TXH20 Summer"17

TEX Sh2o

| Summer 2017 |



The Official Newsletter of the Texas Section AWWA | Every Drop, Every Day, Everywhere©

Levels Decline in the Ogallala What it Means for West Texas | Page 3

Be Part of Texas Water 2018!

How to Submit a Conference Abstract | Page 9

Customer Service Workshop | Calendar | And More!

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| usgs study |

USGS Report Shows Decline in Ogallala Aquifer Levels

BY CLIFF AVERY texas h2o editor

A

U.S. Geological Survey report released June 1 shows that, by 2015, water levels in the Ogallala Aquifer had dropped an average of 15.6 feet since irrigation became a common practice, around 1950.

During the same period, water levels in the Texas portion of the aquifer (the western and northern Panhandle of the state), dropped an average 41.1 feet.

In the 2013-2015 period, the aquifer—which covers parts of eight states—dropped an average 0.6 feet; in Texas during the same period, the average drop was 1.5 feet.

The Ogallala Aquifer underlies about 175,000 square miles in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Despite the declines, there was good news. The amount of recoverable water in storage in the Ogallala was about 2.91 billion acre-­feet, a decline of only 9 percent in the 65 years since irrigation became commonplace.

The decline in storage for 2013-­ 2015, the focus of the USGS study, was 10.7 million acre-­feet— about 30 percent of the decline reported in the previous study that covered 2011-­ 2013.

Most Texans involved in water High Plains aquifer water-level changes, predevelopment (about 1950) to 2015.

CONTINUED PAGE 24 | usgs

West Texas Affected By Declining Water Levels The USGS study released in June shows that Texas is a major user of water in the Ogallala Aquifer.

The report showed a total 273.2 million acre-feet decline in recoverable water in the aquifer from "predevelopment" (about 1950) to 2015. Texas accounted for 157.6 million acre-feet—57.6 percent of the total.

Part of the reason is size. Of the eight states that are above the Ogallala, Texas covers a larger portion than most others.

And Texas is on the southern end of the aquifer.

Dr. Chuck West of Texas Tech’s Department of Plant and Soil Science notes that the sun’s rays are more direct and temperatures are higher this far south.

Those forces cause high evaporation and increase water demand. A longer growing season means there’s more time to irrigate.

"You go to Nebraska, and things are different," West said.

West is also director of the Texas Alliance for Water Conservation associated with the Plant and Soil Science department.

He pointed out that parts of the South Plains and Panhandle that were "fairly well endowed" with water were densely drilled, allowing an abundance of irrigation.

"It’s a favorable area to drill a lot of wells," he said. "When you have so much demand by crops, [irrigators] are going to pull the water down faster."

CONTINUED PAGE 24 | west texas

www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o SUMMER 2017 | 3 |

| letter from the texas section chair |

The Benefits of Volunteering Texas Section American Water Works Association P.O. Box 80150 Austin, Texas 78708 www.tawwa.org Bruce Curtis, Chair 972-602-1001 Ron Tamada, Chair-Elect 817-493-5100 Elston Johnson, Vice-Chair 512-809-7552 Daniel Nix, Imm. Past Chair 940-691-1153 Mike Howe Executive Director/Secretary-Treasurer 512-238-9292 Fax: 512-238-0496 mikehowe@tawwa.org This publication is distributed bi-monthly to the more than 3,500 members and friends of the Texas Section – American Water Works Association.

Contributing writers can contact the editor: Cliff Avery GCP Association Services PO Box 676 Pflugerville, TX 78691 512-251-8101 Fax: 512-251-8152 texwater@texas.net The publication name, TexasH2O: © 1996-2017 Texas Section – American Water Works Association, Inc. © 2017 Texas Section – American Water Works Association, Inc.

FOLLOW TAWWA ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!

Texas AWWA

@txawwa

BY BRUCE CURTIS texas section chair

M

y fellow Texas AWWA section members, did you know that AWWA has well over 50,000 members? Also, were you aware that other than the approximately 150 direct executive staff and administrative personnel that are located at the Denver headquarters or in the Government Affairs office located in Washington, D.C., the association is literally held together through the efforts of its volunteers?

BRUCE CURTIS From the AWWA executive board and 972-602-1001 throughout the association’s numerous executive brucec@ebaa.com councils, these positions are solely filled by fellow AWWA members who are strictly volunteers.

