The Wave | Summer 2018

IN THIS ISSUE Donald J. Tata Engineering Scholarship winners announced page 3

Two Glass-Fused-ToSteel Water Storage Tanks Installed page 6

Wave

Unsurpassed Solutions in the Water Environment

The

PFAS - Emerging Contaminants in Drinking Water page 5

A quarterly news publication

Summer 2018

www.tataandhoward.com

Donald Tata Honored Posthumously WATER FOR PEOPLE PRESENTS THE KENNETH J. MILLER AWARD

Donald Tata was posthumously awarded the Kenneth J. Miller Founders Award presented by Water For People, a non-profit organization promoting the development of high-quality drinking water and sanitation services throughout the world. The ceremony took place on June 12, 2018 at the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Annual Conference and Expo (ACE18) held at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Karen M. Gracey, P.E., and Jenna W. Rzasa, P.E., Co-Presidents with Tata & Howard, accepted the award on Donald Tata’s behalf.

“Don dedicated his career to improving the environment and he was particularly moved by Water For People’s efforts in bringing clean water to those in need,” Karen said. “He would be humbled by this nomination especially by an organization that meant so much to him.”

This year, Water For People expanded the Miller Award to include Workplace Giving Champions for which Don was recognized as a leader in the support of raising awareness to those in need of access to clean water.

Don Tata, who sadly passed away in 2017, was passionate about the Karen Gracey, P.E. and Jenna Rzasa, P.E. accepted the award on environment and compassionate about the plight of those living Don Tata's behalf at the AWWA Annual Conference in Las Vegas. in poverty without access to clean drinking water. He immediately supported the cause of Water For People when he was introduced to the organization through AWWA. Through Don’s fundraising efforts, Water For People has received over $66,000 since 2005.

Don not only supported the Water For People organization individually, he also shared his passionate support with the employees of the firm he co-founded, Tata & Howard, Inc. Employees continue to support Water For People through a payroll deduction program, which Don initiated. At the end of each year, the company matches the employee’s donations. (continued on page 2)

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Kenneth J. Miller Award (continued from page 1)

Tata & Howard

Employee News Recent Promotions We are pleased to announce Matt Morganelli and Phil MacClellan have been promoted to Project Engineer. Both recently passed their P.E. Examinations and have proven to be valuable members of the water treatment teams.

Phil has demonstrated strong technical expertise and played a vital role on the success of many projects in Falmouth, Rowley, Georgetown, and several other communities.

Phil MacClellan, P.E.

Matt Morganelli, P.E.

Carmen Perkins

James Hoyt has been promoted to Project Manager.

James manages the design James Hoyt, P.E. and construction services of several wastewater projects including the BPR Meadow Walk WWTF nearing completion.

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His family, friends and colleagues were all profoundly impacted by his death in 2017, and even then, during that most difficult time, his family asked people to donate to Water for People in his memory in lieu of flowers.

His friends and associates did and donated over $4,500.

Don is greatly missed by all who knew him, and Tata & Howard is committed to continuing his legacy and support of Water for People.

CT DEEP Stream Flow Classifications Update

Matt has been working on the design and construction of new Water Treatment Facilities in Shrewsbury, MA and in Barnstable, MA. Carmen Perkins was recently promoted to Staff Accountant. Her exceptional organizational skills and her increased accounting responsibilities will be a great asset for the finance team.

Employees also participate in friendly competitions throughout the year to increase awareness and raise funds in continued support for Water for People. Don was also responsible for scheduling time at company meetings to have representatives from Water For People update employees with information on the countries and people directly affected by their contributions.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) finalized the Stream Flow Classifications for the Connecticut River Basin in February 2018. With the completion of this basin, classification of streams per the requirements of the 2011 Stream Flow Standards and Regulations is more than two thirds complete. The remaining Housatonic, Hudson, and Southwest Coastal River Basins are anticipated to be classified later this year.

Once classified, dam owners and operators in the State Stream Flow Classifications were finalized for Connecticut River Basin in February 2018. have 10-years to comply with the new Stream Flow Standards in accordance with the new regulations. Although the regulations contain some exemptions, most dam operators will be required to increase their minimum releases, and the amount will vary based on the time of year and climatic conditions. Dam owners should consider planning for modifications to blow-off and release structures to control and measure the releases.

