bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of nitrification on corrosion of galvanized iron, copper, and concrete
Authors: Zhang Yan , Griffin Allian , Edwards Marc
Published: February 2018

Nitrifying bacteria rapidly colonized iron, plastic, and lead materials, more slowly colonized galvanized and stainless steel, and had difficulty surviving in relatively new copper pipes under conditions found in premise plumbing. Nitrification significantly decreased pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) in all pipe materials and sometimes caused sporadic sloughing of very high total organic carbon concentrations from cast‐iron coupons. The release of zinc from galvanized iron was reduced six times because of lower DO resulting from nitrification. Nitrification did not significantly increase weight loss as a result of corrosion among the three disinfectant conditions (no disinfectant, chlorine, chloramine plus nitrification) for cast‐iron, new lead, old lead, copper, galvanized‐iron, stainless‐steel, or concrete pipe material. Nitrification did not cause copper pitting corrosion or increase copper release in this study.
AWWA's International Council Sees Multiple Opportunities for Global Expansion
Authors: Batten John J.
Published: February 2018

This article highlights AWWA's International Council (IC), officially created in 2002 to develop and coordinate AWWA's international policies and activities, actively promote Association participation in the global drinking water community, represent the interests of the international members in the governance of AWWA, and stimulate participation of international members and organizations within the Association. The article discusses the IC's vision of future directions for AWWA's new global activities. Part of that vision involves partnerships through memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with water associations based on a regional or specific‐country focus. The article provides a list of organizations that have MOUs with AWWA, along with examples of past and current activities from work plans with those organizations. The article also discusses the role that IC's predecessor played in promoting a recommendation to establish Water For People.
Seismic vulnerability assessment and design of pipelines
Authors: Ballantyne Donald
Published: February 2018

Pipelines are vulnerable to earthquake shaking (ground motion) and permanent ground deformation (PGD) resulting from liquefaction landslide and fault movement. Pipe performance during an earthquake depends on four parameters: ruggedness, resistance to bending, joint flexibility, and joint restraint. Pipe materials are rated in this article for each of these parameters to help utilities select the appropriate pipe for the job. New pipelines installed in regions with high seismic activity should use continuous or restrained‐joint pipe, including steel pipe with welded joints, high‐density polyethylene pipe with fused joints, or ductile‐iron pipe with restrained joints. These guidelines are applicable to pipelines installed in both competent soils (i.e., those capable of providing competent foundation performance) and soils subject to PGD. Additional mitigation measures are recommended for critical pipelines. In regions with moderate seismic activity, pipe with segmented joints such as ductile iron and polyvinyl chloride, can be used in competent soils, but in soils subject to PGD continuous or restrained‐joint pipe similar to that used in areas of high seismicity should be used. For existing systems, replacement of existing pipe is not cost‐effective based on earthquake vulnerability alone, unless the pipe is critical for maintaining system operation. Vulnerable pipe should be replaced over the long‐term, with prioritization based on both seismic vulnerability and other asset management parameters. In the short‐term, system owners should focus on system control and emergency response mitigation approaches.
Apparent losses caused by water meter inaccuracies at ultralow flows
Authors: Richards Gregory L. , Johnson Michael C. , Barfuss Steven L.
Published: February 2018

Although meter accuracy has been addressed in the past as a potential cause of apparent water loss, the lack of significant data on meter accuracy at low flows has caused losses at these flow rates to be largely ignored. This article provides average low‐flow accuracies of different meter types and outlines two methods for estimating apparent losses caused by meter inaccuracy at low flows. By estimating apparent losses and resulting decreases in revenues, utilities can gain a better understanding of the real consequences of meter inaccuracy at low flow rates. Stopping nonrevenue water loss attributable to meter inaccuracy can result in substantial short‐term increases in utility revenue. Furthermore, meters that accurately record water across the entire range of flow rates lead to more equitable customer billing. In light of these benefits as well as increased system efficiency, utilities may want to make low‐flow accuracy a key consideration in selecting meters for initial installation or replacement.
Establishing a Legacy: Growing a Minority‐owned Environmental Engineering Consulting Firm To Be Competitive for Years to Come
Authors: Williams Damon S.
Published: February 2018

This article describes how the municipal water and wastewater engineering firm Damon S. Williams Associates eventually graduated from the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. The article discusses government preference programs such as Minority‐Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and the benefits they offer. The article describes how the firm had prepared for making this transition by attracting the right people and creating an image.
The ‘Greening’ of Water: Taking Aim at Climate Change Through Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Increasing Efficiency
Authors: Young John
Published: February 2018

