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Recap INSIDE

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contents

departments

features APWAOK/OWEA 16 2026 Joint Technical Conference & Trade Show Recap 21 OWEA Award Winners Recap OKLAHOMA WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 700534 Tulsa, OK 74170 www.owea.org/contact

EXECUTIVE BOARD President: Crystal Kowalik, Ardurra President Elect: Cole Niblett, Garver Vice President: Tim Robins, City of Broken Arrow

Past President: Amber Wooten, Carollo Treasurer: Joy Kotey, City of Edmond Secretary: Karen Steele, City of Midwest City WEF Delegate: Mary Elizabeth Mach, Garver

Address Service Requested. Oklahoma Water Environment Association – 4500 S Garnett Rd. Suite 110 Tulsa, OK 74146

7 Letter from the President 9 Operator’s Corner 12 Committee Report 25 WEF Technical Report 29 National Technical Report 33 In Memoriam 35 Upcoming Events 37 Advertiser Product & Service Center CRAIG KELMAN & ASSOCIATES Tel: 866-985-9780 Fax: 866-985-9799 www.kelman.ca

Managing Editor: Mathias Leiendecker Design/layout: Tracy Toutant

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©2026 Craig Kelman & Associates Ltd. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication, which does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher or the association, may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of the publisher.

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Letter from the President

Building on Momentum: Connection, Service, and a Strong Year Ahead

t is an honor to write my first “Letter from the President” and to step into this role as part of the legacy of an organization filled with dedicated professionals, committed volunteers, and people who care deeply about Oklahoma’s water community. I was grateful to be designated as OWEA President during the APWAOK/OWEA Joint Technical Conference in Tulsa this May. What a meaningful way to begin this year of service, surrounded by colleagues, partners, exhibitors, presenters, volunteers, and friends from across the industry, with record-breaking attendance of more than 600. Our continued attendance growth is impressive, inspiring, and humbling, and it reflects the strength, commitment, and energy of our shared community. That kind of momentum does not happen by accident. It takes months of planning, committee work, meetings, collaboration, coordination, sponsorship, leadership, and a tremendous amount of behind-the-scenes effort. Thank you to everyone who helped make the Joint Technical Conference such a successful event. Whether you served on a committee, presented a session, sponsored, exhibited, attended, or helped welcome others, your contribution mattered. As I begin my term, I am especially mindful of what makes OWEA strong: our people. OWEA brings together operators, engineers, utility leaders, vendors, young professionals, public servants, educators, and industry partners who all play a vital role in protecting public health and Oklahoma’s precious water resources. Our work is technical, but our impact is deeply human. Every community depends on clean water, reliable wastewater systems, and the professionals who keep those systems flowing. This is also a milestone year in many ways. In 2026, our nation celebrates its 250th birthday, Route 66 celebrates 100 years, March 2026 marked the 100th anniversary of Robert Goddard’s successful launch of the first liquid-propelled rocket, and NASA’s

Crystal Kowalik, OWEA Executive President

Artemis II mission launched on the 1st of April reminding us what vision, preparation, courage, and teamwork can accomplish. These historic moments add meaning to this season of service and remind us that progress is built by people who are willing to contribute, often thanklessly behind the scenes, to something larger than themselves. During a recent visit from senior leadership, someone respectfully described our work by saying, “Ours is a noble profession.” Indeed, it is in every sense. Our profession is also vital, critical, lifesaving, and integral to the daily lives our communities enjoy, often without realizing how much is happening behind the scenes. The show would not, and could not, go on without the water and wastewater professionals who serve every day. As I enter my presidency, I hope we continue building on the connections created at the conference, growing from the information shared, and recognizing the priceless services we provide for our communities. I encourage members to stay engaged, invite others into the organization, participate in committees, attend upcoming events, and look for ways to support the next generation of water professionals. OWEA’s strength has always come from members who share knowledge, mentor others, solve problems together, and serve something bigger than themselves. I am excited for the year ahead and grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside the OWEA Board, committee chairs, volunteers, and members. Thank you for trusting me with this role. I look forward to listening, learning, contributing, and helping continue the good work already underway. If you are looking for a place to get involved, there is room for you here. Reach out, join a committee, attend an event, bring a colleague, or simply start a conversation. OWEA continues to grow because our members continue to show up. Here’s to a strong year ahead for OWEA and Oklahoma’s water community.

“OWEA’s strength has always come from members who share knowledge, mentor others, solve problems together, and serve something bigger than themselves.” RETURN TO CONTENTS

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Operator’s Corner

Operator’s Crossword 1

3 4 5

10 11 12 13

ACROSS

DOWN

Layers of soil, sand, and rocks that store groundwater.

