd like to do more reading on your own, visit our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> and select the Backflow category and the Manuals/Handbooks document type.1314Repairing a Live Water Mainhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1344/repairing-a-live-water-mainSmall System O&MMon, 21 Aug 2017 15:20:18 GMT<p style="text-align: justify;">Get out your waders, ladders, clamps and sleeves! There&rsquo;s nothing quite like the excitement of repairing a water main under pressure &ndash; and nothing quite like the kind of water operator who willingly climbs into a deep hole filled with water and mud in all types of weather.</p> <p>According to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ3gaJscHLY">Colorado Springs Utilities</a>, there is no shortage of these opportunities: more than 240,000 water main breaks occur each year in the United States, and each one has its unique challenges. But for many of these breaks, you don't need to turn off the water.</p> <img alt="" src="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Images/40523_415587347226_622730_n.jpg?ver=2017-08-07-144759-890" style="text-align: justify; float: left; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px;" /> <p>Why? Well it goes without saying that repair work should be performed, if at all possible, without interrupting service to customers. Moreover, maintaining positive pressure in the line helps the utility avoid water quality concerns, further service failures caused by valve closures and the need for additional monitoring/sampling.&nbsp;</p> <p>Finally, doing live repairs means the utility does not have to issue a boil order notice, which can affect customer confidence and add additional incident reporting/paperwork requirements. &nbsp;</p> <p>So, when done safely and correctly, live water main repairs not only make sense for everyone, but also provide a bit of excitement in the work week!&nbsp;</p> <p>Need a step-by-step breakdown on the process? Check out this video from the Village of Downers Grove, IL: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG3fn2XPqkk">How to Repair A Water Main Break in 8 Easy Steps</a></p> <p>And, for your viewing pleasure, here are a selection of YouTube videos of recent live water main repairs:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vqg0E12_S4">video</a> provides guidance for strategic foot placement during a live water main repair.</li> <li>&nbsp;And this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE85cyoPY_0">video</a> offer proof of how quickly the repair can be made!</li> <li>And this <a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/infrastructure/a26709/water-main-explosion/">video</a> shows an example of a water main break you will hope to never see in person!</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p>1344Featured Video: Secure Your Utilityhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1313/featured-video-secure-your-utilitySecurityFri, 18 Aug 2017 13:00:00 GMTFor the last two weeks, we've been talking about sharing the value of water and the reality of hidden infrastructure with your community. These are vital points that will help your community understand where their money goes and the importance of the work you do every day. However, there may be some individuals in your community that you wish understood a bit more about the value of water and a bit less about hidden infrastructure. Vandalism, break-ins, and other security breaches can be a nuisance at best and a public health hazard at worst. Utilities of all sizes in all kinds of communities deal with these issues, but the far-flung nature of rural utilities can make them particularly vulnerable. <br /> <br /> So what can you do? This week's video offers some suggestions. It presents a case study of an Arizona utility that took several measures to deal with security issues. Though the utility highlighted is large, many of their practices may work for smaller utilities as well.<br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X7Mg6-BwZEI" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /> </div> <br /> You can <a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P1004B9G.PDF?Dockey=P1004B9G.PDF">view a PDF of the handbook</a> mentioned in the video, or use the <a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/P1004B9G.TXT?ZyActionD=ZyDocument&amp;Client=EPA&amp;Index=2006+Thru+2010&amp;Docs=&amp;Query=&amp;Time=&amp;EndTime=&amp;SearchMethod=1&amp;TocRestrict=n&amp;Toc=&amp;TocEntry=&amp;QField=&amp;QFieldYear=&amp;QFieldMonth=&amp;QFieldDay=&amp;IntQFieldOp=0&amp;ExtQFieldOp=0&amp;XmlQuery=&amp;File=D%3A%5Czyfiles%5CIndex%20Data%5C06thru10%5CTxt%5C00000009%5CP1004B9G.txt&amp;User=ANONYMOUS&amp;Password=anonymous&amp;SortMethod=h%7C-&amp;MaximumDocuments=1&amp;FuzzyDegree=0&amp;ImageQuality=r75g8/r75g8/x150y150g16/i425&amp;Display=hpfr&amp;DefSeekPage=x&amp;SearchBack=ZyActionL&amp;Back=ZyActionS&amp;BackDesc=Results%20page&amp;MaximumPages=1&amp;ZyEntry=1&amp;SeekPage=x&amp;ZyPURL#">other navigation and access options</a> offered on the USEPA website. You might also be interested in this <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/top_ten_list_for_small_ground_water_suppliers.pdf">top 10 list</a> of water security and emergency preparedness procedures for small groundwater utilities (also a PDF).1313Featured Videos: The House on Wade Avenuehttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1312/featured-videos-the-house-on-wade-avenuePublic EducationFri, 11 Aug 2017 13:00:00 GMTLast week, <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1311/featured-videos-put-water-first">our featured video</a> discussed the value of water. Hidden infrastructure is often a factor in how people value their water utility. Distribution and collection systems and treatment plants are usually tucked out of the way, and out of sight for many people is out of mind. Sometimes though, the obscurity of the infrastructure can be its own story, as in the case of this mysterious house on Wade Avenue in Raleigh, North Carolina. See if you can guess its secret, and once you know the answer, challenge your customers to guess too!<br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QobxnFYhMos" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <br /> For more public education resources, check the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/Tag/public-education">Public Education</a> category on this blog. Or, for a more in-depth discussion of public education and water infrastructure, check out this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQYtRJha-CY">hour-long webinar recording</a> from the <a href="https://efc.sog.unc.edu/">Environmental Finance Center at UNC-Chapel Hill</a>.1312Featured Videos: Put Water Firsthttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1311/featured-videos-put-water-firstPublic Education,Value of WaterFri, 04 Aug 2017 13:00:00 GMTSummer is a time when water sources are on a lot of customers' minds. Whether they're buying bottled water from the store or making sun tea with water from the tap, chances are the value of drinking water is particularly clear to them. If you'd like to advocate for the value of your drinking water utility, this week's featured video could help.<br /> <br /> Heather Himmelberger, director of the <a href="http://southwestefc.unm.edu/">Southwest Environmental Finance Center</a>, gave this talk a few years ago at TEDxABQ. <a href="https://www.ted.com/about/programs-initiatives/tedx-program">TEDx events</a> are independently organized TED-like conferences intended to help communities spark conversation and connection. Heather speaks about the incredibly reasonable price of tap water, and discusses the expenses that could face the industry in the future. The video can provide an accessible introduction to these topics for your customers. <br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MrEuta9GPGM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> To see more on the topic of the value of water, check out the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog?Category=value-of-water">Value of Water</a> category here on this blog. Or type "value of water" (minus the quote marks) into the keyword search field of our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a>, then click Retrieve Documents.1311Contracting a Certified Water Operatorhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1338/contracting-a-certified-water-operator-circuit-riderAsset Management,Small System O&M,WorkforceThu, 03 Aug 2017 15:05:04 GMT<p><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/Images/20170719_120701-3.jpg?ver=2017-07-31-132956-723" style="float: left; margin-right: 15px;" />Many small systems across the nation depend on the services of a circuit rider, also known as a contract operator. <span>In fact, according to an&nbsp;article by Lori Moore, Compliance Specialist at Colorado Department of Public Health, contract operators make up an incredible 33 percent of the total number of certified water professionals who supervise public systems!</span></p> <p>Contract operators can help ensure regulatory compliance for less complex systems that do not need a full-time operator, they can respond to emergencies, attend sanitary surveys or help fill-in when a full-time operator cannot be found in the area.&nbsp;</p> <p>Whatever the reason, it is important to know how to <a href="http://www.secondwindwater.com/hiring-a-contract-public-water-system-operator/">select</a> a contract operator, and then once selected, how to communicate effectively with them. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has recently published such a <a href="http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-116230/3910-BK-DEP4647.pdf">guide</a>, outlining the responsibilities of both the responsible official/owner and the certified water operator. The guide also includes a contract operator interview tool and topics for developing terms of a contract. </p> <p>Pennsylvania isn't the only state offering guidelines for developing a contract. For example, here is Vermont&rsquo;s Department of Environmental Conservation&nbsp;<a href="http://dec.vermont.gov/water/drinking-water/operator-hiring">list</a> of suggested information and requirements to include and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has it's own <a href="http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/operator-cert/drinking-water/publications/copguide.pdf">guide</a> as well. Many states also offer lists of current certified contract operators, like this <a href="https://www.prwa.com/people/contract-operators">one</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>Once selected, communication with the operator is key to developing a successful relationship. Because the work contract operators do is immensely valuable, especially these days, establishing clear expectations can go a long way for everyone involved.&nbsp;</p>1338Featured Video: After the Stormhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1309/featured-video-after-the-stormSource Water ProtectionFri, 28 Jul 2017 13:00:00 GMTIf your utility is in an area that gets storms with heavy rain, you may be aware of the affect stormwater can have on water quality. Even if your area is usually dry, a sudden storm can rinse all of the oil spills, dog poop, and dust that have accumulated in the yards and streets of your community right into the nearest surface water body. Depending on the community you live in, industrial sites and large farming operations can also have an impact on stormwater quality. <br /> <br /> This 20-minute video from the USEPA discusses how stormwater and watershed factors can affect water quality in your community. It also highlights communities that face stormwater quality challenges, and possible solutions to those issues. <br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0fIXhs6DzIE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /> </div> If you want to see more presentations from communities dealing with stormwater issues, visit our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> and set the filters to the Stormwater category and the Presentations/Slides type. Then click Retrieve Documents. You might also be interested in these <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection">sourcewater protection resources</a> from the USEPA. Dealing with stormwater quality can sometimes be a big project, but the benefits to your community's quality of life and public health are worth the effort.<br />1309Featured Video: Differences in Public Supply Well Vulnerabilityhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1308/featured-video-differences-in-public-supply-well-vulnerabilitySource Water ProtectionFri, 21 Jul 2017 13:00:00 GMTHave you ever wondered why one of your wells has consistent problems with nitrates, E. coli, or other contaminants, while another one has a different set of problems or is totally fine? The answer may be in the ground under your feet. The geology and aquifer characteristics of your area affect how vulnerable a well is to contamination and influence the kinds of contamination most likely to affect your well. A well in an aquifer that's mostly sand will behave very differently than a well drilled in an area with a lot of sinkholes. An aquifer that's nothing but sand from close to the surface all the way to the bottom will behave differently than an aquifer with a layer of clay between the sand and the surface. And the differences go on.<br /> <br /> To explore exactly how this works, the USGS studied four public supply wells, each from a distinct area of the country with a unique aquifer structure. Their findings on the kinds of contamination that affected these wells can be found in <a href="https://oh.water.usgs.gov/tanc/NAWQATANC.htm">these four factsheets</a> as well as in the 12-and-a-half minute video below:<br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iYAXnQame-U" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>Now that you have some idea of the kinds of contamination that may be affecting your well, you might have new ideas for protecting your well as well. Check out the USEPA's <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection">sourcewater protection</a> resources for more information on developing or improving a groundwater protection plan for your utility. If you'd like to provide local private well owners with similar information on their own wells, you might want to check out our education materials for well owners at <a href="http://privatewellclass.org/">The Private Well Class</a>.</p>1308It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a DRONE!http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1332/its-a-bird-its-a-plane-its-a-droneAsset Management,TechnologyThu, 20 Jul 2017 17:30:54 GMT<p>So you are thinking it is about time to inspect the outside of your water tanks and above ground assets. According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/drinking-water/field-operations/Pages/storage-tanks.aspx">Illinois EPA</a>, a water storage tank should be inspected at least every 5 years, so it just may be that time again.</p> <p>You are probably familiar with the traditional tools for condition inspections such as ladders, scaffolding, harnesses, cherry pickers, helicopters, ROVs, divers and cameras. But these days, you can add another tool to your toolbox: unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or more simply, drones. Drones can offer a safer and possibly more cost-effective method of visualizing the condition of a utility&rsquo;s facilities. Certainly, these &ldquo;eyes in the sky&rdquo; can take a visual inspection to an entirely new level &ndash; literally.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>There are clear benefits to using drone technology. According to this Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/utilities-turn-to-drones-to-inspect-power-lines-and-pipelines-1430881491">article</a>, researchers believe the use of drones could cut utility costs and improve worker safety, both for routine inspections and for surveying damage after disasters. Plus, set up and operating costs can be less expensive &ndash; initial drone systems can be had for as little as $6,000. Drones can also be used to supplement your GIS program for asset management and to map assets in remote and rural locations.</p> <p>Yet there are some drawbacks as well. Depending on state and local ordinances and laws, there may be height and line of sight regulations as well as special training/licensing requirements for operators.</p> <p><em>Interested in finding out more?</em></p> <p>There will be a technical session on using drones at the 2017 <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar_details/ID/116538">APWA Public Works Institute</a> in California in September. And the NCAWWA is offering a session at their <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar_details/ID/114321">2017 Institute</a>, also in September. Can&rsquo;t wait until September? The Operator Training Committee of Ohio is offering a <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar_details?ID=116412">training</a> in a few short weeks.</p> <p><em>Ready to give it a try?</em></p> <p>NJ Water Association offers a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.njwater.org/Programs/UAVServices.aspx">drone service</a>&nbsp;for asset management purposes, emergency response planning, tank inspections and more. Their drone and operator are both registered with FAA to maintain compliance with FAA Part 107 requirements.</p>1332Featured Video: Wastewater Phosphorus Removalhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1307/featured-video-wastewater-phosphorus-removalWastewaterFri, 14 Jul 2017 13:00:00 GMTAs you keep an eye on surface water quality near your wastewater treatment plant this summer, nutrient control might be on your mind. If you're struggling with high phosphorus levels in your effluent, this week's video might shed some light on your options. In this webcast recording from WEF, a panel of experts discuss wastewater phosphorus in-depth, covering biological, chemical, and combined removal options. This is a longer video---nearly two hours---but if you need a deep dive on the topic, this resource is a great place to start. Click on the link below to access the video player.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.wefnet.org/webcast/phosphorusremoval/player.html">WEF Phosphorus Removal Webcast</a><br /> <br /> For more slides on phosphorus removal, go to our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> and select the Nutrient Control category and the Presentations/Slides document type. Then type "phosphorus removal" (without the quote marks) into the keyword search field and click Retrieve Documents.1307Featured Video: Control Valve Disassemblyhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1306/featured-video-control-valve-disassemblySmall System O&MFri, 07 Jul 2017 13:00:00 GMTSometimes, operations and maintenance means taking things apart and putting them together again. If that's what you need to do right now, this video could get you halfway there. This eight-and-a-half minute video walks through the tools and steps needed to disassemble two kinds of control valves: a pump control valve and a pressure reducing valve. It includes a number of helpful hints and tricks, such as useful hand tools you can make yourself, and markings that will help with reassembly. (Reassembly instructions are not included in the video though.)<br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fs9-jok9OSk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> To see the complete disassembly, inspection, and reassembly process for the pump control valve, see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZLB3kx8Bb4">this video</a>.1306Funding for Water Infrastructure Improvementshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1323/funding-for-water-infrastructure-improvementsAsset Management,Business Mindset,Capacity Development,Funding,SustainabilityMon, 03 Jul 2017 18:17:03 GMT<p>Paying for maintenance and upgrades to your utility is no small task, and the U.S.&nbsp;Government Accountability Office <a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-15-450T">estimates</a> the cost of replacing water and wastewater infrastructure in rural communities could be almost $190 billion in the coming decades. It&rsquo;s unlikely a single source can meet your costs, and smart financing will instead require a mix of external funding, capital planning and rate setting to meet your goal.</p> <p><strong>External funds</strong></p> <p>The U.S. EPA provides a thorough <a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/effective-funding-frameworks-water-infrastructure">starting point</a> for finding external funding sources. Federal funding for water infrastructure includes:</p> <ul> <li>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf">Clean Water State Revolving Fund</a> and <a href="https://www.epa.gov/drinkingwatersrf">Drinking Water State Revolving Fund</a></li> <li>U.S. Department of Agriculture&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs/water-environmental-programs">Rural Development Water and Environmental Program</a></li> <li>U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development&rsquo;s <a href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/comm_planning/communitydevelopment/programs">Community Development Block Grants</a></li> <li>U.S. Economic Development Administration&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.eda.gov/funding-opportunities/">Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration</a></li> </ul> <p>There is also funding available at various agencies designated specifically for water and wastewater utilities dealing with declared <a href="https://www.epa.gov/fedfunds/overview-federal-disaster-funding-opportunities-water-and-wastewater-utilities">federal disasters</a>, or those seeking funds for proactive planning and design.</p> <p>Funding options at the state level vary, but the Environmental Finance Center Network maintains a list of <a href="http://efcnetwork.org/funding-sources-by-state/">funding sources by state</a>. The lists will include the last date of update, basic information on how to apply, and staff contact information to learn more.</p> <p>Finally, there may be local or <a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/effective-funding-frameworks-water-infrastructure#other">private foundation</a> grants available, depending on your situation.</p> <p><strong>Capital planning</strong></p> <p>As the Environmental Finance Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill states, &ldquo;Long-term planning is required to schedule major infrastructure improvements and spread the capital costs over many years in order to avoid having to raise rates significantly in any one year to pay for a capital project that was unplanned.&rdquo;</p> <p>To that end, the center has <a href="https://efc.sog.unc.edu/project/capital-planning-resources-water-and-wastewater-utilities">developed resources</a> and compiled best practice guides to help small utilities develop Capital Investment Plans and/or Asset Management Plans. These include the <a href="https://efc.sog.unc.edu/reslib/item/plan-to-pay-CIP">&ldquo;Plan to Pay&rdquo; tool</a>, which uses Excel to project your fund balance (revenues, expenses and reserves), and necessary rate increases for the next 20 years.</p> <p><strong>Rate setting</strong></p> <p>Once you know your options for external funding and projected balance for infrastructure improvements, you&rsquo;ll know whether and when a rate change is needed. View our past blogs on <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/172/laying-the-foundation-for-a-successful-rate-approval-process">Laying the Foundation for a Successful Rate Approval Process</a> and <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/173/tips-to-help-utilities-get-the-water-rates-they-need">Tips to Help Utilities Get the Water Rates They Need</a>.</p> <p>As always, you can find additional resources in the WaterOperator.org <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document library</a>, including examples specific to your state by selecting &ldquo;Financial management&rdquo; under Category and your location under State.</p>1323Featured Video: Wastewater Microbiologyhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1305/featured-video-wastewater-microbiologyWastewaterFri, 30 Jun 2017 13:00:00 GMTIf you're a wastewater treatment operator, you know your "bugs" are what helps make the whole thing go. Most wastewater treatment plants rely on the action of various microscopic creatures to clean and break down the waste at their plant. And these bacteria, protozoa, and other life forms do more than just treat your wastewater. Correctly identifying and counting the "bugs" in your system can also give you an idea of what's going on in your plant, like what nutrients or other levels might be high. This can then give you ideas on what other tests or treatments need to be run to mitigate any problems before they get out of hand.<br /> <br /> What if you want to be friends with your bugs, but you don't know how to start? This video could be a good first step. In this eight-and-a-half minute video, you're introduced to the basic kinds of microbes found in a wastewater treatment plant. This includes microscope video of several varieties of critter, and discussions of their significance as indicator organisms.<br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/epAh6hHOq3c" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> If you'd like to learn more about your tiny wastewater treatment buddies, go to our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> and type "wastewater microbiology" (without the quote marks) into the keyword search field. Then click "Retrieve Documents." To see what operator training may be available near you, visit <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">our calendar</a> and select your state using the drop-down menu options.1305The Roundup: Online Wastewater Training Courseshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1316/the-roundup-online-wastewater-training-coursesTraining/CEUs,WastewaterWed, 28 Jun 2017 19:39:24 GMT<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">Photo Credit: Zenia Nunez</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Managing wastewater is a big task. Whether you need to train new personnel or simply brush up on professional development, we&rsquo;ve rounded up accessible wastewater training opportunities on the web, listed in alphabetical order. These courses require a fee in exchange for Continuing Education Credit (CEUs). To find free webinars on wastewater, without CEUs, check the WaterOperator.org <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">events calendar</a>.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">On-demand courses</span></strong></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 40px;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /> </span></strong></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="https://www.360water.com/home/index.php?id=1769" style="background-color: #ffffff;">360water</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">The one hour courses include some wastewater treatment, analysis, and safety for $30 each. 360water courses are good for CEUs in most states.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Cost: $30</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="https://www.approvedce.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Approved Environment, Inc.</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">These online courses are good for CEUs in 18 states. Courses range from 1 hour topic courses (e.g. odor control or ozone disinfection) for $20.25 each, to a 16-hour Wastewater Certification Review for $275.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Cost: $20.25 - $275</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="https://www.ceuplan.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">CEU Plan</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">CEU Plan will filter thee course topics available to you depending on which are accepted for credit in your state. (There are no options for the U.S. Virgin Islands, Unincorporated Territories or the Caribbean.)&nbsp; Prices vary by state, but the widely offered 1 hour activated sludge courses, ranges in price from $12 to $15, and some states offer course packages that bundle together 6 hours of wastewater or collections topics for an $80-$86 enrollment fee.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Cost: $12 - $86</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/online-courses/wastewater-treatment.php" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Office of Water Programs</a>, California State University Sacramento</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">A five-part course designed to train operators to safely and effectively operate and maintain wastewater treatment plants. All courses are online and include lessons, readings, student exercises, and online exams. Supplementary materials for purchase include companion CDs with readings and student and a manual <a href="http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/wastewater/operation-of-wastewater-treatment-plants-vol-i.php" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants, Volume I</a>.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Cost: Enrollment $50 - $148</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="https://www.abctlc.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Technical Learning College</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Accepted in many states, TLC&rsquo;s courses are written manuals and assignments available for download, with fees from $50 to $300 for a wide variety of topics, from pretreatment to pumps.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Cost: $50-300</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://www.treeo.ufl.edu/waterwastewater/waterwastewater-courses/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">TREEO Center</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">TREEO offers online courses in wastewater collection and treatment (listed at the bottom of the linked page). These self-paced courses look more like traditional classes than most other options. However, they are pricey at $325 per course, which includes a textbook shipped to you.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Cost: $325</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Scheduled Courses</strong></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://www.sautech.edu/aeta/aeta-class-schedule-wastewater/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Arkansas Environmental Training Academy</a><br /> AETA offers wastewater courses scheduled online throughout the year for a relatively low price. Descriptions are available <a href="http://www.sautech.edu/aeta/aeta-class-descriptions/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">here</a>.<br /> Cost: $75 to $180</p> <p style="margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://www.campusce.net/WETRC/category/category.aspx?C=&amp;S=168" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Washington Environmental Training Center</a><br /> A course on wastewater laboratory procedures begins June 26 <span style="background: yellow;"></span><span style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">(today</span>) and costs $343 for 2 credits. A wastewater collection course begins September 25 at $479 for 3 credits. has a few online options, mostly for water operators, but they do have a $479 for 3 credits.<br /> Cost: $343 - $479</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Did we miss any online wastewater courses you&rsquo;d recommend? Please share a link in the comments section below.</p>1316Featured Video: Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authorityhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1304/featured-video-lower-rio-grande-public-water-works-authorityAsset Management,Business Mindset,Small System O&M,Tribal SystemsSat, 24 Jun 2017 01:00:00 GMTThere are a lot of rewards to living in a rural community: seeing just enough of your neighbors, lots of satisfying work, and (depending on where you live) getting to see the beauty of nature in the way a city dweller never can. Unfortunately for rural water utility operators, some of these benefits don't completely translate to their jobs. If you're the only operator---the only employee---at a rural utility, sometimes independence and hard work end up meaning the operation of the utility is all up to you all the time. Never being able to take a day off or have a vacation can be tiring enough. But you add in some of the weather Mother Nature can produce while she's busy being scenic, and sometimes you end up working nights, weekends, and 24-hour days, trying to keep your friends and neighbors supplied with clean, safe drinking water. <br /> <br /> If this sounds familiar, a regional partnership might offer you a little breathing space. Regional partnerships can give you the opportunity to get a nearby operator to cover your utility while you take a vacation or go to town for a doctor's visit. Pooling your resources with other rural utilities can also help you qualify for employer insurance, access tools and resources from neighboring communities, and meet other knowledgeable operators. This 7-minute video from the Rural Community Assistance Corporation shows how a regional partnership helped unincorporated communities known as colonias help each other:<br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/39729256" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/39729256">Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/rcac">RCAC</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p>To see more resources for water utilities from RCAC, check out their <a href="http://www.rcac.org/news-publications/guidebooks/">Guidebooks</a>. </p>1304Water Loss and Conservation for Small Utilitieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1310/water-loss-and-conservation-for-small-utilitiesSource Water Protection,SustainabilityTue, 20 Jun 2017 15:57:36 GMT<p>Water loss is an unavoidable part of distribution systems, yet too much can stress the supply and efficiency of your utility. The average water loss for systems is <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-04/documents/epa816f13002.pdf">estimated</a> at 16 percent, up to 75 percent of which is recoverable. This water may be disappearing due to faulty or aging infrastructure via pipe breaks and leaks, storage overflows, and house connection leaks. It&rsquo;s also possible the water loss is only apparent, not real, due to errors like unauthorized consumption or inaccurate meters.</p> <p><strong>Identify your water loss</strong></p> <p>Your utility can calculate water loss as the difference between system input (the volume of water your utility delivers), and consumption (the volume of water that can be accounted for by legitimate consumption, whether metered or not.) The EPA outlines the following calculations in their overview of <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-04/documents/epa816f13002.pdf">water audits and water loss control</a>:</p> <ol> <li>Determine the amount of water added to the system, typically for a one year period,</li> <li>Determine authorized consumption (billed + unbilled), and </li> <li>Calculate water losses (water losses = system input &ndash; authorized consumption) <ol> <li>Estimate apparent losses (unauthorized consumption&nbsp;&nbsp;+ customer meter inaccuracies + billing errors and adjustments)</li> <li>Calculate real losses (real losses = water losses &ndash; apparent losses) &nbsp;</li> </ol> </li> </ol> <p>For a quick estimate, you can also use the <a href="http://moruralwater.org/water-tools-files/tool_mwl.php">Monthly Water Loss Calculator</a> from the Missouri Rural Water Association. If you aren&rsquo;t sure of the right numbers to plug into these calculations, your system may need a water audit. Maryland&rsquo;s Water Supply Program offers guidance on <a href="http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/water/waterconservation/Documents/www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/water_cons/Water_Audit_guidance.PDF">preparing for water audits</a> and linking them to a water loss reduction plan.</p> <p><strong>Identify your action items</strong></p> <p>Once your water loss calculations have determined whether you should take conservation actions, you&rsquo;ll have a host of options to choose from. One of the most comprehensive overviews in our WaterOperator.org library comes from the <a href="https://assets.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/frwa/pdfs-and-documents/water_conservation_techniques.pdf">Florida Rural Water Association</a>, which not only lists options available but grades the water savings, cost effectiveness, and ease of implantation for each. In general, most of your options will fall under:</p> <ul> <li>Meter installation, testing and replacement</li> <li>Leak detection and management</li> <li>Pipe repair and replacement </li> <li>Correcting water theft and meter tampering</li> <li>Setting conservation rates, if appropriate</li> </ul> <p>If your utility is functioning well, or if you&rsquo;re unable to make changes but facing a water shortage, you can also work directly with customers to change their usage habits. We&rsquo;ve found few compilations of home water conservation tips more extensive than this <a href="https://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/">100+ item list</a> compiled by the Water Use It Wisely.</p> <p><strong>Evaluate performance</strong></p> <p>Finally, your utility will want to set benchmarks for the interventions and check back on your calculations periodically to see how the system improves. To find more resources on how to identify and correct water loss, including those specific to your state, be sure to check our document database at <a href="http://wateroperator.org/library">wateroperator.org/library</a>.