TEX Sh2o | July/August 2014 |
The Official Newsletter of the Texas Section AWWA | Every Drop, Every Day, Everywhere ©
FROM TOILET TO TAP
What everyone needs to know | Page 12
DRY DAYS AHEAD
Edwards Aquifer Authority Declares Stage 4 Pumping Restrictions | Page 16
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
In Memoriam: Curtis Smalley | Page 10 TCEQ Accepting Award Applicants | Page 19 Be a Presenter at Texas Water 2015 | Page 19
Can Your Utility Hack It? How cybersecurity can protect your system | Page 14
TWDB News | Chapter Roundup | Calendar | and more!
| water loss thresholds |
TWDB Posts Amendments for Water Loss Thresholds
T
he Texas Water Development Board has posted proposed amended regulations that would set thresholds for water loss that it will consider when a utility requests financial assistance. The July 28 posting in the Texas register opens a 30-day window of comment about the proposed rules, which implement House Bill 3605 passed in the 2013 legislative session. The draft rules and a preamble — a discussion of the rule — are available at http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/ pub/regviewer$ext.RegPage?sl=R&app=8&p_dir=&p_ rloc=290964&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_reg=290964& ti=31&pt=10&ch=358&rl=6&issue=08/08/2014. Under the legislation, a water utility receiving financial TWDB assistance must use a portion of the assistance to mitigate the utility’s water loss if the loss
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exceeds the regulatory threshold. To determine the threshold, the proposed TWDB rule will look at “real loss” and “apparent loss” experienced by the utility. “Real loss includes actual loss of water such as through leaks and breaks. Apparent loss includes the "paper loss" of water, including meter inaccuracies, billing adjustments, and theft,” the preamble accompanying the proposed rule states. “Because both types of loss must be addressed in order to obtain an accurate measure of a utility's water loss, metrics and thresholds are proposed for each type of loss.” For a retail public utility with a population of 10,000 or more, apparent loss must be less than “allowed CONTINUED PAGE 22 | water loss thresholds
TEXASh2o JULY/AUGUST 2014 | 3 |
| letter from the texas section chair |
Main Breaks – Ruining Our Summer Fun Texas Section American Water Works Association P.O. Box 80150 Austin, Texas 78708 www.tawwa.org Alissa Lockett, Chair 210-233-3401 Jennifer Elms, Chair-Elect 713-784-4500 Daniel Nix, Vice-Chair 940-691-1153 Christianne Castleberry, Imm. Past Chair 512-751-9272 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: © 1996-2014 Texas Section – American Water Works Association, Inc. © 2014 Texas Section – American Water Works Association, Inc.
FOLLOW TAWWA ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!
Texas AWWA
@txawwa
| 4 | JULY/AUGUST 2014 TEXASh2o
BY ALISSA LOCKETT texas section chair
A
s most of us are aware, summer is main break season — a time when many of us in the water industry hold our breath and cross our fingers hoping we will get through it without exploding the streets of downtown. On July 29, most Americans became aware of the damage that a significant main break can do with mass media coverage of the 20 million gallons of water that flooded the campus of University of California at Los Angeles, causing millions in damages to newly renovated parts of the campus. ALISSA Only a few weeks before that epic main break, LOCKETT we had a main break in San Antonio that could 210-233-3401 alissa.lockett@saws.org have put many customers out of water if not for system redundancy and public adherence to outside watering restrictions. This main break reminded me of the importance of networking since we had to scour the state to locate the one critical part we needed for the repair. Austin Water Utility graciously offered to loan us the part, so we drove to and from Austin during the evening rush as we anxiously waited at the jobsite for delivery from our supplier, who was having truck problems. In discussing this event with Mike Howe, he reminded me that we could have reached out to the entire TXWARN network immediately to get the help we needed — a more impressive Rolodex than what any one of us probably have on our smartphones. If you find yourself in a similar predicament, remember to use TXWARN. In the meantime, make sure your contacts are updated and be sure to include the person in your utility that is responsible for supply. Main breaks are major contributors to our real water losses, so many utilities are ramping up leak detection efforts to try to catch leaks before they surface or become catastrophic. Planned repairs are always easier and more economical than emergency repairs. On August 15, I was able to attend the Capital Area Chapter’s lunch meeting where Austin Water Utility talked about their large diameter leak detection and condition assessment program. As certain funding avenues become contingent on a “low” infrastructure leakage index (ILI), spending more money upfront on preventive maintenance such as leak detection and knowing the age and type of pipe you have in the ground is going to be essential. Lastly, I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for having the pleasure of knowing and working with Curtis Smalley. He was a dear part of our water industry family and a great mentor and friend to many. Our joint events with WEAT, especially Texas Water, will not be the same without him. Others (hopefully men) need to ensure the handlebar mustache lives on!