This article discusses American Water's efforts to implement measures that increase efficiency, conserve energy and water, and reduce waste. In addition to maintaining a regular schedule of assessments and audits to ensure that American Water's facilities are compliant, the water provider is taking steps to ensure the sustainable use of resources. The article discusses four key areas where sustainable efforts are focused: design for efficiency via enhanced pumping, lighting, and process design standards; construct for efficiency using sustainable construction standards and methods; operate for efficiency using enhanced best operating practices and leak detection and repair procedures; and, maintain for efficiency via computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and preventive maintenance systems.
How to Eat an Elephant: The Infrastructure Investment Gap
Authors: Baird Gregory M.
Published: February 2018

This article breaks the infrastructure investment gap issue down into manageable pieces including the following: estimates on the cost of global infrastructure investment needs, and on the cost of U.S. infrastructure investment needs; identifying the main hot spots for water and wastewater infrastructure investment needs; identification of physical assets; identification by states and local governments of critical assets and performing condition assessments to determine the risks of failure; further categorization of asset classes into transmission and distribution, treatment, storage, source of supply, and miscellaneous.
Advancing the Culture of Security and Preparedness in the Water Sector
Authors: Morley Kevin M.
Published: February 2018

This article discusses two standards and related efforts that reflect the commitment and stewardship of the water sector to ensuring that a vital element of the nation's economy is secure and resilient. The water sector is the only one of the 18 critical infrastructure and key resource (CIKR) sectors, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), that has voluntarily completed two rounds of reporting on metrics associated with its sector‐specific plan. The water sector has also strongly embraced the water/wastewater agency response network (WARN) model for providing mutual aid and assistance, and has collaborated with the DHS to develop the “Roadmap to Secure Control Systems in the Water Sector.” More recently, the sector has developed two voluntary, consensus‐based standards to further support utilities in becoming more secure and resilient, specifically ANSI/AWWA G430: Security Practices for Operations and Management, and ANSI/ ASME‐ITI/AWWA J‐100: Risk Analysis and Management for Critical Asset Protection (RAMCAP®) Standard for Risk and Resilience Management of Water and Wastewater Systems.
Appropriate design and evaluation of water use and conservation metrics and benchmarks
Authors: Dziegielewski Benedykt , Kiefer Jack C.
Published: February 2018

This article provides water utility managers with guidance on alternative measures of water use and how these measures, or metrics, can be most appropriately used for comparing and evaluating water efficiency. There is currently no universally perfect metric for describing water use, but several metrics are better than per capita use in terms of the available data's accuracy and informational value. Water utilities and regulators have an increasing need for meaningful performance indicators and benchmarks for measuring and comparing water use. Significant improvements in the ability of water utilities to reduce “definitional noise” in monitoring and comparing water usage rates would be achieved if the water supply industry adopted a standard set of customer types and customer classification procedures. Available water production and sales records can be used to calculate both systemwide and sector‐specific metrics of water use. For a systemwide metric, the only accurate and regularly updated measure of system size is the number of connections or customer accounts.
Committee Report: AWWA takes a leadership role on sustainability
Authors:   AWWA Sustainability Initiatives Coordinating Committee
Published: February 2018

For the past year, AWWA committee members ‐ first as part of the Sustainability Ad Hoc Committee and now as the Sustainability Initiatives Coordinating Committee ‐ have worked to review current AWWA sustainability activities, identify additional short‐ and long‐term activities for the association, and develop a draft strategy for implementing the recommended activities. Short‐term activities are defined as those that can be completed in 2010 with minimal staff and financial resources; long‐term activities are identified as those that will require some level of staff time and/or financial resources. More than 40 past, planned, or potential activities were identified. The ad hoc committee then reviewed and narrowed the list to seven short‐term and seven long‐term activities. This article provides an overview of the process and details the identified activities along with the committee members responsible for implementing them.
Progress in US water conservation planning and implementation—1990–2009
Authors: Rashid Md. Mamunur , Maddaus William O. , Maddaus Michelle L.
Published: February 2018

Water conservation can be seen as a supplemental or even an alternative strategy for meeting safe drinking water needs. Because of their many benefits, conservation programs are being developed and implemented by municipal districts, regional governments and water purveyors in the United States. In recognition of the potential value of water conservation in infrastructure funding programs, many states now require, recommend, or encourage water system planners to prepare a conservation plan. This study investigates the history and progress of state‐level water conservation across the United States for the past two decades (1990 to 2009). On the basis of reviews of state legislation and relevant literature, this study finds that 23 states currently have mandates requiring conservation as opposed to nine states in 1990, indicating that progress (approximately one state added per year) has been made in conservation. Factors affecting the rate of progress are analyzed in the article.
The Motivational Charge of AWWA Conferences
Authors: Liu Haizhou
Published: February 2018

