2022 AWBD Midwinter Conference Session Recap

AWBD MID-WINTER CONFERENCE SESSION RECAP

BY NICOLE SEGURA

The Association of Water Board Directors hosted its Midwinter conference in January in Galveston. AWBD offered 10 sessions that covered many important issues including legislative updates, new EPA lead and copper rule revisions, and Nitrification Action Plans. A summary of each session is below.

Legislative Session Update

Cole Karr, National Special Districts Coalition Trey Lary, Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP

The AWBD is now a member of the National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) which works with many state associations and special districts to provide them with representation in Washington, D.C. NS-

Brenda Landin, JoAnn Vasina guest of Kenneth Vasina of Harris Co MUD 11 DC’s goal is to ensure that districts and their priorities are top of mind to federal legislators. In 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investments and Job Act which provides $1 trillion in contributions to water and wastewater projects. Some areas that will receive funding include: $55 billion in new water authorizations over the next five years directly to districts via federal/state grants; $14.65 billion in Drinking Water State Revolving Funds through FY 2026; $510 million for assistance to disadvantaged communities; expansion of programs to purchase filters to remove contaminants from public water systems; Operational Sustainability Program for small water systems; and the Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program.

NSDC is also tracking pending legislation including: Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects (HELP) Act–Lets districts act as they await FEMA funds. State and Local Government Cybersecurity Act–Allows the Department of Homeland Security to share threat resources with local governments. Reforming Disaster Recovery Act–Creates a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that can be used for infrastructure service. This sets up long term disaster recovery programs for cities, towns, etc., but excludes special districts.

Build Back Better Act–Includes critical infrastructure needs like lead remediation and cybersecurity issues that could positively impact water districts.

In Texas legislative issues, the 2020 census revealed that Texas has gained almost 4 million new residents and, as a result, gained two congressional districts (Austin and Houston). Several senators and representatives that have been supportive of water districts have retired. Looking to the 88th legislative session, important topics include: new water district member education; obtaining better options for hosting virtual meetings; the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Sunset process; and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharge permits.

Is your Well ‘Well’? A guide for Water Well Rehabilitation, Maintenance, and Testing

Jim Caldwell, C&C Water Services Garrett Huebner, C&C Water Services

Common well problems include a pumping rate decrease; hearing sounds like rattling or vibration; sand, gravel, or brass shavings; and a change in the quality of water. Problems in the well can be due to mineral build up; interference of other wells; a decline in static water level; and structure failure. Issues with the pump are often worn parts; holes in column parts; reduced motor RPM; and dropped impeller. Rattles and vibrations can be due to lack of lubrication; motor bearing failure; worn pump or shaft bearings; or plugged lineshaft bearings. As always, it’s important to maintain equipment to prevent costly failures and downtime!

Legislative Session Cole Karr, National Special Districts Coalition speaking after being introduced by AWBD Executive Vice President Jerry Homan

Getting the Lead Out: EPA’s New Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)

Auggie Campbell, Executive Director, AWBD Jerry Homan, GM Harris Co FWSD 61 Erich Peterson, P.E. Mike Thornhill, Si Environmental

The EPA’s new Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) took effect Dec. 16, 2021, and have a compliance deadline of Oct. 16, 2024. LCRR changes include:

A Testing and “Trigger Level”. EPA retains the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 15 ppb and testing regimen. A system-wide reading above 10 ppb requires water systems to take further treatment, monitoring, and public notification actions. Lead Service Line (LSL) inventory. Water systems are required to investigate, catalog, and make available records on public and private lines, noting any LSL. LSL Replacement Plan. A water system must have a plan for LSL replacement meeting all LCRR requirements by the compliance deadline. Tap Sampling. Clarifies tap sampling procedures. School & Childcare Monitoring. Public water systems are required to monitor for lead at elementary schools and child-care facilities. Public Education and Notification. New requirements. Public Funding Opportunities. $15 billion that includes $221 million for Texas; however, it’s very hard for MUDs to qualify. The EPA FITS Tool located here can offer some assistance.

Jon Polley, Sherri Greenwood Kara Richardson , Chip Callegari, Larry Goldberg, Mark Gehringer The panel said it’s essential for districts to make plans now!

Identity Theft & Fraud Awareness, How to Avoid becoming a Victim

Sergeant Roy Guinn, Harris County Constable Pct. 5

There are 4.7 million reported cases of fraud annually in the United States, costing consumers more than $3.3 billion a year. The most common schemes are imposter cons, followed by online shopping and COVID-19 related scams. Scams like phishing–which look like genuine emails from a bank, for example–are hard to distinguish from authentic communication. It’s essential for consumers who use electronic communications for personal or business purposes take the time to protect against fraud. There are a variety of services like virus protection, internet security, and identity protection products as well as personal credit monitoring solutions that can help prevent or detect fraud.

Does Your Sewer System Need a Laxative?

