bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating aerobic endospores as indicators of intrusion in distribution systems
Authors: Cartier Clément , Besner Marie‐Claude , Barbeau Benoit , Lavoie Jean , Desjardins Raymond , Prévost Michèle
Published: February 2018

Aerobic endospores are naturally found in soil, easy to measure, and more resistant to chlorine than bacterial indicators are. The objective of this study was to assess whether aerobic endospores could be used as an indicator of intrusion in a full‐scale distribution system. The background aerobic endospore concentration in distributed water was low (average of 0.13 cfu/100 mL). Pipe deposits and biofilm sloughing were not found to be significant sources of endospores; concentrations in 8 of 10 spot‐flushing samples were not significantly different from those in distributed water. Only 5 of 71 water samples collected during flushing after main repairs showed endospore concentrations that were higher than they were during spotflushing. These observations suggest that aerobic endospores can be used as indicators of intrusion in distribution systems and could be useful to assess the adequacy of maintenance practices, identify areas of improvement, and manage incidents with risks of intrusion.
Tuning of PID controllers for water networks—different approaches
Authors: Kumar M. Prasanna , Kumar M.S. Mohan
Published: February 2018

Control technology is increasingly being used to improve performance of water distribution systems, although the use of control algorithms is not yet in vogue among water engineers, nor is the study of efficient controllers. It is well known, though, that the performance of controllers is dependent on the tuning of their gains (parameters). This article examines the performance of proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers, comparing three techniques for tuning the controllers— gain parameters: standard tuning by the standard Ziegler‐Nichols rules (ZNPID), offline tuning by genetic algorithms (GAPID), and automatic tuning by a fuzzy (logic) supervisor (FZPID). The article presents the effects of fixed gains and varying gains on the performance of a PID controller for a nonlinear water level‐flow control system. The ZNPID and GAPID controllers are in the fixed‐gain category, and the FZPID controller is in the varying gain category. The study finds that of the three techniques, the fuzzy‐based online tuning approach provides better control for the operation of water networks.
Groundwater quality of individual wells and small systems in Arizona
Authors: Marrero‐Ortiz Roberto , Riley Kelley R. , Karpiscak Martin K. , Gerba Charles P.
Published: February 2018

A study of the microbial, physical, and chemical quality of nondisinfected individual and small groundwater drinking water systems in Arizona was conducted. Forty‐nine groundwater sources were tested (10 small public water systems and 39 individual wells). Forty‐three percent of the systems were positive for total coliforms, 16% for fecal coliforms, and 4% for Escherichia coli. Twenty‐nine percent of the wells were positive for enterococci, and 57% for Aeromonas hydrophila. Helicobacter pylori, noroviruses, rotaviruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, and hepatitis A were not detected. Metals that exceeded drinking water standards included arsenic, aluminum, iron, lead, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and uranium. Most of the metals evaluated in this study were at greater concentrations in public drinking water systems than in individual wells. In total, 95% of the well water sources exceeded at least one primary and/or secondary drinking water standard.
Water Transport Charges and the California Divide: Implications of Ruling for Future State Capital Water Projects
Authors:   Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Published: February 2018

This article discusses the recent case of Alameda County Flood Control & Water Conservation District Zone 7 et al v. State of California Department of Water Resources et al, Case No. 05AS01775, Sac. Sup. Ct. [Aug. 21, 2009], which centers around the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) use of revenues from the Hyatt‐Thermalito Dam, operated near the large storage facility of Lake Oroville, to offset the fees it charges contracting water agencies to the California State Water Project (SWP) for transporting water through the system. The article discusses the grave importance of these transportation charges to Southern California water agencies, along with how the court's decision was influenced by the ambiguity of the text of the contract. The court found that the state acted within its discretion in setting the fee structure in the first place. DWR has a statutory authority to sell power and set the price for it under California Water Code §11454. Other sections of the water code authorize DWR to cancel power sale contracts with utilities on the condition that it continued to pay at least as much for at least as long as the utilities paid for Hyatt‐ Thermalito power. DWR developed a policy regarding how it would value Hyatt‐Thermalito power for the purposes of calculating the credit to the SWP transportation charges, and the court held that this policy decision was entitled to deference.
Using IT, Part 2: Achieving comprehensive knowledge preparedness in your workforce
Authors: Davis Cheryl K. , McPherson James , Smith James F. , Crosby Jennifer , Curtis Catherine
Published: February 2018