Many blow-off facilities are designed to lower a reservoir for long-term repairs or maintenance and may not be able to accommodate the releases anticipated under the regulations. Public water suppliers can expect a significant decrease in safe yield due to the increased releases required by the regulations. Tata & Howard can help operators understand the release requirements, impact on safe yield and help plan for any needed improvements to their dams.

USDA Awards Rural Towns with Infrastructure Funding The small towns of Fairlee, Vermont and Stewartstown, New Hampshire will receive funding of $3.6 million and $878,000 respectively, from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The funding is part of a $256 million investment for 81 projects in 35 states to improve the water and wastewater infrastructure in rural areas. Tata & Howard is assisting both Fairlee and Stewartstown with improving the water distribution and wastewater systems in these communities.

The Town of Fairlee will use the funds to repair and update the water distribution system for 341 users. To comply with both State and Federal requirements for public water systems, the aging distribution system was evaluated by Tata & Howard, with recommendations to replace the water tank with a new tank, replace water mains, and install water meters. The water main replacement and upgrades will exchange old A 265,000 gallon municipal water tank, on top of Bald Top Road in undersized mains with Fairlee,VT needs to be replaced after only 12 years of use. larger ones. In addition, source water quality issues will be addressed with the construction of a water filtration system to remove manganese and iron.

The town received a 45% grant and a 55% low interest loan.

In New Hampshire, the Town of Stewartstown will invest its funding to replace two deteriorating and failing wastewater pump stations. The system which serves the equivalent of 319 residential users including the town jail, and a large county nursing home, has had several main pump failures causing raw sewage to overflow into a neighboring field. Due to the pump station breakdowns, the Town has been cited with discharge violations from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services for the raw sewage contamination into the adjacent Connecticut River. The USDA funding will also address the health and safety issues associated with the wastewater system.

Tata & Howard

Philanthropy Engineering Scholarship Winners Announced Graduating seniors from Marlborough High School, Igor De Moraes and Amanda Vilensky; and seniors from Natick High School, Kevin Zheng and Rebecca McCue, each received a $1,000 Donald J. Tata Engineering scholarship sponsored by Tata & Howard and the Tata family.

This annual scholarship instituted in memory of Don Tata, P.E., is presented to a graduating Marlborough High School senior who will attend a four-year college or university to pursue a degree in engineering.

This year for the first time, the scholarship was expanded to include a Natick High School senior, Don’s hometown for over 30-years. “As future engineers, it is so exciting to imagine what these promising young individuals will accomplish in their careers," said Karen L. Gracey, P.E., Co-President of Tata & Howard.

In 2017, Tata & Howard performed a preliminary engineering evaluation of the Stewartstown wastewater pumping station, which received a $28,000 grant from the Rural Development Special Evaluation Assistance for Communities and Households (SEARCH).

These scheduled infrastructure upgrades and funding will significantly improve the efficiency and safety of the water distribution and wastewater systems to these communities. Over 600 users will benefit from the USDA investments that would otherwise cause financial burdens for these rural towns.

Natick HS graduate Kevin Zheng receives his scholarship check.

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Emerging Contaminants in Drinking Water - PFAS Tata & Howard

Employee News New Team Members Kasey Kenyon joined Tata & Howard in March as an Engineer. She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and received her BS in Environmental Engineering.

Kasey gained experience testing drinking water and wastewater as a Water Quality Apprentice and is very familiar Kasey Kenyon, Engineer with EPA and NHDES standards.

After a summer internship last year, Justin Waters has returned in his new role as an Engineer. Justin graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute this spring with a degree in Environmental En- Justin Waters, Engineer gineering and is currently assisting our Water and Stormwater teams.

Joshua Wos joined our Waterbury, CT team as an Engineering Technician. Joshua earned his degree from Florence-Darlington Technical College in South Carolina and recently moved to New England to be closer to family.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announced in early June, and through the Office of Research and Standards (ORS), its recommendations on the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR 3) for emerging contaminants-specifically Perflourinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS).

PFAS or Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a group of man-made compounds that include perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perffluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perflouroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS).

According the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all these UCMR 3 PFAS compounds have been detected in public water supplies across the US. Since PFAS are considered emerging contaminants, there are currently no established regulatory limits for levels in drinking water. However, in 2016, the EPA set Health Advisory levels (HA) of 0.07 micrograms per liter (μg/L) or 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for the combined concentrations of two PFAS compounds, PFOS and PFOA. MassDEP’s ORS established drinking water guidelines that follows the EPA’s recommendations for health advisory levels at 70 ppt, which applies to the sum total of five PFAS chemicals – PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHXS, and PFHpA. And, if the level of contamination poses unacceptable health risks to its customers, Public Water Systems (PWS) must take action to achieve safe levels. They also must provide public notice.