Chris Meeks, San Jacinto River Authority Jason Williams, San Jacinto River Authority Bill Rackley, AEI Engineering, a Baxter & Woodman Company

A good sewer system is a healthy sewer system! A typical utility district sanitary sewer system spans from the residential tap, down the collection system, through the lift station, into the wastewater treatment plant, and finally discharges into the receiving stream. There are important considerations

for a healthy system: the condition of the tap; the condition of the sanitary sewer pipe (including pipe joints, sags, root intrusion, and other taps); lift station considerations (maintenance items vs. capital items); and what might ail a force main. It’s important to make sure the wastewater plant is also operating at maximum functionality: Is the color of the sewage correct for the appropriate basin? Does it smell right? Is there enough air? What might be happening at the clarifier? Is your treated effluent dechlorinated when it hits the receiving stream? It’s essential to conduct checkups because routine inspection and maintenance are key. Inspections are always worth the cost–don’t put them off! And it’s always a good reminder: No Wipes in the Pipes! This campaign educates customers on how flushing wipes can wreak havoc on a sewer system.

Jerry Homan, AWBD Executive Vice President & Linda Backlund, North Texas Trustee AWBD Delegates Checking In on the first day at Moody Gardens

NAPS–Nitrification Action Plans: A Wake-Up Call

Steve C. Grychka, Water Utility Services, Inc.

Nitrification Action Plans (NAPS) are required by the TCEQ for all systems that utilize chloramines as disinfectants. Most public water systems that receive surface water fall into this category. Understanding nitrification and the problems associated with it enables system operators to maintain adequate chlorine residuals throughout the system. As a director on a board of a district that utilizes chloramines, it’s important to understand nitrification due to the additional costs a district will incur to implement and maintain a nitrification action plan. Ground water requires minimal treatment, just a shot of free chlorine for disinfection and that’s about it. Surface water, however, requires extensive treatment. Nitrification is a bacteriological process in which am-

monia and organic nitrogen in water is reduced into nitrite and then nitrate. This should not occur in a water system, so it’s important for systems treating with chloramines to monitor for it. A copy of the NAP must be located onsite and made available to the TCEQ when requested. The NAP requires systems to monitor for multiple parameters for testing, sampling, and frequency.

Pay Me Now, or Pay Me Later: The Benefits of a Preventive Maintenance Program

Will Morefield, North Side Electric Motors David Neil, Neil Technical Services

Preventative maintenance is highly encouraged as districts will save money by implementing a preventative plan as it’s more expensive to service equipment after it fails. Abide by the 3 P’s: periodic maintenance, predictive maintenance, and preventative maintenance. Water plant directors should study and follow equipment operations manuals; know the environment where equipment is located; and use experience to finetune a maintenance schedule. Districts that do not deploy preventative maintenance often suffer very expensive maintenance cost that are often not in the budget.

MUD Life Cycle: From Developing to Developed

Linda Backlund, McKinney MUD 1 F. J. Jones, Brazoria Co MUD 21 Alex Kamkar, Bold Fox Development

Since Texas water districts began in the 1960’s, the development landscape and annexation expectations have changed significantly. The general philosophy back then was that once development was complete the district would be annexed into a city and the city would take over the infrastructure. But as that concept has changed over the years, the life cycle of a district has changed and expanded. Developers, consultants, and directors have traversed through these changes all while still creating thriving communities across Texas.

The lifecycle of a MUD takes more than 10 years to fully develop. It takes 6 to 18 months to go from creating a MUD to the active phase; 2 to 10 years

Emerging Leaders Co-Chair, Breah Campbell of EDP, LLC and AWBD Ambassador Sabrina Alaquinez of Inframark, LLC

for the development and transition phase; and 10 years or more to reach full development. The TCEQ requires detailed plans prior to approval as MUDS must comply with their regulations.

But WAIT, there’s more! Secrets of the Rate Order Revealed!

Calvin C. Browne, Jr., Municipal District Services Kathryn Foss, Municipal Financial Services, LP Adisa Harrington, Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP

A well-structured Rate Order can provide the building blocks for a district in all stages of its lifecycle. According to the TCEQ, “districts may adopt rules to govern their methods, terms, and conditions of service. These rules also may address water distribution, water conservation, and the safety and sanitation of sewer systems.”

Rate Orders typically cover the following: • Types of users/customers. • What a ‘connection’ is and other important definitions. • Components of a district’s system. • Tap and inspection requirements. • Plumbing and sewer rules. • Water and sewer rates. • Procedures for termination of service, wastewater quality requirements, and penalties/enforcement mechanisms.

Districts can enforce Rate Orders for offenses including: • Violating any provision of the Rate Order. • Unauthorized use of district services or facilities. • Unauthorized or unapproved development. • Stealing, destroying, or damaging district facilities or property. • Using a septic tank in the district.

For the Greater Good–The Langham Creek Resource Sharing Group

Frank Garcia, Texas Water Systems Management & Consulting Abrey Rubinsky, Schwartz, Page & Harding, L.L.P. Chad A. Walker, PE, Jones|Carter

Natural disasters like Hurricane Ike in 2008 (and Winter Storm Uri in 2021!) cause power outages and damage that can force districts to rely on generators. As an alternative to the typical emergency response plan, 5 water districts within the Langham Creek area sharing emergency waterline interconnections developed a plan to share resources during emergencies when multiple water districts within the group are without power.

The plan allows 3 of the 10 water plants within the group to run during each phase and provide water service throughout all 5 water districts while the remaining facilities conserve their generators and fuel supplies. This proactive approach utilizes the group’s existing facilities (water plant facilities, emergency power generators, emergency waterline interconnections, etc.) to provide continuous water service to the customers of the group while at the same time utilizing the least amount of the group’s total resources (such as generator fuel supplies). H

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