Each volunteer is devoting their time, efforts and passion for the waterworks industry and to the association in order to contribute and make a positive impact for others. For myself, as a member of AWWA for more than 35 years, it continually amazes me with how well the association functions primarily through the spirit of volunteerism. If you’re in need of some inspiration on the spirit of volunteerism, read the recently published AWWA Connections article (dated 7/5/2017) on "Volunteer of the Year: Chuck Van Der Kolk." Chuck was cited as AWWA’s volunteer of the year from the more than 4,300 volunteers who contribute to the ongoing success of our association. Here is the link to the article found on the AWWA website: https://www.awwa.org/publications/connections.aspx.

Even on a section level, the Texas AWWA section represents more than 3,500 members statewide and is held together primarily by one directly employed person (Mike Howe, Executive Director) and a handful of executive board members.

But even more importantly at CONTINUED PAGE 30 | letter from the texas section chair

| 4 | SUMMER 2017 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org

| executive director report |

IT (Not I.T.)

BY MIKE HOWE tawwa executive director

R

ecently I was called by a reporter to give some comments about the big-picture perspective on infrastructure replacement. The call was about a utility’s need to replace an aging pump station after nearly 70 years of service. My responses to the questions centered around overall infrastructure replacement issues, the costs and also about how a well-maintained system could last 50 and even significantly more years with a proper maintenance or asset management program. When I got off the phone, it was about three hours later when the major newspaper published the story and I had an opportunity to read the story and my quotes.

It was a good story, fully explaining the issue and I was quoted accurately. Good solid journalism.

But in the context of a story, seeing my remarks in relation to the full story, I realized a couple of interesting things. I first noted that I breezily went through the idea that utility assets can last for many years and provide continuous service. I realized that 50-plus years means, in the context of a ratepayer, that this pump station was put in place before I was born, and was finally in need of replacement when my children are having children.

For that nearly 70-years, that pump station had been

supplying water to an evergrowing community and has served as a critical piece of the economy of this very large city. And now, it needed replacement. But if that pump station cost $50,000 in 1950, it would take more than $850,000 to MIKE HOWE replace in now. At a minimum.

512-238-9292 mikehowe@tawwa.org It was at that moment I realized that what I know and you know about infrastructure and how important IT is to our community can be virtually ignored by ratepayers and taxpayers. Think about IT. IT was there when I was born, IT was there when my children were born and from any way you look at it, IT will always be there. IT is ubiquitous. IT will always be there. Until IT is not.

You know it, and I know it, but ratepayers don’t know it. You as water professionals have lived with IT for years, been part of maintaining IT and making sure that the full value-and-then-some of this or any piece of our critical water infrastructure has been realized.

And, then finally it just makes sense to stop doing maintenance and replace.

The struggle is and will continue to be making the ratepayers understand that IT has literally worn out, and IT must be replaced. Because IT has always been there, and because those who came before you and the current utility operations have quietly and successfully extracted every bit of service and value out of IT over the years, it is harder to communicate that collectively, as a community whose entire lifestyle and economy depends on the flow of water 24/7, it is time CONTINUED PAGE 26 | executive director report

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| tw18 abstracts |

Submit an Abstract for Texas Water 2018TM!

BY CLAY AVERY texas water abstract submission contact

Q

uick question: what’s your favorite part of the Texas Water Conference? I know, there are plenty of options to choose from. Maybe it’s the competitions, such as Pipe Tapping, Meter Madness, the recently-added Hydrant Hysteria or the Top Ops quiz show. Perhaps you’re partial to the trade show that gives you the chance to meet with vendors and discover the latest products and services from an exhibit hall that has grown to accommodate more than 500 booths. Maybe you enjoy one or more of the ever-expanding list of conference activities, such as the Dodson’s Drive Fun Run, the Curtis Smalley Environmental Event or the Gloyna Breakfast. If you’re a golf fanatic, this was probably a very easy question.

We constantly remind you that Texas Water is "The Largest Regional Water Show in the Nation" (and truth be told, given the conference’s growth, it remains to be seen how long the "regional" distinction will be a necessary qualifier). At the core of this massive conference is the Technical Program. It’s the underlying purpose that truly brings water professionals from across the state, country and even world together every April. The strength of the technical sessions— the chance for water professionals to spread new information, techniques and strategies amongst their

colleagues—is what makes Texas Water the can’t-miss event that it is.