&nbsp;</p>1310Featured Video: This American Land: Critical Aquiferhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1303/featured-video-this-american-land-critical-aquiferPublic EducationFri, 16 Jun 2017 13:00:00 GMTIf you're in an area of the country that's naturally dry, or in one of the states currently experiencing drought, you've probably had a lot of time to think about how to save water. Tips for conserving water around the home are a Google away (or check our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a>!), but chances are, your biggest local water users aren't residential. If your area is dry enough that you need to be thinking about water use on a regional scale, then your local farmers may be needing some water conservation help too. In this 7-minute video, the USDA NRCS discusses the <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/initiatives/?cid=stelprdb1048809">Ogallala Aquifer Initiative</a>, where they worked with local farmers to grow more crops with less water: <p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2hLhuMscFqc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> </p> If you want to learn more about the Ogallala Aquifer Initiative, check out <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2015/05/14/texas-water-district-usda-partner-show-producers-way-use-water-wisely">this article</a>. If you want to learn more about water conservation at water utilities, go to our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a>, type "water conservation" (without the quote marks) into the Keyword Search field, and select Type "Manuals/Handbooks". Then click "Retrieve Documents".1303Featured Video: Communicating Sciencehttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1301/featured-video-communicating-scienceBusiness Mindset,Public EducationFri, 09 Jun 2017 13:00:00 GMTAs a water utility professional, you probably spend at least some time talking to people about your job. Whether you're explaining operations to a utility board, breaking down a bill for a customer, or just chatting at a barbeque, eventually, someone is going to want to know how and why you do what you do. For some of you, this might be an easy task--you're an outgoing educator with a passion for your job. For others though, getting asked questions on the spot makes your mind go blank and your palms go sweaty. Still others may be happy to talk, but have a hard time getting people interested in what you have to say. Trying to help people understand a topic as complex as water and wastewater treatment can be a challenge, particularly when you're immersed in the topic yourselves. Add in the financial challenges some small systems face, and opening up meaningful communication with your community can feel even more daunting. <br /> <br /> <br /> Scientists face similar challenges. Like water operators, scientists have a lot of knowledge about complex fields with specialized jargon. The work they do may not be obvious to people outside the profession, just like utility operations can feel hidden in plain sight. One resource that helps scientists learn how to communicate with the press and other non-scientists is the <a href="http://www.aldakavlilearningcenter.org/">Alda-Kavli Center for Science Communication</a>. In this video, co-founder Alan Alda talks about his inspiration for starting the Center and some of the basic communication principles he keeps in mind:<br /> <br /> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DwjfMzwfuG8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <br /> To read about water utility outreach programs, visit our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> and type "public relations" (without the quote marks) into the Keyword search field, then click "Retrieve Documents." Being open with your community about the challenges and successes at their utility can help you gain public support, even when you need to undertake big projects like rate hikes or infrastructure overhauls. Even if you don't have big projects looming on the horizon, taking the extra time to engage with your community can make your job more rewarding, and builds goodwill for when you do need a helping hand. If nothing else, taking some time to think about these issues ahead of time will give you some better conversation topics at your next barbecue.1301Preparing a consumer confidence reporthttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1302/preparing-a-consumer-confidence-reportPublic Education,RegulationsTue, 06 Jun 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p><span style="color: #595959;">July 1 is around the corner, the deadline for <span class="apple-converted-space">community water suppliers to deliver their annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to their customers. The CCR is a </span>water quality report or a drinking water quality report, and is required under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency&rsquo;s <a href="http://www2.epa.gov/ccr/consumer-confidence-report-rule-and-rule-history-water-systems" target="_self">Consumer Confidence Report Rule</a>. </span></p> <p><span style="color: #595959;">Every community water system serving at least 15 service connections and/or 25 people year round must prepare and distribute a report. To assist with preparing these, the EPA provides</span><span style="color: #212121;"> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ccr/how-water-systems-comply-ccr-requirements">compliance tools and documents</a>.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Gathering Results</span></strong></p> <p><span>The reports are based on calendar-year data, so your report due to customers this July 1, 2017 will be based on data collected between January and December 2016. CCRs must show the highest level of each detected contaminant (this is usually the value you report to the state to determine compliance) and the range of levels of that contaminant you found during the CCR calendar year assuming more than one sample was collected.</span></p> <p><span>Additionally, the CCR Rule requires that drinking water standards and water sample results are presented as numbers greater than or equal to 1.0 in order to enhance consumer understanding of their drinking water quality. These units are often referred to as CCR units. For conversion assistance, view <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/epa816f15001.pdf">Converting Laboratory Units into CCR Units</a>.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Writing the Report</span></strong></p> <p><span>Briefly, CCRs must include contact information for your utility, identify the water source, define acronyms and technical terms, report and explain levels of contaminants, explain any violations, variations and exemptions, and finally, include some required educational language. A complete explanation of CCR requirements begins on page 7 of the EPA document <a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P10072FC.PDF?Dockey=P10072FC.pdf">Preparing Your Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report: Guidance for Water Suppliers</a>. The document also includes sample language and definitions you can use, a certification form, and examples of CCRs.</span></p> <p><span>As you begin formatting your CCR report, be sure to check the EPA&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/epa816f15002.pdf">Best Practices Fact Sheet</a> for tips on formatting and language that will make your report easy for customers without your technical knowledge to understand.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Distribution to Customers</span></strong></p> <p><span style="color: #595959;">Distribution requirements can vary. In some states, the mailing requirement may be waived for systems serving less than 10,000 and substituted with a different option, such as publishing the CCR results in one or more local newspapers. If the mailing requirement is waived and your system serves less than 500, then you do not need to publish in a newspaper, but at least once a year, you must notify customers through a mailed, delivered, or posted notice that the CCR is available from your water system upon request.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #595959;">In addition to sharing sampling results with your customers, the CCR is an opportunity to share the work you&rsquo;ve completed to produce their drinking water, manage problems, and introduce future improvements and requirements for your utility.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Information for Your State</span></strong></p> <p><span>And finally, don&rsquo;t forget to visit WaterOperator.org&rsquo;s <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document library</a> to find help documents and samples specific to your state. Simply select your state from the filters and enter a keyword search for &ldquo;Consumer Confidence Report&rdquo; or &ldquo;CCR.&rdquo;</span></p>1302Raise your profile with AWWA’s Drinking Water Weekhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1299/raise-your-profile-with-awwas-drinking-water-weekPublic EducationWed, 10 May 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p>This week marks the American Water Works Association&rsquo;s drinking water awareness week, and they are offering a <a href="https://www.awwa.org/resources-tools/public-affairs/public-affairs-events/drinking-water-week/dww-materials.aspx" style="background-color: #ffffff;">suite of free materials</a> for water operators and utilities to raise you profile in your local communities.</p> <p>&ldquo;This year&rsquo;s Drinking Water Week will motivate water consumers to be actively aware of how they personally connect with water,&rdquo; said AWWA Chief Executive Officer David LaFrance. &ldquo;We should all know how to find and fix leaks, care for our home&rsquo;s pipes and support our utility&rsquo;s investment in water infrastructure.&rdquo;</p> <p>The materials &ndash; which include artwork, public service announcements, press and social media posts and more &ndash; provide an introduction four key steps AWWA is highlighting for water users this year: </p> <p> </p> <ul> <li><strong>Drinking Water Week Introduction</strong> &ndash; AWWA encourages getting to know and love tap water.</li> <li><strong>Get the Lead Out</strong> &ndash; Replace lead-based water pipes and plumbing.</li> <li><strong>Check and Fix Leaks</strong> &ndash; Conserve water by checking and fixing leaks inside and outside the home.</li> <li><strong>Caring For Pipes</strong> &ndash; Stop clogs before they happen by learning more about what can and can&rsquo;t be flushed.</li> <li><strong>Water Infrastructure Investment</strong> &ndash; Protect your water supply by advocating for investment in the repair and replacement of infrastructure.</li> </ul> <p>Help celebrate the rest of Drinking Water Week, and <a href="https://www.awwa.org/resources-tools/public-affairs/public-affairs-events/drinking-water-week/dww-materials.aspx">bookmark their materials</a> for the next time your program wants to promote these issues.</p>1299Featured Video: Rural Missouri Climate Adaptationhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1286/featured-videos-rural-missouri-climate-adaptationAsset Management,Emergency Response,SustainabilityFri, 05 May 2017 13:00:00 GMT<p>Though it may still feel like spring, depending on where you are in the country, summer is just around the corner. And with summer comes the possibility of drought. Is your utility at risk of drought conditions? Do you know what you'd do if a drought visited your community? Occasional but severe weather events can feel hard to plan for, but not planning at all can make the situation worse. In this 2-minute video, a small rural community in Missouri talks about the planning efforts they're taking on to be prepared for drought in the future, after a particularly tough 2012. Interestingly, their plans to combat drought mesh well with their concerns about sediment in their source water supply as well. </p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/acVgr7qdkMU" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>If you'd like to learn more about climate adaptation planning for your utility, check out the tools available through the EPA's <a href="https://www.epa.gov/crwu">Climate Resilient Water Utilities</a> portal, and in particular their <a href="https://www.epa.gov/crwu/build-resilience-your-utility">risk assessment tool</a>.</p>1286Drought Resources for a Dry Summerhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1298/drought-resources-for-a-dry-summerCapacity Development,Emergency ResponseWed, 03 May 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p>If you live in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina or parts of the Southwest, your utility may be facing&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/seasonal_drought.pdf" style="background-color: #ffffff;">drought conditions</a>&nbsp;this summer. Recently, we&rsquo;ve shared resources for&nbsp;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1292/lessons-from-the-california-drought-planning-rates-and-water-conservation-can-protect-utilities-from-lean-times-ahead" style="background-color: #ffffff;">setting rates</a>&nbsp;to encourage water conservation, gaining community buy-in through&nbsp;<a href="http://efc.web.unc.edu/2016/07/01/community-based-social-marketing/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">social marketing</a>, and helping customers track their water use through&nbsp;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1294/cellular-metering-for-small-systems" style="background-color: #ffffff;">smart metering</a>.</p> <p>Yet if you&rsquo;re not sure yet what your utility needs, you can find a start-to-finish planning guide in the EPA&rsquo;s comprehensive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-03/documents/epa_drought_response_and_recovery_guide.pdf">Drought Response and Recovery Guide</a>,&nbsp;which provides&nbsp;worksheets, best practices, videos and key resources for responding to drought.&nbsp;The guide is paired with an&nbsp;<a href="http://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=84f1c3dac56f4226b677d8247b0e3c07">interactive map of case studies</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;small and medium-sized drinking water utilities in the U.S. that have successfully responded to drought. Video interviews of utility managers and officials will walk viewers through how these towns located emergency resources and then built up their long term resilience.</p> <p>Rural development specialist Dean Downey of RCAC&nbsp;<a href="http://www.icontact-archive.com/uY4CWN-9Ks1ymtQfKNez7H6VLxUUJeaB?w=4">recommends four steps</a>&nbsp;below to developing a water shortage contingency plan.</p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><strong>Step 1: Establish your utility priorities.</strong>&nbsp;The EPA and USDA's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/rural-and-small-systems-guidebook-sustainable-water-and-wastewater"><em>Rural and Small Systems Guidebook to Sustainable Utility Management</em></a>&nbsp;lists ten key management areas of sustainably managed utilities.&nbsp; By addressing priority areas such as product quality, financial viability, operation resiliency, and others, water system managers can address challenges and increase their effectiveness.</p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><strong>Step 2: Identify your potential water shortage events.</strong>&nbsp;Drought, water quality degradation, or equipment failure can reduce or eliminate supply. Water treatment or distribution system failure can also cause major water shortage events. Events can be natural, man-made, or due to equipment failure. As utility system personnel you will most likely have the best idea where to focus your limited resources in planning for water shortages.</p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><strong>Step 3: Assess risks.</strong>&nbsp;Don&rsquo;t spend your time on events that probably won&rsquo;t occur or that will have limited impact on your utility. Assess both the likelihood and impact of a failure to evaluate the risks.</p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><strong>Step 4: Involve other stakeholders.</strong>&nbsp;Don&rsquo;t forget to include other agencies and groups in the process. Utility personnel are prone to believe they can handle just about any incident. This may be true to a certain extent, but usually utilities underestimate available resources and abilities needed to handle larger or more complex water shortage events.</p> <p>Downey writes that additional steps include, examining water supply and demand, identifying trigger mechanisms for implementing the plan, and ensuring financial and legal backing.</p> <p>You can view a full list of RCAC materials for&nbsp;<a href="http://www.rcac.org/environmental/water-wastewater-services/drought-resources/">drought planning here</a>,&nbsp;including the Action Plan for Emergency Drought Management, a template for water systems serving fewer than 3,300 people to help assess a drought situation and take immediate actions to mitigate its impact on the community.</p> <p>Still can&rsquo;t find what you&rsquo;re looking for? Search WaterOperator.org&rsquo;s resource library for more guidance and example plans to keep your utility running smoothly through a dry (or wet!) summer.</p> <div><br /> </div>1298Featured Video: Is Your Drinking Water Protected?http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1285/featured-videos-is-your-drinking-water-protectedSource Water ProtectionFri, 28 Apr 2017 13:00:00 GMT<p>For the last <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1283/featured-video-freddy-the-fish">two</a> <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1284/featured-videos-green-infrastructure-for-small-rural-communities">weeks</a>, our featured videos have talked about the benefits of stormwater management. While stormwater management and green infrastructure are great ways of protecting your source water, a lot more goes into source water protection. Source water protection plans, wellhead protection plans, and watershed protection areas can all play a vital role in ensuring your source water enters your treatment plant in the best condition possible. This week's video takes three minutes to summarize the financial, environmental, and water quality benefits of formal source water protection planning. It does mention the state of Pennsylvania specifically, but much of the information is useful to anyone considering these questions.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/64519605" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <br /> <p>If you're interested in learning more about how source water protection planning works, you might be interested in the materials offered by the Washington Department of Health's <a href="http://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/DrinkingWater/SourceWater/SourceWaterProtection">Source Water Protection</a> program and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135-3313_3675_3695---,00.html">Wellhead Protection</a> program.&nbsp; </p>1285Featured Video: Green Infrastructure for Small Rural Communitieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1284/featured-videos-green-infrastructure-for-small-rural-communitiesSource Water Protection,SustainabilityFri, 21 Apr 2017 13:00:00 GMT<p>Last week, we shared videos for educating your consumers in ways to improve stormwater quality and increase infiltration. But maybe you're interested in these topics as well. In that case, this week's video is for you. This hour-long webinar recording highlights green infrastructure efforts taken on by two small, rural communities. Representatives from the utilities in those communities discuss reasons why they wanted to take on stormwater management, reasons why they chose green infrastructure, the projects and programs they implemented, lessons learned, and project funding. It includes before and after and process images, but is not a highly detailed build guide.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/25824426" width="640" height="384" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> &gt; For public outreach stormwater videos, see <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1283/featured-video-freddy-the-fish">last week's blog</a>. For more practical insights into the construction of stormwater management structures, search our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> using the category Stormwater and type Manuals/Handbooks. If you want to narrow it down further, try selecting by your state or a state near you, or type "BMP" (without the quote marks) in the Keyword search filter.1284Ten important tips to obtain FEMA financial assistance following a disaster http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1295/ten-important-tips-to-obtain-fema-financial-assistance-following-a-disasterEmergency Response,FundingWed, 19 Apr 2017 18:00:00 GMT<p>While the right amount of spring rain bring a good kick-start to crops and gardens, the wrong amount can overwhelm drinking water and wastewater systems. In the past, we&rsquo;ve compiled resources on&nbsp;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1225/better-erps-part-4-is-your-system-all-hazard-ready" style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">how to prepare</a><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;"> for natural hazards, but how can your utility recover if the damage is already done?</span></p> <p><span>If the worst case scenario hits your utility, the </span><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may be able to provide financial assistance for repairs.</span><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><a href="https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit">FEMA's Public Assistance grants</a> are available to state, tribal and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations so that communities can quickly respond to major disasters or emergencies. This includes the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged public facilities and those owned by certain private non-profit&nbsp;organizations.</p> <p><span>These funds become available when your state declares a state of emergency and, if additional recovery assistance is needed, your governor sends a request letter to the president. If the president then decides to declare a major disaster or emergency, FEMA designates the area eligible for assistance and announces the kinds available. Most recently, President Trump has declared disasters in </span><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-trump-approves-california-disaster-declaration/"><span>California</span></a><span> and </span><a href="http://mynews4.com/news/local/president-trump-approves-nevada-disaster-declaration"><span>Nevada</span></a><span> for damage from severe winter flooding.</span></p> <p><span>In addition to the guidance offered under FEMA&rsquo;s </span><a href="https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-frequently-asked-questions"><span>Frequently Asked Questions</span></a><span> page and their complete</span> <a href="https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/111781">2017 Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide</a><span>, the </span><a href="http://moruralwater.org/"><span>Missouri Rural Water Association</span></a><span> has compiled the following ten points that will help ensure your project runs smoothly.</span></p> <ol> <li>Call your insurance agent, or company, to make sure of your coverage. &nbsp;FEMA assistance is only there to supplement what insurance doesn't cover.</li> <li>Pick a person with your system to b<span style="color: #7f7f7f;">e <strong>the</strong></span>&nbsp;Point of Contact for FEMA/SEMA. &nbsp;Nothing slows the process down than a large government agency talking with multiple people from one system.</li> <li>Make sure <strong>everything</strong> is tracked: working hours, mileage, overtime, volunteer labor, accrued expenses, contractors, etc. <strong>When in doubt, count it. </strong>You will find standardized forms for Missouri <a href="http://sema.dps.mo.gov/newspubs/forms.php">here</a>.&nbsp;</li> <li>After you count it, take a picture of it. &nbsp;Take pictures of damage, take large-view pictures of your assets that have been damaged, take close up-view pictures of damage, take pictures of your equipment, take pictures of your employees who are working and volunteers that help you work, take pictures of where flood trash is at, take pictures of where you are putting the flood trash, attempt to take before and after photos of everything you see. &nbsp;Use a cell phone or a camera, but take pictures, and give <strong>all</strong> of those pictures, with descriptions, to the Point of Contact stated in Item 2 so that person can organize the pictures and have them ready.</li> <li>It is best to have a policy in place on bidding services and follow that during the event. &nbsp;Hopefully you will have this in place before the emergency rather than trying to create and follow one during the emergency.</li> <li><strong>Importantly, </strong>keep in touch with your County Emergency Management Director. &nbsp;This person will be your point of contact for a disaster declaration.</li> <li>It is encouraged that your system holds an update meeting every day during the recovery to exchange information, pictures, status reports so that everyone is on the same page, especially the Point of Contact person knows they possess the latest information. &nbsp;You may consider a less frequent meeting after the incident is done but you are still performing paperwork.</li> <li>Many states will continue to do Preliminary Disaster Assessments (PDA's). &nbsp;This is done to determine how each county is truly affected and what dollar amounts will be allocated within that county. &nbsp;The President's declaration makes funds <em><span style="color: #333333;">available</span></em>. That doesn't mean you'll actually get them; it depends on how the funds get allocated.</li> <li>Your County will hold a meeting where you will fill out paper work to participate in the declaration. Find out from your County Emergency Management Director when this meeting will occur.</li> <li>And finally, understand that this is not a quick process and one that has to be persistently and patiently followed up on.</li> </ol> <p><span>&nbsp;</span>If you have any specific questions about this process it is best to first talk to your County Emergency Management Director. &nbsp;You may also contact <a href="http://wateroperator.org/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">WaterOperator.org</a>&rsquo;s help line at (866) 522-2681 and our staff will help connect you to the right person.</p>1295Featured Video: Freddy the Fishhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1283/featured-video-freddy-the-fishPublic EducationFri, 14 Apr 2017 13:00:00 GMT<p>If April showers have arrived at your utility, then stormwater topics are probably at the forefront of your mind---and your customers' minds too. This makes it a great moment for public education. There are things utilities can do to mitigate stormwater quality, but nothing works quite as well as having your community pitch in to clean up the watershed. This week's video presents basic practices that improve stormwater quality, in terms aimed at your youngest consumers. Freddy the Fish focuses on reducing litter, picking up dog poop, and eliminating storm sewer dumping, and combines these messages with animated and live-action video and brief singalongs. The video would be a particularly good fit for presentations to young school-age children, which in turn can be a great way to engage your community.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jjPfLhJbdc0" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>For more stormwater public outreach materials, search our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> using the category Stormwater and the type Factsheets/Case Studies. You might also be interested in the EPA's video on stormwater (for adults) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMbIgclX4EQ">here</a>. </p>1283Cellular Metering for Small Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1294/cellular-metering-for-small-systemsCapacity Development,Innovative Technology,TechnologyWed, 12 Apr 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p><em>Guest post from Brenda Koenig, Illinois State Water Survey.</em></p> <p>Cellular-enabled water meters &ndash; also called smart meters &ndash; can make all the benefits of smart grid technology attainable for even for small systems on a budget. In this post, we&rsquo;ll review the pros and cons of cellular vs. traditional metering systems.</p> <p><strong>Cellular meters offer service benefits</strong></p> <p>Due to their independence from physical infrastructure, a cellular system is better equipped to continue working through emergencies, such as floods, that might damage a large physical network. Cellular networks also make it easier to service dispersed or geographically diverse areas.</p> <p>One of their greatest benefits is the speed of data. Cellular meters allow utility managers and customers to monitor their activity in real-time on the web. This improves leak detection and provides more opportunities for water conservation.</p> <p><strong>Weighing the costs</strong></p> <p>Cellular meters have potential to save utilities money on some fronts. Their use of cloud-based advanced metering analytic (AMA) software eliminates the need for expensive software installations at the plant. They also eliminate the need for a physical network of antennas, repeaters, wiring installations, and data collection units. Without the need for physical site visits to read traditional meters, utilities may also save staff time.</p> <p>However, start-up costs for cellular metering can be significant, even without the expense of physical infrastructure. Buying and installing cellular meters can cost <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-smart-meter-explainer-20150505-story.html">two to three times more</a> than traditional meters. Staff and infrastructure costs will depend on what system you currently have in place. Cellular monitoring is compatible with most DEP and AWWA approved, AMR-compatible meters, but incompatible meters would need to be replaced. Staff may need to be retrained to install, maintain, and operate the new systems, as well as manage data, train customers, and set rates. </p> <p><strong>A growing trend</strong></p> <p>By 2020, it is estimated that 600,000 cellular water meters will be distributed annually, with companies such as Badger Meter, Arad Group, Neptune Technology Group, and Master Meter introducing cellular metering technologies. </p> <p>So how does a small system decide if and when they too should adopt these new, game-changing cellular-based tools that are becoming more widely available and affordable? Much depends on each unique system&rsquo;s needs and priorities, as well as the funding and political context in which they operate. Systems that are leak-prone or that need to step up their water conservation efforts may benefit from the daily feedback offered by cellular meters. Pilot programs or a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis can help utilities decide whether the tradeoffs in staff time, technology, and infrastructure expenses make sense. Finally, one of the best things to do is to talk to other systems about their experiences. Utilities with similar budgets, sizes, and goals can provide a lot of advice and references.</p> <p><img alt="" class="img-responsive" 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" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Resources:</p> <p><a href="http://www.marinij.com/article/NO/20170321/NEWS/170329959">Novato water district rolls out &lsquo;smart&rsquo; meter pilot project</a> news article, Marin Independent Journal 3/21/17</p> <p><a href="http://earthzine.org/2015/07/30/big-data-flows-water-outsourcing-and-the-flood-of-data/">Big Data Flows: Water, Outsourcing, and the Flood of Data</a> news article, EarthZine 6/30/15</p> <p><a href="http://www.mdpi.com/2078-1547/5/1/123">Moving Towards Sustainable and Resilient Smart Water Grids</a> journal article, Challenges 3/21/14</p> <p><span class="blox-headline"><a href="http://www.kingsvillerecord.com/news/city-looking-to-tap-new-water-meters/article_2905c56e-6a99-57f1-9c17-834a79ba08fa.html">City looking to tap new water meters</a> news article, Kingsville Record 3/1/15</span></p> <p><a href="https://prezi.com/alx__333_vru/rcap-water-metering-technologies/">RCAP - Water Metering Technologies</a> presentation, RCAP Prezi 4/29/15</p> <p><a href="http://cityofnovi.org/City-Services/City-Manager/CIP-Documents/Water-Distribution/WTS014-SupDoc1-WaterDistrib.aspx">Advanced Metering Infrastructure</a>, memo, City of Novi 4/24/15&nbsp;</p>1294Featured Video: Arsenic Treatment in a Rural Townhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1282/featured-video-arsenic-treatment-in-a-rural-townRegulations,Small System O&M,Water TreatmentFri, 07 Apr 2017 21:50:00 GMT<p>Over time, low levels of exposure to arsenic can result in cancer. This is a sobering fact for anyone, but it's particularly challenging for small rural towns with arsenic in their drinking water. When neither the utility nor the residents have access to other water options, treatment is of the utmost importance. But because arsenic doesn't cause taste or odor issues, or produce immediate health effects, getting that treatment in place can sometimes be difficult. Learning how other small utilities did it can help. In this week's video, the manager of a small rural utility in Montana introduces his utility and describes how they chose to put arsenic treatment in place for their system.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dU8DCcPcr8s" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>For more on arsenic in drinking water topics, see this USEPA <a href="https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPdf.cgi?Dockey=20001XXC.txt">factsheet</a> (PDF), or search our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> using the category Arsenic.</p>1282Featured Video: Valve Maintenancehttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1281/featured-video-valve-maintenanceSmall System O&MFri, 31 Mar 2017 13:00:00 GMT<p>Spring is traditionally the time to knock out the cobwebs and dust off the high shelves. For those of us living in areas with cold winters, it's often the first time going outside has felt pleasant for months. For those in warmer climates, it's often time to batten down the hatches for the serious summer heat. But no matter where you live, spring cleaning season is officially here. And your utility doesn't need to be any different! Spring can be a great time to start your valve exercise program, whether you're making your post-winter maintenance assessment or getting things in shape for the summer. And this week's video, from our partners at the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), is a great resources as you get started. The 4-and-a-half minute video provides a brief walkthrough of the valve exercising process, along with <em>do</em>s and <em>don't</em>s and maintenance tips.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/135987523" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>For more videos from RCAP, check out their <a href="https://vimeo.com/rcapinc">channel on Vimeo</a>. For more on valve topics, search our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> using the keywords "valve exercising" or "valve maintenance" (both without the quote marks) in the Keyword Filter. </p>1281Lessons from the California drought: Planning rates and water conservation can protect utilities from lean times ahead.http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1292/lessons-from-the-california-drought-planning-rates-and-water-conservation-can-protect-utilities-from-lean-times-aheadCapacity Development,Sustainability,Value of WaterWed, 29 Mar 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p><span>By the time California entered its fifth year of historic drought last summer, water utilities across the state were dire straits. Statewide conservation orders had succeeded in many areas at reaching their much-needed target reductions, yet </span><a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article89747342.html"><span>water agencies were struggling</span></a><span> to meet their operating costs while facing millions in lost revenue.</span></p> <p><span class="field-content">Planning ahead can be critical to operating through decreases in demand or water use restrictions like those seen in California, especially with drought predictions ahead for states like <a href="http://www.insidenova.com/headlines/drought-watch-conditions-threaten-some-water-supplies-in-northern-virginia/article_4b1d0f08-0f56-11e7-9309-bfd75608c9ac.html">Virginia</a> and <a href="http://www.nj.com/weather/index.ssf/2017/03/snow_and_rain_not_enough_to_lift_drought_warnings.html">New Jersey</a>. </span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">In the Twin Cities of Minnesota, the Metropolitan Council has assembled a suite of </span><span>programs and practices water suppliers can implement to do just that.</span></p> <p><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">This </span><a href="https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water/Planning/Water-Supply-Planning/Water-Conservation/Toolbox/Suppliers.aspx"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Water Conservation Toolbox</span></a><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"> for suppliers deals with the practical need to align rates with revenue, reduce water losses, and </span><span>develop a water conservation program for your community.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Setting water rate structures that encourage conservation</span></strong></p> <p><span>The Toolbox includes two programs to help utilities set rates that work for water conservation. Learn through </span><a href="http://www.waterrf.org/Pages/Projects.aspx?PID=4366"><span>videos</span></a><span> by the Water Research Foundation, or run calculations for different scenarios through University of North Carolina&rsquo;s </span><a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/reslib/item/water-utility-risk-assessment-tool"><span>Water Utility Revenue Risk Assessment Tool</span></a><span>. The tool allows utilities<span class="field-content"> to calculate how much of revenue is at risk of loss if their customers lower their consumption, providing estimates based on the utility's own rate structure, customer demand profile, and weather conditions.</span></span></p> <p><span class="field-content">If you find a rate increase is needed for your utility, see our blog posts on how to lay the groundwork for <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/172/laying-the-foundation-for-a-successful-rate-approval-process">approval</a> and <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/173/tips-to-help-utilities-get-the-water-rates-they-need">gaining community buy-in</a>.</span></p> <p><span class="field-content"><strong><span>Stopping water and energy loss</span></strong></span></p> <p><span class="field-content">Programs to audit leaks, recycle and reuse water and reduce energy can all save utilities money during water conservation. The Toolbox provides resources to learn about the close tie between water and energy efficiency at your utility, and how to identify losses. If you see a need for change, the Toolbox can connect you to help like the </span><a href="https://www.awwa.org/resources-tools/water-knowledge/water-loss-control.aspx"><span>Water Loss Control Resource Community</span></a><span class="field-content">.