In this article, the author relates his first experiences with AWWA as a member, particularly the motivating experience he had attending his first ACE conference in 2009 and the support he has received from the AWWA Pacific Northwest Section (PNWS) in pursuing his educational goals.
Keeping the Well From Running Dry: The Future of US Water Infrastructure
Authors: Vittor José Luis
Published: February 2018

This article discusses funding for the rehabilitation of the nation's drinking water infrastructure. The article lists the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, and the Water Infrastructure Financing Act as sources of funding, along with the use of public‐private partnerships (PPPs) to access private sector capital for public infrastructure projects. Private activity bonds (PABs) are another funding source when used in conjuction with PPPs. The article also mentions the 2002 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Gap Analysis, which identified potential funding gaps between projected needs and spending from 2000 through 2019.
On‐line Water Quality Monitoring in Drinking Water Distribution Systems: A Summary Report of USEPA Research and Best Practices
Authors: Hall John , Szabo Jeff
Published: February 2018

This article discusses the 2009 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) report “Distribution System Water Quality Monitoring: Sensor Technology Evaluation Methodology and Results”, which summarizes the testing of on‐line (i.e., real‐time) water quality sensors. The report includes operation and maintenance data that drinking water utilities need in order to make informed decisions about sensor selection. Best practices and lessons from practical, hands‐on experience that comes from working with water quality sensors every day are also presented. Finally, the report discusses sensor testing protocols that are being used at USEPA's test and evaluation facility that benefit equipment vendors and manufacturers interested in designing sensors for community water systems.
What drives tomorrow's water leaders
Authors: Phillips Sharon
Published: February 2018

Up‐and‐coming water professionals are experiencing frustration in the workplace because traditional water management applies a single problem/single solution approach to challenges. The new generation of water leaders believes that if water challenges are not viewed in a holistic and integrated way, effective solutions cannot be found. To address this gap between current practice and needed change, these water professionals are returning to the classroom to acquire the tools that will make them truly effective in their work. As they move back into the workplace, they will bring with them a new way of approaching water management, creating teams on which all professionals involved directly or indirectly with water, environmental, and human issues will work together to develop solutions that will be sustainable and effective for the future. In addition, this new approach to water management will address social inequities and injustice as well as the long‐term survival of the human race and the planet.
Determining vulnerability and occurrence of residential backflow
Authors: Schneider Orren D. , Hughes David M. , Bukhari Zia , Lechevallier Mark , Schwartz Paul , Sylvester Patrick , Lee J.J.
Published: February 2018

Backflow from customer service connections is of concern to water utilities, but few data about the frequency of such occurrences exist and little is known about how to monitor for backflow into the distribution system. For the first time, occurrence statistics for residential backflow have been quantified. As it turns out, backflow is a much more widespread problem than currently believed. Backflow has now been shown to occur in 1.6% of all meter reads and in 5% of homes with backflow‐sensing meters. Using pilot tests to examine the effectiveness of water quality sensors to detect a range of contaminants, the authors found that even though the monitors were sensitive to small changes in quality, they cannot be used to assess the public health effects of such events. This is because wide variations in background distribution system quality overwhelmed the ability of current data processing technology to differentiate between water quality fluctuations caused by backflow from those attributable to normal variability. Backflow‐sensing meters, combined with an effective pressure management program to minimize or eliminate pressure transients (a primary cause of backsiphonage cross‐connections) and integrated into a fixed network automated meter reading/advanced metering infrastructure system, can provide utilities with near real‐time information on backflow events. The analyses conducted in this study show that the use of backflow‐sensing meters is the best available technology for determining the occurrence of residential backflow. Given the benefits shown by these meters, their slightly higher cost ($15‐$20/meter) over regular meters is money well spent.
Adsorptive contactors for removal of soluble manganese during drinking water treatment
Authors: Knocke William R. , Zuravnsky Lauren , Little John C. , Tobiason John E.
Published: February 2018

Water treatment facilities are often challenged to achieve effective soluble manganese (Mn) removal in the face of competing needs to achieve other water treatment objectives (e.g., disinfection by‐product control and biological filtration). Previous research has demonstrated that effective soluble Mn removal can be achieved on media surfaces coated with manganese dioxide [MnOx(s)]. This research study demonstrated that MnOX(s)‐ coated media could be used as a post‐filtration adsorptive contactor to promote effective soluble Mn removal over a wide range of solution pH values (6.3‐8.0), free chlorine levels (1.0 mg/L and greater), initial soluble Mn concentrations (0.03‐0.3 mg/L), and hydraulic loading rates (up to 24 gpm/sq ft). Use of a postfiltration Mn adsorptive contactor in the overall process treatment train would allow water utilities to ensure effective Mn control while achieving other important water quality and regulatory compliance objectives.
Source Water Protection Cost‐Benefit Tool
Authors: Oxenford Jeff , Henderson James
Published: February 2018

