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CEU Challenge
Members of the Florida Water and Pollution Control Operators Association (FWPCOA) may earn continuing education units (CEUs) through the CEU Challenge! Answer the questions published on this page, based on the technical articles in this month’s issue. Circle the letter of each correct answer. There is only one correct answer to each question! Answer 80 percent of the questions on any article correctly to earn 0.1 CEU for your license. Retests are available.
This month’s editorial theme is Operations and Utility Management. Look above each set of questions to see if it is for water operators (DW), distribution system operators ( DS), or wastewater operators (WW). Mail the completed page (or a photocopy) to: Florida Environmental Professionals Training, P.O. Box 33119, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. 33420-3119. Enclose $15 for each set of questions you choose to answer (make checks payable to FWPCOA). You MUST be an FWPCOA member before you can submit your answers!
SUBSCRIBER NAME (please print)
Article 1 ____________________________________
LICENSE NUMBER for Which CEUs Should Be Awarded
If paying by credit card, fax to (561) 625-4858 providing the following information:
Know the Unknown: Evaluating Water Main Inspection Technologies
Weston Haggen and Emily Staubus Williamson (Article 1: CEU = 0.1 DS/DW/WW 02015386)
1. Which of the pipe screening and assessment technologies is effective on all five pipe materials listed and useful on pipes of less than 3-in. nominal diameter?
a. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) b. Pulsed eddy current c. PICA RECON+ d. Fluid Conservation - Permalog
2. The presence of ___________ is indicative of anaerobic conditions that would support bacterial corrosion.
a. chloride b. oxygen c. sulfide d. electrolysis
3. ____________ mains are most susceptible to wall thickness deterioration, circumferential cracking, and longitudinal cracking.
a. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) b. Asbestos cement c. Ferrous d. Concrete
4. Which of the following is not listed as a factor considered when evaluating consequence of failure?
a. Pipe material b. Proximity to water bodies c. Pipe diameter d. Redundancy
5. ____________ assesses the loss of contact between the steel cylinder or wire and the mortar coating on external pipe surfaces.
a. Continuity c. Cell-to-cell b. Radar d. Transient wave
(Credit Card Number)
EARN CEUS BY ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM PREVIOUS JOURNAL ISSUES!
Contact FWPCOA at membership@fwpcoa.org or at 561-840-0340. Articles from past issues can be viewed on the Journal website, www.fwrj.com.
Undervaluing Water
Fred Bloetscher, P.E., Ph.D.
Chair, FSAWWA
Ihave done a number of rate studies and I find that the cable and cell phone bills are almost always higher than the water and sewer bills. Yet, any time there is a proposed rate increase, local elected officials and the public complain.
It’s not like water and sewer services don’t have an excellent record for delivery. Think about the number of times your cable television has gone out, your cell phone service is interrupted, and your internet doesn’t work. And let’s not even talk about power!
Many of these interruptions are not for a second or two. How many water utilities have a track record like that? None. So, we provide great service to the house or business, with basically no interruptions unless there is a main break or you fail to pay your bill, so why all the pushback on needed water and sewer rate increases?
Here are some questions to fathom: S Is it the perceived benevolence of local utilities, most of which are public entities? S Is it a perception that water should be free so it’s not important to pay the bill? S Is it the lack of marketing of an essential product by water utilities?
I’ve heard all these arguments, but I’m thinking the last one may be the most important. Most people know they need to pay their bill, and I don’t really know many people in the United States who think water should be free. Certainly pricing keeps people from wasting a resource that clearly has limits.
Cheap Doesn’t Mean No Value
People are used to cheap water, but operation costs are going up and the deferred maintenance obligations of utilities continues to climb. The transfer of water and sewer funds from the balance to the general fund after the 2008 fiscal crisis hurt us a lot, and many jurisdictions continue that bad fiscal practice.
I’m also concerned that the COVID-19 pandemic will lead us to a similar general-fund crisis as state sales tax revenues that are shared with local government general funds fall far short of projections. Few general funds ever pay back the utility funds.
I did a study several years ago that suggested that the net plant asset value of a typical utility should be about 45 percent of the replacement value using a number of assumptions on pipe, pump, and plant life, and costs (note that adjustments to these don’t change the number significantly).