Most utility managers are aware that operational reliability is threatened by the loss of knowledgeable, experienced staff members ‐ many of whom are Baby Boomers. Typically, utilities have weak processes for knowledge capture, knowledge management, and transfer, and they have relied on the knowledge of experienced staff members rather than documentation or training programs. Additionally, most utility managers are not well‐versed in either knowledge preparedness or information technology (IT). As a result, they aren't sure where to begin in terms of using IT as a tool to help address the challenge. IT offers a variety of tools to help upgrade the processes of knowledge capture, management, and transfer. None of the tools are magic, but they can help if the time, money, energy, and thought required are invested to plan and implement IT projects in a coordinated, comprehensive way. The information that is presented in this article will provide managers with both specific ideas and general guidelines on the type of investments they need to make in order to ensure that employees in mission‐critical categories have the information they need so they can produce quality work.
Sensors Designed to Monitor Pipes After a Disaster
Authors: Fitzenberger Jennifer
Published: February 2018

This article discusses a program developed by the University of California, Irvine, to outfit water systems with sensors that will alert officials in the event of a natural or human caused disaster to when and where pipes crack or break. The compact disc‐sized sensing devices attach to the surface of pressurized (drinking water) and nonpressurized (wastewater) pipes. The sensors detect changes in vibrations and sounds, which could indicate problems with pipes, and then relay the information wirelessly to a central location for recording, processing, and diagnostic analysis. The sensors will compliment existing supervisory and data acquisition systems (SCADA).
GIS and hydraulic model integration: Implementing cost‐effective sustainable modeling solutions
Authors: Edwards Jerry , Koval Edward , Lendt Brian , Ginther Paul
Published: February 2018

For many utilities, the integration of a geographic information system (GIS) with a water distribution‐system hydraulic model is an elusive and frustrating goal. Distribution‐system models are becoming increasingly complex and are being used more regularly for various applications. These models are also becoming more closely integrated with utilities— GISs. Many hydraulic models now include most—if not all—of the pipes in the distribution system. The trend in hydraulic modeling has been to integrate the vast amount of data contained in a utility—s constantly changing GIS with the less frequently modified hydraulic model. This article explores issues related to the maintenance and update of the model piping network and its relationship to the GIS, focusing on maintenance of the hydraulic model—s physical facilities and specifically on the piping network. General recommendations are presented to improve the cost‐effectiveness of maintaining an updated hydraulic model.
Optimizing Operations Using Mobile and Wireless Technology
Authors: Stern Chris , Iadarola Brent
Published: February 2018

This article discusses the Water Research Foundation‐sponsored report, “Field Computing Applications and Wireless Technologies for Water Utilities”. The report explains the current state of wireless and field computing applications across the water utility industry, as well as the future needs likely to be generated by these applications’ increasing use, and provides case studies and tools for helping utilities effectively prioritize, plan, and implement these programs. The article discusses several highlights related to the adoption of field computing applications and mobile resource management (MRM) solutions by water utilities.
Ozone‐contactor flow visualization and quantification using three‐dimensional laser‐induced fluorescence
Authors: Kim Dooil , Nemlioglu Semih , Roberts Philip J.W. , Kim Jae‐Hong
Published: February 2018

Three‐dimensional laser‐induced fluorescence (3D LIF) was applied for the first time to investigate hydrodynamics and mixing in an ozone contactor used for water disinfection. The unsteady, three‐dimensional flow and mixing in the contactor was visualized and quantitatively analyzed, providing information that has not been possible to supply with traditional tracer techniques. In particular, the results obtained from a model reactor with a sidestream venturi injection suggested that the overall reactor hydrodynamics were close to a plug flow despite the jet injection at the inlet. The inflow separated into two streams as it reached the opposite wall, and the streams swirled as they traveled through the reactor, allowing a “plug‐flowlike” condition to develop in each water stream. The 3D LIF technique is expected to be useful for the design and optimization of ozone contactors and other disinfection reactors, including chlorine contactors and ultraviolet reactors.
Not Because I'm a Girl
Authors: Monroe Kasey Mcdonald
Published: February 2018

This article discusses the meaning of “diversity”, and the author relates experiences from her childhood and young adulthood that taught her the meaning of diversity from that of a woman's point of view who works in the male‐dominated water industry.
Conservation From A to Z
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

From home audits in Phoenix, Arizona, to labeling of water‐efficient products in Portugal, this issue provides information about a variety of processes and programs utilities can implement to achieve measurable water savings.
Make Regional Partnerships Count
Authors: Davis Carole
Published: February 2018

This article discusses a regional partnership between the city of Dallas, Texas, Water Utilities (DWU) and the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) that created a “Save Water” linkage across the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The primary goals for this partnership were to stretch ratepayer dollars and unify the conservation messages being delivered to the public.
Evaluating water resource management in the face of a carbon market
Authors: Lellou Brandy , Strassberg Valerie
Published: February 2018