This article discusses an online tool to help identify options for source water protection (SWP), assess costs and benefits (qualitative and quantitative) of those options, and identify uncertainties. The tool is based on a triple‐bottom‐line (i.e., economic, environmental, and social) analysis framework that can be accessed on the Source Water Protection Cost/Benefit Tool website. The article discusses how to use the tool, and provides examples of the benefits that are included in each of the triple‐bottom‐line categories.
Solar Makes Sense for Water Utilities
Authors: Raeke Richard
Published: February 2018

This article discusses how utilities are excellent candidates for using solar power to supply reliable, cost‐effective electricity for the long‐term. The utilities incure huge electrical loads, have a long‐range outlook, and generally have good credit, making them the perfect candidate for solar power. Cost considerations discussed include the concept of power purchase agreements (PPAs), in which utilities do not pay for the solar electricity system but allow it to be installed onsite while agreeing to buy the power generated for 10‐20 years. PPA benefits and requirements are also discussed.
Characterization of filter media MnOX(S) surfaces and Mn removal capability
Authors: Islam Anjuman A. , Goodwill Joseph E. , Bouchard (Deceased) Ryan , Tobiason John E. , Knocke William R.
Published: February 2018

Anthracite and sand media samples were collected from several treatment plants and analyzed for surface manganese oxide [MnOx(s)] coating levels and dissolved manganese (Mn) uptake capability. A short‐term (4‐h) standard protocol was developed to quantify the Mn uptake capability using a recirculating laboratory‐scale batch system. Media were evaluated as collected in the field and after free chlorine regeneration. The MnOx(s) coating level on media varied greatly (0.01 to > 120 mg Mn/g media). All dual‐media filters showed a depth profile characterized by more MnOx(s) coating and dissolved Mn uptake ability for the anthracite than for the sand media. The Mn uptake ability of media did not increase linearly with increasing MnOx(s) coating level, indicating that not all of the media‐associated MnOx(s) is available for Mn uptake. The standard uptake ability protocol is useful for assessing the actual and potential Mn uptake capability of media in full‐scale plants.
Evaluating the Impact of Disinfectants on PE Pipe
Authors: Cooper Steve , Gecker Dana
Published: February 2018

This article discusses a study to determine the potential effects of disinfectants on potable water supply polyethylene (PE) pipe. “Impact of Water Disinfectants on PE Pipe” is now available on the internet at www.janalab.com/pdf/disinfection.pdf. Commissioned by the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) and the Alliance for PE Pipe, the study was conducted by Jana Laboratories. Designed to help the water industry understand the effects of potable water disinfectants on PE pipe, the project examined the key end‐use factors affecting durability, including chlorination, oxidative aggressiveness, temperature, and pressure/ stress.
Indianapolis Expands Its Multifaceted Approach to Public Health Protection
Authors: Moran Dan , Whitmore Paul
Published: February 2018

In this article, the Veolia Water‐operated 24‐mgd T.W. Moses Water Treatment Plant in Indianapolis, Indiana, is presented as an example of how an integrated approach can be used to leverage internal utility personnel and assets with outside stakeholders to maximize public health protection. The article discusses the process through which a decision was made to combine ultraviolet (UV) disinfection with Actiflo Carb® (a high‐rate powdered activated carbon recirculation process) at the T.W. Moses plant to ensure compliance with upcoming regulations and position the facility to provide appropriate treatment for potential future source water contaminants. The article also discusses how frequent communication between various stakeholder groups and agencies provided a vehicle for stakeholder input and feedback on the public health issues facing the utility.
Everything's Big in Texas, and Ozone Systems Are No Exception
Authors: Timmermann David , Neemann Jeff
Published: February 2018

This article discusses the addition of ozone generation facilities at the 770‐mgd Wylie, Texas, Water Treatment Plant (WTP) complex that will more effectively disinfect drinking water, reduce chlorination disinfection byproducts, and control taste and odor. Ozone will be added to the treatment process using sidestream injection systems at the head of ozone contact basins. Any residual ozone remaining at the end of the contact basins will be quenched using calcium thiosulfate. The article discusses the challenges associated with adding ozonation facilities to an existing water treatment complex consisting of four interconnected water treatment plants (plants 1, 2, 3, and 4) on a 442‐acre site. Because of the complexities of multiple water treatment plants, multiple raw water intakes with differing raw water characteristics, and varying water demands in each plant, the district will use a hybrid constant‐concentration control logic to operate the ozone facilities.
Leveraging Your GIS, Part 1: Achieving a Low‐cost Enterprise Asset Management System
Authors: Baird Gregory M.
Published: February 2018

