Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Better approach
to jar testing
PAGE 34
tpomag.com
JUNE 2017
Starting
Fresh AN OPERATIONS TEAM
TACKLES THE CHALLENGES
Ray Pardee
Plant Superintendent
Cottage Grove, Ore.
HOW WE DO IT:
Smart pumping strategy
PAGE 44
WELCOME TO THE
POWER OF CLARITY
Paxxo ......................................... 8
Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc. .. 11 Red Meters ............................... 61
Watson-Marlow Fluid
Huber Technology, Inc. .......... 9 Technology Group .................. 5
FREE Information from Advertisers (check the Free Info boxes above)
FACILITY NAME:
MAILING ADDRESS:
FAX: EMAIL:
HEAVY DUTY
T R
SLUDGE PUMPS
Pumps with no rotors, stators
or lobes to replace, providing
superior abrasive handling
No mechanical seals or
packing to leak
LETS BE CLEAR Page 8 testing can help water treatment plants more INDUSTRY NEWS Page 59
When Rates Cause Burdens reliably meet limits for disinfection byproducts.
Major water infrastructure improvements can By Amanda Scott WORTH NOTING Page 60
come with major rate increases. How can utilities People/Awards; Events
shield low-income customers from expenses they SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS Page 42
cant afford? Power Diet
By Ted J. Rulseh, Editor A New York City treatment plant is slowly increas-
ing its appetite for food waste to be converted to
coming next month: July 2017
@TPOMAG.COM Page 10 biogas for delivery to the natural gas grid.
Visit daily for exclusive news, features and blogs. By Doug Day FOCUS: Pumps, Drives, Valves, Blowers and
Distribution Systems
LETTERS Page 12 HOW WE DO IT: WATER Page 44 Lets Be Clear: A toast to technology
Better Water. Little Cost. Top Performers:
PLANTSCAPES Page 18 A creative storage tank and distribution system
Productive Move Wastewater Plant: Oakdale (California) Wastewater
pumping strategy helps a Massachusetts utility Treatment Plant
Trees transferred from a New York reduce water age and improve water quality.
communitys botanical garden to the Wastewater Plant: Wellington (Florida) Water
By Jeffery Fournier Reclamation Facility
wastewater treatment plant will contribute
Wastewater Operator: Melinda Ward, Eden,
to a major tree restoration project. TECHNOLOGY DEEP DIVE Page 46 North Carolina
By Jeff Smith From Inside Out Water Operator: Martha Tasker, Salina, Kansas
Odor control using ionization destroys odorous
IN MY WORDS Page 26 How We Do It: Fine screen and peripheral-feed
gases within building spaces, creating healthful clarifier in Addison, Illinois
Sparking the Conversation workplaces and discharging innocuous air.
A major pump company looks to jump-start How We Do It: Smart pumping choices in
By Ted J. Rulseh
public awareness of water infrastructure chal- Carmel, Indiana
lenges, celebrate operators roles, and help PRODUCT FOCUS Page 48 Sustainable Operations: LEED Gold certified
utilities gain support for their initiatives. Odor Control and Disinfection nanofiltration plant in Florida
By Ted J. Rulseh By Craig Mandli In My Words: The ASCE Infrastructure Report Card
Tech Talk: Advanced technology in sludge
HEARTS AND MINDS Page 32 CASE STUDIES Page 52 measurement
Grass Heads and Water Wisdom Odor Control and Disinfection PlantScapes: Mosaic artworks in Kenosha,
A Waterama festival in Fort Worth teaches By Craig Mandli Wisconsin
fourth-graders about water and its value in
rapid-fire interactive sessions. Technology Deep Dive: Innovative gas mixing
PRODUCT NEWS Page 56 system for anaerobic digesters
By Craig Mandli Product Spotlight Wastewater: Popular belt
filter press shrunken for smaller communities
TECH TALK Page 34 Product Spotlight Water: Turbidimeter puts
Jar Testing Plus power in the hands of operators smartphone
Adding total organic carbon analysis to jar By Craig Mandli
W
Over 20,000 installations ater and sewer pipes have to be maintained. Treat-
worldwide. ment plants need periodic upgrades and expan-
sions. These things are necessary. Theyre also
Visit www.paxxo.us expensive. Paying for them often
for more information. means raising rates. And then what
happens to people on the struggling
end of the income scale?
Its an issue thats getting more
attention as infrastructure ages and
PAXXO (USA) INC. 1924 Millard Farmer Road, Newnan, GA 30263 the need to fix and improve it grows
www.paxxo.us Tel +1 770 502 0055 Fax +1 770 502 0088 more urgent. What should utilities
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do? Forgo big infrastructure projects
as unaffordable? Let lower-income
customers off the hook? Neither idea
is palatable. So, whats to be done?
Theres a move afoot in the fed-
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eral government toward rate assis-
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RATES SPIKING
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ADVERTISING RATES: Call 800-994-7990 and ask for Phil or Kim or email phil.hahn@cole some large rate increases taking effect in Ohio as utilities
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EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE: Address to Editor, TPO, P.O. Box 220, Three Lakes, WI, serving Greater Cleveland approved a 75 percent rate increase
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BETTER APPROACHES
The Northeast Ohio district does not defer infrastruc-
ture investments required to protect public health and
safety just because the costs are high. Instead, the district
offers low-income customers various affordability programs.
These include:
A Homestead Program reduces sewer rates by 40 per-
cent for customers age 65 or older, or to people under 65
who are totally disabled, provided they own the prop-
erty and have total household income below a set limit
An Affordability Program that cuts rates by 40 percent
for households with income at or below 200 percent of
the federal poverty level
A Crisis Assistance Program that pays up to half of
sewer account balance, up to $300, for customers who
suffer life setbacks like a major medical expense, loss
of a job, separation or divorce
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letters
CORRECTION
True blue The Annual Company Directory in the May 2017 issue of TPO included
I just read, This is Your Brain on Water (Lets Be Clear, TPO, April incorrect information for the following company. Their correct contact
2017). During my 29 years working in the water and wastewater industry, information is below:
I have definitely become more and more environmentally conscious.
I have found it is the water that motivates me politically and gives me
Byo-Gon, Inc.
strength to not only work in the field, but also volunteer my time and energy
with organizations such as the Water Environment Federation, Trout 888-296-4661
Unlimited, Coastal Conservation Association, and local river associations. info@byogon.com
I participate in river cleanups and actively protest those who willingly harm www.byogon.com
our water environments. All of this is for the love of water.
My passion for water began as a child when my grandfather taught me
how to fly-fish. Water continues to fuel my passions and has done so for over
half a century. This love of water is even how I met my wonderful wife.
This article has done an exceptional job of explaining to me how and
why my love of water is so strong. I truly enjoyed it and will share it with
others. Thank you for your research and insightfulness. Now, I think Ill go
fishing and think about it.
GET EAT.
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ENVIRONMENT.
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Surrounded by
Water THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT TEAM IN COLUMBIA
STAYED ON DUTY FOR TWO DAYS THROUGH SOUTH CAROLINAS
1,000-YEAR FLOOD AND KEPT THE EFFLUENT IN COMPLIANCE
STORY: Doug Day | PHOTOGRAPHY: Ken Osburn
This is what we signed up for when we
decided we wanted to do this as a career.
We dont really expect any praise from it. We did
what we hope anybody in this career would do.
ASHLEY DOVE
in front of their vehicle and they were up to their chins in water before they
stopped and slowly retreated, says Dove. As it turned out, the water reached
more than 7 feet deep on the road.
LESSONS LEARNED
While actions during the event werent thoroughly
planned, the staff did bring in a few provisions before
the flood in case the incoming weather would cause
problems getting people to and from the plant. We
purchased sandwich meat, popcorn, chips and stuff
like that to just get by a day or two, says Dove. We
lost potable drinking water at the plant, but we were
lucky because I had two cases of water sitting in my
office. We also had people reaching out to us after a
couple of days wanting to send meals to us.
He suggests plants with dike protection do reg-
ular inspections rather than assume that the struc-
ture will protect their plant: Dont say, We havent
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Productive Move
TREES TRANSFERRED FROM A NEW YORK COMMUNITYS BOTANICAL GARDEN TO THE
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO A MAJOR TREE RESTORATION PROJECT
By Jeff Smith
R
elocating more than 80 trees from the botanical gardens in North Davignon. I was a chemist here for 28 years before I became superinten-
Tonawanda to create a tree farm at the wastewater treatment plant dent, so I know the quality of the water and I know it will be ideal for the
has been a win-win for this city in western New York. replanted trees.
