Florida Water Resources Journal - February 2015

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Editor’s Office and Advertiser Information:

Florida Water Resources Journal 1402 Emerald Lakes Drive Clermont, FL 34711 Phone: 352-241-6006 • Fax: 352-241-6007 Email: Editorial, editor@fwrj.com Display and Classified Advertising, ads@fwrj.com

Business Office: P.O. Box 745, Windermere, FL 34786-0745 Web: http://www.fwrj.com General Manager: Editor: Graphic Design Manager: Mailing Coordinator:

Michael Delaney Rick Harmon Patrick Delaney Buena Vista Publishing

Published by BUENA VISTA PUBLISHING for Florida Water Resources Journal, Inc. President: Richard Anderson (FSAWWA) Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority Vice President: Greg Chomic (FWEA) Heyward Incorporated

News and Features 18

2014 FSAWWA FALL CONFERENCE RECAP 18 General Information, Contests 22 Sponsors 24 Awards 29 BBQ and Incoming Chair Reception

42 48 55 58 59

2015 FWPCOA Officers and Committee Chairs List FSAWWA Legislative Day in Tallahassee FSAWWA Drop Savers Contests News Beat FSAWWA Awards

Technical Articles

Treasurer: Rim Bishop (FWPCOA) Seacoast Utility Authority Secretary: Holly Hanson (At Large) ILEX Services Inc., Orlando

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Moving?

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The Post Office will not forward your magazine. Do not count on getting the Journal unless you notify us directly of address changes by the 15th of the month preceding the month of issue. Please do not telephone address changes. Email changes to changes@fwrj.com, fax to 352-241-6007, or mail to Florida Water Resources Journal, 1402 Emerald Lakes Drive, Clermont, FL 34711

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Membership Questions FSAWWA: Casey Cumiskey – 407-957-8447 or fsawwa.casey@gmail.com FWEA: Karen Wallace, Executive Manager – 407-574-3318 FWPCOA: Darin Bishop – 561-840-0340

Training Questions FSAWWA: Donna Metherall – 407-957-8443 or fsawwa.donna@gmail.com FWPCOA: Shirley Reaves – 321-383-9690

For Other Information DEP Operator Certification: Ron McCulley – 850-245-7500 FSAWWA: Peggy Guingona – 407-957-8448 Florida Water Resources Conference: 888-328-8448 FWPCOA Operators Helping Operators: John Lang – 772-559-0722, e-mail – oho@fwpcoa.org FWEA: Karen Wallace, Executive Manager – 407-574-3318

Websites Florida Water Resources Journal: www.fwrj.com FWPCOA: www.fwpcoa.org FSAWWA: www.fsawwa.org FWEA: www.fwea.org and www.fweauc.org Florida Water Resources Conference: www.fwrc.org Throughout this issue trademark names are used. Rather than place a trademark symbol in every occurrence of a trademarked name, we state we are using the names only in an editorial fashion, and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark. None of the material in this publication necessarily reflects the opinions of the sponsoring organizations. All correspondence received is the property of the Florida Water Resources Journal and is subject to editing. Names are withheld in published letters only for extraordinary reasons. Authors agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Florida Water Resources Journal Inc. (FWRJ), its officers, affiliates, directors, advisors, members, representatives, and agents from any and all losses, expenses, third-party claims, liability, damages and costs (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees) arising from authors’ infringement of any intellectual property, copyright or trademark, or other right of any person, as applicable under the laws of the State of Florida.

Alternative Technologies for Indirect Potable Reuse in Southeast Florida—J. Philip Cooke, Benjamin J. Stanford, Enrique Vadiveloo, and Tara VanEyk Reclaimed Water Storage: A Dirty Little Secret—Matthew S. Love and Jeffrey S. Lowe Groundwater Replenishment Performance and Operations: Lessons Learned During Clearwater’s One-Year Pilot—Tracy Mercer, Janice “Nan” Bennett, Robert Fahey, Emilie Moore, Dave MacNevin, and Jarrett Kinslow

Lessons Learned in Operation of an Aboveground Reservoir at the Peace River Facility— Mike Coates, Sam Stone, and Noah Olenych

Education and Training 9 31 37 39 41 45 49 51 57

Florida Water Resources Conference TREEO Center Training FWPCOA Training Calendar ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls Symposium CEU Challenge AWWA/AMTA Membrane Technology Conference FWPCOA State Short School FSAWWA Training FWPCOA Online Training Institute

Columns 30 44 46 50 59

Certification Boulevard—Roy Pelletier Reader Profile—Patrick J. Lehman FSAWWA Speaking Out—Mark Lehigh C Factor—Thomas King Spotlight on Safety—Doug Prentiss Sr.

Departments 59 60 63 66

New Products Service Directories Classifieds Display Advertiser Index

Volume 67

ON THE COVER: A reservoir holds reclaimed water that will be pumped into a storage tank in Port Orange. (photo: St. Johns River Water Management District)

February 2015

Number 2

Florida Water Resources Journal, USPS 069-770, ISSN 0896-1794, is published monthly by Florida Water Resources Journal, Inc., 1402 Emerald Lakes Drive, Clermont, FL 34711, on behalf of the Florida Water & Pollution Control Operator’s Association, Inc.; Florida Section, American Water Works Association; and the Florida Water Environment Association. Members of all three associations receive the publication as a service of their association; $6 of membership dues support the Journal. Subscriptions are otherwise available within the U.S. for $24 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Clermont, FL and additional offices.

POSTMASTER: send address changes to Florida Water Resources Journal, 1402 Emerald Lakes Drive, Clermont, FL 34711

Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

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Alternative Technologies for Indirect Potable Reuse in Southeast Florida J. Philip Cooke, Benjamin J. Stanford, Enrique Vadiveloo, and Tara VanEyk he implementation of ocean outfall legislation in Florida has created a groundswell of reuse master planning and process investigation in the southeastern portion of the state. Municipalities must prepare to shut down their ocean outfalls and reuse 60 percent of the outfall baseline flow for a beneficial purpose by 2025. The City of Hollywood (City) owns and operates the Southern Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (SRWWTP) that utilizes an open ocean outfall to discharge secondary effluent. As part of legislation passed in 2008, the City is required to implement 20.4 mil gal per day (mgd) of additional reuse “on an annual basis” beginning in 2026, based on outfall flows from 20032007. This requirement excludes the existing irrigation system, which provides public access irrigation water to golf courses within the City. In response to this impending deadline, the City investigated options for reuse required under the new law. Three options were initially identified: Expanding the public irrigation system Recharging the Biscayne aquifer Recharging the Floridan aquifer

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Serving coastal cities with a high groundwater table, the City’s SRWWTP has a salty effluent, rendering it unsuitable for irrigation reuse without reverse osmosis (RO) treatment; additionally, the required irrigation piping network would need to be extended well beyond city limits, escalating the estimated cost of implementing the mandated reuse to $1 billion. Effluent going into the Biscayne aquifer, the predominant source of drinking water for all of southeast Florida, would require a costly suite of advanced treatment, including microfiltration (MF), RO, and ultraviolet advanced oxidation processes (UV-AOP) before injection into the high-quality aquifer, with total dissolved solids (TDS) < 500 mg/L. After a review of the legislation, discussions with regulatory agencies, and exploration of available options, the Floridan aquifer recharge was identified as a potentially more cost-effec-

J. Philip Cooke, P.E., is a senior associate, Benjamin J. Stanford, Ph.D., is director of applied research and corporate water reuse practice leader, Enrique Vadiveloo, P.E., is an associate, and Tara VanEyk, P.E., is a principal engineer with Hazen and Sawyer in Hollywood.

tive and environmentally-friendly direction for the City (Figure 1). Due to the brackish quality of the Floridan aquifer (TDS > 500 mg/L), alternative treatment processes using ultrafiltration, ion exchange, ozone, and UV-AOPs, as well as biofiltration, were examined as an alternative to the full-advanced treatment approach of MF/RO and UV-AOP that are currently the Continued on page 6

Figure 1. The Floridan aquifer is a deeper, more saline body of water, with high levels of total dissolved solids, requiring reverse osmosis membrane treatment to achieve potable water quality. Recharging the Floridan aquifer (rather than the Biscayne) means that reverse osmosis treatment may not be needed in the reuse treatment scheme, drastically reducing power consumption, mitigating carbon footprint, and saving significant capital dollars.

When faced with an imposed reuse mandate, the City of Hollywood developed a treatment approach that demonstrates emerging contaminant oxidation without reverse osmosis, which has the potential to greatly reduce costs and carbon emissions.

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Continued from page 4 customary treatment in potable reuse applications. Due to its inherent salinity, raw water from the Floridan aquifer requires nanofiltration (NF) or RO membrane treatment to achieve potable quality, allowing the City to consider less-expensive recharge process schemes at the reclamation facility without redundant RO or NF membrane treatment. If successfully permitted, this reuse project utilizing Floridan aquifer recharge could potentially save the City about $100 million dollars in capital costs over Biscayne aquifer recharge and about $800 million in capital costs over irrigation-level treatment and expansion of the public access irrigation system.

Pilot Study Program Objectives and Guidelines Based on the specific characteristics of the SRWWTP effluent and the aquifer water quality, a customized plan of study was developed to achieve acceptable emerging contaminant oxidation using treatment technologies that are more cost-effective and have a smaller carbon footprint than MF/RO/UV-AOP treatment. The goal of the pilot project was to demonstrate the ability to reliably produce water that satisfies regulated primary and secondary drinking water standards (with the exception of certain constituents naturally present in the Floridan aquifer, such as sodium and chloride) and removes unregulated emerging contaminants.

1: UV-AOP This process scheme included secondary-treated effluent from the SRWWTP, followed by deep bed filters (DBF), ion exchange (IX) for total organic carbon (TOC) removal, IX for ammonia removal, UV-AOP, and biological activated carbon (BAC) filters.

2: Ozone/UV This process scheme includes secondary-treated effluent from the SRWWTP, followed by DBF, IX for TOC removal, IX for ammonia removal, ozone, BAC filters, and UV.

After considering the impacts associated with Broward County code compliance, the project team approached the County with the treatment concept. The Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management Division (BCEPGMD) suggested that certain water quality requirements for aquifer recharge may be waived based on demonstration of reasonable emerging contaminant oxidation. As a result, the pilot study was designed to meet this goal using alternative treatment technologies that are fully protective of the environment, have reduced carbon emissions, and are more cost-effective, while being predicated on regulatory waivers for chemical oxygen demand (COD), TDS, chloride, sodium, and phosphates. Two treatment strategies were employed, as depicted in Figure 2.

Approach to Evaluating Undefined Contaminant Removal Since Florida currently does not have emerging contaminant regulations, California’s Title 22 Groundwater Replenishment Reuse Draft Regulation was used to determine the efficacy of the different treatment schemes. A list of emerging contaminants was developed based on the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Title 22 Groundwater Replenishment Reuse Draft Regulation (2011, and updated March 28, 2013). The CDPH draft regulation focuses on indicator compounds from nine functional groups, requiring demonstration of a log removal for five of the nine functional groups, as follows: 0.5-log removal for at least three indicators in functional groups (A) through (G) 0.3-log removal for at least one indicator in functional groups (H) or (I) Removal as a basis for determining treatment reliability is limited in that it relies on inContinued on page 8

Figure 2. Pilot Treatment Strategies Table 1. Emerging Contaminant Indicator Compounds

The pilot was operated for a duration of 10 months, not including construction and startup.

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Continued from page 6 fluent concentrations, which can be low for emerging contaminants and are often below detection limits, thereby understating removal. As a result, log removal should be used alongside other guidance markers for treatment reliability. Therefore, for this pilot study, the drinking water guideline values presented in the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling document and the “comparison values� presented in the WateReuse Foundation report (WRF-05005, 2010) were used alongside log removal to determine the efficacy of the process schemes for emerging contaminant oxidation. For the pilot study, indicators for each functional group were chosen, as presented in Table 1, based on initial testing of the secondary effluent to allow determination of log removal to the greatest extent possible. Though not inTable 2. Pilot Process Summary Results of Key Regulated Parameters

cluded in any of the Title 22 functional groups, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and 1,4dioxane are considered emerging contaminants, which may be regulated in the future, and thus were also monitored as part of this study, since destruction/removal of these compounds is almost entirely governed by UV photolysis and advanced oxidation, respectively. It should be noted that the California regulations are designed to be protective of low TDS groundwater that is consumed directly as drinking water upon withdrawal without any additional treatment or disinfection (e.g., via private wells). Thus, the California regulations provided a conservative point of comparison for the Hollywood pilot study, which tested treatment strategies tailored for the recharge of a high TDS aquifer where desalting (high pressure membranes) will be required before use as drinking water. The membrane processes will further remove other constituents that may remain in the recycled water. The pilot test was operated for a duration of approximately 10 months (not including pilot construction, startup, and decommission). Throughout the study period, the pilot plant operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the exception of scheduled monthly equipment cleanings. The pilot used portable treatment system containers on site at the SRWWTP, treating secondary effluent from the facility and returning the final process water to the head of the plant after sampling.

Results

Red Background: Based on demonstrated emerging contaminant removal, waivers will be sought from the BCEPGMD.

Pilot-scale testing of both novel approaches demonstrated that an effluent quality that complies with state regulations and removes emerging contaminants can be achieved, while offering additional benefits to the public and the environment by way of substantially reduced costs and carbon emissions.

Figure 3. Pilot Technique Present Value and Carbon Emissions

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Both piloted treatment strategies successfully oxidized emerging contaminants well below the targeted limits. All primary and secondary drinking water standards were met, with the exception of those indicted in Table 2. Presented in Table 2 are pilot process results for key regulated parameters and those parameters in which waivers will be sought based on the demonstrated emerging contaminant removal and the expected water quality of the receiving water body (Floridan aquifer). The pilot test found that both strategies are viable options for recharge in Broward County to satisfy the new state reuse requirement. The 20year present value of the treatment necessary for full compliance with state recharge regulations is estimated to be $190 million, while full treatment compliance with Broward County regulations has an estimated present value of $590 million. However, this pilot testing achieved an effluent quality that complies with state regulations and removes yet-to-be-regulated emerging contaminants at a present value in the range of $290-330 million, which is half the cost of currently established full-advanced treatment methods utilizing MF/RO/UV-AOP (Figure 3). The annual operation and maintenance (O&M) costs of the piloted treatment strategies ($6.8-8 million annually) would also be half that of MF/RO/UV-AOP treatment methods ($16.2 million annually). This approach offers additional benefits to the public and the environment by way of substantially reduced carbon emissions. Meeting Broward County standards through full-advanced treatment would release an estimated 26,000 tonnes of annual carbon emissions, while the piloted treatment schemes would release less than half as much (12-14,000 tonnes).

Future Applications As growing demand strains existing drinking water supplies and increasingly stringent wastewater effluent standards lead to more advanced wastewater treatment, indirect potable reuse is becoming a feasible scenario for more utilities. A majority of potable reuse schemes in operation or being planned in the United States make use of AOPs and RO to ensure maximum contaminant removal. This pilot developed two potable reuse schemes where RO or NF membranes are not incorporated at the reuse facility, potentially reducing carbon emissions and saving municipalities significant capital and O&M costs. The City is currently debating the public policy implications of various treatment options and their impacts on the appropriate regulatory agencies. Utilization of a tailored approach to reuse promises a solution that is the most protective of public health and the environment.



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Reclaimed Water Storage: A Dirty Little Secret Matthew S. Love and Jeffrey S. Lowe eclaimed water (RCW), in general, is a complex commodity; when there is an abundance being produced, there is limited demand, and when there is excess demand, there is insufficient supply. The solution seems straight forward—lots of storage—and thus, the development of large, open-top, wet weather storage ponds to hold the valuable resource. But, this simple solution has a dirty little secret, laden with nutrients and exposed to sunshine: algal blooms that complicate treatment and distribution. Several municipalities along the west coast of Florida have been dealing with the effects of algal blooms in their storage ponds. The algae can’t be sent into the distribution network directly because it fouls the downstream irrigation systems and results in increased maintenance and frustrated customers. Although the solution seems simple on the surface, the problem is multifaceted. Simply chlorinating the water to eradicate the algae can require large doses of chemicals and promotes the production of trihalomethanes (THMs), while still leaving algal structures and debris to foul the downstream systems. Reprocessing the water within the wastewater facility can be expensive and unsuccessful; returning the water creates operational challenges for each unit process, adds operational cost, and comingling the water within the compliance zones can result in recontamination of the effluent.

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atoms, flagellates, and blue-green algae were present in varying concentrations. Blue-green algae are able to reduce nitrogen and carbon dioxide in aerobic conditions. This lends to algal growth in open-top RCW storage ponds, given the presence of nitrogen in the effluent of wastewater treatment processes and the abundance of sunlight available in the Florida climate. A particle distribution was also performed on the samples collected from the storage ponds. Typical RCW industry practice would suggest solids larger than 200 microns must be removed in order to prevent clogging of residential irrigation systems. However, the County would like to accommodate microirrigation systems, which have greater removal requirements. Manufacturers of microirrigation system components recommend a filtration removal of 74 microns to prevent discharge orifice bridging and subsequent clogging of microirrigation systems. This filtration criterion is also recommended for microirrigation systems in the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) publications: Media Filters for Trickle Irrigation in Florida, Screen Filters in Trickle Irrigation Systems, Settling Basins for Trickle Irrigation in Florida, and Principles of Microirrigation; and Oregon State

Matthew S. Love P.E., is senior process engineer, and Jeffrey S. Lowe P.E., is wastewater practice leader, with McKim & Creed in Tampa.