This article discusses how properly investing in a complete geographic information system (GIS) with full functionality produces an overall reduction in utility operating and maintenance costs and will become the foundation of a lower‐ cost enterprise asset management system.
Why You‐and Your Customers‐Need AWWA
Authors: Lafrance David
Published: February 2018

In his column, AWWA Executive Director David LaFrance relates the value of AWWA membership to the utilities’ ability to keep in touch with the rest of the industry. He states that it only takes two years from the time when a utility drops its membership until a utility's customers begin to suffer the consequences. Clients who stay involved in AWWA are more aware of and informed about current trends and issues, better networked, and, when they need assistance, better able to more quickly identify and get in touch with the experts they need.
Technical note: Using UV‐Vis spectrophotometry to estimate nitrite plus nitrate and monochloramine
Authors: Sung Windsor
Published: February 2018

Use of ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) spectrophotometry in analytical chemistry is wellestablished, and the application of this technique to the study of water and wastewater has recently been summarized (Thomas & Burgess, 2007). The use of chloramination in the United States is increasing because of concerns about the formation of chlorination by‐products. This study proposes a method to produce estimates of the sum of nitrite and nitrate concentration as well as monochloramine from UV‐Vis spectrophotometry (ranging from 200 to 320 nm) in these systems with grab samples. This is an empirical method based on multiple linear regressions and absorbances measured at the wavelengths of 220, 245, 280, and 320 nm. The methodology has application potential for continuous on‐line monitoring.
How the Ontario, Canada, Section is Developing Student Chapters
Authors: Shams Shoeleh
Published: February 2018

This article discusses the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA) student chapter program that consists of four chapters from the following Canadian universities: University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, University of Guelph, and University of Western Ontario. In general, each chapter consists of an executive committee, faculty advisor, and general members. The executive committee runs the chapter by setting goals, organizing and promoting events, and providing feedback and updates on activities to the Young Professionals (YP) student chapter subcommittee. The main objectives of the OWWA student chapter program are to benefit students by assisting them in being recognized by, and gaining access to, industry professionals. This article discusses several different approaches that have been taken to accomplish these objectives.
How Smart is Your City?
Authors: Quraishi Arif , Siegert Dennis
Published: February 2018

This article discusses a $3.7 million energy program that is expected to save the city of Cumberland, Maryland, $8 million in energy and operating costs over 15 years. A smart grid system with automated meter‐reading (AMR) on a network was installed that also provides citywide WiFi service. The AMR system alone will reduce labor costs, improve the city's cash flow by allowing monthly instead of quarterly billing, and speed up the leak‐detection and repair process, thereby reducing water loss and protecting residents' property. The article discusses the smart‐grid concept in the municipal utility context, which aligns with water conservation. It allows two‐way digital communication between the utility and the customer, helps the utility operate more efficiently, curtails waste, and holds down prices. In addition, it helps customers see their own water and electricity use, which supports informed choices about how much to use, when to use it, and at what cost. Smart‐grid technology is discussed, along with system affordability.
Industrial Control System Security by Isolation: A Dangerous Myth
Authors: Groves Daniel A.
Published: February 2018

Although complete industrial control system (ICS) isolation may have been a viable option in years past, in today's interconnected and technologically mobile world, true isolation is nearly impossible. Additionally, separation of ICS networks from general business networks owned by a water utility can actually increase ICS network vulnerability. This article discusses several reasons why ICS isolation is impractical, and provides an example of how ICS isolation can actually increase overall vulnerabilities. The article presents secure network integration as a viable alternative for maintaining a secure system, and lists several key steps that are required to achieve secure integration between IT and ICS networks.
Snake in a Lake—An Innovative Pipeline Design
Authors: Grandelli Patrick , Holland Jon
Published: February 2018

This article discusses the Lake Oswego Interceptor Sewer (LOIS) project, a first‐of‐its‐kind pipeline project that will protect the water quality of Oregon's Oswego Lake through seasonal changes in water temperature and in the event of an earthquake. The project was undertaken to replace a 50‐year‐old corroded, undersized, and seismically vulnerable concrete cylinder sewer pipe under the lake with a larger, flexible, high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline. LOIS is the first known buoyant gravity sewer in the world. LOIS' submerged, buoyant stainless‐steel access points provide entry points to the pipeline without affecting boat navigation, and the installation of removable access caissons allows cleaning and inspection equipment to be inserted into for infrequently required maintenance. Specific challenges unique to the project are discussed.
Research and information collection with an eye on distribution systems
Authors: Rayburn Chris , Blaha Frank , Anderson Karl , Rotert Kenneth
Published: February 2018