Bill Davignon, superintendent of water and wastewater, says the plant ben-
efits because the trees enhance the landscape and shield its view from the OPERATORS BRAINCHILD
pleasure boats passing on the Niagara River. Residents benefit because the tree The idea to locate the trees at the treatment plant came from David
farm helps extend the life of the citys nearly 10-year-old Re-Tree program. Conti, a plant operator and a member of the citys environmental commit-
Species of trees such as red oak, white oak, tulip poplar, crabapple and tee. He was the driving force for this project because hes the one who
sycamore planted in 2.5-gallon pots as saplings sat at the botanical gardens brought the idea from his committee meeting about the space problem,
for more than a year. The problem was they were growing too fast and over- Davignon says.
crowding the 20-acre site. They had a space problem out there and we had For years the city has kept inventory of affordable trees available to res-
some room, so were able to provide a solution that benefits everyone, says idents, but the trees became an even higher priority in early fall 2006, when
Davignon.
DONATED LABOR I was a chemist here for 28 years before I became
Volunteering on a Saturday, plant operators and superintendent, so I know the quality of the water and
staff joined other city workers, all of them members of
Civil Service Employee Association, to move the trees I know it will be ideal for the replanted trees.
nearly 3 miles to the treatment plant. The workers BILL DAVIGNON
transferred the saplings, now 3 feet tall, into 30-gallon
pots with topsoil and planted on the site of an unused ash pit, about the size a record-breaking lake-effect snow and ice storm did damage of historic
of two football fields. proportions in western New York. Downed power lines and the destruction
The original design of the 6 mgd (average) physical-chemical process plant caused by more than 57,000 fallen trees crippled the area for weeks.
included the ash pit, but the pit remained unused because biosolids were The loss of trees changed the landscape and marked the start of Re-Tree
never burned. The pit is now a 2-foot-deep depression to which loam and a Western New York, a citizens volunteer effort with a goal of replacing 30,000
layer of crushed stone for drainage were added to accommodate the trees. trees within 10 years across 18 communities. Now that goal is at hand, but
Another benefit is we can use our effluent to irrigate the trees, says other threats are looming, such as the spread of the emerald ash borer.
PRECISION PUMPS
C
CM
CONVEYING CAPACITY
MY
CY
Leaders of the volunteer group include, from left, Glenn Axberg, operator;
COOPERATIVE EFFORT Bill Davignon, superintendent of water and wastewater; Brian Kosikowski,
Originally, trees for Re-Tree were purchased through donations and operator; Dave Conti, operator and
fundraisers and given to residents. The ongoing need will be met with the Environmental Committee member;
likes of the trees planted at the wastewater treatment plant, which were Patty Brosius, Parks and Recreation Share Your Ideas
Department supervisor; and
donated by Cornell University Extension and will be available to residents TPO welcomes news about
Paul Lehman, Environmental
for a nominal fee. Committee member. interesting features of your facilitys
Eventually a rotating stock of 150 trees will occupy the former ash pit. grounds, signage or buildings for
The plants security fence will protect them from deer damage. This is a future articles in the PlantScapes
great example of interdepartmental cooperation, says Davignon. They column. Send your ideas to editor
@tpomag.com or call 877/953-3301.
had a problem and we had a solution. Were glad we could help out.
Sharing Their
Knowledge
OPERATORS AT THE NOMAN M. COLE ated in the county. It is staffed with 48 operators (four shifts
JR. POLLUTION CONTROL PLANT ARE of 12) and 14 lab technicians.
deep thinkers. They ask: What could go wrong? And how will To help preserve local water resources and reduce nutri-
we handle it? ent discharges, the plant reclaims 400 million gallons per year
We do a lot of monitoring upstream so we can trouble- for sale to customers that include a waste-to-energy facility
shoot issues and make process adjustments in real time, says and the Fairfax County Park Authority. The plant uses 2 to
Mike McGrath, manager of the plant in Fairfax, Virginia. 3 mgd of reclaimed water for chemical makeup, seal water and
For example, we used to depend on day-old lab tests on the scrubbers. The wastewater program was named a Utility of
final effluent to monitor ammonia. Now we field-test upstream the Future Today by a partnership of water organizations that
at the activated sludge tanks twice during each shift. includes NACWA, the Water Environment Federation, the
They also monitor phosphorus, sampled upstream of the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation, and the WateReuse
outfall. We shoot for 0.1 mg/L, so if we see numbers above Association, with input from the U.S. EPA.
0.5 mg/L, we know we will have trouble upstream, McGrath Effluent discharged to Pohick Bay typically contains 2
says. The approach has worked out well. The facility has mg/L CBOD5, 1.15 mg/L TSS, 0.06 mg/L total phosphorus,
received the National Association of Clean Water Agencies 0.1 mg/L ammonia nitrogen, and 1.9 mg/L total nitrogen.
(NACWA) Peak Performance Award for 30 consecutive years.
The plant is part of the Fairfax County Wastewater Man- PEAK PERFORMANCE
agement Program, a division of the county Department of Eligibility for the Platinum Award is based on testing 365
Public Works and Environmental Services. The 67 mgd plant daily, 52 weekly and 12 monthly effluent sample results. The
treats about 40 percent of the 100 mgd of wastewater gener- operators perform field tests on ammonia, total phosphorus,
Because of the
plants size and
county human resources
requirements for class
specifications, the
wastewater professionals From left, Aleinis Brioso Zavala, Brandon Stevens, Ronald Palma and
Fredy Lopez perform pump maintenance.
here are more specialized
than in some other Recent upgrades have boosted
Noman M. Cole Jr. Pollution Control Plant,
treatment plants. the plants success. In 2013, to help
MIKE McGRATH meet nitrogen and phosphorus lim- Fairfax County, Virginia
its, the county began methanol addi- BUILT: | 1970
tion in the biological nutrient removal process, which is configured for POPULATION SERVED: | 380,000
nitrification and denitrification. The plant also added moving-bed bioreactors EMPLOYEES: | 130
(MBBRs) for tertiary nitrogen removal and a reuse water distribution system. FLOWS: | 67 mgd design, 40 mgd average
Raw sewage passes through bar screens (Vulcan) and is pumped to the TREATMENT LEVEL: | Tertiary
primary clarifiers (Evoqua Water Technologies). The flow then enters the
activated sludge tanks, followed by the secondary clarifiers. From there, it
flows to the tertiary treatment system: Kruger MBBR biological treatment,
|
TREATMENT PROCESS: Activated sludge, moving-bed bioreactors,
multimedia filtration
RECEIVING WATER: | Pohick Creek
carbon addition, clarification and coagulant addition.
BIOSOLIDS: | Landfilled
The chemical sludge is returned to the head of the plant to improve upstream
ANNUAL BUDGET: | $20 million (operations)
treatment. The flow continues to multimedia filters (Leopold - a Xylem
Brand), followed by sodium hypochlorite disinfection. The final effluent is WEBSITE: | www.fairfaxcounty.gov
dechlorinated with sodium bisulfite and discharged to Pohick Creek. Bio- GPS COORDINATES: | Latitude: 38426.04N; longitude: 771227.85W
solids are dewatered with centrifuges (Alfa Laval Ashbrook Simon-Hartley)
and then undergo thermal oxidation in multiple-hearth incinerators before
being landfilled. Natural gas from the landfill fires the afterburners on the a competency checklist at each duty station with a list of things people need
incinerators, reducing facility greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent. to know to operate the plant.
A SCADA system with GE Intellution HMI and Allen-Bradley PLCs The county helps operators maintain their certification. For uncertified
with ControlLogix software (Rockwell Automation) allow monitoring of the employees who are hired, We provide training and materials so they can
entire plant. The system monitors 25,000 points and includes more than 50 get their Class 1 operators license, which is the highest state certification
PLCs, 22 work stations and 10 servers, says McGrath. level. Training on new equipment is provided by vendors and consulting
engineers, but McGrath schedules more training after the operators have
UNINTENTIONAL LEARNING worked with the equipment for a while.
Many of the operators have been with the county for more than 10 years, and
some for more than 26 years. They know theyre going to be retiring at some point, HIGHLY SPECIALIZED
and are very generous in sharing their knowledge, says McGrath. So theres a Plant staff members are organized into administration, operations, lab-
lot of unintentional, or informal, learning going on by the newer operators. oratory and maintenance. Because of the plants size and county human
They also receive more formal training. In the old days, the staff would resources requirements for class specifications, the wastewater professionals
learn by looking over another operators shoulder, but they might not learn here are more specialized than in some other treatment plants, says McGrath.
everything, says McGrath. So now we have more structured training and Operators main duties are process monitoring, adjustment and trouble-
Making permit
is ingrained in
everyone, and our
supervisors have a lot
of latitude and freedom
in making decisions
on the fly.