University’s publication, Drip Irrigation: An Introduction. Florida sands typically range in size from 50 to 350 microns, with a size distribution of 80 percent < 275 microns, 60 percent < 200 microns, 25 percent < 150 microns, and 10 percent < 75 microns. Abundant quantities of sand are commonly found in unlined storage pond water, which are typically used for reclaimed water storage at treatment facilities in the state. The volume of particles was calculated per milliliter, assuming the particle size is the particle’s true diameter, such that a particle is a clean sphere. The particle volume for each diameter was multiplied by the corresponding particle count. This analysis illustrates the volume of particles that have the opportunity to be filtered based on the filter mesh size and sample results. For example, a 50-micron screen would have the opportunity to collect approximately 45 percent Continued on page 16

Table 1. Summary of Manatee County Seasonal Storage Ponds

Pilot Study In response to these operational issues and customer complaints, the Manatee County Utilities Department (County) implemented an aggressive program to address the algae produced in its storage ponds. The first step of the program started with the enumeration of the algae generated in the storage ponds to identify the type and size of the target material. The County operates eight individual ponds, most of which are unlined for seasonal storage, with a total volume of 728 mil gal (MG). Each pond was sampled to determine the total cell numbers present and their species. In all cases, blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) were the most abundant phylum of bacteria present in the RCW sampled, constituting, at a minimum, 80 percent of algae present by cell quantity. In the remaining 20 percent of the algae enumerated, yellow-green algae, green algae, diFlorida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

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Continued from page 15 of the particle volume from the County’s pond water. Decreasing the filter screen size from 50 to 25 microns allowed the County the opportunity to collect approximately 20 percent more particle volume. Therefore, it was anticipated that the use of a 25-micron filter screen would give the County the opportunity to capture 65 percent of the particle volume within the storage ponds, based on the samples and the remaining particles not resulting in microirrigation fouling. This increased capture also reduces the potential for disinfection uptake, reducing chemical dosing costs. It should be noted that algae size, type, and enumeration can vary geographically, seasonally, and be based on pond depth and nutrient loading, and therefore, should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis giving consideration to these parameters.

Screening Technology The second step of the County’s program was to evaluate several screening technologies to determine the most effective equipment to use in the removal of the suspended solids from the RCW returned from the storage ponds. The

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County conducted evaluations and pilot studies of several separate technologies. The Salsnes Filter™ is designed to provide primary treatment at wastewater treatment plants and other applications such as membrane pretreatment, food and dairy, the fishing industry, pulp and paper, manure dewatering, and tanneries. The filter removes solids by use of a continuously looped synthetic mesh screen that is offered in a compact and covered system providing a small footprint and odor containment. The mesh screen is available from 840 microns down to 30 microns. Solids are removed from the screen by use of an air knife and a periodic hot water wash, which is activated to remove solids that may adhere to the mesh. The screenings are collected in a hopper that feeds an auger press, which dewaters the screenings to 25-40 percent solids. The pilot study utilizing the filter was conducted at the County’s Southwest Water Reclamation Facility (SWWRF) from Sept. 30, 2009, through Oct. 7, 2009. During the pilot study, three mesh screen sizes were utilized (250, 90, and 55 microns) and samples were collected and analyzed. In summary, the mesh screen sizes utilized during the pilot did not remove significant amounts of solids until the 55-micron screen was used. Based on the results of the pilot study and discussion with vendors, the filter is not anticipated to provide adequate removal of algae. With this type of filter, the general rule of thumb is for 25 percent of the particles to be larger than filter mesh size. The vendor of the filter concluded that, based on the algae particle size, a proper mat will not form for effective algae removal; therefore, this filter was eliminated from further consideration in this project. The Nova Water Technologies Ultrascreen® Microfilter is used for tertiary filtration and utilizes rotating stainless steel mesh screens. The microfilter uses dynamic tangential filtration with gravity providing the driving hydraulic head condition to remove solids from the water. This means that since the filter media is rotating, filtration occurs at an angle less than 90 degrees, making the 15- to 25-micron mesh functionally smaller (similar to 10 microns) than when standing still. Continuous rotation presents a clean filtration surface for the incoming flow at all times. Hydraulic loading rates may be as high as 16 gal per minute (gpm) per sq ft. The biomass layer accumulates on the surface of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 316 stainless steel mesh and strains out increasingly finer solids. When the influent level in the feed box rises to a preset depth, a level sensor actuates operation of the wash water pump. The back of the screen mesh is sprayed by low-

February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

pressure water, at 20 to 60 pounds per sq in (psi), for a typical 5- to 10-second period. Each disk has a dedicated spray header for efficient washing. The Nova filter was pilot-tested at the SWWRF from July 16, 2009, to August 3, 2009, where the unit demonstrated that it was effective at removing particles larger than 25 microns. The Westech SuperDisc™ is very similar to the Nova screen, with the exception that the disc utilizes a fine woven fiberglass screen as the filter media. The vertical discs are attached to a horizontal drum-type rotor, which acts as the center axis around which the discs rotate. Each filter is fabricated from a number of fiberglass cassette and screen sizes between 10 to 60 microns. The disc was pilot-tested at the SWWRF from Sept. 1, 2010, to Sept. 5, 2010. The unit performed similarly to the Nova filter, with the exception of the backwash cycles. At the smaller mesh sizes and higher loading rate, the backwash cycle became too frequent; in some instances, the time between cycles was less than two minutes. The Nova filter was selected as the basis of design.

Process Modification The third step in the program was to consider process improvements to reduce contributing nutrients. Currently, the County’s North Water Reclamation Facility (NWRF) and Southeast Water Reclamation Facility (SEWRF) operate Carrousel® Systems with anoxic reactors to achieve nitrogen and biological oxygen demand (BOD) and biological nutrient removal to meet advanced secondary RCW standards. However, SWWRF is a conventional type-I activated sludge biological process that maintains a low solids retention time (SRT) in order to avoid converting incoming ammonia into nitrites and nitrates. The resulting effluent is high in nutrients that feed algal growth in the seasonal storage ponds on site. The County has performed an evaluation and has begun the design process to convert the existing SWWRF facility from the conventional activated sludge process to a Modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE) process. The modification will facilitate the conversion and the removal of nitrogen from the effluent and reduce nutrients available for the growth of algae. The final step of the program is addressing operational issues that surround the RCW return from the seasonal storage ponds. The intake structures that provide water to the pond return pump stations are generally at or below the existing pond’s bottom and are conducive for pulling sediments from the bottom of the pond. Likewise, the intake structures have a 2-in. grating at the inlet to serve as a course screen prior to water being drawn into the pump sta-


tion wet well. This grating provides little protection for aquatic life, such as fish and turtles. At low pond levels, it is also possible to intake duckweed and other plant life that typically exists in the upper 18 in. of the pond’s total depth. At SWWRF, the existing 2-in. intake screenings are being replaced with 1-in. screenings. The 10 States Standards recommend screen opening sizes no larger than 1 in. for bar screens to a headworks, which provides a practical basis for sizing the intake screens. An evaluation of projected velocities under this upgrade was conducted, assuming that the screens were 50 percent blinded by solids under maximum flow conditions at all three intakes. The velocities ranged from 0.31 ft per second (fps) to 0.4 fps, falling below the recommended standard of 1 fps to protect aquatic life. At NWRF and SEWRF, the County elected to go a step further by modifying the pond bottom with a concrete apron to control debris and by installing passive Johnson Screens with ½-in. wedge wire openings. Like the grate replacements at SWWRF, these screens protect aquatic life and address potential sediment, algae, and sticks from entering the pump station. As a part of the ongoing lake filtration project at each facility, the pond return piping is being modified to discharge into the effluent transfer wet wells. Under the existing pond return configuration, RCW from the seasonal storage ponds is returned to the influent side of the tertiary filtration, which consists of traditional traveling bridge sand media filters or cloth media filters. Neither the cloth media nor sand media filters handle the heavy loading of algae returned from the seasonal storage ponds. This greatly reduces the County’s ability to return RCW from the storage ponds during periods of high RCW demand and low production of RCW from the treatment process. Given that the stored water has been returned into the wastewater treatment process train and must again comply with the domestic wastewater permit, it must now be retreated to meet effluent quality limits. The new configuration will negate bringing water into the wastewater facilities “compliance zone.” Monitoring requirements will be less stringent and will accommodate return water back to the RCW system at an increased rate. This will allow the County to meet high RCW demands. The County is just completing the first installation of the gravity filters and other improvements at the NWRF. The initial results from the first system installed have been very promising and the process improvements have yet to be implemented. Installations at other facilities are in various stages and will be in operation in the near future. Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

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2014 FSAWWA Conference

Peggy Guingona (left), FSAWWA executive director, is shown with Kim Kowalski, conference co-chair; Stacey Smith, conference registration staff; and Rick Ratcliffe, conference co-chair.

Attendees getting ready to vote for the "Best of the Best” People's Choice Tasting.

2014 FSAWWA Conference: Another Successful Event by the Manufacturers/Associates Council! The Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) held its fall conference November 30 through December 4 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. The success of the yearly event was because of the dedicated service and selfish volunteerism of the Manufacturers/Associates Council (MAC) and its conference planning committee. The conference was attended by more than 1390 people, included water utility executives and managers, engineers, educators, manufacturers, consultants, operators, and others from the water profession. There were plenty of opportunities to meet old colleagues and make new friends at the continental breakfasts, lunches, meetand-greet receptions, golf tournament, the Poker Night and Happy Hour, and the BBQ challenge and reception to welcome the incoming chair, Mark Lehigh.

Opening General Session Back by popular demand was the opening general session on Monday afternoon. The keynote speaker, Jim Davidson, offered a presentation entitled, “Rally Your Resilience: Reach Your Summits in Business and Life.” Jim is a resilience expert, expedition leader, author, and speaker. He presented lessons learned from his mountain-climbing adventures that inspire people to be flexible and able to

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adapt to any situation. His motivational keynote shared practical tips and compelling lessons. Other speakers included visiting AAWA officer David E. Rager, association treasurer, and Jackie Torbert, association director.

BBQ Challenge and Incoming Chair’s Reception On Monday evening, the conference held the first-ever BBQ Challenge, which was open to all attendees. It was also an opportunity to introduce and welcome incoming chair Mark Lehigh.

Technical Program Monday offered specialty workshops: Engineering Laws and Rules (presented by Dr. Fred Bloetscher), Water Distribution Symposium, Ozone Issues and Solutions, and How to Use Hydraulic Tools to Make Your Job Easier. Tuesday and Wednesday technical sessions focused on the conference’s theme, “Reliability in a Changing Environment.” Topic titles included: Membranes (two sessions), Water Treatment Solutions, Energy Reduction Solutions, Issues with Indirect Potable Reuse: A Solution for Florida, Alternative Water Supply Solutions, Risk and Reliability: How Much at Risk are Our Facilities?, and Distribution System Issues and Solutions.

February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

Exhibits The exhibit hall, which had 180 booth spaces, gave attendees another chance to network and learn about the latest and most innovative products and services in the water industry. Company personnel were available each day to help attendees pick the products that will help them solve their problems and meet future challenges.

“Best of the Best” People’s Choice Tasting This was another first-year event for the conference. Water stations were located in the exhibit hall and attendees tasted water samples from the 12 regions and voted for the best-tasting water. Votes were tallied and the declared 2014 People’s Choice Tasting winner was Bay County Utilities.

Meetings The FSAWWA Executive Committee held its meeting on Sunday morning, followed by the board of governors in the afternoon, with 33 board members present. This is where the real work of the section is planned for the following year. Other meetings were also held by the organization’s councils and committees. There’s a group for


2014 FSAWWA Conference almost every water topic. Meetings are also held at other section events throughout the year.

Water Summit The sixth annual Florida 2030 Water Summit topic was "2015: The Year of Water.” It was an opportunity to hear from state Sen. Alan Hays on issues related to water resource policies and how Amendment 1 may impact the drinking water industry. The attendees had the opportunity to weigh in on the strategies and initiatives that are viable options for consideration by the state and local governments and water authorities.

Roy Likins Scholarship Golf Event The golf event was held on December 3. The net proceeds, made possible by the generosity of the event sponsors and the more than 80 golfers who participated, will be donated to the Roy Likins Scholarship Fund.

Awards The section’s annual business luncheon and awards ceremony celebrated the current roster of statewide officers and welcomed the new officers for 2015. Awards were also given for the top programs and to the outstanding individuals in the water field. See pages 2429 for award recipients.

The contest is modeled after the classic “College Bowl” television quiz show. Team members were asked questions related to the water industry, encompassing water chemistry, operations, and design of treatment systems. The event was moderated by Josenrique Cueto (FSAWWA Young Professionals Committee chair) and Greg Taylor (Region III) served as judge.

Contests Several contests, with both team and individual competitors, were held. Water Bowl Winner: University of Central Florida The University of Central Florida regained the title of Water Bowl champions at the 2014 Young Professionals Water Bowl. The winning team consisted of Andrea Cumming, Samantha Jeffery, and Cassandra Smith. The university provided three teams to compete for the title in the single elimination competition format. Three teams from the University of Florida also participated in the contest.

Poster Contest Winner: University of Central Florida David T. Yonge, E.I., from the University of Central Florida, was the 2014 Fresh Ideas Poster Contest winner. He presented his poster entitled, “Assessing Hollow-Fiber Membrane Performance Using Bench-Scale Laboratory and Pilot-Scale Field Methods.” David’s win was impressive because he competed with 18 other poster presentations. By winning the competition, David receives a trip to ACE15, AWWA’s annual conference and exposition, to be held in June in Continued on page 20

And the winners are: Water Bowl

Cassandra Smith, Andrea Cumming, and Samantha Jeffery, from the University of Central Florida, display their trophy.

Poster Contest

David T. Yonge, from the University of Central Florida, with his poster.

Fun Tap

The team from Bonita Springs Utilities Inc. won first place.

Meter Madness

Contestants Anna Hoang, Brian Rodriguez (winner), and Bruce Miller with Mike George.

Ductile Iron Tap

The team from City of St. Cloud won first place.

Backhoe Rodeo

Mike George presents the first-place medal to Leslie Klein from City of St. Cloud.

Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

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2014 FSAWWA Conference PASSING THE GAVEL Carl R. Larrabee Jr. receives a plaque for his service as 2014 section chair.

Mark Lehigh, the incoming section chair for 2015, receives the gavel from outgoing chair, Carl R. Larrabee Jr.

Continued from page 19 Anaheim, to compete with contest winners from across North America.

Operator Events Meter Madness Back as the 2014 Meter Madness champion was Brian Rodriguez of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority. He assembled a water meter in 49 seconds, ahead of Bruce Miller and Anna Hoang. Brian qualifies to go to ACE15 in Anaheim to compete in the national contest. Meter Madness is a competition where participants receive a bucket of meter parts for a specific water meter to assemble against the clock. To make is more interesting, three to six miscellaneous parts are included in the bucket. After assembly, the meter must work correctly and not leak. Tapping Contests Using skill and dexterity, as well as speed, teams of four compete for the fastest time while they perform a quality drill and tap of pipe under available pressure. Two taps are allowed per team. The Fun Tap is the simpler version of the two contests.

Conference Attendees Enjoying the Many Events That Were Held

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February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

The judge and moderator for these events was Mike George. Ductile Iron Tap Winners First Place: St. Cloud Soldiers, City of St. Cloud Second Place: Bonita Springs Utilities Inc. Fun Tap Winners First Place: Bonita Springs Utilities Inc. Second Place: City of St. Cloud Third Place: City of Clearwater Backhoe Rodeo Backhoe operators show their expertise by executing challenging lifts and drops of various objects in the fastest time. First Place: Leslie Klein, City of St. Cloud Second Place: Josh Pizzato, Charlotte County Third Place: Bo Reyaso, Charlotte County All four operator contests have been held for a very long time and are open to public and commercial field operators working in the state of Florida. Contact Mike George at (352) 200-9631 for more information.



2014 FSAWWA Conference Premier Sponsors

Conference Sponsors

• • • • • •

The section thanks all of the sponsors for their generous support of the conference.

American Cast Iron Pipe Co. Ferguson Waterworks Hydra Service Inc. Sigma Corporation The Ford Meter Box Co. Inc. Wager Company of Florida Inc.

Kim Kowalski with Wager Company of Florida Inc. and Christopher Jarrett with American Cast Iron Pipe Co.

Platinum Sponsors

Mark Burgess with Reiss Engineering, Mike George with R&M Service Solutions, Branon Thames with Thames & Associates, Sandra Kiser with HDR Engineering Inc., Ana Maria Gonzalez with Hazen and Sawyer, and Amanda Schwerman with Black & Veatch.

• Black & Veatch • Blue Planet Environmental Systems Inc. • Cardno • CDM Smith • CH2M HILL • Consolidated Pipe & Supply Co. • Garney Construction • Haskell Co. • Hazen and Sawyer PC • HDR Engineering Inc. • HD Supply Waterworks • PC Construction • R & M Service Solutions LLC • Reiss Engineering Inc. • Thames & Associates

Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors

Stephanie West with University of Florida TREEO Center.