The largest use for groundwater is _________ .

To contaminate, to become unclean.

Water that is found underground in the cracks and spaces in the soil, sand, and rocks.

The stage of the water cycle when water changes from a liquid to a vapor.

Clouds are an example of this.

Groundwater leaves the ground and enters a lake or stream in a ___________ area.

10. An example of precipitation. 12. A pipe in the ground that is used to remove water from an aquifer.

6. A long period of dry weather could cause a ___________ . 8. In the water cycle, when water soaks into the soil. 11. The movement of water underground is called groundwater ___________ .

13. Water on the earth’s surface which moves into a lake or stream without absorbing into the soil. RETURN TO CONTENTS

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What is the Network? The Oklahoma Water YP Network is a collaborative effort by OWEA and the Southwest Section of AWWA to support members of either association who are new to the water industry. Events are free and all are welcome.

Why should you join? The YP Network provides free training opportunities, leadership and planning experience, access to water industry professionals across the state at the sme stage in their career, and the opportunity to truly be One Water. We are bringing together professionals in drinking water, wastewater, water conservation, watershed stewandship, and storm water. And last but not least, it’s fun!

What does the YP Network do? We host events focused on helping you develop your professional career while also connecting you to the rest of the surrounding water workforce, These events can range from plant tours and professional development seminars to networking events at a local restaurant. This gives you the opportunity to collaborate with industry professionals statewide.

email: cameryn.edwards@stvinc.com or bshepherd@cityoftulsa.org

Committee Report

Students and Young Professionals (YP) Committee – Cultivating a Water Community

he Students and Young Professionals (YP) Committee is dedicated to engaging students with an interest in the water sector while encouraging early-career professionals to become actively involved in OWEA and, more broadly, WEF. The committee is organized into two key focus areas – Young Professionals and Water’s Worth It – and works in collaboration with other OWEA committees. Over the past year, the Students and YP Committee established the overarching goals of increasing committee awareness and recruiting engaged members. Fundamentally, the committee has been working to create more touchpoints to provide greater opportunities for participation.

allows Oklahoma water YP’s to benefit from all of the resources from both AWWA and WEF.

The OWEA committee members meet with the Southwest Section of the American Water Works Association (SWAWWA) members monthly to share information and collaborate on outreach opportunities. This joint venture is the Oklahoma YP Network. The YP Network holds events monthly alternating between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. These events are fun and a great way to meet other young professionals in the water industry. Recent events have been held at a brewery, a bowling alley, a pickleball center and, a sporting event. Highlights of these events can be found in previous editions of The Splash. The YP Network also coordinates water and wastewater treatment plant tours and events at both local conferences. There is also the AWWA/WEF National YP Summit held annually. This collaboration 12

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Committee Report

“As an organization, OWEA is looking to become more active on social media. The Students and YP Committee has been sharing more updates through such platforms with the hopes of sparking more online engagement in comparison to email and website updates.” As other OWEA committees continue to grow, the Students and YP Committee aims to support both their efforts and its own. The committee has been focused on identifying opportunities and YP/student centric information for the Communications Committee to share on OWEA platforms. As an organization, OWEA is looking to become more active on social media. The Students and YP Committee has been sharing more updates through such platforms with the hopes of sparking more online engagement in comparison to email and website updates. Otherwise, the committee has had the opportunity to provide two articles (including this one) to The Splash with the goal of providing at least one per year. The Scholarship and Stockholm Junior Water Prize Committees have also been supported by members of the Students and YP Committee. Looking ahead to next year, the Students and YP Committee remains committed to increasing awareness and recruitment. The Committee is looking forward to planning future events at the Board and Committee Member Retreat in August. As we begin to reflect upon what has been accomplished this past year, we have recognized one major area of improvement is student engagement.

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A WEF student chapter has not been established at a local college or university in Oklahoma. For OWEA as a whole, student chapter(s) would help provide the organization with a consistent pipeline of members and get them involved with the Oklahoma water community before they start their tenure as an early-career professional. More broadly, the organization looks to interest K-12 students and share the value of water through WEF Water’s Worth It campaign. Traditionally, the committee has raised money to support this initiative through a silent auction at the OWEA-APWA Conference. We are looking to use this year’s funds raised to support building STEM tool kits to donate to local schools. By strengthening student engagement and expanding outreach efforts, the committee aims to build a more sustainable and inclusive pipeline for the future of Oklahoma’s water community. Reach out to Cameryn Edwards at cameryn.edwards@stvinc.com or Sarah Jones at sjones@carollo.com if you are interested in becoming more involved. Join us for an evening of food, drinks, and networking at Chicken-n-Pickle on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 pm (Sponsored by Carollo Engineers).