This article discusses tremendous opportunities for water supply and wastewater treatment authorities to contribute to long‐term CO2 emissions reductions through better water resource management. With these opportunities also comes an enormous responsibility to find a balance among energy efficiency, water resource management, and CO2 emission reductions. This balance is unique to each municipal water provider and depends on numerous factors. This article examines three components of the water energy link: subregional energy generation; water resource availability; and, distribution system upgrades and conservation programs. By using examples from three municipal water supply authorities (Chicago, Illinois; Arvada, Colorado; and James City County, Virginia) with markedly different geographical and water resource situations, variations in need and the potential for water conservation and CO2 emission reduction is demonstrated.
The institutional politics of water conservation
Authors: Teodoro Manuel P.
Published: February 2018

This article analyzes the influence of local governmental structures on the likelihood that utilities adopt one of two water conservation policies: conservation rates and landscape audits. Statistical analysis tests the effects of special‐district versus general‐purpose‐structures, ward‐based versus at‐large electoral structures, and mayor‐council versus council‐manager charter forms. The results demonstrate that government institutions influence adoption of conservation policies in predictable ways, even after accounting for climatic conditions and financial capacity. This article examines the structure of local institutions that govern water utilities and demonstrates that these institutional structures shape the politics of water conservation in predictable ways. U.S. local government structures vary widely in ways that make them more or less amenable to different kinds of conservation policies. This article begins by outlining major policy options for local utilities seeking to encourage conservation, with a particular focus on landscape audits and conservation rates. A consideration of democratic governance follows, with a discussion of how the distribution of costs and benefits under different conservation policies affect their chances of being adopted under various institutional arrangements. The article concludes with a summary of findings and provides lessons for utility leaders who are considering conservation programs. The research in this article specifically focuses on utilities owned by municipal, county, or special district governments, not on investor‐owned utilities; the politics of interest in this article are the politics of city halls and district board rooms. The politics of state utility commissions were not examined as part of this study. Further, this study focused on political institutions and did not address many other important variables that affect local politics, such as leadership, public opinion, and state or federal regulations.
Training the Next Generation
Authors: Carper Steve , Green Deborah
Published: February 2018

This article discusses water utility workforce succession and knowledge retention issues related to the increase in requirements for environmental and water conservation programs. The article discusses the conspicuous lack of formalized training and competency assessment available to currently practicing or potential water conservation professionals. The article highlights water conservation training by AWWA's California‐Nevada (CA‐NV) Section, and the Lane Community College (LCC) Water Conservation Technician Program, and mentions a conservation program offered by AWWA's Pacific Northwest Section Water Conservation Committee (PNWS WCC) that is regionally specific to Oregon, Washington and Idaho. This program was designed to be modular and to allow for the removal of geographically‐specific information and the inclusion of modules from other geographic areas.
Compliance Is King
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

Compliance is the focus on the regulatory front at most utilities, with assessments being done to determine how best to comply with the Stage 2 Disinfectants/Disinfection Byproducts Rule (D/DBPR), the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), the (soon‐to‐be‐revised) Total Coliform Rule (TCR), and the monitoring requirements under the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR).
Pipeline Flash Reactor Technology Selected for Castaic Lake Water Agency Expansion
Authors: Jackson Jim
Published: February 2018

This article discusses a planned expansion of the Castaic Lake Water Agency (CLWA) that included installing pipeline flash reactors (PFRs) (PFR) from the Mazzei Injector Co. LLC in Bakersfield, California. The Earl Schmidt Filtration Plant (ESFP) ozone system was designed by Black & Veatch. The Rio Vista Water Treatment Plant (RVWTP) system was a joint design venture by Black & Veatch and Kennedy Jenks Consultants. As part of the RVWTP expansion, the existing 102‐in. raw water pipeline was converted to an ozone contactor. The Mazzei PFR was selected for the ozone sidestream injection to match a similar installation at the agency's ESFP, and because of its proven high‐efficiency operation within a small footprint. System efficiencies created by the PFR technology are discussed, including bubble diffusion and static mixers, and ongoing research.
Building Utility Partnerships and Capacity
Authors: Batten John J.
Published: February 2018

This article discusses water operator partnerships, defined in the article as any simple or structured partnership that has the goal of capacity‐building on a not‐for‐profit basis with the overarching aim of improving and extending basic water and sanitation services to all consumers. The article discusses several fundamental advantages of the operator partnership approach, along with opportunities for securing funding, and the approach taken by AWWA's International Council (IC) to organize U.S. utilities seeking to partner with water utilities in developing countries in an effort to improve operations at these nascent utilities.
Water Infrastructure: Opportunities and Challenges for a New Decade
Authors: Dougherty Cynthia
Published: February 2018