But those sessions are only as strong as you, the water professional in the field, make them. Your willingness to share your knowledge and expertise with others is what drives the program forward. We’re asking you to step up, to share your work. It’s that time of the year to submit an abstract for presentation at Texas Water 2018TM. We want this year’s conference in San Antonio to raise the bar yet again for our Technical Program and we’re asking you to be a part of that effort. The rest of this article is going to briefly walk you through the process for submitting an abstract to our Texas Water Program Committee, which will allow us to consider you for inclusion in the Texas Water 2018TM Technical Program.

1. The first step in the process is to access the abstract submission form (this is assuming you’ve already formulated and refined your proposal).

The form can be found through a link on the Texas Water homepage (www.txwater.org) or by going directly to www.txwater.org/abstract_submission. cfm. Make sure to read the brief instructions and CONTINUED PAGE 18 | tw18 abstracts

www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o SUMMER 2017 | 9 |

| txwarn |

Join TXWARN Today!

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XWARN, the Texas Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network, is a free utility-to-utility mutual aid network. When service interruption strikes a utility or multiple utilities, we reach out to our statewide membership in order to find the resources that will get things back up and running. Your membership is free and there is never any obligation to respond to an incident.

If you aren't already a member, visit www.txwarn.org and click the "Register" link at the top right corner of the homepage to join.

Once you register, you'll be able to sign up for training events, utilize resources and should you ever need assistance, reach out to TXWARN via phone, email or by filling out the online STAR form at the "Request Assistance" link on the homepage. There is no cost and never any obligation. TXWARN is just one more important tool in increasing your ability to recover from major system outages.

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| 10 | SUMMER 2017 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org

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| teea awards |

2018 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards

T

he submission process for the 2018 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards is open.

The Texas Environmental Excellence Awards is an annual awards program that honors achievements in environmental preservation and protection. There are nine diverse award categories that provide citizens, communities, businesses and organizations an opportunity to obtain the state’s highest environmental honor and be recognized for their environmental projects. Those categories are: Agriculture, Civic/Community, Education, Individual, Innovative Operations/Management, Pollution

Prevention, Technical/Technology, Water Conservation and Youth. For more information and to apply, visit www.teea.org. The deadline to enter is Sept. 29.

Since 1993, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has honored more than 250 successful environmental projects and efforts. By honoring these winners, the TCEQ hopes to encourage others to initiate like-minded projects and reinforce a spirit of environmental stewardship.

www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o SUMMER 2017 | 13 |

| customer service workshop |

TAWWA Customer Service Workshop 2017

J

oin TAWWA for its annual Customer Service Workshop, Oct. 12 and 13 in Corpus Christi.

Customer Service Continuing Education hours have been requested. The workshop is $150; checks and credit cards are accepted.

The workshop will feature three breakout workshop sessions, guest speakers, open forum discussions and games and door prizes. Registration includes breakfast and lunch on October 12 and breakfast on October 13.

The workshop will be held at the Omni Hotel, 900 N. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi, 78401.

To register, for more information and to see the workshop agenda and to book your hotel room, go to www.tawwa.org. For questions, please contact Gina Hickman at 817-788-7037.

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| ace 2017 |

ACE 2017 Highlights

Clockwise from top left: Texas AWWA representatives Donna Howe, Daniel Nix, Bruce Curtis, Bill Smith, Christianne Castleberry, Ron Tamada, Elston Johnson and David Scholler at ACE, held June 11-14 in Philadelphia ● Texas Section member Katie McCain with incoming AWWA President Brenda Lennox ● Christianne Castleberry receives the Texas Section Education Award at ACE, pictured with AWWA CEO David LaFrance, TAWWA Chair Bruce Curtis, Daniel Nix, Elston Johnson and outgoing AWWA President Jeanne Bennett-Bailey ● Christianne Castleberry accepts the Fuller Award at ACE, pictured with AWWA CEO David LaFrance and outgoing AWWA President Jeanne Bennett-Bailey ● Outgoing Texas Section Director David Scholler is recognized for his time spent as an AWWA director, pictured with outgoing AWWA President Jeanne Bennett-Bailey, incoming Texas Section Director Bill Smith and AWWA CEO David LaFrance.

www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o SUMMER 2017 | 17 |

| tw18 abstracts |

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 | tw18 abstracts introductory information, including the "Abstract Guidelines," before clicking the "Start" button.