Elisa Turner with Kimley-Horn, Mary Thomas with Parsons Brinckerhoff, Bryan Sinkler with Trihedral, and Emilie Moore with Tetra Tech.

• • • • •

Crom LLC Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. Mueller Co. Parsons Brinckerhoff Pure Technologies

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• • • • •

Sunshine 811 Tetra Tech Inc. Trihedral Inc. U.S. Water Services Corp. Willdan Financial Services

February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

• ISCO Industries • University of Florida TREEO Center

FloridaSection



2014 FSAWWA Conference

Annual Section Awards The Florida Section AWWA honored outstanding individuals and organizations in the state’s water industry at the annual awards luncheon. Recipients of this year’s awards are noted and/or pictured on the following pages. (photos: Patricia Delaney) AWWA GEORGE WARREN FULLER AWARD Richard T. Anderson is the recipient of this award for his distinguished service in the water supply field and sound professional skills. Anderson has served many positions in FSAWWA. He was the brains behind the formation of Region IV, the Public Affairs Council chair, and ultimately served as chair of the section. He is the current Finance Committee Chair, and most recently was the fall conference’s BBQ chief of operations. He will be recognized at the Fuller Award Breakfast at the 2015 AWWA Annual Conference in Anaheim.

Above: Richard Anderson receives the Fuller Award pin from AWWA visiting officer David Rager. At left: Anderson’s wife, Kristi, and two children, Rachel and Zachary, were present at the luncheon where he received his award.

ALLEN B. ROBERTS JR. AWARD Patrick J. Lehman received this award for his outstanding service as a member who contributed the most to the section by providing valuable support to its programs through outstanding leadership, creativity, and service in the water-related fields, particularly in the resolution of problems and the implementation of activities within the section and AWWA.

ROBERT L. CLAUDY AWARD Christopher Jarrett was the recipient of the award for his efforts in promoting water quality in the industry, the community, and the section.

CHARLES HOGUE AWARD Tom Hogeland was honored by the Manufacturers/Associates Council (MAC) with the Charles Hogue Award as the MAC individual member of the year.

SERVICE AWARDS The following were honored for their service to the Florida Section. • Greg Taylor Region III Chair, 2013-2014 • Christopher Jarrett Chair - Administrative Council, 2012-2014 Pictured are Tyler Tedcastle, Christopher Jarrett, Greg Taylor, and Patrick Lehman.

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December 2014 • Florida Water Resources Journal

• Jennifer McElroy Chair - Public Affairs Council 2013-2014 • Patrick Lehman Chair - Utility Council 2010-2014 • Tyler Tedcastle Trustee, 2011-2014


2014 FSAWWA Conference REGION CHAIRS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD This award honors individuals who have contributed their time and talent to the success of the region.

NOT PICTURED: Beth Waters, Region VII Valerie Schulte, Region VIII

Terri Holcomb, Region X Richard Davis, Region XI

Edward Bettinger, Region I

Christine Ellenberger, Region II

Kunal Nayee, Region III

Lisa Rhea, Region IV

Kristopher Samples, Region V Accepted by Ron Cavalieri.

Oscar Rubio, Region VI

Don Hamm, Region IX

Monica Autrey, Region XII

COUNCIL CHAIR AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE This award honors distinguished service by a council or committee chair who has made the most significant contribution to the council.

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR Cristina Ortega-Castineiras was named the young professional of the year.

Administrative Council – Barika Poole

Public Affairs Council – Greg Taylor

NOT PICTURED: Manufacturers/Associates Council – John Corey Operators Council – Christopher Wetz Technical and Education Council – Holly Kremers Utility Council – Christopher Pettit

FloridaSection Florida Water Resources Journal • December 2014

25


SILVER WATER DROP AWARDS Recipients are honored for 30 years of AWWA membership.

GOLD WATER DROP AWARDS Recipients are honored for 50 years of AWWA membership.

Damann L. Anderson

Mark A. Burgess

Mark A. Gabriel

Peter E. Robinson

The following also achieved life member status: Michael Z. Brooks Earl T. Fleming Richard L. Johnson

Richard S. Ratcliffe

William D. Johnson

LIFE MEMBER AWARDS

William Johnson

NOT PICTURED:

Richard W. Stenberg Ian C. Watson

Richard Johnson

John T. Bell Michael E. Burton Kenneth D. Colen Glenn E. Forrest Mark A. Gabriel

José Gonzalez Noel J. Grant John C. Healey Robert J. Kelly Joseph A. Kowalski

Thomas F. Moore Tak-Kai Pang Ralph E. Reigelsperger M. Rebecca Travis Keith Vandegrift

Awardees have 30 years of AWWA membership and are 65 or older. James T. Cowgill

WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AWARDS The following utilities earned the first-place award in their respective divisions.

Award for Dedicated Service to the Executive Committee Frederick Bloetscher

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Division 2 – Bay County Utility Services Accepted by Donald Hamm.

December 2014 • Florida Water Resources Journal

Division 3 – City of Riviera Beach Utility District Accepted by (second and third from left) Allan Davis and Larry Brown.


2014 FSAWWA Conference ROY W. LIKINS SCHOLARSHIP

FloridaSection

The scholarships are awarded each year by the section to outstanding graduate or undergraduate college students enrolled in an accredited Florida institution who are pursuing a degree related to the drinking water industry. The scholarship is named for the late Roy Likins, former president of Palm Coast Utility Corporation and a lifelong member of the American Water Works Association, who served as section chair and secretary/treasurer, as well as Region IX chair with the Florida Water & Pollution Control Operators Association. Eric Antmann, University of Miami - $5,000 Yue Hu, University of Florida - $5,000 Andrew Johnson, Florida Gulf Coast University - $5,000 Colleen Baublitz, University of Florida - $2,500 Paul Biscardi, University of Central Florida - $2,500 Tracy Fanara, University of Florida - $2,500 Laurel Smith, University of South Florida - $2,500 Raul Velarde, University of Miami - $2,500

Pictured are Yue Hu and Colleen Baublitz.

Division 4 – Bonita Springs Utilities Inc., Distribution and Collection Accepted by Lance Reighter and Michael Prescott.

OPERATORS SCHOLARSHIP The Operators Council provides scholarships to students upgrading a drinking water or distribution system operator license or pursuing a degree related to the drinking water industry.

Andrew Hauck, in environmental engineering at the University of Central Florida, receives his award from Steve Soltau, Operators Council chair.

Division 5 – City of West Palm Beach Water Distribution Accepted by Sam Heady.

Division 8 – Hillsborough County Public Utilities Department Accepted by Mark Lehigh, Richard Cummings, and Sureshdath Maharaj.

NOT PICTURED: Division 1 – Ozello Water Association Division 6 – Broward County Water and Wastewater Service Operations Division

Florida Water Resources Journal • December 2014

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2014 FSAWWA Conference WATER CONSERVATION AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

Public Education Show of Excellence – Medium Utility City of Ocoee City of Ocoee Utility Building: Interactive Water Conservation Demonstration

Demand Management Show of Excellence – Other (Public University) University of Florida Conserve Florida Water Clearinghouse Program

Accepted by David Wheeler.

Show of Excellence – Mega Utility Orange County Utilities Water Division Water Conservation Scavenger Hunt

Accepted by Kenneth Friedman, Randy Switt, Jim Heaney, Miguel Morales, and Scott Knight.

Accepted by Carmen Santiago and Terri Thill.

Best in Class – Large Utility Orlando Utility Commission Project AWESOME Alternative Water and Energy Supply; Observation, Methods, and Education

Accepted by Rob Teegarden.

Meritorious – Large Utility Polk County Utilities 7 Rivers Festival

Meritorious – Medium Utility City of North Port Utilities Water Conservation Education and Awareness Campaign

Meritorious – Medium Utility City of Saint Cloud 2013 Water Quality Report

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December 2014 • Florida Water Resources Journal

Show of Excellence – Medium Utility City of Stuart Customer Service Web Portal Accepted by Nick Corey.

Best in Class - Medium Utility Toho Water Authority Florida Water Star Pilot Program Accepted by Rodney Tilley.

Comprehensive Program Best in Class – Other (Regional Water Supply) Tampa Bay Water Demand Management Plan Accepted by Dave Bracciano.


BEST PAPER AWARDS “Groundwater Replenishment Performance and Operations: Lessons Learned During Clearwater’s One-Year Pilot” Tracy Mercer, Janice “Nan” Bennett, Robert Fahey, Emilie Moore, David MacNevin, and Jarrett Kinslow

“Optimization of Conventional Surface Water Treatment for Hollow-Fiber Ultrafiltration” Paul Biscardi and Steven J. Duranceau

Water for People Exhibitor Fundraiser Recognition of Gold Sponsors • Blue Planet Environmental Systems Inc. • Hazen and Sawyer PC • Municipal Water Works Inc.

Pictured are David MacNevin and Emilie Moore.

Pictured are Steven J. Duranceau and Paul Biscardi.

“Environmental Impact and Cost Assessment of Ion Exchange Drinking Water Treatment for Organics Removal in Florida”

Hazen and Sawyer award accepted by Grace Johns.

Adib Amini, Youngwoon Kim, Jie Zhang, Treavor Boyer, and Qiong Zhang.

Inaugural Barbeque Spices Up Incoming Chair Reception Monday’s grand finale at the FSAWWA fall conference was the first Barbeque CookOff Competition and incoming chair’s reception to honor the section’s 2015 section chair, Mark Lehigh. Jeff Nash cooked up the idea of holding it at the fall conference after visiting the Georgia Section AWWA annual conference. Jeff and Richard Anderson worked many months to make this fun event happen. Six company teams proud of their meatcooking skills participated in the competition: Omni Hotel, Haskell, Hillsborough County, Garney Construction, Stanley Hydraulic Tools, and Veolia Water NA. As the conference attendees feasted on the BBQ, judging took

Mark Lehigh, incoming section chair.

place in three categories: chicken, pork ribs, and pork butts. Garney Construction won the chicken category and Haskell won the pork ribs and butts categories; the overall champion trophy also went to Haskell. Official judges for the contest were Sam Willis and Dwight Parker, who are certified BBQ judges, and Kim Kowalski, who was the conference co- chair. A special thank you to the sponsors that made this event happen: AECOM, ACIPCO, ARCADIS, CH2M HILL, DFW Plastics, Hazen and Sawyer, and HDR. The BBQ event will be back by popular demand at the 2015 FSAWWA fall conference, to be held at Renaissance Resort at SeaWorld.

A lovely setting for the BBQ event.

Richard Anderson with judges Kim Kowalski, Sam Willis, and Dwight Parker.

Haskell is proud of its trophies for pork butts and ribs and as overall champion.

Garney Construction with the chicken category trophy.

Florida Water Resources Journal • December 2014

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Certification Boulevard

Test Your Knowledge of Water Supply and Other Miscellaneous Topics 5. Which repair kit is designed for use with chlorine ton containers?

Roy Pelletier 1. What is the flow rate in cu ft per second (cfs) of a 1.0-mil-gal-per-day (mgd) stream of water? a. 1.55 cfs c. 2.32 cfs

b. 8.34 cfs d. 92.84 cfs

2. A potable water flow meter reads 205 gal per minute (gpm) for 10 hrs/day, 140 gpm for 6 hrs/day and 85 gpm for the remainder of the 24-hour day. What is the total daily flow in mgd? a. 0.64740 mgd c. 0.2142 mgd

b. 0.1372 mgd d. 0.1870 mgd

3. What is the flow rate in cu ft per minute (cfm) of a 1 mgd stream of water? a. 1.55 cfm c. 7.48 cfm

b. 8.34 cfm d. 92.84 cfm

4. What is the weight of a cu ft of water? a. 92.8 lbs c. 62.4 lbs

b. 8.34 lbs d. 7.48 lbs

a. b. c. d.

"A" kit "B" kit "C" kit None of the above.

a. Aluminum sulfate b. Sodium hydroxide c. They are both the same.

6. What is the weight relationship of chlorine liquid compared to water? a. Water weighs more than liquid chlorine. b. Liquid chlorine weighs 2.5 times more than water. c. Water weighs 1.5 times more than liquid chlorine. d. Liquid chlorine weighs 1.5 times more than water.

10. What test is typically performed to identify toxicity on wastewater effluent discharged to open bodies of water in Florida? a. Carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD5) b. Total suspended solids (TSS) c. pH d. Bioassay

Answers on page 44 7. What will the pressure gauge read on the suction of a pump if the pump is located at floor elevation of the tank and the tank has 15 ft of static water level? a. About 58 pounds per sq in. (psi) b. About 9.5 psi c. About 6.5 psi d. About 17 psi

8. A rectangular flume is 20 ft long by 10 ft wide; the water is 7.5 ft deep and moving at a velocity of 0.75 ft per second (fps). How many gal of water will the flume deliver in 4 hours? a. 13,590,000 gals c. 1,960,158 gals

b. 6,058,080 gals d. 247,310 gals

LOOKING FOR ANSWERS?

Check the Archives Are you new to the water and wastewater field? Want to boost your knowledge about topics youʼll face each day as a water/wastewater professional? All past editions of Certification Boulevard through 2000 are available on the Florida Water Environment Associationʼs website at www.fwea.org. Click the “Site Map” button on the home page, then scroll down to the Certification Boulevard Archives, located below the Operations Research Committee.

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9. Which has a higher pH: sodium hydroxide or aluminum sulfate?

February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS Readers are welcome to submit questions or exercises on water or wastewater treatment plant operations for publication in Certification Boulevard. Send your question (with the answer) or your exercise (with the solution) by email to: roy.pelletier@cityoforlando.net, or by mail to: Roy Pelletier Wastewater Project Consultant City of Orlando Public Works Department Environmental Services Wastewater Division 5100 L.B. McLeod Road Orlando, FL 32811 407-716-2971


Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

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F W R J

Groundwater Replenishment Performance and Operations: Lessons Learned During Clearwater’s One-Year Pilot Tracy Mercer, Janice “Nan” Bennett, Robert Fahey, Emilie Moore, Dave MacNevin, and Jarrett Kinslow hallenged by the demand for affordable, safe drinking water and the need to reduce the impact of a high urban density on the coastal environment, the City of Clearwater investigated potable reuse through a pilot testing program for groundwater replenishment. Goals of this project include improving groundwater levels within the City through the recharge of the aquifer with purified water and minimizing the impact of potential increases in groundwater withdrawal from the City’s existing wellfields. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is providing support and funding for the Clearwater Groundwater Replenishment Project as an alternate water supply that beneficially uses reclaimed water to help meet the Tampa Bay region’s water supply needs. To demonstrate the performance and reliability of the water purification process, the City conducted a one-year pilot of the water purification treatment system from June 2013 to June 2014. This article presents a summary of performance results from the treatment system. The results are presented after a brief description of the pilot treatment train.

C

Treatment Approach The water treatment processes included in the purification process (Figure 1) were ultrafiltration (UF), reverse osmosis (RO), advanced oxidation process (AOP) with hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet (UV), and membrane contactors to remove dissolved oxygen (DO) to help control the potential for metals mobilization from the aquifer formation. Reclaimed water was received from the City’s Northeast Water Reclamation Facility. Piloting included an extensive water quality sampling and analyses program. Groundwater recharge regulations include the requirement that the treatment process shall provide multiple barriers for organics and pathogens and that additional pollutant reduction for parameters reasonably expected to pose a risk to public health due to acute or chronic toxicity be provided. Based on available aquifer characteristics and groundwater quality data, the projected injection zone for the recharge wells at this time is within the underground source of drinking water (USDW) in lower zone A of the upper Floridan aquifer, which is likely to have total dissolved solids (TDS) between 800

Tracy Mercer, M.B.A., is public utilities director, Janice “Nan” Bennett, P.E., is public utilities assistant director, and Robert Fahey, P.E., is utilities engineering manager, with City of Clearwater. Emilie Moore, P.E., is senior project manager, Dave MacNevin, P.E., Ph.D., is project engineer, and Jarrett Kinslow, P.E., is project manager, with Tetra Tech Inc. in Tampa.

and 3,000 mg/L. This requires a minimum of 12 months of data from a pilot test per Chapter 62610.564(3) of the Florida Administrative Code, in addition to multiple regulatory requirements pertaining to water quality. Requirements are discussed in the individual results sections where appropriate.

Results Treatment process results are presented within the following summary categories: full treatment and disinfection requirements, drinking water standards, microorganisms, mutagenicity, microconstituents, and compatibility with native groundwater in the aquifer. Important operational insights gained during testing are interwoven into the discussion of each unit process. Full Treatment and Disinfection Requirements

Figure 1. Groundwater Replenishment Pilot Process Flow Diagram and Sampling Points

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February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

Total Organic Carbon Sampling results indicated that the treatment train provided effective treatment for removal of total organic carbon (TOC). Typically, the treatment train reduced TOC by more than 99 percent from about 10 mg/L in the reclaimed water (RW-1) to below a detection limit of 0.06 mg/L in the purified water (PW-1). The TOC is regulated according to the full treatment and disinfection requirements given in 62-610.563(3)(d) to not exceed 3.0 mg/L (monthly average), with no single sample exceeding 5.0 mg/L.


