Issuu

Texas Water Utilities

JOURNAL

VOLUME 21

OCTOBER 2011

"Proudly Serving Educational Excellence Since 1918"

NUMBER 10

ou y t a h w s u l l e T

really

We wantthink! to hear from you!

Texas Water Utilities Association is conducting a membership survey. Please feel free to make copies from the journal and fax or mail them to Central office or visit www.twua.org to take this survey online. Your opinion matters we want to hear from you!

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TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL 3

Inside

ARTICLES S TRAINING LISTINGS S EMPLOYMENT

ARTICLES:

President's Perspective..................................................................6 by CeCe White, T.W.U.A. President TWUA Executive Director News:....................................................8 by Russell Hamilton, ED Customer Service News: Are You a Real Professional.........................................................10 by Ron Kaufman, Customer Service Coach In The News: Water Conservation Tips..............................................................12

PES News: State Fair and Cease the Grease .................................................16 by Helen Cantril Dulac, City of Dallas Texas News: After the Fire Call 811..................................................................18 by Doug Meeks, Texas811 EPA News: Aging Water Infrastructure Research .........................................20 By Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator U.S. EPA

ADVERTISERS:

Classified Ads.....................................................................................30 Ana-Lab.............................................................................................26 ChemEquip Services, L.L.C . ...............................................................23 Chlor-Serv, Inc..................................................................................... 9 East Jordan Iron Works.......................................................................25 Global Treat, Inc................................................................................. 5 Jim Cox Sales, Inc. .............................................................................. 7 Layne-Texas.......................................................................................10 Professional Cards..............................................................................26 Moody Bros., Inc................................................................................19 Solar Bee...........................................................................................19 Samco Leak Detection........................................................................25 Scoop Sludge Hog................................................................................ 5 Smith Pump Company, Inc........................................ Inside Back Cover Magna Flow.......................................................................... Back Cover

TRAINING:

EPA Region 6 Annual Quality Assurance Conference........................................24 T.W.U.A. Training Schedule........................................................................14-15 .T.W.U.A. Customer Service Day School formation.............................................11 T.W.U.A. West Texas Regional School Registration............................................17 TEEX Training Schedule..................................................................................27

18 Front Cover Photo Courtesy of : Joe Casillas Kingsville, Texas

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL (ISSN 1051-709X) is published monthly by the Texas Water Utilities Association, located at 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 112 West, Austin, Texas 78723-1093, for engineers, operators, managers, laboratory technicians, customer service personnel, and other professionals employed in, or interested in, the water and/or wastewater industry. Five dollars of each annual membership dues payment to the Texas Water Utilities Association pays for a subscription. Non-Member subscription price: USA $50 per year; $4.20 per single copy; $60 per year outside USA. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, TX. The Texas Water Utilities Association is wholly independent, and is not affiliated with the American Water Works Association, the Water Environment Federation, or any other National organization. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL, 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 112 W., Austin, TX 78723-1093. TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL is not responsible for facts and/or opinions expressed by contributors or in advertisements herein. Editorials and comments do not necessarily represent the official policy of the Texas Water Utilities Association. All inquiries should be directed to: Texas Water Utilities Association, 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 112 W, Austin, TX 78723-1093, phone 512/459-3124. Any material accepted for publication is subject to revision and editing at the discretion of the publisher. All advertising in the TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL is subject to approval of the publisher. Learn more about T.W.U.A. at our Web site: www.twua.org

4 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

October 2011

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

TWUA PRESIDENT:

Earl Richardson, Work Coordinator (WW) Treatment , City of Corpus Christi CeCe White, President

1. Why did you choose this industry as your profession? It’s very rewarding to watch clean, treated water run into the receiving streams and bays, knowing that you help make 2. What about this industry do you find the most challenging? It’s a constant challenge working in an underfunded position, treating increasing volumes of wastewater under continuously restrictive regulations imposed by the EPA and TCEQ. 3. What contributions do you feel that you have made to this industry? Time has to be at the top of the list. It’s well known that this job doesn’t run Monday through Friday, 40 hours/week. As well, I am an officer of the Coastal Bend District and a member of the Environmental program. 4. How many years have you been in this industry? I started in 1997. 5. What challenges do you see facing this industry? Our industry faces the continuing deterioration of infrastructure without the funds needed for repairs, much less improvement. 6. What do you want to be remembered for from your involvement in this industry? I would like to be remembered as an asset to my coworkers, my employers, and the association. 7. How long have you been a member of TWUA? I’ve been a member since 1997, beginning with the Panhandle, then Trinity-Neches-Sabine and now the Coastal Bend District. 8. How has TWUA assisted you in your profession? The abundance of training provided by the association is undeniable. At the same time, the networking opportunities and ability to tap into decades of collective knowledge and expertise of so many professionals in the organization is ridiculously invaluable. 9. What changes can TWUA implement to become a better organization for our members?

6 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

Everyone strives for excellence (individual definitions withstanding) but I believe the increasing rigidness being applied to our district meetings will only serve to push existing members out of the organization. Reduction of training credits and threats of testing at the meetings would cause anyone considering membership to think twice. The casual atmosphere and the un-standardized peer-to-peer communication is more cause for continued participation than some of our members might realize. 10. What would you like to ask the president? What advice do you have for someone considering becoming an instructor and one day serving TWUA on the state level? My first thought is “Go for it!” there are so many opportunities to teach throughout the regions and the state. I found that teaching is a great way to enhance personal growth. Research, preparing information and looking for ways to keep a topic “fresh” and updated is, to me, lots of fun. The first step, as I am sure you know, is to take the Instructor Training courses. These are two (40) hour classes that are required by TCEQ of all instructors. Once that is done, you are ready to be included on TWUA’s list of instructors. I know that Russell and David at Central Office will be more than helpful in getting you started as a new instructor; perhaps team teaching with a more experienced instructor or teaching shorter modules, like in a special topics class would, be beneficial. Now is a great time to become involved in teaching. The new manuals are progressing at a fairly good pace and there are opportunities to be involved in that process through the Education and Training Committee. Once the manuals are done, Powerpoint presentations will need to be prepared for approval by TCEQ and there may be ways to become involved with that. As far as service on the state level, all of the committees are HUNGRY for volunteers – take your pick and volunteer. From Awards, By-Laws, Education & Training to Long Range Planning, Safety and VM Ehlers there are committee chairpersons who need your experience and enthusiasm on their committee. Central Office would be able to give you current contact information for any of the chairpersons. By the way, there is no rule stating that you can only serve on one committee at a time. This organization belongs to its members. Only by participating and serving in districts, regions and on a state level can we keep it vibrant and be sure that it serves YOUR needs. So take a deep breath and dive right in! S October 2011

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October 2011

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NEWS: Russell Hamilton, TWUA ED Supporter of the:

Another month has passed and no rain. Temperatures are soaring and no relief in sight. But this is not news to you. The revenue from water sales are exceeding projections but the systems that I have visited with would welcome the opportunity to reduce production. “Father God, we lift up our state and water needs to you and respectfully pray that you send abundant wide spread rainfall and recharge our lakes and aquifers with this precious resource.”

Session, Awards Presentation, and Reception will be Sunday evening (March 4th) at the Omni-Bayfront. It’s not too early to go ahead and reserve your room(s).

Last month, I reported that the Permian Regional School was moving dates. It appears that the September date mentioned last month will not be possible for classrooms at the UTPB campus and at least four classes are held there. Tom and Norma are now looking at the second week of August for the Odessa Regional Event. Please refer to the regional training calendar for dates.

TWUA has contractual obligations for rooms with the Omni and we have negotiated the best hotel rate for our event and we would appreciate your consideration when selecting hotel rooms.