MIKE McGRATH
By Ted J. Rulseh
T
he nations water and wastewater infrastructure needs huge invest- fee. They flush the toilet and stuff goes away
ment. The 2017 Infrastructure Report Card from the American somewhere. The fact is that utilities are under
Society of Civil Engineers gives wastewater systems a D-plus and pressure to keep these systems working as
drinking water systems a D. effectively as possible, as efficiently as pos-
The society estimates that wastewater systems will need $271 billion over sible, and at the lowest overall cost of
the next 20 years to meet current and future demands. Meanwhile, the Amer- operation.
ican Water Works Association has estimated that $1 trillion will be needed to
maintain and expand service over the next 25 years. At the same time, utilities : Why is it important for a manufac-
face resistance to rate increases that make system improvements possible. turer to lend a hand in this way?
Whats to be done? One thing thats essential, according to executives Montenegro: As a leader in sustain-
with pump manufacturer Grundfos, is for community residents to understand ability and energy efficiency in pumping sys-
Rob Montenegro
the problem and appreciate the roles of the people who operate the treatment tems, we feel well positioned to help bring
plants, wastewater collection systems and water distribution networks. these issues to light in the public conscious-
To that end, the company has launched the Who Runs the Water that ness. Were passionate about helping to make our country a better place. I
Runs America initiative. It aims to help water and wastewater utilities raise know that water industry operators share that passion and are looking for
public awareness of the challenges they face and to celebrate the profession- ways to share it with the communities they serve. We see it as our responsi-
als who keep water flowing for homes and businesses. bility to help make the case and create awareness of these issues.
By way of a website (us.grund-
fos.com/whorunsthewater.html), the I talked to an operator at a large wastewater treatment plant in Texas.
program provides tools to help utili-
ties communicate with their publics. I asked what his biggest challenges were. He said, People dont
These include a video template util-
ities can customize with their own understand the service were providing. I hear that from operators all
information and pictures. Also in the time, everywhere I go.
the package are posters and other
ROB MONTENEGRO
items for sharing on social media and
websites and in newsletters. Theres also information that helps consumers : What are you hearing from water and wastewater operators around
learn about the water cycle and water usage, an interactive water footprint these issues?
calculator, water-saving tips, and a map of water prices across the U.S. Montenegro: Ill give you a great example. I talked to an operator at
Rob Montenegro, executive vice president, and Andrew Hider, vice pres- a large wastewater treatment plant in Texas. I asked what his biggest chal-
ident of marketing, with Grundfos Water Utility, shared their thoughts on lenges were. He said, People dont understand the service were providing.
the initiative in an interview with Treatment Plant Operator. I hear that from operators all the time, everywhere I go. I went through our
whole program with this operator, and he said, This is great. Now I can use
: The problems with the nations water infrastructure are well- this as a way to explain to our community what were doing.
known. Why is a communications program like this necessary?
Montenegro: In my humble opinion, the problems with infrastruc- : How does your program enable utilities to communicate more
ture are not well-known to the general public. Ive been active in the water easily than they could on their own?
and wastewater business for close to 30 years, and while the numbers have Montenegro: Weve given them templates they can use. We offer a
changed over that time, the gap has been and remains substantial in terms great deal of information about how much water it takes to do basic things,
of funding thats needed not even to modernize our infrastructure, but to how much water the average American uses, and how their customers might
get it up to legitimate standards where were not wasting 11 percent of our be able to save some of that water. Weve provided a water usage test so that,
water, were not having sewage overflows, and were not having pipe bursts. based on their lifestyles, people can determine how much water they use and
steps they can take to reduce that amount. Weve created professional resources
: Whats the basic issue with public perceptions of water utilities that many smaller and midsize utilities dont have at the ready.
and their services?
Montenegro: Most people take these services for granted. They open : What specifically will you do to ensure that utilities are made
the tap at the kitchen sink, water comes out and they make their tea or cof- aware of these resources and use them?
Montenegro: Were asking our sales team and our network of inde- At Neptune, we make it all and
pendent representatives and distributors to go out and promote this program do it all. From pumps, tanks, mixers
to the municipalities, so they know about the tools we offer and how to use and controls to components such
them. Were doing outreach to quite a long list of municipalities directly. as relief valves, backpressure valves,
Were reaching out with one-on-one calls. Our representatives are adding calibration columns, corporation
links to the campaign on their websites. stops and injection quills, were
Hider: Were also doing a public communications campaign talking the single source for your entire
about these issues. Were using newswire services and public relations to dis- chemical feed system. All backed by
seminate the information. Among other things, well talk about the chal- unparalleled customer support.
lenges facing water professionals and about how Americans pay only a fraction
of what water is worth. Americans pay some of the lowest rates in the world Hydraulic & Mechanical Diaphragm
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Montenegro: Ours is an independent program, but certainly the basic
messages are the same. We have a funding gap, we have a group of dedicated
Electronic Metering Pumps with 300
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ture, and thats what sits below the ground, both on the drinking water and North Wales, PA 19454
wastewater sides. There are many stakeholders in the water industry, and Contact your authorized USA
Neptune representative today. P: +1 (215) 699-8700
its about everyone pulling together. Collectively, across all the many orga- info@neptune1.com
nizations, we should be able to raise awareness and start addressing the neptune1.com
near-term and long-term issues that face our infrastructure.
A lot has changed in the last three to four years as people have realized FREE INFO SEE ADVERTISER INDEX
that their area could be like California, which has been in a drought, or like
Flint, Michigan, where there is concern about water quality. These issues
Stop Odor Complaints!
17-NEPT-0484 Neptune - Plant Treatment Operator June 2017.indd 1 3/27/17 12:54 PM
have been moved more front and center, so that people are going to start pay-
ing attention to infrastructure and how water gets delivered to their homes.
WATER BY DESIGN
ERIC GONZALES AND HIS TEAM RUN PLANTS THAT PRODUCE WATER TREATED FOR
SPECIFIC PURPOSES, FROM IRRIGATION TO GROUNDWATER RECHARGE TO BOILER FEED
STORY: Trude Witham
PHOTOGRAPHY: Aron Eisenburg
I dont like to ask anyone to do something I wouldnt do, and I try to be as understanding as
possible. Everyone learns differently, and I like to help them learn in a way that is best for them.
ERIC GONZALES
Eric Gonzales,
West Basin Municipal Water
District, Carson, California
POSITION: |Operations supervisor
EXPERIENCE: | 7 years
|
EDUCATION: Bachelors degree in biology,
Whittier College
|
AWARDS: 2016 Southwest Membrane Operators
Association Outstanding Plant Operator
CERTIFICATION: | Grade 5 Wastewater Operator
GOAL: | Earn a promotion to chief plant operator
|
GPS COORDINATES: Latitude: 335234.11N;
Longitude: 1181553.60W
SG Integrally-Geared Roots Overhung Inboard Roots Horizontally Roots Integrally-Geared Roots RAS-J Roots Rotary
Compressor Bearing Compressor Split Compressor Compressor Package
ing on facility upgrades. The MF systems are about 20 years old: valves, dosages and performing tests for fiber integrity. Fiber breakage in the MF/
valve timing and backwash pressures have to be frequently monitored and UF modules has occurred in the past when high iron levels enter the plants,
adjusted. At the Carson facility, we were using potable water to make up for and that can mean more solids loading to the RO systems.
the deficiency of the MF filtrate water, he says. In 2014, we installed new
MF modules and a temporary portable trailer UF system that can process 1 COMPANY MAN
mgd of our reclaimed water. Other recent upgrades include: Although Gonzales didnt plan on a career in water, he would do it all over
Biological tower rehabilitation to as-new condition, including new again: I love the people I work with and the daily challenges. Its very hands-
media, at all satellite facilities (completed March 2016). on, and I like working on the solution to a problem and seeing it through.