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| executive director report |
Making the Water-Energy Connection BY MIKE HOWE tawwa executive director
I
t’s early August and it is hot. Today, it was 103 in Austin and my oldest daughter noted that planes leaving the Austin airport were using the very long runway and climbing fast as they departed. In my office, it seemed like the air conditioning was constantly running. OK. It was hot. But it is August, in Texas, and we all know the electric bill really climbs this month. But, what I found interesting is that in the last two weeks for reasons that are somewhat unrelated, I have been presented with circumstances that speak loudly about the water/energy nexus. My three children and my spouse periodically remind me of what are called "first world" problems when the things we take for granted don’t work as we expect them to do, every moment of every day. You know what I mean. When your Internet slows down, your cell phone does something quirky, or your DVR doesn’t record your favorite program. Or, when even more disastrous events occur, such as your electricity goes off or, yes, the water stops coming out of the tap. Or the water is contaminated and you can’t drink it. So much of the world can’t even imagine what we have, including electricity and safe water twenty-four hours a day, every day, on demand. But, I’m not faulting what we have. I think we should be proud of what we have accomplished and what you, as water professionals, do every day to protect public health. Where I kept getting reminded over the last two
weeks is the potential fragility of our systems and the water/energy nexus. That is, the dependency relationship between our ability to produce safe water with electricity, and our ability to produce electricity, which is dependent on water. MIKE HOWE 512-238-9292 Frankly, we forget that mikehowe@tawwa.org water is not only essential to everyone, every day, but that it is essential to the everyday business of our economy. And, not only is it essential to public health, it's essential to the pubic safety — just ask the fire department. But, we do tend to forget that the one of the largest uses of water is for energy production, which in Texas includes extraction of natural gas, as well as actual production of electricity. And, while water utilities may realize they are giant users of electric power to treat and distribute water and collect and treat wastewater, the public does not generally make that connection. And, I have discovered over the last two weeks, it is not only the general public who fails to make this important connection. I learned that a wide variety of professionals
CONTINUED PAGE 26 | executive director report
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| twdb appointment |
TWDB appoints new Communications Deputy Communications Veteran and Former Journalist Andy Saenz Joins TWDB
T
he Texas Water Development Board has appointed Andy Saenz as the agency's new deputy executive administrator for communications effective immediately. Saenz has been a communications professional in the Austin area for the past 34 years, first as an award-winning television journalist, and for the past 18 years as the communications director and chief spokesman for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. "We are pleased to have someone with Andy's extensive experience and skills join the board to help us communicate with Texans our activities that support our state's future water needs," said TWDB Executive Director Kevin Patteson. "Andy has earned tremendous
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respect for thorough reporting as a journalist and he's known as an effective communicator through his service as spokesperson for two Austin mayors, Travis County Sheriff Terry Keel, and the TCEQ." After graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor of journalism degree, Saenz began his career at KVUE-TV in Austin. Saenz was a reporter covering a variety of issues including education, court of law, and state and local government. He received honors by both the Associated Press and the United Press International for outstanding reporting. CONTINUED PAGE 25 | twdb appointment
TEXASh2o JULY/AUGUST 2014 | 9 |
| in memoriam |
Texas Water Community Loses an Icon: Curtis Smalley
C
urtis Smalley, program manager at the city of Waco and an icon in the Texas Water community, died on Wednesday, July 16, 2014, in Holland, Texas. Smalley was born May 26, 1958 in Lockney to Gerald Smalley and Dorothy Pierce Smalley. He married Marla Joplin on Dec. 1, 1979. For the past three years, Smalley was the manager of water and wastewater operations for the city of Waco. Before joining the city of
Waco, he worked for the Brazos River Authority for twenty years. Smalley was past president of the Water Environment Association of Texas, was a member of Water Environment Federation and was an officer and worked with the Bell County Youth Fair and Livestock Show. Memorial donations can be made to: Water Environment Association of Texas, 1825 Fort View Road #102, Austin, Texas 78704.