The EPA and MassDEP’s recommended guidelines for PFAS include: •

PWS take immediate action to reduce levels of the five PFAS to be below 70 ppt for all consumers.

•

Susceptible health-risk groups (pregnant women, infants, and nursing mothers) should stop consuming water when the level is above 70 ppt.

•

Public Water Systems must provide a public Health Advisory notice.

The EPA also recommends that treatment be implemented for all five PFAS when one or more of these compounds are present.

Joshua Wos, Engineering Technician

While most states are relying on the EPA’s Health Advisory levels (including Massachusetts), some, such as Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, Arizona, and Colorado have addressed other UCMR 3 PFAS pollutants as well. (continued on page 5)

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PFAS - Emerging Contaminants

(continued from page 4)

Most research on the effects Hydrological Units With Detectable PFAS of PFAS on human health is based on animal studies. And, although there is no conclusive evidence that PFAS cause cancer, animal studies have shown there are possible links.

However, PFAS ill-health effects DETECTED NOT DETECTED are associated with changes NO DATA in thyroid, kidney and liver function, as well as affects to the immune system. These chemicals have also caused fetal development effects during pregnancy and low birth weights.

PFAS are found at low levels throughout our environment—in foods we consume and in household products we use daily. PFAS in drinking water at levels higher than the EPA’s recommendations does not necessarily mean health risks are likely. Routine showering and bathing are not considered significant sources of exposure. And, while it is nearly impossible to eliminate all exposure to these chemicals, the risk for adverse health effects would likely be of concern if an individual continuously consumed higher levels of PFAS than the guidelines established by the EPA’s Health Advisory.

As more information and regulations develop on this emerging contaminant, MassDEP will continue to communicate their findings. Tata & Howard is also available for any questions that may arise, as well as, assist with testing and recommend treatment options for our clients.

General Permit for MS4 Goes into Effect July 1st After a one-year postponement, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2016 Massachusetts Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit will go into effect on July 1, 2018.

Massachusetts municipalities will have 90-days to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) for coverage under the permit.

Key dates for MS4 compliance: •

July 1, 2018: Revised MS4 Permit effective date

•

September 29, 2018: Notice of Intent to apply for coverage

Source: Environmental Science & Technology Letters

MassDEP is continuing its research and testing for PFAS in Public Water Systems. Large Public Drinking Water Systems have already been tested and sampling indicated that approximately 3% had levels of PFAS detected. MassDEP is currently working with smaller Public Water Systems to identify areas where PFAS may have been used or discharged to the environment.

Recently Awarded

Contracts A few samples of recently awarded contracts:

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Falmouth, MA Design of the media replacement and rehabilitation of the existing greensand pressure filters at the Crooked Pond WTP.

Winchester, NH Preliminary engineering report for a new storage tank and water rate study.

West Bridgewater, MA Evaluation of available public lands for alternative water supply sites for the Town of West Bridgewater. Water distribution system Hydraulic Model update, calibration, and Unidirectional Flushing (UDF).

Meriden, CT Meriden West Main Street Bridge Construction Administration to relocate 16-inch and 24-inch water mains to new a utility bridge.

New Britain, CT Stanley Quarter Park Dam Renovations Design thru bidding services for renovations to the 1924 stone masonry spillway, bridge and earth embankment dam.

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Auburn Water District Installs New Water Storage Tanks Tata & Howard

Employee News Summer Interns

We are pleased to have several interns working at Tata & Howard over the next few months. These college students are gaining valuable new skills and experience during their summer school break.

Martin Gilmartin is working at our St. Johnsbury, VT office. He is attending Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ and is majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

Melissa Galgano is attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute, studying Environmental Engineering. Melissa is working at our Marlborough, MA office.

Tatiana Prevella is entering her senior year this fall at the University of Connecticut majoring in Civil Engineering. Tatiana is based at our Waterbury, CT office.

Marlee Newman is working at our Marlborough, MA office and attends Villanova University.

She is majoring in Environmental & Civil Engineering.

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Tata & Howard recently provided engineering design, bidding, and construction services for the construction of two (2) new 600,000-gallon capacity glass-fused-to-steel water storage tanks (Tank #1 and Tank #2) for the Auburn Water District in Auburn, Massachusetts.