Alkalinity improvement at all satellite facilities (ongoing) to stabilize Each day, he carefully studies current and historical data recorded from
water quality by automating pH controls. It also includes a larger, per- the operators daily rounds. He looks for anomalies, and tries to get the
manent CO2 storage system. operators to do the same. The days can be long, since hes on call 24/7. I
RO module replacement at the Carson facility (2015-16). dont have time for hobbies, but I do find time to spend with my wife of 17
Any construction or new work years and our young son, he says.
requires the necessary contractor I really love everything SUEZ has done for me and my family. Ive just
As operators, we safety training as well as ensuring gained so much experience, I wouldnt have been so successful otherwise.
are helping to their compliance to our standards, He is especially grateful to his boss Bill Beam, chief plant operator: He is
Gonzales says. During these proj- my biggest mentor, and is responsible for my growth in my current role.
make the world more ects, I have to coordinate between As a next step, he looks toward a job with more responsibility at a bigger
operations, maintenance and con- facility, or as a chief plant operator. To me, success is not just financial, but is
sustainable. Its a tractor work among all three satel- measured by the impact we leave on the environment, the facilities were in
badge of honor that we lite facilities. His time is split charge of, and our co-workers. As operators, we are helping to make the world
between day-to-day operations, more sustainable. Its a badge of honor that we should wear proudly.
should wear proudly. data review and interpretation, and
ERIC GONZALES contractor activities. He also coor-
dinates with the district to sched-
featured products from:
ule any necessary shutdowns or reductions. Evoqua Water SUEZ
His greatest operating challenge is dealing with high iron levels in the Technologies LLC 800/446-1150
www.evoqua.com www.degremont-technologies.com
feedwater. Iron is used as a coagulant by some of the treatment plants that
send us secondary effluent, he says. Too much iron affects the perfor- H2O Innovation Inc. Toray Membrane USA
mance of the MF and RO systems. The satellite plant operators solve this 888/688-0170 858/218-2390
with more frequent MF/UF/RO system cleanings, by adjusting chemical www.h2oinnovation.com www.toraywater.com
T
hey could no longer bring students to the plant, so they brought the
plant to the students. That was the idea behind the Waterama festi-
val, an educational event held each year in Fort Worth, Texas.
In 1999, a renovation to one of four water treatment plants kept the city
Water Department from holding its long-popular WaterFest Open House
on the plant grounds. So, Mary Gugliuzza, media relations and communi-
cations coordinator, turned to her staff for fresh ideas.
I challenged them to come up with an alternative idea to reach kids, she
says. I thought that if we could reach young kids, wed get their parents, as well.
Department personnel approached the Fort Worth Independent School
District, and soon Waterama was born. The first event, in May 2001, offered
eight interactive booths where a few hundred fifth-graders received lessons
on water use, treatment and reclamation. Since then, the event has expanded
to 28 booths. To accommodate more kids, it now covers two days. The 2016
Waterama drew a record 3,371 students.
MANY MINI-LESSONS
Waterama lasts four hours and hosts three groups of students each day. Each
group stays for an hour, visiting four booths and spending about 12 minutes
at each one. That rapid-fire activity helps keep them engaged. Each booth
has a theme having to do with water, but from all different perspectives,
says Hilda Zuniga, a public education specialist with the department.
The booths dont all focus on water treatment. They include presenta-
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH
tions from the Fire Department on the importance of water to fire safety.
The Public Works and Transportation Department has a lesson on storm-
water. The local fish and game department teaches about clean water and
fisheries. The Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension Service booth urges kids
Students design their own Grass to practice water efficiency.
Heads, which they fill with grass Its so much more than just
seed and soil. They take them home
conservation, though, says Zuniga.
and watch the grass grow.
Its really about how water is a
connective tissue for so many facets
of everyday life. The students learn that a ready supply of clean water is
We obviously cant teach everything in important to survival in many ways.
The event also includes mini-programs sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard,
12-minute intervals, but we work with the the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Cook Childrens Health Care System
teachers to offer follow-up lessons and related Safe Kids Tarrant County. The Water Departments meter service per-
sonnel teach students how to build a water meter, ending in a Meter Madness
materials to help learning continue. event where the kids race against the clock. The department also brings a pipe
HILDA ZUNIGA camera truck to let students experience an electronic sewer inspection.
Fourth-graders examine a watershed model during the 2016 Fort Worth Waterama.
BROADENING REACH
We try to practice a holistic approach to water education, says Gugli-
uzza. Most of the students dont realize how much of their everyday lives
are tied to water. The point is to get them to understand that connection.
While the initial Waterama focused on fifth-graders, fourth-graders are
now the audience. The state of Texas made a switch to its elementary sci-
ence requirements, and the school district determined that the lessons
learned at Waterama provided an ideal jumping-off point to water lessons
Cook Childrens Health Care System of Forth Worth helps students learn about
learned early in the fifth-grade science curriculum. water safety through a Jeopardy-style game.
What the students learn is a great head-start for the lessons theyll be
coming into at the beginning of their fifth-grade year, says Zuniga. Water staff
back in 2001 worked with the teachers and helped them actually design their 12-minute intervals, but we work with the teachers to offer follow-up lessons
curriculum around what the students learn at our event. Its a great partnership. and related materials to help learning continue.
The students leave with a bit of homework. They are asked to care for a The success hasnt been lost on the city decision-makers, either. The
Grass Head a sock the kids decorate with pipe cleaners and goggle eyes, program has received continued support over the years and has received the
then fill with a layer of grass seed, followed by soil. The students take the green light to expand. Weve been able to change up and expand to the
Grass Head home, water it carefully every day, and watch their creations point where the end of its useful life isnt yet in sight, says Gugliuzza. The
hair grow. lessons were teaching are going home to the parents, and thats who the
Thats a fun little lesson that the kids can leave with, says Zuniga. decision-makers hear from.
Hopefully when theyre watering their Grass Heads, theyre thinking Zuniga believes the success of
about where that water came from, and why its important. Waterama stems from its philosophy
to reach as many fourth-graders as
Whats Your Story?
SUCCESS AND SUPPORT possible: Many parents bring their TPO welcomes news about your
Water and Sewer Department personnel gauge success through surveys children to learning events, but public education and community
completed by fourth-grade teachers. The results indicate that students are Waterama is a special opportunity. outreach efforts for future articles
getting a lot out of Waterama and that teachers appreciate using it as a We believe that learning helps make in the Hearts and Minds column.
major part of water education in class. change happen. Send your ideas to editor@tpo
The majority of the surveys ask us to expand the program even more, mag.com or call 877/953-3301.
Zuniga says. So many kids at that age have high energy, and keeping them
moving and learning is important. We obviously cant teach everything in
By Amanda Scott
J ar testing is a useful tool that helps water plant operators determine the
most effective chemical source-water treatment. By simulating coagu-
lation and flocculation that occurs at full scale in the plant, jar testing
can inform quick and effective treatment process adjustments.
In jar testing, two common parameters used for making decisions are
turbidity and UV 254 absorbance. Both are effective, but when only these
measurements are applied, there is limited capacity to fully detect the effec-
tiveness of chemical dosing for removing organics.
The addition of total organic carbon (TOC) analysis can overcome this
limitation by telling operators exactly how much organic content is removed,
not only by chemical treatment but by each additional type of treatment or
during each treatment step. TOC analysis can also play an integral role in
helping water plants meet disinfection byproduct (DBP) regulations, since
organic material is a precursor to DBP formation.
Horsetooth Reservoir
Horsetooth Reservoir is a water source for cities in Northern Colorado,
including Fort Collins, Greeley and Loveland. The reservoir receives water
from the Colorado-Big Thompson and Windy Gap projects through a com-
plex system of pipelines, tunnels and canals. In the last several years, popu-
lation and industrial growth, natural sources and the occurrence of wildfires
have led to an increase in TOC.
Results from jar testing with Horsetooth Reservoir water under increas-
ing alum dosages demonstrated a reduction in turbidity, TOC and UV 254.
While lower turbidity results were achieved with ferric dosing, alum treat-
ment demonstrated higher TOC removal. This reveals that basing treatment
off turbidity results would not lead to the best compliance under the DBPR.
Furthermore, jar testing results showed very little difference in TOC
removal between 20 ppm and 30 ppm alum additions. As such, adding more
chemical dosing above 20 ppm alum does not bring additional treatment
benefits. Armed with this knowledge, water plants can realize more cost-
effective chemical treatment.
The Row River Water Treatment Plant sits between a small wetland and a field. The plant produces
about 4 mgd for the city of Cottage Grove.