This article discusses opportunities and challenges in the field of drinking water infrastructure. It provides a brief overview of several reports published over the last decade, which state that much of the water infrastructure in the U.S. is approaching the end of its useful life. The article discusses the term “infrastructure sustainability,” a concept that includes the built, physical elements of a drinking water system along with the natural or ecological systems with which it is connected as well as the institutions that plan, build, and manage this infrastructure. The article presents 10 attributes of an effectively managed water utility that represent the areas that the water sector believes are key to further improving utility performance.
Application of the microbial decay factor to maintain chloramine in large tanks
Authors: Sathasivan Arumugam , Fisher Ian , Kastl George
Published: February 2018

Microbial acceleration of chloramine decay (including nitrification) exacerbates the difficulty of maintaining an adequate disinfectant residual in chloraminated systems with long retention times. An adaptive management strategy based on the microbial decay factor (Fm) was developed to improve chloramine residual in a service reservoir (tank). The reservoir studied has a capacity of 404 ML and is not mechanically mixed. It undergoes continuous chemical, physical, and microbial stratification in summer but in winter is only microbially stratified. At the end of summer 2002‐03 (southern hemisphere), signs of severe nitrification were observed. After careful consideration of control options, serial dilution was adopted, particularly in winter. The Fm value resulting from this serial dilution was predictable from previous measurement of Fm in the reservoir and its inflow. Subsequently, an adaptive control strategy to maintain low Fm ensured that the reservoir was clear of severe nitrification for the next two years of evaluation.
Control of zebramussels using sparker pressure pulses
Authors: Schaefer Raymond , Claudi Renata , Grapperhaus Michael
Published: February 2018

Field tests of a sparker system demonstrated control of zebra mussels in an intake pipe. The sparker was implemented in a wet well near the exit of an intake pipe at a Georgia‐Pacific plant on Lake Champlain, N.Y. and was tested during the summer of 2003. The pressure was measured at several locations along the pipe, and zebra mussel samples were placed at those locations. Test results indicated that sparker pressure pulses can eradicate existing adult zebra mussels and prevent the settlement of larval stages. Sparker pressure pulses with peak pressures of at least 0.04 MPa and pressure energies per unit area of 0.16 J/m2 per pulse appeared to prevent the settlement of veligers. Peak pressures of 0.23 MPa and pressure energies per unit area of 5.8 J/m2 per pulse caused mortality of adult mussels.
Performance of ductile‐iron pipe in earthquake/seismic zones
Authors: Tucker Michael S.
Published: February 2018

Recent earthquakes worldwide have shown the vulnerability of pipelines at locations of ground rupture as a result of soil liquefaction, landslides, or fault slippage. Although earthquake‐induced ground shaking is known to cause major damage to pipelines constructed of brittle materials and/or rigid joints, most current pipeline construction materials have rubber‐ gasketed joints that are sufficiently flexible to prevent damaging stress buildup as a result of seismic excitation and movement. Ductile‐iron pipe has become the leader in water and sewer piping for distribution and transmission mains up to 64 in. in diameter because it is a strong resilient pipe with flexible joints and because of recent technological advances in restrained, flexible expansion/contraction couplings for seismic areas. Pipelines subject to seismic forces must have high strength and flexibility. Good jointing techniques must be practiced, thereby enabling the pipeline to increase or shorten in length and to rotate or bend without leakage, failure, or interruption to service.
Vulnerability of drinking water supply wells to VOCs
Authors: Rowe Barbara L. , Price Curtis V. , Zogorski John S. , Moran Michael J.
Published: February 2018

As part of a US Geological Survey study of national water quality, untreated water samples from ~ 1,100 public supply and 2,400 domestic wells were analyzed for 55 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Findings indicated that drinking water from public supply wells is more vulnerable than domestic well water to VOC contamination. Analyses showed that the solvents perchloroethene and trichloroethene in public well samples were associated with point sources and pumping rates, potentially resulting from contaminant plumes that are drawn into wells with large capture zones. In contrast, detections of the trihalomethanes chloroform and bromodichloromethane and detections of methyl tertiary butyl ether were not associated with pumping rates. Chloroform detections were inversely correlated with the percentage of undeveloped land, indicating a nonpoint source signal. Widespread VOC detections in public well samples confirmed that wellhead protection efforts are warranted and that prudent managerial decisions regarding well planning, construction, and operation can result in reduced risks of VOC contamination to drinking water supplies.
Energy optimization for water systems
Authors: Biehl William H. , Inman Julie A.
Published: February 2018