In this edition of the Journal you will find a questionnaire or survey and we would like to ask you to take a few moments and participate. We want to provide for your needs and would appreciate your input. You can fax the enclosed form or go to the TWUA website and click on the survey link. If you have not been to the TWUA website (www.twua. org) lately, I encourage you to go and check out the recently updated site. We want to keep the site refreshed and offer tools and functions to better serve you. If you see something that is not functioning properly, please drop us an email or give us a call. Also, if there is some other tool or function that would better serve your needs, please let us know and we will take a look and try to accommodate your request. Central Office has completed the conversion of Social Security Numbers to TCEQ Operator License Numbers. We are attempting to get away from using socials because of the issues related to identity theft. In the future when signing in at District Meetings or attending training classes we encourage you to use your TCEQ Operator License Number. As soon as we are comfortable with the integrity of the conversion we will be permanently removing all socials from your contact information. For me it is hard to believe but Annual School is just around the corner. I would like to encourage you to come to Corpus and be part of the 94th Annual School. The host hotel will again be the Omni and the dates are March 5th – 7th. The Last Board Meeting, Opening 8 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

All classes begin Monday at 8:00 a.m. and conclude Wednesday at 12:00 noon with TCEQ testing beginning at 1:30 p.m. This schedule worked well last year and we continue to fine tune the events at Annual School based on feedback and input of the attendees.

On a different note - Jerry was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. He was the kind of guy who would smile and say ‘good morning’ and mean it. When someone would ask him how he was doing, his typical response would be, “If I were any better, I would be twins!” He was a unique manager and people liked working for him. He had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation and offering encouragement. Seeing this management style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, “I don’t get it! You can’t be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?” Jerry replied, “Each morning I wake up and thank God for another day and say to myself, Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.’ I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.” “Yeah, right. It’s not that easy,” I protested. “Yes it is,” Jerry said. “Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is about choices. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It’s your choice how you live life.” I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the October 2011

restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business; he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks in intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with bullet fragments still in his body. I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, “If I were any better, I’d be twins. Wanna see my scars?” I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. “The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door,” Jerry replied. “Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live.” “Weren’t you scared? Did you lose consciousness?” I asked. Jerry continued, “The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, ‘This guy is not going to make it.’ I knew I needed to take action.”

“What did you do?” I asked. “Well, there was a big, burly nurse barking orders and shouting questions at me,” said Jerry. “She asked if I was allergic to anything. ‘Yes,’ I replied. The doctors and nurses all stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, ‘Bullets!’ Over their laughter, I told them, ‘I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive; please do not simply go through the motions and procedures. Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors and medical professionals, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we get is a gift and we have the choice to live life fully. Attitude, after all, is everything. Francie Baltazar-Schwartz In our jobs we also have choices. We can choose to accept where we are or we can choose to take control of our destiny. If we apply ourselves and have obtainable goals, we can improve our situation. We can attend training classes, we can study reference materials, we can ask questions, we can find an experienced operator willing to share knowledge and we can become the best that we can be. Management will either recognize the dedication and begin advancing you through the various steps or you will become more marketable; but either way, we do not have to settle. It takes sufficient effort, but it is possible to change and have a positive impact on our future.S Remember – We do not need all the operators in Texas to be a member of TWUA – JUST YOU ! ! !

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October 2011

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

CUSTOMER SERVICE NEWS: Are You a Real Professional?

By Ron Kaufman, Customer Service Coach

Understand the five key areas where real customer service professionals perform well..The customer was just leaving the service counter and said to the young man who had helped her, ‘You are a real professional. Thank you.’ To be called ‘a real professional’ is a very powerful compliment. It’s not easy to achieve. Real professionals perform well in five key areas: 1. Knowledge: Real professionals understand what other people want and need, what their own products and services can provide, where and how to get assistance, what’s changing in their own company and in the world of those they serve. How good is your product, process, service and industry knowledge? Want to improve? Read more, listen better, discuss with others, get mentoring, get coaching, get going. 2. Skills: Real professionals are proficient and skillful. They know how to do the right thing at the right time and in the right way. How good are your hard skills (technical competence) and soft skills (getting things done with people)? Need to improve? Study and practice new techniques, watch the masters in action, get more training, get more qualified. Be really good, then get better.

These winners go the extra mile and help others along the way. They push themselves and drive their teams to greater achievement. And customers reinforce their effort with wellearned praise. How strong is your effort? Want to increase it? Then set big, bold goals and high, stretching targets. Do something every day to move on, move up, move forward. 5. Relationships: The greatest professionals help other people move into the future. They make suggestions to solve your immediate problem and then give guidance to take you further. They anticipate your questions and prepare answers in advance. They think about your success and give advice that’s packed with value. Want to strengthen your relationships with others? Learn to listen more closely for real concerns. Make offers without being asked. Network with others in your company, your industry, your town. Lend a hand whenever you can and be willing to receive one. S

3. Attitude: Real professionals are more than technically bright. Their enthusiasm is motivating and infectious. Customers feel assured by their confidence. Colleagues are touched by their compassion. How powerful is your attitude? Need to improve? Get clear about what turns you on and why you care to serve. Align your values with your company’s goals, your customers’ needs and your colleagues’ shared commitment. And watch your mindset like a hawk. No whining when you should be shining. 4. Effort: Real professionals have a strong will and ambition to succeed. They may be humble, but they are not shy about striving for spectacular performance.

10 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

October 2011

TWUA Customer Service Chapter Day School DAY 1

TWUA C.S.S. Chapter Day School

Instructor

Topic

Glenda Dunn

08:00-09:00 0:900-09:15

Teambuilding

09:15-10:00

Break Fraud &/or Roundtable Discussion LUNCH The Image of Your City Through the Eyes of Your Citizens Break The Image of Your City Through the Eyes of Your Citizens Break Ergonomics and Workplace Safety Break Ergonomics and Workplace Safety Break All Things Backflow

10:15-10:30 10:30-11:15 11:15-12:15 12:15 -1:00 1:00-1:15 1:15-2:00 2:00-2:15 2:15-3:00 3:00-3:15 3:15-4:00 4:00-4:15 4:15-5:00

Break

Glenda Dunn Marcus Ivey/TBA Arlene Wegwerth Arlene Wegwerth Teresa Bryant Teresa Bryant

Time

Teambuilding

TWUA C.S.S. Chapter Day School

Charlotte Doran

DAY 2

Instructor

JimBob Sims

Sally French

Michael Shearer - General Mgr. Tatex Annette Jones Steve Dieterich Sofie Martinez TWUA Rep - TBA

Topic

Break

Texas811

Utilities Complaints - Helping the customers when they don't know the problem - What warrants a sample collection?? Break 5S - Workplace Organization Techniques LUNCH Ordinances Break Workplace Violence Break Dealing with the Public Break Membership

Time

08:00-09:00 09:00-09:15 09:15-10:00 10:15-10:30 10:30-11:30 11:30-12:30 12:30-1:45 1:45-2:00 2:00-2:45 2:45-3:00 3:00-3:45 3:45-4:00 4:00-5:00

October 19-20, 2011 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. /both days

Location: City of Waco

Water Office Training Room,

Address: 425 Franklin Ave (Waco, Texas )

Fee: $85.00 for member and $95.00 for non-member e e e e e

(14) CS Hours Networking Problem Solving Enhancement Tools Training

REGISTRATION FORM (Note: Please Print Legibly) Name:____________________________ E-Mail Address:____________________________________ Home Address:____________________________ City:_____________State:_____ Zip:___________ Day Time Phone #:______________________ SS# or W/WW License number#:_________________ Company Name:_________________________________TWUA Member/Non-Member_______________ Visa/MC Acct. #: _____________ ___________________Expire Date: ____________________________ Cardholder: _____________________________________Fee:____________________________________ For credit cards please fax this form to 512/459-7124 Checks or money orders mail completed registration form along with payment to: Texas Water Utilities Association 路 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 112 West 路 Austin, TX 78723-1093,

*For Questions Contact: Karen Gafford or Solie Compian at (254)299-2489 October 2011

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

IN THE NEWS: Water Conservation Tips

Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. Don’t water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates. Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation. Water longer cycles but reduce the frequency of watering. This practice encourages root growth. Remember just because the water provider says you can water on specific days does not mean your lawn actually needs the water. If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped. Rather than following a set watering schedule, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering. Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won’t run when it’s raining. To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times. Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it. Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.

rinse water. Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month. If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model. Use a water-efficient showerhead. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you a family of four up to 17,000 gallons of water a year. Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month. Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month. When you are washing your hands, don’t let the water run while you lather. Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month. When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water onand then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.

