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President: Richard Anderson (FSAWWA) Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority
Vice President: Joe Paterniti (FWEA) Clay County Utility Authority
Treasurer: Rim Bishop (FWPCOA) Seacoast Utility Authority
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62 Display Advertiser Index ON THE COVER: The Seacoast Utility Authority’s 12-million-gallon-per-day PGA Regional Water Reclamation facility located in Palm Beach Gardens. The plant recycles 100 percent of its daily flow, distributing reclaimed water to 33 large-volume irrigation customers, including golf courses, homeowners associations, commercial properties, and wetland buffer systems. For more information, go to the Speaking Out column, which begins on page 16. (photo: Seacoast Utility Authority)
Scientists Uncover Harmful Effects to Coral in Florida
A new study led by scientists at the University of Miami Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service Habitat Conservation Division reveals that sediments lingering near dredging sites can have long-lasting harmful effects on the early life stages of coral if they are resuspended, even during brief events like coastal storms.
These new findings are particularly significant for south Florida, where dredging during the upcoming expansions of two major ports— Port Everglades and Port Miami—could further impact the coral reefs in the vicinity.
“Our findings highlight the importance of setting environmental ‘stand down’ windows, or temporary moratoriums on dredging operations, before, during, and after coral spawning to prevent negative effects on larval settlement,” said Xaymara Serrano, the study’s lead author and a previous assistant scientist at
the Rosenstiel School Cooperative Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS).
To conduct the study, the researchers exposed larvae from the mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata), collected near the Port Miami channel and listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, to low and high doses of suspended sediments for 24 hours. They compared three parameters—larval survival, settlement, and respiration—with larvae exposed to reef sediments from the natal reef of the parent colonies in the Florida Keys, as well as with larvae that received a no-sediment treatment. The researchers also examined the microbial communities in the sediments from both sites to evaluate their potential effects on coral larval performance.
The results revealed that coral larvae exposed to sediments from near Port Miami had significantly lower survival and settlement rates compared to those exposed to reef sediments or the no-sediment treatment. Additionally, the sediments from near the port harbored different microbial communities compared to reef sediments, including higher levels of bacterial groups linked to coral disease.
“Our findings stress the importance of carefully planning and managing dredging to minimize impacts on corals and reefs,” said Andrew Baker, the study’s senior author and a professor of marine biology and ecology at the Rosenstiel School. “They also underscore the need for long-term monitoring to detect increased sedimentation, turbidity, and potential contaminants from dredging.”
The researchers suggest that a temporary moratorium on dredging take place the months of predicted coral spawning, as well as a period of two to three weeks after spawning.
Major reef-building coral species, including Orbicella faveolata, are facing extinction due to stressors like temperature-induced bleaching, diseases, and coastal pollution, leading to long-term declines in Caribbean coral populations. To develop effective conservation and recovery plans, it’s crucial to identify the factors causing recruitment failure. The study aims to illuminate these “bottlenecks,” such as the impacts of sedimentation on the settlement into suitable reef habitats.
This study was published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE. The study’s authors include Xaymara Serrano, Stephanie Rosales, Ana Palacio-Castro from CIMAS, and Olivia Williamson and Andrew Baker from the Rosenstiel School. The study was funded by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (Project ID 31147) and MOTE Protect Our Reefs grants (POR-2015-15 and POR-2016-16). S
New AI Technology Will Have Significant Impact on Global Water Crisis
In collaboration with WASH AI, Global Water Center (GWC) is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) system that will support engineers and technicians in over 15 languages as they learn how to design, build, and maintain solar-powered water systems for rural communities.
“Partnering with WASH AI allows us to integrate generative AI technology into our training platforms, enhancing our ability to support rural water professionals to design, install, and maintain solar-powered water solutions,” said Benjamin Filskov, GWC’s senior director of strategic initiatives and collective impact.