Ask utility managers what their biggest expense is after staffing, and they will reply without hesitation that it's energy. If energy costs could be reduced even a little, it would result in significant benefits for the utility. Using energy optimization techniques, utilities can reduce their operating costs, lower their greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce energy use in their facilities ‐ all of which also contribute to long‐term sustainability of energy resources. Energy optimization and cost savings go hand in hand, and small changes can have a big payoff. Energy audits, power monitoring, equipment efficiency, and improved operational efficiency are valuable tools utilities can use to optimize energy use. Such strategies are not only good business ‐ they are also good for the environment.
The Distribution System: It's Not Just About the Water
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

Distribution systems do more than deliver potable water to the tap ‐ they protect a community's public health as well as determine its economic vitality. As Clark and colleagues note, because of the importance of these assets, utilities are increasingly applying asset management techniques to their distribution systems. One technique in particular, condition assessment modeling, allows utilities to identify the major factors that influence the reliability of infrastructure. The authors also note that there are a number of unknown factors (termed “frailty”) that affect pipe breakage rates. Interestingly, they found that in the Laramie, Wyoming, system, frailty was much greater for metallic pipe than for plastic pipe even though the expected life of the plastic pipe was shorter. This article underscores the benefits of a systematic, organized examination of distribution system piping, but cautions that such an effort is time consuming and will require dedication and patience on the part of utility staff.
It Takes a Workforce
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

The delay in the Baby Boomer generation retiring has been a stroke of luck for many employers, giving them time to prepare for the eventual massive exodus of the largest generation of workers. The U.S. Department of Labor has estimated that by 2012 there will be 165 million jobs ‐ and 162 million available workers. The disparity between those numbers doesn't seem so overwhelming until you consider that quite a few of those available workers will be 55 and older. Whether you're ready for the coming brain drain or not, there are a number of options available to utilities to recruit and retain younger workers while managing the departure of the Baby Boomers.
Young professionals pave their own path to development
Authors: Edwards Jeannie
Published: February 2018

What started as an informal effort to provide better technical training for a group of engineers in one office of MWH has blossomed into a companywide effort to engage and develop its young professionals. Nearly two decades after its initial inception, the Young Professionals Group (YPG) is a key component of MWH's global efforts to recruit, retain, and engage so‐called “Millennials,” who bring specific needs and talents to the workplace. This article provides specific information about how companies can effectively engage and retain their young employees by providing them with the flexibility to initiate programs that address their different needs in the marketplace while also allowing them an outlet to improve and engage their communities. This information will be important for human resource departments and the youth leadership within the water industry as the sector experiences the anticipated rise in employment of young professionals and the simultaneous retirement of Baby Boomers over the next 10‐20 years.
Phosphorus: A Resource in Decline
Authors: Britton Ahren , Baur Rob
Published: February 2018

This article discusses the decline in phosphorus resources due to its over‐production as a fertilizer. and as a result of phosphorus‐mining, the threat it poses as it enters the ecosystem as waste, thus leading to excessive nutrient levels in waterways. Pearl®, a nutrient recovery process technology developed by Ostara, a Vancouver, B.C., company, is presented as being effective at removing up to 20% of the phosphorus load to wastewater treatment plants. The Pearl process is based on a proprietary fluidized bed reactor in which magnesium is added to sludge dewatering liquor to precipitate struvite under a controlled chemical reaction.
Balancing Demands for Limited Funds Between Existing Infrastructure Needs and Water Supply Projects
Authors: Baird Gregory M.
Published: February 2018

This article discusses several factors that utilities should consider when allocating their limited funding reserves or available debt financing capacity, including how the project is defined, who benefits from and pays for the project, and what the timing of the required funding will be. The article discusses the capital improvement plan (CIP) as a critical planning function for every utility to communicate the requirements of the plan for capital purchases.
Snagging Funding for Security, Emergency Response, and Resiliency Projects
Authors: Spence Shannon , Ross Joshua , Tuozzoli Corinne
Published: February 2018

This article discusses the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) primary funding mechanism for building and sustaining national preparedness capabilities. Water and wastewater utilities are eligible for these grants because they are recognized as critical infrastructure and first responders. HSGP includes a number of subprograms, three of which can benefit the water sector and are discussed in this article. These are the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), and the Buffer Zone Protection Program (BZPP). The article provides contact information and seven pointers for applying for federal grant monies.
A new regulatory strategy for implementing the SDWA
Authors: Cotruvo Joseph A.
Published: February 2018