"Toilets account for

25% of water usage in the average home

Don’t use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety. When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich

water to your plants.

Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground. Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air.

Choose shrubs and ground covers instead of turf for hard-towater areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips. Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.

Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute. Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time.

For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain. Monitor your water bill for unusually high use.

When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with 12 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks. Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap. October 2011

Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time, and money. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time. Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. Itâ€™s simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week. When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load. Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean. Consider using a commercial car wash. If you wash your vehicle by hand use a hose nozzle, turn off the water while you wash your car youâ€™ll save up to 250 gallons every time. Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water. Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your faucets. Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps. Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the faucet and for energy savings. Drop your tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save water every time. Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more. Water is a very precious commodity; do your part and use it wisely. S

October 2011

Five Quick Tips: 1. Fix leaky faucets: Leaky faucets can waste up to 7 gallons of water per day. 2. Fix running toilets: Running toilets can waste gallons of water daily. 3. Install faucet aerators and lowflow shower heads: This device is cheap and easy to install. 4. Install a high efficiency toilet: Toilets account for about 25% of water used in a home. 5. Make water conservation a whole-family activity: Challenge your family members to think of new ways to save water and to be part of the solution.

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

TO REGISTER FOR ANY OF THESE CLASSES, GO TO WWW.TWUA.ORG/TRAINING.HTM

TWUA TRAIN To register for any T.W.U.A. classes – simply complete the registration form and fax to (512)459-7124 or contact T.W.U.A. @ 888-367-8982 for additional details. The name following the address is the scheduled instructor. The contact name, or last name listed after each class, is for information related to directions, training site or questions involving the host city. ***NOTICE: Due To Recent Increases For Training Materials – Class Costs Have Increased. ***Pre-Registration Is Defined To Mean 14 Days Prior To Any Scheduled Event. All registrations received after the pre-registration cutoff date must pay on-site registration fee. We strongly encourage everyone to please pre-register by fax, e-mail, or calling on site registrations are welcome but not preferred. Date

Location

Course

Address

Hours

Credit

Oct 4-6 Oct 18-20 Jan 10-12

Coleman New Braunfels Carrollton

Basic Water Basic Water Basic Water

Library Annex 355 FM 306 4750 Josey Lane

20 20 20

W W W

Mar 13-15

Longview

GW Prod

100 Grand Blvd

Jan 10-12

Longview

SWP I

100 Grand Blvd

Apr 17-19

Longview

W Lab

100 Grand Blvd

Oct 18-20 Dec 13-15 Feb 14-16 May 15-17 Jul 10-12

Victoria Waco Longview New Braunfels Carrollton

Distribution Distribution Distribution Distribution Distribution

2902 Bluff 200 Colcord 100 Grand Blvd 355 FM 306 4750 Josey Lane

20 20 20 20 20

W W W W W

Nov 8-10 Nov 15-17 Jan 24-26

Carrollton New Braunfels Longview

Basic Wastewater Basic Wastewater Basic Wastewater

4750 Josey Lane 355 FM 306 100 Grand Blvd

20 20 20

WW WW WW

May 8-10

Longview

WW Treatment

100 Grand

Oct 11-13 Nov 7-9 Nov 8-10 Nov 15-17 Mar 13-15 June 12-14

Waco Corpus Longview San Marcos Carrollton New Braunfels

WW Collection WW Collection WW Collection WW Collection WW Collection WW Collection

200 Colcord 2726 Holly 100 Grand Blvd Activities Center 4750 Josey Lane 355 FM 306

20 20 20 20 20 20

WW WW WW WW WW WW

Oct 17-19 Mar 19-21

El Paso Texarkana

Management Management

10751 Montana 4000 S Stateline

20 20

W/WW W/WW

Oct 25-27 Nov 8-10 April 17-19 Jun 11-13 Jun 19-21

Kilgore Gatesville New Braunfels Carrollton Longview

Pump and Pumping Pump and Pumping Pump and Pumping Pump and Pumping Pump and Pumping

3901 FM 349 110 N 8th 355 FM 306 4750 Josey Lane 100 Grand Blvd

24 24 24 24 24

W/WW W/WW W/WW W/WW W/WW

Oct 25-27 Mar 20-22 Mar 27-29 Sep 11-13

Huntsville Mineola Longview Carrollton

Safety Safety Safety Safety

188 Wallace Rd 300 Greenville HWY 100 Grand Blvd 4750 Josey Lane

20 20 20 20

W/WW W/WW W/WW W/WW

Nov 15-17

Victoria

Valve and Hydrant

2902 Bluff 355 FM 306

20 20

W/WW October 2011 W/WW

3901 FM 349

W/WW

14 Feb TEXAS WATER New UTILITIES JOURNALValve www.twua.org 21-23 Braunfels and Hydrant

Dec 6-8

Kilgore

Chlorinator Maint

Oct 17-19 Mar 19-21

El Paso Texarkana

Management Management

NING SCHEDULE

10751 Montana 4000 S Stateline

20 20

W/WW W/WW

Oct 25-27 Kilgore Pump and Pumping 3901 FM 349 24 W/WW Nov 8-10 Gatesville Pump and Pumping 110 N 8th 24 W/WW April 17-19 New Braunfels Pump and Pumping 355 FM 306 24 W/WW 20Jun HOUR CLASSES : (PRE-REGISTRATION) $180 MEMBER $230 NON-MEMBER 11-13 Carrollton Pump and Pumping 4750 Josey Lane 24 W/WW (ON-SITE ) $230 MEMBER Jun 19-21 Longview$280 NON-MEMBER Pump and Pumping 100 Grand Blvd 24 W/WW 24Oct HOUR CLASSES: (PRE-REGISTRATION) 290 NON-MEMBER 25-27 Huntsville Safety$240 MEMBER 188$Wallace Rd 20 W/WW (ON-SITE) $290 MEMBER Greenville HWY Mar 20-22 Mineola$340 NON-MEMBER Safety 300 20 W/WW

Mar 27-29 Sep 11-13

Longview Carrollton

Safety Safety

100 Grand Blvd 4750 Josey Lane

20 20

W/WW W/WW

Nov 15-17 Feb 21-23

Victoria New Braunfels

Valve and Hydrant Valve and Hydrant

2902 Bluff 355 FM 306

20 20

W/WW W/WW

Dec 6-8

Kilgore

Chlorinator Maint

3901 FM 349

W/WW

Dec 13-15 Apr 10-12

San Marcos Longview

CSI/CCC CSI/CCC

Activities Center 100 Grand Blvd

20 20

W/WW/CSI/BPAT W/WW/CSI/BPAT

Oct 3-7 Oct 17-21

Amarillo Arlington

IDE (Instructor II) IDE (Instructor II)

Osage Plant TRA

40 40

No operator hours No operator hours

OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING CUSTOMERS: Beginning March 1, 2011, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will accept a credit card or electronic check transfer for payments for all new occupational license and registration applications. As a result, any person applying for a new Occupational License or registration will be able to pay their application fee online using the TCEQ’s ePay system. Note: All online renewals will continue to be processed through Texas. gov. The ePay system allows companies, cities, municipalities, and organizations to pay up to 20 employees at one time using this system. At the time of the exam a printed receipt will be required. The receipt is considered to be a copy of the email verifying your payment or a copy of the web page showing the Trace Number and Voucher Number(s). For additional information and instructions on how to use the ePay system, please visit http://www.tceq.texas.gov/licensing/exams/registration. If you have questions please contact the Occupational Licensing Section at 512-239-6133 or email us at licenses@tceq.texas.gov. Allan Vargas, Manager Occupational Licensing Section. You can also registrar on-line at http://www.twua.org/training.php

for your next training class.