Starting
Fresh
A SMALL BUT DEDICATED OPERATIONS TEAM MEETS THE CHALLENGES OF LEARNING
TO OPERATE A NEW MEMBRANE PLANT TREATING SEASONALLY VARIABLE SOURCE WATER
STORY: Jim Force | PHOTOGRAPHY: August Frank
WHEN RAY PARDEE SEES THE AWARD PLAQUES adjustments in oxidizers and coagulants pretty much every-
on the walls at the Row River Water Treatment Plant, he feels thing. We have our hands full in the winter.
pretty good. Theyve handled it well. The plant was recently named Small
Thats because the awards dont just represent quality finished Facility Membrane Plant of the Year by the Northwest Membrane
water, they document how far he and his staff Steve Norman Operators Association. The operators have been recognized as out-
and Sam Haynes have come in just a few years learning to oper- standing performers by the Oregon Health Authority, and water
ate what is essentially a brand-new facility, drawing from Oregons from the system has earned second and third place finishes in Best
Row River. Tasting Water Contests held by the Pacific North West Section
Its not just the new strainers and membranes, SCADA system AWWA, Cascade to Coast subsection.
and chemical feed apparatus. This plant used to be seasonal, oper-
ating in support of the Layng Creek Water Plant, says Pardee, SERIAL EXPANSION
plant superintendent. But in 2006, the city council decided to shut The original Row River facility was built in 1993 as a 2 mgd
down the Layng Creek plant, rather than bear the expense of multimedia filtration plant, supplementing the Layng Creek plant
expanding it. That made the Row River plant the sole source of to meet system demand during the peak summer months. A static
clean water for the community (population 9,900). mixer was installed just after the chemical injection points for alu-
The decision meant Pardees team had to operate around the minum sulfate and a cationic polymer, but the process included
clock. That was a big challenge for us, he says. Before, we were an no flocculation or sedimentation.
on-demand plant used only in the summertime. There were hardly Seasonal potassium permanganate was used to oxidize man-
any changes in the quality of the raw water. It was very steady. ganese. Pre and post alkalinity and pH were adjusted using hydrated
But operating year-round has meant dealing with significant lime; gas chlorine provided disinfection. The plant was designed
changes in the quality of the raw water. That in turn requires care- for expansion to 4 mgd and then to 6 mgd with little additional
ful adjustments in the treatment processes. infrastructure.
In the winter, we get a lot of rain, Pardee says. The river The 2008 plant expansion was the result of a joint-venture
runs through steep slopes, and the runoff increases the turbidity design-build contract with Black & Veatch and Slayden Construc-
and organic content of our source water. The quality of our incom- tion Group. The arrangement guaranteed a maximum price for
ing water can change by the hour, even by the minute, calling for the project, which expanded production capacity to 4 mgd. The
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GPS COORDINATES: Latitude: 434730.85N;
Longitude: 123137.32W
LEARNING ANEW
The quality of our incoming water can change by the hour, even by So how did the Row River team
figure out the new processes and new
the minute, calling for adjustments in oxidizers and coagulants pretty operational procedures?
much everything. We have our hands full in the winter. We had cut our teeth on manual
plants, says Pardee. In the old days,
RAY PARDEE
operators could see the treatment effects
points were installed to take advantage of available hydraulic mixing of the in the basins, and manually start and stop the system each day as needed.
chemicals before the filtration process. We still have no need for flocculation This plant was different. There was no standing over the basin to see
or sedimentation. what the water was doing. We had to use computer technology to see what
was happening in the membrane modules. There were new chemicals and
PACKAGED PROCESS chemical addition. We had to learn the cleaning cycles for the strainers and
The new 4 mgd pressurized microfiltration membrane system (Pall Water) membranes. Much of our training was simply hands-on and trial and error.
consists of two filtration racks, each containing 89 low-pressure filtration It was a lot of supporting one another.
modules. Each rack can produce 2 mgd of finished drinking water at all While the staff received training from the manufacturers and had some
times regardless of the operating conditions, reports Pardee. help from local tech and engineering sources, most of the new know-how
The improvements added SCADA and radio communications to satel- came from jar tests and observation. We optimized treatment through jar
lite sites. These two items were a first ever for our water treatment plant, tests, says operator Norman. We use potassium permanganate as an oxi-
About every two months, contaminants that could cause fouling are
removed from the membranes by circulating a heated chlorine-caustic solu-
tion for two hours, followed by a heated citric acid solution for one hour.
The operators perform a special lower header feed pipe manual flushing
procedure before each clean-in-place. This is to help keep the membrane
modules from becoming plugged with fine silt, which occurs at times, Pardee
says. We gently thump the module casing and listen to the sound it makes
to determine if plugging is occurring. Another useful tool is to use a tem-
perature gun during the circulation of the heated cleaning chemicals to
ensure that no plugging is occurring anywhere within the modules.
The new SCADA system created another learning curve, says Pardee.
Were a little older and are just really getting into computers, says Pardee.
It has taken a while for the staff to master the different computer programs,
the individual components of the system, and how to use trend charts to the
best advantage.
Weve received some help from the citys automation team, and weve
Steve Norman performs an alkalinity test on a grab sample of water.
used The Automation Group (TAG) out of Eugene on occasion as an outside
contractor, Pardee says.
The modernized plant went online in July 2008, and it took a more than
mer and high turbidity in winter, and keeping the screens from plugging two years for the staff to get up to speed on all the improvements and sea-
before the scheduled wash cycle. sonal treatment challenges.
The operators use various procedures to maintain the strainers and mem- When I first started, I had a full head of black hair. Pardee says. Now
brane modules. The pre-strainers complete a self-cleaning function about I have a few gray ones. But the hard work and experimentation have paid
every half-hour and an air scrub backwash hourly. The membranes receive off handsomely. The Row River plant is producing excellent-quality water
an enhanced flux maintenance procedure once a week, using a heated chlo- regardless of the season or the weather.
rine solution.
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Power Diet
A NEW YORK CITY TREATMENT PLANT
IS SLOWLY INCREASING ITS APPETITE
FOR FOOD WASTE TO BE CONVERTED
TO BIOGAS FOR DELIVERY TO THE
NATURAL GAS GRID
By Doug Day
T
hree years into a pilot program aimed at keep-
ing food out of landfills, New York City is mak-
ing slow but steady progress.
From 1.5 tons of food waste per day when the initia-
tive began in 2013, the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treat-
ment Plant now accepts some 20 tons per day, turning it
into biogas and, ultimately, energy.
Within a few years, the plant plans to accept 250 tons
per day, and it has potential for up to 500 tons, accord-
ing to Pam Elardo, deputy commissioner of the Bureau
of Wastewater Treatment in the citys Department of
Environmental Protection.
INCREASING DIVERSION
With 8.4 million people, New York City sends about
The Newtown Creek plants egg-shaped digesters produce more biogas than ever with
1.3 million tons of food waste to landfills every year.
the addition of 20 tons of food waste per day. The food waste boosts gas and energy
About 500,000 tons come from restaurants, which, while
output substantially.
encouraged to reduce and recycle waste food, are not yet
subject to the citys food waste sep-
aration regulations. Those regula-
tions do apply to: Were working with the Department of Sanitation and Waste Management
Food service establishments in to come up with ways to increase the purity of the food waste, and theyve
hotels with 150 or more rooms
Food vendors in arenas and been doing a lot of work closing that gap.
stadiums that seat at least PAM ELARDO
15,000 people
Food manufacturers with a floor area of at least 25,000 square feet Garbage haulers collect the food waste from establishments in Brooklyn
Food wholesalers with a floor area of at least 20,000 square feet and take it to a Waste Management transfer facility a few blocks from the
Overall, the city sends over 3 million tons of waste to landfills every year plant. There, a proprietary process converts the waste into a slurry that is
and aims to divert 100 percent of the food waste by 2030. Theres a lot of introduced to the digesters.
interest in DEP, the city, and the mayors office to increase our sustainabil- One impediment to progress is the presence of forks, plates and plastics
ity and strive for a zero carbon footprint, and this is an important compo- in the food waste. Were working with the Department of Sanitation and
nent of trying to get to that, says Elardo. Waste Management to come up with ways to increase the purity of the food
waste, and theyve been doing a lot of work closing that gap, Elardo says.
RAMPING UP Its a bigger problem than I thought it would be.
Newtown Creek is slowly increasing the amount of food waste it accepts. Thats why Newtown Creek started with a pilot project. The city has
To prevent plant upsets, just three of the plants eight 145-foot-high egg- people doing outreach to broaden the amount of food waste that is diverted
shaped anaerobic digesters are used in the three-year pilot project. The food from the solid waste stream, Elardo says. There are educators working with
waste is mixed with wastewater treatment solids. schools and cafeterias, and people interacting with the private sector and
Contact us today to
Three of the plants eight anaerobic digesters are being used in the three-year
find out how.
food waste pilot project.
So far, gas production at Newtown Creek has increased by 23 percent with the
addition of food waste.
food processing plants. Its changing the way of thinking for millions of peo-
ple that will make this successful. It will take a lot of persistence and a change
in culture for us as a society in how we view waste.