2. The next step in the process is utilizing the "Search" function. This is designed to save you some time when filling out your contact information. Enter your first or last name, your company OR your

email address. You should only fill out one of those fields or the search engine will not function properly.

After clicking "Search" you should be presented with some options. If the system has located you from a previous Texas Water database, you may select that entry and click "Start." If the system doesn’t find a match, that’s ok—simply click "New Registration" to begin your submission. NOTE: Your name may appear multiple times if you’re in the database more than once. If this is the case, pick any one you’d like, but be sure to always choose that same option if you’re submitting multiple abstracts.

3. At this point you should be in the system. If you found yourself in the database, you should have some of your contact info filled in. Otherwise, fill out any required items (as noted in red.) Assuming you’re the Primary Contact (i.e. the first person CONTINUED PAGE 20 | tw18 abstracts

| 18 | SUMMER 2017 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org

| tw18 abstracts |

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 | tw18 abstracts

filling out the form and not a "Co-Author"), the email address you input here will be the contact point for communication regarding your abstract. You’ll SAVE! We have a crew in then need to provide a short bio and some information regarding your YOUR AREA! experience as a presenter. This information will be used in evaluating your Repair New & Used Tanks Inspections In Service Relocation Elevated Wet abstract. You’ll also need to tell us if you’ll be participating in the presentaCleaning Erection Underground Dry Paint tion, should the abstract be selected. This helps us out around conference Dismantles Ground ROV Insulation planning time.

ROV inspections can be viewed on TV console During inspection & DVD provided. All inspections 4. Next is the task of submitting the actual abstract—the "meat" of your proInclude bound reports, recommendations, and cost estimates. posal. Most of it is self-explanatory. The Abstract Body needs to be pasted Patrick Heltsley Don Johnston or entered in typed format (sorry, we can’t do graphs or other images).

(270) 826-9000 x 4601 (270) 826-9000 x 1001 You’ll have a chance to briefly summarize your abstract, so make sure to 270-748-1325 (270) 748-1343 have your "elevator pitch" ready. www.watertank.com 5. You will also be confronted with a question about how your presentation would assist water/wastewater Registration Opens June 1, 2017 operators in the performance of their duties. This question helps when we’re applying to TCEQ to have the sessions accredited for operator continuing education hours. Some sessions/tracks aren’t necessarily geared toward operators training, and you should enter N/A if that’s the case for your abstract.

6. You will be asked whether 3 3 R D A N N U A L • S E P T E M B E R 2 6 - 2 8 , 2 0 1 7 ALL UNDER you’re willing to prepare a poster presentation should your abstract ONE ROOF • Over 300 exhibitors in a not be chosen for a live session R E G I S T R AT I O N regiment of their own at the conference. While this • Over 200 classes with information is not used in your new recruits and highly trained experts abstract’s evaluation, it’s highly • Special tours and add-on recommended that you click "yes." workshops for new trainees This is not a firm commitment and experienced veterans on your part to prepare a poster • Up to 21 contact hours available for your (nor should it be interpreted as an squad’s battlefield tactics offer to do so from the Program Committee), but the Poster Session at Texas Water has become strong over the past years and it’s Value Priced, spacious hotel rooms On-Site $90 per night • 13 Restaurants On-Site • always good to leave the option (Group Code: TRI0924) open.

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| 20 | SUMMER 2017 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org

| tw18 abstracts | swift program| |

at Texas Water to which you feel your session would belong. Each topic has a Review Committee of experienced water professionals who are familiar with that subject area. Those committees review the abstracts and offer evaluations. You can make up to two selections this year. Choose carefully—sometimes a Review Committee will suggest an abstract is better suited for another subject and should be reviewed by that other group, but we cannot guarantee this "safety net" will catch every such instance.

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www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o SUMMER 2017 | 21 |

| tw18 abstracts |

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You can choose to either "Save and Edit Later" or "Continue" onto the Abstract Review page. On the "Abstract Review" page you’ll be given the chance to go back and edit your abstract or your author information. It’s also here where you may add a "Co-Author." Simply click on the "Add an Additional Author" icon on the far right of the screen and complete the same steps you completed for the Primary Contact’s information.

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| tw18 abstracts |

of the screen. This gives you a chance to see all the information in one place.