T.W.U.A. COURSE REGISTRATION FORM

(Note: Please Print Legibly)

Name:_______________________________ E-Mail Address:_____________________________________ Course Name: ___________________________________ Date:__________________________________ Location:___________________________________________ Fee: ________________________________ Home Address:_________________________________ City:_____________State:_____ Zip:___________ Day Time Phone #:______________________ SS# or W/WW License number#:______________________ Company Name:__________________________________TWUA Member/Non-Member_________________ Visa/MC Acct. #:___________________________________________Expire Date: _____________________ Cardholder: __________________________________________________________________________

For credit cards please fax this form to 512/459-7124 Checks or money orders mail completed registration form along with payment to: Texas Water Utilities Association · 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 112 West · Austin, TX 78723-1093, Phone: 512/459-3124 or 888/367-8982, FAX: 512/459-7124, Register on-line at www.twua.org To obtain TCEQ License Number: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/nav/data/licensed_data.html

October 2011

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

PES NEWS:

State Fair and Cease the Grease By Helen Cantril Dulac, Outreach Coordinator , Grease Abatement Program, City of Dallas

Thank goodness for a break in the heat! September brings cooler temperatures and the first signs of Fall. If you live in the North Texas area, Fall means two things football and the State Fair of Texas! This year the State Fair of Texas runs from September 30th to October 23rd and just happens to include some football, so it is a terrific time of year for everyone. Did you know that this is the 125th year for the State Fair? In 1886, the Dallas State Fair and Exposition was opened but became the Texas State Fair and Dallas Exposition the following year. Did you also know that the iconic Big Tex was originally a Santa Claus and made his debut at the Fair in 1952? Another fun fact is that the Texas Star Ferris Wheel is 212 feet tall. While you may not be an expert on State Fair trivia, I bet you DID know that the State Fair is all about fried foods. The famous fried food contest began in 2005 and has generated attention from all over the world, resulting in a visit from Oprah in 2009. This year’s winners include Buffalo Chicken in a Flapjack and Fried Bubble Gum. Now, just hearing those words it’s hard to see any similarities between the two, but I can think of one big commonality……….GREASE. Any time there is fried food there is grease, those in this business know it’s really FOG (fats, oils and grease), and we all know about FOG and what that does to our treatment plants. Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) is well aware of this problem and the associated Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) that occur with this event. We are therefore making plans to keep FOG out of our collection and treatment system. DWU’s Cease the Grease (CtG) program has used the famous State Fair and all of its fried food goodness as a way to get our message out. The State Fair is the perfect platform because it brings families who already have an awareness for grease together for us. Now, all we have to do is to let people know what they can do with the cooking grease from their homes. We do that by ramping up our FOG program, especially recycling used cooking oil. For the past two years we have given away tickets to the State Fair during special fry oil collection events. Last year our primary means of advertising were 260,000 water bill inserts that were sent to DWU customers.

260,000 water bill inserts this year to Dallas residents but we are also promoting a special giveaway program with radio ads read by our local news personality Mike Snyder. We are using social media to our advantage. The week before the Fair, people can bring one liter or more of used cooking oil to one of our 15 drop-off locations, take a picture of themselves recycling, post that photo on our CtG Facebook page and then tag themselves. We will contact them through Facebook and they will get a free ticket to the State Fair mailed to them. This is limited to the first 200 people. This way they do all the work and all we have to do is sit back and lick a few envelopes. Besides low overhead and a few man hours spent on this, when the participants tag themselves it will show up on THEIR Facebook page and their 300 friends can learn about the promotion and CtG. For that segment of the population not on Facebook, we are partnering with Whole Foods Market and a local oldies radio station to give away State Fair tickets at four locations over two days. We hope with the excitement of the Fair, the extra media and social networking we collect more FOG this year than before. Also, since everything is bigger and better in Texas and fall includes the State Fair and football we had to capitalize on that as well. Everyone who recycles used cooking oil during our promotion will be entered into a drawing for two tickets to the Texas vs. OU football game at the Cotton Bowl. That means the ones who sleep in and drop off their cooking oil after all 200 tickets are passed out still have a chance to attend a college football game, which has sold out 64 times in a row, just by recycling waste vegetable oil. That’s not a bad deal in my book. Now, if we can just get some rain……. To learn more about DWUs Cease the Grease program, please visit our newly revamped website www. ceasethegrease.org and our Facebook page Cease the Grease www.facebook.com/CeaseTheGrease. S

After the amazing participation we had last year, we are making this year’s giveaway bigger and better. After all this is Texas! Not only did we send out 16 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

October 2011

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES ASSOCIATION 63rd WEST TEXAS REGIONAL SCHOOL LUBBOCK MEMORIAL CIVIC CENTER 1501 6TH STREET NOVEMBER 1 - NOVEMBER 3, 2011

Academic Offerings WASTEWATER Basic Wastewater Wastewater Treatment Wastewater Collection

WATER

WATER/WASTEWATER

Basic Water Water Distribution Ground Water Production *Surface Water 1 Water Laboratory

Water Utilities Safety Water Utilities Management Water Utilities Calculations Chlorinator Maintenance

Course schedule Tuesday 8:30 to12:00 and 1:00 to 5:30 Wednesday 8:00 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 5:00 Thursday 8:00 to 12:00 Buffet Lunch Tue, Wed, Thu, 12:00 to 1:00

*24 hour course will begin on Monday October 31st from 1:00 to 5:00

Registration and Fees Pre-Registration Until October 27, 2011 Internet Pre-Registration (Credit Card Only) Mail Pre-Registration (Check or Money Order) On-Site Registration (No Credit Cards Accepted) (Check, Money Order, or Cash)

TWUA Member Price $ 205 $ 200 $ 220 with Proof of TWUA Membership

Non-Member Price $ 260 $ 255 $ 270

Pre-registration via Mail or Internet (preferred) www.TWUA.org with Master Card or Visa. All students are provided study manuals, necessary class room supplies, a quality buffet lunch daily If testing, make arrangements with a TCEQ representative and have a SEPARATE CHECK made out to TCEQ.

Hotel Information Holiday Inn Civic Center (Host Hotel), 801 Ave Q, Lubbock, TX 79401. (806) 763-1200 Group rate $72.00. Reservation cut off date is October 21, 2011. (To reserve your room online http://events.ichotelsgroup.com/DPRD-7LXU9V/LBBCC/website/ Use Group code WRW) Radisson, 505 Ave Q, Lubbock, TX 79401. (806) 747-0171 La Quinta Inn, Inc., 601 Ave Q, Lubbock, TX 79401. (800) 531-5900

✄

✄ Pre-Registration Form 63rd WTRWUS School

✄

Name: ___________________________________________ SS# or TCEQ Operator License#____________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _______________________________________________Home Phone:________________________________ Work Phone:_______________________________ Course Selection: _______________________________________________ Representing (Organization): _____________________________________Job Title:___________________________________ TWUA District/chapter: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Email Address:____________________________________________________________________________________________ Make checks payable to WTRWUS. No purchase orders accepted. No refunds after October 21, 2011. Please mail Pre-Registration Form and payment to: Attn: Secretary / Treasurer, P.O. Box 5068, Lubbock TX 79408 If you have any questions, please call Candy McCarthy at (806) 775-3221 or Fax (806) 775-3246 October 2011

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

TEXAS NEWS: After the Fire Call 811 By Doug Meeks, Texas811

If wildfire has caused damage to your property, one important phone call can help you avoid another major problem during the clean-up. If you plan to dig as part of the wildfire recovery, whether to replace fence posts, repair piping or cable, demolish outbuildings, bury livestock - or any other task that requires you to dig - please be sure to call 811 to report the location of underground utilities. Please allow 48 hours prior to digging, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays.