The really concerning part was that less than 25 percent of the utilities surveyed met this goal. A huge number were less than half that amount, which means a major backlog in pipe rehabilitation or replacement, and that means that very large deferred maintenance/ replacement costs are looming, increasing risk to service providers—and customers.
Much of historical capital programs could be traced to limitations placed on the utilities by elected officials under stress from the public. Complaining to local elected officials often keeps rates artificially low, which means maintenance and replacement programs get deferred. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), and other entities regularly report that we have been keeping rates low and deferring capital and maintenance for years to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2021 report card gives drinking water and sanitary sewer infrastructure a grade of C- and D-, respectively. Ouch!
Tooting Out Own Horn
So what’s the solution? I suggest that, as an industry, we have failed in marketing our product—water. Treatment plants and pump stations are out of the way, and pipes are buried; no one sees them and people assume these facilities will work, but they rarely ask how they work or how long they will work.
They don’t understand the complexity or the regulatory stringency of operating a utility. They don’t understand that the number one priority is public health, and protecting the public health costs money. We have not made people understand this because we do not market our product.
I have taught elected-official classes where the officials tell me public dollars should not be spent on marketing, but they never say why when pressed. Rarely is marketing included in a budget, but if water and sewer is a business, isn’t marketing an important strategy to maintain that business?
We have many means to leverage our product: S We can use Drinking Water Week, Public
Works Week, and our many conferences and contests to highlight what we do. S We need to make Roy Likins scholarship presentations in person at high schools and colleges. S Contact the press—they really do like to have a little good news in the newspapers, online, and on television.
We need to make those pipe groundbreakings a bigger deal, and cut ribbons at pump stations. I know, you’re thinking he’s lost his mind with all this silly claptrap, but the press and elected officials love an event where they can be seen. Touting the value of water is a marketing task and we don’t do it very well.
To compare, we have a host of celebrities making big bucks marketing cellphones, which are not required to survive. We have a lot of glitzy cool advertisements for cable service options, but we don’t need cable to live. The power companies send out glossy stuffers in their bills (that no one reads), but they do end up in the papers regularly. While power really does help us survive, we could do without it (although it would be unpleasant), as our forebears did.
No one, however, has ever survived without water. Maybe it’s just too obvious. Maybe because it is so obvious, people are less conscious of it. That needs to change and we need elected officials to participate in the change.
As a private-sector marketing manager would say: You have lost your market share!
We need to get it back. S
Renee Moticker
Work title and years of service.
I worked in the industry for 30 years. My last employment position before retirement was as a water treatment plant operator.
What did your job entail?
I held many positions within the City of Hollywood Utilities Public Works Department.
During my career with the city, I managed to hold positions in departments that were once considered male-only. I became the first female meter reader until the city sourced out the department, and then I was transferred to the water treatment plant as a utility maintenance helper (I was the first female in that position). I took the test for utility service worker for wastewater collection and was chosen for that employment opportunity, which was never held by a female employee, and later became a wastewater treatment plant mechanic.
Toward the end of my career with the city, I became a water treatment plant operator. The wastewater treatment plant also needed an operator, but the position became frozen, so I was offered the opportunity at the water treatment plant as an operator, which I accepted and where I worked until I retired in 2016.
Renee (as Award Committee chair) poses with the late Walt Smyser, FWPCOA webmaster.
What education and training have you had?
I accomplished many certifications through FWPCOA, both voluntary and mandatory. I currently hold water distribution system operator level I (mandatory certification), wastewater collection A (voluntary certification), stormwater management C (voluntary certification), and water treatment plant operator C.
I have a bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University in public management and a bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University in geology (an environmental-based degree). I also received a certificate of environmental studies from Florida Atlantic University.
I am proud of every certification and degree I have because it not only enhanced the opportunities to excel in my career, but establishes traits for an employer to see the ambition and determination toward a goal that anyone may wish to accomplish.
What did you like best about your job?
My different employment opportunities enabled me to learn about the industry and to mentor and train any new employee who worked alongside me. I enjoyed every aspect of my various employments, especially being the first female to be represented.