Curtis Smalley with TAWWA Past Chair Christianne Castleberry at the Texas Water 2014 conference in Dallas.
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| potable reuse projects |
What Every Texan Needs to Know About “Toilet to Tap” Water BY DESMOND LAWLER professor at the university of texas at austin
D
irect potable reuse projects, or putting treated municipal wastewater directly back into the same city's drinking water supply, are creating headlines all over the Southwest and especially in Texas where the city of Big Spring is already doing it, and Wichita Falls started recently. Is this a brave new world — a sign that the historic drought is collapsing our civilization? Are there not better solutions to severe water shortages? On the contrary, direct potable reuse would be an improvement over the current situation for several cities in Texas. We all learn about the hydrologic cycle in elementary school — rain falls, runoff drains directly or through
| 12 | JULY/AUGUST 2014 TEXASh2o
groundwater into rivers that eventually reach the oceans, evaporation returns water to the atmosphere, and rain falls again. Back 2,000 years ago, it might have been that simple, but as the rising population has increasingly concentrated in cities, the water cycle has become more complex. Cities take water from rivers or wells, contaminate it as they use it, and send it to wastewater treatment plants for sufficient cleanup to return to the rivers, where it heads downstream to the next city. Regulations under the Clean Water Act define "sufficient cleanup" to maintain ecosystem health:
CONTINUED PAGE 20 | potable reuse projects
www.tawwa.org
| cybersecurity |
System Check: AWWA Provides Free Cybersecurity Tools for Your Utility
W AWWA's Kevin Morley spoke on cybersecurity at the TCEQ Public Drinking Water Conference.
hen running a utility system, cybersecurity may not be at the top of the priority list. The technology used to run that system, however, can unknowingly provide an outsider with direct access into that system. Kevin Morley, Security and Preparedness Program Manager at AWWA, spoke on cybersecurity and what a utility can do to protect itself at the TCEQ Public Drinking Water Conference in Austin on Aug. 5. “If the door is open, somebody can come in,” Morley said. “Cyber attack does not require proximity. The bad guys are just scanning for open doors. It’s like walking through a parking lot, trying to find open doors. Take advantage of the policies and protocols that can protect you from those things.” AWWA has free online tools to help utilities protect their systems from potential cyber attacks by recognizing what open doors might exist, and how to shut them. You can download the free Process Control System Security Guidance for the Water Sector (PDF) from the AWWA website (awwa.org/ cybersecurity). There is also a free Cybersecurity Guidance Tool (you will need an AWWA login to use the guidance tool but it’s free to register one). The online use-case tool CONTINUED PAGE 25 | cybersecurity
| 14 | JULY/AUGUST 2014 TEXASh2o
www.tawwa.org
| tceq seminar |
TCEQ Schedules Water Quality/ Stormwater Annual Seminar
T
he Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is currently accepting registrations for its Water Quality/Stormwater Annual Seminar, to be held Sept. 16-17, DoubleTree Hotel, 6505 IH 35 North, in Austin. The seminar will include presentations covering a wide range of topics ranging from the technical aspects of municipal, industrial, stormwater, and sludge permits, to the design criteria for domestic treatment facilities and collection systems. Other specialty topics will include water conservation, domestic water reuse, and water quality standards development and implementation procedures. Anyone involved in Texas Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System permitting, stormwater management, or wastewater treatment plant design and operation is strongly encouraged to participate. Participants will receive updates on permitting rules and upcoming regulations to an ever-changing customer base in the regulated community. Online registration is $99. Late registration (after Sept. 2) is $125. Fees include continental breakfast, break snacks, and lunch. To register, visit the seminar website at www.tceq. texas.gov/p2/events/stormwater.html. If unable to register electronically, call 877-451-8700, or email tceqevents@swift-solutions.org.