Multilingual WhatsApp Assistant
By utilizing cutting-edge techniques, GWC and WASH AI are working together to bring state-of-the-art, reliable, and technically accurate AI-assisted tools to the water sector. Olivier Mills, the founder of Baobab Tech and WASH AI stated, “With GWC, we are applying the latest advancements in AI. Beyond your simple ‘bot’ we
are innovating and building agentic AI systems that specialize in subject matter, enabling us to reach more practitioners in their own language and with varying levels of background knowledge.”
Specifically, GWC will integrate AI in the following areas across its learning and technical support services:
S An AI-powered website assistant to support basic knowledge on various WASH topics.
S An AI-powered training assistant to help GWC scale and provide support to participants.
S A multilingual WhatsApp assistant that can answer technical questions about solar-powered water systems.
S A training participant followup system to provide personalized engagement with WASH engineers and technicians.
With a shared vision of innovation and professionalization within the rural water sector, GWC and WASH AI are employing specialized large language models for technical support and training in the water sector.
“Using AI’s strengths, we provide
contextualized technical support and learning at an unprecedented scale, making a significant impact on building knowledge and skills to address the global water crisis,” Olivier said.
About Global Water Center
The Global Water Center believes everyone deserves access to safely managed water. It provides education, innovation, and collaboration to equip leaders to solve the global water crisis. As a resource for the rural water sector, it has reached people in 131 countries. In addition to education, it also uses innovative technology to make water projects more effective and reliable. All of its efforts are rooted in collaboration with nonprofits, governments, and other entities.
About WASH AI
WASH AI is an initiative born out of the challenges of the sector to provide effective data, information, knowledge, products, and services that truly meet the needs of water, sanitation, and hygiene practitioners locally, from community-based organizations, governments, nongovernmental organizations, and other private-sector entities. It provides a suite of AI-powered systems that can be integrated with an organization’s internal and external knowledge to provide multilingual, reliable information services to its clients.
For more information go to www. globalwatercenter.org. S
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Wakulla County Septic-to-Sewer
Conversions: Critical Infrastructure and Nutrient Reduction
Michelle Metcalf, Colson Marsh, and Trevor Burch
Wakulla County (county) is located in northern Florida at the heart of the Big Bend region just south of the state capital of Tallahassee and is home to approximately 35,100 residents. The county also serves as a pass-through for those traveling to other coastal counties and beaches to the south and west. An estimated 70 percent of the county is comprised of local, state, or national lands, forests, and parks, and a majority of the county’s northern, western, and eastern boundaries are bordered by either the Wakulla State Forest, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, or the Apalachicola National Forest. The southern coastal boundary is bordered by the Apalachee, Ochlockonee, and Levy bays.
Along with these precious natural resources, the county is home to a first-magnitude spring, Wakulla Springs. As the world’s largest freshwater spring, Wakulla Springs is an indispensable natural resource that was overlooked, overloaded, and degraded for decades until the county, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Northwest Florida Water Management District, and other agencies collaborated to set forth initiatives to reduce nitrogen loadings by more than 25,000 pounds per year.
The county entered into an agreement with FDEP to provide data and resources regarding
nutrient loading from wastewater sources within the Upper Wakulla River and the Wakulla Springs Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) area.
As part of its agreement with FDEP, the county collaborated with consultants, agencies and internal departments to establish initiatives to coincide with requirements set forth in the BMAP. These initiatives include restoring impaired waters, improving Wakulla Springs via nutrient load reduction to the springshed, and updating and mapping of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS), commonly referred to as septic systems. For over 10 years, the county, in collaboration with a team of consultants and funding agencies, has successfully completed a countywide wastewater master plan, capital improvement plan (CIP) projects, and advanced wastewater treatment upgrades, and prioritized septic-to-sewer conversion projects to enhance and protect natural resources within the county and BMAP area.