Figure 2. Total Organic Halides in Reclaimed Water and Purified Water

Total Organic Halides Sampling results indicated that the treatment train provided effective treatment for removal of total organic halides (TOX). Earlier in the pilot study, TOX samples were typically taken after the sample taps had been wiped down with sodium hypochlorite and flushed. High TOX levels in the purified water dropped after sample tap bleaching and coliform sampling were moved to the end of the order of weekly parameter samples collected (Figure 2). The practice of bleaching and then flushing the sample tap may have introduced some TOX that were not naturally present in the purified water, increasing the observed value. The TOX are regulated according to the full treatment and disinfection requirements given in 62-610.563(3)(e) to not exceed 0.2 mg/L (monthly average), with no single sample exceeding 0.3 mg/L. Drinking Water Standards Disinfection Byproducts Sampling results indicated that the treatment train provided effective removal of disinfection byproducts (DBPs). The DBPs, including total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acids (HAA5), are regulated to the levels listed in the Primary Drinking Water Standards. The maximum contaminant level for TTHMs is 80 µg/L, and for HAA5 is 60 µg/L. Haloacetic Acids The treatment train consistently reduced HAA5 below the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 60 µg/L to less than 10 µg/L starting from reclaimed water concentrations ranging from approximately 30 µg/L to 60 µg/L. The HAA5 are the sum of five regulated haloacetic acids: monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid, and dibromoacetic acid.

Figure 3. Total Trihalomethanes in Reclaimed Water and Purified Water

Total Trihalomethanes The treatment train consistently reduced TTHMs to between approximately 50 µg/L and 125 µg/L, starting from reclaimed water concentrations ranging from approximately 150 µg/L to 300 µg/L (Figure 3). The TTHMs are the sum of four regulated trihalomethanes (THMs): chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform, and the TTHM levels were above and below the 80 µg/L MCL. The pilot process was sampled for TTHMs in January 2014 to investigate the possibility of reducing TTHMs and to identify the portions of the treatment process that were removing most of them. Figure 4 shows the results of the system profile by location in the pilot plant. The profile includes two sample points before the pilot plant: post filters (after the reclaimed water filters) and postchlorine contact chamber. The sampling location MF-F-1 represents reclaimed water that has passed through the reclaimed water storage tank and before the membrane filtration step with UF membranes.

The total THMs in MF-F-1, 190 µg/L (corresponding to reclaimed water), were greater than the levels after the chlorine contact chamber, 89 µg/L, and after the reclaimed water filters, <1 µg/L. This suggests that moving the pilot treatment source from the reclaimed water storage tank to the contact chamber effluent could reduce TTHM concentrations by nearly 50 percent. Assuming a corresponding 50 percent reduction in purified water TTHMs, the pilot treatment system would be capable of bringing the TTHMs below the MCL. Typically, the whole pilot treatment process reduced the TTHMs by about 50 percent. This reduction was not attributable to one single process, but rather several processes working in series. The RO removed about 25 percent of TTHMs, with no significant difference by type of THM. The UV and hydrogen peroxide advanced oxidation process (UVAOP) removed about 30 percent of TTHMs, with chlorodibromomethane being much higher (85 percent removal) than the other species and no significant Continued on page 34

Figure 4. Profile of Trihalomethanes Through the Treatment Process Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

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Continued from page 33 removal of chloroform. Equalization tank 2 allowed for UVAOP water to fall a short distance into the tank, providing natural aeration that removed approximately 20 percent of all TTHMs.

The membrane contactor removed about 30 percent of TTHMs. These differences in removal by THM type provide insight into the specific role of each unit process in removing THMs. Nevertheless, relo-

cating the source from the reclaimed water storage tank to the chlorine contact chamber effluent would probably be adequate to address TTHM levels in the purified water. Microorganisms

Table 1. Pathogen Counts for Reclaimed and Purified Water

Pathogens Sampling results indicated that the treatment train provided effective removal of all infectious pathogens tested. The purified water and reclaimed water were sampled for multiple types of pathogens in accordance with 62610.564(4)(b), including enteroviruses, Cryptosporidium, giardia, and helminths. Large volumes of water were passed through sample filters, with 100 L of reclaimed water (RW-1) and purified water (PW-1) filtered on site and sent to a commercial laboratory for analysis. Table 1 summarizes the pathogen counts from testing. A small amount of nonviable helminth ova were observed in the purified water on Oct. 8, 2013, and Dec. 3, 2013; however, since these helminth ova were nonviable, they would not present any risk of infection. Coliform Bacteria Sampling results indicated that the treatment train provided effective treatment for removal of coliform bacteria. The purified water and reclaimed water were sampled for total coliforms and Escherichia coliform bacteria on a weekly basis using a presence/absence method. In the purified water, neither total coliform bacteria nor E.coli were detected after 51 weekly samples. In the reclaimed water, E.coli were present in one out of 51 weekly samples and total coliform in 11 out of 51 weekly samples.

Figure 5. Ultrafiltration Transmembrane Pressure

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February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

Maintaining Ultrafiltration Performance The primary filtration process for physical removal of pathogens in the treatment train was UF. Chemically enhanced backwashes were carried out on a daily basis (high pH) and a weekly basis (low pH). Through the course of pilot testing, the UF membranes accumulated moderate fouling, as shown by the increase in transmembrane pressure (TMP), as shown in Figure 5. The pilot ran for approximately five months before requiring the first clean-in-place (CIP). High pH cleaning was effective for removing TOC from the membranes; low pH cleaning was effective in removing iron fouling. Toward the end of the pilot testing period, the UF membrane fouled very rapidly after each, requiring three CIPs within a one-month period. In order to address this buildup of foulants, a procedure of repeated chemically enhanced backwashes (CEBs) over a few hours led Continued on page 36



Continued from page 34 to significant drops in TMP by more than 7 pounds per sq in. (psi), dropping to near original levels, with the low pH CEB resulting in a greater than 5 psi drop. This suggests that the low pH CEBs may have removed large masses of accumulated iron fouling. With more frequent low pH CEBs, it is anticipated that fewer CIPs would be required. An autopsy of the UF module confirmed that iron had been accumulating on the UF modules. This experience showed the importance of keeping the CEB program flexible and repeating CEBs until the improvements in pressure diminish entirely. If a CEB cycle shows a significant decrease in TMP (i.e., >1 psi), the CEB cycle should be repeated until the decrease in TMP diminishes with each test. If the TMP is still well above the clean startup pressure, another CEB solution should be tried. Otherwise, if the TMP drops to near the clean startup pressure, chemical backwashing should be discontinued and normal production resumed.

Maintaining Reverse Osmosis Performance The RO was the secondary filtration process for physical removal of pathogens in the treatment train, and the primary treatment process for removal of microconstituents. The RO membranes operated smoothly during the year of pilot testing, with some scaling observed in the third stage. Evidence from a membrane autopsy and a “canary” element indicated that the scale was calcium phosphate. This scaling was removed using a combination of high pH and low pH CIPs. The RO process was converted from three-stage to two-stage during the testing and successful testing results supported use of two-stage operations as a more robust approach for the full-scale design.

Mutagenicity Sampling results indicated that the treatment train produced water without significant observable mutagenic effects. Mutagenicity testing was performed as required by FAC 62610.564(4)(c). The “Ames Test” (EPA 600/4-82-068) was selected as the mutagenicity test method since it has been in widespread use over the past 30 years, is relatively easy to carry out, and is partly quantitative. A standard commercial test kit was used for all mutagenicity testing. Each test kit incorporated standard, 96well microplates and five different strains of salmonella bacteria. Each sample was exposed to five different types of bacteria (T-97a, T-98, T100, T-102, and T-1535) so that several different base pair and frame shift mutations can be investigated. The reagents were prepared, then distributed into each microplate and incubated at 37°C for five days. Mutagenicity was indicated by a positive color change from purple to yellow, which indicated that the reverse mutation of the bacteria by the sample had allowed synthesis of the histidine reagent. The kit included a sterile blank, reagents, and a positive control to perform necessary quality controls. Potential mutagenicity was quantified by counting the number of wells that change color and comparing the results to the control blank using statistical significance tables. Mutagenicity testing was performed in triplicate and plate counts for each sample averaged. A summary of the mutagenicity test results by location, date, and strain of test bacteria is shown in Table 2, with the level of mutagenicity indicated by color. Early tests had shown some signs of mutagenic effects in the purified water; however, during these tests (Oct. 8, 2013, and Oct. 22, 2013) it was observed that sodium

Table 2. Summary of Mutagenicity Results for Reclaimed Water and Purified Water

bisulfide was underdosed, therefore allowing peroxide, an oxidant added to support the UVAOP process, to remain unquenched in the purified water. When peroxide was fully quenched, with a slight sulfide residual of about 0.5 mg/L left over, no significant mutagenic effects were observed (Nov. 19, 2013, and Jan. 24, 2014) Microconstituents This section includes the results of microconstituent sampling and UVAOP challenge testing for destruction of microconstituents N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and 1,4 dioxane. Microconstituent Sampling The pilot water purification process was designed to be effective at removing a wide variety of unregulated organics and small molecular weight compounds known as microconstituents. The microconstituents analyzed include compounds spanning a broad range, such as pharmaceutically active agents (drugs and antibiotics), personal care products, and hormones. Reclaimed water, purified water, and target aquifer injection zone water samples were analyzed for 62 different microconstituents in October 2013 and January 2014. The results indicated that some microconstituents were present in the reclaimed water, but in the purified water, all microconstituents present, except one, were removed by the pilot process to below the reporting limits. The minimum reporting limit is the smallest measured concentration of a substance that can be reliably measured by using a given analytical method. Over the course of five separate sampling events, 30 out of 62 microconstituents were detected in the reclaimed water. Sampling results have indicated that the treatment train is effectively reducing nearly all microconstituents tested to below minimum reporting levels; these microconstituents are shown in Table 3. In the purified water, none of the 62 microconstituents were detected for four out of the five sampling events; however, one compound, atenolol, was found in the purified water in one sampling event (January 2014). Similarly, in the lower zone A of the upper Floridan aquifer, none of the 62 microconstituents tested were detected. Atenolol, which is a high blood pressure medication, was the only microconstituent that was detected in the purified water. In January 2014, it was detected in the reclaimed water at a concentration of 75 ng/L. The pilot treatment train removed 79 percent of atenolol from the water, resulting in a purified water concentration of 16 ng/L; this concentration is above the Continued on page 38

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February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal


FWPCOA TRAINING CALENDAR SCHEDULE YOUR CLASS TODAY! FEBRUARY 2-17 ....Wastewater Collection C, B** ..................Miami-Dade ......$225/255 9-12 ....Backflow Tester ........................................Deltona ............$375/405 27 ....Backflow Tester Recert*** ........................Deltona ............$85/115

MARCH 2-5 ....Backflow Tester ........................................St. Petersburg ....$375/405 9-13 ....Reclaimed Water Field Site Inspector ....Deltona ............$350/380 16-20 ....Spring State Short School ....................Ft. Pierce

April 13-15 13-16 13-17 13-17 13-17 24

....Backflow Repair ........................................St. Petersburg ....$275/305 ....Backflow Tester ........................................Pensacola ..........$375/405 ....Reclaimed Water Field Site Inspector ....Orlando ............$350/380 ....Water Distribution Level 3, 2 ..................Deltona ............$275/305 ....Reclaimed Water Distribution C..............Deltona ............$275/305 ....Backflow Tester Recert*** ........................Deltona ............$85/115

May 4-7 18-21 18-22 29

....Backflow Tester ........................................Deltona ............$375/405 ....Backflow Tester ........................................St. Petersburg ....$375/405 ....Stormwater Level C, B ..............................Deltona ............$260/280 ....Backflow Tester Recert*** ........................Deltona ............$85/115

Course registration forms are available at http://www.fwpcoa.org/forms.asp. For additional information on these courses or other training programs offered by the FWPCOA, please contact the FW&PCOA Training Office at (321) 383-9690 or training@fwpcoa.org. * Backflow recertification is also available the last day of Backflow Tester or Backflow Repair Classes with the exception of Deltona ** Evening classes *** any retest given also

You are required to have your own calculator at state short schools and most other courses. Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

37


Table 3. Microconstituent Concentrations

Figure 6. Log Removal of 1,4-Dioxane Versus Peroxide Dose for the Ultraviolet and Hydrogen Peroxide Advanced Oxidation Process

38

February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

Continued from page 36 analytical laboratories minimum reporting limit of 5 ng/L. Without a regulatory limit for atenolol, some other point of reference is needed in order to understand the significance of the reported concentration. In order to quantify the risk of adverse health effects from unregulated chemicals, the National Research Council states that a margin of safety (MOS) can be used. This MOS is the ratio of a contaminant-specific risk reference value and the concentration of the contaminant in the purified water. An MOS>1 suggests that the contaminant in the water is unlikely to pose significant risk of adverse health effects. A risk reference value for atenolol of 70,000 ng/L1 was recently reported in the potable reuse literature. Since the concentration of atenolol measured in the purified water was 16 ng/L, the MOS is 4,375, indicating that 16 ng/L of atenolol is not likely to pose significant risk of adverse health effects. Atenolol was added to the UVAOP challenge testing program.

Ultraviolet and Hydrogen Peroxide Advanced Oxidation Process Challenge Testing The UVAOP process is intended to reduce concentrations of microconstituents that remain after RO. Concentrations of microconstituents are very low and often variable due to changes in community use of products and treatment plant performance. Consequently, it can be difficult to show that the UVAOP process is reducing microconstituents as intended. Temporarily spiking the concentration of a few target contaminants above background levels raises the influent and effluent concentrations high enough to be measured, allowing UVAOP performance to be quantified. Sampling results indicated that the UVAOP process met the log removal goals for NDMA at 1.4 log removal and 1,4-dioxane, or 0.5 log removal. These goals and target contaminants were based on the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) draft criteria for groundwater recharge with reclaimed water, and are widely used as a benchmark for measuring UVAOP performance in groundwater recharge applications. The NDMA was removed below detection limits at all peroxide doses tested for all but one sample that still met the 1.4 log removal target. Removal to detection limits corresponds to at least 2.6 log removal, well above the 1.4 log removal value target. The NDMA removal is based on UV irradiation only and does not require any peroxide addition. On average, 1,4-dioxane was removed beyond the log removal target of 0.5 log removal, for tested peroxide doses greater than 2 mg/L (Figure 6). The removal of 1,4-dioxane was de-


pendent on peroxide dose, with higher doses of peroxide providing greater degrees of removal of 1,4-dioxane. The 1,4-dioxane is destroyed by hydroxyl radicals (OH•) that are formed when UV light splits hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) molecules. Atenolol was included in the third and fourth rounds of challenge testing since it was detected once in the purified water at 16 ng/L. Atenolol removal during spike testing exceeded the 0.5 log (68 percent) removal requirement from the CDPH Groundwater Replenishment Reuse Draft Regulation (2011) at the lowest peroxide dose tested, 0.8 mg/L. The UV-based AOP challenge testing provided additional data to inform potential changes to the UV-based AOP operating conditions, if a higher level of treatment is desired. Atenolol was the only nonregulated microconstituent identified in the purified water. Follow-up investigation of records found a temporary underfeed of peroxide on the day of sampling that was the likely cause of reduced atenolol destruction. Compatibility with Native Groundwater in an Aquifer After the treated water passes through the UVAOP process, additional treatment was applied to adjust its water quality to be compatible with the quality of the groundwater in lower zone A of the upper Floridan aquifer. The target aquifer injection zone includes limestone with traces of arsenopyrite (FeAsS) mineral. One goal of post-treatment was to increase the calcium carbonate stability of the treated water to mitigate the potential for dissolution of limestone in the aquifer. Another important goal of post-treatment was to reduce the oxidation reduction potential (ORP) of the treated water such that arsenic dissolution does not occur. Experience with aquifer storage recovery (ASR) in Florida has shown that oxygenated water can mobilize mineral-bound arsenic from the rock formation into groundwater. Therefore, posttreatment targets the removal or conversion of any residual oxidants in the treated water.

membrane contactor, much of the dissolved carbon dioxide was removed from the water, increasing the pH to 6.5, while maintaining the same levels of calcium and alkalinity, and increasing the CCPP to -15 mg/L as calcium carbonate. After the membrane contactor, approximately 70 mg/L of carbon dioxide was injected into the solution under pressure, followed by 75 mg/L as calcium carbonate of lime, increasing the total calcium to 80 mg/L as calcium carbonate, the pH to 7.25, the alkalinity to 100 mg/L as calcium carbonate, and CCPP -10 mg/L as calcium carbonate. Earlier in the pilot study, the pH was adjusted to 7.75, and closer to zero CCPP, by adding less carbon dioxide. However, at these targets, the pH was more difficult to control, and the purified water line would frequently grow a film of calcium carbonate scale and result in high turbidity above 10 nephelometric turbidity units (NTUs). It seems that the lime slurry did not have adequate time and driving force to completely dissolve into solution. Presumably, the instability in pH near 7.75 was due to some

combination of instability in carbon dioxide addition at low flow rates, and the lower pH buffering capacity of water near pH 8. Presumably, swings in pH could have led to the onset of calcium carbonate precipitation. When the carbon dioxide dose was increased, and pH dropped to 7.25, pH stability improved, calcium carbonate scale formation diminished, and turbidity dropped below 10 NTUs. The CCPP should be maintained slightly negative in order to avoid clogging the purified water line and potentially scaling the aquifer, increasing well pressures. Similarly, the CCPP should be increased as much as possible beyond the negative starting point of -110 mg/L calcium carbonate to reduce the potential for limestone dissolution in the aquifer. One possible alternative that could avoid the turbidity issues and, potentially, the rapid scale formation, would be to substitute calcium chloride and caustic soda for lime. Preliminary desktop calculations indicate that a calcium chloride/caustic soda substitution Continued on page 40

Figure 7. Trace Dissolved Oxygen Sensor Readings From the Post-Treated Purified Water and the Membrane Contactor Effluent

Calcium Carbonate Stability Sampling results indicated that the posttreatment process improves the calcium carbonate stability of the water; however, dosing control was important to limit the precipitation of calcium carbonate scales in the purified water pipe. Before post-treatment, the process water was characteristic of RO permeate, with pH 5.5, calcium 5 mg/L as calcium carbonate, alkalinity 10 mg/L as calcium carbonate, and calcium carbonate precipitation potential (CCPP) of -110 mg/L as calcium carbonate. The negative CCPP indicates that this water would tend to dissolve calcium carbonate. While passing through the Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

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Continued from page 39 could be up to six times more expensive than the current calcium carbonate addition approach.