There has been an increasing focus in the past few decades on public health risk associated with distribution systems and, as a result, an increasing focus on possible expanded regulatory requirements for them. However, despite significant advances in understanding and managing distribution system water quality in recent years, there are still critical areas of uncertainty and knowledge gaps that must be filled in order to better understand public health risks and to cost‐effectively minimize them. The research and information collection activities identified through the Research and Information Collection Partnership (RICP) will result in more effective and pragmatic regulation, underpinning rulemaking decisions with sound, credible science. The RICP represents collaboration between the water utility community and regulators toward a common goal of public health protection. RICP activities are expected to support future risk management decisions by the drinking water community, such as development of guidance, best management practices, policy, and regulation for improved distribution system management. Guiding these efforts is the RICP priorities document, which is a roadmap of research and information collection activities that should be undertaken by water suppliers, federal and state agencies, and other stakeholders over the coming four to five years. Water utility support of and participation in these activities is vital to their success, and water suppliers may also use this information for education and training purposes.
Real‐time in‐network distribution system monitoring to improve operational efficiency
Authors: Allen Michael , Prels Ami , Lqbal Mudasser , Srirangarajan Seshan , Llm Hock Beng , Glrod Lewis , Whittle Andrew J.
Published: February 2018

This article details the design, implementation, and deployment of the Wireless Water Sentinel project in Singapore, an integrated, end‐to‐end system featuring node‐level acquisition and transmission of data as well as server‐based archiving, processing, and visualization of data. The system provides real‐time hydraulic and water quality measurements that complement the existing supervisory control and data acquisition system and facilitates on‐line hydraulic modeling and support for operational decisions. The network has been used in a real‐world test bed to examine burst and leak detection approaches using pressure and acoustic data. The implementation of real‐time, in‐network monitoring has shown great potential to improve operational efficiency of the day‐to‐day running of large urban water distribution systems. As water infrastructure worldwide continues to age, becoming increasingly prone to costly breaks and interruptions in service, this type of monitoring and analysis can help ensure continued delivery of an essential resource.
A Father's Gift… of Reinvestment
Authors: Lafrance David
Published: February 2018

In this month's column, AWWA Executive Director David LaFrance discusses the greatest gift we can give our sons and daughters is a lifetime of safe water distributed through a well‐managed, properly funded water infrastructure system. He also points out that although much of the existing buried water infrastructure has successfully and faithfully served customers for 50 to 100 years, it is in need of replacement.
You Are NOT Going To Like This!
Authors: Lafrance David
Published: February 2018

Often the water sector discussion on workforce centers on employer concerns about “brain drain” and how to retain and sustain the hard‐to‐replace skills and knowledge of senior employees who are preparing for retirement. The discussion generally does not gravitate toward how employees can better prepare for retirement financially.
Forget Location, It's all About Removal, Removal, Removal
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

Various filtration processes, such as riverbank filtration, membrane filtration, and filtration using granular activated carbon (GAC), are used to produce high‐quality drinking water. A number of factors influence how the filtration process is managed, which filtration process is used, and how well the process is working.
New Programs, Methods Build Bigger Savings
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

Conservation has come of age, and new tools are helping utilities further trim per capita water use, increase efficiency, and better manage resources. From planning models to reuse programs, this month's articles introduce new concepts and expand the tools available to utility personnel.
DBPs Remain a Strong Focus as Regulatory Actions Move Forward
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

The US Environmental Protection Agency is slated to finalize or propose a number of regulatory measures this year. The Revised Total Coliform Rule and a decision regarding alternative delivery of consumer confidence reports (CCRs) will be finalized. Proposed requirements are expected regarding perchlorate, the Third Regulatory Determination, the Long‐Term Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, and carcinogenic volatile organic chemicals.
Price, Value, and Affordability—What If Only Half of Us Could Afford Water?
Authors: Lafrance David
Published: February 2018

How many times have you heard someone say that water is cheap, priced well below its value? Probably a lot; and probably, like me, you've even said it yourself. Now imagine the opposite; imagine what it would be like if water was priced above its value. That's much harder to envision, isn't it? For some, though, water may already be too expensive. It may not be because the price exceeds the value for these individuals, but rather that they cannot afford what they need ‐ even if they value it.
Total Water Solutions: Caring About Every Drop, Everywhere
Authors: Lafrance David
Published: February 2018

As committed water professionals, we aspire to create a better world through better water. This goal is uniformly shared ‐ whether you are on the drinking water side or the wastewater side, whether you work to recycle and reuse water, capture the benefits of stormwater, promote efficient use of water, or you interact with water somewhere else along its cycle. Like a river that is constantly transforming, the water profession has changed over the years. Although today's water professional may have an area of focus, we're not so easily identified as just drinking water, wastewater, or reuse professionals. Current challenges force us to take a broader view and recognize the connectedness of each phase of the water cycle. As a result, we understand that at no time does water stop being valuable.
So Goes California, So Goes the Nation?
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