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he 2026 APWAOK/OWEA Joint Technical Conference & Trade Show made history in Tulsa this May, welcoming a recordbreaking attendance of more than 600 public works and water professionals, exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, students, and industry partners from across Oklahoma and beyond. This year’s conference reflected the continued strength and growth of the American Public Works Association Oklahoma Chapter and the Oklahoma Water Environment Association. Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols welcomed attendees with a warm and appreciative address recognizing the essential contributions and immeasurable value of public works and water professionals to our communities. Water Environment Federation Board of Trustees Representative Kalpna Solanki celebrated each organization’s growth. It emphasized the importance of the professions represented, as well as active involvement in organizations such as OWEA, APWA, and WEF. Eric Lee, director of the City of Tulsa Water and Sewer Department, reminded attendees that innovation can take root in unexpected places and make an impactful difference. Attendees assembled for three days of technical education, professional development, industry demonstrations, networking, and fellowship. Conference programming included 82 speakers, 73 technical sessions, and 50 cumulative hours of technical education presented across five concurrent tracks and 20 topic areas. We extend our deepest gratitude to each presenter who shared their valuable time and expertise, experience, and practical insight with our attendees. The strength of our Joint Technical Conference comes from professionals who are willing to teach, collaborate, exchange ideas, and help advance Oklahoma’s public works and water professions. The Trade Show brought together more than 100 exhibitors, giving attendees the opportunity to explore equipment, technology, products, and services supporting public infrastructure, water, wastewater, stormwater, transportation, and community operations. Thank you to every exhibitor who contributed demonstrations, resources, conversations, and hospitality throughout the event. Golf Tournament and Equipment Road-eo The conference began with the annual Golf Tournament and Equipment Road-eo, giving attendees an opportunity to connect through friendly competition before the technical sessions began.

Recap

WEF Awards The Water Environment Federation (WEF) proudly recognizes excellence across the water sector through its awards for Operations, Safety, Service, and Member Association achievements. These honors celebrate individuals, teams, and organizations that demonstrate outstanding performance in maintaining and optimizing wastewater operations, fostering a culture of safety, delivering exceptional service to communities, and strengthening professional engagement through active association involvement. By highlighting innovation, dedication, and leadership, these awards not only acknowledge superior contributions but also inspire continued advancement and collaboration throughout the water industry. Award Recipients: • William D. Hatfield Award for Operations: Bryan Klinger • George W. Burke Award for Service: Norman WRF • Arthur Sidney Bedell Award for Outstanding Member Association: Amber Wooten • Lab Analyst Award for Outstanding Performance: Jedediah Beloncik • Lifetime Achievement Award: Lou Ann Fisher • Plant of the Year – Category 2: Lower Bird Creek WWTP • Plant of the Year - Category 3: Draper WTP • Operator of the Year: Zane Briggs • Automation, Instrumentation or Electrician of the Year: Keith Horton • Line Maintenance Technician of the Year: Luis Rangle • Maintenance Technician of the Year: Zakari Cook • Emerging Leader Award: Jacob Brumbaugh • Exemplary Employer Award: City of Broken Arrow Annual Water Taste Contest At the 2026 Annual Water Taste Contest, three utilities or treatment plants competed for the honor of producing Oklahoma’s best-tasting water. A panel of judges evaluated each entry, and Oklahoma City was selected as this year’s winner.

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Leadership and Service The conference also marked the beginning of a new year of leadership for OWEA. Crystal Kowalik was sworn in as OWEA president, beginning her term surrounded by the colleagues, volunteers, partners, and members who make the organization strong. The record-setting attendance of more than 625 is both an achievement and a reflection of the commitment found throughout Oklahoma’s public works and water professions. The work may often happen behind the scenes, but its impact is essential. Clean water, reliable wastewater systems, safe infrastructure, and thriving communities depend on the professionals who plan, operate, maintain, improve, and protect these systems every day.

This event is possible because of your time, expertise, generosity, participation, and continued support. Save the Date Make plans to join us for the next APWAOK/OWEA Joint Technical Conference & Trade Show in Norman, Oklahoma: Monday, May 24 to Wednesday, May 26, 2027. We look forward to building on this year’s momentum and welcoming Oklahoma’s public works and water communities back together next May.