There are more than 170,000 unintentional damages to buried utility lines every year in the United States, according to the Common Ground Alliance. Nearly 60,000 of these damages are the result of failure to call 811. Striking a single utility line during wildfire recovery efforts can lead to personal injury, repair costs, and inconvenient outages. When you call 811, you will speak with a representative who will take the location and description of the project, and notify affected utilities. The utility companies will send a professional locator to mark the approximate location of utility lines. Once lines have been marked and you have waited the 48 hours, you can begin to carefully dig, taking care to avoid damage to the marked lines. Safety is a shared responsibility. Calling 811 helps protect you, your family, and your neighbors, and keeps your community safe and connected. For additional information regarding safe digging practices, visit www.texas811.org

Central Texas News: Bastrop, Texas

Greater Austin/Bastrop Fire Relief: On Sunday, September 4th, fires broke out across Central Texas. Authorities say 38,000 acres have burned in Bastrop destroying over 1,700 homes (per State of Texas records); 300 acres in Leander/Cedar Park destroying 15 homes/trailers; 7,000 acres in Perdernales destroying 30 homes and damaging 20 homes; 175 acres in Pflugerville damaging tow homes; and 150 acres in Steiner Ranch destroying 24 homes and damaging over 20 homes in Austin. ADRN will be assisting several of these families that did not have insurance or sufficient coverage to meet their immediate needs. A relief fund has been formed to begin rebuilding the lives of those affected by this catastrophic disaster. Please send donations to Austin Disaster Relief Network P.O. Box 3817, Cedar Park,Texas 78630 Attn: Greater Austin/Bastrop Fire Relief Fund. S

Bastrop, Texas

18 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

October 2011

MARCH 4-7, 2012

Texas Water Utilities Association

94th Annual School American Bank Convention Center Corpus, Christi, Texas

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TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

Continued on next page



EPA NEWS:

Aging Water Infrastructure Research By Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator U.S. EPA

"An issue we face is deferred maintenance in our water infrastructure, which in too many communities is overworked and under budgeted. Our system is deeply stressed,our financial and our natural resources are limited and our needs are not negotiable" In protecting America's waters today, we have a responsibility to continue the work that began over 40 years ago, and begin new work that will change the course of the next 40 years and beyond, this is what we have been doing since taking office, and what we plan on continuing to do in the months and years ahead." A NATIONAL PROBLEM The U.S. population is increasing and shifting geographically. Communities across the country are facing challenges in making costly upgrades and repairs to their aging water infrastructure, which includes drinking water and wastewater conveyance systems and related treatment facilities. This requires investment for new infrastructure in growth areas and also strands existing infrastructure in areas of decreasing population. Despite this need, investment in research and development has declined

and current practices and techniques may not be sufficient to address emerging issues and potentially stronger regulatory requirements. EPA has issued its Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy as part of its efforts to promote sustainable infrastructure within the water sector. Making water infrastructure last longer, while increasing its cost-effectiveness and sustainability, is essential to protecting human health and the environment, and maintaining safe drinking water and clean water bodies. This new policy is part of EPA’s priority to protect America’s waters. Drinking Water Distribution Systems • There are an estimated 240,000 water main breaks per year in the United States. • The number of breaks increases substantially near the end of the system’s service life.

Our drinking water and wastewater systems are aging, with some system components exceeding more than 100 years in age.

20 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

October 2011

-Breaks at a large utility in the Midwest increased from 250 per year to 2,200 per year during a 19-year period. -In 2003, Baltimore, Maryland, reported 1,190 water main breaks-that’s more than three per day. • A 2005 British study correlated self-reported diarrhea with low water-pressure events (including water main breaks). Wastewater Collection Systems • There are up to 75,000 sanitary sewer overflows per year in the United States, resulting in the discharge of 3-10 billion gallons of untreated wastewater. • There are an estimated 5,500 annual illnesses due to exposures to contaminated recreational waters. • In 1989, sanitary sewer overflows in Cabool, Missouri, contaminated drinking water distribution lines, causing 243 cases of diarrhea and 4 deaths. • In 1993, direct contact with a discharge of untreated sewage in Ocoee, Florida, resulted in 39 cases of hepatitis A. October 2011

THE FUNDING GAP To gain a better understanding of the challenges facing the nation’s drinking water and wastewater utilities, in September 2002, EPA’s Office of Water (OW) published “The Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Gap Analysis” (EPA-816-R-02-020), also known as the “Gap Analysis” report. The report identified several issues that raised concern as to the ability of utilities to keep up with their infrastructure needs in the future. In the report, EPA estimated that if spending for capital investment and operations and maintenance remained at current levels, the potential gap in funding for the years 2000 through 20 19 would be approximately $270 billion for wastewater infrastructure and $263 billion for drinking water infrastructure. Understanding the need for research in this area, EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORO) initiated research projects addressing aging water infrastructure (AWl). ORO’s AWl research supports OW’s larger Sustainable Infrastructure (SI) Initiative. The Sl Initiative is guiding our efforts in changing how the nation views, values, manages, and invests in its water infrastructure, and AWl research is supporting these efforts with innovative science. Both efforts are bringing together drinking water and wastewater TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

Continued on next page



EPA NEWS:

Aging Water Infrastructure Research By Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator U.S. EPA

entities, including utility managers; trade associations; local watershed protection organizations; and federal, state, and local officials to ensure that all components of our nation’s water infrastructure are addressed.

the AWl in our communities. Scientists and engineers work with collaborators and stakeholders to conduct technology research, development, and demonstration projects to fill the identified research gaps. Projects fall into four main research areas: Condition Assessment In order to assess and wastewater collection systems, data and information are gathered through observation, direct inspection, investigation, and indirect monitoring and reporting. An analysis of the data and information helps determine the structural, operational, and performance status of infrastructure assets. This area also includes failure analysis to determine the causes of infrastructure failures and to develop ways to prevent future breakdowns.

A Sustainable Water Infrastructure Tomorrow Means Fundamental Change Today To face our nation’s aging water infrastructure (AWl) challenges, EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORO) has set a goal to generate the science and engineering needed to improve and evaluate promising innovative technologies and techniques that will reduce the cost and improve the effectiveness of operation, maintenance, and replacement of aging and failing drinking water and wastewater treatment and conveyance systems. Existing technologies need to be applied in unconventional ways. Emerging technologies and innovative thinking will be at the forefront of creating a powerful, secure, cost-effective, and reliable water infrastructure.

Research Areas ORD has identified critical research needs related to 22 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

System Rehabilitation Because it is not economically feasible to completely replace all ; of our nation’s AWl with new infrastructure, the application of repair, renewal, and replacement technologies is crucial in order to reinstate functionality in a drinking water or wastewater system or subsystem. The proper balance of the repair, renewal, and replacement depends on the condition assessment, the lifecycle costs of various rehabilitation options, and the related risk reductions. Advanced Concepts Innovation is key to a sustainable water infrastructure for future generations. The application and infusion of innovative infrastructure designs, management procedures, and operational approaches into an established system is especially challenging. Advanced concepts go beyond asset management to include maximizing the benefits from low-impact development, including green infrastructure, water reuse, source water protection, and watershed management.

October 2011

Treatment Technologies for Wastewater and Water Reuse There is a growing demand for safe and reliable reclaimed wastewater and storm water along with dynamic requirements for improved water quality. For example, wet-weather flows at wastewater treatment plants must be managed more effectively in order to reduce pathogen content There are new challenges relating to the capability of pharmaceuticals and personal care products to interfere with, and even inhibit, the wastewater treatment process.

dition, the research results will assist EPA’s program and regional offices, states, territories, and tribes in meeting their programmatic requirements. Completed and expected outputs and activities include reports, workshops, site-and full-scale demonstrations, models and tools, journal articles, and others. ORD has produced technical reports on condition assessment, rehabilitation, and advanced system designs, as well as design guidance on nutrient control at wastewater treatment plants. Information can be found on EPA’s AWl research website.