Socially Accepted
In those digesters processing food waste, gas production has increased
about 23 percent, and that will increase as more food waste is added. At pres-
ent, excess gas is flared. Ultimately, we take that gas and put it through a
scrubbing system, and National Grid will introduce it into their pipeline,
says Elardo. National Grid delivers natural gas to Brooklyn, Queens and
Staten Island. Within a couple of years, Newtown Creek could provide enough
gas to heat 5,200 homes.
Were still figuring out the economics, says Elardo. Because its a pilot, facebook.com/TPOmag
were not charging a tipping fee. Ultimately, it would make sense to have a twitter.com/TPOmag
tipping fee less than the cost of taking it to a landfill. We need to find a bal-
ance between how much gas we use in our boilers and how much goes to plus.google.com
National Grid. youtube.com/TPOmagazine
Elardo is cautiously optimistic about the food waste programs long-term linkedin.com/company/treatment-plant-operator-magazine
potential: There is nothing negative happening and were taking it slowly.
By Jeffery Fournier
N
ew Englanders look forward to summer for a variety of reasons, but
for water utilities, the rising temperatures can be problematic, lead-
ing to issues of water age and water quality.
The Ashland (Massachusetts) Water Department is now an exception to
the rule. Until recently, while plant operators spent significant time, effort
and money throughout the year treating water to strict compliance param-
eters, that water was pumped into a distribution system that historically
hadnt received this same level of oversight.
With the distribution system lacking the pump strategies needed to main-
tain high water quality and suitable water age, operators had to shock one of
the water tanks frequently with sodium hypochlorite, a major task that
required someone to climb the tank and pour in the chemical with support
from the fire department and safety officials.
This protocol was technically working, but the need to do it indicated
that the distribution system and storage tanks were not in a condition that
would allow the utility to see the desired return on its year-round investment
in treating water to high regulatory standards.
To address the problem, the staff at the treatment plant, contract-oper- The critical piece of the strategy is treating the distribution systems combined
ated by Woodard & Curran, implemented strategic pump operating proce- water volume as another aspect of the storage system, specifically as a third
dures to restore the systems hydraulic storage tank.
integrity and effectively manage
water age and monochloramine dis-
infectant residuals in the tanks and
all distribution piping. The result
has been improved water quality at
minimal capital investment and oper-
ating expense.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF WOODARD & CURRAN
REAL-TIME MODELING
The central components of this
approach include using real-time
water modeling and treating the
whole distribution system as a sepa-
rate water tank. Years before devel-
oping the real-time modeling strategy,
the town of Ashland had installed a
passive hydraulic mixing system in
one tank, intending to stabilize the
Although the plant is in production
mode and water is flowing into the degradation of chlorine. Operators developed a system for using variable-frequency drives to change
distribution system, this manage- That set the stage for more effec- the directional flow from the plant based on water demand.
ment strategy ensures that the tive management. However, the mix-
towers are flatlining, allowing the ing system on its own would not have operational changes. The mixing helped by dispersing freshwater uniformly
water to be completely turned over. had a significant effect without the throughout the tank, eliminating stratification. However, this only enabled
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tion system by using VFDs based on water demand also
allows water production to match demand to within 1,000
TEMP Total Cl2
gallons. With the aid of automated storage tank altitude
Before this strategy was implemented, much greater fluctuations were seen in HPC and chlorine valves, monitored and controlled at the treatment plant
levels. Afterward, levels of both became much more stable. via the SCADA and wireless communications network,
operators also routinely take one tank offline during peak
demand and force freshwater into the tank and service
reactive management of the distribution system, responding to issues after areas farthest from the plant.
they occurred with relatively limited data. These changes have significantly increased water turnover in the stand-
Real-time modeling now enables operators to assess changes in the sys- pipes by ensuring that the distribution system is fully recharged with fresh-
tem, such as those caused by hydrant flushing, main breaks or pipe mainte- water. As a result, the staff achieves quality levels that once seemed far-fetched
nance as they occur. This allows the staff to quickly assess potential negative without major capital investments.
For the past four years, the town has consistently
A
maintained its chlorine residuals above the state Depart-
ddressing substantial issues does not always require large ment of Environmental Protections recommended stan-
capital investments. In this case, there was no need to dards for total chlorine without having to shock the
storage tanks. In addition, all sampling data surround-
acquire new assets or disrupt service areas with modifications ing the monochloramine disinfection program has con-
firmed improved water quality as measured by
to distribution or valve appurtenances. monochloramine, ammonia, phosphorus and pH.
effects from system changes, analyze the most reasonable approach for COST-EFFECTIVE CHANGE
addressing those effects, and implement changes before larger problems The towns experience is a good reminder that addressing substantial
develop. This proactive approach keeps small issues from disrupting service issues does not always require large capital investments. In this case, there
and maintains a consistently higher level of overall system health. was no need to acquire new assets or disrupt service areas with modifications
The staff first implemented real-time modeling by evaluating chlorine to distribution or valve appurtenances.
and monochloramine residuals, the heterotrophic plate count (HPC) in the By leveraging earlier investments in plant equipment, SCADA and com-
plants two storage tanks, and the water pressure across the system. munications, and through aggressive maintenance, Ashland significantly
This evaluation revealed that the height of the two standpipes and their reduced water age and improved water quality in the distribution system, at
location played a significant role in ever-changing water quality. Simply put, little added expense. The adjustments are based on creative distribution sys-
the tank closest to the plant had no challenges maintaining a disinfection tem management, using modern technologies and industry-approved prac-
residual, while the tank farthest from it did, largely because of distance and tices to make the system work to suit utility needs.
the simple fact that water flowed to the place of least resistance due to the
systems hydraulic design. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeffery Fournier of Woodard & Share Your Ideas
DIRECTING FLOWS Curran (www.woodardcurran.com) is TPO welcomes news about interesting
Operators then developed a way to strategically manipulate the altitude a plant manager at the Howe Street methods or uses of technology at
your facility for future articles in the
valves and use variable-frequency drives (VFDs) on the raw-water wells and Water Treatment Facility in Ashland, How We Do It column.
finished-water pumps to force water in certain directions, changing the direc- Massachusetts.
tional flow from the plant based on water demand. This helped manage water Send your ideas to editor@
tpomag.com or call 877/953-3301
age by recharging the distribution piping with freshwater, and by not push-
ing old water back into the farthest tank, which has common inlet/outlet pip-
ing, when the plants finished water pumps are in production mode.
The critical piece of this strategy is to treat the distribution systems com-
bined water volume as another aspect of the storage system, specifically as a
By Ted J. Rulseh
T
here are various ways to control wastewater treatment plant odors : How does this technology help improve indoor environments?
chemical scrubbers, biofilters, carbon adsorption systems and others. Weiller: An aspect on odor control that has always been muted in the
They involve varying levels of capital, operation and maintenance costs. industry is protecting the workers inside the buildings. In headworks and
Aerisa has developed an alternate approach that it says can deliver effec- dewatering buildings, for example, people have to go inside and change
tive odor control at lower total cost of ownership while creating healthier pumps and valves and do maintenance. Theyre in atmospheres that may
work environments. The system is engineered to address a wide range of air- have 5, 10 or 15 ppm or higher hydrogen sulfide and other gases. Legacy odor
flows and to suit applications that include headworks
buildings, dewatering rooms, truck loading facilities, pro-
cess tank headspaces and pump stations. Our technology ... offers lower cost of ownership, uses
The Aerisa technology pushes ionized air contain-
ing positively and negatively charged oxygen molecules significantly less energy, and has a much smaller footprint.
(O2+ and O2 -) into the spaces where the odors are released.
These ions attack contaminants there and odorless air
And there are no hazardous chemicals or spent carbon to
is then discharged to the outside. replace and dispose of.
The company says the technology can be easily retrofit- ANDREW WEILLER
ted in most municipal wastewater treatment facilities. Andrew
Weiller, director of sales and marketing, talked about the technology in an systems treat the air after it is exhausted from the building. Our technology
interview with Treatment Plant Operator. creates a highly ionized airflow, delivers that to the space, and removes the
gases as theyre produced.
: Why is this technology a good fit for the municipal wastewater
sector? : Are there other advantages to the ionization technology?
Weiller: The legacy types of odor control equipment work quite well, Weiller: These buildings have process equipment, pipes, valves and
whether thats chemical scrubbers or biofilters. Our technology is equally corrugated metal roofs. The gases removed in the exhaust stream typically
effective but offers lower cost of ownership, uses significantly less energy contain airborne acids that can cause corrosion and deterioration of the build-
and has a much smaller footprint. And there are no hazardous chemicals or ing and the process within. Our technology creates an acid-free environment
spent carbon to replace and dispose of. so that corrosion is under control and building life is extended.