Thank You to Our Sponsors The Joint Technical Conference would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors. Their investment helps provide meaningful educational programming, professional networking, industry engagement, and opportunities to support the next generation of public works and water professionals. Platinum Sponsors • Archer Western Contractors • Benham (A Haskell Company) • EI2 • Garney • Haynes • ICM Group • LaneShift • Parkhill • RJN Group, Inc. • Warren CAT

• Ardurra • Carollo • Freese and Nichols • Garver • Hartwell Environmental Corporation • Jacobs • Newman Regency Group • Pulse-bac • STV

Gold Sponsors • BLK, Inc. • CEC • EJ • HDR Engineering, Inc. • PEC • Woolpert

• Burns & McDonnell • Edwards Equipment, LLC • Ferguson Waterworks • Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. • Sherwin Williams

Silver Sponsors • IDEA Group

• Warren Environmental

Bronze Sponsors • ACME Construction of OKC) • OTC Industrial Technologies

• ICM Group • Poe & Associates, Inc.

See you next year!

We extend our sincerest gratitude to every sponsor, exhibitor, presenter, committee member, volunteer, attendee, and partner who helped make the 2026 conference a record-breaking success.

Oklahoma Water Environm

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Oklahoma Water Environm

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ent Asso

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2026 OWEA Award Winners

Recap

ecognizing excellence across Oklahoma’s water community is always a highlight of the year for OWEA and the Awards Committee. The annual conference provided an opportunity to gather and celebrate the plants, operators, maintenance technicians, and industry leaders who continue to do outstanding work across our state. We also presented our annual WEF Member Association (MA) Awards in conjunction with the conference. See the following table for the full roster of award winners this year, both in our OWEA Award categories and the WEF Member Association (MA) categories. Congratulations to all of our award winners! Please also see the upcoming call for nominations for the next award cycle at the end of this article. Bryan Klinger is the William D. Hatfield Award winner. The Hatfield Award is presented to operators of wastewater treatment facilities for outstanding performance and professionalism.

William D. Hatfield Award winner

Award Category

Winner

Plant of the Year- Category 1 (< 1 MGD)

OWEA Awards

Plant of the Year- Category 2 (1-10 MGD)

Lower Bird Creek WWTP

Plant of the Year- Category 3 (> 10 MGD)

Draper WTP

Operator of the Year

Zane Briggs

Automation, Instrumentation, or Electrician of the Year

Keith Horton

Line Maintenance Technician of the Year

Luis Rangle

Maintenance Technician of the Year

Zakari Cook

Emerging Leader Award

Jacob Brumbaugh

Exemplary Employer Award

City of Broken Arrow

Environmental Sustainability Award Jacob Brumbaugh Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers (5S Society)

Cole Niblett (Garver) Timothy Robins Kalpna Solanki (honorary)

WEF Member Association Awards

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William D. Hatfield Award

Bryan Klinger (Ponca City)

Burke Safety Award

Norman WRF

Arthur Sidney Bedell Award

Amber Wooten

Lab Analyst Award

Jedediah Beloncik

Lifetime Achievement Award

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Bryan began his career as a laboratory technician at the Ponca City Wastewater Treatment Plant 29 years ago. He quickly developed a passion for the field, leading him to complete his degree and advance to the role of Laboratory Manager, while also taking on responsibility for managing the facility’s pretreatment program. His diligence and attention to detail in both roles have consistently ensured that DEQ compliance evaluations run smoothly and successfully. Bryan’s long-standing dedication and professionalism exemplify the high standards recognized by the Hatfield Award.

Arthur Sidney Bedell Award winner

George W. Burke Award winner Norman WRF is the George W. Burke Award winner. The Burke Award recognizes excellence in fostering active and effective safety programs within municipal and industrial wastewater facilities. The Norman WRF team exemplifies this commitment through their unwavering dedication to safety and operational excellence each day – even while managing multiple construction projects simultaneously. Their proactive communication and coordination among team members and onsite contractors have ensured a safe working environment for all. Congratulations to the Norman WRF team for setting a high standard of safety. Amber Wooten is the Arthur Sidney Bedell Award winner and Immediate Past President. The Bedell Award is presented for outstanding member association service, and Amber exemplifies its spirit through her dynamic leadership, dedication, and ability to build strong, engaged teams across OWEA. With more than a decade of involvement in OWEA/WEF, she has served in numerous roles, including two terms as Secretary, where she provided valuable insight on Executive Board decisions and helped advance organizational goals. She later transitioned to the Executive Board, where she supported key initiatives such as the development of the Operators Challenge, enhancements to the 22