Oxidation Reduction Potential The membrane contactors and sodium bisulfide chemical feed work together to reduce the oxidation reduction potential of the water by removing DO or converting oxidizing species (chlorine, peroxide) from the water, which could potentially cause undesirable mobilization of arsenic or other metals in the aquifer. Oxidants The membrane contactors routinely removed most of the DO from the purified water. The DO entered the membrane contactors at near 100 percent saturation (6-9 mg/L), and was removed down to 100 parts per bil (ppb) or less of DO, with the capability of operating near 1 ppb of DO. Figure 7 shows the trace DO levels in ppb over time. Proper air calibration and zeroing of trace DO meters were essential to the measurement of DO at ppb levels. While operating the membrane contactor, in order to maximize performance, it was important to maintain adequate sweep gas flow rate and adequate vacuum on the sweep gas line (less than approximately -27 inHg).

40

The DO readings were lower and more repeatable when they were taken before posttreatment chemical addition. Before January 2014, the trace DO sensor was drawing off of the purified water line, after lime addition and bisulfide addition. After January, the DO sensor membrane was replaced and set to run only on water received immediately after the membrane contactor and before chemical addition. When the old sensor membrane was removed, it appeared to have a yellow hue and some precipitate, indicating that some of the post-treatment chemicals may have interfered with the sensor. Therefore, two trace DO sensors should be installed on a full-scale system: one before posttreatment chemical addition (and potential chemical interference) and one after chemical addition. After sodium bisulfide addition, the chlorine residual was consumed within seconds to below the detection limit of field instrumentation. Approximately 1.2 mg/L of chloramines carry through the membrane contactors until the point of sodium bisulfide addition. Hydrogen peroxide reacted slowly with sodium bisulfide, typically requiring about 30 minutes to reach completion. If insufficient sodium bisulfide was added, it was used up and residual peroxide remained. Underfeeding of sodium bisulfide and incomplete quenching of peroxide appeared to impact early mutagenicity tests. Hydrogen peroxide was added upstream at a residual of about 2 mg/L, as a part of the UVAOP. During the advanced oxidation process, only about half of the added peroxide was consumed, and the remaining 1 mg/L of peroxide passed downstream through the membrane contactors until sodium bisulfide was added. Sodium bisulfide addition is important for quenching remaining oxidants in the water and reducing the overall ORP before injection into the aquifer. The feed rate of bisulfide needed to be monitored throughout the usage of each barrel of

February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

chemical. As the barrel of chemical aged, it turned from a yellow color to a red color, and a higher chemical feed rate was needed to neutralize peroxide completely. After initial mutagenicity tests indicated that more sulfide feed was required to quench peroxide, the sulfide dose was increased such that, after 30 minutes, peroxide would be quenched and a 0.5 mg/L sulfide residual would remain. Rock Core Testing and Aquifer Recharge Testing Rock core and aquifer recharge testing were being studied concurrently with the pilot purification process. Rock core testing consisted of running purified water through native rock core samples with varying amounts of post-treatment. Arsenic release data indicated a direct correlation between DO removal and arsenic mobilization, supporting DO removal as a control strategy for arsenic mitigation. Water quality samples collected from lower zone A of the Floridan aquifer during the recharge test indicated that native arsenic levels decreased with decreasing DO concentration and increasing sulfide content, supporting the selected treatment approach of DO removal and sulfide addition.

Summary Results from the City’s groundwater replenishment show that the facility produced purified water that reliably met drinking water quality standards. The water also consistently met all water quality requirements from the 2012 Full Treatment and Disinfection Requirements [Florida Administrative Code (FAC) Chapter 62–610.563(3)]. Important lessons learned affecting the operations of the groundwater replenishment treatment train will be incorporated into fullscale design of the groundwater replenishment water purification and aquifer recharge systems. In the next several years, multiple Florida utilities are anticipated to implement full-scale groundwater replenishment programs. Sharing of best practices and operational lessons learned will help Florida utilities move confidently together into a future of sustainable, abundant water supplies.

References 1

Trussell, R.R. et al., 2013. “Potable Reuse: State of the Science Report and Equivalency Criteria for Treatment Trains.” WateReuse Research Foundation. Alexandria, Va.


Operators: Take the CEU Challenge! Members of the Florida Water & Pollution Control Association (FWPCOA) may earn continuing education units through the CEU Challenge! Answer the questions published on this page, based on the technical articles in this month’s issue. Circle the letter of each correct answer. There is only one correct answer to each question! Answer 80 percent of the questions on any article correctly to earn 0.1 CEU for your license. Retests are available. This month’s editorial theme is Alternative Sources for Water Supply. Look above each set of questions to see if it is for water operators (DW), distribution system operators (DS), or wastewater operators (WW). Mail the completed page (or a photocopy) to: Florida Environmental Professionals Training, P.O. Box 33119, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420-3119. Enclose $15 for each set of questions you choose to answer (make checks payable to FWPCOA). You MUST be an FWPCOA member before you can submit your answers!

___________________________________________ SUBSCRIBER NAME (please print)

Article 1 ________________________________________ LICENSE NUMBER for Which CEUs Should Be Awarded

Article 2 ________________________________________ LICENSE NUMBER for Which CEUs Should Be Awarded

If paying by credit card, fax to (561) 625-4858 providing the following information:

Earn CEUs by answering questions from previous Journal issues!

___________________________________________

Contact FWPCOA at membership@fwpcoa.org or at 561-840-0340. Articles from past issues can be viewed on the Journal website, www.fwrj.com.

___________________________________________

Alternative Technologies for Indirect Potable Reuse in Southeast Florida J. Philip Cooke, Benjamin J. Stanford, Enrique Vadiveloo, and Tara VanEyk (Article 1: CEU = 0.1 DW/DS/WW)

1. Reverse osmosis treatment of the Southern Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant effluent would be required prior to irrigation use because a. greater reduction of coliform is required. b. reuse is only economically feasible if energy recovery is implemented. c. only reverse osmosis can remove existing emerging contaminants. d. plant effluent is salty. 2. Both pilot effluent strategies produced effluents that comply with current limits for which of the following parameters? a. Chloride b. Total dissolved solids c. Total organic carbon d. Chemical oxygen demand 3. Recent Florida ocean outfall legislation requires municipalities to beneficially use ___ percent of their wastewater effluent by 2025. a. 20 b. 40 c. 60 d. 80 4. Which of the following processes is not common to both of the pilot treatment strategies? a. Ion exchange b. Biologically active carbon filters c. Ultraviolet d. Ozone 5. Full-scale implementation of the pilot strategies offers which of the following advantages? a. Better effluent water quality for all measured parameters. b. An $800 million capital savings compared to the Biscayne aquifer recharge. c. Substantially lower carbon emissions. d. No regulatory permit required.

(Credit Card Number)

(Expiration Date)

Groundwater Replenishment Performance and Operations: Lessons Learned During Clearwater’s One-Year Pilot Tracy Mercer, Janice “Nan” Bennett, Robert Fahey, Emilie Moore, Dave MacNevin, and Jarrett Kinslow (Article 2: CEU = 0.1 DW/DS)

1. The proposed injection zone for the recharge well is a. the upper Floridan aquifer. b. the boulder zone. c. outside the designated underground source of drinking water. d. the surficial aquifer. 2. Which of the following processes was not included in the pilot treatment system? a. Reverse osmosis b. Hydrogen peroxide c. Nanofiltration d. Ultraviolet 3. The authors conclude that relocating source water from the reclaimed water storage tank to a___________________ would probably be adequate to address final total trihalomethanes concentrations. a. chlorine contact chamber b. ultrafiltration filtrate c. nanofiltration permeate d. reverse osmosis permeate 4. Toward the end of the pilot testing, frequent _____________ resulted in a reduction in ultrafiltration transmembrane pressure. a. high pH cleaning b. chemically enhanced backwashes c. cartridge filter replacement d. feed water pH reductions 5. Prior to injection, treated water must be stabilized to avoid leaching of ______________ from limestone in the aquifer. a. calcium b. chloride c. arsenic d. manganese

Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

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2015 FWPCOA OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS CORPORATE OFFICERS • President Tom King (321) 867-3042 TkingH20@aol.com • Vice-President Scott Anaheim (904) 665-8415 anahsa@jea.com • Past President Jeff Poteet (239) 389-5181 president@fwpcoa.org • Secretary-Treasurer Rim Bishop (561) 627-2900, ext. 314 sec-treas@fwpcoa.org • Secretary-Treasurer-Elect Mike Darrow 813-506-6592 mdarrow@templeterrace.com

Region 3 • Director Russ Carson (321) 749-5914 03-director@fwpcoa.org • Chair Kevin Shropshire kshrop2000@hotmail.com • Vice Chair Glen Siler 03-chair@fwpcoa.org • Secretary Wendell Maxwell (321) 863 6765 wendell.maxwell@brevardcounty.us • Treasurer Bobby Potts (321) 867-3042 bgp81844@aol.com

Region 4

• Director Odis Carter (850) 875-4045 odiscarter8101@comcast.net • Chair Not available at press time • Vice Chair Not available at press time • Secretary-Treasurer Tom Walden (850) 980-5161 tjwalden@cs.com

• Director Kenneth Enlow (813) 226-8708 04-director@fwpcoa.org • Chair Kimberly Ciranko (727) 893-7497 04-chairman@fwpocoa.org • Vice Chair Kelvin Melton (813) 520-1892 04-vice-chair@fwcpoa.org • Secretary Debra Englander (727) 892-5633 04-secretary@fwpcoa.org • Treasurer Janet DeBiasio (727) 892-5640 04-treasurer@fwcpoa.org

Region 2

Region 5

• Director Pam Morgan (904) 247 6224 pmorgan@jaxbchfl.net • Chair Josh Parker (904) 665-6052 parkje@jea.com • Vice Chair Larry Johnson (904) 665-8496 johnlarry1953@att.net • Secretary-Treasurer David Ashley (904) 665-8484 ashldd@jea.com • Secretary-Treasurer-Elect Ralph (Andy) Bowen (904) 665-6052 bowera@jea.com

• Director Stephen Utter (772) 978-5220 05-director@fwpcoa.org • Chair George Horner (772) 873-6400 GHorner@cityofpsl.com • Vice Chair Val Santos • Secretary-Treasurer John Lang (772) 770-1093 jflang2012@gmail.com

REGIONAL OFFICERS Region 1

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Region 6 • Director Phil Donovan (561) 586-1708 06-director@fwpcoa.org

February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

• Chair Pat Lyles (561) 381-5354 lexus05@bellsouth.net • Vice Chair Vince Munn vmunn@pbcwater.com • Secretary-Treasurer Patti Brock (561) 493-6261 pbrock@pbcwater.com • Secretary-Treasurer-Elect Jessica Hill (954) 232-1235

Region 7 • Director Renee Moticker (954) 967-4230 07-director@fwpcoa.org • Chair Nigel Harris (954) 921-3288 Ext. 8741 07-chair@fwpcoa.org • Vice Chair John Feaster (954) 594-0478 07-vice-chair@fwpcoa.org • Secretary Linda Vargas (954) 828-7501 07-secretary@fwpcoa.org • Treasurer Tim McVeigh (954) 683-1432 07-treas@fwpcoa.org • Secretary-Treasurer-Elect Laurence K. Duemmling (305) 769-3918 07-st-elect@fwpcoa.org

Region 8 • Director Jon Meyer (239) 543-1005 08-director@fwpcoa.org • Chair Justine Martin (239) 359-5181 jmartin@marcoislandutilities.com • Vice Chair Fred Gleim (239) 213-4773 fgleim@naplesgov.com • Secretary-Treasurer Jack Green (239) 359-5181 jgreen@marcoislandutilities.com • Secretary-Treasurer-Elect Derick Galvan

Region 9 • Director Jim Smith (386) 878-8976 goodtogo@cfl.rr.com • Chair Jamie Hope (352) 318-3321 hope2protectFLwaters@gmail.com

• Secretary Frank Kelsey (386) 574-2181 esfm20x@hotmail.com • Vice Chair (West) Tom Mikell • Vice-Chair (East) Scott Ruland (386) 574-2181 sruland@deltonafl.gov • Treasurer Ron Cartwright (800) 330-1369 ron.cartwright@dumontchemicals.com • Secretary-Treasurer-Elect Jeff Elder (386) 878-8977 jelder@deltonafl.org

Region 10 • Director Albert Montalvo (863) 528-2358 10-director@fwpcoa.org • Chair Cindy Sammons cindysammons@polk-county.net • Vice Chair Charles Nichols (863) 581-0111 charlesnichols@polk-county.net • Secreatry-Treasurer Katherine Kinloch catloch3@verizon.net • Secretary-Treasurer-Elect Nathan Silveria (863) 421-9977 nsilveria@hainescity.com

Region 11 • Director Athena Parslow (407) 246-4086 11-director@fwpcoa.org • Chair Dan Dashtaki • Chair-Elect Kevin Young (407) 246-3089 kevin.young@cityoforlando.net • Secretary-Treasurer Scott Stoll (407) 709-8808 wtrreg11@aol.com


For more information on officers and committee chairs, visit the association website at www.fwpcoa.org. • Secretary-Treasurer-Elect John Nalencz (407) 599-3563

Region 12 • Director Gerry Schoonmaker (941) 861-0512 12-director@fwpcoa.org • Chair John McRae Wolfe (813) 875-2486 jwolfe@pachydermmarketing.com • Vice Chair Patrick Murphy (813) 757-9191 pmurphy@plantcitygov.com • Secretary/Treasurer Steve Saffels (813) 757-9191 ssaffels@plantcitygov.com

Region 13 • Director Tom Ewbank tom_ebk@bellsouth.net • Chair Mike Osborn • Vice Chair Tyler Todd • Secretary Arnold Gibson (386) 466-3350 arnold@isgroup.net • Treasurer Linda Andrews (386) 758-5452 driver117@aol.com

STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS AWARDS AND CITATIONS Renee Moticker (954) 967-4230 rmoticker@yahoo.com CONSTITUTION AND RULES Tom King (321) 867-3042 const-rules@fwpcoa.org CUSTOMER RELATIONS Norma Corso (941) 764.4508 cust-rel@fwpcoa.org DUES AND FEES Tom King (321) 867-3042 dues@fwpcoa.org

EDUCATION Art Saey (954) 630-4433 education@fwpcoa.org ETHICS Odis Carter (850) 875-4045 odiscarter8101@comcast.net HISTORICAL Al Monteleone (352) 259-3924 historian@fwpcoa.org JOB PLACEMENT Joan Stokes (407) 293-9465 MEMBERSHIP Rim Bishop (561) 627-2900 Ext. 314 membership@fwpcoa.org POLICIES AND PROCE DURES Mike Darrow 813-506-6592 mdarrow@templeterrace.com PROGRAM AND SHORT COURSE Jim Smith (386) 878-8976 goodtogo@cfl.rr.com PUBLICITY Janet DeBiasio (727) 892-5640 publicity@fwpcoa.org SYSTEMS OPERATORS Raymond Bordner (727) 527-8121 sys-op@fwpcoa.org WEBSITE Walt Smyser (561) 586-1671 webmaster@fwpcoa.org

SPECIAL COMMITTEE CHAIRS AUDIT Tom King (321) 867-3042 audit@fwpcoa.org EXAM CONSULTANT Bill Allman exam@fwpcoa.org

FWRJ/FWRC Tom King (321) 867-3042 FWRC@fwpcoa.org LEGISLATIVE legislative@fwpcoa.org NOMINATING Raymond Bordner H2oboy2@juno.com OPERATORS HELPING OPERATORS John Lang (772) 770-109 oho@fwpcoa.org SAFETY Peter M. Tyson (305) 295-2214 safety@fwpcoa.org SCHOLARSHIP Renee Moticker (954) 967-4230 robinson@fwpcoa.org

EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEES BACKFLOW Glenn Whitcomb (386) 561-2100 backflow@fwpcoa.org CONTINUING EDUCATION Joseph Habraken (863) 956-1485 CEU@fwpcoa.org INDUSTRIAL PRETREATMENT Janet DeBiasio (727) 892-5640 ipp@fwpcoa.org PLANT OPERATIONS Jamie Hope (352) 318-3321 Hope2protectFLwaters@gmail.com

RECLAIMED WATER Scott Walden (407) 836-6865/(407) 375-1014 reclaimed@fwpcoa.org STORMWATER Tom King (321) 867-3042 stormwater@fwpcoa.org

ADMINISTRATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Not filled at this time TRAINING COORDINATOR Shirley Reaves (321) 383-9690 training@fwpcoa.org WEBMASTER Walt Smyser (561) 586-1671 webmaster@fwpcoa.org

FWRC/FWRJ APPOINTMENTS • Third-Year Trustee Raymond Bordner (727) 527-8121 h2oboy2@juno.com

• Second-Year Trustee Jeff Poteet (239) 394-5595 jpoteet@cityofmarcoisland.com

• First-Year Trustee David Denny (386) 878-8100 ddenny@deltonafl.gov • Member Rim Bishop (561) 627-2900, ext. 314 rbishop@sua.com Member David Clanton (386) 758-5452 clantond@lcfla.com • Member Tom King (321) 867-3042 TkingH20@aol.com • Member Al Monteleone (352) 259-3924 almontele@embarqmail.com • Member Glenn Whitcomb (386) 561-2100 gwhitcomb@deltonafl.gov

Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

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FWRJ READER PROFILE What do you like best about your job? I like overseeing the plans being implemented, from a concept to the actual infrastructure that will serve future generations. What organizations do you belong to? AWWA (life member), WEF, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA).