Odor Control and and downloading of data logs. A relay package is available for process
control and alarm functions. 714/893-8529; blue-white.com
Ozonation Equipment/Systems
HACH SL1000 ANUE WATER TECHNOLOGIES
The Hach SL1000 consolidates tools and offers PHANTOM SERIES
rapid, real-time results as well as tools for data log- The Phantom Series from Anue Water
ging in a single hand-held device. It allows person- Technologies offers a cost-effective solu-
nel to run four colorimetric and two probe-based tion for wet well and force main FOG,
measurements at the same time using the same odor and corrosion control problems, and
water sample without special preparation. To con- for market applications where ozone and
duct a test, the user simply inserts the Chemkey oxygen provide the best and environmen-
Phantom Series from
reagents and probes into the device, which detects tally proven answer for effective water Anue Water Technologies
the Chemkey and probe types. The user then dips treatment. It uses side-stream wastewa-
the Chemkeys into the sample cup and ter to draw in concentrated oxygen and ozone. The aerated/ozonated side
shortly thereafter the unit will display SL1000 analyzer from Hach stream is delivered back to the wastewater force main, or wet well/lift
the reading for each test. 800/227-4224; station through EP or HS well washing systems, uniformly transferring
www.hach.com the oxygen and ozone for both FOG and odor/corrosion control. Instal-
lation generally takes a half-day, and has adaptive power requirements
(440/220 VAC single or three phase). 760/727-2683; www.anuewater.com
Distillation/Fluoridation Equipment
and Microbiological Control MAZZEI INJECTOR COMPANY GDT SYSTEM
Disinfection using ozone can be performed efficiently with
ELECTRO-CHEMICAL DEVICES the GDT System from Mazzei Injector Company.
S80-T80 FLUORIDE It eliminates the need for storage and handling of
MONITORING SYSTEM large quantities of chemicals, and unlike chlorine,
The S80-T80 Fluoride Monitoring System from ozone does not yield disinfection byproducts such
Electro-Chemical Devices supports efficient waste- as trihalomethanes or haloacetic acids; although if
water treatment processes to reduce consumable ozone has a long contact time with bromine in water,
costs and ensure discharge effluent fluoride levels the reaction can yield bromate. To prevent this, and
are compliant with local, state and federal reg- simultaneously improve energy efficiency while max-
S80-T80 Fluoride ulations. The monitoring system has an S80 imizing taste, odor and color control of the water,
Monitoring System from GDT System from Mazzei
Electro-Chemical Devices pIon fluoride sensor, an S80 pH sensor and a the mass transfer of ozone into the water must
Injector Company
dual-channel T80 transmitter, helping plants be optimized and the contact time minimized.
achieve a cost-effective fluoride removal water treatment system, which The system has a small footprint and the ability to rapidly achieve a mass
doesnt overuse consumable chemicals while ensuring the wastewater transfer of 90 percent or greater, shortening the necessary contact period.
is treated sufficiently to meet regulatory requirements prior to effluent 661/363-6500; www.mazzei.net
discharge. Its pIon electrode cartridge measures the activity of free flu-
oride ions in solution concentrations from 0.02 to 2,000 ppm over a pH SUEZ OZONIA
range from 5 to 8 pH. Sensors come in immersion or insertion package In addition to emerging contami-
configurations that are designed with a 0.75-inch MNPT compression nants, Ozonia ozone technology from
fitting as the process connection. 800/729-1333; www.ecdi.com SUEZ can treat even the most formida-
ble compounds, including recalcitrant
USP TECHNOLOGIES CLOEVIS chemical oxygen demand (hard COD),
BIOFILM REMOVAL SERVICE trace micropollutants, and those pro-
The Cloevis Biofilm Removal Service from ducing hard-to-treat color and odor. Ozonia ozone technology
from SUEZ
USP Technologies can be used to remove the bio- 201/676-2525; www.suez-na.com
films that adhere to the inner surfaces of sewer
main walls, including the underlying sulfate-reduc-
ing bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide. As a UV Disinfection Equipment
result, gaseous hydrogen sulfide is eliminated, and
odor and corrosion issues are under control. The SALCOR 3G UV WASTEWATER
technology is delivered as a turn- DISINFECTION UNIT
key, fixed-cost, full-service pro- Cloevis Biofilm Removal Service The 3G UV Wastewater Disinfection Unit
from USP Technologies
gram and provides avoidance or from Salcor protects health, environment and
minimization of on-site chemical storage; independence from sulfide property by inactivating pathogens, including
loading, retention time or oxygen uptake; no labor/maintenance require- deadly superbugs such as MRSA and Ebola. It
ment; removal of sulfide odors for up to three weeks after a treatment can be used in residential, commercial and munic-
cycle; elimination of methane production within the treated segment; ipal environments, and is UL-certified NEMA
and no downstream adverse impacts due to residual treatment chemi- 6P flood-proof (30 days underwater) and
cals. 877/346-4262; www.usptechnologies.com 3G UV Wastewater Disinfection NSF Standard 40/Washington State Fecal
Unit from Salcor Coliform Reduction Protocol six-month
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Ozone treatment eliminates musty water taste Carbon helps drinking water provider
Problem achieve compliance
The Regional Municipality of Halton in Ontario supplies more than 1.3
mgd of drinking water sourced from Lake Ontario. Algal blooms on the sur- Problem
face of the lake between July and November transfer organic compounds like Shelby County Water Services in Westover, Alabama, needed help com-
geosmin and 2-MIB into the water, creating a musty or earthy taste. plying with the U.S. EPAs Stage 2 Disinfection Byproduct Rule.
RESULT:
Since the installation,
disinfection byproduct levels throughout the distribution system Mobile Belt Filter Press with
remain in compliance. Installation of the system preempted the impact Operator Room
Dewatering Solutions for
of the Stage 2 Rule, ensuring Shelby Countys water was in continuous
Bio Solids, Sludge & Slurries
compliance during the transition from Stage 1 to the more stringent
Stage 2. 800/422-7266; www.calgoncarbon.com
Sales, Rentals,
& Leasing Options
Solution
FREE INFO SEE ADVERTISER INDEX
RESULT:
The successful trial convinced the city to make the installation
permanent. The results were so definitive that the city purchased two
more units for lift stations that had similar odor issues. 888/330-0772;
www.ecoverdetechnologies.com
Solution project manager with McMillen LLC. He chose the E-Z Tray from QED
Environmental Systems. Four six-level, 1,000 gpm E-Z Tray Air Strip-
The plant team chose insulated modular covers from Geomem- pers meet the TCE treatment goal of less than 2 ppb without pretreatment.
brane Technologies to cover a blending tank, two secondary digesters The units do not require off-
and a sidestream holding tank. The covers were tailored to fit around cen- gas treatment or sequestering
tral floating mixers in each tank, so there is no upwelling. agents. Turbulent mixing in
the units creates a high air-to-
RESULT: water ratio and large mass
The customized covers effectively control odors and so maintain transfer surface area, enabling
community relations and worker satisfaction. The durable covers can efficient contaminant removal.
be walked on, and allow individual panels to be removed and replaced
to accommodate routine maintenance. The covers were installed with- RESULT:
out interfering with plant operation. 855/484-4630; www.gticovers.com The water goes straight
from the Cheyenne wells into the E-Z Trays, and the air strippers have
been in constant operation since July 2011 with no need to clean the
trays because of buildup or fouling, says Moughamian. The units han-
Biological control system eliminates severe odors dle the contamination load, and there have been no issues so far.
800/624-2026; www.qedenv.com
Problem
The Palomar Commons Shopping Center in Carlsbad, California,
stands next to a sewer main along the Buena Outfall Interceptor, which
routes sewage to the Encina Wastewater Authority Water Pollution Control Hose pumps a fit for extreme-duty
Facility. The city needed a sustainable, environmentally friendly odor con- carbon slurry application
trol solution.
Solution Problem
The Coddle Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant near Charlotte, North
The city chose a hybrid bio- Carolina, had been dosing polyaluminum chloride from a wet well with
logical odor control system mixed results for several years. When a submersible pump failed three
from Integrity Municipal times in a year, maintenance and operations management sought an alter-
Systems. The packaged I-BOx nate solution.