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PDH/CEU conference experience, and strengthening partnerships. As President, Amber worked tirelessly to advance member engagement, improve communication including revitalizing The Splash newsletter and foster meaningful growth across the organization. Her commitment to OWEA’s mission, vision, and values continues as she steps into the role of Immediate Past President, leaving a lasting positive impact on the organization. Congratulations and thank you, Amber! Jedediah Beloncik received the Lab Analyst Award. The Lab Analyst Award recognizes individuals for outstanding performance, professionalism, and significant contributions to the water quality profession. Jed embodies the spirit of this award by holding high standards for himself and his peers, always pushing to do things correctly and going beyond the call of duty to ensure the best water quality for every citizen. Employed at the City of Broken Arrow’s municipal laboratory, Beloncik has demonstrated innovative analytical techniques and unwavering attention to water safety – ensuring each sample is processed with precision and integrity. According to his peers, Beloncik consistently earns the admiration of the laboratory team and the respect of the broader water-quality community. Congratulations, Jed! RETURN TO CONTENTS

The City of Oklahoma City (Draper Plant) won the 2026 Southwest Section AWWA Water Taste Contest. The Southwest Section of AWWA represents more than 1,000 water professionals across Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. The water taste test continues to showcase the pride our utilities take in water quality, treatment excellence, and customer service. Water samples are evaluated on clarity, aroma, mouthfeel, and overall taste. Congratulations, Oklahoma City!

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Lou Ann Fisher received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes water professionals with an extensive, highly decorated career in the water industry. With over 30 years of experience in the water industry, Lou Ann has been the City of Broken Arrow Water Plant Manager since 2020. Lou Ann also serves on the SWAWWA WIC Committee as Vice Chair and has rotated through several positions in the Region VI Pretreatment Association and on the OWEA Executive Board. Lou Ann’s enduring commitment to ensuring pollutant-free water showcases her leadership and passion for water quality. Her dedication not only elevates the City of Broken Arrow water operations, but she also serves as a role model for her high standards and dedication to producing the best services for every citizen. Congratulations, Lou Ann!

2026 Southwest Section AWWA Water Taste Contest winner

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Call for Nominations Looking forward to next year, we are calling all OWEA members to help us identify those in our industry deserving of acknowledgement. Please submit your nominations for those to be recognized for their outstanding contributions within our organization! As of the publication of this edition of the Splash, we are officially opening the call for nominations for our annual awards. This is your opportunity to highlight individuals and teams who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and leadership over the past year. Please keep an eye out for an OWEA Awards packet (emailed to your inbox) describing the criteria for each award. The award categories are summarized below. Your nominations are crucial in ensuring that all deserving efforts are acknowledged. If you have any questions about who among your colleagues and departments are eligible for these awards, or would like to submit a nomination, please reach out to a member of the awards committee. You can reach Hillary Nickels at hanickels@garverusa.com, Jordan Grace at jgrace@brokenarrowok. gov, Thomas Helvick at tmhelvick@garverusa.com, or Cole Niblett at mcniblett@garverusa.com. The deadline for all nominations is Wednesday, November 18, 2026. Award Categories: • OWEA Chapter Awards (awarded at the January OWEA Awards Luncheon) • Plant of the Year – Category 1 • Plant of the Year – Category 2 • Plant of the Year – Category 3 • Operator of the Year • Automation, Instrumentation, or Electrician of the Year • Line Maintenance Technician of the Year • Maintenance Technician of the Year • Emerging Leader Award • Exemplary Employer Award • Environmental Sustainability Award • WEF Member Association Awards (awarded at the OWEA Spring Technical Conference) • Hatfield Award • Burke Award • Bedell Award • Lifetime Achievement Award Keep an eye out for the OWEA Awards Luncheon Event ‘Save The Date’ in the coming months. Issue 3 2026

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WEF Technical Report

Oklahoma Researchers Advance Produced-Water Reuse Technology to Combat Water Scarcity Dr. Mark Krzmarzick, Professor and Head, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Oklahoma State University, and Sam Stormer, Research Associate II, Institute for Public Policy Research & Analysis (IPPRA), University of Oklahoma

klahoma researchers have developed new ways to clean and reuse water produced during oil and gas drilling. This breakthrough could help protect the state’s water supply and reduce waste from energy production. The research was part of a fiveyear project called Socially Sustainable Solutions for Water, Carbon, and Infrastructure Resilience in Oklahoma (S³OK). University researchers worked with key decision makers and industry leaders like D&B Operating LLC to advance new, practical