</span></p> <p><span class="field-content"><strong><span>Building a water conservation program</span></strong></span></p> <p><span class="field-content">Finally, the Toolbox features a suite of water conservation programs to borrow ideas from. Browse a library of options from rebate and voucher programs to school education from the </span><a href="http://www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org/Water_Conservation_Programs_Library_Content_Listing.aspx"><span>Alliance for Water Efficiency</span></a><span class="field-content">. And when a change in infrastructure is needed to stop water loss, the U.S. EPA provides a list of resources for </span><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/financing-water-infrastructure"><span>financing new water infrastructure</span></a><span class="field-content"> in your community.</span></p> <p><span class="field-content"><strong><span>Getting a head start to avoid disaster</span></strong></span></p> <p><span class="field-content">In the height of the California drought in 2016, Water Board chair Feilcia Marcus </span><a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article89747342.html"><span>told the Sacramento Bee</span></a><span class="field-content"> that, w</span><span>ith the state facing longer, more frequent droughts, local districts need to devise rate structures that take into account prolonged conservation.</span></p> <p><span>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s certainly a challenge for some of them, but not one that can&rsquo;t be overcome,&rdquo; Marcus said. &ldquo;The right answer can&rsquo;t be that we can&rsquo;t save water in the worst drought in modern history because we haven&rsquo;t gotten around to changing our rate structures, or because somebody might yell at us.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span></p>1292Featured Video: Operator Mathhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1280/featured-videos-operator-mathOperator MathFri, 24 Mar 2017 13:00:00 GMT<p>In a lot of ways, the ability to do math is like the ability to use a muscle. You always <em>have</em> muscles, of course, but whether you're able to use a particular muscle or muscle group depends on how developed it is. In other words, it depends on how often you use those muscles, whether you're lifting weights regularly or just hauling around a heavy toolbox on a daily basis. Math is the same way. Sure, on any good day you can probably handle 2 + 2. But for more complicated problems, regular practice and a thorough understanding of the principles can help those equations go from a headache to a breeze. Since water and wastewater operators often find themselves calculating things like chemical doses, the volume of complicated objects, and rate of flow, keeping in good mathematic shape can go a long way to making your life easier. And of course, being in practice doesn't do any harm when it's time to sit for your exams either! </p> <p>There are a lot of ways to brush up on your math skills, and sometimes it helps to try a couple until you find what works best for you. Our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> has collected math help in a wide variety of formats under the Certification/Exam Prep category. Use "math" (without the quote marks) in the keyword filter box to narrow it down to just math help. But if you're someone who needs to see someone else work the problem in order to get what's going on, this week's videos might be a particularly good fit.</p> <p><a href="http://www.indigowatergroup.com/">Indigo Water Group</a>, a water and wastewater operator trainer in Colorado, has created a playlist of videos in which their owner works common water and wastewater math problems. Most of these videos are short and broken down by kind of problem. The exception is an hour long video devoted to wastewater math. At the time of this writing, the other videos in the playlist covered unit conversions, geometry, dosing, reducing MLSS concentrations, velocity and HRT, and digester problems. But more topics have been slowly added over time, so there may be more in the future. The video below links the entire playlist, which starts with three short unit conversion videos.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLXVbmoNYMn8tyFnz8cN7ABDM1x3W7xluz" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>The YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/cawastewater">CAwastewater</a> takes a slightly different approach. Instead of breaking the videos down by topic, the channel owner (who is an operator himself) breaks down the videos by the state exam level where the problems are most likely to appear. He has <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CAwastewater/playlists">playlists</a> for the California exam levels 1, 2, and 3, and one playlist that combines the math for 4 and 5. Though these videos are aimed at California wastewater operators, both water and wastewater operators from across the country will likely get something out of them. The individual videos are about 5-10 minutes long, and the playlists are about a half hour to an hour. Choose the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CAwastewater/playlists">playlist</a> that looks most interesting to you.</p> <p>Hopefully, these operator math videos will help you round out your mathematical fitness routine, leaving you well prepared for operations challenges and certification exams alike. And if there's a great free math resource that we didn't mention here that you want to be sure we know about, let us know in the comments!</p>1280Many Organizations Offer Resources for Tribal Utilitieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1254/many-organizations-offer-resources-for-tribal-utilitiesTribal SystemsWed, 22 Mar 2017 14:00:00 GMTIn previous articles, we&rsquo;ve talked about <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1250/tribal-resources-from-wateroperatororg-and-usepa">tribal resources available through USEPA and our own site</a>,&nbsp;and resources that can be used to <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1251/tribal-utility-news-subscribers-give-us-insight-into-tribal-system-needs">combat common difficulties faced by tribal utilities</a>. Below you'll find a round-up of funding opportunities for tribal projects on&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">infrastructure, local environment, or other utility-related projects. We've also included a</span>&nbsp;list of agencies and organizations that can assist such projects. <h4>Grants and the agencies that offer them</h4> <p> Of course, federal agencies don&rsquo;t just offer technical assistance. Many offer grants and low-interest loans as well. If you know exactly what&rsquo;s needed for your system but have no idea how you&rsquo;d pay for it, these programs may be something you want to look into. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18px;">USDA Rural Development Grants</span><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-loan-grant-program">The Water and Waste Disposal Loan &amp; Grant Program</a> &ndash; &ldquo;Provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.&rdquo; Federally recognized tribes with lands in rural areas are eligible for these grants. Tribes on state reservations may be eligible as well. (See page 50 of <a href="http://www.gao.gov/assets/600/590102.pdf">this report</a> for details.)<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/individual-water-wastewater-grants">Individual Water &amp; Wastewater Grants</a> &ndash; These grants &ldquo;provide government funds to households residing in an area recognized as a colonia before October 1, 1989. &nbsp;Grant funds may be used to connect service lines to a residence, pay utility hook-up fees, install plumbing and related fixtures, i.e. bathroom sink, bathtub or shower, commode, kitchen sink, water heater, outside spigot, or bathroom, if lacking&hellip; This program is only eligible in states with Colonias, and those are Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-technical-assistance-training-grants">Water &amp; Waste Disposal Technical Assistance &amp; Training Grants</a> - These grants can help a local, regional, or national non-profit organization provide training and technical assistance to tribal communities.<br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18px;"> AmeriCorps</span><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.nationalservice.gov/build-your-capacity/grants/funding-opportunities">AmeriCorps Indian Tribes Grants</a> &ndash; Though the window for this fiscal year&rsquo;s grants has closed, you can see typical funding priorities on the <a href="http://www.nationalservice.gov/build-your-capacity/grants/funding-opportunities/2016/fy2016-americorps-indian-tribes-grants">2016 grant page</a>.<br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18px;"> HUD</span><br /> <br /> <a href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/ih/grants/icdbg">Indian Community Development Block Grant Program</a> &ndash; This program &ldquo;provides eligible grantees with direct grants for use in developing viable Indian and Alaska Native Communities, including decent housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities, primarily for low and moderate income persons.&rdquo; Community facilities and infrastructure construction, including water and sewer facilities, are covered by the grant.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/bcci/">Border Community Capital Initiative</a> &ndash; Though this program is currently hosted on HUD&rsquo;S website, it&rsquo;s actually a collaborative effort between HUD, USDA Rural Development, and the Department of the Treasury &ndash; Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund). &ldquo;The Initiative's goal is to increase access to capital for affordable housing, business lending and community facilities in the chronically underserved and undercapitalized U.S./Mexico border region. Specifically, it will provide direct investment and technical assistance to community development lending and investing institutions that focus on affordable housing, small business and community facilities to benefit the residents of colonias.&rdquo;</p> <div><br /> </div> <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 18px;"> USEPA</span><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/tribal/indian-environmental-general-assistance-program-gap">Indian Environmental General Assistance Program</a> &ndash; Grants intended for &ldquo;planning, developing and establishing environmental protection programs in Indian country, and for developing and implementing solid and hazardous waste programs on tribal lands.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/tribaldrinkingwater/tribal-utilities-role-safe-drinking-water-tribal-lands#tab-5">Drinking Water State Revolving Funds</a> &ndash; A <a href="https://www.epa.gov/tribaldrinkingwater/tribal-drinking-water-program-fund-allotments">portion</a> of the Drinking Water Revolving Funds distributed to the states are available for tribal grants and loans. You will have to contact the program run by your state for details on how to apply. See the &ldquo;View contacts by state&rdquo; function at the bottom of <a href="https://www.epa.gov/drinkingwatersrf">this page</a>. Or Google your state and the words &ldquo;state revolving fund&rdquo; to find the webpage for your local program.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/tribal/grants-tribes">And So Much More</a> &ndash; The USEPA&rsquo;s tribal page has collected several tribe-eligible grant programs into one convenient location. Click on the Water tab to view grant programs for beach monitoring, drinking water, underground injection control programs, wastewater, water pollution, water quality standards, water security, watershed programs, and wetlands. Depending on where you are and the problems your tribe wants to address, the Toxic, Environmental Multimedia, Enforcement &amp; Compliance Assurance, and Place-Based Programs tabs may be of interest as well. <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Professional assistance for tribal projects</h4> <p> While there are a lot of valuable federal resources available to tribes, you may have local or regional non-governmental organizations available to you as well. Many of them focus on broader water-related topics like environmental management or GIS training, though there are a few specifically aimed at utilities as well. To find non-governmental technical assistance providers specific to water utilities, you can visit our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/tribal-assistance-providers">tribal technical assistance provider page</a> and scroll down to the regional and tribal organizations.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <span><a href="http://wateroperator.org/tribal">Tribal Utility Governance Program</a> (TUG) &ndash; This tribe-specific utility program provided training and technical assistance on utility management and financial and managerial capacity issues for personnel of tribally-owned and operated public water systems. Though the training sessions have now been completed and the program has ended, you can find the program manual and recordings of the three training modules <a href="http://wateroperator.org/tribal">here</a>.<br /> </span><br /> <a href="http://amigosbravos.org/">Amigos Bravos</a> &ndash; This New Mexico non-profit is a statewide water conservation organization that is inspired by and works closely with the state&rsquo;s tribes and native Hispanic populations. They also work with other local communities and urban environments. They are best known as a river and water protection organization.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/Home/">Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals</a> &ndash; ITEP, based at Northern Arizona University, offers events, training, and resources on a wide variety of tribal environmental topics, including air quality (indoor and outdoor), waste &amp; response, climate change, and energy, with occasional resources dedicated specifically to water topics. In addition to their <a href="http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/Training/">training</a>, they&rsquo;ve collected an <a href="http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/orca/">online database</a> of resources on tribal or environmental issues, as well as a <a href="http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/Resources/">resource center</a> and <a href="http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/Partners/">several tribal partnership groups</a>.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://tribalp2.org/">Tribal Pollution Prevention Network</a> &ndash; Modeled on the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/p2">USEPA Pollution Prevention program</a>, this tribe-focused network is focused on reducing the environmental and health risks associated with the generation of waste in tribal lands. Membership in the national network is open to environmental professionals from tribal entities, local state and federal agencies, and not-for-profit organizations.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://naturalresources.skc.edu/hydrology/">Salish Kootenai College Hydrology Program</a> &ndash; Native Americans interested in the field of hydrology may want to check out <a href="http://www.skc.edu/">SKC</a>&rsquo;s program, which offers both Associate of Science and Bachelor&rsquo;s degrees. Hydrology is the study of the earth&rsquo;s water and its movement in relation to land. It&rsquo;s not a field directly related to water utilities, but having a hydrologist around who understands the water in your region can be a huge asset to a utility facing certain source water problems.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://aihec.org/who-we-serve/TCUroster-profiles.htm">American Indian Higher Education Consortium</a> &ndash; Though Salish Kootenai College is the only American Indian college currently offering a degree specific to water issues, many of the consortium&rsquo;s colleges offer environmental science degrees and certificates. Most of those programs emphasize a mix of western science and traditional environmental management approaches.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.tribalgis.com/">TribalGIS.com</a> &ndash; This organization is facilitated by the non-profit National Tribal Geographic Information Support Center (NTGISC) with support from <a href="http://www.windenvironmental.com/">Wind Environmental Services</a>, a 100% Native American owned and operated GIS firm. It offers a variety of GIS support services specifically for tribes, as well as an annual conference focused on tribal GIS topics. (Tribes wanting to get started with GIS might also want to check out the Bureau of Indian Affairs&rsquo; <a href="http://www.indianaffairs.gov/WhatWeDo/ServiceOverview/Geospatial/index.htm">GIS training events</a>.)<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Tribal-Nations/">U.S. Army Corps of Engineers</a> &ndash; Sneaking in one federal agency after all. The USACE Tribal Nations Program has two main goals: to consult with tribes that may be affected by USACE projects or policies, and to reach out and partner with tribes on water resources projects. Tribes that want to know more about how to plan a water resources project with USACE will want to check out <a href="http://www.usace.army.mil/Portals/2/docs/civilworks/tribal/consult_policy_actionplan7jan2010.pdf">this guide</a> and their <a href="https://planning.erdc.dren.mil/toolbox/index.cfm">Planning Community Toolbox</a>. These resources will be of particular interest to tribes interested in large-scale environmental restoration projects.</p> <h4>Didn't find what you need? We can help.</h4> Though tribal utilities face their own unique challenges, there are opportunities for tribes as well. This article only scrapes the surface of resources available to tribes who want to work on their infrastructure, local environment, or other utility-related projects. For more tribal resources, see our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/Tag/resources-for-tribes">previous</a> blog entries. And if there&rsquo;s a tribal organization or program out there that you think we should know about, <a href="mailto:info@wateroperator.org?subject=Tribal Resources">email us</a>, or let us know in the comments. If you&rsquo;d like a hand finding resources, drop us a line. <p>&nbsp;</p>1254Featured Video: Coliform Sampling Best Practiceshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1279/featured-video-coliform-sampling-best-practicesRegulations,Small System O&MFri, 17 Mar 2017 13:00:00 GMT<p>Have you ever had a coliform sample come back positive, gone through the trouble and expense of re-sampling, and discovered your first result was a false positive? If so, you know what a frustrating, time consuming, and expensive process it can be. One way to avoid having this happen to you is to be very rigorous in your sampling technique when you collect the sample. This video from our partners at the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) walks you through the 13 steps of total coliform sampling, and discusses how to find a good sampling site.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/136001193" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>For more RCAP videos, visit their <a href="https://vimeo.com/rcapinc">channel on Vimeo</a>. For more on the Total Coliform and Revised Total Coliform Rules, see the EPA's <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/revised-total-coliform-rule-and-total-coliform-rule">website</a>.</p>1279Featured Video: Community Onsite Optionshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1278/featured-video-community-onsite-optionsAsset Management,Small System O&M,WastewaterFri, 10 Mar 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p>If you live in a community with a large number of failing septic tanks, you're probably already familiar with the downsides of these systems: the damage to local water quality, the threats to public health. The smell. What you may not know is what you can do about it. Of course, one option is to convert the entire community to a conventional wastewater collection and treatment system. This prevents putting the entire community at the mercy of that one guy who just <em>won't</em> pump or repair his tank, and it ensures that a professional is involved in the wastewater treatment process. </p> <p>But what if a conventional sewer system is logistically or financially impractical for your community? Are you stuck dealing with smelly, dirty water leaks forever? Thankfully, the answer is no. This 17-minute video discusses the opportunities offered by community onsite management systems. These systems combine the effluent from individual septic tanks into a community-wide leachfield, and often involve mandating activities such as basic maintenance and monitoring. The video includes profiles of five communities (most of them rural) that successfully rehabilitated failing septic systems and combined them into a community onsite management system.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1UpcA_S-Bfg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>If you're interested in learning more about septic systems and decentralized wastewater systems (which involve community-level septic options), browse our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> using the category Decentralized WW Systems. You can also visit NESC's <a href="http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/wastewater.cfm">wastewater page</a> for more on the septic resources they collect and offer.</p>1278Featured Video: Water Utility Response On-The-Gohttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1277/featured-video-water-utility-response-on-the-goEmergency Response,TechnologyFri, 03 Mar 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p>As winter gives way to spring, many of us look forward to the traditional activities associated with warmer weather: cookouts, swimming, gardening, camping. Of course, for some of us, spring and summer will bring less welcome events: storms, flooding, droughts, and extreme heat. As we approach the turning of the season, it doesn't hurt to refresh our memories on the resources available when the weather turns not-so-pleasant. </p> <p><span><a href="http://watersgeo.epa.gov/responseotg/">Water Utility Response On-The-Go</a> is a site specifically formatted to be comfortably viewed on smart phones and other mobile devices. The homepage displays a menu of links for tracking severe weather, contacting response partners, responding to incidents, taking notes and recording damage, informing incident command, and accessing additional planning info. The weather tracking and response partners links use location data to help you access forecasts and contacts specific to your area. The Respond to Incidents section includes action checklists for drought, earthquake, extreme cold and winter storms, extreme heat, flooding, hurricanes, tornado, tsunami, volcano, and wildfire. The option labeled Take Notes and Record Damage leads to a section that includes a generic damage assessment form, while Inform Incident Command includes ICS forms 213 and 214 (the General Message and Activity Log, respectively), as well as additional information on Incident Command. The section on additional planning info includes links to EPA webpages on emergencies/incidents, planning, response, and recovery, as well as to WARN and mutual aid info.<br /> <br /> Some of the external links from the site are not formatted for mobile viewing, and the .pdf forms may require an Adobe Reader app if you wish to fill them out on your mobile device. However, the site overall is well organized and easy to navigate, and can be a great tool for utilities dealing with weather emergencies and natural disasters. For a visual overview of how the site works, see the EPA&rsquo;s video, below.</span>&nbsp;</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/loQqFAjcXNw" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p> Interested in attending training or finding more information on emergency planning? Search our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">calendar</a> and <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> using the category &ldquo;Water Security/Emergency Response.&rdquo;</p>1277Featured Video: Lockout/Tagouthttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1276/featured-video-lockouttagoutOperator SafetyFri, 24 Feb 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p>Why do things never seem to break when the weather's nice out? Somehow, whether it's the roof over your house, the battery in your car, or the machinery at your utility, things always seem to have a way of breaking down right when it's pouring rain, or there's a raging blizzard, or the temperature's over 100. Probably it's just that those are the breakdowns we find more memorable, while the quick fixes on sunny spring mornings fade into the background. Whatever the reason, the important thing to remember is to be safe, no matter what life is throwing at you while you're out getting your hands dirty. One important maintenance safety practice is known as lockout/tagout, or what OSHA now calls the <a href="https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/controlhazardousenergy/">Control of Hazardous Energy</a>. This practice helps ensure that moving parts don't move when you're working on them (unless you want them to), and that no electricity is flowing through equipment that can shock you while you're repairing it. This week's video introduces the concept a little further, and explains how vital it is to worker safety. You can view it on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duVxMMU3BfM">here</a>. </p> <p>For more on lockout/tagout, see the OSHA page on <a href="https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/controlhazardousenergy/">hazardous energy</a>. For more on lockout/tagout at water utilities, search our document database using the category "Safety" and the word "lockout" (without the quote marks) typed in the keyword search box.</p>1276Featured Video: Lead and Copper Samplinghttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1275/featured-video-lead-and-copper-samplingPublic Education,RegulationsFri, 17 Feb 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p>For the past three weeks, we've talked about the dangers to drinking water quality posed by water storage facilities, and discussed what you can do to combat them. But there's another source of drinking water contamination that's gotten a lot more press in the past few years, and that's the distribution system. Lead and copper pipes are known for their ability to leach metal into the water they contain. When the pipes are particularly exposed or the water chemistry is particularly favorable, they can leach a <em>lot</em>. If your customers have an increased interest in getting their water tested---or you'd like a refresher on how lead and copper sampling works yourself---this video from AWWA can be a great place to start. The two-and-a-half minute video briefly outlines the basic provisions of the Lead and Copper Rule, and goes on to discuss the proper technique for collecting lead and copper samples.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YBnwlIjRVn4" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>The Quick Reference Guides mentioned in the video can be found on the USEPA website <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/drinking-water-rule-quick-reference-guides#lcrqrg">here</a>. The page with additional resources on the rule is <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/lead-and-copper-rule">here</a>. To see what consumer information resources other utilities and states have developed for the Lead and Copper Rule, search our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> using the category Lead and Copper and the type Factsheets/Case Studies.</p>1275Featured Video: Water Quality in Storage Facilitieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1274/featured-video-water-quality-in-storage-facilitiesSmall System O&MFri, 10 Feb 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p>In the previous two weeks' featured videos, our partners at RCAP have discussed how to conduct periodic water tank inspections, as well as what kinds of inspections tanks can or should receive. Though those videos made clear that preventing contamination is the primary focus of these inspections, they didn't go into detail regarding the kinds of water quality degradation that can happen in drinking water storage facilities. This one does. Though inspections are discussed, the focus is on the biological, chemical, and physical factors in storage tanks that can affect drinking water quality. Water operators play an essential role in protecting the public health of their communities by ensuring that drinking water is clean and safe to drink. Understanding the possible contamination or degradation factors in your storage facility can help you ensure that your treated water is still clean and drinkable when it reaches your customers' taps. </p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/195491168" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>For more on water storage tank issues, search our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> using the phrase "water storage tank" (without the quote marks) in the keyword search filter.</p>1274Featured Video: Types of Storage Tank Inspectionshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1273/featured-video-types-of-storage-tank-inspectionsSmall System O&MFri, 03 Feb 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p>Last week's video from our RCAP partners discussed the steps of a thorough periodic water tank inspection. This week, the topic returns, with a discussion of the types of tank inspection, including routine, periodic, and comprehensive inspections. The 4-minute video outlines the frequency and basic considerations of each kind of inspection, with photos and video of inspections carried out at various locations with various types of water tanks. Treated water storage facilities can be a weak link in the water quality chain. Don't let them slip into disrepair and ruin your hard work by causing contamination. </p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/195476780" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>For more on water storage tank issues, search our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> using the phrase "water storage tank" (without the quote marks) in the keyword search filter. Or check back next week, when we feature another RCAP video on this topic! </p>1273Featured Video: Conducting a Periodic Inspectionhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1272/featured-video-conducting-a-periodic-inspectionSmall System O&MFri, 27 Jan 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p>Periodic water storage tank inspections are a great way to ensure the quality and quick availability of the water you're providing to your customers. After all, it would be a shame to go to all the trouble and expense of treating your water, only to have it get contaminated or go stagnant in storage. Not to mention the heartbreaking waste if your tank springs a leak! Periodic inspections help you keep on top of any issues that might arise with your water storage before they get serious. Tank inspection forms may feel like long lists of nitpicky details, but the principles behind tank inspections are simple. This five-minute video from our partners at RCAP explains the basic considerations that go into a periodic tank inspection, and shows professionals conducting inspections on several different types of storage tank. It can serve as a great starting point for planning your own inspection.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/195486326" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>For more on water storage tank issues, search our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> using the phrase "water storage tank" (without the quote marks) in the keyword search filter. Or check back next week, when we feature another RCAP video on this topic! </p>1272Featured Video: The EFC Water and Wastewater Rate Dashboardshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1270/featured-video-the-efc-water-and-wastewater-rate-dashboardsAsset Management,Business Mindset,Funding,Value of WaterFri, 20 Jan 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p>The new year may be a time for considering budgets as well as operational challenges. But for small water utilities in particular, setting rates and managing budgets involves a complex set of social and financial issues that can feel overwhelming. Luckily, there are resources out there that can help. The Environmental Finance Center at the University of North Carolina has developed a set of free, interactive <a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/project/utility-financial-sustainability-and-rates-dashboards">Utility Financial Sustainability and Rates Dashboards</a>. According to the project website, these dashboards are "<span class="field-content">designed to assist utility managers and local officials to compare and analyze water and wastewater rates against multiple characteristics, including utility finances, system characteristics, customer base socioeconomic conditions, geography, and history.</span>" To learn more about how the dashboard works, you can watch their nine-part video series, beginning with the video below: </p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S6U7cSxrZwY?list=PLCaivApWtycMRbgVEr61hqcYSM2kXkY-0" height="315" frameborder="0" width="560"></iframe></div> <p>Dashboards are currently available for twelve states. (For the most up-to-date versions of these dashboards, and to check if new states have been added, use the map at the <a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/project/utility-financial-sustainability-and-rates-dashboards">project page</a>.) </p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/reslib/item/alabama-water-and-wastewater-rates-dashboard">Alabama</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/reslib/item/arizona-water-and-wastewater-rates-dashboard">Arizona</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/node/441">Colorado</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/reslib/item/georgia-water-and-wastewater-rates-dashboard">Georgia</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/reslib/item/northeast-illinois-water-and-wastewater-rates-dashboard">Northeast Illinois</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/reslib/item/ohio-water-and-wastewater-rates-dashboard">Ohio</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/reslib/item/massachusetts-water-and-wastewater-rates-dashboard">Massachusetts</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/reslib/item/north-carolina-water-and-wastewater-rates-dashboard">North Carolina</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/reslib/item/south-carolina-water-and-wastewater-rates-dashboard">South Carolina</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/texas-water-and-wastewater-rates-survey#">Texas</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/virginia-water-and-wastewater-rates-survey">Virginia</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.efc.sog.unc.edu/reslib/item/wisconsin-residential-water-rates-dashboard">Wisconsin</a> </li> </ul> <p>Even if your state is not on the list of current dashboards, it may still be interesting to check out what communities similar to yours are doing around the country. If you'd like more help working on rates and budgeting at your utility, the <a href="http://rcap.org/">Rural Community Assistance Program</a> provides technical assistance to small, rural utilities in need of both operational and administrative support. They also have a number of helpful guides aimed at supporting board members of small utilities, including <a href="http://rcap.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Formulate-Great-Rates.pdf">this one</a> dedicated specifically to rate-setting.</p> <p>Utility finances can be difficult and complicated, but they don't have to be impossible. Find out which assistance providers near you can help you determine what's most realistic and sustainable for your utility. </p>1270Featured Video: Lime Softening Techniques for Water Operatorshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1269/featured-video-lime-softening-techniques-for-water-operatorsWater TreatmentFri, 13 Jan 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p>Hello, and Happy Friday! After the longer water treatment video last week, here is a little water treatment bite. In this 2-minute AWWA video, Fred Bloetscher briefly describes the process for adding lime to the reactor at a large drinking water treatment plant. He also demonstrates how quickly the lime reaction works to clarify the water. </p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AqnB73GPTDI" height="315" frameborder="0" width="560"></iframe></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For more on lime softening topics, visit our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents" style="background-color: #ffffff;">document database</a> and type "lime softening" (without the quote marks) into the keyword filter, then click Retrieve Documents.</p>1269Featured Video: Direct and Conventional Filtrationhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1268/featured-video-direct-and-conventional-filtrationWater TreatmentFri, 06 Jan 2017 14:00:00 GMT<p>A new year is often a time of reflection, re-focusing, and a return to the basics. Even if you're not someone who believes in New Years' resolutions, the turn of the calendar year can still be a great time to consider the big picture and the details in it that are important to you. If you have a little time now that the holidays are over, this can also be a great time to brush up on your drinking water treatment knowledge. This 23-minute video is a walkthrough of a direct filtration plant, but it's a lot more than that. Ty Whitman of The Water Sifu explains each treatment step in detail while providing video of the flash mix process, flocculation basins, gravity filters, backwashing, and the spent washwater reclamation process. He also discusses the differences between the direct filtration processes he's demonstrating and conventional filtration.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PCt4DkjokMc" height="315" frameborder="0" width="560"></iframe></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For more in-depth instruction on drinking water topics, visit our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">training event calendar</a> and search by your state to see training offered near you.