The project also included site improvements, installation of approximately 200 linear feet of 12inch diameter ductile iron water main, new chain link fence, electrical work, a mixing system in each tank, and SCADA improvements. The two new tanks replaced an existing 56-foot high by 50-foot diameter 1,000,000-gallon capacity welded steel tank at the site, built in 1957. The existing tank was The decommissioned welded steel tank, built in 1957. demolished as part of the construction contract.

The District’s decision to proceed with construction of two (2) new 600,000-gallon capacity tanks at the Leicester Street site to replace the existing 1,000,000-gallon capacity tank provides redundancy within the water distribution system, and in particular within the District’s low-pressure zone.

This allows the District to take one tank off-line in the event of an emergency or for the purposes of inspection, cleaning, repairs, etc. The 600,000-gallon capacity of each new tank is sufficient volume for one tank to adequately service the District’s low-pressure zone, if required.

Auburn Water District's two (2) new 600,000-gallon capacity glass-fused-to-steel water storage tanks.

Tank #1 was put into service in late March of 2018. Once Tank #1 was in service, the existing welded steel tank could be taken out of service and decommissioned. Tank #2 was constructed following demolition of the existing tank and put into service in late June of 2018.

The general contractor for the project was Statewide Aquastore, Inc. of East Syracuse, NY.

Ten Years of Infrastructure Improvements Nears Completion In 2007, Wiscasset, a rural coastal town in Maine, embarked on a longawaited infrastructure improvement program to replace the Town’s century-old waterlines. The Wiscasset Water District (WWD), engaged Tata & Howard’s services in 2010, to prepare a Capital Efficiency Plan™ (CEP), to identify areas to the Town’s water distribution system needing rehabilitation, repair, and/or replacement.

The Capital Efficiency Plan™ report which included hydraulic modeling, system criticality, and an asset management plan, provided the Utility with a database and Geographic Information System (GIS) representation for each pipe segment within their underground piping system. The CEP report also prioritized the water distribution system piping improvements and provided estimated costs to replace or rehabilitate the water mains.

In response to the CEP™ findings, the Wiscasset Water District retained the services of Tata & Howard, to perform design, bidding, construction administration, and resident project representation services for a series of water main projects.

Phased over 10 years, the plan included replacing 33,150 feet of T&H Resident Project Representative Randy Webber and Nitram Excavating Kenny Reid, replacing water mains in Wiscasset, ME. 12-inch and 8-inch piping, installation of a water storage tank mixer, SCADA upgrades, and office landscaping improvements.

This summer, the final phase of water main replacements is scheduled to be completed and will fulfill all the Priority I water main improvements identified in the 2010 CEP™ report. The projects were funded in part by a combination of USDA Rural Development grants (6 total) and loans (7 total), as well as coordination with the Maine Department of Transportation and Rural Development.

With the water main improvements nearing completion, the Wiscasset Water District has retained Tata & Howard to reevaluate its 2010 Capital Efficiency Plan™. The revised plan will update the water main inventory database, and review additional recommended water distribution improvements.

Under

Construction A few samples of projects currently under construction:

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Saxton River, VT Upgrades to the WWTF in Saxtons River, VT is underway, including the replacement of the existing oxidation ditch with SBR’s and the construction of a new headworks/ treatment facility building.

Marlborough, MA Construction Administration and Resident Observation for the replacement of approximately 1,200 lead service connections is underway and will continue throughout the summer.

Newton, MA Design, engineering and Construction Administration services for the PCCP air release valve replacement project has started on Summer Street and Langley Road.

Avon, MA

Construction Administration and Resident Project Representation for approximately 13,000 linear feet of water main replacement in the Town of Avon’s Brentwood area.

Cotuit Water Department, MA Design and Construction Administration services has begun for new chemical feed upgrades at five well pumping stations.

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67 Forest Street Marlborough, MA 01752 T: 508-303-9400 F: 508-449-9400

www.tataandhoward.com

Meadow Walk WWTF Begins Final Testing Stage The Meadow Walk Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) project is entering the final testing stage of construction.

The facility consists of a 90,000 gpd Membrane Bioreactor plant designed to treat wastewater to the highest standards including reduction of Total Nitrogen to less than 5 mg/L. The WWTF will serve a mixed-use development on Route 20 in Sudbury, MA. The project is the product of a successful partnership between Tata & Howard, National Development, Avalon Bay, and Cranshaw Construction.

Commissioning the facility and processing wastewater is scheduled for this summer.

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