Controlling nitrogen and phosphorous is a growing priority, especially in the basins that drain into the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes, and the Chesapeake Bay. In Florida, California, and the arid Southwest, the reuse of reclaimed wastewater and storm water is rapidly increasing.

In the long term, guidance documents will be developed on asset management, real-time monitoring, new materials, verification and demonstration of innovative technologies, and sustainable management and design approaches.S

There is accelerated demand for wastewater treatment technologies to be more energy efficient and to produce smaller volumes of residuals.

EPA’s Aging Water Infrastructure Research http://www.epa.gov/awi/

Research Projects EPA’s ability to find solutions to environmental problems and to communicate the results depends on a talented and dedicated workforce with diverse expertise and perspectives. ORD researchers lead and collaborate in a wide range of water infrastructure research projects, including technology demonstrations; stateof-the-technology assessments; applied research; field applications; basic research; and bench-scale, pilotscale, and controlled-condition testing. The combined projects have a broad scope to address all components of our water infrastructure: • • • • • • • •

Optimizing repair, rehabilitation, and replacement Extending the service life of installed drinking water and wastewater system components Reducing system failures and their adverse effects on public health and the environment Designing systems with low-impact development com ponents, including green infrastructure, to manage wet- weather flows Reducing sewer overflows and backups Evaluating the performance and cost of innovative technologies and approaches Investigating advanced system design and manage ment concepts Detecting, locating, and characterizing leaks in drinking water distribution and wastewater collection systems Reducing high-risk water main and force main breaks

Outputs and Activities Research results and outputs will assist drinking water and wastewater entities to more effectively implement comprehensive asset management, provide reliable service to their customers, and meet their Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. In adOctober 2011

RESOURCES

EPA’s Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/sustain/

Water Infrastructure Gap http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/sustain/infrastructuregap.cfm

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EPA REGION 6 21th Annual Quality Assurance Conference

October 17-21, 2011 Monday, October 17, 2011 9:30 a.m. 10:15 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.

Registration/Information Opening Remarks Lynda Carroll, Assistant Regional Administrator for Management Monica Jones,Quality Staff, U.S.EPA, Headquarters Lunch Elaine M. Barron,Physician Biology and Control of Cockroaches, Weste Osbrink U.S. Department of Agriculture Adjourn

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

-The Source Evaluation Society’s (SES) Qualified Source Tester Certification Program,Phil Schwindt - Air and Waste Engineering -Advances in Air Monitoring; Emerging Measurement Techniques for Airborne Pollutants,Nicola Watson,Markes International

WEDNESDAY, October 19, 2011

-Introducing a New Gas Phase Detector for Unknowns Joe Weitzel,Agilent Technologies

JOIN US IN DALLAS! NO REGISTRATION FEE The Conference is held in our 12th floor conference center located at : 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75202. Which is located at the corner of Ross Avenue and Field Street in downtown Dallas. To view the full agendum for this conference please visit the website at www.epa.gov/region6/qa. You can also register at the same website. There are no registration fees for attending this conference. For more information about this conference please contact Charles Ritchely either by email at Ritchey.Charles@ epa.gov or by voice at (214) 6658350..

-Radiochemisty Fundamentals - Understanding the Data from Basic Analysis: Gross Alpha and Gross Beta Dan Mackney,U.S. EPA, Montgomery

THURSDAY, October 20, 2011

-Review of Laboratory Data,Ann Strahl Texas Commission on Environmental Quality -“Resolutionary” Performance - The Elements of a UPPC Separation, Larry Meeker,Waters

FRIDAY, October 21, 2011

-Measurement Uncertainty Workshop,(continued) Lynn Vanatta -Regional Science Council Closed Meeting,Eugene Thilsted Moderator

24 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

October 2011

Licensing Review Questions 1. Proper sizing of electrical fuses or breakers in the electric panel would be – a. 100 % of motor nameplate ampers at full load b. 125 % of motor nameplate ampers at full load c. 150 % of motor nameplate ampers at full load d. Twice the electric motor rated ampers + 10 % e. Fuse sizing is based on Volts not Amps 2. You are installing 750 feet of 8 inch main line. The trench is 30 inches wide and is 60 inches deep – how many cubic yards of material will be excavated -

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a. 34.7 yards b. 50 yards c. 347 yards d. 3,470 yards e. None of the above 3. Most odors in sewer systems comes from gases when wastewater becomes ________ a. Infected with disease causing bacteria b. Mixed with storm runoff c. Septic d. Confined to long runs in a high pressure force main e. Both a & c 4. Current requirements indicate that all pipe joints must be – a. Mechanical joint, welded, compression or threaded b. Include rubber gasket, compression joint, be welded, or heat fused c. Plastic cemented, welded, or compression joint d. Threaded, rubber gasket, heat fused, or soldered e. Rubber gasket or heat fused is the only acceptable methods

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TWUA PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS CARDS:

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Texas Offices:

Austin: 512.328.8975 • Dallas: 972.393.3100 • El Paso: 915.545.4400 Houston: 713.759.0999 • San Antonio: 210.824.8949 45 Offices Nationwide • BrownandCaldwell.com

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Travis Russell Phone: (936) 569-8909 Hazen Research, Inc.

WATER RADIOCHEMISTRY Tritium Uranium Radiostrontium Radium Isotopes

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Houston 281-333-9414

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26 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

October 2011

WATER & WASTEWATER TRAINING You can receive monthly updates on industry news and course information while going green. Visit teex.org/subscribe to sign up for our email newsletter. Itâ€™s safe, fast, and simple. Join us at our Water & Wastewater Training Expo in San Angelo, Texas, on Oct. 18-20, 2011.

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October 2011

teex.org/www TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

DENNEHY, DONALD ESTRADA, ERNESTO GILDERSLEEVE, JOE HAHM, NATHAN D HALL, CODY B HAMMOND, SHAUN HATCH, BRADLEY HERNANDEZ, EDDIE KIMBER, TRAVIS LEE, KEVIN MARTINEZ, JORGE MILLER, JEFF J MOORE, STEVEN MORALES, JACOB MURPHY, JAROD NANCE, MICHAEL PAINTER, ERIC R RODRIGUEZ, JUAN SAUCEDA, JOSEPH SIMONS, JOSHUA G STEVENS, CHARLES WHITWORTH, MELVIN WRIGHT, NICHOLAS YBARRA, MACARIO

JANSMA, WADE E KHOYI, YASSAMAN TERGERSON, JUSTIN WILLIFORD, TIM J

LICENSES ISSUED: JULY 2011 WATER OPERATOR CLASS A ACREMAN, RANDALL BAILEY, JOHN W BLUNDELL, NOLAN J LOGAN, DAVID M RICHARDS, ALVIN C WILLIAMS, BESSIE A CLASS D ADDIE, MAMIE E AGUILAR, ROY ALLEN, JAMES E ANDUJO, JOAQUIN APPELT, JASON L BANNERMAN, KYLE BOOKMAN, WILLIAM BOYD, JACOB A BRADFORD, JUSTIN BRIGHT, NICOLE L BRIONES, ISAAC M CADENA, JOSE I JR CANTU, DAVID M CARDONA, JOSEPH CASTILLO, JESSE J COOK, MICHAEL K CORTOPASSI, RUSTY COSTELLO, STEVEN DELGADO, ARTURO DRAKE, EDWARD DURHAM, DANIEL ELKINS, BEN J ELLIS, BRYCE A FARLEY, RICHARD FLORES, MICHAEL FOSTER, WILLIAM FOYTEK, JOHN F GARZA, JOE R GOMEZ, ALEJANDRO GRIMALDO, FEDERICO HALLMAN, TARA B HAMILTON, GREGORY HATTON, JUSTINE HIRSCHI, WILLIAM HUFF, BRUCE A HULL, CHRISTOPHER HUNSINGER, ROBERT JACQUIN, KURT L JONES, MICHAEL A KEATING, BRIAN G KELLY, JONATHON G KOHUTEK, ALLAN D LADUE, JOSHUA M MACKENNEY, GEORGE E MANDUJANO, ARTEMIO MANGIS, TOMMY O MARQUEZ, HUMBERTO MAYHUGH, FORREST MCCALLA, JEREMY M MCCOMBS, JOEL D MCMILLAN, BILLY F