</p>1268Featured Video: Safe Drinking Water Act Anniversaryhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1267/featured-video-safe-drinkin-water-act-anniversaryRegulationsFri, 30 Dec 2016 14:15:00 GMT<p>As December draws to a close, let's take a moment to commemorate the passing of the Safe Drinking Water Act 42 years ago, in December of 1974. For the fortieth anniversary, the Minnesota Department of Health released this video. The reminiscences on this landmark legislation include interview excerpts with former Vice President Walter Mondale (a Minnesota native) who was part of the Senate that passed the bill.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/inLZwGZSvSc" height="315" frameborder="0" width="560"></iframe> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>As we get ready to begin a new year, it's worth remembering how much public water utilities have accomplished in their vital work protecting public health. Though they may sometimes feel invisible, your efforts help protect the health and well-being of the people in your communities. Whatever else this past year might have brought you, that is certainly a reason to celebrate this New Year's Eve.</p>1267Featured Video: Use of Davidson Piehttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1266/featured-video-use-of-davidson-pieOperator Math,Wastewater,Water TreatmentFri, 23 Dec 2016 14:00:00 GMT<p>What's a holiday season without a little pie? The Davidson Pie might not be very tasty, but it can help you work math problems assisting with chemical addition and process control at both water and wastewater utilities. This 3-minute video explains the construction of the pie and works an example problem using it.</p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iLoF6r1pPbs" height="315" frameborder="0" width="560"></iframe></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For more water and wastewater math help, search our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> using the "Certification/Exam Prep" category filter and the word "math" (without the quote marks) in the keyword filter.</p>1266Featured Video: Will It Flush?http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1265/featured-video-will-it-flushPublic Education,WastewaterTue, 20 Dec 2016 19:38:35 GMT<p>With the holidays coming up, a lot of your customers may be getting particularly creative with their flushing activities. After all, for a lot of us the holidays mean a lot of hectic activity and a house full of guests. When the house is full, the trash is full, and the bathroom's getting worked overtime, sometimes standards can relax a bit. And who can blame them? A lot of products do say "flushable," right there on the label.<br /> <br /> If you think your customers could use some extra information on how several commonly-flushed products actually behave once they're out of sight, this video might help. In it, Pre-Treatment Technician Tracy Stevens from the City of Spokane Department of Wastewater Management uses a jar test setup to demonstrate the dangers to sewers and wastewater pumps posed by facial tissues, flushable wipes, dental floss, Q-Tips, feminine hygiene products, and flushable kitty litter. If you need to give someone a refresher on the flushable, this video could be a great place to start. </p> <div class="videoWrapper"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SLTVqkXVvNk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> <p>For more on utilities' efforts to fight flushables and fatbergs, search "flushable" (without the quote marks) in the keyword filter box of our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a>. The <a href="http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/article/247465">City of Portland</a> also has a list of items not to flush or put down your sink:</p> <p> <ul> <li><span>disposable diapers</span></li> <li><span>tampons and tampon applicators</span></li> <li><span>sanitary napkins</span></li> <li><span>cotton balls and swabs</span></li> <li><span>mini or maxi pads</span></li> <li><span>condoms</span></li> <li><span>cleaning wipes of any kind</span></li> <li><span>facial tissue</span></li> <li><span>bandages and bandage wrappings</span></li> <li><span>automotive fluids</span></li> <li><span>paint, solvents, sealants and thinners</span></li> <li><span>poisons and hazardous waste</span></li> <li><span>cooking grease&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> </p>1265Creating O&M Manuals that Actually Get Usedhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1252/creating-om-manuals-that-actually-get-usedSmall System O&MThu, 08 Sep 2016 15:19:00 GMT<p><em>This is a 2013 guest post from Angela Hengel, a Rural Development Specialist with RCAC.&nbsp;</em></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><strong>Background<br /> </strong><span style="line-height: 24px;">Small community water systems face a variety of problems and challenges quite unlike anything their larger counterparts must face. With fewer customers to share the costs of running the system, smaller water systems suffer from economy of scale. These utilities often struggle to maintain water quality, water quantity, and system infrastructure.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">Decreased revenue also means that small water systems are often faced with the inability to provide equitable pay to their operators resulting in frequent turnover and a subsequent loss of system knowledge and experience. Adding to that problem, small systems often cannot afford the time and resources required to create adequate standard operating procedures for their system. This issue can have a devastating effect on a utility as new operators have few useful guidance documents to assist them with learning operations, maintenance and repairs. As regulations become more stringent and the associated technologies more complex, the need for well developed, user friendly operating procedures becomes even more apparent.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <strong><span>The Search for a Solution</span></strong><br /> RCAC technical assistance providers work with small community systems on a daily basis and are familiar with the challenges they face. Through these relationships, it became clear that the lack of informative and easy to use operations and maintenance (O&amp;M) manuals was a recurring roadblock for small systems striving to become sustainable. RCAC was faced with a question, how to develop an O&amp;M manual that captures system information in a method that is easy to use and understand?<br /> <br /> To start, RCAC looked at basic O&amp;M manuals for small treatment plants and drew some conclusions: while they contained system information, they were often bulky, difficult to navigate, and very generic. This was particularly true when it came to manufacturers&rsquo; O&amp;M manuals.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Another aspect that RCAC noted was the tendency for manufacturers&rsquo; O&amp;M manuals to be written with either too much engineering language or without any engineering thought at all. As noted by RCAC Rural Development Specialist and professional engineer Leon Schegg, &ldquo;What we came across were catalog cuts from particular equipment manufacturers but very little information specific to that system,&rdquo; said Schegg. &ldquo;Some of the materials handed over were actually sales brochures.&rdquo; As a result, these manuals were more often than not left by operators to collect dust on a bookshelf.<br /> <br /> RCAC realized that a new approach was necessary. There had to be a way to enhance O&amp;M manuals in a manner that is both technically sound and user friendly. For RCAC Regional Environmental Manager Dave Harvey the answer was easy. &ldquo;I am a do-it-yourself kind of person,&rdquo; said Harvey. &ldquo;I love to tinker on my bike and my vehicles at home and my go-to place is always YouTube. I would much rather watch a video of how to repair my bike than read a manual. It&rsquo;s fast, easy and accurate.&rdquo; And with that, the RCAC video O&amp;M manual was born.&nbsp;<br /> <span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /> <strong>Making the Manuals<br /> </strong></span><span style="line-height: 24px;">The idea of a video O&amp;M manual was immediately welcomed by small water system managers and operators. With funding from Indian Health Service (IHS), RCAC began development of video O&amp;M manuals for three tribally-owned small treatment plants.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/67826792" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/67826792" style="line-height: 24px; background-color: #ffffff;">Video O&amp;M Introduction</a><span style="line-height: 24px;"> from </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/rcac" style="line-height: 24px; background-color: #ffffff;">RCAC</a><span style="line-height: 24px;"> on </span><a href="https://vimeo.com" style="line-height: 24px; background-color: #ffffff;">Vimeo</a><span style="line-height: 24px;">.</span></p> <p>"Our intent was not to do away with the written manuals but rather to enhance them by integrating them with video demonstrations filmed on site at the treatment plant,&rdquo; Harvey said. The result: highly individualized O&amp;M manuals that provide not only written information, but detailed yet easy to follow video instructions on plant operations and maintenance.&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="line-height: 24px;">RCAC took a holistic approach to creating the manuals. Each individualized O&amp;M manual is created through a collaborative of RCAC technicians, utility operators, IHS engineers, contractors and manufacturer technical representatives. Filmed onsite by RCAC videographers and finished in the RCAC graphic arts department, each manual is a one-of-a-kind visual training tool. With it, small system staff with limited technical skills can learn their system&rsquo;s requirements and follow step-by-step maintenance procedures using a menu-driven CD containing text, photography, video and the internet.&nbsp;</span></p> <p>There were challenges to be met along the way in the creation of the manuals. &ldquo;It was kind of like a movie set. We had to get all parties on site and organized and ready to go when it was time to film,&rdquo; said RCAC&rsquo;s Eagle Jones. &ldquo;We had to deal with road noise, lighting, people forgetting their lines and just getting used to the idea of being on camera,&rdquo; Jones said. &ldquo;It took a few shoots and we had to go back and re-shoot a few sections, but in the end we produced some really great video.&rdquo;</p> <p><span style="line-height: 24px;">Bringing the video and written manual together in a cohesive and organized manner presented its own set of difficulties. &ldquo;It was important that the manuals were designed in a way that would build the operators&rsquo; trust so that they actually use them,&rdquo; said Schegg. &ldquo;We inserted flags in the text of the manuals directing the user to a video.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 24px;">One of the issues RCAC had to overcome was that the manuals being provided by equipment manufacturers often contained information that was different than plant operations. According to Schegg, &ldquo;The videos were documenting actual maintenance procedures that were not in the manufacturers&rsquo; manuals.&rdquo; This was particularly true with plant start-ups. &ldquo;Problems arise during plant start-up that may not be known during the design phase or when the manufacturer put together their operations and maintenance manual,&rdquo; said Schegg. &ldquo;We see and resolve inconsistencies between the plans, manufacturers&rsquo; literature and recommended settings so that our manuals present the actual process and equipment operating and maintenance procedures necessary at your site.&rdquo;</span></p> <p><strong style="line-height: 24px;">The Outcome<br /> </strong><span style="line-height: 24px;">Once the video O&amp;M manuals were completed, RCAC returned to the systems to review the manual with the operators. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t just say, &lsquo;Here&rsquo;s your manual&rsquo;&rdquo; says Harvey. &ldquo;We sit down and review every section with system operators to ensure that the information in the manual and video is completely accurate and, more importantly, that the operators understand how to use it.&rdquo;</span></p> <p>The Campo EPA department recently received a completed video O&amp;M manual. Melissa Estes, Campo EPA Director, commented on the decision to have RCAC create the manual, &ldquo;IHS recommended RCAC. The bid we received from RCAC was very reasonable compared to other consultants. &nbsp;RCAC met with the Tribe&rsquo;s Executive Committee and the Committee decided RCAC were experienced working with tribal governments and would do a good job, so the Committee approved the contract. &nbsp; Since the Tribe and the tribal EPA had worked closely with RCAC on other projects we felt they would do an outstanding job.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="line-height: 24px;">In reference to the actual manual, Estes referred to it as being, &ldquo;very user friendly,&rdquo; and went on to note, &ldquo;This manual will accommodate people who learn from reading, and others who learn from seeing. &nbsp;The format is helpful for people who like to read directions or see them on a video. It is very helpful to have a manual specific to the system you operate, with actual demonstrations of how to operate the components.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 24px;">RCAC knew that a video O&amp;M manual would provide several benefits to small systems such as; increased operator technical capacity, a more effective preventive maintenance program, a more effective emergency maintenance program, a more accurate ability to budget for parts and labor, and having an enhanced training tool for new operators that acts as a safety net should the system find themselves one day without an operator.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 24px;">Still there were other, unexpected benefits that came about during the creation of these manuals. By bringing together engineers, operators, contractors, and technical representatives and analyzing the processes, each party began to get a better understanding of their role as it interrelates to other roles. As Schegg states, &ldquo;The manual brings together documented and undocumented procedures from the standpoint of an operator which proved to be a tool not only for the operator but also engineers and contractors who use the information to modify those processes in the future and hopefully have an advantage when starting a new design.&rdquo;</span></p> <p><strong style="line-height: 24px;">The Future<br /> </strong><span style="line-height: 24px;">With the success of the three video O&amp;M manuals, RCAC has plans for not only creating more treatment plant manuals, but to expand to other utility operations. &ldquo;We are currently in the process of finishing a wastewater treatment plant manual and putting together proposals for creating distribution system manuals using the same video format,&rdquo; Harvey said.</span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 24px;">As for whether or not other systems would be interested in video O&amp;M manuals, &ldquo;Almost 100% of the managers and operators I have talked with would prefer to have an O&amp;M manual with video integrated into the text,&rdquo; states Harvey. And when asked if she would recommend this style of O&amp;M manual to other systems, Estes replied, &ldquo;Yes, we would recommend this style to other water systems.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span></p>1252Developing and Implementing Tools for Small Systems to Evaluate and Select Appropriate Treatment Technologieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1259/developing-and-implementing-tools-for-small-systems-to-evaluate-and-select-appropriate-treatment-technologiesInnovative Technology,TechnologyWed, 31 Aug 2016 14:02:49 GMTWater utilities can struggle to know which treatment technologies to consider and then which one to select and implement to solve their water quality and compliance challenges. This is particularly challenging for small water systems without resources to stay up-to-date on the range of appropriate technology options and their associated treatment and operational performance. The DeRISK Center is dedicated to addressing this challenge by developing and implementing tools for small systems to evaluate and select appropriate treatment technologies. These tools are designed to help utilities, states, consultants, and technology providers make technology selection decisions based on public health protection and sustainability beyond just regulatory compliance.<br /> <br /> A conventional analysis of technology alternatives is typically performed when water systems need to upgrade or replace major treatment facilities. This analysis consists of identifying the feasible alternatives that will accomplish the treatment goals, comparing the alternatives based on some criteria, and selecting the &ldquo;best&rdquo; alternative. The criterion most used is cost&mdash;capital cost, operation and maintenance cost, or an engineering life-cycle cost analysis that includes the anticipated life-span of major equipment.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> The DeRISK Center tools employ a decision support methodology that improves on this conventional approach. The major steps in the methodology are deciding what criteria are most important to stakeholders and providing and easy way to compare technology alternatives to each other with respect to each criterion. Our approach strives to go beyond just a comparison of costs. As shown in Figure 1, the decision support methodology expands on the conventional analysis of alternatives process by including: <ul> <li>Facilitated methodology that incorporates stakeholder input</li> <li>Data on innovative treatment technologies</li> <li>Relative health risk protection of treatment approaches</li> <li>Sustainability measures of treatment approaches</li> <li>Stakeholder preferences</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/DeRISK.png?ver=2016-08-31-090452-977" /></p> <p>Performance information such as treated water quality and performance data along with other characteristics, including source water quality constraints, are used to identify feasible technology alternatives. The characteristics for feasible alternatives are then fed into the analyses of health risk, sustainability, and stakeholder preferences in order to provide data to the decision support methodology. &nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Microbial and chemical agents in drinking water can pose significant human health risks. Evaluating the combined impacts from multiple contaminants can provide new insights into how best to manage that risk and protect public health to meet regulatory compliance and achieve the greatest risk protection possible given feasible alternatives. The DeRISK Center tools utilize the Relative Health Indicator (RHI)&mdash;a semi-quantitative metric developed to harmonize the cancer and non-cancer impacts from a wide range of drinking water contaminants&mdash;to compare the relative health risks posed by multiple waterborne constituents.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> The DeRISK Center is also focused on analyzing and improving the environmental and economic sustainability of small drinking water treatment systems. To achieve this, life cycle analysis (LCA) methodology is being used to quantify and characterize environmental impacts associated with various drinking water technologies. These impacts (using EPA&rsquo;s TRACI assessment method) include ozone depletion (kg CFC-11 eq), global warming (kg CO<sub>2</sub> eq), smog (kg O<sub>3</sub> eq.), acidification (kg SO<sub>2 </sub>eq.), eutrophication (kg N eq.), carcinogenics (CTUh), non carcinogenics (CTUh), respiratory effects (kg PM 2.5 eq.), ecotoxicity (CTUe), and fossil fuel depletion (MJ surplus). A comprehensive LCA model framework was developed utilizing water treatment data, experience, and commercial information.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Last, the DeRISK Center is putting these tools to the test evaluating treatment technology decisions through cases studies with actual small water systems needing to address water quality and compliance challenges. The first case studies are assessing disinfection alternatives for small water systems in New Hampshire.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> If you are interested in testing these tools and collaborating with DeRISK Center researchers to assess treatment technology alternatives for your water system, please contact Chad Seidel at&nbsp;<a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:chad.seidel@colorado.edu)" href="mailto:chad.seidel@colorado.edu)">chad.seidel@colorado.edu</a>.&nbsp;</p>1259In-Line Diffused Aeration to Reduce THMs in Distribution Pipinghttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1257/in-line-diffused-aeration-to-reduce-thms-in-distribution-pipingInnovative TechnologyThu, 28 Jul 2016 18:24:36 GMT<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>This post from University of New Hampshire's M.R. Collins is a continuation of a project update originally shared in our Technology News newsletter.&nbsp;</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Several methods exist for controlling THM formation, including reducing natural organic matter (NOM) prior to chlorine disinfection, and using an alternate disinfectant such as ozone, chloramines, or UV. Using these disinfectants will prevent or reduce the formation of THMs, but could facilitate the production of other potentially harmful byproducts.&nbsp; Also, using ozone or UV as a disinfectant will not provide a residual in the distribution system (USEPA, 1981 &amp; USEPA, 1999).&nbsp; While effective at reducing THM formation, changing or upgrading the water treatment plant to include these control techniques could be costly and negatively affect other plant processes.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Posttreatment aeration is another strategy to control THMs, and involves removing the THMs after formation.&nbsp; Countercurrent packed towers, diffused aeration in open reactors, and spray aeration in storage tanks are all viable aeration methods to remove THMs (USEPA, 1981 and Brooke &amp; Collins, 2011).&nbsp; While the above methods are viable and have been applied in the field, all require depressurization of the water, and are limited in terms of placement in the water distribution system.&nbsp; Placement in the distribution system is important since THMs continue to form in the system, and often exceed regulations when at the far end of the system.&nbsp; This research explores both vertical in-line diffused aeration (VILDA) and horizontal in-line diffused aeration (HILDA) to reduce THMs, which has the potential to be cost effective and conveniently placed where needed in the distribution system.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">A schematic of an in-line diffused aeration system is depicted in Figure 1. The basic components consist of an air compressor, air-water reactor, air injector, air release system and associated air and water flow meters. The basic difference between VILDA and HILDA systems is the configuration of the air-water reactor. The VILDA system will utilize a countercurrent arrangement where air is injected in the bottom of the vertical reactor while the water enters at the top of the reactor. The HILDA will have air and water flowing concurrently through the horizontal reactor.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/July%20newsletter%201.png?ver=2016-07-28-132638-610" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Figure 1. </strong>Schematic of basic in-line diffused aeration system.&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="line-height: 24px;"></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The most efficient air-water reactor is one where equilibrium or saturation THM removals can be achieved. The work of Matter-M&uuml;ller et al. (1981) provides a mass balance method which allows equilibrium or saturation THM removal values to be predicted as depicted in Equation 1:</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Equation 1: &nbsp;<img alt="" src="/Portals/1/July%20newsletter%202.png?ver=2016-07-28-131701-793" /> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">where <em>Q<sub>G</sub></em>&nbsp;= the gas flow in (m<sup>3</sup>/s), <em>H<sub>cc</sub></em>&nbsp;= the dimensionless Henry&rsquo;s law constant of compound, and <em>Q<sub>L</sub></em>= the liquid flow rate (m<sup>3</sup>/s). Hence, the higher the air/water ratio, the greater the removals of THMs.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">For Equation 1 to be applicable to distribution piping conditions, the Henry&rsquo;s Law Constant will have to be adjusted for both temperature and pressure. The former has been well documented in the literature but the latter had to be determined during this research. Basically, a second order relationship as shown in Equation 2 was used to correct for pressure (Zwerneman, 2012).</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Equation 2:&nbsp; <img alt="" src="/Portals/1/July%20newsletter%203.png?ver=2016-07-28-131701-827" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">where <em style="text-align: justify;">H<span><sub>cc</sub></span></em><span style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;= the dimensionless Henry&rsquo;s law constant at system pressure, <em style="text-align: justify;">H<span><sub>cc,o</sub></span></em><span style="text-align: justify;"><sub>&nbsp;</sub></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;= the dimensionless Henry&rsquo;s law constant at atmospheric pressure, <em>P</em>&nbsp;= the system pressure (psi), and <em>k</em>= the experimentally determined rate constant (psi<sup>-1</sup>).</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>HILDA REACTOR DESIGN. </strong>The most problematic concern with a HILDA system was to configure an air-water reactor where equilibrium or saturation conditions will be achieved since injected air in a horizontal pipeline will have a strong tendency to raise to the top of the pipe and not be mixed with the water sufficiently to reach saturation. Through trial and error, Komax static mixers were determined to provide adequate air-water mixing to approach saturation removal conditions provided fluid turbulence or mixing intensity was high enough. A modified Reynolds Number (Re&rsquo;) was developed to capture the magnitude of fluid momentum and mixing intensity and can be seen in Equation 3 (McCowan, 2015).</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Equation 3:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="/Portals/1/July%20newsletter%204.png?ver=2016-07-28-131701-857" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">where, v= velocity of water (ft/s), d=pipe diameter (ft), </span><em style="line-height: 24px;">L<sub>m</sub></em><span style="line-height: 24px;">=length of reactor (ft), and v=kinematic viscosity (ft</span><sup>2</sup><span style="line-height: 24px;">/s). Figure 2 shows a graphical representation of % removal vs. Re&rsquo; at 10:1 and 20:1 A:W ratios.&nbsp; Re&rsquo; appears to be a good indicator of when saturation values are achieved and could be used to design of the HILDA reactor.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/July%20newsletter%205.png?ver=2016-07-28-131701-903" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Figure 2. </strong><span>HILDA model predictions of THM removals for various A:W ratios as a function of modified Reynolds Number.</span></p> <p><strong>VILDA REACTOR DESIGN. </strong>Equilibrium or saturation removal conditions in a VILDA system is easier to achieve than with a HILDA system although a HILDA system could be easier to install in the field. The countercurrent flows in a VILDA reactor encourages adequate contact time between the air bubbles and bulk water to achieve saturation conditions quickly as depicted in Figure 3. Basically, in-line diffused aeration is a fast treatment process.</p> <p><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/July%20newsletter%206.png?ver=2016-07-28-131701-950" /></p> <p><strong>Figure 3. </strong>Influence of A:W ratios on VILDA EBCTs required to reach saturation THM removals.</p> <p><strong style="line-height: 24px;">SUMMARY. </strong><span style="line-height: 24px;">Both HILDA and VILDA have shown potential to achieve significant reductions in THMs in distribution pipelines especially if the most dominant species is chloroform. Research on bench and pilot scale versions of these posttreatment aeration systems have resulted in prediction models that could be used to design HILDA and VILDA reactors in the field. Field assessment and treatment verification of this innovative technology are currently being explored and developed. Opportunities to participate in these assessment studies are still available. Please inquire within.</span></p> <p><strong>REFERENCES</strong></p> <p><span style="color: black;">Brooke, E. &amp; Collins M.R., 2011. Posttreatment Aeration to Reduce THMs. <em>Journal AWWA,&nbsp;</em></span><span style="line-height: 24px; color: black;">103:10.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-family: inherit; color: black;">Komax Systems, Inc. Triple Action Static Mixer. </span><a href="http://www.komax.com/triple-action-static-mixer/" style="line-height: 24px; background-color: #ffffff;">http://www.komax.com/triple-action-static-mixer/</a><span style="font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-family: inherit; color: black;"> (accessed 3/31/15).</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">Matter-Müller, C.; Gujer, G.; Giger, G., 1981. Transfer of Volatile Substances from Water to the&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 24px; color: black;">Atmosphere. </span><strong style="color: black; line-height: 24px;"><em>Water Research</em></strong><span style="line-height: 24px; color: black;">, 15:1271.</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">McCowan, M.L.,2015. Developing a Horizontal In-Line Diffused Aeration System for Removing Trihalomethanes from Water Distribution Mains. Master&rsquo;s Thesis, University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H.</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), 1999.</span><span style="color: #151515;">Alternative Disinfectants and&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 24px; color: #151515;">Oxidants Guidance Manual. EPA 815-R-99-014.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #151515;">USEPA (</span><span style="color: black;">United States Environmental Protection Agency), 1981. Treatment Techniques for&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 24px; color: black;">Controlling Trihalomethanes in Drinking Water. EPA/600/2-81/156, Washington, DC.</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">Zwerneman, J., 2012. Investigating the Effect of System Pressure on Trihalomethane Post-</span><span style="line-height: 24px; color: black;">Treatment Diffused Aeration. Master&rsquo;s Thesis, University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H.</span></p>1257Common Distribution System Deficiencieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1246/common-distribution-system-deficienciesBackflow,Capacity DevelopmentThu, 14 Jul 2016 16:23:00 GMT<p><em>This article was first published in the&nbsp;<a href="http://epa.ohio.gov/Portals/28/documents/pws/spigot121812web.pdf">Winter 2012 issue of Spigot News</a>, the Ohio EPA's drinking water program newsletter. Many thanks for allowing us to republish it! You may also be interested in the articles <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1248/common-source-water-deficiencies">Common Source Water Deficiencies</a> and <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1247/common-treatment-deficiencies">Common Treatment Deficiencies</a>.&nbsp;</em></p> This article is a continuation of the series on common deficiencies, covering source, treatment and distribution deficiencies. This article covers different aspects of the distribution system, including cross-connection, backflow, depressurization events, water age and infrastructure deterioration.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><br /> <br /> <strong><span>Cross-connection</span></strong><br /> A &ldquo;cross-connection&rdquo; occurs in areas of the plumbing system where non-potable water comes in contact with potable water. There are two types of cross-connections: direct and indirect cross-connections.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><br /> <br /> Direct cross-connections &ndash; the potable system is permanently connected to a non-potable system (for example a submerged inlet pipe for a chemical feed system).<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><br /> <br /> Indirect cross-connections &ndash; there is a potential for a connection of the potable system to a non-potable system (for example, a garden hose connected to an outside hose bid without a vacuum breaker or a bidet with a douche sprayer or jet that fills the bowl below the rim).<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><br /> <br /> Establish cross-connection control ordinances for municipalities with diligent inspections of new and existing plumbing to prevent possible cross-connection issues. These issues may be identified during a sanitary survey or when real estate is bought and/or sold within the municipality.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><br /> <br /> <p><strong>Backflow and Backsiphonage<br /> </strong><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">A &ldquo;backflow event&rdquo; is when non-potable water is forced by pressure into the potable water supply due to a direct cross-connection. All distribution systems must maintain a minimum pressure of 20 psig and a 35 psig working pressure during all water demands including fires. Distribution systems that fall below these minimum pressures may experience a backflow event if an overpowering pressure differential is experienced by a competing cross-connection within the system.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></p> A &ldquo;backsiphonage event&rdquo; is when water flows backward in the water distribution system from a vessel or other contamination source because the distribution system has lost, created or reduced pressure.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><br /> <br /> Backflow devices (backflow preventers, double check valves, testable reduced pressure zone device, etc.) are required on certain businesses that pose the most threat to a potable water system, but municipalities can require all businesses and homes within their jurisdictions to install and inspect backflow devices every 12 months. Another preventative measure may be to conduct a hydraulic assessment of the distribution system to identify those areas at most risk of a backflow event. Once identified, these areas can be targeted for improvement. &nbsp; <div><br /> <p><strong>Depressurization Events<br /> </strong><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">System-wide depressurization events are rare but can occur when mains break or electrical power is lost. When an event occurs, it is strongly recommended to issue a boil alert to those affected. Public water systems can issue a boil alert without consulting Ohio EPA, but boil alerts that affect a major portion of the distribution system must be reported within 24 hours. The municipality may lift voluntary boil alerts after the system is pressurized and the designated operator clears the system for providing drinking water.&nbsp;(</span><em style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Editor's Note: Please see your state agency for reporting requirements that affect you.</em><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">)</span></p> The best way to avoid a depressurization is to keep the water and power flowing. When all power is lost through the electrical grid an alternate source of energy that will run the treatment plant and the distribution system critical components, such as a generator, is an excellent choice.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><br /> <br /> Water main breaks are resolved by isolating the break quickly while maintaining water pressure to the rest of the system. This approach works well when all valves are accurately identified and working properly. A valve exercising program identifies the valves and keeps them working correctly in case they are needed.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><br /> <strong><br /> </strong> <p><strong>Water Age<br /> </strong><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">The issues related to water age are directly attributable to water quantity and quality needs. These vital needs are always in conflict because quantity objectives dictate excessive storage issues while quality strives to minimize storage time while maintaining appropriate disinfectant residuals. Public water systems must strike a balance to minimize water age, effectively limit the formation of disinfection by products (DBPs) such as HAA5s and TTHMs, and keep disinfectant residuals within regulatory limits.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></p> A Distribution System Optimization Plan (DSOP) offers a mix of options for public water systems to meet quantity and quality standards by optimizing treatment and storage capabilities.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/3745-81">OAC Rule 3745-81-78</a>&nbsp;(<em><span>Note: This is now a rescinded Ohio regulation.</span></em>) details the DSOP requirements and options. For more on sanitary surveys for small water systems, read<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/28/documents/pws/PrepSurvey.pdf">Preparing for a Sanitary Survey for Small Public Water Systems</a>.</div>1246Tribal Utility News Subscribers Give Us Insight into Tribal System Needshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1251/tribal-utility-news-subscribers-give-us-insight-into-tribal-system-needsTribal SystemsMon, 11 Jul 2016 13:00:00 GMTWhen we launched our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/newsletters">Tribal Utility News</a> newsletter in 2012, we asked new subscribers about the challenges and education needs they felt were unique to tribal utilities. We got about 60 anonymous responses. Our subscribers include tribal operators, various technical assistance providers, and staff from several agencies that serve tribal interests. Judging from the responses we received, all three of these groups appear to be represented in our survey results. <h4><span style="font-size: 18px;">My Problems Are Your Problems</span></h4> <p>While there are unique challenges facing tribal utilities, some of the common themes from the survey results address challenges faced by small utilities all over the country. Many small systems struggle to find and keep certified operators, raise the money to keep the system going, and keep the board engaged with the utility&rsquo;s needs and responsibilities. While the specific ways in which those challenges crop up may be specific to tribes, a lot of resources intended for small rural systems could be helpful to tribal utilities as well.