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solutions. The team recently shared their findings in a new study titled “Enhancing Water Availability for Agricultural and Oilfield Applications.” As Oklahoma grows, the need for water is expected to rise 33% by 2060. Water use for oil and gas companies is expected to nearly triple by 2060, according to the “2012 Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan.” At the same time, a major challenge of oil and gas production is the handling and disposal of produced water, which is the wastewater byproduct that exits the

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WEF Technical Report

“Researchers from the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Langston University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, the University of Tulsa, East Central University and the Noble Research Institute collaborated on the project.” The S³OK team evaluated several innovative treatment technologies and demonstrated the following benefits for produced-water treatment and reuse: – Reduced-chemical treatment – New methods to treat produced water using fewer chemicals, lowering cost and environmental impact – Rare-earth element recovery – Techniques to extract lanthanum, a rare-earth element, from produced water. This material is used in electronics and could turn waste into a valuable resource. – Bioremediation – Methods to remove dissolved hydrocarbons using microbes to break down pollutants naturally – Next-generation desalination – Showed that membrane distillation can handle produced water at virtually any salinity level when oils, hydrocarbons and other organic materials are removed beforehand 26

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These advances bring produced-water reuse closer to reality. A pilot program focused on agricultural applications and rare-earth element recovery is now being planned. Collaborators are also working to create a Produced Water Consortium in Oklahoma. The Consortium would help advance research and solutions statewide. The multi-institutional S³OK initiative was made possible through significant investment in Oklahoma’s research infrastructure, including a $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation and an additional $4 million from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education through Oklahoma EPSCoR. Researchers from the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Langston University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, the University of Tulsa, East Central University and the Noble Research Institute collaborated on the project.

Dr. Mark Krzmarzick’s research supported the project’s focus on Variable and Marginal Quality Water Supplies (V-MQW), an initiative aimed at addressing Oklahoma’s growing water challenges. Water demand in the state is projected to increase by approximately 600,000 acre-feet per year between 2007 to 2060, while freshwater resources continue to decline due to reservoir sedimentation, groundwater depletion and changing weather patterns. At the same time, volumes of produced water, municipal wastewater and stormwater continue to grow with ongoing energy development and urbanization. In some areas, produced-water disposal has also been linked to increased seismic activity, raising concerns about infrastructure and operational impacts. The challenge is finding a mix of solutions that allow Oklahoma’s diverse array of MQW to be economically treated for beneficial use to address water scarcity related to changing seasonal to subseasonal weather patterns, waste disposal and infrastructure risk while supporting continued energy production and economic growth. Sam Stormer served as the logistical and social science lead on the chapter “Enhancing Water Availability for Agricultural and Oilfield Applications” of the S³OK Framework. His work included meeting design and facilitation, M-SISNet question development and analysis, stakeholder outreach, chapter preparation and a wide range of supporting logistical efforts. RETURN TO CONTENTS

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Issue 3 2026

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National Technical Report

Hold the Salt! Collaborative Solutions for Watershed-Level Salinity Management John Rehring, Carollo Engineers, Inc.

ater utilities across the United States are facing a growing challenge that is difficult to see but increasingly important to manage: salinity. While nutrients, metals, and emerging contaminants often dominate regulatory focus, dissolved salts are an increasingly recognized concern with wide-ranging implications for drinking water, wastewater treatment, agriculture, and long-term water supply planning. In Oklahoma and many western states, salinity is not a new issue. Salinity, commonly measured as total dissolved solids (TDS), represents the concentration of dissolved ions in water, such as chloride, sulfate, sodium, calcium, and magnesium. Longstanding efforts such as the Red River Chloride Control Project and studies like the Upper Red River Basin Study have focused on reducing naturally occurring salt loads and improving downstream water usability. These efforts highlight both the scale of the challenge and the complexity of managing salinity across large, interstate watersheds where sources span multiple jurisdictions. What is changing today is the breadth of the issue. Many utilities are now facing a broader version of this challenge – one that includes not only natural sources but also cumulative impacts from wastewater discharges, irrigation return flows, industrial activity, and increasing water reuse. As communities grow and water supplies become more constrained,

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the same water is used and reused multiple times, gradually increasing the concentration of dissolved salts in the system. UNDERSTANDING SOURCES AND DRIVERS OF SALINITY Salinity originates from a wide range of sources that are distributed throughout a watershed. These include water reclamation facility effluent, residential water softeners, industrial discharges, irrigated agriculture, livestock operations, oil and gas activities, stormwater runoff, and natural geologic conditions. In many basins, no single source dominates; rather, salinity reflects the cumulative effect of many small inputs over time.