Patrick J. Lehman Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority (Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties) Work title and years of service. I have been executive director since 1997. I started at the Authority in 1992 as an engineer. What does your job entail? I serve as the Authority’s chief executive staff officer reporting directly to the board of directors. I administer the policies and direction of the board, oversee all staff, maintain operation and maintenance of all facilities, plan on future infrastructure, implement budgets as established by the board, and maintain the Authority’s financial standing and credit rating. What education and training have you had? I graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.S. in civil engineering and an M.S. in environmental engineering. I am a licensed professional engineer in Florida.

How have the organizations helped your career? I’m always amazed how all utilities, whether large or small, share the same issues. The interaction with other professionals through various organizations, and particularly AWWA, provides opportunities to see how others have addressed an issue, and it helps to build relationships. What do you like best about the industry? Being in the water business for 40 years, it is gratifying to see end results that are for the public good. Along the way, the interaction with many professionals in the industry and policy makers has taught me to appreciate the public service we provide. What do you do when you’re not working? My hobbies include volunteer activities, etc. I am a rotten golfer and an even worse fisherman. My wife, Julie, retired last summer, so travel plans seem to keep popping up, mixed with the joy of being grandparents and spoiling the grandkids.

Certification Boulevard Answer Key From page 30 1. A) 1.55 cfs 1,000,000 gpd divided by 86,400 seconds/day divided by 7.48 gal/cu ft x 1.0 mgd = 1.547 cfs 1,440 minutes per day x 60 seconds per minute = 86,400 seconds per day

2. C) 0.2142 mgd (205 gpm x 10 hours/day x 60 minutes/hour) + (140 gpm x 6 hours/day x 60 minutes/day) + (85 gpm x 8 hours/day x 60 minutes/hour) 123,000 gpd + 50,400 gpd + 40,800 = 214,200 gpd ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.2142 mgd

3. D) 92.84 cfm 1,000,000 gpd divided by 1,440 minutes/day divided by 7.48 gal/cu ft = 92.84 cfm/mgd

4. C) 62.4 lbs 8.34 lbs/gal x 7.48 gal/ft3 = 62.38 lbs/ft3

5. B) “B” kit When leaks in chlorine ton containers occur, prompt corrective action is required by trained, competent personnel with special equipment. The Chlorine Institute Emergency Kit B is used to repair an array of leaking conditions in ton containers. The “A” kit contains equipment for fixing leaks on a 150-lb cylinder; the “C” kit is for tank cars.

6. D) Liquid chlorine weighs 1.5 times more than water. Chlorine is a clear amber-colored liquid, about 1.5 times heavier than water. Gaseous chlorine is greenish-yellow, about 2.5 times heavier than air.

7. C) About 6.5 psi Each ft of water generates 0.433 psi 15 ft of water x 0.433 psi = 6.495 psi 1 psi ÷ 2.31 ft of water = 0.4329 psi per ft of water

8. B) 6,058,080 gals Length, ft x width, ft x depth, ft x 7.48 gal per cu ft = gal 10.0 ft x 20.0 ft x 7.5 ft x 7.48 gal per cu ft = 11,220 gal 0.75 fps ÷ 20.0 ft = 0.0375 seconds 0.0375 seconds x 11,220 gal = 420.7 gal per second 420.7 gal per second x 60 seconds per minute = 25,242 gpm 4 hours x 60 minutes per hour = 240 minutes in 4 hours 25,242 gpm x 240 minutes = 6,058,080 gal in 4 hours

9. B) Sodium hydroxide Sodium hydroxide (caustic) is an alkaline with a pH typically greater than 12. Aluminum sulfate (alum) is an acid with a pH typically below 4.0.

10. D) Bioassay Lehman receives the AMWA Gold Award from its president, Charles Murray

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February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

Bioassay, or whole effluent toxicity (WET), is used as a tool for evaluating the potential harmful effects of effluents discharged into surface waters. Although quantities of pollutants can be analytically determined in samples, these measurements may fall short of actually identifying toxic discharges. Aquatic toxicity tests offer a more direct measure.



FSAWWA SPEAKING OUT

Spotlight on the FSAWWA Fall Conference Mark Lehigh Chair, FSAWWA

hew! What a great fall conference we had this past year. The Manufacturers/Associates Council (MAC) Conference Committee really put together an event packed full of entertainment and value that attracted 1,396 attendees. Congratulations to the MAC and kudos for all their hard work and volunteer efforts! Let’s talk BBQ! The incoming chair’s reception and first-ever BBQ Challenge was a huge success. Six teams (Omni Hotel, Haskell, Hillsborough County, Garney Construction, Stanley Hydraulic Tools, and Veolia Water NA) competed, while Haskell came away with the overall champion trophy and bragging rights for this year. I think the real winners were the attendees! That was some tasty BBQ provided by all the teams. The menu included chicken, pork ribs, and pork butts (yes, I like pork butts and I cannot lie). Thanks to Richard Anderson and Jeff Nash for planning, organizing, and pulling this off. I can’t wait to see what they put together for next year’s event; knowing them, it will be bigger and better. If you have some thoughts or ideas for this event, Richard would love to hear them. You can find his contact information on the FSAWWA webpage. And how about that opening general session! Thanks to Kim Kunihiro and Peggy Guingona for bringing in Jim Davidson, who was such a dynamic speaker. Jim was descending Mount Rainier in Washington state in 1992 with a friend when a snowbridge collapsed and dropped them into a glacial crevasse. He gave a gripping tale of survival and the strength it takes to keep climbing despite impossible odds. Jim, a hydrogeologist by trade and mountain climber extraordinaire, captivated the audience, while giving inspiration and motivation for all of us to use in our everyday lives. Grab a copy of his book, “The Ledge,” because it’s a great read. If you missed this event you better mark down the opening session for the conference later this year—it’s bound to be special. Another first at the conference was the “Best of the Best” people’s choice water tasting contest. This event engaged all the attendees who enjoyed

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some of the best water from across the state. Bay County Utility won out and will hold the bragging rights for the year. Congratulations! Water For People fundraisers were in full force thanks to Barika Poole and Christine Ellenberger. The exhibitors raffle was a big hit, and of course the fan-favorite “Duck Race” had everyone at the edge of the pool. Once again, Greg Taylor was master of ceremonies, while head duck wrangler Tyler Tedcastle made sure the ducks went down the lazy river—and most importantly—came back. This event provided the perfect opportunity for everyone to network and have some fun, and ultimately, provide clean, safe water to areas of the world in need. The exhibit hall was maxed out this year with over 180 exhibitors. A “premier sponsorship” bundle was newly introduced and was a big success. The bundle included Conference Platinum, Golf Eagle, and Poker Royal Flush sponsorships. Thanks to American Cast Iron Pipe Company, Ferguson Waterworks, Sigma Corporation, Hydra Service Inc., The Ford Meter Box Co. Inc., and Wager Company of Florida Inc. for being the first to take advantage of this bundle. There always seems to be a flurry of activity around the exhibit hall and this year was no different. Attendees took full advantage of the opportunity to see new products, technologies, and systems firsthand. The highlight of the awards luncheon had to be the Fuller Award presentation to Richard Anderson. Richard continues to provide outstanding leadership and service to the section. Congratulations to him and all the award winners. It was great to see a full house on hand to recognize all the achievements and cap off another great year! The sixth annual 2030 Water Summit was a big hit. Those remote control voting devices were a nice added touch. Two great keynote speakers and policy makers were there to discuss Amendment 1, the Florida Water and Land Conservation Amendment, and its impact on the water industry. This summit specifically focused on the top five initiatives, their successes, and upcoming challenges. Thanks to Jackie Torbert for putting together a program that will assure our success as utilities and a water industry moving forward. The workshops, technical sessions, and symposia gave all attendees the opportunity to stay current on relevant topics and new technologies. This is the heart and soul of what we

February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

do. I want to give a big thanks to Dr. Fred Bloetscher for championing a technical session second to none. Competitions at the conference this year included the Backhoe Rodeo, Ductile Iron and Fun Tap Contests, and Meter Madness. These are fun and lively competitions among municipalities. It’s impressive to watch the skill these professionals put on display, coupled with the energy and excitement of competition; I love to watch and am in awe every year. A big thank you to Mike George and all the volunteers that made this happen. Great job!

Upcoming Events We have several other events that are coming up this year, too. They include the Business Practices and Leadership Workshop, to be held at FSAWWA headquarters in St. Cloud; AWWA Fly-In in Washington, DC; FSAWWA Legislative Day in Tallahassee; Regional Meeting of Section Officers (RMSO) in Key Largo; and our twelve region taste tests. We will also be presenting the FSAWWA distribution awards. When presenting these awards in the past, it’s been a humbling experience to see how important it is to the receiving utility. This award and its presentation gives utilities an elevated presence in front of their board, council, or commission. It is no surprise that the utilities make this a focal point every year. The award highlights the unseen work that goes on every day to maintain a safe and reliable drinking water system. All of these events represent your membership benefits in action. They help with public relations for your local community, offer an opportunity for networking and education, offer professional development, and provide a voice for industry leaders to the nation’s lawmakers. Please visit the FSAWWA website at www.fsawwa.org for more information and to see what upcoming events you might be interested in attending, or for which you might become an active volunteer. Remember, these are your benefits—put them to action and let them work for you.




Florida Water & Pollution Control Operators Association

FWPCOA STATE SHORT SCHOOL March 16 - 20, 2015 Indian River State College - Main Campus – FORT PIERCE –

COURSES Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester ..........................$375/$405

Utility Customer Relations I, II & III................................$260/$290

Backflow Prevention Assembly Repairer ......................$275/$305

Utilities Maintenance I & II ............................................$225/$255

Backflow Tester Recertification ......................................$85/$115

Wastewater Collection System Operator C, B & A ......$225/$255

Basic Electrical and Instrumentation ............................$225/$255

Water Distribution System Operator Level 3, 2 & 1 ......$225/$255

Facility Management Module I......................................$275/$305

Wastewater Process Control ........................................$225/$255

Reclaimed Water Distribution C, B & A ........................$225/$255 (Abbreviated Course) ................................................$125/$155

Wastewater Sampling for Industrial Pretreatment & Operators................................................................$160/$190

Stormwater Management C & B ...................................$260/$290

Wastewater Troubleshooting ........................................$225/$255

Stormwater Management A .........................................$275/$305

Water Troubleshooting ..................................................$225/$255

For further information on the school, including course registration forms and hotels, download the school announcement at www.fwpcoa.org/fwpcoaFiles/upload/2015SpringSchool.pdf

SCHEDULE CHECK-IN: March 15, 2015 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. CLASSES: Monday – Thursday........8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday........8:00 a.m. to noon

FREE BBQ DINNER + Monday, March 16, 4:30 p.m. + 3209 Virginia Avenue Fort Pierce, FL 34981

For more information call the

FWPCOA Training Office 321-383-9690 Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

49


C FACTOR

Like Deja Vu all Over Again: Me Writing Another C Factor Column Thomas King President, FWPCOA

he FWPCOA core has become a small group of members who reappear year after year to manage and set policy for the rest of the membership. I am reaching out to all the members of FWPCOA to help us address the issue of the future of the organization. One of the issues is how we structure our training programs to best support our members, which has been affected by several factors. For years the competition for your continuing education unit (CEU) dollars was limited, so we put on short schools, provided correspondence classes, and supported CEU innovations. We are continuing to look at some dynamic changes to stay in the game and provide our members with the best service. I have been discussing the idea of a summit for each of our chaired disciplines and will be inviting the leaders of the industries we support

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through our training programs. I will discuss this idea at the next Education Committee meeting. We need to involve local leaders in water, wastewater, stormwater, and reuse, as well as the collection and distribution system leaders, at our state meetings. I will propose inviting a different leader of each discipline to each state meeting (and cover their expenses) to let them see how our organization works and the benefits of our services. We have discussed bringing new talent and leaders into FWPCOA; we need a plan to initiate that movement. We need more high schools offering a residence course similar to the one at Heritage High School in Brevard County. This year, several of the students graduated high school and passed the water exam as part of their curriculum. As the average age of our operations personnel grows older, we need this kind of cooperative effort to bring young people into our industry. With the onslaught of new providers and cuts to most utility training budgets, we have adjusted our training offerings to meet the needs of our members. We now provide online courses (see our ad in this issue), correspondence courses, and a program to bring courses to your

utility via “on the road” training. The new webinar venture needs more committee support to take off and be what our past executive director Tim McVeigh envisions, and further discussions on how we can help him are needed. ______________________________________ With the holidays behind us we are working on a new line of action figures based on utility workers. If you want to have your craft made famous, contact me at tkingh20@aol.com. I have new molds prepared for “Joe the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator.” He or she (Jolene) comes with a weir brush, sample bottles, and a utility tool belt. We have suggestions for “Kay the Water Plant Technician” and even one for the state board of directors (although the suggestion for the board member can’t be mentioned here). We have also attempted some joint ventures for educational toys. We worked with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to design a “See and Say” toy for rules and regulations. The only problem is that there are no batteries that last long enough for the answers. We scaled it down some and now you point the little hand at the rule and it says, “See your district office for clarification.” We also have a new Xbox game called “Game of Thrones” based on toilet trivia from around the world. It comes with some minigames like “Raise the Seat Before You Pee,” and “My Toilet Runneth Over,” and my favorite, “Over the Rim” (based loosely on Rim Bishop’s childhood aim). ______________________________________ I want to give mention to all of the honorary life members in the association. The people nominated for this honor have given their time to promote FWPCOA. Those I have met have all been deserving of this honor. It would be fitting if the regions periodically reminded their members of those honorary life members at their meetings and events. I would also remind the directors and region members to keep someone in mind to nominate when an opening occurs. Please put the thought into this that it deserves; honorary life members cherish their roles.

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F W R J

Lessons Learned in Operation of an Aboveground Reservoir at the Peace River Facility Mike Coates, Sam Stone, and Noah Olenych he Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority (Authority) water production facility is located in DeSoto County near Arcadia. The facilities include a 48mil-gal-per-day (mgd) conventional surface water treatment plant, 120-mgd water intake on the Peace River, 6.5 bil gal (BG) in off-stream raw water storage (two reservoirs), and 21 aquifer storage and recovery wells. The facilities currently serve an average finished water demand of about 25 mgd in Charlotte, DeSoto, and Sarasota Counties, and the City of North Port. The large-volume off-stream storage and the ability to harvest water at high rates enables a seasonal resource (wet season flows in the Peace River) to reliably meet most of the drinking water needs in three counties, while preserving the freshwater flow needed to support the Charlotte Harbor estuary. Water is withdrawn from the Peace River on a flow-based schedule, with most water harvested during the summer months, providing adequate stored supplies for the dry season. Four years of management and operational data for this off-stream reservoir have shown the level of effort, challenges, and cost required to keep this off-stream reservoir system in top operating condition.

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Peace River Reservoirs The Authority has two off-stream raw water reservoirs (Figure 1). Reservoir 1 was constructed in the late 1970s by general development as an 85-acre inground water storage facility. Essentially, Reservoir 1 is a manmade lake with a capacity of about 500 mil gal (MG), and little detailed information is available on its construction other than bottom topography. Reservoir 2 construction commenced in December 2007 and was completed in July 2009. Reservoir 2 is a 640-acre aboveground impoundment with a live-storage capacity of 6 BG. The impoundment is formed by a highly engineered earthen berm approximately 4 mi in length. The berm is about 200 ft wide at the base, 35 ft high, and 15 ft wide at the crest. It was constructed using a balanced cut-and-fill system whereby nearly all of the material to build the berm was excavated from the interior area of the reservoir. Specialty materials, such as coarse sand used for the internal drainage system and bentonite for the interior slurry wall, were imported off site. Figure 2 shows the cross section of the Reservoir 2 berm, highlighting the engineered

Mike Coates, P.G., is deputy director, Sam Stone is land and environmental services manager, and Noah Olenych is an environmental specialist with Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority in Lakewood Ranch.

features of the embankment, including soil cement on the interior slope for erosion protection, an 80 mil high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner and bentonite slurry wall that keys into the underlying Miocene clays (about 50 ft below land surface) on the interior face of the berm to minimize leakage, an internal drainage system to improve safety and stability, and vegetated exterior slope for stability and erosion protection. The embankment (interior and exterior) and immediately surrounding area also includes 105 piezometer stations monitoring water levels in the embankment and shallow perimeter groundwater system, 14 stations monitoring flow in the embankment drain system, five extensometer sites to monitor movement in the soil cement, and 46 survey stations to monitor movement in the embankment.