Once viewed as separate and distinct, potable water, wastewater, recycled water, and stormwater are now being viewed as different aspects of the same thing: water. This shift in perception ‐ stimulated by Singapore's NEWater success, dwindling supplies, burgeoning populations, stressed sources, and droughts ‐ has opened the door for utilities to consider previously taboo alternatives, such as incorporating potable reuse into their water portfolio. A major obstacle to public acceptance of this practice has been overcoming the perception that treated wastewater is repugnant ‐ a perception that exists mainly because people never realized that unplanned reuse has always existed in any community downstream of another.
Taking Care of Business
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

The term “business operations” covers a lot of territory ‐ and much of it is mapped out in this month's articles. Topics include an overview of trends in the water and wastewater industry, how to deal holistically with nonrevenue water, customer satisfaction, and who benefits from regionalization.
Getting in Touch With Your Inner Nostradamus
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

Better dust off your crystal ball. The potential effects of emerging issues on water utilities will reach into every nook and cranny of utility operations. Implementing the optimal infrastructure replacement program, nailing down the fluctuating ramifications of climate change, and determining whether pumping gas underground in an effort to lessen climate change will affect groundwater quality are but a few of the needed skills utility managers will have to acquire to keep pace with the fluid challenges coming their way. The expertise shared in this month's articles will help managers prepare for what's ahead.
Filtration, Turbidity, and an Egyptian Pharaoh
Authors: McGuire Michael J.
Published: February 2018

The focus of this issue is listed as filtration, but the December issue has always been about much more. In effect, the December issue has covered most areas of water treatment, especially those having to do with particle removal. Interestingly, none of the peer‐review articles this month are about filtration, but we were able to attract a number of feature articles that explore the topic ‐ one in a most unusual way.
Stabbed Five Times and Pumped With Poison for 36 Days!
Authors: Lafrance David
Published: February 2018

The condition of the water and wastewater infrastructure is top of mind for water professionals. The primary concern lies in the ability to repair, replace, and add buried infrastructure in a timely, predictive, and systematic way. The importance of asset management and predictive maintenance could never be more significant than it is right now. So, what does predictive maintenance have to do with five stabbings and 36 days of poison? LaFrance uses the analogy of his own recent predictive maintenance experience to illustrate the importance of water infrastructure asset management.
Seeking a Sustainable Future
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

Although various estimates offer differing numerical values, they all agree on one thing ‐ the bill for fixing our infrastructure will come to trillions of dollars over the next couple of decades. Several articles in this issue address the different strategies to help utilities regarding infrastructure issues.
Sewage Pollution of Boundary Waters
Authors: McLaughlin Allan J.
Published: February 2018

Journal AWWA was first published in March 1914, distributed to AWWA members as a quarterly compilation of research, discussion, and conference proceedings. The Journal has evolved into a monthly blend of academic research articles, topical features, and area‐specific columns by industry experts. Each month in 2014, to celebrate 100 years in print, we will run excerpts of Journal articles from 1914, 1964, and 1989 to provide a glimpse of concerns, developments, approaches, and outcomes, and how they were presented on paper.
Maintaining Quality From Source to Tap
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

Wildfires, organic matter, waterborne disease, and solute loads are among the myriad factors that can affect water quality. The peer‐reviewed studies included in this issue look at each of these topics and provide information that can help utility managers continue to provide high‐quality drinking water. In addition, several of this month's features describe other impacts on water quality and how utilities can address them.
Utilities Face Universal Concerns
Authors: Lacey Marcia
Published: February 2018

Water professionals around the world share many concerns, among them addressing replacement or rehabilitation of aging system infrastructure, assessing the effects of climate change, and selecting the best meter type for their utility. They also share common goals, among them the desire to operate their utilities at optimal efficiency in order to provide their customers with the highest‐quality drinking water and sanitation services. In addition to these special international focus articles, this issue includes topics of interest to utility managers across the globe.
Celebrating 100 Years
Authors: McGuire Michael J.
Published: February 2018

For the past eight issues, we have been publishing Pages From the Past, which do a much better job than I can in telling our readers how the Journal has contributed to the growth and development of our water community. In the last century, the Journal has provided a means of communicating the activities of the many arms of this vibrant organization. Most important it has been the critical element that binds us together because we are all “dedicated to the world's most important resource.”
Water Done Right … at the Source
Authors: McGuire Michael J.
Published: February 2018

If we do a proper job with source protection, we not only save a lot of money on treatment but we also enhance public health protection and sustainability. Everyone who has worked in the water supply field knows that protecting the source pays huge dividends. One dollar spent preventing a contamination problem saves hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars on cleaning up the problem. This month, six feature articles deal with the source water and supply topic.
WIFIA: Now We Put It to Work
Authors: Curtis Tom
Published: February 2018