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TEXASh2o JULY/AUGUST 2014 | 15 |
| stage 4 restrictions |
Edwards Aquifer Authority Declares Stage 4 Pumping Restrictions
O
n Aug. 12, the Edwards Aquifer Authority declared Stage 4 pumping reductions for users within the San Antonio Pool. Stage 4 of the EAA’s drought plan requires Edwards groundwater permit holders in all of Bexar and Medina, and parts of Atascosa, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays counties to reduce their annual authorized pumping by 40 percent. The EAA declared Stage 4 based on declining water level readings at the J17 index well in Bexar County. On Aug. 12, it was officially confirmed that the 10-day average dropped below the Stage 4 threshold of 630 feet above sea level. Stage 4 will remain in effect as long as the water level of the monitoring well stays below this threshold. The purpose of mandatory pumping reductions is to stabilize aquifer levels and spring flow until rainfall replenishes the aquifer. Stage 4 www.rjn.com • Flow Monitoring reductions apply to all Edwards • Water Distribution System Design groundwater • Hydraulic Modeling permit holders • Construction Inspection authorized to pump more than • Construction Administration three acre-feet • Wastewater Master Planning annually. All • Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Survey affected permit • Collection System Rehab Design holders must also report their • New Sewer Improvements pumping totals to • Lift Station Design the EAA on a Dallas • Irving • Garland • Fort Worth monthly basis. Austin • San Antonio • Round Rock Residents and businesses who Civil Engineering Consultants
| 16 | JULY/AUGUST 2014 TEXASh2o
U.S. Drought Monitor
Texas
August 12, 2014
(Released Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014) Valid 8 a.m. EDT Drought Conditions (Percent Area) None D0-D4 D1-D4 D2-D4 D3-D4 Current
17.26
D4
82.74
57.68
35.71
14.06
17.20
82.80
56.88
35.52
13.67
2.85
8.82
91.18
73.05
56.10
39.88
20.73
Start of Calendar Year
28.48
71.52
43.84
21.15
5.82
0.79
Start of Water Year
6.62
93.38
70.95
25.08
4.01
0.12
One Year Ago
2.82
97.18
87.90
65.92
20.64
3.84
Last Week 8/5/2014
3 Months Ago 5/13/2014
12/31/2013
10/1/2013
8/13/2013
2.62
Intensity: D0 Abnormally Dry
D3 Extreme Drought
D1 Moderate Drought
D4 Exceptional Drought
D2 Severe Drought
The Drought Monitor focuses on broad-scale conditions. Local conditions may vary. See accompanying text summary for forecast statements.
Author: Richard Tinker CPC/NOAA/NWS/NCEP
http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
receive their water from a public water system are encouraged to contact their water provider directly to find out how Stage 4 reductions may affect them. More information on Stage 4 requirements is available by calling the EAA Critical Period Team at 866-931-3239 or by visiting the EAA website at www.edwardsaquifer.org. The Edwards Aquifer Authority manages, enhances, and protects the Edwards Aquifer, a major groundwater system serving approximately 2 million South Central Texans.
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| retirement announcement |
Fort Worth Water Director Frank Crumb Set to Retire in September
F
ort Worth Water Director Frank Crumb is retiring Sept. 12 after more than 30 years of employment with the City. Crumb joined the Water Department in 1983, after working for the city of Amarillo Utilities Division and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in New Orleans. He has held numerous positions with Fort Worth Water, including chief water facilities engineer, water production superintendent, capital projects engineer, engineering coordinator and assistant director. In July 2004, Crumb was named acting water director and then director in October 2005. During his tenure, Crumb has been responsible for overseeing capital projects planning for various water
and wastewater expansions and the expansion of the distribution and collection systems from approximately 2,000 miles of pipe in 1983 to over 3,500 miles of pipe each in 2014. Crumb’s involvement led to the development and implementation of water and wastewater impact fees in Fort Worth in 1989. He was also instrumental in implementing cost-of-service-based retail rates in the early 1990s and establishing a Citizens Advisory Committee for annual updates. Recently, he has established the eastern reclaimed water system and acquired a site for a future water CONTINUED PAGE 23 | retirement
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TEXASh2o JULY/AUGUST 2014 | 17 |
| se chapter recap |
One-Stop-Shop in Houston The SE Chapter of TAWWA offers Fingerprinting for Texas Professional Engineers and Ethics Seminar Luncheon
T
he Southeast Chapter of Texas AWWA hosted a July 17 Luncheon at the Houston Engineering and Scientific Society Club (HESS). At the event, attendees were able to not only obtain the required one hour of ethics training, but also complete fingerprinting services to fulfill the new 2014 P.E. Daniel Wong of Tolunay-Wong requirement for Engineers, Inc., presented the ethics Texas professional seminar at the event. engineers. The event was well-attended, with the required maximum of 40 registrants for fingerprinting services and more than 60 attendees participating in the ethics luncheon. The ethics seminar was provided by Daniel Wong of Tolunay-Wong Engineers, Inc., who currently serves as the Chair of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. Wong, provided a lively and informative presentation. Current SE Chapter President The following Drew Molly presents immediate individuals worked Past President James Jones with tirelessly to make the an appreciation award at the July 17 Luncheon. program a success and
| 18 | JULY/AUGUST 2014 TEXASh2o
the Southeast Chapter would like to thank them for their hard work: Jonathan Marks of the Coastal Water Authority, Lindsey Tracey of AECOM, David Munn of AECOM, and Showri Nandagiri of the North Harris County Regional Rajinder Singh, P.E., from the City of Water Authority. Houston was one of 40 registrants who participated in the fingerprinting session. Additionally, the Chapter appreciates and thanks Kiewit/Western Summit for their generous corporate sponsorship of the event.