This past March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) unveiled a new strategy for drinking water regulation, proposing four major changes to the current process: address contaminants as a group rather than individually; encourage development of new treatment technologies to address health risks; use multiple statutes to protect drinking water; and, work with the states to share more complete data from system monitoring. Although the author believes that regulatory reform could be beneficial, he suggests what he believes to be a more practical and sustainable alternative to what USEPA has presented. The author provides four recommendations that would reduce the current number of regs, add a small number of new regs, expand the role of the Health Advisory Program, and provide guidance to the states for standardized regulatory applications. He notes that such changes to the current regulatory process would result in more efficient regulations and more health‐based benchmark values, which would reduce uncertainties when trace contaminants are detected.
Biodestruction of blended residual oxidant streams
Authors: Brown Jess , Wheadon Rick , Hansen Edwin
Published: February 2018

After bench‐ and pilot‐scale studies demonstrated the effectiveness of a novel biological treatment process for removing oxidants from concentrate waste streams, an electrodialysis reversal pilot plant was used to remove perchlorate, arsenic, and total dissolved solids from groundwater. The resulting concentrate stream was blended with scalped municipal wastewater and treated in a fixed‐bed (FXB) bioreactor through a process called BIOBROx™. The data showed that an empty bed contact time of 10 min and a 0.6 blend ratio of wastewater flow to total flow sustained perchlorate removal to below the methodreporting limit (4 gg/L) in the FXB bioreactor. Testing also showed that the system was robust with respect to process upsets and temperature variations. Ongoing full‐scale testing is designed to optimize the process so that BIOBROx effluent can be used directly for reuse applications after disinfection.
Navajo Nation: 30% Without Access to Regulated Drinking Water
Authors: Lynette Jennifer
Published: February 2018

In this article, the author discusses the organization of a research project to investigate drinking water issues resulting from uranium contamination on the Navajo Nation. She discusses how this project channeled her educational and professional experience into a deeper understanding of the influences that environmental policies have on different groups of people, the breadth of effects of human water consumption, and the cumulative time and cooperative efforts needed to restore complex contamination sites.
When Will Enough be Enough?
Authors: Roberson J. Alan
Published: February 2018

This article discusses the increase in the number of contaminants required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments of 1986 to be analyzed under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's regulatory development process, and the challenge that lies ahead in conducting analyses on the 116 contaminants on the Third Contaminant Candidate List (CCL3). The article discusses whether there is a need for more drinking water regulations, or if the focus now needs to be on other issues such as bringing all water systems in compliance with the existing regulations and addressing the challenges of rebuilding entire distribution systems. A risk‐balancing discussion is needed on whether not passing new regulations outweighs the risk of not investing in infrastructure, staff training/advancement, and other programs that result in advancements at the local level. The article mentions AWWA's efforts through the Water Industry Technical Action Fund to collect data and conduct the appropriate analyses to better inform the regulatory development process.
Bridging the Gap between Engineers and Finance
Authors: Baird Gregory M.
Published: February 2018

The reality of the nation's aging infrastructure dilemma is that we are only beginning to ramp up our efforts to address the planning and costs. The fact remains that the aging water infrastructure issue will never go away, so our industry must incorporate all of its best practices and available technologies to consistently meet these demands in the most cost‐effective manner considering both long‐ and short‐term needs while balancing sustainability with affordability. To do this, the respected and balanced disciplines of both engineering and finance must continually work together to promote asset management. Building a bridge across the disciplines of engineering and finance is in some ways like building a suspended‐span cantilever bridge. For the purpose of this article, the two cantilevers could be considered as representations for engineering and finance, whereas the gap could represent the aging water infrastructure crisis. The entire bridge structure includes representations for all of the practices and joint efforts between these two disciplines to span the distance between the two symbolic cantilevers.
Making Good Technology Better to Enhance Water Conservation
Authors: Davenport Matt
Published: February 2018

Approximately 26 bil gal of water is consumed daily in the United States according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The figures vary, but most experts agree that between 50 and 70% of residential water consumption is used to water landscaping ‐ and most people overwater. As a result, in the face of increasing demand resulting from population growth and drought conditions in many parts of the United States, water utilities and their customers are looking for tools they can use to minimize the overapplication of water to their lawns and landscaping.
New Strategies Offer Benefits, Pose Challenges
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

Emerging issues reported this month provide opportunities for improvements in processes and project development and present problems with achieving regulatory compliance. Three of our focus articles center on new developments in established methods that will help utilities improve treatment processes, align project and business objectives, and more easily locate lead service lines. Three note the changes that may be dictated by emerging disinfection byproducts and newly identified carcinogenic volatile organic compounds.
It Takes a Large, United Community
Authors: Lafrance David
Published: February 2018

More and more the water industry requires the skills and expertise of multiple professional groups. That reality is a reflection of the complications of providing water service and the operational needs for doing so. Part of AWWA's mission is to “unite the water community to protect public health and to provide safe and sufficient water for all.” It is a noble mission ‐ and one that only happens by finding ways to bring the entire water community together so that we can work collectively to solve today's complicated water service challenges.
It's a Dry Subject, I Know
Authors: Lafrance David
Published: February 2018