10. You will again be allowed the option to "Save and Edit Later" or "Submit" your abstract. You definitely need to choose one—nothing has been submitted to the system at this point. Should you choose to "Save and Edit," you will have until the deadline of Sept. 18 to finish your abstract. NOTE: If you do not finalize your submission by the deadline (which will not be extended), your abstract will not be included for review. Regardless of which option you choose, you will receive login credentials and instructions on how to log in to the Abstract Service Center to make changes to the submission before the deadline.

The whole process is actually relatively simple and designed to be intuitive for the user. If your abstract is already fully written out, the whole submission process should take less than 10 minutes to complete. We hope you’ll consider sharing your knowledge and being a part of Texas Water 2018TM. We sincerely hope to see you in San Antonio!

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www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o SUMMER 2017 | 23 |

| usgs study |

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 | usgs study CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 | west texas While the USGS report stated the average decline in the water level in the Ogallala from predevelopment to 2015 was 15.8 feet, in Texas the drop was 41.1 feet.

Even with the decline, West said, "There’s still a lot of water there on average."

The key is that it’s "on average." A productive water well may be pumping on one field, but a neighboring well might not do as well.

And, with the pumping, the aquifer may be thinning. The cone of depression around the water well pump needs at least 25-30 feet of thickness in the formation to allow for production.

West said that farmers in Texas are seeing—again, "on average"—less productivity from their wells. Years ago, a new well could produce as much as 1,000 gallons of water a minute. Now the high end may be 600 gallons-a-minute, with 150-200 becoming more common and less able to meet crop needs.

Farmers are learning to cut back as water levels decline, West said. They may have to combine the output of two or three wells to get enough for irrigation. "They may be converting some of their fields to dryland farming," he said.

Although decreasing demand on water supplies may stem from lowering water tables and lessened availability of water, there are also healthy trends that are cutting water use.

"Twenty years ago, we used more water and had lower yields," the professor said.

Irrigation equipment companies have improved the efficiency of their products, West said, and "the seed companies have made great strides." West added they are developing hardier, more water-frugal varieties.

Also, farmers have improved tools to manage their water supplies. West said that online applications can monitor an area’s evapotranspiration, the combined loss of water from evaporation and from plants shedding moisture.

"Evapotranspiration is potentially really high" in West Texas, West said.

Rather than soaking a field on a hunch, the farmer can see when and how much watering is needed. The online application can be augmented with a sensor placed three or four feet into the ground to monitor soil moisture. The sensor can communicate with the farmer’s computer to show where water is lacking in the root zone.

West hopes that the drive for water efficiency will slow the decline in water levels. "We want to stretch out this important agriculture economy as long as we can," he said.

shudder when the year 2011 gets mentioned. For much of the state, it was the hottest, driest year on the record books.

"We don’t want to see that again," High Plains Underground Water Conservation District General Manager Jason Coleman said. The Lubbock-­based district, also called HPWD, covers portions of 16 counties in the Panhandle.

"The smaller [water storage] decline for the 2013 to 2015 comparison period is likely related to reduced groundwater pumping," said the Virginia McGuire, USGS scientist and author of the study.

Coleman pointed out that even after the 2011 drought subsided, heavy irrigation pumping was required to replenish soil moisture. "It was not a one-­year event" for farmers, the HPWD manager said.

In 2012, the year after the most intense portion of the drought, HPWD reporting showed the ground water level in its jurisdiction dropped an average of 2.56 feet, the largest annual decline between 2006 and 2017.

Analysis of water level changes in the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District.

| 24 | SUMMER 2017 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org

| usgs study |

But the effects of the You can download the 2011 drought may, at 12-­page USGS study at last, be subsiding. The https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/ average HPWD groundwapublication/sir20175040 ter level actually increased The 2017 HPWD water level slightly in its 2016 report, report is available at outside the range of the www.hpwd.org/reports USGS study. The average level rose just more than a third of a ­ ­foot. Not much, but as Coleman noted, an increase doesn’t happen often.

"The norm for our area is some amount of decline every year," Coleman told TexasH2O. The 2016 report followed an El Niño-­blessed 2015 that was wetter than normal. By July 2015, Lubbock had received as much rain as its normal yearly average.

The HPWD report issued in 2017 showed an average decline of 0.52 feet. Coleman pointed out that about two-­thirds of the 1,380 wells used in the HPWD monitoring showed a slight rise in the water level or a drop of less than a foot.