</p> <h4><span style="font-size: 18px;">Tribal Challenges</span></h4> <p>That said, tribal systems also face unique challenges related to sovereignty, government, federal support, and tribal issues and attitudes.<br /> <span style="color: #c0504d;"><br /> <span style="font-size: 16px;">Remoteness and Isolation</span><br /> </span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 24px;">Survey respondents mentioned that some tribal systems may not recognize that there are opportunities to cooperate or reach compromises with nearby non-tribal systems. In some cases, non-tribal water utilities might provide support that&rsquo;s more conveniently located than tribe-specific assistance providers in the region. On the flip side, some tribes are in such secluded areas that they may be inaccessible to state and county support. And some tribes may wish to work with state entities but be facing other roadblocks.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px; color: #c0504d;">Support From Tribal Government</span><br /> As with many small rural utilities, tribal utilities sometimes struggle to get meaningful support from those in charge. Sometimes the tribal government doesn&rsquo;t understand the need for qualified operators to run the system. Sometimes the tribal council doesn&rsquo;t want to get involved in the utility at all, or ends up using utility job appointments for political patronage. Sometimes there just isn&rsquo;t interest in water and wastewater issues.</p> <p>One possible solution to these challenges was mentioned by a few survey respondents: utility boards. For most tribes, the water utility is under the direct control of the tribal council. Creating a separate water board allows the tribal council to focus on other governance issues while still ensuring that the utility receives guidance and oversight.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 16px; color: #c0504d;">Dependence on Federal Entities</span><br /> Some tribes don&rsquo;t want to take ownership of their utilities, preferring to rely on federal support. Other tribes may want to be engaged, but find themselves dependent on slow-moving federal bureaucracy and assistance.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 16px; color: #c0504d;">Tribal Issues and Attitudes</span><br /> A number of factors related to the broader culture and conditions on the reservation could affect the performance of a tribal utility. Reservations with high unemployment might see their newly trained operators leave the utility for a better-paying job elsewhere. Sometimes there is resistance to working with non-tribal systems or working with outside entities to deal with problems or repairs. Some tribes may have restrictions in place that make it difficult for non-tribal operators to find someplace to live on the reservation. And finally, as with any small community, sometimes tribal politics affect the utility&rsquo;s operation and management.</p> <h4><span style="font-size: 18px;">Tribal Education Needs and Resources Follow From These Challenges</span></h4> As might be expected, most of the education needs highlighted by our survey respondents were in response to the challenges they mentioned. Basic management and operations topics topped the list. Luckily, while there are many challenges facing tribal utilities, there are resources available to meet those challenges.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 16px; color: #c0504d;">Management Training a Must</span><br /> The management support topics mentioned in our survey response covered the full range from record-keeping, ordinances, enforcement, and asset management to rate-setting, budgeting, and funding sources. This is probably related to respondents who felt that tribal councils didn&rsquo;t always fully support the tribe&rsquo;s utilities. However, there has also been increasing awareness that managerial support is a need for many small systems. Managing a utility in a small community can present special challenges. Finding funding can be more difficult, particularly for tribes. And things like enforcing ordinances or collecting past-due fees can be awkward when you know all of your customers personally. But when the utility managers feel able to tackle these challenges, the whole utility is able to provide better service to the community and a better work environment to its operators.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> For tribal councils and utility managers who want to learn more about the work that goes into managing a small utility, the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) has <a href="http://rcap.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Non-operators-Guide-to-DRINKING-WATER-Systems_Small.pdf">several</a> <a href="http://rcap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/RCAP-Non-operators-Guide-to-WASTEWATER-Systems.pdf">useful</a> <a href="http://rcap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/RCAP-Sustainable-Infrastructure-Guide.pdf">guides</a> for <a href="http://rcap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Big-Guide-for-Small-Systems.pdf">boards</a>. You can also browse the guidebooks collected by RCAP regional affiliate <a href="http://www.rcac.org/news-publications/guidebooks/">RCAC</a>. For utility management advice and certification from a tribal perspective, check out the <a href="https://app.box.com/s/1hj22stualp6f8i417n0">Tribal Utility Governance Program Training Manual</a> and the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona's <a href="http://itcaonline.com/?p=12830">Tribal Utility Management Certification</a>. Or check our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">calendar</a> and <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a> for events and resources relevant to tribal managers.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 16px; color: #c0504d;">Tribal Operators Make the Whole Thing Go</span> <div>For operators, survey respondents focused on general O&amp;M education topics like SCADA, safety, and general mechanical training. Water and wastewater treatment and distribution topics were mentioned, but much less frequently. Many small rural utilities have difficulty keeping trained operators on staff. The isolation and other challenges faced by tribal utilities often exacerbate this problem. This means many utilities have to periodically start from scratch, introducing apprentice operators to the basics of operation and maintenance. Luckily, there are a growing number of resources for tribal operators, in addition to the general operations training available in all states. The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (<a href="http://itcaonline.com/?page_id=2390">ITCA</a>) and the United South and Eastern Tribes (<a href="http://www.usetinc.org/departments/office-of-environmental-resource-management/operator-certification/">USET</a>) both have federally-recognized tribal operator certification programs. <a href="http://itcaonline.com/?page_id=3576">ITCA</a>, the <a href="http://www.navajopublicwater.org/Training2.html">Navajo Nation EPA</a>, and the Native American Water Masters Association (<a href="http://wateroperator.org/nawma">NAWMA</a>) all offer free training for tribal operators, and USET hosts an <a href="http://www.usetinc.org/departments/office-of-environmental-resource-management/technicalassistancetraining/tribal-utility-summit/">annual operator summit</a>. And of course, searching our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">calendar</a> for the Tribal category tag or under State for the National Tribal Operator Program will bring up even more trainings for both tribal operators and tribal utility managers, covering topics from grant-writing and GIS to general O&amp;M and drinking water treatment standards.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> On a related note, a few survey respondents mentioned a need for awareness about certification programs for operators. Because clean drinking water and the sanitary disposal of waste are so essential to public health, it benefits communities to have operators who have received the proper training to achieve these goals. It can be easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day issues of running a utility, but ultimately, the role that utilities play in public health is their most essential service to the community. Operator certification programs are a way of ensuring that operators have received sufficient training to preserve public health. And well-trained, competent utility management helps ensure that those trained operators have the resources they need to do their jobs.</div> <h4><span style="font-size: 18px;">Help is Out There</span></h4> <div>Guidance manuals and standard operator trainings are all well enough, but sometimes a utility faces a situation so seemingly insurmountable that help is needed. Major problems with infrastructure and complex operations, budgeting, and management challenges often call for outside experts to help utilities find their way. Tribal utilities have these resources available to them as well. Our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/tribal-contact-manager">tribal contact manager</a> is designed to help you determine which assistance providers are available in your area. In addition to federal resources like the Indian Health Service and <a href="https://www.epa.gov/tribal">USEPA regional offices</a>, most <a href="http://rcap.org/who-we-are/#region">RCAP regional partners</a> and state based technical assistance providers may be able to assist you. (Some RCAP partners have staff specifically for tribes as well.) Regional tribal associations with utility management and operations resources like those mentioned above generally offer technical assistance as well. To see our full list of Tribal Assistance Providers, go <a href="http://wateroperator.org/tribal-assistance-providers">here</a>. For an overview of our tribal resources at WaterOperator.Org, see <a href="https://youtu.be/GThsO6Kk9bc">this video</a>. Even if you don&rsquo;t need a hands-on technical assistance provider right now, it might be a good idea to figure out who your best contacts are, so you can be prepared for life&rsquo;s little surprises.<br /> </div> <h4><span style="font-size: 18px;">You're Not Alone</span></h4> <div>Tribal utilities face many unique challenges, but that doesn&rsquo;t mean that leading or working for a tribal utility is impossible. There are education, technical assistance, and financial resources available to tribal utilities that need help, and practical solutions to even the most unique problems. We&rsquo;ll be sharing some of those resources here on the blog, and the technical assistance providers we mentioned above will probably know about even more. To keep up with the latest tribal news and resources we&rsquo;ve collected, subscribe to our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/newsletters">newsletter</a>, and let us know if there are more resources, challenges, or tips we need to know about as we work to serve tribal utilities in the future.&nbsp;<br /> <div><br /> </div> <br /> </div>1251Tribal Resources from WaterOperator.org and USEPAhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1250/tribal-resources-from-wateroperatororg-and-usepaTribal SystemsFri, 08 Jul 2016 13:00:00 GMT<p>At WaterOperator.org we recognize that small tribally-owned and operated public water systems often face unique challenges, beyond what impacts other small and rural communities. Because of this, we have created a number of ways to find information that is specific to tribes. This video provides an overview of our document and event databases, tribal newsletter, tribal assistance provider list, and the tribal contact manager.</p> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GThsO6Kk9bc" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br /> <br /> For a sampling of documents we&rsquo;ve collected in our document database, here are some of the USEPA documents we&rsquo;ve found are particularly relevant for tribes. <p>For tribal drinking water systems:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/200024NF.PDF?Dockey=200024NF.PDF">Building Water System Capacity: a Guide for Tribal Administrators</a></li> <li><a href="http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P1008ROC.PDF?Dockey=P1008ROC.PDF">Lead and Copper Rule Minor Revisions: Fact Sheet for Tribal Water System Owners and Operators</a></li> <li><a href="http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P1009V54.PDF?Dockey=P1009V54.PDF">Preventive Maintenance Tasks for Tribal Drinking Water Systems: Guide Booklet</a></li> </ul> <p>For tribal wastewater systems:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/20017KBE.PDF?Dockey=20017KBE.PDF">Primer for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Systems</a></li> <li><a href="http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P1009AAK.PDF?Dockey=P1009AAK.PDF">Tribal Management of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems</a></li> </ul> <p>And for tribes concerned about protecting their source water:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P10058CU.PDF?Dockey=P10058CU.PDF">Drinking Water Quality in Indian Country: Protecting Your Sources</a></li> </ul> <p>Check out the video for more on the resources we collect and offer, and if there&rsquo;s a tribal resource you think we really need to know about, tell us in the comments!</p>1250Common Treatment Deficiencieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1247/common-treatment-deficienciesWater TreatmentThu, 07 Jul 2016 16:21:46 GMT<p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><em>This article was first published in the</em><span class="apple-converted-space"><em>&nbsp;</em></span><em><a href="http://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/28/documents/pws/spigot082412web.pdf">Summer 2012 issue of Spigot News</a></em><em>, the Ohio EPA's drinking water program newsletter. Many thanks for allowing us to republish it! You may also be interested in the article <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1248/common-source-water-deficiencies">Common Source Water Deficiencies</a>. </em></p> <p>Ohio EPA conducts sanitary surveys at least once every three years at community public water systems&nbsp;(PWS) and once every five years at non-community PWSs. The purpose of a sanitary survey is to evaluate&nbsp;and document the capability of a water system&rsquo;s source, treatment, storage, distribution, operation and&nbsp;maintenance, and management. Each of these may favorably or adversely impact the ability of the&nbsp;system to reliably produce and distribute water that meets drinking water standards.&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">This article is the second installment in a series of articles to help small water systems identify the most&nbsp;common problems found during a sanitary survey or other investigatory site visit conducted by Ohio&nbsp;EPA staff. The first article focused on<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/28/documents/pws/spigot082412web.pdf">source water (well) deficiencies</a>. This article will focus on some of the more&nbsp;common treatment equipment deficiencies which are found during inspections of small water systems. &nbsp;Future articles in this series will cover distribution deficiencies and other topics.&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/Figure%201_treatment.jpg?ver=2016-06-14-174050-750" style="float: left; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px;" /><strong style="line-height: 24px;">Backwash discharge lines:</strong><span style="line-height: 24px;">&nbsp;If you have a softener or a&nbsp;pressure filter, you backwash your equipment to clean and&nbsp;replenish the media. The waste that is produced when you&nbsp;backwash discharges into a floor drain or another pipe,&nbsp;which carries the waste to where it will be treated. &nbsp;If the&nbsp;pipe carrying the backwash wastewater from your&nbsp;treatment equipment is too close to, or even inserted into,&nbsp;the drain or pipe that carries the waste to treatment (see Figure 1), you could end up with back-siphonage.</span></p> <p><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/Figure%202_treatment.jpg?ver=2016-06-14-174050-797" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px;" /></p> <p>This could occur if the pipe carrying the waste to treatment&nbsp;backs up and the wastewater is siphoned back into your&nbsp;drinking water treatment equipment, contaminating your&nbsp;treatment equipment with whatever waste the pipe is&nbsp;carrying.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><em><span>Solution: Ensure there is a sufficient air gap&nbsp;between the backwash waste pipe and the floor drain or&nbsp;the pipe conveying the waste to treatment to prevent backsiphonage (see Figure 2).&nbsp;</span></em></p> <p><strong>Softener tanks, cover, and salt:&nbsp;</strong>Softener brine tanks&nbsp;should be kept in sanitary condition. The brine solution&nbsp;should be kept free of dirt and insects.&nbsp;<em>Solution: The best&nbsp;way to accomplish this is to completely cover the brine&nbsp;tanks with an appropriately fitting lid.&nbsp;The lid should not be over- or under-sized and should be kept in place on top of the tank. Also, the brine&nbsp;tank should not be overfilled such that the lid does not fit snug on the tank (see Figure 3).</em></p> <p><em><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/Figure%203_treatment.jpg?ver=2016-06-14-174050-860" style="float: left; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px;" /></em></p> <p>All substances, including salt, added to the drinking water in a public water system must conform to&nbsp;standards of the &ldquo;American National Standards Institute/National Sanitation Foundation&rdquo; (ANSI/NSF). &nbsp;This is to ensure it is a quality product that will not introduce contaminants into the drinking water.&nbsp;<em><span>Solution: Ensure the ANSI or NSF symbol can be located on the bags of salt you use or ensure your salt&nbsp;supplier can provide you with documentation from the salt manufacturer that it is ANSI or NSF certified.&nbsp;</span></em></p> <p><strong>Cartridge filters:&nbsp;</strong>Over time, cartridge filters will become&nbsp;clogged with iron or other minerals from your source water. When clogged, the filters become a breeding ground for&nbsp;bacteria.<em>&nbsp;Solution: Ensure filters are replaced in accordance&nbsp;with the manufacturers&rsquo; specifications or even more often,&nbsp;depending on the quality of your source water.</em></p> <p><em><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/Figure%204_treatment.jpg?ver=2016-06-14-174050-907" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px;" /></em></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><strong><br /> General maintenance:</strong>&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 24px;">Water treatment equipment should&nbsp;be accessible and cleaning solutions and other non-drinking&nbsp;water chemicals and materials should be kept away from the&nbsp;equipment. If treatment equipment is not accessible for Ohio&nbsp;EPA staff to inspect during a sanitary survey, it will not be&nbsp;accessible to the water treatment operator for routine&nbsp;maintenance or during an emergency. Likewise, non-drinking&nbsp;water chemicals stored in close proximity to treatment equipment can be an invitation for a mix-up&nbsp;or, even worse, intentional vandalism (see Figure 4).&nbsp;<em>Solution: Keep clutter and non-drinking water chemicals and equipment&nbsp;away from drinking water treatment&nbsp;equipment.&nbsp;Preferably, these items should be&nbsp;stored in a different room.</em></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><em><br /> </em></span></p>1247Developing A Better Understanding of Drinking Water Technology Approval: WINSSS Center Project B1http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1249/developing-a-better-understanding-of-drinking-water-technology-approval-winsss-center-project-b1Innovative Technology,Water TreatmentTue, 28 Jun 2016 17:22:28 GMT<p><span>When EPA in 2014 chose to fund the National Centers for Innovation in Small Drinking Water Systems, their vision for the Centers was much more than developing new drinking water technologies; they asked them to also consider facilitating acceptance of both new and existing technologies, improving relationships between stakeholders, fostering dialogue among regulators, and facilitating the development of uniform data collection approaches for new technologies. All of the non-treatment pieces of the vision have been incorporated into the WINSSS Center&rsquo;s Project B1.</span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 24px;">Project B1 has three objectives:</span></p> <ol> <li><span>Conduct a survey of the states to determine the barriers and data needs for technology acceptance.</span></li> <li><span>Develop a states workgroup and use the survey results as a starting point to discuss how to overcome those barriers and develop a set of uniform data needs.</span></li> <li><span>Take the workgroup results and apply them to the New England states to work toward multi-state acceptance.</span></li> </ol> <p><span>The first objective has been completed, and the workgroup called for in the second has been meeting every other month since December.</span></p> <p><span>Recognizing the importance of state buy-in to the project, the PI&rsquo;s proposed to include the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) as a partner in the survey implementation at the proposal stage. They have been a great partner, and the success of this project is a reflection of their involvement. It was also clear early on &nbsp;that both Centers had proposed work related to developing a better understanding of acceptance of technologies, so we joined forces. It proved instrumental in the development of the questions, and there were at least eight participants from WINSSS, ASDWA, and DeRISK, that had a hand in the question development.</span></p> <p><span>The survey included 16 questions asking states about their approach to technology acceptance, their experiences with new technologies, barriers to getting these technologies to small systems, data needs for acceptance of any new technology, and their interest in participating in our effort. Forty &nbsp;states responded, again thanks to ASDWA&rsquo;s involvement, and the data were telling. We learned that many states don&rsquo;t consider new technologies for small systems because of cost and risk and that states generally struggle with having the staff and technical expertise to understand and approve new technologies. The most common barriers were a lack of staff and staff time to approve technologies, adequate performance data from vendors, funding for testing/evaluation, and training for state staff.</span></p> <p><span>We asked the states to tell us what questions they needed answered to approve a technology, and over half of the states listed performance data to support the technology, pilot data from multiple locations or water qualities, residuals produced, third party certification and understanding of where technology is appropriate, and understanding the operator skills needed to operate the technology. They also listed the data deficiencies they see most often. These included range of water qualities tested, length of pilot testing, scale of pilot testing, and operating costs, among others.</span></p> <p><span>The good news is that 11 of 14 &ldquo;emerging&rdquo; technologies provided to the states in the survey have already been implemented in at least 10 states. This suggests that more technologies are in use than we initially believed and for some technologies, better sharing and communication mechanisms between states are the most immediate needs.</span></p> <p><span>We also asked states how they used the data from EPA&rsquo;s <a href="https://archive.epa.gov/nrmrl/archive-etv/web/html/">Environmental Technology Verification Program (ETV)</a> and <a href="https://www.epa.gov/water-research/arsenic-treatment-technology-demonstrations">Arsenic Demonstration Program</a> in accepting new technologies. Nineteen states said they rely on ETV certification or testing protocols as part of their process. Fifteen states said that the Arsenic Demo Program influenced their decisions related to the tested technologies. These programs no longer exist, but they provide valuable insight into how we might consider developing a new program to support the states for sharing data and communicating technology approval information.</span></p> <p><span>The last part of the survey focused on technology acceptance and asked the states if they would be interested in sharing data, developing common standards with neighboring states, or partnering with nearby states to coordinate technology approval. Six states did not answer this question, but 33 of the 34 who did were at least somewhat interested in developing a data sharing network. Twenty-eight states were also interested in developing common standards with nearby states, and 23 were interested in developing partnerships with nearby states to approve technologies. These are very encouraging results.</span></p> <p><span>The survey data were shared with the states, and a workgroup of Centers, ASDWA, and state staffs was formed. The first meeting was in December 2015, and much progress has been made since. The workgroup has developed a draft framework for an entity that would support a shared data repository. They are currently developing a plan/proposal to share with the Interstate Technology &amp; Regulatory Council board (ITRC) to consider how this entity might work with or within the existing ITRC framework. No decisions on this have been made and the workgroup is evaluating options. An open call to all industry stakeholders is planned for late July or early August to share progress to date and to get feedback.</span></p> <p><span>There are no illusions that this can all be accomplished in a short time; the issues and barriers related to technology acceptance have been discussed within the industry for more than 25 years. But this project has created buzz within the industry, as well as with the states and USEPA. It has momentum, and the idea of developing a consensus approach for sharing data and fostering cooperation among all stakeholders that both supports the states need to protect public health and makes it easier for technologies to be accepted by states is now being discussed among all of the relevant players.</span></p>1249Common Source Water Deficiencieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1248/common-source-water-deficienciesSource Water ProtectionWed, 15 Jun 2016 20:36:59 GMT<p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><em>This article was first published in the<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://epa.ohio.gov/portals/28/documents/pws/spigot122111web.pdf">Winter 2011 issue of Spigot News</a>, the Ohio EPA's drinking water program newsletter. Many thanks for allowing us to republish it!</em></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">Ohio EPA conducts sanitary surveys once every three years at community public water systems (PWSs)&nbsp;and once every five years at noncommunity PWSs. The purpose of a sanitary survey is to evaluate and&nbsp;document the capability of a water system&rsquo;s source, treatment, storage, distribution, operation and&nbsp;maintenance, and management; these all may adversely impact the ability of the system to reliably&nbsp;produce and distribute water that meets drinking water standards. &nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/Figure%201_source.jpg?ver=2016-06-14-173704-260" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px;" /></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-align: left;">This article covers the sanitary survey or other investigatory site visits conducted at the water source and&nbsp;concentrates on the most common deficiencies found during the visit of small PWSs. Even though the&nbsp;article focuses on small systems, similar deficiencies can be found at larger public water systems. Future&nbsp;articles will cover treatment, distribution and other topics.&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">There are common deficiencies surveyors&nbsp;hope not to find when conducting a sanitary&nbsp;survey, or when following up on complaint&nbsp;investigations or responding to total coliform&nbsp;bacteria positive sample results. Figures 1&nbsp;and 2 show poor water sources and figure 3&nbsp;shows an acceptable water source. Figure 1 shows a well equipped with a&nbsp;sanitary seal which is missing bolts. It also&nbsp;shows&nbsp;that the casing is flush or in line with&nbsp;the finished grade, and the electrical wire and&nbsp;raw water line are exposed and unprotected. Although the well is vented, it does not have a&nbsp;screened vent. The well is also not protected&nbsp;from surface water runoff, other&nbsp;contaminants or critters.&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/Figure%202_source.jpg?ver=2016-06-14-173704-320" style="float: left; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px;" /></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Figure 2 shows a public water system well located in a parking lot. The well cap is&nbsp;missing bolts and therefore is not properly&nbsp;secured to the top of the well casing. There is&nbsp;also a depression surrounding the casing. If&nbsp;rainwater pools near the well, it can seep down&nbsp;along the casing and negatively impact the&nbsp;ground water and its quality.&nbsp;Located to the left of the well are bags of sodium&nbsp;chloride, which increases the potential for rust at&nbsp;the base of the well. Also, there is not enough&nbsp;protection around the well to prevent damage&nbsp;from motorized vehicles to the casing or&nbsp;electrical conduit. &nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">Although you can&rsquo;t see this in the picture, the&nbsp;well has a 1988 approved &ldquo;National Sanitation&nbsp;Foundation&rdquo; (NSF) well cap but it is not a &ldquo;Water System Council&rdquo; PAS-97 (or Pitless Adapter&nbsp;Standard, 1997) approved cap as required. The PAS-97 cap provides a properly screened vent which is&nbsp;not present in this cap.&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><img alt="" src="/Portals/1/Figure%203_source.jpg?ver=2016-06-14-173704-367" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px;" /></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Figure 3 shows an acceptable water source. The&nbsp;well casing extends approximately 24 inches&nbsp;above finished grade, which is beyond what is&nbsp;required (at least 12 inches above finished&nbsp;grade). The finished grade is sloped to drain&nbsp;surface water away from the well. &nbsp;The approved&nbsp;well cap fits flush over the top of the casing and&nbsp;electrical conduit; it provides a tight seal against&nbsp;the casing and prevents the entrance of water,&nbsp;dirt, animals, insects or other foreign matter. The well is also properly protected with concrete&nbsp;filled posts to protect it from motorized vehicles&nbsp;and mowers.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /> </span></p>1248Educate Decision Makers With Help From RCAP http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1245/educate-decision-makers-with-help-from-rcapValue of Water,Wastewater,Water TreatmentThu, 02 Jun 2016 22:02:17 GMT<p>Google &ldquo;drinking water&rdquo; or &ldquo;wastewater,&rdquo; and you&rsquo;re sure to find a growing list of news articles about lead safety concerns, the recent PFOA and PFOS advisory, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, and our crumbling infrastructure. The weight and fervor of these public discussions may concern some who grapple to protect our drinking water and environment. But increased attention has its benefits. It could mean your board members and other community decision makers would be more receptive to learning about your operations and operational needs. And that&rsquo;s an opportunity you don&rsquo;t want to miss. </p> <p>Last year, the <a href="http://rcap.org/">Rural Community Assistance Partnership </a>released two video series designed to help leaders in small, rural communities make more informed decisions about drinking water and wastewater operations, maintenance, and expansion. Each video spends roughly 2-4 minutes walking the audience through a different technical step in the drinking water or wastewater treatment process. Click on the links below to watch the videos. </p> <p><strong>Wastewater Treatment</strong></p> <ol> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jrdTfXfY8g">Introduction</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKm7s-m3Bn4">Collection system</a> </li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBIyTIeKFY8">Preliminary treatment</a> </li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npDYiBi21Fk">Primary treatment</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi9XqpRBnfI">Secondary treatment</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4PiF6w8cBg">Solids and sludge handling</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHztEOsiZ9E">Effluent disinfection</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qchn32IXtDs">Effluent disposal</a> </li> </ol> <p><strong>Drinking Water Systems </strong></p> <ol> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9BFKp_Lwks">Introduction</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbAZ4E_XRw">Raw water intake</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXBVFyhsT6w">Pre-settlement and pre-treatment</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W16yEJVNqgU">Static mixers and flash chambers</a> </li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv1NlRDjtFM">Sedimentation and filtration</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85bnJ9ZqREA">Distribution systems</a></li> </ol> <p>Beyond these series, sharing the RCAP video <a href="http://rcap.org/resource/importance-operator-communitys-water-systems/">The Importance of an Operator in a Community&rsquo;s Water System</a> with your governing body will provide insight into the day-to-day work of an operator and the importance of that role. &nbsp;<br /> <br /> Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSRuRZ2vYw3oQhSGTvIwjuahQbZtphHLB">here</a> to browse these videos in a playlist.</p> <p>To find more videos from RCAP and other technical assistance providers, visit our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">Documents Database</a> and click Videos in the Type category. And subscribe to the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/newsletters">WaterOperator.org newsletter</a> to get featured videos and other resources sent straight to your inbox. &nbsp;</p>1245Tools for Transient Public Water Systems http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1241/tools-for-transient-public-water-systemsSmall System O&MWed, 01 Jun 2016 16:59:00 GMT<p>Does your truck stop, restaurant, or campsite supply water to customers from a well or other privately-owned water source? If so, you&rsquo;re what I.S. EPA calls a transient noncommunity public water system. And you&rsquo;re not alone.&nbsp; Every business and organization across the country that serves at least 25 people&mdash;not necessarily the same people&mdash;for at least 60 days out of the year is a TNC and must comply with Safe Drinking Water Act regulations and any requirements set by the local primacy agency.&nbsp;</p> <p>Getting and staying in compliance can be complicated, but your <a href="http://www.abccert.org/certification_contacts/default.asp">state&rsquo;s primacy agency</a> and your local <a href="https://www.rcap.org/about/">technical assistance providers</a> are there to help. If you aren&rsquo;t able to confidently answer any of the questions below, you should consider reaching out for guidance to ensure you are providing safe water. </p> <ul> <li>Is your system&rsquo;s water source approved for public consumption?</li> <li>Are you required to have a licensed operator?</li> <li>Do you know what chemicals you&rsquo;re required to sample and how frequently? </li> <li>Are you up-to-date on your sampling requirements?</li> <li>Do you know what type of treatment is best for your source water?</li> <li>Do your tanks, pipes, and pumps align with state capacity and flow rate rules? </li> <li>Do you have&mdash;and are following&mdash;an operations and maintenance plan that aligns with state and federal requirements? </li> <li>Are all other required manuals and plans up-to-date and stored in a safe location? This may include engineering plans and maps, an emergency response plan, and evidence of compliance with EPA risk management requirements. </li> <li>Do you have an organized record of all operation and maintenance activities? </li> </ul> <p>You can also find more information on many of these and other small system concerns through our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">documents database</a>. This short <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38ZDLDA0GS4">video tutorial</a> can help you get started.&nbsp;</p>1241Starting Off on the Right Foot: Basic Seasonal System Startuphttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1238/starting-off-on-the-right-foot-basic-seasonal-system-startupSmall System O&MFri, 27 May 2016 10:00:00 GMT<p>As summer draws near a lot of small, seasonal water system operators are showing up, blowing off the cobwebs, and getting the show on the road. Every state has slightly different regulations and requirements for small system startup, and it&rsquo;s important to know what your state requires. The Revised Total Coliform Rule <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/revised-total-coliform-rule-and-total-coliform-rule">requires</a> seasonal systems to certify that they've completed state-approved startup and sampling procedures, so be sure to check anything we say here against your state's guidance. Having said that, it doesn't hurt to have a few reminders as you work through your startup routine. Here, we summarize the most common considerations for small seasonal system startup.</p> <div> <h4>Inspect</h4> <p>The first thing you need to do is inspect your system. Even if everything was ship-shape when you closed your system down, life has happened while you were away. There could be storm damage, animals could have gotten into your well house or your well, or Murphy&rsquo;s Law could have paid your system a visit. Each system is slightly different and will need to be checked for slightly different things. The Connecticut Department of Public Health has a great <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/drinking_water/pdf/SeasonalSystemStartUpProcedureGuidelinespdf.pdf?la=en">guidance document</a> with detailed instructions for inspecting and repairing drilled wells with the wellhead at the surface or in a pit, old dug wells, and well houses or pump houses.