Concentrations typically increase as water moves downstream, particularly in basins where return flows are reused for multiple purposes. In semi-arid regions, evaporation further concentrates salts by removing water while leaving dissolved minerals behind. This effect is amplified in systems that rely heavily on reuse or have limited inflows of fresh water to dilute existing concentrations. Understanding these sources – and how they vary spatially and seasonally – is a critical first step in developing effective management strategies. Without a clear picture of where salts are coming from, utilities and regulators are left reacting to outcomes rather than addressing root causes.

Issue 3 2026

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National Technical Report

WHY SALINITY MATTERS Although salinity is often perceived as an aesthetic issue, its impacts extend well beyond taste. Elevated salinity can: • Degrade the taste and acceptability of drinking water. • Accelerate corrosion in pipes, pumps, and distribution systems. • Affect treatment and industrial processes, including scaling and process performance. • Reduce salinity-sensitive crop yields. • Stress aquatic ecosystems and reduce biodiversity. • Increase the cost and complexity of treating water for potable or reuse applications. From a regulatory perspective, some states are beginning to regulate salinity through numeric discharge permit limits for constituents such as chloride and sulfate. In many cases, ambient stream concentrations already approach these limits, leaving little assimilative capacity for additional discharges. This condition can trigger permit requirements that are difficult or costly to meet, even when individual dischargers represent only a fraction of the total salt load. THE CHALLENGE FOR WASTEWATER UTILITIES Unlike many regulated contaminants, salts are not removed or transformed through conventional treatment processes. Instead, they persist and accumulate over time within a watershed. Wastewater utilities sit at the center of this issue because they discharge treated effluent back into receiving waters, yet they have limited control over the sources of salts entering their systems and lack the ability to remove them through typical treatment processes. As a result, utilities facing salinityrelated constraints are often left with two primary options: • Source control and pretreatment This approach focuses on reducing salt inputs before they reach the treatment plant. It may include industrial 30

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pretreatment programs, restrictions on certain discharges, or efforts to reduce contributions such as residential water softeners. While potentially cost-effective, source control can be difficult to implement broadly and may raise concerns related to economic development, customer impacts, or enforceability. • Advanced treatment at the plant Advanced technologies such as reverse osmosis or ion exchange can remove dissolved salts from wastewater. However, these technologies require significant capital investment, increase energy use, and introduce operational complexity. For many utilities, the cost of full-scale implementation is prohibitive. In practice, most utilities facing salinityrelated discharge permit limits will need to consider some combination of these approaches, guided by local conditions and long-term planning objectives. THE “CONCENTRATE PROBLEM” Advanced treatment technologies introduce a well-known challenge: what to do with the concentrated residuals that are produced. Processes like reverse osmosis separate salts from water, creating a brine stream that contains the removed constituents at much higher concentrations. While the treated water may meet reuse or discharge requirements, the brine must still be managed. In inland regions such as Oklahoma, disposal options are limited and often costly. Common approaches include deep well injection, evaporation ponds, or zero liquid discharge systems, each with its own regulatory, environmental, and financial considerations. In many cases, brine management becomes the limiting factor in determining whether advanced treatment is feasible. This reality reinforces the need to think beyond end-of-pipe solutions and consider strategies that reduce salt loads at the source or manage them more effectively at the watershed scale.

A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER, WATERSHED-SCALE CHALLENGE In many ways, salinity is “everybody’s problem.” It is the sum of many individual actions and decisions across a watershed, making it difficult for any single entity to fully address on its own. Effective solutions require collaboration across utilities, regulators, industries, agricultural stakeholders, and researchers. Several regions provide useful examples of how this type of coordination can be structured: • South Platte River Basin (Colorado): A regional stakeholder group is working to coordinate data collection, research, and strategy development to better understand salinity sources and evaluate potential management approaches. • Central Valley (California): The CV-SALTS program provides a formal framework for managing salt and nitrate at the basin scale, combining regulatory requirements with stakeholder-driven planning and implementation. • Red River Basin (Texas/Oklahoma): The Red River Chloride Control Project and basin-scale studies such as the Upper Red River Basin Study demonstrate the importance of addressing salinity at its source and across jurisdictional boundaries, particularly where naturally occurring salt loads play a significant role. Across these efforts, several consistent themes emerge: • Early and sustained stakeholder engagement is critical. • Shared data and transparent analysis build trust. • Solutions must balance technical feasibility, cost, and regional impacts. • Watershed-scale thinking is essential. EMERGING APPROACHES TO SALINITY MANAGEMENT Communities across the country are beginning to apply a set of common strategies to better understand and manage salinity challenges: RETURN TO CONTENTS