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layne.com www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o SUMMER 2017 | 25 |

| executive director report |

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 | executive director report to rebuild the system for today and the children of your children, and their children, and so forth.

It is all coming due and has been coming due for some time, and the total bill is staggering—in the trillions of dollars nationwide.

In reading and re-reading the article, I came to understand that the message is not only about communicating the value of water, that water is undervalued and underpriced, and yes, many are willing to pay more for their cell phone than water, but that we continue to understate the value of water to a community.

The news story I read made me more aware that our story has to be more. Every time IT needs to be repaired or replaced, we need to talk about what critical infrastructure really means. We need to make the effort to talk about the commitment made 5075 years ago to protect public health, to meet the everincreasing demands for water that helped grow the community, to support public safety and how

everyone, for generations, has come to rely on IT and all of the ITs that are part of a water system.

We need to be clear that what separates us from so much of the rest of the world is safe drinking water transported through a well-maintained system, and a sewage system that protects the environment and returns water back as a drinking water source, and failing to replace this system as we know it today is not a path we are willing to follow nor willing to hand off to TRWA Ad 2016 (bleeds).pdf 1 2/2/2016 7:57:33 PM future generations.

IT is that important.

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| 26 | SUMMER 2017 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org

Sweat for a Cause!

MGC Water for People 9th Annual Charity Golf Tournament Friday, August 25, 2017 Canyon Springs Golf Club San Antonio, TX

Registration Open

www.tawwa.org/event/wfpgolf2017

www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o SUMMER 2017 | 27 |

| new members |

TAWWA Welcomes New Members Joining May 1, 2017–June 30, 2017 Zaid Admani West Lake Hills, TX