Exterior Slope Maintenance

Figure 1. Two Off-Stream Raw Water Reservoirs

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The exterior of the reservoir includes approximately 50 acres of turf on a 3:1 slope. The turf covering the slope is considered a structural element of the embankment due to its importance in minimizing erosion. Initial installation of the cover on the exterior slope in the reservoir construction contract called for seeding; however, the reservoir contractor quickly discovered that keeping the slope dressed (free of erosion) while the vegetation took hold was not cost-effective, and it was proposed to sod the embankment instead. The sod type (Bermuda grass) was chosen based on its extensive root system and reported ability to hold soil under potential overtopping conditions in the reservoir. The Bermuda grass, however, has not thrived on the well-drained embankment, and while there are areas on the embankment where


this grass has remained in a serviceable condition, large areas of the turf stopped growing and were being naturally replaced by less desirable, weedy vegetation. In spite of recommendations by turf experts visiting the site, herbicide and fertilizer applications produced little improvement. Erosion (Figure 3), primarily resulting from heavy wet season rainfall in these areas, has been an ongoing maintenance issue and repairs often must be made by hand due to soggy embankment conditions, which preclude use of most equipment on the slope. An additional challenge has been to secure the repair areas so that water from upslope doesn’t cause another washout at the same site before the repairs take hold. Early erosion repair efforts often required multiple attempts. Current repair methods have been far more successful and include good compaction of fill material, careful sod placement (eliminating gaps), installation of temporary sod strips above the repair areas to divert water from upslope, and regular watering until the repaired sod is established. All repairs since the initial sod installation have been done using Bahia rather than Bermuda sod, as experience has shown that Bahia grass provides superior coverage and erosion resistance under the welldrained embankment conditions. In 2012, the Authority began a proactive program to convert all areas on the embankment to Bahia grass. The resodding effort was conducted in the fall when the embankment was not too wet for light equipment but will still receive some rainfall to aid in turf establishment. Figure 4 shows the ongoing sod replacement effort. Mowing of the embankment is required to promote healthy grass and to allow the inspection of erosion features; many of these features are difficult to see, especially in uncut grass. These erosions can sometimes be detected by looking for small deltas of sand that often form

Figure 3. Erosion

where the embankment slope meets the toe ditch below an erosional feature. Mowing is scheduled twice a month in the growing season subject to embankment conditions, and as-needed during the dry season. Fourteen cuts per year are about average, and mowing costs are billed per acre cut. Mowing in wet conditions can create new erosion issues, and as such, having an experienced mowing contractor with adequate manpower and appropriate equipment to get the job done when conditions are appropriate is essential. Annual service costs are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Annual Service Costs

Continued on page 54

Figure 2. Reservoir 2 Cross Section

Figure 4. Sod Replacement Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

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Continued from page 53

Lessons Learned Carefully consider appropriate embankment cover vegetation in the design phase, and once installed, be proactive in maintaining it. Erosion, especially during the summer, can develop and grow quickly, so embankment inspection must be frequent (every one to two days and after every heavy rainfall event) and repairs should be expedited. Make careful repairs using good quality sod. Protect the repair areas from upslope runoff and irrigate until coverage is re-established. This will reduce the need for re-repair of the same location. Select a well-qualified mowing contractor with the experience, proper equipment, and manpower to do a good job and stay on schedule. Low-bid might not work here.

Reservoir Roadway Maintenance Approximately 5 mi of roadway are maintained in conjunction with the reservoir. This includes 4 mi of reservoir perimeter roads and a 1-mi access road. The road surface is marl/shell material. The perimeter roadway is elevated 2 to 8 ft above the bottom of the toe ditch at the base of the embankment and the surrounding land surface. Steep side slopes on the embankment between the toe ditch and perimeter road and poor sod establishment/coverage along the

roadway edge have required considerable maintenance, as heavy rains tend to wash out sections of this interior slope (Figure 5). At several of the worst erosion locations, permanent low-profile gravel discharge structures have recently been installed to deliver water directly from the road to the toe ditch. While gravel discharge structures are not feasible everywhere, Authority reservoir management staff has learned through experimentation that successful repair on the interior slope of the roadway can be accomplished by notching the road at the edge of the shell and filling the notch with quality soil and then with Bahia sod so that it is level with the shell road when complete. While repairs continue, a multiyear program to make these changes around the entire perimeter road is underway. Mowing of the inside roadway slope is difficult under normal circumstances, but it is made more difficult by erosional features. Mowing here is conducted as part of the embankment mowing event and also includes the toe ditch (see annual mowing costs in Table 1). Table 2 shows the costs for erosion repair, as well as the multiyear program to reduce future erosion problems on the perimeter roadway through the correction method described. Lessons Learned Avoid slopes greater than 3:1; they are difficult for all maintenance requirements. The interface between the sodded side slope and the roadway needs to be well-defined

Figure 5. Interior Slope Washout Table 2. Erosions Repair Costs

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February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

and carefully constructed. Sod should be bedded in good soil and compacted level with the road shoulder to prevent erosion. Specific stormwater discharge locations from roadway to perimeter ditch (or swale) should be contemplated in design.

Regulatory Compliance: Environmental Multiple compliance efforts are included in the management of the reservoir. These were generally borne from the environmental resource permitting (ERP) process and involve monitoring of wetland water levels and shallow groundwater conditions adjacent to the reservoir, and monitoring and management of wetland mitigation areas. Such efforts were intensive in the first few years of operating the reservoir. These efforts have been reduced with time as wetland success criteria were met, and evaluation of perimeter data indicate that the reservoir is not having any deleterious effect on nearby wetlands or shallow groundwater conditions. Monitoring and reporting efforts associated with the reservoir embankment safety are discussed separately. Construction of the reservoir impacted about 165 acres of wetlands. On-site mitigation (on the 6000-acre RV Griffin Reserve) resulted in the restoration and enhancement of about 1055 acres of wetlands. Maintenance, monitoring, and regulatory reporting associated with the mitigation areas is conducted by outside contractors and managed by Authority staff. These efforts are ongoing for a sixth and possibly final year. Costs for the program have declined through time as many wetlands have reached their success criteria and were released by regulators (see Table 4). However, some long-term effort to control exotics will continue on wetlands, even after release. In addition to the mitigation effort, monitoring of wetland water levels and surficial aquifer groundwater conditions around the perimeter of the reservoir is required. The effort included water level monitoring at 17 shallow wetland piezometers and 16 surficial aquifer monitor wells, and periodic water quality sampling at the surficial aquifer monitor wells. Data collection and evaluation efforts were initially conducted through professional services contracts, but in recent years most data collection has been assumed by Authority staff. The cost reduction from 2010 to today (see Table 4) for the wetland mitigation program reflects release of many of the wetlands by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as these systems reached success criteria. Current costs for the perimeter monitoring reflect laboratory costs for groundwater samples and evaluation


of data by consultants to meet annual reporting requirements. Much of the perimeter program has been eliminated because the monitored systems showed no impacts associated with the reservoir. Lessons Learned Initial monitoring costs tend to be high, but can be reduced in time as success criteria are met and understanding of the effect of the reservoir system on surrounding areas evolves. Audit monitoring programs. The FDEP has been receptive to requests for reduction in monitoring when presented with good supporting data.

Regulatory Compliance: Embankment (Safety) Ensuring that the reservoir system functions safely and as designed is a continuous and critical effort requiring daily coordination among Authority staff, outside experts, and regulators. The Authority has one staff member dedicated solely to monitoring reservoir and nearby conditions, collection and review of data, maintaining reservoir monitoring equipment, scheduling repairs, and preparation of monthly compliance reports.

The embankment interior and exterior, and immediate surrounding area, includes 105 piezometer stations continuously monitoring water levels in the embankment and the shallow perimeter groundwater system, 14 seepage flume stations monitoring flow from the embankment drainage collection system, five extensometer sites intended to monitor movement in the soil cement, 46 survey stations established to monitor movement in the embankment, and a weather station. Data from most of the monitoring sites are collected, stored, and transmitted via an automated data acquisition system (ADAS) to the Authority’s water resources office on site for review and assessment. The ADAS system facilitates collection and processing of large volumes of data very effectively, and the data collection efforts have proven to be worthwhile. Some issues with the system and exceptions to the “worthiness” of the data collection effort are briefly discussed:

The seepage flumes are intended to continuously measure water movement through the embankments drainage system, potentially identifying leakage through the HDPE liner on the interior of the embankment. In addition to the seepage flumes, there are seven outfall locations from the drainage system where flow is manually measured twice weekly by Authority staff. Iron bacterial slime from the perimeter’s surficial groundwater system also enters the internal drain system, regularly fouling the seepage flumes and making the electronic data from these units unreliable. In addition, seepage flumes are located in manholes and require confined space measures for service. Data collected manually at the outfalls however are consistent and reliable and show that the system responds only to rainfall conditions thus far. Continued on page 56

Table 4. Program Costs

Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

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Continued from page 55 Extensometers on the soil cement flat plate (interior of the reservoir) consist of a high-tension stainless steel cable with one end affixed to the soil cement near the base of the embankment and the other to a fixed monitoring station near the top of the embankment. These are intended to measure movement in the soil cement. Experience has shown that these instruments are most effective at collecting debris at the water’s edge, and as resting locations for alligators; they also respond to thermal conditions. Aside from the conclusion that the soil cement is not moving, no other useful information has been obtained. The ADAS recording and communication equipment is located in 21 National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) 4X boxes at various locations along the crest and base of the reservoir. The NEMA 4X was selected as a weatherproof box to keep moisture from fouling the electronic equipment; however, experience has shown that moisture condenses inside these boxes, causing premature failure of equipment. The installation of vents in the boxes has alleviated the issue.

In addition to the ongoing monitoring program described, the ERP for the reservoir includes specific engineering inspection, testing, and reporting requirements during operation of the reservoir system. An embankment performance monitoring plan (MWH, July 31, 2009) de-

veloped for the Authority also contains special testing and monitoring of the system. Table 5 identifies the physical special inspections and monitoring (no ADAS) requirements. Comparison is made between efforts required early in the reservoir operations (2010) and current ones (2013-2014). Some of these special inspections have been eliminated or their frequency has been reduced after review of the data. Table 6 shows a comparison of 2010 and current costs for embankment monitoring, inspection, and compliance reporting. Reductions in embankment monitoring and reporting costs reflect a reduction in the frequency of some monitoring, and Authority staff assuming increased responsibility for monthly reporting. None of these costs include Authority staff time. Lessons Learned Full-time staff with appropriate expertise is needed to inspect, manage, and maintain the reservoir. Initial monitoring costs tend to be high, but can be reduced with time as confidence is gained in reservoir operation and management. Iron bacteria are common in earthen embankments and can foul automated monitoring equipment in the seepage system. Hand measurement of flow at the outfalls is more effective. Extensometers on the interior soil cement have produced interesting, but otherwise unuseful, data.

Table 5. Physical Inspections and Monitoring Requirements

Table 6. Costs for Embankment Monitoring, Inspection, and Compliance Reporting

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February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

The NEMA 4X boxes intended to protect reservoir monitoring electronics have instead been a source of moisture condensation. Ventilation of the boxes has resolved the issue.

Conclusions Active management of the Authority’s 6-BG off-stream, aboveground reservoir helps keep the facility in top operating condition. The management program includes care of over 50 acres of embankment; 5 mi of perimeter and access roadway; environmental and groundwater monitoring of surrounding areas; management of wetland mitigation areas; daily inspection of the embankment; extensive monitoring of in-, on-, and near-embankment conditions; and a host of engineering inspections. A well-trained, experienced staff is critical to the success of this program. While this reservoir requires considerable management and care, this facility has been essential to supporting use of seasonal resources from the Peace River as an environmentally sustainable, highly reliable public water supply. Maintenance of the reservoir embankment and roadway system has been a learning experience. Lessons go back to the design phase in selection of the appropriate turf for local conditions. Prompt attention to, and quality repair of, any erosion, especially on the embankment, is critical as these erosions tends to grow quickly. Because the majority of mowing takes place in the wet season when the embankment is most subject to damage by operation of heavy equipment, having a well-qualified mowing contractor with appropriate manpower and equipment to get the job done timely and effectively minimizes repair needs. In general, regulatory compliance has been more time-consuming and costly than expected; however, maintenance of wetland mitigation areas, and monitoring and reporting for permit compliance, has been significantly reduced through time, as have associated costs. Reductions are the result of regulatory release of mitigated wetlands, elimination of ineffective monitoring, and demonstration that the facility is operating as designed and permitted. The FDEP has been quite receptive to revisions and reductions in environmental monitoring with appropriate supporting data. Some monitoring has been found impractical, such as the high-tech seepage flumes that are continuously clogged with iron bacterial slime from the embankment drainage system. Hand measurement of flow at seepage outfalls is more useful and consistent. Extensometers on the flat plate soil cement (interior of the reservoir) are problematic to maintain as they are easily fouled and have indicated that the soil cement is not moving at those monitored locations, which is visually obvious.



News Beat Governor Rick Scott has announced five proposals for 20 projects totaling $77 million that were submitted to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council for consideration under the council-selected restoration component portion of funding through the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act). Governor Scott said, “We’re committed to protecting and restoring Florida’s estuaries, and these $77 million in projects will significantly bolster our efforts to protect and restore our natural treasures. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has worked closely with local leaders and environmental stakeholders to identify the projects that will best benefit our critical ecosystems. Through state funding we’ve made major investments in the Everglades and the Florida Keys, and with this money, we’ll make similar investments in north Florida’s estuaries and continue to make Florida’s environment a priority.” These proposals address high-priority restoration needs in 10 major watersheds from Perdido Bay to Tampa Bay. They also represent

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the feedback received from numerous meetings with stakeholders and citizens. Additionally, the proposals represent projects from the list of over 1,200 submissions to the Department of Environmental Protection’s online portal, which include: • The Apalachicola Bay Watershed Proposal includes three major projects that would improve fresh water flows to the hydrologically impacted bay. Also, an expansion of a natural resource damage assessment oyster population rebuilding project, a marsh and oyster reef project, and an agricultural pollution reduction project will help to restore the bay and assist affected oystermen. The funding amount for this proposal totals $26.1 million. • The Suwannee River Watershed Proposal would provide $12.1 million in funds to acquire conservation easements in the Florida Forever Lower Suwannee River and Gulf Less-Than-Fee Program and to implement an oyster-restoration project near Cedar Key, as well as an agriculture pollution reduction project. These projects will restore and protect water quality and habitats that sustain

February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

the local communities whose economies depend on these vital resources. • The Tampa Bay Watershed Proposal includes $6.9 million in funding for five projects, three of which are shovel-ready stormwater projects that would improve water quality and habitat within the watershed. Also included in this proposal are Manatee County’s Robinson Preserve restoration and Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary living shoreline installations, which are two highly ranked projects identified in the Southwest Florida Regional Ecosystem Restoration Plan. • The Northwest Florida Estuaries and Watersheds Proposal is intended to complete the current watershed planning efforts in the Panhandle and includes funding for design, permitting, implementation, and monitoring for high-priority water quality and habitat restoration projects that will be identified through these planning efforts. The funding amount for this proposal totals $16.8 million. Information about each proposal may be found at www.deepwaterhorizonflorida.com.


New Products

SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY

The Pipe Plug from Source One Environmental allows the user to terminate a lateral connection very near a main without any digging. The termination is handled through a residential clean-out and does not require access to the main. The process has been tested to withstand up to 15 psi. With the use of a cutting system, the line can be reinstated at a later date with no digging as well. The plug can be applied by a one-person crew with no disruption to sidewalks, streets, or traffic. (www.s1eonline.com)

FWEA Safety Awards

The t4 Underground program from t4 Spatial provides a cloud-based, software-as-a-service solution that makes all wastewater data and related assets searchable, visible, and immediately actionable from anywhere on any device. It enables PACP-compliant sewer inspection videos and data for sewer network analysis, maintenance planning, risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and distributed decision-making. The program integrates and correlates all past, present, and future wastewater inspection videos and data with a wastewater district’s existing GIS and CMMS data and requires no CAPEX and no in-house IT costs. (www.t4spatial.com)

Doug Prentiss Sr. t is time once again for the Florida Water Environment Association's Facility Safety Program Competition. The FWEA Safety Committee invites you to participate in this event by submitting a safety award application and returning it to Judd Mooso at jmooso@dwuinc.com by the deadline on the application. Applications may be obtained on the FWEA website or by email request to Judd. Facilities from all over Florida will compete for the opportunity to receive an award recognizing the excellent safety programs in the state. Awards will be given for exemplary safety programs in all categories (A, B, C, and D) for domestic wastewater treatment plants. Each category will have a winner for first, second, and third place. The overall

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winner will be nominated for the prestigious George W. Burke Facility Safety Award, a national award for safety presented annually by the Water Environment Federation. The winners of the FWEA Safety Contest will receive their awards at the 2015 FWEA luncheon during the Florida Water Resources Conference. Winners will be notified prior to the conference in time to make preparations for a representative to attend the FWEA luncheon. Several important changes have been made to the program. All submissions must be made electronically; no hard-copy programs will be accepted by mail. All winners must also attend the luncheon to accept their award. Additional information is on the application or you may email Judd directly with questions. Doug Prentiss is the FWEA Safety Committee vice-chair.

Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

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ENGINEERING DIRECTORY

Tank Engineering And Management Consultants, Inc.

Engineering • Inspection Aboveground Storage Tank Specialists Mulberry, Florida • Since 1983

863-354-9010 www.tankteam.com


ENGINEERING DIRECTORY

18004431032 opt2

Showcase Your Company in the Engineering or Equipment & Services Directory Contact Mike Delaney at 352-241-6006

ads@fwrj.com

EQUIPMENT & SERVICES DIRECTORY


EQUIPMENT & SERVICES DIRECTORY

Motor & Utility Services, LLC

Instrumentation,Controls Specialists Instrumentation Calibration Troubleshooting and Repair Services On-Site Water Meter Calibrations Preventive Maintenance Contracts Emergency and On Call Services Installation and System Start-up Lift Station Controls Service and Repair

Central Florida Controls,Inc. Florida Certified in water meter testing and repair P.O. Box 6121 • Ocala, FL 34432 Phone: 352-347-6075 • Fax: 352-347-0933

w w w. c e nt r a l f lor i d a c ont rol s . c om

CEC Motor & Utility Services, LLC 1751 12th Street East Palmetto, FL. 34221 Phone - 941-845-1030 Fax – 941-845-1049 prademaker@cecmotoru.com • Motor & Pump Services Test Loaded up to 4000HP, 4160-Volts • Premier Distributor for Worldwide Hyundai Motors up to 35,000HP • Specialists in rebuilding motors, pumps, blowers, & drives • UL 508A Panel Shop, engineer/design/build/install/commission • Lift Station Rehabilitation Services, GC License # CGC1520078 • Predictive Maintenance Services, vibration, IR, oil sampling • Authorized Sales & Service for Aurora Vertical Hollow Shaft Motors


EQUIPMENT & SERVICES DIRECTORY

CLASSIFIEDS Positions Av ailable Water and Sewer Utilities Positions

NEEDED in the TAMPA BAY AREA of FLORIDA City of Tarpon Springs Tarpon Springs is a historic small city of 24,500 located on the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast of Florida. The City of Tarpon Springs is completing construction of a new Alternative Water Supply (Reverse Osmosis) Facility and an associated re-organization of utilities with new positions. Career opportunities are available at multiple levels of the organization. Positions include: Wastewater Division Manager ($51k-$82k); Water Division Manager ($51k-$82k); Environmental Scientist ($44k-$71k); Chief Utilities Mechanic ($40k-$64k); Water Distribution Supervisor ($40k-$64k); Wastewater Collection Supervisor ($40k-$64k); Lead Water Plant Operator "A" ($38k-$61k); Water Plant Operator "A" ($36k-$58k); Water Plant Operator "B" ($34k-$55k); Instrumentation Technician/ Water Division ($34k$55k); Lead Wastewater Plant Operator "B" ($36k-$58k); Operator Trainee (RO or WWTP) ($29k-$48k); For more information on the position please visit: http://www.ctsfl.us/HR/humanresources.html Closing Date for positions: Open Until Filled. Applications can be printed from online and filled out; or obtained from: City of Tarpon Springs Human Resources Department, 324 E. Pine Street, Tarpon Springs, Florida 34689. Resumes MUST be accompanied by an application. An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

City of St. Petersburg Water Plant Chief Operator IRC30560 $49,338 - $78,187 DOQ - Closes 03-30/2015, 4:00 PM DST; Supervisory, technical work directing 24/7 operation of the potable water Cosme Plant in Northwest Hillsborough County, FL. Requirements: ability to perform shift work and respond to emergency events; high school diploma/GED equivalency, including math/science courses; State of FL DL; State of Florida Class "A" Water Operator Certificate (out of state appointee may receive 5.5 month grace period to achieve cert.) See detailed requirements at www.stpete.org/jobs. EEO-AA-Employer-Vet-Disabled-DFWP-Vets' Pref

Utilities Treatment Plant Operations Supervisor $54,099 - $76,123/yr. Assists in the admin & technical work in the mgmt, ops, & maint of the treatment plants. Class “A” Water lic. & a class “C” Wastewater lic. req. with 5 yrs supervisory exp.

Utilities Treatment Plant Will Call Operator $18.29-$28.38/hour. Part time. Must have passed the C drinking water or wastewater exam. Apply Online At: http://pompanobeachfl.gov Positions are open until filled. E/O/E

DESTIN WATER USERS, INC WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR Destin Water Users, Inc. is currently taking applications for a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator. This position is responsible for the overall operation and preventative maintenance of our 6MGD wastewater treatment plant and its associated equipment. Operators are subject to work shift work and holidays as assigned. A minimum of "C" license and a valid Florida Drivers License are required for consideration. DWU offers a generous benefits package and compensation will be commensurate with education and experience. To apply: please visit http://dwuinc.com/contact-us/career-opportunities/. EOE.

Water and/or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators The City of Edgewater is accepting applications for Water Treatment Plant Operators and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators, minimum Class C license required. Valid FL driver license required. Annual Salary Range is $31,096 - $48,755. Applicants will be required to pass a physical and background check. Applications and information may be obtained from the Personnel Dept or www.cityofedgewater.org, and submitted to City Hall, 104 N Riverside Dr, Edgewater, FL 32l32. EOE/DFWP

Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

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Palm Beach County - Utilities Assistant Director, Operations & Maintenance

Okeechobee Utility Authority Operations Director

Assists the Department Director in planning and directing the Operations and Maintenance Divisions. Directs development and implementation of long-range operating and maintenance policies, procedures and management systems. Provides input in the development and review of comprehensive reports concerning the performance and efficiency of water and wastewater facilities. Oversees and directs the activities of subordinate professional, technical and support staff in Plant Operations and Maintenance, Lines and Lift Stations and other divisions/sections of the Department as assigned. Responds to County Commissioners, administrators, employees, customers, developers, engineers and others regarding elevated customer complaints, departmental policies, procedures and issues relevant to the Operations and Maintenance Divisions. Represents the Department before the Board of County Commissioners and at Advisory Board/other public meetings. The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners provides an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and life insurance as well as vacation and sick leave, tuition reimbursement and participation in the Florida Retirement System.

The Okeechobee Utility Authority, an independent special district providing water and wastewater services to areas within Okeechobee and Glades Counties. The OUA currently has approximately 9,500 metered water connections. The OUA owns and operates two water treatment plants, one regional wastewater treatment plant and five smaller wastewater package treatment plants.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's Degree in Business/Public Administration, Engineering or related field; minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible executive, administrative or managerial experience in the utilities or public works field. Equivalency: Unrelated Bachelor's Degree and nine (9) years of related experience. Visit www.pbcgov.jobs for job description and to apply online. May submit scannable application/resume with any Veteran's Preference documentation to Palm Beach County Human Resources, 100 Australian Avenue #300, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406 Info 561/616-6888 Fax 561/616-6893 (No e-mail applications/resumes accepted). Applications/resumes must include Job ID number, and will be accepted no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 13, 2015. EO/AA M/F/D/V (DFWP) Salary: $96,285 Annually, negotiable depending on qualifications Department: Water Utilities/Operations and Maintenance Location: 8100 Forest Hill Boulevard, WPB Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday - Friday Other: Valid Florida Driver's License and PBC Risk Management Department driving history approval prior to appointment. THIS IS AN AT-WILL POSITION.

Project Engineer Water Wastewater Daytona Beach McKim & Creed Our Daytona Beach office is growing. The preferred candidate will have a BS degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering and a Florida PE. Must have 5 to 10 years of experience in water, wastewater and storm water design. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer (Minorities/Females/Disability/Veterans) and maintains a Drug Free Workplace Apply online at www.mckimcreed.com/careers

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February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

The OUA is looking for a person with a strong background in various aspects of utility work, either public or private. The applicant could have gained experiences through associated work such as engineering, facilities planning or other likeminded assignments. Background experiences could include personnel, operations, SCADA, treatment and or regulatory interaction. This position does interact with OUA personnel, customers, developers, vendors and others. The applicant should have strong communication skills, both written and verbal, computer and office skills usually necessary for planning, budgeting and capital improvement analysis. Minimum educational requirements are a high school graduate or GED. Higher educational and or operator licensing are a plus. Applicants shall obtain an application and drug free workplace consent forms and view a benefits plan at www.ouafl.com, under Employment Opportunities. Applicants may submit other information necessary to better define their personal work experiences, education and licensing achievements. This position will be open until filled. Application review and interviews will begin the week of February 16th. Written Correspondence: Okeechobee Utility Authority Attn: Janet McKinley 100 SW 5th Avenue Okeechobee, FL 34974 (863) 763-9460 X-212 Office Electronic Correspondence: jmckinley@ouafl.com

CITY OF MARGATE UTILITY OPERATIONS MANAGER Applicant must have graduated from a four-year college or university with a degree in sanitary, civil or environmental engineering or related field, plus a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in the operation of water, wastewater and reuse treatment, collection, transmission and distribution systems; including at least four (4) years in a supervisory or administrative capacity. Must be licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) and licensed in the State of Florida, or have the ability to obtain such license within 12 months of hire. Possession of State of Florida, water and/or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator’s certificates is preferred. Must possess a valid Florida Driver License. Competitive starting salary $71,771. . Excellent benefits. The City of Margate is a participant in the Florida Retirement System and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications are available in Human Resources, Margate City Hall, 5690 Margate Blvd., Margate, FL, or may be down loaded from the web site at www.margetfl.com. Completed, original applications must be submitted to Human Resources. This position is open until filled.


Wanted a treatment plant operator Class C

Professional Engineer Exempt Position Toho Water Authority Kissimmee, FL

Minimum Qualifications: H.S diploma or equivalent. Possession of a class C wastewater treatment plant operator's license issued by the State of Florida and a Valid Florida Driver’s license. Send resumes to mpostigo@good-sam.com

Water Plant Manager SALARY: $71,427 - $82,784 NEG The City of Hallandale Beach Water Pant is now seeking a Water Plant Manager to perform professional supervisory work of substantial complexity in directing the operation and maintenance of a Class “A” drinking water treatment plant. Interested candidates meeting the minim requirements should apply online at http://www.hallandalebeachfl.gov/jobs.

Plant Engineer Exempt Position Toho Water Authority Kissimmee, FL Career Opportunity Toho Water Authority is seeking immediate applications for the position of Plant Engineer. The position requires a four year degree in a technical field from an accredited university. A professional engineer’s license is desired, but not required. The position, utilizing water and wastewater treatment and equipment knowledge, applies asset management principals in process and physical condition evaluations of water and water reclamation treatment infrastructure. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: • In conjunction with Operations staff, identify recurring or problem treatment facility assets that may be performance or condition related and identify process changes and/or equipment/structure improvements to address issues • Develop budget requests as appropriate based on assessments of treatment facilities • Support Operations staff in the analysis and implementation of corrective actions to address treatment performance and regulatory compliance issues • Lead an energy management program at treatment facilities

Career Opportunity Toho Water Authority is seeking immediate applications for the position of Professional Engineer. The Professional Engineer position requires licensure in the State of Florida. The position manages studies, permitting activities, design and construction projects related to water, wastewater and reuse distribution and collection systems and water and wastewater facility expansions, upgrades and process projects. This position may be assigned other types of projects depending on the needs of the organization. The candidate must be able to communicate well verbally and in writing. Types of communication include: • Development of reports • Negotiating agreements • Drafting agenda items for Board approval • Preparing and giving presentations to the Board, community groups and at conferences • Project documentation including correspondence The position requires working with and sometimes leading teams that may consist of TWA staff, other governmental agency staff (cities and counties), engineering firms and contractors. The position requires the ability to supervise non-professional administrative and technical staff. Toho Water Authority offers competitive benefits. Salary range is $65,988 – 84,134. Toho is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information and to submit an application, visit www.tohowater.com

CDM Smith is Hiring in Florida! CDM Smith provides lasting and integrated solutions in water, environment, transportation, energy and facilities to public and private clients worldwide. As a full-service consulting, engineering, construction, and operations firm, we deliver exceptional client service, quality results and enduring value across the entire project life cycle.

The position must be able to communicate well verbally and in writing. Types of communication include: • Development of reports • Negotiating agreements • Drafting agenda items for Board approval • Preparing and giving presentations to the Board, community groups and at conferences • Project documentation including correspondence

• Jacksonville • Orlando

The position requires working with and sometimes leading teams that may consist of TWA staff, other governmental agency staff (cities and counties), engineering firms and contractors. The position requires the ability to supervise non-professional administrative and technical staff. Toho Water Authority offers competitive benefits. Salary range is $65,988 – 84,134. Toho is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information and to submit an application, visit www.tohowater.com

We also have openings for a variety of other opportunities in our 10 Florida offices. For more information and to apply online, please visit www.cdmsmith.com. Those interested may also contact Will Vereen at vereenwp@cdmsmith.com.

We are currently looking to fill Water/Wastewater Senior Project Manager openings in: • Fort Myers • Miami • Broward/Palm Beach County

Successful candidates will have a Bachelors in engineering (Masters preferred), 10+ years of experience including project management experience, P.E. registration in Florida or ability to obtain quickly.

EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled Florida Water Resources Journal • February 2015

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Plant Manager Hillsborough County Public Utilities For more information about this position and to APPLY please go to www.hccsb.org and select Job Opportunities.

February 2014

Editorial Calendar CITY OF NEW PORT RICHEY, FL WWTP OPERATOR JOB OPENINGS The City of New Port Richey Florida is accepting employment applications for the position of Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator. Applicants in possession of a Florida A, B, or C license are encouraged to apply. A trainee may be considered for this position depending on the applicant pool. The pay range for this hire will be $14.64 to $20.49 depending on license level. Please go to: http://www.cityofnewportrichey.org/Jobs.aspx to apply.

January ......Wastewater Treatment February ....Water Supply; Alternative Sources March ........Energy Efficiency; Environmental Stewardship April............Conservation and Reuse May ............Operations and Utilities Management; Florida Water Resources Conference June ..........Biosolids Management and Bioenergy Production July ............Stormwater Management; Emerging Technologies; FWRC Review

Martin County Utilities Come to the Treasure Coast and enjoy our good nature! Martin County Utilities has 2 opportunities available: a Chief Plant Operator and a Treatment Plant Operator. The qualified Chief Plant Operator will perform technical & supervisory work in the operation of the water and wastewater treatment plants. The Treatment Plant Operator is responsible for the safe & efficient operation of equipment used in purification process of the public drinking water supply. For additional responsibilities & qualifications, please visit our website at www.martin.fl.us. Applicants must complete a Martin County Board of County Commissioners job application for consideration. EOE/DFWP.

WTP & WWTP OPERATOR Town of Lake Placid, FL

Minimum FDEP C License. $18-20/hr plus overtime, based upon experience. Day Shift 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Visit www.lakeplacidfl.net/bulletin/employment.html or call (863) 699-3747. For further job description. EOE/DFWP. Open Until Filled.

Positions Wanted PHILIP LEON – Holds a Florida Dual license – B Water and C Wastewater with 14 years experience. Prefers the Miami to Marin County areas but is willing to relocate including overseas. Contact 772-485-2775

Looking For a Job? The FWPCOA Job PlacementCommittee Can Help! Contact Joan E. Stokes at 407-293-9465 or fax 407-293-9943 for more information.

– CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES – Classified ads are $18 per line for a 60 character line (including spaces and punctuation), $54 minimum. The price includes publication in both the magazine and our Web site. Short positions wanted ads are run one time for no charge and are subject to editing.ads@fwrj.com

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February 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

August........Disinfection; Water Quality September..Emerging Issues; Water Resources Management October ......New Facilities, Expansions, and Upgrades November ..Water Treatment December ..Distribution and Collection Technical articles are usually scheduled several months in advance and are due 60 days before the issue month (for example, January 1 for the March issue). The closing date for display ad and directory card reservations, notices, announcements, upcoming events, and everything else including classified ads, is 30 days before the issue month (for example, September 1 for the October issue). For further information on submittal requirements, guidelines for writers, advertising rates and conditions, and ad dimensions, as well as the most recent notices, announcements, and classified advertisements, go to www.fwrj.com or call 352-241-6006.

Display Advertiser Index Arcadis Golf ..........................50 AWWA Membrane..................45 Blue Planet ............................67 CDM Smith ............................65 CEU Challenge ......................41 Crom ....................................17 Data Flow ..............................35 FSAWWA Drop Savers............55 FSAWWA Operators Awards ..59 FSAWWA Tallahassee Day......48 FSAWWA Training ..................51 FWPCOA Online Training ........57 FWPCOA Short School ..........49

FWPCOA Training ..................37 FWRC ................................9-14 Garney ...................................5 Gemini Group ........................23 GML Coating ....................48,58 Hudson Pump ........................47 ISA ........................................39 Polston Technology ................21 Reiss Engineering ....................7 Stacon.....................................2 Tetra Tech..............................40 TREEO ..................................31 Xylem ...................................68




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