News Beat

Freese and Nichols Inc. has added Viraj deSilva, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, an internationally experienced engineer, to its rapidly growing Florida team as a senior treatment process leader.

With broad-ranging expertise developed over three decades, deSilva can assist cities, counties, and other entities with water and wastewater solutions, from biosolids management to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) treatment. In addition to project leadership roles, he has worked with vendors to improve technology and equipment, leading to more-efficient processes.

His experience, developed on projects across a dozen countries, includes: • Wastewater treatment process design (municipal, industrial, and landfill leachate) • Biosolids management (anaerobic digestion and biogas enhancement) • Water treatment process design • PFAS treatment and PFAS waste management • Environmental investigations and remediation • Capacity building and technology transfer for international communities

“We’re excited that Viraj can bring a special combination of practical experience and knowledge as a researcher to serving our clients as a trusted adviser,” said Trooper Smith II, the company’s southeast U.S. division manager.

“He has insights from working all over the world that can benefit our clients in the southeastern U.S. and also across all the regions we serve. His expertise on PFAS will be especially valuable as new federal regulations develop to make sure utilities are providing safe drinking water.”

DeSilva is licensed as a professional engineer in Florida and Ohio and is a board-certified environmental engineer. He has served on multiple committees of the Water Environment Federation and is vice director of the landfill management technical division of the Solid Waste Association of North America. He’s also a member of the American Water Works Association, American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, and Society of American Military Engineers.

He received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University and earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Japan and Ukraine.

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Adam Blalock, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) deputy secretary for ecosystems restoration, and the Division of Water Restoration Assistance (DWRA) Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) staff visited the City of Marianna for a plaque presentation and tour of the Marianna Solar Array Project. The city received the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2020 George F. Ames PISCES Recognition for Excellence in Problem Solving for the project.

The Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success (PISCES) program recognizes assistance recipients for exceptional projects and highlights them nationally. Selected projects exemplify evaluation criteria, such as innovative financing, system partnerships, community engagement, environmental and public health protectionm and/or problem solving.

The DWRA’s CWSRF provided a $5 million low-interest loan for the construction of two solar facilities to provide nearly all of the energy needs for the wastewater system. By reducing the operational cost by over 20 percent, the small rural community’s wastewater rates are controlled and made more affordable for the future.

As a direct result of this project, electrical costs have been reduced by more than 90 percent. This reduction is especially important since the city was devastated by Hurricane Michael. Completed approximately one year after the hurricane, these cost savings are greatly assisting the city’s residents in their recovery.

The loan includes $3.7 million in principal forgiveness, as well as a $301,354 state grant, which will not have to be repaid by the city.

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Ed Torres has joined Orange County Utilities as the new director. Torres brings decades of service and experience with him to the position, including over 10 years as the director of public works and utilities for the City of Altamonte Springs.

Torres is well known for his innovation and leadership in the field.

A true public servant, Torres has dedicated his career to managing public works and innovating within that space. In addition to the City of Altamonte Springs, he worked to ensure that efficient and sustainable services were delivered to residents in Seminole County, City of Casselberry, City of Palm Bay, and other locations. He has also worked for private engineering firms in the region. With over 30 years in the industry, Torres has garnered experience in a full range of utilityrelated programs, including solid waste collection and recycling.

“I am pleased to welcome Ed Torres as the new director of utilities,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings. “He has dedicated his career to ensuring that critical services are delivered safely and efficiently to residents. I’m looking forward to working with him to meet our community’s utility needs.”

During his time with the City of Altamonte Springs, Torres led several innovative sustainability programs. These projects included a floating solar array at a water reclamation facility, combining stormwater from the I-4 Ultimate project with wastewater and treating it to reclaimed water standards as an alternative water supply, and using sewage surveillance to track COVID-19 prevalence before testing was widely available.

“Improving the lives of Orange County residents is my priority,” said Torres. “I’m honored to work with the knowledgeable staff at Orange County Utilities to drive a positive impact for our customers and the environment.”

Torres holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology and is a board member of the Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council. Formerly, Torres served as a board member for both the Florida Stormwater Association and the University of Central Florida’s Stormwater Management Academy. He is also a strong advocate of education and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs for the community. Torres is a licensed professional engineer in Florida and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP).

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A unusually large bloom of toxic red tide is being blamed for a massive fish kill in Florida’s environmentally sensitive Tampa Bay. Officials say more than 600 tons of dead fish and other marine life have been scooped up in recent weeks along the St. Petersburg shoreline. There’s no immediate sign of relief and some experts say the problem could linger for months.

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said at a recent news conference that state assistance is needed to tackle the red tide bloom. So far, no emergency declaration has been forthcoming from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“Right now, it’s all about clean up,” Kriseman said. “It’s pretty awful. The odor sticks to you. Plus, there’s the emotional toll of seeing dead animals wash up day after day.”

Red tide is a naturally occurring phenomenon that has been observed in the Gulf of Mexico since the days of the Spanish explorers but can be exacerbated by nutrients such as nitrogen. The presence of the toxin-producing microorganisms of this magnitude in Tampa Bay is unusual, with some samples showing concentrations 10 to 17 times above what is considered a high level.

One potential cause is the April leak of tens of millions of gallons of contaminated water from the old Piney Point fertilizer plant along the bay in nearby Manatee County. Scientists have not yet pinpointed the reason for the massive red tide bloom, but said the leak is a chief suspect. S