It was satisfying to see individuals who trusted me and weren’t afraid to allow me the opportunity to advance and learn a new skill or task. I made sure I would be the best I could be, so as not to disappoint the people who entrusted me with their bold decision to allow me to advance.
What professional organizations do you belong to?
I currently belong to FWPCOA. In college, because of my major, I belonged to FWEA for a short period of time.
How did the organizations help your career?
The FWPCOA helped by allowing me to attend the short schools and courses to excel in the utility industry throughout my career. I also became involved in the organization while I was in college. While I was working in wastewater, the late Ron Salerno approached me at a meeting and asked me if I could take notes; being in college, I said yes and promptly became the Region 7 secretary for the year. I remember asking him what FWPCOA was (that’s ancient history now).
I have been in this association for over 15 years and am currently the director of Region 7, an on-the-road instructor, state and regional instructor, proctor, and Awards Committee chair for the state organization. In 2019, I was selected to become an honorary life member—very prestigious and much appreciated.
This organization has allowed me to mentor and teach students from different municipalities who have attended the state and regional schools. I have had the opportunity to attend conferences to see what’s new in the industry and network with people and companies to always try to introduce a better way to do things.
I plan on being involved for a long time because I enjoy the people and enjoy learning new ideas and techniques.
What do you like best about the industry?
The industry is always changing, and keeping
Renee and her father, Nick, displaying her Honorary Life Member Award. Renee and Nick helping out during registration for an FWPCOA state short school. Renee and Nick pose with staff on one of their many cruises.
Renee and Nick enjoying a meal at a favorite restaurant. Nick barbecuing, one of his favorite pastimes. Nick with great-grandsons Izaiah (far left) and Antonio.
Renee presents an award to Randy Brown with City of Pompano Beach Utilities during a Region 7 awards banquet. Renee conducting an FWPCOA Region 7 membership meeting at the City of Hollywood Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.
up with the new ideas, regulations, and techniques can be a challenge. I find that the people involved in this industry are always helpful and mindful of how important these changes are and are willing to share ideas so everyone can take part and stay up to date. The people are very down to earth and care what happens environmentally. Solutions are always being challenged and some have actually made a difference, depending on the application to the problem.
What do you do when you’re not working?
I retired in 2016, but my involvement within FWPCOA just blossomed and I am busier than ever. That’s fine because I truly enjoy it. I enjoy teaching on any certification level. I enjoy teaching the people in my classes (whether state or regional) and have made many acquaintances over the years that I am still in touch with and I’m happy to assist with any situation they might have.
I enjoy the people within FWPCOA. We are like family and are constantly trying to improve the ability for someone to advance in their utility career.
I love to cruise with my dad, Nick, but right now that’s on hold because of COVID-19.
I love to travel. When I retired, my dad and I went to Italy by cruise ship (one way) and flew back. I was able to see many family members on both my mom's and dad’s side of the family, plus see some of the most memorable sites Italy has to offer.
During the pandemic, casual cooking became a pastime. Since my dad was in quarantine I began to expand my cooking abilities with different recipes. I cooked with recipes from the Food Network channel, cookbooks, and the internet. I shared some of these meals with elderly neighbors and friends. I got quite good and would post my meals on my Facebook page. My cooking has slowed down because of FWPCOA state and regional responsibilities, but I do make a mean homemade chicken noodle soup.
Family keeps me on my toes. My daughters, Tiffany and Minda, who many regional members are familiar with, are married and I have two wonderful sons-in-law: Mike and Dan.
My grandsons, Izaiah and Antonio (Tiffany’s boys), are my heart and have accompanied me to different FWPCOA events throughout the years. The members have known them since they were very young. Now, Izaiah is 17 years old and Antonio is 11 years old—and growing fast.
My newest venture (along with association responsibilities) is a pet sitting business, which involves dog walking and various other duties when it comes to taking care of all kinds of pets for my customers. This was an accidental business venture because my pet caretaker moved out of state and asked if I wanted her business. I knew many of her clients, so after much decision making, I took over.
Did I tell you I am supposed to be retired? Thank you for this opportunity to be profiled. S
Renee teaching a class at a regional short school.