Water will be scarce this summer. The predictions are that much of the western United States will be in some stage of drought. David LaFrance shares tips of lessons learned on drought techniques.
Comparison of UV‐mediated Advanced Oxidation
Authors: Rosenfeldt Erik , Boal Andrew K. , Springer James , Stanford Benjamin , Rivera Susan , Kashinkunti Ramesh D. , Metz Deborah H.
Published: February 2018

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are finding key treatment niches in several applications, including groundwater remediation, water reuse, seasonal taste and odor control, and organic contaminant oxidation. AOPs are incorporated into a water treatment process train when traditional methods for the removal of organics such as coagulation, filtration, chemical oxidation, or ultraviolet (UV) photolysis alone are insufficient to remove specific contaminants.
Saturday, September 28, 2013: My Day With Water
Authors: Lafrance David
Published: February 2018

I had decided the night before that I would log all my encounters with water for the day. Of course, I appreciate water ‐ but I thought that perhaps this one‐day log would make me see exactly how I use it. We used 110 gallons ‐ and we were gone for half the day. Mathematically I know that 110 gallons for a day is not an extreme amount for two people, but it sure seems like more than what I thought we used. Why don't you give it a try? Keep a log for one day. You just might learn something that surprises you.
Canary in a membrane plant: A sentinel against membrane scaling
Authors: Tharamapalan Jayapregasham , Duranceau Steven J.
Published: February 2018

A two‐element membrane pressure vessel was installed as a “canary” unit on a full‐scale reverse osmosis (RO) membrane process to monitor scale formation while changes in the plant's pretreatment processes were implemented. Sulfuric acid pretreatment ahead of an RO process was to be progressively reduced and discontinued per the findings of a pilot study. To safeguard the full‐scale membrane process against unforeseen failure resulting from scaling when sulfuric acid was eliminated from the RO feedwater, the canary unit was introduced. Concentrate from the second stage of the RO process train served as the feed stream to the canary unit, thereby allowing the unit to provide an earlier indication of scaling in lieu of scaling the full‐scale RO process. The canary unit was intended to act as an early warning to operators who could intervene to protect the RO plant from unforeseen loss of membrane productivity resulting from scaling.
Achieving Sustainability in Changing Times
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

Issues as diverse as aging water and wastewater infrastructure, resource availability, climate change, emerging contaminants, groundwater management, hydraulic fracturing, and many others must be addressed and managed well for utilities to remain sustainable. Business operations are now heavily influenced by well‐informed consumers, and managers must acquire new skills in order to effectively communicate with the public they serve.
No Water No Coffee—Yes Coffee Yes Water
Authors: Lafrance David
Published: February 2018

The necessity of water for making coffee is a perfect example of how water impacts our daily life, and more important it is one that helps explain the value of water to the general public ‐ NO WATER NO COFFEE® ‐ a simple, clear, and personal message. To help get the message out, AWWA developed a product line of coffee mugs and tee shirts with the NO WATER NO COFFEE proclamation. The idea expanded so that it now includes NO WATER NO BEER® and NO WATER NO WINE? products. The point is to help connect the importance of water to daily life and to make the connection in a fun, personal, and thought‐provoking way.
Closing the Loop on Flushing and Field Service Optimization Through Rapid Microbiological Field Testing
Authors: Tracey Dave
Published: February 2018

Aside from the direct use of water customers in a municipality, one of the most significant sources of lost water is through line flushing. Most water utilities apply systemwide flushing cycles to clear the lines of sediment, biofilm, and other accumulated material that have a negative effect on drinking water quality. However, a deficiency in field tools available for assessing flushing efficacy presents a unique optimization challenge.
Disinfection and “Emerging” Pathogen Threats
Authors: McGuire Michael J.
Published: February 2018

In the bad old days, water utilities worried about serving pathogen‐contaminated water that produced typhoid fever, cholera, and diarrheal diseases. With the advent of chlorination and the later implementation of filtration and other effective disinfectants, many utility managers may have felt that their job was done as long as they maintained effective barriers with the production of pathogen‐free water and the maintenance of a secondary disinfectant residual. In effect, we thought that the danger would be controlled by our practices prior to the water meter. Hundreds of articles since then have focused on what we have been calling “emerging pathogens.” We cannot call these pathogens “emerging” any longer. They are here, and we have to deal with them.
Water Affordable at Any Cost? For Everybody?
Authors: Lafrance David , Curtis Tom
Published: February 2018