Want to advertise in Texas H2O? Call 512-251-8101 today! www.tawwa.org
| tceq awards |
TCEQ Accepting Applications for 2015 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards
A
pplications are now being accepted for the 2015 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards, the state's highest environmental honor. These annual awards recognize achievements across Texas that significantly reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and prevent pollution. Winners are honored at an awards banquet, held at the culmination of the agency’s Environmental Trade Fair and Conference, May 5-6, 2015. “These winners represent the best and the brightest with their environmental innovations,” said TCEQ Chairman Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D., P.E. “They serve as an example to the entire nation that Texans take an active role in protecting our natural resources.” “It’s an honor to recognize these companies and individuals who do their part to take care of Texas,” said
Commissioner Zak Covar. “Their commitment to our state, and the environment, should inspire us all.” The Texas Environmental Excellence Awards are presented annually by the governor's office and the TCEQ. A governor's blue ribbon committee identifies outstanding contributions in nine diverse categories. Each year, applicants consist of individuals, communities, companies, or organizations whose bold efforts within the state contribute to the protection of Texas natural resources. Award categories include: Agriculture, Civic/ Community, Education, Individual, Innovative Operations/Management, Pollution Prevention, Technical/Technology, Water Conservation, and Youth. Deadline for applications is October 3. To nominate an exemplary environmental effort for the 2015 awards, apply online at www.teea.org.
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TEXASh2o JULY/AUGUST 2014 | 19 |
| potable reuse projects |
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 | potable reuse projects Keep fish alive under low flow, or drought, conditions, and limit nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) to prevent rampant plant and algae growth. A recent study by the University of Arizona showed several drinking water treatment plants in the U.S. get their influent from water sources that, under low flow conditions, consist of 100 percent wastewater from upstream cities. In other words, the wastewater discharges from one city are not diluted at all by clean "natural" water when the next city takes it for their drinking water source. Even under average flow conditions, some drinking water plants use water
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containing more than 20 percent wastewater. Of the 11 drinking water plant intakes in the U.S. with the highest percentage of such de facto reuse, eight are in Texas. So, many Texans are now, probably unknown to them, ingesting water that was recently municipal wastewater. Yes, natural processes in those rivers help clean the water, but those processes are generally slow, so the natural cleanup is minimal when the travel time between cities is only days. Simply put, if you want to drink very clean water, direct potable reuse will likely provide higher quality water than many drinking water plants currently produce now. Why? Because those slow, natural river processes will be replaced by highly engineered, wellmonitored, advanced treatment processes that remove contaminants much better. The first operating direct potable reuse plant, in Big Spring, receives treated wastewater and uses multiple sophisticated treatment processes before sending it to the existing drinking water plant for yet more treatment. Those processes include membrane ultrafiltration to remove particles down to extremely small size and amounts, reverse osmosis to remove all molecules larger than the mallest inorganics to a very high degree, and an “advanced oxidation process� (a combination of UV light and hydrogen peroxide) to oxidize remaining
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| potable reuse projects |
contaminants and inactivate pathogens. Furthermore, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality limits the amount of water that can be recycled to 20 percent of the total drinking water influent. The key to success is monitoring to detect any operational failure rapidly so that recycling can be suspended. The philosophy behind providing safe drinking water has always been a "multi-barrier" approach, which has meant starting with a clean water source, providing adequate treatment to remove particles, disinfecting the water to inactivate remaining pathogens, and maintaining a residual disinfectant to protect the water from the plant to people's homes. The analysis by the Arizona researchers makes clear that such clean water sources rarely exist in an arid climate, especially today. When our multi-barrier approach cannot include a clean water source, the advanced treatment that comes with direct potable reuse is a better barrier than the pretenses that our rivers are clean or that natural processes clean the water well. So, for the best drinking water, I'll take direct potable reuse with its advanced treatment, multiple barriers and extensive water quality monitoring. You should too. Desmond F. Lawler is the Nasser I. Al-Rashid Chair in Civil Engineering and a University Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin.