MILEWSKI, NATHAN MINALDI, BEVERLY MONROY, MIRIAM NEILL, SCOTT D NELSON, MARK D NUNN, ANTONIO ONTIVEROS, RAUL ORTIZ, JOHN D PEREZ, PORFIRIO PITTMAN, THOMAS POGUE, CAROL PORTER, JASON A PRECIADO, CRYSTAL RAKOWITZ, ALFRED REDDIN, DENNIS L RICHARDS, PARKER ROBINSON, DENISE RUIZ, JULIO C RUMBAUGH, DAVID SALMON, CHARLES SAROT, MICHAEL I SAUNDERS, WILLIAM SCHWABE, GLENN W SCOTT, RON A SHAFFNER, KEVIN STRONG, LESLIE SUGG, KYLE F THORNTON, JIMMY THURSTON, CHRIS TIONA, JAMES L TUCKER, TIM N VARGAS, TONATIUH WALKER, DOUGLAS WALKER, RONALD WHEATLEY, QUINCY WIECK, GARY D WILLIAMS, DANIEL WILLIS, SCOTT WRIGHT, JEFFERY YBARRA, DAVID

GROUND WATER TREATMENT CLASS B BOND, PATRICK

CLASS C BARRIENTEZ, BENITO BEECHEY, NATHAN DUENEZ, GABRIEL GUTIERREZ, ANTONIO HARVEY, CLINT T ISITT, RANDY L JOHNSTON, TANYA JONES, KRIS A LESLIE, GODWIN LOPEZ, JACINTO LUNA, RICARDO III MCHENRY, STEVEN MONCIVAIZ, JOSEPH NARAKKATTU, ROY NAVARRO, FELIPE SALINAS, DANIEL SMITH, BRIAN T THOMPSON, VANES WASTEWATER COLLECTION

CLASS I ARQUETTE, DALE BROWN, ROBERT BULLARD, PHILLIP CLASS C CARAZO, ROGER BAUTISTA, LUIS CASAMASSIMA, MANNY BLACKERBY, JOEY CROWDER, MARTY BONINE, SHAWN DALEY, WILLIAM J BOYD, WESLEY FULTON, LARRY J CASTILLO, PAUL HALL, PHILLIP D CERNOCH, BENNIE HOWARD, CODY CURRY, MARCUS JIMENEZ, MICHAEL DAVIS, MITCHELL KREEGER, JAY R HARDY, BLAINE A LUNA, BLAS JACKSON, MONDRE MARTINEZ, SERGIO MARTINEZ, ADAM R MCCORMACK, THOMAS MCANALLY, MATTHEW PADGETT, SHANE NORRIS, WILLIAM F PEREZ, FIDEL ONEAL, NATHANIEL PORRAS, JUAN A PEAKE, KENNETH SALAS, FRANCISCO PERRY, CHARLES SANCHEZ, RODRIGO ROSS, JIM D WATER DIST STARK, WILLIAM ROUNTREE, STAN STARRETT, CLINT RUSSELL, IRVIN F CLASS B WELLS, DILLON W SHEPARD, THOMAS YOUNG, CLIFFORD BROOKS, BRYCIN SOTO, HENRY DILLOW, MICHAEL STANFORD, RICKY MCADA, GENE R VALADEZ, COLLIN CLASS II PRICE, JEFFREY N WITT, JAMES W ANDERSON, CHRIS ROCHESTER, MARK ANDERSON, LOWELL SURFACE WATER CARRERA, SALVADOR CLASS C TREATMENT COLLIER, CODY L BERGT, BRADLEY FOWLER, TOBEY G BIRD, JAMES M HYDE, JEFFERY D CLASS B CABRAL, SCOTT A LAFAVE, MICHAEL DEGOLLADO, JUAN CASTANEDA, FRANK MOORE, DOUGLAS HERNANDEZ, ARTURO DELATORRE, HECTOR NANCE, MICHAEL JANSMA, WADE E DENNEHY, DONALD RAMIREZ, ROBERT KHOYI, YASSAMAN ESTRADA, ERNESTO ROSS, THURMAN A TERGERSON, JUSTIN GILDERSLEEVE, JOE SEPULVEDA, CARLOS WILLIFORD, TIM J HAHM, NATHAN D SHOWN, JAMES K HALL, CODY B TITZMAN, LARRY D HAMMOND, SHAUN VERRET, SCOTT D CLASS C HATCH, BRADLEY VILLARREAL, JOSEPH BARRIENTEZ, BENITO HERNANDEZ, EDDIE WALKER, STEPHEN BEECHEY, NATHAN KIMBER, TRAVIS WILLIS, ROBERT DUENEZ, GABRIEL LEE, KEVIN GUTIERREZ, ANTONIO MARTINEZ, 28 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNALJORGE www.twua.org HARVEY, CLINT T MILLER, JEFF J CLASS III ISITT, RANDY L MOORE, STEVEN BADILLO, EDDIE JOHNSTON, TANYA MORALES, JACOB BAILEY, ROBERT JONES, KRIS A

SHOWN, JAMES K TITZMAN, LARRY D VERRET, SCOTT D VILLARREAL, JOSEPH WALKER, STEPHEN WILLIS, ROBERT CLASS III BADILLO, EDDIE BAILEY, ROBERT CUEVAS, PAUL DUVAL, JOE D ESPARZA, FELIX FOWLER, JASON HERNANDEZ, ROBERT JIMERSON, CHRIS MCGEE, ANTHONY QUIROZ, SANTIAGO SLOAN, JOSEPH S TURNER, CHRIS TURNER, LONNIE WARD, JOHN WHITE, DAVID XU, ZHONGHE WASTEWATER TREATMENT CLASS B BARNES, JASON R CORPUS, THOMAS GARZA, FRANK MERINO, RICK MOPIA, BIENVENIDO ROY, VICTOR VINE, MARK WATKINS, THOMAS CLASS C BARNARD, STEPHEN BARRIENTES, ANDREW BARRY, THEODORE BAXTER, JOSEPH BOYD, ALAN F CHEZEM, CLAY CONNELL, GERALD CORDOVA, CESAR DIAZ, JACOB FLUHARTY, JOHN GRENIER, KIM M GUERRA, JAIME HANSEN, RICHARD HAYWOOD, MICHAEL KWONG, DANIEL LARANCE, VELMER LEWIS, CHRIS LEWIS, LOY S LUCIO, YSIDRO MARCELL, CHAL MARTINEZ, VICTOR MCAFEE, JOSH W MCCORMACK, THOMAS MOJICA, JUAN C OBRIEN, DANIEL PHAN, JENNIFER PITTMAN, BOBBY RAMIREZ, LOUIS SALDIVAR, ELOY SARNACKI, KATHRYN SIFUENTES, RAYMOND SIMNACHER, SHANNON SPRUILL, DANIEL WALLIN, STARSKY WILKERSON, JESSIE October 2011 ZAVALA, MICHAEL

PHAN, JENNIFER PITTMAN, BOBBY RAMIREZ, LOUIS SALDIVAR, ELOY SARNACKI, KATHRYN SIFUENTES, RAYMOND SIMNACHER, SHANNON SPRUILL, DANIEL WALLIN, STARSKY WILKERSON, JESSIE ZAVALA, MICHAEL CLASS D ANYASO, ALEXANDER ARDOIN, RASHAUD BONINE, SHAWN BRIDGES, TYLER CARROLL, ANTHONY DELAROSA, JASON DUNHAM, BILLY G FLETCHER, DOUGLAS FULLER, GREGORY GARCIA, CLIFFORD GARZA, ALONSO GASSIOTT, JAMES HANNABASS, SHAUN INZUNZA, JESUS KEATING, BRIAN LAWSON, GARY LIONBERGER, LOTIS MARTINEZ, OSBALDO MCADAMS, ANTHONY MCKINZEY, MIKE MORROW, ROY D NEMETH, JOSEPH OWEN, IVAR V PARRISH, SCOTT QUIROZ, SERGIO RAMOS, BERTO D RHODES, ALYSON RODRIGUEZ, RENE SAENZ, JOSE R SEPEDA, ALFRDO STRACK, JAMES TAYLOR, DAVID TIDWELL, TERRENCE TURNER, RANDALL VIEN, STEVE H WINCH, MATTHEW YOUNG, TOMMY