</p> <p>Regardless of your well construction, here are a few basic inspection tips to keep in mind:</p> <ol> <li>Clear the area around your well head. Remove trash, brush, debris, and any other potential sources of contamination to at least the recommended setback distance around your well. Make sure to store chemicals (including pesticides, fertilizer, gasoline, etc.) in another location away from your wellhead. If you have a generator, make sure that it has backup containment for possible fuel spills. Make sure the ground is sloped so that water can&rsquo;t puddle up around your well.</li> <li>Remove any animals from inside the well, including bugs and spiders, which can introduce bacteria to the well. Bugs and spiders can be removed with a shop vac. Replace the sanitary seal or repair the dug well cover so that animals cannot enter the well.</li> <li>Any system component that has a vent should also have a secure vent screen, and the vent opening should point downward. Make sure the vents are clear and unobstructed.</li> <li>Check your wiring, conduits, and electrical systems to make sure that they&rsquo;re in good shape. This is important with any form of well construction, but pay particular attention in a well house or pump house, as rodents like to live in these structures and may damage your wiring. If there are rodents living in your well house, be sure to clear them out.</li> <li>If you have a chlorinator, properly dispose of your old chlorine and purchase new. Make sure that your chlorine residual test kit is working properly, is properly calibrated, and the reagents are not expired. Inspect the chlorinator itself to make sure that it is in working order.</li> <li>Storage and pressure tanks will need to be drained, any sediment removed, and disinfected. Storage tanks may need to be re-lined or otherwise repaired before they can be used. This is particularly true if they have never been serviced before. These repairs are best done by a professional. If you choose to re-line a tank yourself, make sure to have proper safety and ventilation equipment in place before you begin.</li> </ol> <h4>Turn it on</h4> <p>Once you&rsquo;ve gotten a good look at your system and done any preliminary repairs, it&rsquo;s time to turn it on. Different states will have different requirements on what samples and readings need to be taken during this process; be sure you know what&rsquo;s required where you&rsquo;re working. Run water through the system by opening hydrants, blow-offs, and faucets. Check that your pressure tank is maintaining correct pressure and the pressure relief valve is working properly. Check the pressure throughout your system. Walk your distribution lines to make sure they are not exposed or leaking. (Leaking distribution pipes, in addition to wasting water, can also let bacteria into your system.) Chlorinate the system (we like <a href="http://www.doh.wa.gov/portals/1/Documents/pubs/331-242.pdf">this guide</a>) and let it sit overnight or 24 hours. If your system has a water softener, high chlorine levels can damage the resin, so bypass the softener and disinfect it separately according to manufacturer instructions. Don't let anyone use the water during this time, both so that the chlorine has enough time to disinfect the pipes, and so that your users are not harmed by the highly chlorinated water.</p> <h4>Flush</h4> <p>Once the chlorine has had a good long time to work on the bacteria that grew while you were away, flush the highly chlorinated water out of your system. Don&rsquo;t flush the water into the septic system. This will kill the good bacteria that help the septic system work. Also try to avoid vegetation and surface water that could be damaged by the chlorine.</p> <h4>Sample</h4> <p>This is the point where the Revised Total Coliform Rule sampling kicks in. Be sure to refer to your state's sampling requirements and your sample site plan in order to keep your system in compliance. Wait until you have the lab results back and have confirmed the water is safe to drink before you allow anyone to use the system for drinking water. If you chlorinate, this is also a good time to check that you have the correct chlorine residual in your system, and to adjust the chlorine feed if necessary.<br /> <br /> If you&rsquo;re concerned that your system may need additional water quality tests, don&rsquo;t be afraid to request them! It&rsquo;s always good to know what you&rsquo;re dealing with.</p> <h4>Put your house in order</h4> <p>Though these are the basic steps to getting your system up and running, there is more that goes into running a seasonal system.<br /> <br /> Valve exercising is an important part of distribution maintenance for any system. Take some time to systematically turn the valves in your system on and off as you&rsquo;re bringing it online. Then you&rsquo;ll know they&rsquo;re working if an emergency comes up later in the season.<br /> <br /> Backflow prevention is just as important in a small system as in a big one. Make sure your hose bibs all have vacuum breakers installed. If your system has RV sewer dump stations, make sure they&rsquo;re isolated from the drinking water system by backflow assemblies (or that the water lines don&rsquo;t reach the stations at all). Have a professional inspect any testable backflow assemblies you have on your system.<br /> <br /> As you go through the process of starting up your system for the season, take some time to make sure your manuals and emergency contacts are up-to-date, your instruments are properly calibrated, and your chemicals are all up-to-date and properly stored. Taking some time to put your (well) house in order at the beginning of the season gives you a great starting point for the coming months of small system operation.<br /> <br /> Good luck, and don&rsquo;t forget to lock your pump house!</p> </div>1238Collaboration Toolkit: Protecting Drinking Water Sources Through Agricultural Conservation Practices http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1242/collaboration-toolkit-protecting-drinking-water-sources-through-agricultural-conservation-practicesSource Water ProtectionTue, 24 May 2016 19:49:08 GMT<p>As a small water system operator, the journey of supplying safe, clean water to consumers begins at the source. Source water protection is best approached through collaboration and can be enhanced with the use of voluntary conservation practices by local agricultural professionals. This is especially the case in regions where nitrate and phosphorus runoff from agricultural operations threaten source water quality. </p> <p>Fortunately, the Source Water Collaborative (SWC) developed <a href="http://www.sourcewatercollaborative.org/swp-usda/">a simple six-step toolkit</a> designed to facilitate collaboration between source water stakeholders (like you) and landowners through U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs.</p> <span style="color: #4f81bd;"><strong>Step 1: Understand how key USDA conservation programs can help protect and improve sources of drinking water</strong></span><br /> <p>In order to foster beneficial relationships for source water protection, it is important to understand what national, state, and local organizations can be of service to you. Two USDA sponsored organizations are highlighted in the toolkit: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA). NRCS exists to provide technical and financial assistance to both landowners and operators for the enactment of voluntary conservation practices. FSA works to provide farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster, loan, and price support programs. Having a working knowledge of specific programs, key contacts, and common vocabulary are vital first steps to take in your source water project.</p> <p><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><strong>Step 2: Define what your source water program can offer<br /> </strong></span> Next you&rsquo;ll need to understand NRCS and FSA programs and how they relate to specific operations and regulations in your state. This can be done quickly by browsing by location for NRCS state offices at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/">nrcs.usda.gov</a> and <a href="http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/">fsa.usda.gov</a>. It&rsquo;s important to note that the staff of these organizations are often the most aware of the regulatory structure of environmental programs, so be sure to make it known that you wish to work collaboratively. You should then focus on identifying what specific areas or projects collaboration with conservation practices could enhance. This is your opportunity to share valuable information such as source water data and GIS maps in order to identify potential water quality improvements.</p> <span style="color: #4f81bd;"><strong>Step 3: Take action</strong></span><br /> <p>Step 3 of the collaborative toolkit focuses on making concrete moves to begin an action plan. It suggests you start by contacting your assistant state conservationist for programs. Be clear about your intentions to foster a partnership regarding source water concerns and NRCS programs that can be of assistance. Linked in the toolkit are initial talking points, a draft agenda for the first meeting, and key USDA documents to help you begin your first steps to action.</p> <p><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><strong>Step 4: Find resources</strong></span><br /> This is where you do your homework. Step 4 lists several links to very useful conservation and source water resources: A list of NRCS conservation programs, state drinking water programs, watershed projects, maps of nutrient loading, and much more. These resources will ensure you develop your project with the correct programs and people.</p> <span style="color: #4f81bd;"><strong>Step 5: Coordinate with other partners</strong></span> <p>This crucial step enables you to make sure that you are partnered with the people that will give your project the highest probability of success. The links listed in this step are for key partners who can bring data, technical capabilities, useful state and local perspectives, and other important stakeholders. These links include U.S. EPA regional source water protection contacts, state source water program contacts, state clean water programs, and other federal agencies that can make your efforts more productive.</p> <p><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><strong>Step 6: Communicate your success &amp; stay up-to-date</strong></span><br /> Finally, share your source water protection experiences with SWC to facilitate improvements to the toolkit and promote the toolkit among water colleagues.</p> <p>Finding the right partners for voluntary, collaborative conservation practices is a progressive step for improved source water protection. By utilizing the resources and tips provided in the collaboration toolkit, you can put yourself in the best position to maximize your source water protection potential. Visit <a href="http://www.sourcewatercollaborative.org/">Source Water Collaborative</a>&nbsp; for more information on any of your protection questions.</p>1242So You've Got a Website...Now What?http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1239/so-youve-got-a-websitenow-whatBusiness Mindset,Public EducationFri, 20 May 2016 10:00:00 GMT<p><span>In an <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1233/websites-offer-conveniences-for-utilities-and-customers">earlier post</a>, we talked a little about the value of having a website&mdash;or webpage on a city site&mdash;to connect with rate payers. Getting the site up is one step, albeit a huge one. Now you face the challenge of driving traffic to the site or page. After all, the most informative site might as well not exist if no one knows it&rsquo;s there. </span></p> <p><span>Marketing a website may sound like a full time job, but it doesn&rsquo;t have to be. There are a handful of things you can do to raise awareness and promote use without adding much to your already lengthy &ldquo;to do&rdquo; lists. </span></p> <ul> <li><span>Add a teaser to your email signature. Something as simple as &ldquo;Visit WaterOperator.org for more information&rdquo; with a hyperlink is enough. Emails get forwarded, copied, and otherwise shared. You never know who may be reading and clicking. &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span>Create a bill insert informing rate payers about the site. If resources allow it, consider including refrigerator magnets or something similar with the url and your logo to serve as a more lasting reminder. </span></li> <li><span>Share website information on your utility&rsquo;s Facebook, Twitter, or other social media accounts. If you&rsquo;re not active on social media&mdash;or even if you are&mdash;reach out to whoever runs the accounts for your city or town to let them know the site is available as a resource. Whatever you do, don&rsquo;t forget to include the link. </span></li> <li><span>Participate in Facebook groups and Google Plus communities. This is a particularly good strategy if your own social media accounts don&rsquo;t have a lot of followers. Perhaps your community has a Facebook community for parents, university students, seniors, gardeners, or more. Ask to join these groups and start directing people to relevant information on road closures, water conservation, or whatever else the group may find useful. </span></li> <li><span>Offer to write a guest post for a city or community blog. By including your website in the bio at the end of your post, you can draw in visitors from sources that may get more hits than your website. </span></li> <li><span>Reach out to your local print and tv media and offer to talk about some of the resources available on the site.&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span>Start an email list. Email marketing is still one of the strongest ways to engage with the public. Chances are, you found this very blog post through one of <a href="http://wateroperator.org/newsletters">our email newsletters</a>. Once you have it, use your list to highlight whitepapers, videos, conservation tips, and utility news recipients can find on your site. </span></li> </ul> <p><span>As you start marketing your site, be sure to share your successes, mishaps, and everything in between on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6709424/profile"><span style="padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext;">Small Communities #TalkAboutWater</span></a></span>. <span>Your experiences could help another small system reach their rate payers more effectively and efficiently.</span> <span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></p>1239Financial Accounting for Small Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1237/financial-accounting-for-small-systemsAsset Management,Business Mindset,SustainabilityFri, 13 May 2016 10:00:00 GMT<p><em>This article originally&nbsp;appeared&nbsp;on the SmallWaterSupply.org blog in 2012 as part of the Water We Drink series, developed by the Rural&nbsp;Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) and the National&nbsp;Environmental Services Center. Written by Certified Public Accountant Hatsy Cutshall, its ideas and tips still hold true today.</em></p> <p>A cascade of bad economic news since late 2008 has focused nearly every citizen&rsquo;s concern on finance, certainly at home and often at the public level. Many who are struggling to pay their own bills are looking to municipal leaders and asking valid questions about how their tax money is being spent.</p> <p>A water or wastewater system is often the single largest asset owned by a small community. Like a homeowner with his property, all the stakeholders of those systems are best served if that asset is well managed and maintained to get the longest and best use at the lowest cost to all concerned. It is imperative that the board and the system managers understand and appreciate the value of the financial aspect of running the system. With that understanding they are then prepared to address public questions and concerns to help them understand how and why many decisions are made.</p> <p>Financial management is not just about depositing cash in the bank and paying the bills. When used as part of an effective overall management strategy, it helps managers plan for the future to avoid unpleasant surprises like a compliance order or the sudden and unplanned need for significant infrastructure replacement. It also prepares management to explain to the rate-paying constituents how the decisions are made that go into setting the rates that keep the system going.</p> <p>Without sound financial information, it is easy for the public to make incorrect assumptions about how much it costs to provide safe, reliable drinking water. Often, the first target for public scrutiny is the staffing expense. In response, many small system managers and governing boards are tempted to short change the accounting and finance function in favor of technical staff. By doing so, they risk problems that could cost them far more in the long run than the salary or accounting fees they have opted to avoid.</p> <p>Furthermore, when a system does face the need for additional investment or maintenance costs, managers will find that there is less money flowing overall, fewer grants, and more loans. Funders are imposing stricter reporting requirements on systems to prove their capacity to manage the money they're borrowing.</p> <p>There has never been a better time for small systems to take a look at their financial management and make sure it can stand up to this heightened scrutiny. In doing so, they likely will also discover ways that their financial information can help them decide how to make better use of the income and other resources for which they are responsible.</p> <p>To help system managers and board members form a strategy for improving their financial management, I've compiled some ideas for how to get started. I've had the good fortune to talk with a number of technical assistance providers and other consultants who work with small systems. They've highlighted some common situations that they find when they begin work with a small system, as well as solutions that can help resolve some difficult situations.</p> <strong> <h4>Ten Financial Accounting Tips for Water and Wastewater Systems</h4> </strong> <ol> <li><strong>Get organized!&nbsp;</strong>Before you can begin to create or improve a financial system you have to be able to find your expense bills, your receipts records, your bank statements, and your payroll records. Create a filing system and get your paper records in order so that when you need to refer to a document, you can find it easily. If many of your records are in electronic format, create an electronic filing system for those records, as well.</li> <li><strong>Review and document the system's rules and policies&nbsp;</strong>for income, expenses, and setting aside reserves. Read the minutes of board meetings for policies that may need to be formalized into the operating procedures. Board members and management should consider policies for handling late payments, whether to apply for a credit card, and board policy for setting aside a percentage of all fee income for capital needs reserves, to name a few.</li> <li><strong>Find the right person to do the accounting work.&nbsp;</strong>If the system has a staff member who can take on the work and is willing to learn, get him or her some training. If the system cannot afford or does not need even a part-time bookkeeper on staff, consider hiring a local bookkeeping or accounting firm to do this work on a contract basis. Ask if the contractor has staff members who are willing to attend board meetings to help managers and board members read and interpret the reports.</li> <li><strong>Talk to some trusted and experienced advisors&nbsp;</strong>about the system's accounting needs before you buy software. Often small systems buy accounting packages that are far more expensive and complex than they really need. The accounting software must be able to track the water system's activity separate and apart from that of any other government activity. If the system is small enough (e.g. 50 to 100 connections) a simple Excel spreadsheet may be able to handle all the tracking and reporting you need. For larger systems or those that are ready for a more comprehensive solution, QuickBooks is affordable and can handle most, if not all, of the accounting functions that many small systems need.</li> <li><strong>Build a budget.&nbsp;</strong>Start with the actual results of the prior year's operations and consider what is likely to change, as well as what the board and constituents wish to change and put it in writing. Once approved, enter this budget into the reporting system so that reports can compare the actual financial activity to what was expected. Comparing the two will help managers and constituents plan for the future.</li> <li><strong>Find and file any records&nbsp;</strong>you can that show how much was paid for pipe, pumps, meters, and other system infrastructure. Identify what the system owns and adopt an asset management plan. This survey of the system's physical components then informs the financial planning and budgeting process to reduce the risk of unplanned expenditures. This summary of what the system owns and how much it cost will also give you the information you'll need to record the value of the system's fixed assets on the balance sheet as required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 34 rule, which addresses financial reporting requirements for infrastructure assets.</li> <li>In addition to training the financial staff or hiring a bookkeeping firm,&nbsp;<strong>consider offering training for the system's board</strong>. Members of a utility's oversight board are often volunteers and may need assistance in making informed decisions and communicating the reasons for those decisions to the public. This type of training, as well as more generalized financial management training, is often offered through the state's primacy (drinking water or wastewater agency) as well as through non-profit organizations such as the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) and the National Rural Water Association (NRWA).</li> <li><strong>Make sure your accounting system can track and classify income by type&nbsp;</strong>such as fees for water service, hookup fees, late fees, and so forth. It should also provide reports on aged receivables: how much the system is owed and how much is overdue by 30, 60, 90 or more days.</li> <li><strong>Classify expenses in such a way that a report reader can easily compare how money is being spent&nbsp;</strong>to the board's approved budget. Expense line items such as telephone, rent, electricity, salaries, supplies, and other routine costs should be created; as payments are made and entered into the system, those payments should be categorized according to their purpose. The system should also be able to provide a report on how much is owed to outside vendors and when those payments are due. This report is called an "accounts payable aging" report.</li> <li><strong>Record financial activity in the system regularly and often</strong>, at least once per month. If you let bookkeeping work pile up for months at a time, it is very easy to forget information that is important to the financial reports, such as the purpose of an expenditure or to which fund is should be charged. Monthly (or more frequent) reporting also helps managers see problems in time to solve them before they become more expensive to solve.</li> </ol> <p>Make the decision that financial management is as important as maintaining the plant and equipment. Whether you decide to do it to meet regulatory requirements, citizen demand, or management needs, it's a great idea!</p> <p>For more information or for advice and help getting started, contact your region's <a href="https://www.rcap.org/about/">RCAP office</a>, the <a href="http://www.nrwa.org">National Rural Water Association</a>,&nbsp;or your state primacy agency that deals with drinking water or wastewater systems.</p> <p><em>The author would like to thank the following people for their help and information in preparing this article: H.B Calvert, Karen Yates and Jan Frederick with the Midwest Assistance Program; Mary Fleming and Linda Martinez with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation; Karen Johnson and Cindy Navroli, MPA, CPA.</em></p>1237Websites Offer Conveniences for Utilities and Customershttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1233/websites-offer-conveniences-for-utilities-and-customersBusiness Mindset,Public EducationMon, 09 May 2016 10:15:00 GMT<p>If you&rsquo;re reading this, you're probably already aware of the power of the internet to share information and raise awareness of important issues. Hopefully you think some websites (like ours!) are useful. But have you considered getting a website for your own utility? If you don&rsquo;t have a website already, here are some things to consider.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 400; line-height: 27px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: #0088cc;">Benefits of Going Online</span></p> <p> A utility website can provide a number of services, both to you and to your customers. At the most basic level, a website can house the information people ask you for all the time: utility fee information, FAQs, maybe some fact sheets on common local concerns like water conservation or winterizing. Not only does this provide a convenient place to direct people for more information, but some people may Google first, and find what they&rsquo;re looking for before they have to try tracking you down by phone.</p> <p> Beyond this basic usefulness, websites can be outfitted with customer service contact forms, new service request forms, CCRs, board meeting schedules and minutes, online bill pay options, and other resources. Contact forms usually feed into an email account, which can be used to collect and organize non-emergency customer communication even when you&rsquo;re not available. Online bill pay is a convenience for your customers, and online CCR distribution, if your utility is eligible, can be a convenience for you.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 400; line-height: 27px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: #0088cc;">Website Building Services</span></p> <p><span>If you&rsquo;d be interesting in gaining the convenience of a website without having to set one up on your own, there are services that can help. As an example (but not an endorsement), <a href="https://www.ruralwaterimpact.com/features/">Rural Water Impact</a> provides website setup and migration services specifically for small water utilities. <a href="https://www.godaddy.com/websites/web-design">GoDaddy</a> also offers a range of website design and hosting packages. And if you&rsquo;d like to try your hand at a straight-forward design, services like <a href="https://www.weebly.com/">Weebly</a> and <a href="https://www.squarespace.com/">Squarespace</a> make it as easy as drag and drop.</span></p> <p><span>As always, we here at WaterOperator.org are happy to help you think through your website needs. You can reach us at <a href="mailto:info@wateroperator.org">info@wateroperator.org</a> or 1-866-522-2681.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 400; line-height: 27px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: #0088cc;">Planning for the Future</span></p> <p> The convenience and organization of a good website can provide plenty of benefit in the present. But those benefits can stretch into the future, as young people accustomed to cell phones and internet use start getting old enough to pay the bills. In addition to providing convenience to you and your customers now, having an established website can prepare you and your utility for a new, more digital future.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: 400; line-height: 27px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: #0088cc;">A Few Considerations&nbsp;</span></p> <p>The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that water districts&mdash;among others&mdash;provide equal access to programs and services. One way to meet these requirements is to ensure that your website makes use of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ada.gov/websites2.htm">accessible design features</a>. Systems with inaccessible sites may also be able to meet their legal obligations by providing an alternative way for people to access the information provide, such as a staffed telephone line. You can learn more about ADA requirements by calling the Department of Justice's toll-free information line at 800-514-0301.&nbsp;</p> <p>State law may also require that public utilities with websites maintained by utility staff post meeting schedules, agendas, and minutes. Your primacy agency should be aware of these requirements and can direct you to the appropriate state office for more detailed information.</p> <p>If these requirements give you pause, consider talking with city or town officials to see if your system can instead be an active partner on their website. This is also a good option for systems concerned that under-staffing makes maintaining a website impossible.&nbsp;</p>1233Engaging Customers in a Digital World http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1234/engaging-customers-in-a-digital-worldBusiness Mindset,Value of WaterTue, 03 May 2016 18:58:03 GMT<p>Like most Americans, your customers probably spend half their day staring at screen&mdash;checking emails, commenting on Facebook profiles, scrolling through Twitter feeds. In fact, the Council for Research Excellence <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160329005168/en/Council-Research-Excellence-Unveils-Findings-Studies-Answer">recently announced</a> the results of a media study that revealed that 68 percent of us use at least two media platforms&mdash;tv, computer, smartphone, audio, print, tablet&mdash;at the same time in an average day. </p> <p>Here&rsquo;s the take away: joining or becoming more active on social media platforms means meeting customers where they already go to receive information and news. </p> <p>But, like most things, doing well on social media is much easier said than done. Today we&rsquo;re sharing a few overarching tips and tricks, but finding the right platform and devising a successful media strategy may require more detailed discussions and a bit of trial and error. </p> <p>Fortunately, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6709424/profile">Small Communities #TalkAboutWater</a> is a great place to have these conversations with others who understand the unique challenges faced by small systems. You can also reach out to us directly at <a href="mailto:info@wateroperator.org">info@wateroperator.org</a> or 1-866-522-2681. </p> <p> <ol> <li><strong>Define your goals and audience</strong>. Are you looking for greater community engagement? Are you in need of easier, more direct ways to share public notices? Maybe you want to connect with local and state officials. The more specific your goals and audience are, the easier it will be to choose the right social media platform and measure success. </li> <li><strong>Remember not all platforms are created equally</strong>. If your system doesn&rsquo;t frequently generate new pictures, graphics, or videos, Pinterest and Instagram are likely not for you. If you want to share more detailed messages&mdash;perhaps about road closures due to pipeline repairs or tips for conserving water&mdash;Facebook may be a better choice than Twitter. <a href="http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2014/03/05/social-media-platform-best-business/#gref">This article from The Next Web</a> has more information about the pros and cons of different platforms. </li> <li><strong>Don&rsquo;t try to bite off more than you can chew</strong>. Time and personnel are precious commodities for small systems. Having a smart social media strategy is worth the time, but don&rsquo;t feel like you need to join multiple platforms at once or post hourly. Consider starting with a single platform and a more conservative media strategy. The key is sustainability. </li> <li><strong>Make use of your existing network</strong>. Invite customers to follow and like your page(s) in your next newsletter or with a bill insert. Put links to your social media pages on your website. Encourage your existing followers to tell their friends. </li> <li><strong>Prioritize customer service</strong>. For many people, an organization Facebook or Twitter page is their first stop when they have questions or concerns. Stay on top of customer issues by responding within 12 hours. And be sure to re-share favorable experiences posted by customers across your social channels. </li> <li><strong>Start conversations. </strong>It&rsquo;s called &ldquo;social media&rdquo; for a reason. The most successful users ask questions that engage followers and inspire them to weigh in on topics they care about. For example, ask customers to share their favorite water conservation practice. </li> <li><strong>Share your expertise. </strong>Customers see water systems as reputable sources for information on water supply and quality issues. Share little-known facts, post links to important information, provide access to reports or relevant research. &nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Get personal.</strong> Social media is a place for genuine engagement. A lot of the communication water systems have with rate payers is prescribed&mdash;public notices, bills, etc. But that doesn&rsquo;t mean you can&rsquo;t show the personal side of your operations. Talk about what you&rsquo;re excited about, highlight staff successes, wish people a happy Friday.</li> </ol> </p>1234Emergency Planning Goes Digitalhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1232/emergency-planning-goes-digitalAsset Management,Emergency ResponseThu, 21 Apr 2016 13:37:54 GMT<p>They call this the age of the internet, so it probably comes as little surprise to hear that there is a whole host of computer and mobile tools designed to make emergency and adaptation planning easier and more effective for utilities and communities. &nbsp;</p> <p>We&rsquo;ve highlighted a few U.S. EPA tools below, but there are many more with a range of features. If you&rsquo;d like support finding the right tool for your system, drop us a line at 1-866-522-2681 or <a href="mailto:info@wateroperator.org">info@wateroperator.org</a>. And for those who just prefer hardcopy, <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1222/better-erps-part-2-templates">click here</a> for a list of free emergency response plan templates. &nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://www.epa.gov/waterresiliencetraining/develop-and-conduct-water-resilience-tabletop-exercise-water-utilities">Tabletop Exercise Tool for Water Systems</a></p> <p>This PC-based tool contains materials to assist those interested in planning and facilitating tabletop exercises that focus on water sector-related issues. Fifteen customizable scenarios address natural hazards and man-made incidents and introduce the potential impacts of climate change on the water sector. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://watersgeo.epa.gov/responseotg/">Water Utility Response On-The-Go</a></p> <p>The homepage of this mobile-friendly website displays a menu of links for tracking severe weather, contacting response partners, responding to incidents, taking notes and recording damage, informing incident command, and accessing additional planning info. Some of the external links from the site are not formatted for mobile viewing, and the .pdf forms may require an Adobe Reader app if you wish to fill them out on your mobile device. However, the site overall is well organized and easy to navigate, and can be a great tool for utilities dealing with weather emergencies and natural disasters. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loQqFAjcXNw">Click here</a> to watch a short video about the site. </p> <p><a href="https://www.epa.gov/communitywaterresilience">Community-Based Water Resiliency Tool</a></p> <p>The CBWR Tool is an easy way to find out how prepared your community is&nbsp;to handle emergencies that impact water systems&nbsp;and learn about tools and resources that can be used to build resilience. A summary report is provided after the self-assessment with&nbsp;suggestions and recommended resources for increasing resilience. Users can then navigate to the CBWR toolbox, where they can find the best tool for their needs from over&nbsp;400 tools and resources. Learn more about the benefits of the CBWR tool in this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNJ2qgWYbUo">A Day Without Water</a> video. </p> <p><a href="https://www.epa.gov/crwu/assess-water-utility-climate-risks-climate-resilience-evaluation-and-awareness-tool">Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool</a></p> <p>This risk assessment tool allows water utilities to evaluate potential impacts of climate change. The tool guides users through identifying regional climate change&nbsp;threats and designing adaptation plans. After assessment, CREAT provides a series of risk reduction and cost reports to allow you to evaluate various adaptation options as part of long-term planning. Visit the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/USEPAgov">U.S. EPA YouTube channel</a> for a complete <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa0oK_jE8Zw">introduction</a> and videos showcasing how systems throughout the country have used CREAT to boost their preparedness.</p>1232Tools to Help Utilities Get the Word Out Fast http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1231/tools-to-help-utilities-get-the-word-out-fastEmergency Response,Public EducationThu, 14 Apr 2016 10:50:00 GMT<p><a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1229/public-advisories-theyre-not-just-for-emergencies">Last week</a>, we talked about the role public advisories can be used to garner community buy-in and create more informed rate payers. Planning and adopting a comprehensive advisory framework, though, takes time&mdash;something most small utilities just don&rsquo;t have to spare. </p> <p>With that reality in mind, we wanted to let you know about a few public notification services available on the market. A quick disclaimer first&mdash;we at WaterOperator.org aren&rsquo;t endorsing these or any other company, and we recommend you do research on your own to find the system that best fits your needs. Whether you contact one of these companies, another, or none at all, it&rsquo;s worth the time to find out how a system like this might benefit your community. Also, please remember to check with your primacy agency as to whether your chosen (lowercase) public notification option may or may not be used for compliance with the requirements of the (uppercase) Public Notification regulation, or simply as a trust-promoting public service.