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TEXASh2o JULY/AUGUST 2014 | 21 |
| water loss thresholds |
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 | water loss thresholds apparent loss,” a calculation that is unique to each utility [See chart]. The calculation uses Vm for billed and metered volume of water, Vi for corrected input volume to the system and Nc is the number of connections. Real loss calculations takes into account the population served by the utility and connection density. Here’s the discussion from the preamble: “The metric for utilities that serve more than 10,000 people is derived from the Infrastructure Leakage Index. The source of the Index is a utility-specific calculation of unavoidable real loss based on the number of connections, miles of distribution lines, and operating pressure. The Index applies only to utilities with more than 3,000 connections and more than 16 connections per mile. PITTSBURG “Application of TANK & TOWER the Infrastructure MAINTENANCE CO., INC. Leakage Index SAVE! allows for a certain We have a crew in multiplier of YOUR AREA! unavoidable real Inspections Repair New & Used Tanks loss based on water Wet In Service Cleaning Relocation Elevated Dry Paint Erectors Underground scarcity, water cost, ROV Insulation Dismantles Ground Storage (Robotic) API Mixing System and the economics of addressing water ROV inspections can be viewed on TV console during inspection & DVD loss. provided. All inspections include Unavoidable bound reports, recommendations and real loss is a cost estimates. theoretical value Hugh McGee representing the 270-826-9000 Ext. 330 lowest water loss www.watertank.com
527740_Pittsburg.indd 1
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(
)]
that could be achieved if all available technology were successfully applied. In places where water resources are costly to develop, the recognized and desired threshold for real water loss is less than three times the unavoidable real loss. “ [A threshold for real loss for utilities that serves more than 10,000 people L R>10,000 , is calculated in the chart where UARL = Unavoidable Annual Real Loss (gallons), Nc is the number of connections, Lm is the length of the water mains in miles, and P is the average system operating pressure in pounds per square inch calculated using a weighted average approach as identified in the American Water Works Association M36 Manual.] “This calculation is based on industry methodology. The resulting threshold has units of gallons per connection per day. This threshold for real loss is utility specific. “For utilities serving populations of less than or equal to 10,000 people, two different metrics based on industry performance indices are used: (1) gallons
4/15/11 9:40:35 PM
| 22 | JULY/AUGUST 2014 TEXASh2o
www.tawwa.org
| water loss thresholds |
per connection per day for utilities with a service connection density more than or equal to 32 connections per mile, and (2) gallons per mile per day for a service connection density less than 32 connections per mile. “No method to calculate a theoretical unavoidable real loss for smaller systems exists, and the quality of water loss reports submitted for smaller utilities is a concern, with many utilities reporting exceptionally low losses. A statistical approach based on erroneous low water loss reports could unfairly penalize utilities that submit high quality reports with acceptable levels of water loss. To address this concern, Equation (2) [in the chart] is used to calculate the thresholds for utilities that serve between 10,000 and 50,000 people and uses the median threshold as the threshold for utilities that serve less than or equal to 10,000 people with a service connection density more than or equal to 32 connections per mile. In other words, the utilities just above the 10,000-person line are used to help define a threshold for utilities below the 10,000person line. This threshold is approximately 50 gallons per connection per day. “For utilities that serve less than or equal to 10,000 people and have a service connection density less than 32 connections per mile, a threshold of 1,600 gallons per mile per day is used, calculated by multiplying the threshold of 50 gallons per connection by 32 connections per mile.” Beginning in Jan. 1, 2015, once the water loss calculations are made, they’ll be used to determine the amount of any TWDB financial assistance that must be used to mitigate loss. The TWDB executive administrator or staff will determine the nature of mitigation procedures.