National Technical Report

• Source characterization: Identifying where salts originate and how they move through the system. • Collaborative policy development: Aligning regulatory frameworks with practical and achievable solutions. • Integrated water planning: Incorporating salinity considerations into supply, reuse, and infrastructure planning. • Source reduction: Reducing salt inputs through improved practices in residential, industrial, and agricultural settings, drawing directly on the findings of source characterization efforts. • Strategic infrastructure investment: Targeting advanced treatment or regional solutions where they provide the greatest benefit. Through these approaches, utilities and stakeholders are learning to think more holistically about salinity, considering not just regulatory compliance, but long-term sustainability and system performance.

will require new approaches that go beyond traditional treatment plant boundaries. Looking ahead, successful salinity management will depend on continued collaboration, improved data and monitoring, and integrated planning across sectors and jurisdictions. Regulatory frameworks will also need to evolve to

support practical, cost-effective solutions that reflect the shared nature of the challenge. Regional approaches grounded in collaboration, science, and long-term planning will be critical to protecting water quality, maintaining infrastructure, and ensuring reliable water supplies for future generations.

LESSONS FOR UTILITIES As more utilities confront salinity challenges, several key lessons are emerging: • Think regionally, not just locally. • Engage stakeholders early and often. • Evaluate full lifecycle costs, including brine management. • Plan for long-term trends, particularly with increasing reuse. • Recognize and manage tradeoffs, and reaffirm what salinity levels are acceptable for different uses. For utilities in Oklahoma, future salinity management will likely build on existing chloride control efforts while expanding to address the cumulative impacts of municipal, agricultural, and industrial sources across watersheds. LOOKING AHEAD Salinity is not a new problem, but it is an evolving one. As water systems become more interconnected and reuse becomes more common, managing dissolved salts RETURN TO CONTENTS

Issue 3 2026

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In Memoriam

Written by Paul Zachary, Public Works Deputy Director, City of Tulsa and presented to the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority in memory of Bob Shelton. Bob worked for the City for 26 years and retired in 2017.

Robert “Bob” Shelton

Bob Shelton passed away on May 5, 2026, and his funeral was held on Saturday, May 9, 2026. I had the privilege of working with Bob for a couple of decades. I would like to read something about him: Bob developed an unexpected but genuine affinity for the wastewater field, bringing with him a strong foundation from his earlier career in oil field exploration and logging services. When opportunities for advancement arose, Bob never hesitated to invest in himself and in the work. Long after completing college, he studied diligently and successfully sat for both the Fundamentals and the Professional Engineering exams – a testament to his determination, work ethic, and commitment to excellence. Bob’s nature and approach to people made him invaluable, especially when dealing with administrative orders that had gone unaddressed. He had a calm, straightforward, and sincere way of engaging, which helped defuse difficult situations and build trust. Over time, he developed strong, professional relationships with OWRB and ODEQ regulators and staff. Bob embraced his role wholeheartedly, and through his honesty and steady presence, he became an ambassador for the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority. The relationships he cultivated with state officials – those who reviewed TMUA’s responses to administrative and consent orders – were instrumental in our success with regulatory agencies. Bob set the tone for how to engage respectfully, navigate complex issues, and mitigate confrontation while always representing the City with integrity. He was conscientious of his coworkers, respectful of those he worked alongside, and deeply committed to the welfare of the entire team. Bob excelled in his contribution to comprehensive plans for our wastewater infrastructure, and his representation of TMUA before the OWRB Board for loans and grant programs consistently served us well. His professionalism earned him the respect of peers, managers, consultants, contractors, and regulators alike. Bob was, in every sense, a valued member of the City of Tulsa team. His legacy lives on in the relationships he built, the standards he set, and the example he left for all of us. .

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Bringing water and wastewater innovation to Oklahoma. From treatment to reuse, we’ve specialized for 46 years in cutting-edge planning, design and construction managment. Count on us for support through the full project life cycle.

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Upcoming Local Events/ Conferences in OWEA 21 AUGUST

OWEA Executive Board and Committee Retreat Oklahoma City, OK

Upcoming WEF Events 26

WEFTEC 2026

UNC Water & Health Conference

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

New Orleans, LA

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Our concern for the environment is more than just talk We are committed to publishing the magazine in the most environmentally-friendly process possible. So enjoy this magazine... and keep thinking green.

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Advertiser Product & Service Center

The Splash is made possible by the companies below who convey their important messages on our pages. We thank them for their support of OWEA and its publication and encourage you to contact them when making your purchasing decisions. To make it easier to contact these companies, we have included the page number of their advertisement, their phone number, and, where applicable, their website.

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