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="https://www.swiftreach.com/default.aspx">Swiftreach Networks</a></p> <p>Using the <a href="https://www.swiftreach.com/Solutions/SwiftH2O%E2%84%A2.aspx">SwiftH2O&trade;&nbsp;</a>internet-based platform, utilities easily create and send thousands of voice, text, fax and email messages within minutes to any number of individuals on any device. These notifications are directly targeted to affected customers and tracked, allowing you to track who received and listened to your messages.<span style="color: #666666;"> </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://www.rapidnotify.com/services.html">RapdiNotify</a></p> <p>This international company&rsquo;s web-based mass notification system allows you to notify your staff, rate payers, and other contacts via phone, email, and text messages. The product includes a self-registration widget for your website, as well as GIS mapping to help you target mass communication inside specific, user-defined geographic areas. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="https://www.awwa.org/Resources-Tools/Resource-Topics/Water-Wastewater-Agency-Response-Network">WARN</a></p> <p>WARN offers multiple notification platforms built with small communities in mind.&nbsp;</p> <p>If paid services aren&rsquo;t right for your utility, remember that social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have extremely broad reaches&mdash;with the added perk of allowing rate payers to respond. Whether your system is a social media beginner or veteran, the free resources below are worth checking out. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/18971.pdf">Communications, Customer Service, Social Networking</a></p> <p>This 10-slide presentation breaks social media sites into basic kinds (conversational, one-way, interactive, etc.), and briefly discusses how many people use many of the most popular sites, basic uses of some social media outlets, and customer service on social media.&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/18969.pdf">Social Networking: The Old and the New, Interaction and Communication Between Communities and Their Customers and Operator to Operator Connectivity</a></p> <p>This 23-slide presentation discusses social networking and social media. It discusses the importance, possible uses, and approach to using social media, particularly Facebook, for communication and outreach, and includes several screenshots of national water organization's Facebook pages.&nbsp;</p> <p>You can also contact us directly at <a href="mailto:info@wateroperator.org">info@wateroperator.org</a> or join our Small Communities #TalkAboutWater <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6709424/profile">LinkedIn group</a> to get advice on how to tap into the power of social media.&nbsp;</p>1231Public Advisories: They're Not Just for Emergencieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1229/public-advisories-theyre-not-just-for-emergenciesEmergency Response,Public Education,Value of WaterThu, 07 Apr 2016 18:40:01 GMT<p>In the wake of Flint and similar events, questions about the effectiveness of public notification requirements are on the minds of many. In fact, the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year <a href="http://www.watertechonline.com/house-passes-bipartisan-legislation-on-drinking-water-safety/?platform=hootsuite">voted 416-2</a> in support of a bill that would strengthen notification requirements related to lead levels. With concerns and emotions high, it can be difficult to remember that the best public notification procedures are about much more than emergency response and compliance. </p> <p>In their <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/dwa-comm-toolbox/index.html">Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolbox</a>, the Centers for Disease Control encourages drinking water systems to use advisories to</p> <ul> <li>Provide information&mdash;An advisory may be issued when consumers need to receive important information by do not need to take any action. For example, a water system may issue and advisory to inform households about seasonal changes in water taste. </li> <li>Encourage preparedness&mdash;Advisories may help customers prepare for a planned disruption in service or anticipated water quality threats. Advisories may affect a small area, such as during distribution system construction or repair. Advisories also can urge customers to prepare for a large area event, such as an approaching hurricane. This type of advisory alerts people to water or listen for more information. </li> <li>Recommend action&mdash;Advisories may tell customers to take specific actions, such as to boil water or use bottled water. These advisories may be issued as a precaution or in response to a waterborne disease outbreak. </li> <li>Meet public notification requirements&mdash;Advisories are required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) when specific circumstances exist. The SDWA requires communication with customers when the water system does not comply with a regulation. &nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>Water operators and communities are undoubtedly quite familiar with the reasons and requirements for the final two uses. But the value of the others may not be as apparent. </p> <p>In addition to be being good business practices, issuing informative and preparedness advisories can actually help utilities garner community buy-in and help rate payers understand the time, hard work, and other resources that go into delivering clean, safe water. If all customers hear is bad news, they won&rsquo;t be eager to support the local public system. Notifying people when water main repairs may close roads or when drilling a new well will provide the community with a new resources can change public perception of a utility and its staff. </p> <p>The CDC toolbox is a great resource for small systems looking to improve their public notification procedures, but operators with lingering questions can visit our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">Documents Database</a> or contact us directly at <a href="mailto:info@wateroperator.org">info@wateroperator.org</a>. And be sure to check back here for a follow-up post on media platforms and available services that can help get the word out.&nbsp;</p>1229ILWARN Offers Emergency Assistance for Small Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1226/ilwarn-offers-emergency-assistance-for-small-systemsEmergency ResponseTue, 29 Mar 2016 21:12:44 GMTA lot of challenges can impact a small utility. Anything from a tornado to multiple water main breaks on the same day to half the staff out with the flu can have a huge effect on a utility&rsquo;s ability to function. While small local agreements are often a great first step to ensuring your bases are covered in the event of an emergency, statewide programs like ILWARN can be a great supplement to your emergency planning. <br /> <br /> <h5>Small Utility Support</h5> <p><span style="line-height: 24px;">ILWARN is working to get the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/ILWARN%20Cover%20Letter%20FINAL.pdf">word out</a> that the mutual aid assistance services they offer can be just as useful to small systems as they are to large ones. Their <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Blog%20Docs/ILWARN%20Small%20Water%20Systems%20FAQ.pdf">small systems flyer</a> provides lots of introductory information, FAQs, and mythbusting on their resources and membership requirements. It&rsquo;s worth noting here that there is no registration fee to join ILWARN, there are no size restriction, that members will be reimbursed for their assistance, and that no member is required to offer assistance. Pre-existing local agreements are not affected by ILWARN membership. Utilities wanting a more detailed idea of how ILWARN membership works might also want to check out the <a href="http://www.ilwarn.org/documents/IL%20WARN%20Sample%20Operational%20Plan%20v3c.pdf">Operational Plan</a>, which has resource sections for before, during, and after an emergency.&nbsp;</span></p> <h5>A Helping Hand in the Signup Process</h5> <p>If you&rsquo;re convinced ILWARN is a solid resource for your utility, there are more resources to help you get started. ILWARN has provided step-by-step guides to <a href="http://www.ilwarn.org/documents/ILWARN-howtosignup.pdf">completing your registration</a> with their website, requesting and offering <a href="http://www.ilwarn.org/documents/ILWARN-howtorequestassistance.pdf">assistance through the website</a>, and requesting and offering <a href="http://www.ilwarn.org/documents/ILWARN-howtorequestassistance-afterhours.pdf">assistance when the internet isn&rsquo;t available or an emergency occurs after hours</a>. And of course, you need to sign the <a href="http://www.ilwarn.org/documents/MAA%20Final-2009.pdf">mutual aid agreement</a> and turn it in before you can participate in ILWARN assistance requests.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Small utilities face lots of challenges, but you don&rsquo;t have to face them alone. Statewide mutual aid agreements help get as many people as possible in your corner when the chips are down. If your utility isn&rsquo;t in Illinois but you&rsquo;re interested in WARNs in your area, you can learn more about the WARN regions <a href="https://www.awwa.org/Resources-Tools/Resource-Topics/Water-Wastewater-Agency-Response-Network/WARN-Regions">here</a>.</p>1226Better ERPs Part 4: Is Your System All-Hazard Ready?http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1225/better-erps-part-4-is-your-system-all-hazard-readyEmergency Response,SustainabilityTue, 22 Mar 2016 10:00:00 GMT<p>Last year saw record-breaking heat, severe storms, and worsening drought conditions across the country. And current NOAA predictions suggests the first half of 2016 won&rsquo;t be much different as El Nino continues to have widespread effects. If these events have left you asking, &ldquo;What would I do if something like that happened in my community,&rdquo; you&rsquo;re not alone.&nbsp;</p> <p> In part four of our series on improving emergency response plans, we want to help you find an answer. The tips and resources below will walk you through the process of developing an all-hazards response plan and provide specific guidance for some of the most common hazards. </p> <ol> <li> Understand your vulnerability to extreme weather. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is a great resource here. Their <a href="https://www.ready.gov/">Ready.gov</a> website has information on when and where extreme events are most likely to take place. </li> <li> Identify vulnerable assets. Are key equipment located in the floodplain? Are your circuitry and control panels secured for high winds? </li> <li> Identify possible mitigation measures would protect vulnerable assets and priority operations. Putting in place a procedure to top off water in storage tanks prior to a hurricane or bolting down chemical tanks in advance of a flood are just a few examples. </li> <li> Determine which mitigation measures should be implemented. Keep in mind costs, effectiveness, and practicality when making this decision. </li> <li> Identify actions that will need to be taken immediately before and after an event. For example, sandbagging treatment sheds or turning off water meters at destroyed homes and buildings. </li> <li> Write a plan to implement mitigation and rapid-response measures. This should be revised periodically and integrated into your utility's overall asset management process. </li> <li> Be prepared to act. Include rapid-response measures in your employee training programs and keep staff and other stakeholders up-to-date on any changes. </li> </ol> <p> For more planning tips and information on common hazards, check out these resources and visit our <a href="www.wateroperator.org/documents">documents database</a>. You can also learn more about drought preparedness in part two of this series.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.epa.gov/waterresiliencetraining/waterwastewater-utility-all-hazards-bootcamp-training">Water/Wastewater All-Hazards Boot Camp Training</a><br /> This training course is designed for water and wastewater employees responsible for emergency response and recovery activities. It also explains why and how to implement an all-hazards program. The program walks you through a scenario with Our Town Utility staff, lets you hear from water sector representatives, and tests your knowledge on prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/">Water, Sanitation, &amp; Hygiene (WASH)-Related Emergencies &amp; Outbreaks</a><br /> This CDC portal offers a comprehensive set of tools and resources for not only responding to a crisis but also preparing for the worst. Preparedness resources include preparedness toolkits, preparedness training, and directions for emergency disinfection of water.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/p8vdnqooxbz/?launcher=false&amp;fcsContent=true&amp;pbMode=normal">Climate Ready Water Utility: Adaptation Strategies Guide &amp; Planning for Extreme Weather Events</a><br /> This webinar presentation highlights the Workshop Planner and the Adaptation Strategies Guide, and how a utility can use them both when developing adaptation plans. It also highlights utility experiences with the tools.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-08/documents/flood_resilience_guide.pdf">Flood Resilience: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities </a><br /> With a user-friendly layout, embedded videos, and flood maps to guide you, EPA's Flood Resilience Guide is your one-stop resource to know your flooding threat and identify practical mitigation options to protect your critical assets.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/emerplan/upload/epa817f15007.pdf">Incident Action Checklist &ndash; Tornado</a><br /> Use this comprehensive list from U.S. EPA to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a tornado.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.epa.gov/waterutilityresponse">Emergency Response for Drinking and Wastewater Utilities </a><br /> This EPA portal has a variety of tools, including mobile-friendly websites, to support utility preparedness and response.</p>1225Better ERPs Part 3: Are You Prepared for a Drought?http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1224/better-erps-part-3-are-you-prepared-for-a-droughtEmergency Response,SustainabilityThu, 17 Mar 2016 10:00:00 GMT<p>For those of us outside the arid West, it can be easy to push aside droughts and their impacts as something others have to worry about. But a look at the <a href="http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/">U.S. Drought Monitor</a> quickly reveals that droughts&mdash;even long-term ones&mdash;are a concern coast-to-coast. In fact, increasing temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns are exposing more and more communities to the risk of droughts and other extreme weather events.<br /> <br /> Incorporating a drought contingency plan into your broader emergency response plan is one of the best ways to ensure your public water system is prepared for water shortages and other drought impacts. And there are a number of resources available to help you do just that.<br /> <br /> The templates and guides below can help you design a plan that meets your system and community needs. Whether you use one of these or create your own, keep in mind these seven steps to an effective drought management plan. These were developed by the <a href="http://www.icontact-archive.com/uY4CWN-9Ks1ymtQfKNez7MFLpegSDWMi?w=4">Rural Community Assistance Corporation</a> based on the model used by the <a href="http://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/water_rights/wr_technical-resources/contingency.html">Texas Commission on Environmental Quality</a>.</p> <p> <ol> <li>Seek public involvement by forming a committee of stakeholders who encourage and support a public "buy-in.</li> <li>Define goals and objectives, such as targets for reduced consumption, identifying which customers can and should be restricted and which cannot, legal requirements, minimum flow requirements, etc.</li> <li>Assess supply and demand&mdash;identify all existing and potential water supply sources and balance these against average and peak demand, historic demand trends, use by customer sector, interior vs. exterior use, and projected future demand.</li> <li>Define a system-specific drought index, such as ground and/or surface water storage, stream flows, soil moisture, rainfall deficit, well drawdown levels, and other indices.</li> <li>Identify potential mitigation measures, such as water audits, alternative supplies, leak detection and repair, public education, restrictions/bans on non-essential use, pricing disincentives (surcharges), and, finally, rationing.</li> <li>Assess potential impacts of mitigation measures, such as reduced revenues, customer acceptance, rate equity, legal implications, history, and implementation costs.</li> <li>Develop and implement the plan using the management strategies, templates, and statistics assembled during the assessment process.</li> </ol> If you don't see something that fits your system's needs below, search "drought" in our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">documents database</a> to find more resources. You can also find information on water conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy for small utilities in <a href="https://www.rcap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/RCAP-Sustainable-Infrastructure-Guide.pdf">Sustainable Infrastructure for Small System Public Services: A Planning and Resource Guide</a>. And be sure to read the <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1222/better-erps-part-2-templates">Part 2</a> of this four-part series for help building a comprehensive emergency response plan.<br /> <br /> <a href="www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/documents/drought/abc_water_co_drought_contin_plan_df.docx">Drought Contingency Plan for a Public Water System (Example): ABC Water Company Drought Contingency Plan</a><br /> This 11-page document provides an example of how to fill out the model drought contingency plan for retail public water suppliers.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://digitallibrary.utah.gov/awweb/awarchive?type=file&amp;item=14536">Drought Management Toolkit for Public Water Suppliers</a><br /> This 49-page handbook was developed by the Utah Division of Water Resources to help public water suppliers better prepare for and manage future droughts. This toolkit consists of two main elements: a model drought mitigation plan and a model drought response plan (or contingency plan, which can also be used to address other water shortages).<br /> <br /> <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/24894.pdf">Drought Contingency Plan: Public Water System</a><br /> This 36-page template can be used for a drought contingency plan for a tribal public water system. The template covers a broad list of sections and topics with the aim of being applicable for a majority of the water systems. Because tribal water systems vary, it is recommended that the tribe edit and modify the template to best fit their specific situation and context, and only include those sections that are necessary.</p>1224Better ERPs Part 2: Templateshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1222/better-erps-part-2-templatesEmergency Response,SecurityTue, 15 Mar 2016 10:00:00 GMT<p>So you've held a <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1220/better-erps-part-1-hosting-a-roundtable-discussion">water emergency roundtable discussion </a>and are ready to put pen to paper, so to speak.&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 24px;">Fortunately, you don't have to start with a blank piece of paper. There is a suite of resources available for utilities&mdash;and small water suppliers particularly&mdash;to help you prepare for the unknown and plan for the rare events.</span></p> The free templates provided here will help you get started. If you don't see something that fits your system's needs, search "emergency response plan templates" in our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">documents database</a> to find more resources.<br /> <a href="http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/erp_rcap.pdf"><br /> Emergency Response Planning Template for Public Drinking Water Systems</a><br /> <p> This 22-page document developed by the Rural Community Assistance Partnership is intended for use by any water system serving a population of 3,300 or fewer and can be modified to fit specific system needs. The template is intended to be used as a starting point based on what is relevant for the type, size, and complexity of the system.</p> <a href="http://www.wvrwa.org/shared/content/security_forum/ERPtemplate.doc">Rural &amp; Small Water and Wastewater System Emergency Response Plan Template</a><br /> <p> This 47-page template is designed to be a guide for Emergency Response Planning. Emergency response planning should be a coordinated and planned process. Proper planning can lessen the impact of an emergency. All staff should be trained as to their responsibility within the plan and how it will be implemented. This template was designed to address various emergency hazards that may occur in rural and small systems. It incorporates emergencies that may be the result of terrorism. Regardless of the type of emergency whether natural or man-made each system has the responsibility to be prepared to protect the public health and to restore services that may be impacted.</p> <a href="https://assets.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/frwa/pdfs-and-documents/frwa-erp_template-080105.doc">Disaster-Specific Preparedness/Response Plan for Public Drinking Water Systems - XYZ Water System Template</a><br /> <p> This 69-page template has been developed to help you prepare your Emergency Response Plan. The ERP Guide (see separate document, here) and Template is intended for use by any water system and may be modified to fit the specific needs of each system. The ERP guide follows the outline in the template&mdash;section by section</p> <a href="http://wateroperator.org/Portals/1/Documents/20449.pdf">Emergency Response Plan Template</a><br /> This 26-page form is an outline of an emergency response plan for water operators to fill out and complete. This document is in pdf form, but the fillable Word format of this document can be found<a href="https://dec.alaska.gov/eh/dw/security/generate-plan"> here</a>.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/dwp/wrt/documents/planAction3300.pdf">Emergency Response Plan of Action </a><br /> This 40-page template is used to create an emergency response plan for a public water system. There are many situations that may cause impairment of water quality or disruption of service. In Maine, the most common is loss of water pressure or contamination of the water supply, source, or lines. Some common examples include main breaks, power outage, treatment failure, numerous types of contamination, extreme weather and or structural damage, floods, and equipment failure. This template goes over each topic to create the most efficient ERP.&nbsp;1222Better ERPs Part 1: Hosting a Roundtable Discussionhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1220/better-erps-part-1-hosting-a-roundtable-discussionEmergency Response,SecurityThu, 10 Mar 2016 11:00:00 GMT<p>Creating a strong emergency plan is often easier said than done&mdash;and the middle of an emergency is the worst time to discover you&rsquo;ve forgotten something. This is the first of a four-part series with guides and tips to help you build a comprehensive emergency response plan.&nbsp;</p> <div> <p>Before you start drafting, though, consider hosting a water emergency roundtable discussion. These events provide a unique opportunity to connect water security with broader preparedness and community resiliency efforts underway in your region.&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 24px;">Here&rsquo;s a quick glance at what you can do to host a successful discussion:&nbsp;</span></p> <ol> <li>Consult with partners within your water community to identify the groups that need to be at the table. Some groups to consider include hospitals, schools, farm operations, industrial parks, municipal pools, and first responders.</li> <li>Set a date and secure a meeting place that meets your meeting needs.</li> <li>Work with partners or co-hosts to ensure that the room has the equipment needed, such as a laptop, PowerPoint projector, and pens and pads for meeting participants.</li> <li>Have your water utility manager or superintendent call the groups to invite them to the event. A personal call typically results in a more positive response and can be followed by a formal invite and RSVP request.</li> <li>Call confirmed participants to outline what types of information participants will need to bring with them, how the discussion will be facilitated, and how sensitive information will be treated.</li> <li>Confirm with partners or co-hosts who will be responsible for facilitating the discussion, compiling participant data, putting together registration packets, welcoming participants, presenting, taking notes, and writing a meeting summary.</li> <li>Arrive at least on hour before the event is scheduled to set up materials and manage last minute details.</li> <li>Use meeting notes and discussed action items to develop a short report for participants.</li> <li>Write and distribute an internal and external report on progress towards action items approximately six months after the event.</li> <li>Determine the need for a follow-up meeting.</li> </ol> <p><span style="line-height: 24px;">For more tips and sample invitation scripts, read the <a href="https://www.asdwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Roundtable-Guide-Revised-Edition-3-28-12-1.docx">Water Emergency Roundtable&mdash;Outline for Discussion</a> developed by the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators and EPA Region 5. And check back for part two of our series for free templates you can use when you're ready to write your emergency response plan.&nbsp;</span></p> </div>1220Do You Rely on Your SCADA System Too Much?http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1217/do-you-rely-on-your-scada-system-too-muchAsset Management,Business Mindset,Emergency Response,SustainabilityTue, 08 Mar 2016 19:56:46 GMT<p><em>*Originally&nbsp;posted on SmallWaterSupply.org July 9, 2012 by Steve Wilson.&nbsp;</em></p> <p>I was at an asset management workshop recently that included a number of state regulators. The theme was asset management and certification, but O &amp; M and the tie-in to understanding your assets kept coming up.</p> <strong>O &amp; M Is Tied To Asset Management</strong><br /> I realize the title of this blog post is about SCADA systems, and many small communities don't even have them, but whether you use SCADA or not, the principles behind good O &amp; M are important for all systems. It's all about understanding your system, the equipment, infrastructure, and treatment, as well as the process of running the plant (O &amp; M). I know everyone hears about the importance of testing generators monthly and servicing pumps when recommended, but many times these things are low priority. Weeks turn into months and months turn into years. I was at a plant this summer that was using a federal grant to get a new generator for their water plant. I had just been in the wastewater plant for this same community this last fall where there was a perfectly good generator that would serve the purpose. I brought this up to the consultant managing the grant, but he said it wouldn't work. Unfortunately, the community had no warranty on the generator because they didn't follow the maintenance schedule. It had sat in a garage for number of years and not been ran. As a taxpayer, that's frustrating, but as a small systems advocate, it gives us all a black eye.<br /> <strong><br /> So On To Best Practices</strong><br /> At the workshop, someone from Michigan mentioned that one of their larger communities was planning to shut down their SCADA system for a week. This wasn't being done to allow upgrades or changes to the system, this was being done because the Water Supt. wanted to make sure his staff knew how to run the plant. This system is being proactive, both from an emergency standpoint, and also from an operations standpoint. We all rely on technology and automatic this or that for so many things these days, but to really "know" your plant, to be able to troubleshoot and tell when something isn't quite running right, you really have to have a comprehensive understanding of how your system works.<br /> <br /> <strong>I Know, You Already Know Your Plant That Well</strong><br /> You are thinking, I already have that level of understanding of my plant, I know when something doesn't sound right, look right, or even feel right. Thats great, but what about the next level of support? What happens when you are not there? Do you ever take vacation or have to be out of town for a day or two? Is the person left in charge of your plant as familiar with your system as you are? Do they know your plant well enough to troubleshoot when a problem pops up? They need to have that level of understanding, or have something they can turn to that has those details.<br /> <br /> That brings us back to one of those O &amp; M things that are a pain, take time, and because you know the plant so well, keep putting off or don't see a need for. You should have an O &amp; M manual for your plant. No one else can write it, and its only as useful as the information you put into it. It comes down to being prepared and taking full responsibility for the operation of the plant. That also means being prepared in case you can't be there for some reason.<br /> <br /> <strong>Getting Started </strong><br /> First of all, develop an emergency response plan. There are templates available from a number of sources. You can contact a TA provider you work with, they will be able to get you started. If you want to look at some of the better ones, type in "emergency response plan" in our document keyword search, and use "type = templates". But, for those of you that already have an ERP, take the next step, develop an O &amp; M plan for your plant. Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Florida require O &amp; M plans, I'm sure there are others. New Jersey has an O &amp; M template that operators can use to help them develop their O &amp; M plan, as do Florida, Louisiana, and Vermont. Georgia has a guidance manual as well. It was also brought up at the workshop that Colorado is developing an O &amp; M and training manual geared toward walking you through developing an O &amp; M plan for your facility. It sounds like it will be a great resource. Once the Colorado document is available, we'll post an update and provide those details. Lastly, if you need some help, email or call us. We can either help you directly or find someone in your area who can help you get started.1217Water Reuse in Illinois: Part 2http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1215/water-reuse-in-illinois-part-2Business Mindset,Funding,Sustainability,WastewaterFri, 19 Feb 2016 11:00:00 GMT<p>Last week, we introduced you to Rick Manner, the director of the Urbana-Champaign Sanitation District. In the part two of our interview, you'll hear about how changes in the State Revolving Loan Fund opened the door to reuse project and how the district determined the market value of their effluent.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Illinois EPA is allowing Cronus to apply for SRF funding to build the pipeline. Can you tell us more about that? </strong></p> <p>State Revolving Loan Fund is part of how wastewater plants expanded in the 1970s. The U.S. EPA set up a big pot of money that the states could draw from for loans to city sanitation districts to help them expand their treatment facilities. Treatment facilities then pay back the loan over time, which sets up the revolving nature of the program. The payments going in this year can then go out to someone else. </p> <p>Originally, SRF was set up exclusively for wastewater treatment plants, but then they set up an equivalent for drinking water plants. Then the Water Resources Reform and Development Act was passed in 2014. In that, Congress explicitly called out an expansion of SRF. They explicitly said that reuse projects, including the pipelines associated with them, can be eligible for loan options. In particular, they said that because reuse is a little bit unusual, the funding can go not only to municipal bodies but also to private sector entities. &nbsp;</p> <p>Before these amendments, it was ambiguous as to whether this project would have been eligible for SRF dollars. We would have had to argue that it was part of our treatment plant. But now Illinois EPA is willing to consider it because Congress has said that reuse can be eligible.</p> <p>This is significant because the reason reuse projects often fail is the difficult economic hurdle of building the pipeline from point A to point B. The biggest reason Cronus might not want to do reuse is the $20 million hurdle of building the long pipeline. Even though it may cost more on a per gallon basis to make a drinking water pipe larger, that up front capital cost is so difficult to overcome that it often kills reuse projects. So SRF really helps make reuse a more appealing operation to consider because the interest rate is so good. </p> <p><strong>How did you decide what to charge for the effluent?</strong></p> <p>That is one of the more interesting elements of this whole process. Currently, we get nothing for the 20 million gallons a day that we discharge. So, in theory, if I were to get $1 for it, we would come out better. In reality, we did bit of research to try and find out what projects are out there and what other people are charging. It was a bit challenging because they&rsquo;re aren&rsquo;t very many in the Midwest. There are a few golf courses that use effluent about a hundred miles from here. But for the most part, they get a very large volume at a low rate. And that&rsquo;s because the golf course happens to be right across from the water treatment plant. There really aren&rsquo;t good models for effluent pricing. </p> <p>We landed on a shared benefit/shared cost scenario. If Cronus was to buy from the drinking water plant, they would be charged about $3 per thousand gallons. However, they would get the pipeline subsidized by the drinking water plant, so it is really more like $2 per thousand gallons range. If we were much more than that, they would logically turn to the groundwater resource. That set a ceiling for the rate we could charge. </p> <p>But there is also added risk associated with our flow because our water is not as pristine as good aquifer water. We aren&rsquo;t required to treat it back to groundwater quality. And so, because of that added risk and the fact that they may need to do some chemical treatment on their end. We settled on charging just over $1 per thousand gallons. That&rsquo;s the baseline price. On top of that, we get a 30 cent per thousand gallons add-on for our capital projects. That is how we will be funded for our lagoon and our pump station. Once we&rsquo;ve been paid $3 million via that added amount, the extra fee will go away, and we will be back down to the $1 per thousand gallons. There is an inflation factor that is kicking in, so it is a bit more than that. </p> <p>Ultimately, we will get about $2 million a year in income. Our expenses would be anywhere from $500,000 to a million dollars. So the benefit our ratepayers should expect to see is about $1 million a year net benefit, which is about 7 percent of our annual income. Some of that may be in value from the lagoon that won&rsquo;t be a direct cash benefit. But we are aiming to keep the cash fraction as close to a full million as we can so that we can feel really good about this being a net benefit for the rate payers</p> <p>One thing that I need to emphasize is that UCSD&rsquo;s expenses have been going up continuously. I cannot and never will guarantee no rate increases. But I can absolutely guarantee that all of the finical benefit that UCSD gets will be seen by the rate payers in terms of avoided rate increases. </p> <p><strong>What other benefits can ratepayers expect?</strong></p> <p>Our board of trustees also voted to spend about $50,000 a year on habitat projects to make the creeks healthier in the long run. We consider that a reasonable thing to do with some of that income. That way the waterway will be healthier and better able to handle the drought conditions. By adding some pools and riffles, we can add some physical complexities that will help the fish and other aquatic species handle the stress of a drought better. </p> <p>The pool and riffles idea is something the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has been looking to do for a number of years in the Copper Slough. They already have some money set aside for it as a result of a truck accident that spilled into the waterway. But they are looking for local matching funds, which they have had a hard time securing over the last few years. We would provide those local matching funds to allow that project to finally begin.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><strong>What&rsquo;s the status of the deal with Cronus? </strong></p> <p>Cronus has announced that, if they build a plant, it will in Tuscola. And we have a contract to sell them effluent, so we would be their main water source if this all goes forward. Right now, they are looking to secure financing for the facility, so they are talking to financial people to get that secured. That is still a work in progress. </p> <p><strong>Is there an expected timeline?</strong></p> <p>It&rsquo;s a process that has taken a few months and will take a few more. The finance people want a lot of assurances before they actually open up the check book. We are hoping for a positive announcement sometime soon.&nbsp;</p>1215Free Board Training Offered for Missouri Utilitieshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1181/free-board-training-offered-for-missouri-utilitiesAsset ManagementFri, 12 Feb 2016 11:00:00 GMT<p style="margin-bottom: 8pt;">Being on the board at your water utility can be a daunting task. Many small water utilities face a host of managerial challenges, including inadequate revenue, deteriorating infrastructure, and difficulty finding and securing a qualified operator. In addition, small towns can make conflict of interest cases and other infringements on board ethics difficult to avoid. In recognition of these challenges, many TA providers around the country have started offering board training and support in addition to their operator resources. One organization offering free training for boards and councils in their state is <a href="https://moruralwater.org">Missouri Rural Water Association</a>.