www.tawwa.org
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 | retirement reclamation facility in west Fort Worth. Other accomplishments during his tenure include energy improvements at the Village Creek Water Reclamation Facility, construction or rehabilitation of numerous pump stations and water storage tanks. Crumb is past president of the Texas Section WateReuse Association and currently president of the North Texas Chapter of the Underground Construction Technology Association.
TEXASh2o JULY/AUGUST 2014 | 23 |
| new members |
TAWWA Welcomes New Members Joining May 16 – July 31, 2014 Aqeel Abdool-Ghany Dallas, TX Terry Anderson Wylie, TX
Alexa Castaneda Corpus Christi, TX Bryant Chambers Austin, TX
John Hilton Richardson, TX Kyle Hogue Highland Village, TX
Alexandra Applegate Dallas, TX
City of Shavano Park Shavano Park, TX
Angela Baker Glenn Heights, TX Wenceslao Barberena Laredo, TX
David Clark Benbrook, TX Emily Clark Dallas, TX
James Hootsmans College Station, TX Tom Hydro The Woodlands, TX Marcia Hyink Austin, TX
Bob Barker Kerrville, TX Kendall Bell-Enders Austin, TX
Chris Clements The Woodlands, TX Gary Downey Wylie, TX
Vidula Bhadkamkar Dallas, TX
Fran Malafronte Van Horn, TX Jenna Manheimer Floral Park, NY Adam Martinez Converse, TX Fran Matuska Houston, TX
Odebrecht Environmental, Inc. Houston, TX McKenzie Olson Frisco, TX Tom Pargac Houston, TX Maria Parker Houston, TX Allen Pearl Plano, TX
Scott Stephens Austin, TX Janie Stewart Winona, TX TC WC&ID #18 Austin, TX Belinda Tompkins Tyler, TX TWS Management Tyler, TX
Jon Penland Fort Worth, TX Shelby Pennington Spring, TX
George Walker JR Waco, TX
Vince Dyer Nucla, CO
Randal Jones Texas City, TX Joe Joplin Wylie, TX
Wesley McCarroll Houston, TX Tommy McClung Houston, TX Charles McKissick Wylie, TX
Scott Reinert El Paso, TX
Allison Blake Dallas, TX
Jason Engle Groves, TX
Dave Juarez Austin, TX
Candy McQuiston Murphy, TX
Bobby Robinson Wylie, TX
Chandler Watkiins Houston, TX Craig Wilson Dallas, TX
Ken Blanck Dallas, TX
Kathi Flowers Austin, TX
James Kerr Wylie, TX
Patrick Bond Montgomery, TX Ray Borroum Kenedy, TX
Joshua Ford Sr. Colleyville, TX
Teresa Bryant Klanika Waco, TX
Anna Gitter Austin, TX
Joel Klumpp Austin, TX
Daniel Rogers Amarillo, TX Sheila Rushing Benbrook, TX Ron Russell Austin, TX
Osvaldo Broesicke El Paso, TX
Tammy Gray Mansfield, TX Archie Haney Nacogdoches, TX Lindy Higginbotham Garland, TX
Thomas Kula Wylie, TX
Richard Medrano Round Rock, TX Bethany Miller Houston, TX Louis Mintz III Shavano Park, TX Marcelo Moacyr Houston, TX
Elaine Higgins Houston, TX John Hill Spring, TX
Margaret Lively Austin, TX
Laney Brown Houston, TX Richard Buentello Palacios, TX Antonio Canales Austin, TX Gary Cannon Humble, TX
| 24 | JULY/AUGUST 2014 TEXASh2o
Elston Johnson Round Rock, TX
Brooks Malaer Austin, TX
Kimberly Labree El Paso, TX Jim Lilley Temple, TX
John Logan Huntsville, TX
Josh Nabb The Woodlands, TX Wes Nebgen Corpus Christi, TX Richard Neely Conroe, TX Amy Northam Lubbock, TX
Vickie Sabb-Adams Missouri City, TX Lindsay Sansom College Station, TX Daryl Slusher Austin, TX
Jonathan Ward Houston, TX
Lois Worell Plantersville, TX John Wright Greenville, TX Tracee Wulff San Antonio, TX Jerry Yancey Wylie, TX
Brian Snow Willis, TX Shep Stahel Wylie, TX
www.tawwa.org
| twdb appointment |
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 | twdb appointment
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 | cybersecurity
In 1990, Saenz was named chief of staff for Austin Mayor Lee Cooke. Saenz represented Mayor Cooke at public functions and community meetings, prepared speeches, and acted as news media liaison and public relations advisor to the Mayor. Saenz continued in this position for Cooke's successor, Mayor Bruce Todd. In 1992, Saenz was appointed chief of staff for Travis County Sheriff Terry Keel and served as the chief spokesperson for the office. Saenz earned his Texas basic peace officer's license in 1993. In 1996, Saenz was named communications director for the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, now known as the TCEQ, the state's comprehensive environmental agency. The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning and preparing the State Water Plan for the development of the state’s water resources. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.