6000 biological system consists
of a fiberglass-reinforced plastic
(FRP) air exhaust fan, an FRP
Solution
Plant management installed Verderflex Dura-series hose pumps
dual-stage odor-control vessel, from Verder. The pumps deliver a 31-foot dry suction lift, and the bottom
water and nutrient feed panel, of the wet well is 27 feet from the
nutrient tank and electrical control floor of the pump room. Using a flow-
panel. The system was installed paced controller, the pump transfers
and started up in a few hours. from the wet well and doses accord-
ing to plant demand. Peristaltic
RESULT: pumps are abrasion resistant, allow-
With inlet H2S concentrations from 150 to 250 ppm, the system has ing slurry to gently pass through the
maintained more than 99 percent removal efficiency. Community odor hose without using check valves. The
complaints have been eliminated. Minimal maintenance keeps operat- pumps include a vertical motor, one-
ing cost low. 858/486-1620; www.integrityms.net piece flange assembly and extended
hose life.
RESULT:
Air strippers remove volatile compounds The pumps help the plant save money and energy by reducing
in citys drinking water downtime. 877/783-7337; www.verder-us.com
Problem
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funded the design and construction
of a new plant in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to treat groundwater from the citys
Borie wellfield. The water was apparently contaminated with tricholoreth-
ene (TCE) in the late 1960s.
An online exclusive.
Solution Visit tpomag.com
For the given application, the most logical and cost-effective ground-
water treatment choice was low-profile air strippers, says Matt Moughamian,
exam study guide
ODOR AND
Patented FOG removal and prevention
products and integrated ozone and
oxygen generation systems are proven
solutions for point source odor and
force main corrosion control.
With the aging of Americas municipal
waste water facilities, ANUEs patented
solutions provide safe, non-hazardous,
CORROSION
and cost-effective methods for the
elimination and prevention of FOG,
odor and corrosion. ANUEs systems are
used successfully by municipalities
across North America as well as several
countries worldwide.
3
7
1
6
preferred length in the field and the base plates are predrilled for anchor 7. YASKAWA U1000 IQPUMP DRIVE
bolts. The stands are available with HDG or thermoplastic powder-coat The U1000 iQpump drive from Yaskawa America provides low
finish for corrosion resistance. ArmorCote U-bolts and ArmorPad pipe harmonic distortion in a space-saving design, with the same onboard
supports are used to secure pipe onto the pipe stand, and custom designs intelligent pump-specific features and protection as the standard
are available. 800/867-2772; ccipipe.com iQpump1000. It allows for seamless user transition and achieves low
distortion levels without additional countermeasures. The pump drives
6. SINGER VALVE BATTERY-OPERATED matrix technology uses a system of nine bidirectional switches that
ELECTROMAGNETIC FLOWMETER convert a three-phase AC input directly into a three-phase AC output,
The battery-operated SPI-MV converter from Singer Valve can run reducing total harmonic distortion levels to less than the IEEE com-
independent of an external power source for an estimated three to five pliance standard of 5 percent. The U1000 iQPump is offered as a stand-
years. It can also be paired with an external AC or DC power source so alone drive, and also in NEMA 3R configured package solutions.
the battery acts a power backup. A small solar panel can also be added 800/927-5292; www.yaskawa.com
to extend battery life 10 to 15 years. The flowmeter comes in the stan- (continued)
dard three-key-touch local converter with die-cast aluminum IP67
housing and has variable sampling frequencies that can be adapted to fit
installation needs. The unit offers dual totalizer pulse output and inter-
nal data logging options that can be used for SCADA integration and
flow analysis. 888/764-7858; www.singervalve.com
Scan and email to: nicole.labeau@colepublishing.com / Fax to: 715-546-3786 / Mail to: COLE Publishing Inc., P.O. Box 220, Three Lakes WI 54562
CLEAN COMMUNITIES
Blue-White Industries board of directors announced
the election of Bill McDowell to the position of vice pres-
ident of operations. With the company for 32 years, he
has held the positions of plant maintenance supervisor,
engineer and sales engineer.
Bill McDowell
Polston Applied Technologies now
U.S. Submergent Technologies
U.S. Submergent Technologies is the new name of the wastewater system
maintenance company previously known as Polston Applied Technologies.
All company phone numbers will remain the same, emails will reach corre-
sponding staff and the new website is ussubmergent.com.
tion Upper Midwest Region for the IEI Barge Services project. The build-
ing measures 63,020 square feet and is located on the banks of the Mississippi
River in East Dubuque, Illinois. The Merit Award is given for following the
Extra! Extra!
principles of design/build construction and finding innovative solutions for
Extra! Extra!
project challenges.
REPEAT. www.tpomag.com/online_exclusives
Subscribe for FREE at tpomag.com
The city of Tarpon Springs Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility June 11-14
received a 2016 Domestic Wastewater Plant Operations Excellence Award AWWA ACE17: Annual Conference and Exposition, Pennsylvania
from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for out- Convention Center, Philadelphia. Visit www.awwa.org.
standing operation, maintenance and compliance. June 12-14
Nutrient Symposium 2017, presented by the Water Environment
The city of Jackson, Mississippi, signed a 10-year operations and man- Federation with the Florida Water Environment Association and the
agement agreement with Veolia Water North America-South to operate waste- Water Environment and Reuse Foundation, Hyatt Regency, Fort
water treatment facilities in Savanna, Trahon and Presidential Hills, manage Lauderdale. Visit www.wef.org.
98 pumping stations and handle biosolids.
June 15-16
Water Environment Federation Stormwater Seminar 2017, Quebec
The city of Dryden (Ontario) Wastewater Treatment Plant received a City Congress Center. Visit www.wef.org.
LEED Silver green building certification.
June 18-21
The city of Powers, Oregon, selected Century West Engineering to help Michigan Water Environment Association Annual Conference,
construct its new wastewater treatment plant. Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls. Visit www.mi-wea.org.
June 22
Symbios received a $500,000 Small Business Research Phase IIB supplement Collection Systems Conference, presented by the Illinois Section
from the National Science Foundation to help commercialize the Symbios of the Central States Water Environment Association, Perry Theatre,
Tubular Plasma Reactor for treating industrial process water and wastewater. Aurora. Visit www.cswea.org.
June 26-29
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection awarded $5.6 million
Ohio Water Environment Association Technical Conference, Hyatt
to the city of Springfield to rehabilitate its wastewater collection system. The Regency, Cincinnati. Visit www.ohiowea.org.
project is funded through the state Clean Water Revolving Fund loan program.
The general manager duties of the Key Largo (Florida) Wastewater nia, was recognized for 30 years of service with the city. He operates the Kim-
Treatment District are being carried out by the Bishop Rosasco & Co. ball Water Treatment Plant and the Dunaweal Wastewater Treatment Plant.
accounting firm.
The U.S. EPA recognized six 2016 Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant
The wastewater treatment facility in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, was renamed Excellence Award winners in New England:
the Fond du Lac Regional Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recov- Belchertown (Massachusetts) Wastewater Treatment Facility, Roland
ery Facility. DeWitt, operations superintendent
Athol (Massachusetts) Wastewater Treatment Plant, Robert Sex-
Nathaniel Clayton joined the city of Milford, Ohio, as Public Works ton, chief operator
director and city engineer. He had been vice president of engineering ser- Great Barrington (Massachusetts) Wastewater Treatment Facility,
vices for Browne Engineering & Construction. Timothy Drumm, superintendent
Quonset Development Corp. Wastewater Treatment Facility,
The South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems named the town North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Dennis Colberg, superintendent
of Oelrichs as Water/Wastewater System of the Year. South Kingstown (Rhode Island) Wastewater Treatment Plant,
Kathy Perez, superintendent, and John Mackenzie, chief operator
The Bay County (Florida) Water System received the Department of Seabrook (New Hampshire) Wastewater Treatment Facility, Philippe
Environmental Protection Plant Operations Excellence Award for the sixth Maltais, superintendent, and Dustin Price, chief operator. Price received
year in a row. a 2016 Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year
Excellence Award.
Mike Norris, city of Tyler manager of water quality, received the Dan-
iel C. Allen Memorial Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Water Duane Gilles, a 44-year veteran of the Evansville Water and Sewer Util-
Utilities Association. ity, received the Indiana Section AWWA 2017 George Warren Fuller Award.
He also received the Reggie Baker Award from the Indiana Water/Wastewa-
David Ladrigan, water and wastewater operator in Calistoga, Califor- ter Agency Response Network.
Clemson University professor Gary Amy received the A.P. Black Research
Award from the AWWA for outstanding research contributions to water sci-
ence and water supply.
Mark LeClair, Public Works director for Paxton, Illinois, was named
Wastewater System Operations Specialist of the Year by the Illinois Rural Redistribute Waste Water
Water Association. with Superior Uniformity
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