James Blodgett Mabank, TX

Monty Clark Temple, TX

Collin Elton Austin, TX

Joseph Gonzales Austin, TX

Mike Huddleston Fort Worth, TX

Faris Alani Houston, TX

Koby Boman The Woodlands, TX

Travis Clark Lampasas, TX

Chad Emmel La Grange, TX

Adithya Govindarajan Houston, TX

Richard Hutson Highland Village, TX

James Allan Mansfield, TX

Randy Boyd Henderson, TX

Katie Clayton Sugar Land, TX

Ivan Escobar Roma, TX

Donald Grissom Wylie, TX

Annie Jenkins Houston, TX

John Alligood Round Rock, TX

Kobi Brenner Mansfield, TX

Darin Clum Allen, TX

Leandro Escobedo Fort Worth, TX

Carolyn Guillory Houston, TX

Kendall Johnson Houston, TX

Pat Alsay Houston, TX

Anna Bryan-Borja Austin, TX

Nathan Cobler San Antonio, TX

Neal Farmer Fort Worth, TX

Doug Guinn Houston, TX

Annquinnett Jones Fort Worth, TX

Dave Anderson Austin, TX

Anna Bryan-Burja Austin, TX

Julio Colunga Fair Oaks Ranch, TX

Michael Faubel Fort Worth, TX

Jeff Haasch Austin, TX

Chris Jones San Antonio, TX

Ron Arceneaux Port Arthur, TX

Larry Cannon Houston, TX

Mike Cox Cedar Park, TX

Brandy Fernandez Mansfield, TX

Kris Hanchette Carrollton, TX

Matthew Kellems Richmond, TX

Ryan Ard Beaumont, TX

Albert Cardenas McAllen, TX

Myron Cross Little Elm, TX

Brandon Foster Mansfield, TX

Tim Hanes Mansfield, TX

Matt Kelly Midlothian, TX

Danny Armstrong Cleburne, TX

Kayla Cardinale Mansfield, TX

Larry Cutrone Burkburnett, TX

Justin Foster Buda, TX

JD Harrison Dallas, TX

David Kinchen Dallas, TX

Charles Arnold Mansfield, TX

Sharon Carlos Temple, TX

Monica Davis Spring, TX

Nelson Froboese San Antonio, TX

Robert Hellner Wylie, TX

Beverly King Rockwall, TX

AK Babers Houston, TX

John Carlson San Antonio, TX

Rick DeRose Wylie, TX

Oscar Gallegos Fort Worth, TX

John Herrera Robstown, TX

Ron King Fort Worth, TX

Joe Baca Dallas, TX

Ricky Carrasco Floresville, TX

Ryan Dierker Dallas, TX

Carlos Garcia Dallas, TX

Mark Hert Burleson, TX

Tara Kirkland Conroe, TX

Aparna Balasubramani Houston, TX

Aaron Castillo McAllen, TX

Gabriel Dominguez Pflugerville, TX

Richard Garcia Baytown, TX

Bobby Hicks Bend, TX

Brad Kirksey San Antonio, TX

Ivonne Balderas Torres San Antonio, TX

Z. Cheng Richardson, TX

Shawn Dorn San Antonio, TX

Rafael Garza Eagle Pass, TX

Javier Hinojosa McAllen, TX

Keeley Kirksey Fort Worth, TX

Paul Banschbach Fort Worth, TX

City of Krum Krum, TX

Tony Dove Round Rock, TX

Amy Giannini Pflugerville, TX

Kristi Hirsch Mineola, TX

Matt Koziol Dallas, TX

Lori Bible Buda, TX

City of Lampasas Lampasas, TX

Alan Draper Austin, TX

Brady Goen Lubbock, TX

Elle Holbrook Dallas, TX

Rick L Amie Austin, TX

Stephanie Blew Austin, TX

Dan Clark Eagle Lake, TX

Jim Eldridge Arlington, TX

Agustin Gomez Edinburg, TX

Gregory Hooten Dallas, TX

Dean Lackey Lubbock, TX

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| 28 | SUMMER 2017 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org

| new members |

TAWWA Welcomes New Members Joining May 1, 2017–June 30, 2017 Gregory Land II Mansfield, TX

Peggy Paul Lake Jackson, TX

Ted Schneider Houston, TX

Terri Uvalle Edinburg, TX

Tracy Weaver Navasota, TX

Chris Young Dallas, TX

Jesus Lara Roma, TX

Teri Pennington Austin, TX

Kody Schouten Hico, TX

Enrique Valdez Laredo, TX

Otilia Webb Waxahachie, TX

Cliff Young Fort Worth, TX

Dustin Laughlin Mansfield, TX

Ashok Perera Austin, TX

Michael Schuster San Antonio, TX

Juan Vasquez New Braunfels, TX

Ellyn Weimer Austin, TX

Lara Zent Austin, TX

Trent Lewis Prosper, TX

Lee Perry Denton, TX

Pat Scott Houston, TX

Jose Vela Roma, TX

Todd Weinheimer Addison, TX

Janice Zhuang Fairfax, VA

Jay London Dallas, TX

Johan Petterson Houston, TX

Anthony Scudieri Lewisville, TX

Walter Vetter Mansfield, TX

Carrie Weir Troy, TX

Teri Macarthur The Woodlands, TX

Pimsoft Houston, TX

Scott Seehoffer Mansfield, TX

Jason Vickers Garland, TX

Rickey White Sunnyvale, TX

Mike Mainord Fort Worth, TX

Chris Potts Henderson, TX

Simon Sequeira Magnolia, TX

Joe Villa Hurst, TX

Wade White Dallas, TX

Osbaldo Martinez Richmond, TX

Venus Price Houston, TX

Abdul Siddiqui Bryan, TX

Jennifer Walker Austin, TX

Bessie Williams Houston, TX

Kim Mayo Waco, TX

Fazle Rabbi Houston, TX

Melinda Silva Houston, TX

BK Watson Houston, TX

Jonathan Wiltz Lancaster, TX

Katie McNeal Austin, TX

Steve Ratcliffe Fort Hood, TX

Christopher Sims League City, TX

Brent McNeme Dallas, TX

Barbara Reaves Alice, TX

Van Sims Lampasas, TX

Byron McNutt Cross Plains, TX

Carl Renner Lewisville, TX

Sharyn Smalls Houston, TX

Michael Mecredy Alvin, TX

Chad Riley Boerne, TX

Brian Smith Denton, TX

Matt Mees Boerne, TX

Evelyn Rios El Paso, TX

Michael Smith Houston, TX

Udit Mehrotra Dallas, TX

Kyle Rodemacher Spring, TX

Valentine Sonnier Grand Prairie, TX

Charley Mock San Antonio, TX

JJ Rodriguez McAllen, TX

Leon Sparks Cedar Park, TX

Brian Moore Midlothian, TX

Pablo Rodriguez McAllen, TX

Sol Stigall Arlington, TX

Leighton Moore Boerne, TX

Thurman Ross Midlothian, TX

Nicolas Svensson Katy, TX

Bernard Morneau Houston, TX

Carlos Rubinstein Austin, TX

Steven Sweeney Denton, TX

Stephen Muela Austin, TX

Ivan Rudiger Montgomery, TX

Mark Teles Burleson, TX

Wayne Nance Laredo, TX

Haley Salazar Denton, TX

William Thaman Austin, TX

Ronnie Nichols Cleburne, TX

Rebecca Sandoval Austin, TX

Marcelino Trujillo El Paso, TX

Eric Oscarson Sugar Land, TX

Antonio Sarabia El Paso, TX

Josh Turknett Navasota, TX

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www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o SUMMER 2017 | 29 |