Renee getting some rest and relaxation on the beach—finally!
Test Yourself What Do You Know About Cybersecurity for Water and Wastewater?
Donna Kaluzniak
1. Per the Water Information Sharing and
Analysis Center (WaterISAC) 15 Cybersecurity
Fundamentals for Water and Wastewater
Utilities – Best Practices to Reduce Exploitable
Weaknesses and Attacks (15 Cybersecurity
Fundamentals), since you cannot protect what you do not know you have, the foundation of a cybersecurity risk management strategy is to
a. analyze past incidents. b. begin enforcing user controls. c. perform an asset inventory. d. tackle insider threats.
2. Per the WaterISAC 15 Cybersecurity
Fundamentals, granting an employee access to controls with only the absolute minimum permissions necessary to perform a required task is described as
a. multifactor authentication. b. password hygiene. c. principle of least privilege. d. role-based access control.
3. Per the WaterISAC 15 Cybersecurity
Fundamentals, what constitutes a potential insider threat with regards to cybersecurity?
a. Every person. b. Disgruntled or malicious people only. c. Information technology (IT) experts only. d. The supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) technology in use at the facility.
4. Per the WaterISAC 15 Cybersecurity
Fundamentals, while it’s vital that all smart/ connected devices are included in the organizational risk management strategy, what is of greatest concern for water utilities?
a. Employees using personal devices for work. b. Industrial internet of things (IIoT) c. Power security d. Supply chain issues
5. Per the American Water Works Association (AWWA) “Water Sector Cybersecurity Risk Management Guidance,” developing a formal, written cybersecurity policy that addresses the specific operational needs of a process control system (PCS) and enterprise systems falls under what category of recommended cybersecurity practices?
a. Business continuity and disaster recovery b. Data security c. Governance and risk management d. Operations security
6. Per the WaterISAC 15 Cybersecurity
Fundamentals, what must be done in order to identify and prioritize security gaps and vulnerabilities?
a. Encrypt communications. b. Implement threat detection and monitoring. c. Perform an asset inventory. d. Perform a risk assessment.
7. Per the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) “Incident Action Checklist –
Cybersecurity,” one of the first things a utility should do in response to a cyber incident, if possible, is to
a. disconnect compromised computers from the network. b. reboot any affected computers immediately. c. respond to any instructions received on the compromised computers. d. turn off the affected computers and unplug them.
8. Per the WaterISAC 15 Cybersecurity
Fundamentals, it’s important to minimize control system exposure. The most commonly identified weakness for an industrial control system (ICS) is a lack of appropriate boundary protection controls. From what exposure do most ICS compromises emanate?
a. Bluetooth b. Flash drives c. IT/business network d. SCADA upgrades
9. Per the WaterISAC 15 Cybersecurity
Fundamentals, technologies to isolate network segments from one another are also used to protect an ICS. A technology that uses a software program or hardware device to filter inbound and outbound traffic between different parts of a network, or between a network and the internet, is a
a. demilitarized zone (DMZ). b. firewall. c. unidirectional gateway. d. virtual local area network (VLAN).
10. Per the WaterISAC 15 Cybersecurity
Fundamentals, to protect company assets from unauthorized access, physical and cyber access should be disabled as soon as it’s no longer required. Terminated and voluntarily separated employees, vendors, contractors, and consultants should have access revoked as soon as possible. Likewise, employees transferring into new roles will likely need to have unnecessary access removed. This process is called
a. multifactor authentication. b. offboarding, c. principle of least privilege. d. role-based access control.
Answers on page 70
References used for this quiz: • Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC) 15 Cybersecurity Fundamentals for
Water and Wastewater Utilities – Best Practices to Reduce Exploitable Weaknesses and Attacks: https://www.waterisac.org/fundamentals • American Water Works Association (AWWA) “Water Sector Cybersecurity Risk
Management Guidance”: https://www. awwa.org/Portals/0/AWWA/ETS/Resources/
AWWACybersecurityGuidance2019. pdf?ver=2019-09-09-111949-960 • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
“Incident Action Checklist – Cybersecurity”: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/ files/2017-11/documents/171013incidentactionchecklist-cybersecurity_form_508c. pdf
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