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 8pt;">MRWA is offering free 2-hour evening trainings for water boards and councils designed to be presented during or prior to a regularly scheduled board/council meeting. These trainings cover two to three management topics from a list including board/council member responsibilities; how to conduct an effective meeting; Sunshine Law; water system basics; utility rates and finances; conflict of interest/ethics; project financing; and asset management. In addition to these short trainings, MRWA will also offer 1-day, 6-hour courses intended to satisfy the requirements for water district board members to receive attendance fees for board meetings a per RSMo 247.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 8pt;">If your water utility board or council in the state of Missouri would like to schedule a MRWA training session, please contact Liz Grove at 573-231-6797 or by <a href="mailto:egrove@moruralwater.org?subject=Board/Council Training">email</a>.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 8pt;">If you think your board would benefit from management training but you don&rsquo;t live in Missouri, you have a few options. You can check out our <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">event calendar</a>, and filter by your state and one of our management categories (Asset Management, Financial Management, or Utility Management). Or you can check with the TA providers in your area, including the state Rural Water Association and your <a href="https://www.rcap.org/about/">RCAP region</a>.</p>1181SRF Could Help Illinois Water Reuse Projecthttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1214/srf-could-help-illinois-water-reuse-projectBusiness Mindset,Funding,Sustainability,WastewaterFri, 12 Feb 2016 11:00:00 GMT<p>When the Cronus fertilizer plant slated to be built near Tuscola, Illinois is fully operational, much of their water will come from the Urbana-Champaign Sanitation District (UCSD) roughly 20 miles north. UCSD has agreed to pipe over 6 million gallons of effluent to the plant everyday for industrial uses. We sat down with UCSD director Rick Manner last fall to discuss the project and what it will mean for UCSD operations.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Tell us a little about UCSD.</strong></p> <p>We treat the sewage from the cities of Urbana and Champaign and the villages of Savoy and Bondville. About 10 percent of our customers are in the unincorporated areas around Champaign and Urbana. </p> <p>In a typical day in normal weather, we discharge about 22 million gallons of sewage. About two-thirds of that comes out of our plant in northeast Urbana, which flows into the Saline Branch of the Salt Fork River and ultimately into the Vermillion and Ohio rivers. Over in southwest Champaign, about a third of our water comes out of our Southwest Plant. That goes into the Copper Slough, which flows into the Kaskaskia and then the Mississippi River. </p> <p>In extreme drought conditions, we are down to a total of about 12 million gallons a day, with about three-quarters from our Northeast Plant and one quarter from our Southwest Plant. </p> <p>That said, our sewers are actually going to be rearranged a little in the near future. Right now, there are a lot of tall buildings being built on campus, and those sewers that they are discharging to are getting the challenge of 20-story buildings where there was previously a mom-and-pop business or a two-story building. It&rsquo;s actually producing a good deal of burden on those sewers, so we will be rearranging some of our flows within the sewers. We&rsquo;ll be diverting flows from the Northeast Plant and pushing it over to our Southwest Plant. So, even in times of drought, we will be at about a 60/40 split.</p> <p>We need to do this to deal with our own sewer issues. But it so happens that it helps in regards to Cronus. The Southwest Plant is closer to them, and that is where they are going to be getting their water from. So, an increase in flow at the Southwest Plant ends up coming at a fortuitous time for them because they are looking to buy some of our effluent from that Southwest Plant. </p> <p><strong>Why are they interested in buying the effluent? </strong></p> <p>Cronus Fertilizer is proposing to build just west of Tuscola. Contemporary fertilizer manufactures use natural gas as a primary ingredient, and with that natural gas, there is a lot of energy coming into the process. So, they end up evaporating a lot of water just to keep their equipment cool. If they didn&rsquo;t do that, the temperature would increase too much and they wouldn&rsquo;t get the results they want. Overall, they are looking at buying 6.3 million gallons a day of our treated effluent. Of that, about 80 percent will be boiled away and evaporated and the remaining 20 percent will still be discharged and have to meet discharge limits. </p> <p>They could be using water from other sources, but they approached us about the idea of reusing our effluent, which is water already coming out of the Mahomet Aquifer. This way the water will get a second use&mdash;reuse, if you will&mdash;down in Tuscola. And Cronus doesn&rsquo;t have to draw new water out of the aquifer. That is the advantage of reusing effluent. </p> <p><strong>How would the effluent be transported, and who is responsible for that infrastructure? </strong></p> <p>Champaign and Tuscola are 20 miles apart, but it happens that our treatment plant and their proposed fertilizer plant are literally north and south relative to each other. So, they are looking at building a 20-mile, 2 ft-diameter pipe that would connect up our treatment plant to their fertilizer plant. They would design, build, and operate that pipeline.</p> <p>The reason Cronus is in this situation is somewhat interesting. They are proposing to build the fertilizer plant in Tuscola because there are two or three large natural gas pipelines that cross there. But Tuscola doesn&rsquo;t have a very good water supply. They are not on top of the aquifer anymore. They get their drinking water from a pipeline from the Champaign-Urbana area&mdash;from the Bondville wells of Illinois American Water. But the drinking water pipe is not large enough to handle a 6-million-gallon-a-day increase. So, they would be looking at a new pipe either way. &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What changes will UCSD have to make at the plant to move water through the pipeline?</strong></p> <p>We will need to put in some good size pumps that could pump the water 20 miles south down to Tuscola. That&rsquo;s the first big infrastructure exclusively for the benefit of Cronus. But we would get reimbursed for that. We get more than reimbursed for that. That&rsquo;s one of the reasons we are interested in doing this. Not only does it help protect the aquifer, but the payments that Cronus is proposing would help our bottom line. </p> <p>When we were looking into this scenario, one of the things we became acutely aware of is that there is great sensitivity to not going to zero discharge, even in times of drought. Our rate payers and our board and everybody who commented would like to see some continuing flow to the creeks. To accommodate that, we are building a storage lagoon at our Southwest Plant. The storage lagoon would fill up when there is a lot of rain and moisture in the spring and then would be there holding our final effluent in quantity in case of a drought like we had in 2012.</p> <p>That lagoon would be another bit of infrastructure that USCD would look into building that would benefit Cronus. Again, though, we would be compensated for that construction project. But in the long run, that is something the sanitation district will benefit from. We know that Champaign and Savoy are growing towards the southwest, so we know the flows are going to be increasing there. When that lagoon is no longer needed to get us through a drought while still meeting Cronus&rsquo;s demand, we would use it to store influent instead. The lagoon would be turned into what we call an equalization basin, which would allow us to store high volumes of flow so that we don&rsquo;t have to treat it that same day. We could treat it when our flows are more reasonable. My successor, or my successor&rsquo;s successor, is going to benefit from that lagoon being built.&nbsp;</p> <p>Check back here for part two of our interview to learn about how the State Revolving Loan Fund features in this story and how the district determined the market value of their effluent.&nbsp;</p>1214Operator Math Part 3: Continuous Education http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1180/operator-math-part-3-continuous-educationTraining/CEUs,Wastewater,Water TreatmentFri, 05 Feb 2016 11:00:00 GMT<p><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">This is the third and final installment of our operator math series, and we&rsquo;re closing with an eye to the future. When the exams are done and you&rsquo;re thrown back into the stress of daily operations, it&rsquo;s easy for math skills to get a little rusty. </span></p> <p><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">Here are some great videos, blog series, and more to help you test and strengthen your knowledge of commonly&mdash;and not so commonly&mdash;used formulas and functions. And many of these resources can also double as exam prep, making them something you can turn to again and again.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><a href="https://wastewatertechnologytrainers.com/problem-of-the-day/"><span>Problem of the Day</span></a></span></p> <p><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">Wastewater Technology Trainers gives you a keep your skills sharp and review at your own pace with their Problem of the Day blog series. Each problem is provided in the form of a downloadable document containing a page or two about working in the wastewater treatment industry followed by the sample problem. Although each of the documents appear similar at first, you&rsquo;ll find the problems generally begin on the second or third page following a schedule of problems provided on earlier dates.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXVbmoNYMn8tyFnz8cN7ABDM1x3W7xluz"><span>Indigo Water Group Math Videos</span></a></span></p> <p><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">This series of 13 videos&nbsp;walks through the procedures for solving common water or wastewater math problems. Viewers are able to learn how to solve problems in a step-wise process by following along with the video, which demonstrates and explains each step.&nbsp;The series contains three unit conversion tutorials, five geometry tutorials, three dosing tutorials, one that calculates pump run time to reduce MLSS concentration, and one that calculates VSS loading rate to an anaerobic digester.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8pqzcuj26_6OtNMIuFxacA"><span>CAwastewater.org Math Videos</span></a></span></p> <p><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">These 19 HD-quality videos were created by operators for operators. They provide instruction, examples, and advice on math topics covered by the Grads 1-5 exams offered in California. </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><a href="http://www.indigowatergroup.com/Math%20Workbooks.htm"><span>Big Books of Math Problem Generator</span></a></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">Also from Indigo Water Group, this tool gives you a new set of problems with every click. Each set is provided as an Excel spreadsheet, allowing you to easily work through the solutions at your own pace. Click on the &ldquo;Math Problem Generator&rdquo; link at the bottom of the page. </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><a href="https://www.wef.org/resources/online-education/skills-builder/"><span>Skills Builder</span></a></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">This webpage allows you to test your knowledge of wastewater and laboratory topics using Skills Builder&mdash;a set of quizzes provided by WEF as a free resource for operator education. The quizzes incorporate math, safety, and a variety of other topics. Skills Builder provides feedback on your answers as well as references for follow-up study sources. Results are completely confidential and are not recorded.<span class="apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">Industry groups and not-for-profits, including our partners at the </span><span><a href="file:///C:/Users/aeriley/Desktop/Water%20Operator/rcap.org"><span>Rural Community Assistance Partnership</span></a></span><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">, also regularly host operator math training courses and webinars. Learn about these and other training opportunities with our</span><span> <a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar"><span>Event Calendar</span></a></span><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">. &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>1180Operator Math Part 2: Online Tools and Appshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1179/operator-math-part-2-online-tools-and-appsWastewater,Water TreatmentFri, 29 Jan 2016 11:00:00 GMT<p><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">Last week, we shared a few basic tips to help you master some of the calculations used in day-to-day operations. Understanding these and other functions and formulas is an integral part of the job, but working through the problems can be intimidating. Fortunately, there is a large bank of online tools and apps geared toward water and wastewater professionals that puts solutions literally at your fingertips.&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">Of course, mobile technology is fast-moving and new tools are being released almost daily. Here are just a few of the ones available at no cost right now. </span></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">Online tools</span></strong></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">From the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection:</span></p> <ul> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/waterops/redesign/calculators/tempcalc.htm">Temperature Conversion </a>&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/waterops/redesign/calculators/mgdcalc.htm">Millions of Gallons Conversion</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/waterops/redesign/calculators/loadingcalc.htm">Loadings Calculator</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/waterops/redesign/calculators/chemcalc.htm">Pounds of Chemical per Gallon</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/waterops/redesign/calculators/volcalchtm.htm">Tank Volume Calculations</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/waterops/redesign/calculators/chemdaycalc.htm">Dry Chemical Calculation</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/waterops/redesign/calculators/remeff.htm">Removal Efficiency</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/waterops/redesign/calculators/galtomlcalc.htm">mL per Minute Conversion</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/waterops/redesign/calculators/FMratiocalc.htm">Food to Microorganism Calculator</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/waterops/redesign/TablesNFormulas/Pages/volumemeasurement.htm">Metric Conversions</a></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin: 12pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">From the Missouri Rural Water Association: </span></p> <ul> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="https://moruralwater.org/water-tools-files/tool_cbap.php">Circular Break Around Pipe</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="https://moruralwater.org/water-tools-files/tool_hip.php">Hole in Pipe</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="https://moruralwater.org/water-tools-files/tool_rbap.php">Rectangular Break Along Pipe</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="https://moruralwater.org/water-tools-files/tool_mwl.php">Monthly Water Loss</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="https://moruralwater.org/water-tools-files/tool_wlya.php">Annual Water Loss Average</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="https://moruralwater.org/water-tools-files/tool_wdac.php">Well Drawdown and Specific Capacity</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="https://moruralwater.org/water-tools-files/tool_pdfc.php">Pipe Disinfection</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="https://moruralwater.org/water-tools-files/tool_tdfc.php">Tank Disinfection</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="https://moruralwater.org/water-tools-files/tool_wcdfc.php">Well Casing Disinfection</a></span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span><a href="https://moruralwater.org/water-tools-files/tool_ssmc.php">Solution Strength Mix</a></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-top: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">Device apps</span></strong></p> <ul> </ul> <p style="margin: 12pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">From Georg Fischer AG:</span></p> <ul> <li style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">FlowCalc &ndash; </span><span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/georg-fischer-flowcalc/id483566403">Apple</a></span></li> </ul> <ul> </ul> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">From Pipeflowcalculation.com: </span></p> <ul> <li><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">Pipe Diameter Calculator &ndash; </span><span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pipeflowcalculations.android">Android</a></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">Be sure to check back here next week for the last post in our operator math series. We&rsquo;ll have resources to help you keep your calculation skills sharp.</span></p>1179What We Can Learn from Flinthttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/1184/what-we-can-learn-from-flintEmergency Response,Public Education,Regulations,Value of WaterFri, 22 Jan 2016 20:58:48 GMTIt&rsquo;s not often that drinking water gets in-depth news coverage and front page headlines, but I think we&rsquo;re all just sad that it happened this way. The story of <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/stories/flint-water-crisis-everything-you-need-know">Flint, Michigan&rsquo;s drinking water crisis</a>&nbsp;has unfolded over nearly two years, but the national media attention escalated rapidly in the past month.<br /> <br /> I believe I speak for every one of our WaterOperator.org readers when I say this just hits too close to home. This is our industry, these are our friends and colleagues, and of course, the people of Flint are our neighbors in trusting that tap water will always deliver. <br /> <br /> There&rsquo;s no role for blame because we&rsquo;ve all lost on this one. And when you go beyond the issues of oversight, social justice, and politics, there&rsquo;s a story about the challenging decisions that operators, utility managers, and local government officials make day-to-day. These jobs have aways been hard, but we now have an opportunity to grow, change, and do better. <br /> <br /> This could have happened anywhere, but it doesn&rsquo;t have to happen in your community. Here&rsquo;s what everyone can learn from Flint:<br /> <h4>Unintended consequences are real.</h4> The story of Flint highlights the critical balancing act required to serve drinking water that meets every standard. One change (large or small) can have cascading effects on the entire treatment train and distribution system, so decisions should not be made lightly. Appendix C (Guidance for Evaluating Impacts of Treatment Changes on Distribution Systems) and D (Tools for Evaluating Impacts of Treatment Changes on Lead and Copper Rule Compliance) within the <a href="http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/60000E2Q.PDF?Dockey=60000E2Q.PDF">Simultaneous Compliance Guidance Manual</a>&nbsp;are solid, first-step references.<br /> <h4>Don&rsquo;t be afraid to ask for help.</h4> State and federal agencies are made up of people who care about what they do. So not only is it their job to help systems make better decisions, they want to do the right thing. They also know others with additional technical expertise, including researchers and technical assistance providers, who can consult with you at no cost. Ask for assistance when planning changes or as soon as you know there is a problem. If you&rsquo;re not sure whom to contact, <a href="http://www.abccert.org/certification_contacts/default.asp">here&rsquo;s the list of primacy agency websites</a>. You can also contact us (info@wateroperator.org) and we&rsquo;ll find someone who can help.<br /> <h4>Public health is the priority.</h4> A water system&rsquo;s ultimate job is not to meet compliance, but to provide safe drinking water and protect public health. Regulations are the baseline mechanism for getting there, but thinking holistically about what&rsquo;s logical can prevent unintended consequences. There are certainly flaws in the Safe Drinking Water Act regulations, so the <a href="http://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/public-water-system-supervision-program-water-supply-guidance-manual">Water Supply Guidance (WSG) manual</a>&nbsp;offers policy statements and clarifications on intent as a starting point.<br /> <h4>Trust is easier to break than restore.</h4> It is always better to act out of an abundance of caution and be wrong, than it is to do nothing out of fear. Early, active, and consistent public communication (even when the answers are still uncertain) will go far to maintain the public&rsquo;s trust in the water system and the local government. We&rsquo;ve compiled some of the <a href="http://www.wateroperator.org/communication">best resources on risk communication requirements and best practices</a>.<br /> <br /> The situation in Flint is more than unfortunate, but we can all reduce the chance that it will happen again and be more prepared to react in any emergency situation. Our thoughts are with each and every one of you working beyond measure to make this right.1184Operator Math Part 1: Practical Guidelineshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/174/operator-math-101Wastewater,Water TreatmentFri, 22 Jan 2016 11:00:00 GMT<p><span>Mathematical calculations can be a challenge for even for the most veteran of water and wastewater operators. The formulas for volume, chemical dosage, filtration, pipe velocity, and other daily problems vary of course, but there are a few underlying guidelines that can help you make sure your answer is correct regardless of the calculation you&rsquo;re working on.&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span>This is the first in a three-part series dedicated to operator math. The tips below are adapted from information provided by the South Dakota Department of Environmental and Natural Resources. </span></p> <ol> <li><span>Learn what a formula means, not just when it is used. This will help you remember when to use &pi;R</span><span>2H to calculate the volume of a cylinder instead of 2&pi;</span><span>RH&mdash;the formula for measuring the surface area of a cylinder&rsquo;s sides. </span></li> <li><span>Use unit labels throughout your calculation to help you easily see whether you need to multiply or divide. </span></li> <li><span>Always convert percentages to decimals. </span></li> <li><span>Convert &ldquo;inches&rdquo; to &ldquo;feet&rdquo; unless you&rsquo;re trying to solve a pressure problem. Using &ldquo;inches&rdquo; in any other problem will almost always leave you with the wrong answer. </span></li> <li><span>Make sure the units you end with match the problem you are trying to solve. If a volume calculation results in a &ldquo;square feet&rdquo; or &ldquo;square yards&rdquo; answer, something went wrong along the way. </span></li> <li><span>Trust your suspicions. If the answer doesn&rsquo;t seem right, check that you used the right formula and units before running the problem again. </span></li> </ol> <p><span>For those looking for more detailed and specific instruction, our <a href="http://www.smallwatersupply.org/Documents/DocumentSearch/tabid/74/Default.aspx"><span style="color: #777777;">documents database</span></a> is a great place to start. Here are some of the resources you&rsquo;ll find if you search &ldquo;math.&rdquo; </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><a href="https://irwa.sharepoint.com/Documents/Basic%20Math.pdf">Basic Math Handbook</a></span></p> <p><span>This 24-page handbook is a basic math study tool. It provides formulas for basic geometry, velocity &amp; flow rates, and pressure, force &amp; head, and contains several typical water problems that show users how to apply the formulas in real-world scenarios.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><a href="https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Compliance-Assistance/operator-certification-program/Test%20Preparation%20Documents/DW%20FORMULA%20SHEET.pdf">Formula and Conversion Sheet for Drinking Water Treatment and Distribution</a> </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>This 1 page document provides conversions and formulas for water treatment &amp; distribution operators in studying for a certification exam.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><a href="http://health.hawaii.gov/sdwb/files/2013/06/CT_Calc_Examples.pdf">Chlorine Contact Time Calculations</a></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>This 7-page document provides guidelines on how to solve math problems that deal with calculating chlorine contact time. It includes important equations and practice problems with solutions.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><a href="https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/enforcement/wwl/pdfs/industrial-formula-sheet.pdf">Industrial Math Formulas</a></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>This 7-page document provides a list of valuable formulas and conversion factors important for wastewater operators.</span><span>&nbsp; </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><a href="http://www.indigowatergroup.com/Files/Math%20Books/Intermediate%20Water%20Math.pdf">Intermediate Water Math</a></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>This 37-page study guide contains 82 intermediate water math questions. Solutions to the problems are provided at the end of the document.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><a href="http://www.indigowatergroup.com/Files/Math%20Books/Advanced%20Wastewater%20Math.pdf">Advanced Wastewater Math</a></span></p> <p><span>This 29-page study guide contains 35 advanced wastewater math questions. Solutions to the problems are provided at the end of the document.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p>174Welcome to WaterOperator.orghttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/177/welcomeWaterOperator.orgThu, 07 Jan 2016 20:47:26 GMT<p>For a number of years, we struggled with an identity crisis. SmallWaterSupply.org was difficult to remember. <br /> <br /> I&rsquo;ve been to countless meetings where I show the site to someone and five minutes later they cannot remember the URL. It just doesn&rsquo;t roll off your tongue. And in the online world, you want things to be as easy to remember as possible.<br /> <br /> It happened so many times, it became sort of a running joke.<br /> <br /> The final straw for me was sitting in a room of 200 people and listening to at least three people in a row butcher the name of our website. It was not their fault though. It was our fault and we're ready to make it right.<br /> <br /> We are proud to announce that&nbsp;<strong>SmallWaterSupply.org has become WaterOperator.org</strong>. We believe this change will address many of the issues we faced in gaining traction as an invaluable web portal, though there is of course still work to do!<br /> <br /> <em> Why WaterOperator.org?</em>&nbsp;&nbsp;When we first began to consider this change, I had been working with WEF on some projects and learned how they were planning to go away from the word &ldquo;wastewater operator&rdquo;. Their logic was that both drinking water and wastewater operators are treating water, just some are doing so before the tap and some are doing it after. I totally agreed. And let's face it, for many small systems, they are on both.<br /> <br /> We were shocked that WaterOperator.org was an available URL, and the rest, as they say, is history.<br /> <br /> What you'll find is that most of our features remain, but are just wrapped in a pretty new package. Our flagship tools, the&nbsp;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/calendar">event calendar</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">document database</a>, made the journey successfully and are now mobile-responsive along with the rest of the site. <br /> <br /> It's not perfect yet, but we're getting there. We're developing new help videos to offer visitors a tour as well as upgrading our resource databases on operator training programs and tribal partner contacts.<br /> <br /> There are a lot of people here at the Illinois Water Survey and Illinois Water Resources Center that deserve the credit for this transition. My one contribution was insisting that the Paw Paw, Michigan water tower remain on the home page. (I'm sort of old school in that regard.)<br /> <br /> I hope you like the changes we've made thus far. We're open to hearing any feedback you may have as we continue to improve new WaterOperator.org and make it your home on the web.</p>177Tips to Help Utilities Get the Water Rates They Needhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/173/tips-to-help-utilities-get-the-water-rates-they-needFunding,Public Education,SustainabilityMon, 14 Dec 2015 23:23:03 GMT<p style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span>In a <a href="http://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/172/laying-the-foundation-for-a-successful-rate-approval-process">previous post</a>, we shared tips to help you&nbsp;<a href="http://smallwatersupply.org/Blog/tabid/38/ctl/ArticleView/mid/390/articleId/2347/Laying-the-foundation-for-a-successful-rate-approval-process.aspx"><span style="color: #777777;">lay the groundwork</span></a>&nbsp;for a successful rate approval process. The strategies focused on gaining public support for your operations as a whole so customers understand its value when it came time to ask for additional funds. Following these will help you gain community buy-in, but how you present a rate increase proposal will still play a vital role in ensuring you have the rates you need.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Here are a few things to remember while you are developing your communication strategy:</span></p> <ul> <li style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span>Timing is key. Community events, especially elections, can have a significant influence on the success of an increase.</span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span>Anticipating customer concerns and providing answers to questions about the need for the increase, cost efficiency, and how the change will affect individuals up front can do a lot to misunderstandings and foster public support.</span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span>Whether you're talking to a customers or the board, your messages should be succinct and consistent. Statements like, "Water reliability is at risk due to the need to upgrade the distribution system," clearly convey what is at stake and what actions can be taken.</span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span>Your local media can be a beneficial partner in utility communication, particularly if you have taken steps to cultivate a relationship.</span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span>Working with community stakeholders like environmental groups, industries, and even neighboring utilities can lend credibility to your messages and create champions for the rate adjustment.&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">For more suggestions, read&nbsp;<a href="http://efc.web.unc.edu/2014/03/10/communications-strategies-to-help-water-utilities/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">this report&nbsp;</a>from an expert panel discussion at the 2014 AWWA/WEF Utility Management Conference.</p>173Laying the Foundation for a Successful Rate Approval Processhttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/172/laying-the-foundation-for-a-successful-rate-approval-processFundingMon, 14 Dec 2015 23:10:41 GMT<p><span style="color: #a5a5a5;"></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span>It&rsquo;s a problem faced by nearly every small system: your existing budget won&rsquo;t cover the cost of new capital projects or even routine O&amp;M. Raising water rates is no simple task, but there are strategies you can use to gain community buy-in.<br /> <br /> We&rsquo;ll share more tips for rate-specific communication in a later post. For now, let&rsquo;s talk about what you can do to lay the groundwork. It is hard to ask customers for more money if they do not know and understand the value that you provide. The first step to gaining public support of a rate increase is to gain that support for your operations as a whole.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Here are a few easy ways to boost your public image and set the stage for an effective push for a rate increase:&nbsp;</span></p> <ul> <li style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>Stop being invisible.&nbsp;Bad news&mdash;line breaks, sewer spills, etc.&mdash;have a way of getting out. If that is all your customers know about you, they won&rsquo;t be eager to see their water bills go up. Sharing good news and helping the public and media put bad news in context will foster greater trust in your system and staff.</span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>Keep them informed.&nbsp;Whether you&rsquo;re responding to an emergency or conducting routine repairs that interrupt customer&rsquo;s daily lives, you can keep the customer on your side by communicating with them often. Tell them what has happened, what you plan to do, and how they can get answers to their questions.&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>Know your product.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s not the water. It&rsquo;s the service you offer customers so they can go about daily life. They will remember their interactions with your employees and how you helped them when you bring up a rate increase later. &nbsp;</span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>Heed the warning signs.&nbsp;Watch how your customers react to what you say and do. It&rsquo;s much harder to mend broken relationships than to maintain them.</span></li> <li style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>Show your appreciation.&nbsp;Consider hosting customer appreciation days or sending holiday cards to strengthen relationships with your customers.&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>To find documents with more great tips, visit WaterOperator.org's online <a href="http://wateroperator.org/documents">resource library</a>.&nbsp;</span></p>172Winterizing for Consumers and Small Water Systemshttp://wateroperator.org/blog/PostId/168/winterizing-for-consumers-and-small-water-systemsEmergency ResponseFri, 13 Nov 2015 21:15:49 GMTHere in central Illinois, the days are getting shorter, the nights are getting colder, and the trees are starting to turn. For those of us living in colder climates, the time is coming for us to batten down the hatches and prepare for winter&rsquo;s snow, ice, and cold. Recently, one such forward-thinking operator asked us for information on winterizing service lines. After a little searching, here&rsquo;s some guidance we found for him and for anyone else preparing their system for winter cold.<br /> <h4>Winterizing for Water Systems</h4> For operators looking to prepare their systems for winter, the <a href="http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/water/drinking/alpha/i-thru-z/sspmlcs.pdf">Preventive Maintenance Card File for Small Public Water Systems Using Ground Water</a> (developed by the U.S. EPA and adapted by the Massachusetts DEP) provides month-by-month guidance on routine maintenance procedures that can help keep a system in top running condition. Search the document using the keyword &ldquo;winter&rdquo; to find relevant maintenance cards. The Indiana Section of the AWWA also has a winterizing checklist. See page 8 of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.inawwa.org/media/3Q12FYINewsletter.pdf" style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">this newsletter</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;"> for their helpful tips and hints for water operators.</span><br /> <h4>Consumer Information: Winterizing Plumbing and Thawing Frozen Pipes</h4> Of course, operators are not the only ones facing the problem of inadequately winterized or frozen pipes. Consumers often need extra guidance in properly preparing their homes for cold weather, or in dealing with frozen pipes as they occur. Some resources for consumer information include: <ul> <li>RCAP&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.rcap.org/resource/brace-the-pipes-and-bring-on-the-cold/">ebulletin</a> on winterizing for the utility and the customer</li> <li>the Red Cross&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/winter-storm/preventing-thawing-frozen-pipes">information page</a> on winterizing pipes, and safely thawing pipes that have frozen,</li> <li>this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1DAJCRbVko">video</a> by a real estate agent showing how to properly drain outside spigots for the winter,</li> <li>and this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmchs0NppQo">video</a> by a building contractor in Boulder, Colorado, which includes tips for turning off water to the house in the event of a burst pipe, ways of regulating temperatures so pipes don&rsquo;t freeze in the first place, and advice on safely thawing pipes when they do freeze.<br /> <br /> </li> </ul> To see how other utilities have handled consumer information on winterizing pipes on their websites, see the <a href="http://www.mvwa.us/customer%20service/cold%20weather.htm">Mohawk Valley Water Authority</a> (for colder climates) and the <a href="http://www.maconwater.org/winterization-tips">Macon Water Authority</a> (for climates with relatively mild winters, where the ground seldom freezes deeper than two inches). Though there may be contact information or policy information specific to these utilities on these pages, both provide thorough, accessible information to frequently asked consumer questions.<br /> <br /> Are there other great winterizing resources that should be highlighted here? Tell us in the comments!168