For decades the municipal water industry has emphasized that water is undervalued. That is an easy thing to do when you think broadly about the past and current price of clean and safe water relative to its benefits. But then, when you think about the crushing infrastructure and regulatory cost challenges we will face over the coming decades and the fact that as the cost of providing water and wastewater services increases so does its price, you might wonder how much longer water will be affordable. We'll have more to say about the idea presented in this article in next month's column.
Beauty and the Technology Beast
Authors: McGuire Michael J.
Published: February 2018

This month, we begin a new feature series, Spotlight On … . I have noted over the years that the Journal has reduced its use of photographs to illustrate articles. Coupling that with a growing interest in water history, I decided that we needed a showcase for the beautiful water facilities in North America. Also, I have to admit that living with an art historian for almost 50 years has profoundly influenced my visual perception. Thus was born Spotlight On … . In the coming months, a water treatment plant, water tower, or other water facility will be highlighted in each article of this ongoing feature series. Water facilities will be selected for this series on the basis of historical importance, architectural excellence, and technological significance. Water facilities that have achieved awards or AWWA Water Landmark status will be included. Send your ideas for facilities that you'd like to see covered to me at journaleditor@awwa.org.
Keep the Rubber Side Down!
Authors: LaFrance David
Published: February 2018

The silence is suddenly broken and the rumbling grows louder until it reaches a chaotic thunder and then you see it ‐ not one but dozens and dozens of motorcyclists heading your way. For AWWA there is one motorcycle group above all others, and it does not fall neatly into the category of “not having a care in the world.” In fact it is quite the opposite for the hog‐riding water professionals affectionately known as the Water Buffalos. I am talking about the motorcycle club that annually travels from all parts of the United States and Canada to AWWA's Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE). This year, as the Water Buffalos rumble into ACE15 in Anaheim, Calif., they also celebrate a decade of riding as a group. Their annual journey to ACE is appropriately called Ride With Purpose. And unlike some motorcycle clubs, the Buffalos' purpose is a noble one.
A Step to the Right and Down
Authors: Lafrance David , Geiger Lindsey
Published: February 2018

Every little bit helps. We know these words well, especially when we're trying to make a big change such as saving for a purchase or resolving to eat right and get in shape. We ask ourselves how we can best use our resources to bring about the most effective improvement. Infrastructure sustainability invites the same question. Enter the game changer: Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), led by president and chief executive officer Bill Bertera. ISI's Envision? sustainable‐infrastructure rating system is not just another fad diet or exercise craze. What changes can you make to improve your sustainable health? AWWA can help you explore the Envision tools to help make your next infrastructure project sustainable, at which point you can submit your project for verification and award.
Pipe to Pipe to Pipe
Authors: McGuire Michael J.
Published: February 2018

It's all about the pipe. Of course, distribution systems consist of far more than just pipelines. However, when it comes to replacing distribution system infrastructure, the big expense is replacing at‐risk pipe. In fact, the most expensive thing we do in the water business is lay pipe in the ground. Forget the capital cost of treatment processes. Add up the pipe replacement cost for virtually any retail water agency and it dwarfs ‐ by a lot ‐ the capital cost of treatment. In fact, the needed financial resources to replace aging pipes and other infrastructure is the top concern expressed by survey participants in the State of the Water Industry report in this issue.
Doing and Talking Potable Reuse
Authors: McGuire Michael J.
Published: February 2018

This issue is about doing potable reuse in addition to a lot of articles that deal with talking about potable reuse. It turns out that how we talk about reuse is vitally important if we want to get potable reuse projects accepted by the public and approved.
Good Bugs in a Wet World
Authors: McGuire Michael J.
Published: February 2018

Almost a year ago, Jason Carter of Arcadis came to me with an idea: why doesn't the Journal devote an issue to the subject of biological treatment of drinking water? Why not, indeed. There is a lot of information out there about the subject. Through Jason's hard work, we have two feature articles and five peer‐reviewed articles devoted to the topic. The articles reflect the old adage that “chemicals are expensive, but bugs are cheap.” After more than a century of relying on physical‐chemical treatment of drinking water, utilities are discovering that they can get an important part of the job done for a fraction of the cost by relying on properly controlled biological processes.
Factoring in Student Technology Use in Literacy Education: A Review of The Class: Living and Learning in the Digital Age
Authors: Gerben Chris
Published: February 2018

This forum reviews a mix of resources (written texts, graphic novels, documentaries, and mixed‐media pieces) to inform pedagogy and related educational practices that foreground representations of youths and their literacy practices within and outside of school.
Critical Media Literacy in the Disciplines: Using 13th to Support Historical Argumentation
Authors: Heppeler Johanna , Manderino Michael
Published: February 2018

This department column explores digital and disciplinary literacies across learning contexts and disciplines within and outside of school. Digital enhancements will encourage readers to post questions, comments, and connections.