provides a checklist of questions that may apply to a utility’s process control system. Once you’ve selected the scenarios that pertain to your utility, it generates a report that determines the appropriate cybersecurity controls and provides a recommended list of priorities for your system. “A Priority One type activity is what I would call basic cyber hygiene 101,” Morley said. “This is a no questions asked, you really should do this type thing. You need to have these Priority Ones in place, no matter what size utility you are.” Morley suggested going over this report with your technical operator or service provider and find out what you are already doing on the list and how to complete the priorities you may be missing. “It’s great to have standards,” Morley said. “But at the end of the day, it comes down to the asset owners needing to recognize the risk of their systems and taking tangible actions.”
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www.tawwa.org
www.samco-leakservice.com
TEXASh2o JULY/AUGUST 2014 | 25 |
| executive director report |
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 | executive director report and policymakers, in and out of the water community, don’t fully grasp the connection. And, believe me, I am not an expert or fully knowledgeable on this subject either. But there are many who are actively engaged in assessing energy options and promoting policies that allocate financial support to a diverse range of technologies to encourage responsible, sustainable energy production. With population growth occurring in the arid western states, we are also becoming aware of the limitations to accessible water, and as our energy demands grow, competition for water among municipalities, farmers, industrial and power suppliers will increase. Water and energy are linked at both the supply side of electric generation and water/wastewater facilities, and the end-use side of residential, commercial, industrial, and agriculture users. In order to sustain energy production and a dependable water supply, we must gain a detailed understanding of the interdependencies of water and energy systems and balance the needs of all users.
Fortunately, here in Texas we have access to some of the top experts including the Webber Energy Group at UT Austin. I encourage all of you to take some time on one of these hot, sultry days to use the Internet and review some of the research at their website: http:// www.webberenergygroup.com/publication_topic/ the-energy-water-nexus/. I think you will enjoy the time inside in the cool of the air conditioning, learning more. Stay cool. (Full disclosure — I have no interest other than curiosity in the Webber Group).
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| 26 | JULY/AUGUST 2014 TEXASh2o
Offices Worldwide www.arcadis-us.com
www.tawwa.org
| calendar |
What’s Happening Across Texas DATE
ACTIVITY
TIME
LOCATION
INFORMATION
SEPT 22
SE Chapter Golf Benefit Tournament
Friendswood
www.tawwa.org
OCT 16
TAWWA Customer Service Workshop
Galveston
www.tawwa.org
OCT 3
2015 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards Deadline
www.teea.org
OCT 4
TW15 Abstract Submittal Deadline
www.texas-water.com
OCT 24
13th Annual North Central Texas AWWA Drinking Water Seminar
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.
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ALAN PLUMMER ASSOCIATES, INC. environmental engineers and scientists
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Environmental Water Resources/Efficiency
Austin • College Station • Dallas • Houston Fort Worth • Oklahoma City 1320 S. University, Suite 300 Fort Worth, Texas 76107 817.806.1700
www.apaienv.com
www.tawwa.org
TEXASh2o JULY/AUGUST 2014 | 27 |
TEXASh2o
PRESORTED FIRST CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID AUSTIN, TEXAS PERMIT NO. 1
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
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