| letter from the texas section chair |

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 | letter from the texas section chair keeping everything together for the benefit of all Texas AWWA section members are the bevy of volunteers who devote their time and efforts at contributing to the 16 different committees, two primary councils, eight separate divisions and the eight local chapters that are scattered across the state.

If you’d like to be a part of this great effort, I encourage you to reach out to a fellow Texas AWWA section member who you may know that is already engaged in the association and ask them how you can volunteer and/or become an active member.

Or, merely start by participating in the local chapter meetings held in your area.

If you need further information on how to participate or how to get involved in a specific area that is best suited to your interests, go to the Texas AWWA website, www.tawwa.org, and scroll through the noted tabs associated with the various chapters, councils, committees or divisions that you’re most interested in.

As we move past the summer solstice, put those many hours of daylight to good use by volunteering some of your time at something you’re passionate about. Here are five good reasons for all AWWA members to consider volunteering: 1. Find meaning and purpose at any age: Sharing what you’ve learned with others can be a rewarding opportunity to give back to others as well as to your association.

2. Experience improved health and well-being: Many people who volunteer say that helping others gives them a good feeling inside, something that researchers call a "helpers high." There seems to be an actual physical sensation that occurs when people volunteer to help others and/or their association that makes them experience greater energy and strength, less depression and increased feelings of self-worth, reports Psychology Today.

3. Make new friends and improve your mind: Volunteering provides an opportunity to increase your social engagement as well as your brain power.

4. Learn new skills: It’s never too late to learn a new skill or develop a new hobby. Volunteering can open the door to new learning opportunities that you may have not previously considered or thought you were capable of doing.

5. Know that you can make a powerful difference: Regardless of your age or situation, you can also have a positive influence in someone’s life as well as truly contribute back to your association.

Think about the last time you volunteered your time and talents to an important effort or cause. How did it make you feel? With the busy lives we lead, just the thought of volunteering might seem overwhelming, but in reality, it could be very beneficial. It’s easy to think about the positive impact that volunteers have on others, but we don’t often consider how rewarding it can be for a volunteer to reach out and make a difference in someone else’s life or back into the association they belong to.

In closing, volunteering not only provides us with the opportunity to get involved in a cause that we are passionate about, but also provides the chance to look beyond our own circumstances and appreciate what others are experiencing. The difference that you’ll make in someone else’s life as well as within your association will make an even bigger difference in yours.

| 30 | SUMMER 2017 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org

|| calendar calendar |

What’s Happening Across Texas DATE

ACTIVITY

TIME

LOCATION

INFORMATION

Aug 25

WFP Golf Tournament

7 am-2 pm

Canyon Springs Golf Club San Antonio

www.tawwa.org

Sept 7

NCT Casino Night Benefitting WFP

6:30-10 pm

Texas Ale Project Dallas

www.tawwa.org

Oct 12

TAWWA Customer Service Workshop

12-1 pm

Omni Hotel Corpus Christi

www.tawwa.org

Oct 17

CAC Pints for People

5:30-8:30 pm

Adelbert's Brewery Austin

www.tawwa.org

Oct 20

NCT Drinking Water Seminar

8 am-5 pm

Petroleum Club of Fort Worth Fort Worth

www.tawwa.org

Want to share your event with the Texas water community?

Contact Mike Howe, 512-238-9292, or mikehowe@tawwa.org.

Check the Section’s website, www.tawwa.org, for the latest information on Section activities.

www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o SUMMER 2017 | 31 |

TEXASh2o

c/o GCP Association Services, LLC PO Box 676 | Pflugerville, TX 78691 512-251-8101 | (f ) 512-251-812 texwater@texas.net | www.tawwa.org

PRESORTED FIRST CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID AUSTIN, TEXAS PERMIT NO. 1