You've probably heard the old adage that sooner or later, every good idea turns into work. For WIFIA, a great idea born at the AWWA Water Utility Council, that time has come. WIFIA ‐ the Water Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act ‐ is the first new federal water infrastructure finance tool created since the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund was developed in 1996. Given that AWWA conceived WIFIA, designed the legislative construct, built the coalition of groups that supported it, and led the multiyear legislative effort that saw it enacted, it couldn't have been more fitting that President Obama signed WIFIA into law during ACE14.
Over 2,000!
Authors: Lafrance David
Published: February 2018

If RO, MF, UF, and MBR are initials that resonate with you, then you know membrane technology. If not, and even if so, read on. In basic terms, membrane technology is an advanced treatment process that allows “good water” to pass through a filter, called a membrane, leaving behind the source water's “bad” water particles. While this is also the goal of other filtration systems, membrane technology helps clean water to greater levels and, as a result, allows you to tap into new water sources of lower original quality with the confidence that you can still meet the increasingly stringent water quality regulations.
Business Survival Requires Sustainability
Authors: McGuire Michael J.
Published: February 2018

We live in an interesting world when an issue of a water journal that is devoted to business factors has theme articles on water efficiency, supply uncertainty, climate change, and total water solutions. However, that is the reality we face. In fact, during the planning for this year's editorial calendar, June was labeled as the month to tackle business and sustainability issues. Without sustainability there is no business in our future. There are four mega‐trends in the water utility business landscape: the need for diverse water supplies, significant reductions in water use, a desperate need for infrastructure replacement, and dramatic changes in rate structures.
Controlling Pathogens Is What We Do
Authors: McGuire Michael J.
Published: February 2018

Along with abstracts of the issue on the topic of disinfection, McGuire discusses plans to attend the Water Quality Technology Conference (WQTC) in Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 15‐18. What does the October theme of disinfection have to do with WQTC? Well, quite a lot. The agenda includes one session on opportunistic pathogens in distribution systems and premise plumbing, and several sessions on the complementary use of disinfectants as oxidants. Oxidation of cyanotoxins is a viable way to control these increasingly important contaminants using water treatment processes. There is also a discussion paragraph about new (updated) author submission guidelines.
Come on—Give a Hoot!
Authors: LaFrance David
Published: February 2018

Woodsy Owl, who first appeared in the 1970s as the iconic symbol of the US Forest Service, still has a relevant message for us: “Give a Hoot ‐ Don't Pollute!” This past summer, that message could easily have solved the rift between Woodsy's colleagues at the National Park Service and the bottled water advocates. During the past several months, a battle has been heating up over the sale of bottled water in the national parks of the United States. The short version of the long story is that the National Park Service, in an effort to model environmental stewardship and minimize the amount of waste it handled ‐ much of which came from plastic bottles ‐ began to replace the sale of bottled water in certain parks with water bottle filling stations. Importantly, the parks wishing to make the switch had to perform a financial analysis justifying the change and, if the change were to occur, provide ample signage for visitors. Today about 20 parks have made the change.
From Bogey to Birdie: Guiding DPR to Public Acceptance
Authors: Kail Greg
Published: February 2018

An analogy of how good water managers should approach water supply challenges the way great golfers approach their game. Plan ahead, have the right tools in the bag, and embrace new technology. While potable reuse ‐ both direct and indirect ‐ is already happening in several places in North America, using the Direct Potable Reuse framework is somewhat akin to getting the latest advice from the club pro. It points out that this new technology is available and the right way to go about it.
I'm Not Oprah (Third Edition)
Authors: LaFrance David B.
Published: February 2018

In two earlier occasions I have suggested water‐related books that I think all water professionals should read. And now, I am excited to offer my third edition of recommendations. This time I am recommending a novel based on actual water events that reads like a thrilling, implausible, man‐versus‐water's‐power adventure. My other recommendation is a fictional novel that paints a plausible and bleak water future full of battles for water, power, and survival. The connection is that the Colorado River is the lead character in both novels. The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon, by Kevin Fedarko. In contrast, the second book is The Water Knife, by Paulo Bacigalupi.
How Do Teachers Develop and Enact a Disciplinary View of Literacy in Mathematics
Authors: Temple Codruta , Doerr Helen M.
Published: February 2018

This commentary describes some disciplinary literacy practices observed in mathematics classrooms, discusses factors that might influence teachers’ decisions to integrate literacy with content instruction, and proposes that collaboration with disciplinary experts, in addition to literacy experts, may help reorient teachers’ practice toward a disciplinary take on the literacy demands of their subject area.