DAVIS, DARRIN GALINDO, NICHOLAS GILLILAND, SEAN P GREEN, TOMMY GUIDA, JAMIE M HARRISON, BOBBY HERNANDEZ, JOSE HITZEMAN, AARON HORTON, JOHNNY HURST, DENNIS JEFFERSON, BOBBY KELLEJIAN, ALAN KESTLER, TIMMY KNOBLOCH, JASON KNOTT, KEVIN M LEE, ADAM R LEWIS, JERRELL LOPEZ, REYNALDO MERINO, BRYAN PENA, STEPHEN PENINGER, JASON POE, JOSHUA L PULLIAM, MICHAEL RICH, TIMOTHY A SHANNON, CIMARRON SHANNON, LAREDO SHERRY, MICHAEL SOVA, EDWARD STARR, DUSTIN TON, DAN T TURLEY, DERRICK WHITESIDE, LARRY WIGGINS, CHRIS CUSTOMER SERVICE INSPECTOR ALCANTAR, JEREMIAH ARMSTRONG, JOEL COE, STEVEN F COPPLIN, CHANDRA DUE, BRADLEY FRANCO, CARLA A JACKSON, MONDRE JOURNEY, HENRY KITTEN, JERRY J LAUBACH, WILLIAM LOPEZ, ESTEBAN RODRIGUEZ, LOUIS

BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY TESTER ANDERSON, PAUL BARLOW, QUENTIN BARYO, TREVER BLACKWELL, RICHARD BLAGRAVE, ROBERT BOYD, JEFFREY BUCHHOLZ, JUSTIN BYERLY, JODY CATES, ROBERT CRISP, DAVID CURRY, CLYFF DAUGHERTY, MATHEW DAVIS, DARRIN GALINDO, NICHOLAS GILLILAND, SEAN P GREEN, TOMMY GUIDA, JAMIE M HARRISON, BOBBY HERNANDEZ, JOSE HITZEMAN, AARON HORTON, JOHNNY HURST, DENNIS October 2011 JEFFERSON, BOBBY KELLEJIAN, ALAN KESTLER, TIMMY

IMAGINE A PROGRAM T H AT H E L P S U S S A V E W A T E R T O D AY. S O T H E Y ’ L L H AV E I T T O M O R R O W.

EPA is proud to introduce WaterSense, a program that sets performance and water-efficiency specifications for products and services. Local utilities can use WaterSense to help residents save water. Together, we can build an ethic of water efficiency and protect this resource for future generations. Learn more at www.epa.gov/watersense.

TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

TWUA Employment Classified ADS: CHIEF PLANT OPERATOR Bastrop, Texas

The City of Bastrop is seeking applicants for immediate employment as Chief Plant Operator in the Water and Wastewater Department. This is a supervisory position and requires considerable experience in collection and treatment of wastewater, operating water wells, pumping and storage of drinking water, and maintenance of related equipment. The applicant has to be able to operate and maintain the City’s W/WW SCADA System. As a Supervisor, the successful applicant will be required to schedule activities, evaluate performance of the W/WW Operations’ crew and manage budget expenditures related to the operation of this department. Additionally, must be skilled in writing, preparing and interpreting reports, lab data and technical information related to the water and wastewater field. This position requires TCEQ certification of level “B” in both groundwater and wastewater operations, and the ability to obtain both licenses within 18 months. This is a non-exempt position with wages starting at $36,308 annually, DOQ. Generous benefits such as employee insurance (medical and dental), vacation, sick leave, training with pay and uniforms are provided. The position will remain open until filled. Please submit an application and resume to the Human Resources Department, 1311 Chestnut Street, Bastrop, Texas 78602, or online at www.cityofbastrop.org. EOE. An applicant selected for this position will be required to submit to a physical/ drug/alcohol/criminal background screening prior to employment. Salary: $36,308.00 annually, DOQ. Fax resume and salary requirements to Kimberly McClain: 512-332-0279 Email resume and salary requirements to: kmcclain@ cityofbastrop.org

W/WW OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TECHS

Austin, Lake Livingston, Cedar Creek Lake, D/FW Southwest Water is looking for licensed water and wastewater operators in the Austin, Lake Livingston, Cedar Creek Lake and D/FW areas. Competitive pay and excellent benefits including, medical, dental, vision and 401 retirement plans. Must be familiar with all required testing including CL2, DO, pH, TSS, TDS, Alk, etc. Must be detail oriented and organized. Must have the ability to communicate effectively and work independently. Must be familiar with Microsoft Office Suite software (Word, Excel, etc.) High School diploma or equivalent required. Minimum class “D” water and “D” wastewater licenses required (“C” level preferred). Salary is negotiable depending on qualifications. Fax resume and salary requirements to David Ortiz: 832-209-5381 Email resume and salary requirements to: dortiz@swwc.com

WATER / WASTEWATER OPERATOR Smyer, Texas

The City of Smyer is accepting applications for Water and Wastewater Operator. Applicants must be 21 years of age, physically capable of handling utility equipment and operating necessary equipment, and possess a Class D TCEQ water and wastewater license. Applicants must pass criminal history and driving record check, pre-employment and random drug testing. A complete list of requirements is available at the Smyer City Hall, 202 Lincoln, Smyer, Texas. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Fax resume and salary requirements to: (806) 234-3071 or email resume and salary requirements to: smyercity@crosswind.net

30 TEXAS WATER UTILITIES JOURNAL www.twua.org

WATER/WASTEWATER INSTRUCTOR Regional **Position will be posted sometime in September at www. teexjobs.com** The Instructor delivers and conducts training courses for water and wastewater utility personnel to increase their technical competence and skills at remote locations. This position’s duties include classroom and topic preparation, delivery of classes including demonstrating with teaching aids, and completing required administrative paperwork. The Instructor is expected to maintain their technical competence and skills and will report to the Training Director. Three years of experience in the operation, maintenance, design, construction, or regulation of water utility systems. One year of experience in training adults, and 60 hours of classroom instructional experience OR Completion of approved Instructor training courses in: 1. Methods of Teaching OR Effective Instructional Techniques AND 2. Instructional Design and Evaluation OR Organizational and Use of Training Materials. Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university. We will allow for equivalency of training and experience. See posting at teexjobs.com Texas Engineering Extension Service: Human Resources (979)458-6801 Fax resume and salary requirements to: 979-862-5051 Email resume and salary requirements to: HR@teexmail.tamu.edu

CENTRAL OFFICE

Staff: RUSSELL HAMILTON Executive Director r.hamilton@twua.org DAVID MOORE Training Coordinator d.moore@twua.org ANGELA MONROE Event Coordinator a.monroe@twua.org DONNA MARTIN Accounting d.martin@twua.org HENRIETTA ADEE Membership Coordinator

h.adee@twua.org

PATTI JURGENSEN Office Assistant

p.jurgensen@twua.org

Officers: CECE WHITE

President white@txkusa.org

NORMA CLARK

President Elect nclark874@cableone.net

ROGER FUSSELL

Vice President rogerf@lumbertonmud.com

BYRON HARDIN

Immediate Past President bgmhardin@verizon.net

TOM CLARK

Second Past President T.Clark@bcmud.org

JAN CLAWSON

Ex-Officio jclawson@wachsco.com

October 2011

Staff:

Smith Pump Company

Fort Worth • Waco • Austin San Antonio • McAllen Phone: 1.800.299.8909

Best in class Warranty!