During this multiproject effort, the county used community surveys, sewer testing, hydraulic modeling, geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and training, and several other methods to develop a sewer system master plan that identified sewer deficiencies, CIP projects, and septic-to-sewer conversion feasibility. Previous FDEP evaluations noted that the greatest nutrient source to Wakulla Springs is OSTDS. These systems account for roughly 34 percent of nutrient
loading to the Floridan aquifer from the Wakulla Springs watershed. Thus, conversion to a central sewer system that is treated by an advanced wastewater treatment facility has the greatest potential to immediately reduce nutrient loading in the spring system. Given this information, the county chose to prioritize the design and construction of septic-to-sewer projects to ensure alignment with the goals of the BMAP.
The county has pursued several different funding avenues to assist with the costs associated with identified sewer improvement projects. As part of the sewer master plan, the county and representatives from Dewberry, one of the county’s selected engineering firms, prioritized projects, provided preliminary construction costs, and created a project and funding phasing plan. These efforts allowed the county to streamline funding requests and establish beneficial relationships with the appropriate agencies in order to best leverage all available resources and capitalize on multiple funding opportunities based on project type. Due to those relationships and the efforts of the county, it has been able to secure nearly $103.2 million in grant funding toward sewer improvement projects since 2015.
After completing six successful septic-tosewer conversion projects, with three under construction and 10 currently in design, the county has established an efficient process to move these projects forward, from the planning phase to completion. Due to the upfront effort of the sewer master plan, the sewer basins have been identified and phased such that cash flow is available, allowing the county to manage multiple projects simultaneously and further accelerating environmental benefits. The overall process for individual projects has proven to be extremely successful and involves, on average, eight to 10 months for design and a year for construction, resulting in executing a typical project over a twoyear period.
The typical septic-to-sewer project includes the following high-level considerations during the design and construction phases:
S Proximity to existing sewer
S Number of active connections and abandonments
S Undeveloped lot stub outs
S Topographic survey surface characteristics
S Gravity sewer design
S Lift station
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S Force main routing and capacity
S Geotechnical analysis
S Roads and drainage improvements
S Existing utility coordination
S Property and right of way acquisition
S Construction lay-down area siting
S Private property access agreements for septic abandonment and sewer hookup
S Public engagement and meetings
S Septic tank abandonment and sewer hookup
S Maintenance of traffic
S First responder and school district coordination
S Construction inspectors and representatives
Since 2015, the county has completed or is underway on 25 sewer infrastructurerelated projects, including the septic-to-sewer projects. These include 1,772 active septic tank abandonments, for a total nitrogen reduction of approximately 17,477 pounds per year. Additionally, the county has also planned multiple future septic-to-sewer projects at various locations, with anticipated septic tank abandonments totaling 741 and a reduction of total nitrogen of 7,308 pounds per year. These plans will be realized if all projects are awarded successfully in upcoming funding cycles.
The county and its residents have dedicated substantial time, staff, and resources to demonstrate their willingness to meet the prioritized objectives and initiatives. With active community engagement and critical relationships built with local agencies, the county is a leader
in the development of critical collection and transmission infrastructure and expansions, funding, and nutrient reduction, while also embracing the unique requirements associated with being located within a BMAP area.
The county can serve as a model to other municipalities and agencies on how to effectively coalesce multiple stakeholders around a common goal. With many future planned projects, the county is excited to continue its partnership with FDEP on this important initiative to protect the natural resources so vital to the community.
Basin Management Action Plan and Nutrient Reduction
Over the past two decades FDEP, in cooperation with Wakulla River and Wakulla Springs stakeholders, has developed what is currently known as the Upper Wakulla River and Wakulla Springs BMAP. A BMAP functions as a framework to maintain and restore water quality across basins deemed highly crucial and sensitive to the hydrology in the region, whether an impaired water body or a class III spring. The comprehensive goal of the BMAP is to reduce pollutant loading to these identified basins, leveraging local and state commitments to implement solutions to achieve the pollutant reductions established by the total maximum daily load.
Of special importance within BMAPs are priority focus areas (PFA). These are regions where the protected waterbody—the Floridian aquifer in this case—is most vulnerable to external
contaminants and pollutants. The PFAs have additional management strategies compared to areas outside the PFAs and are typically elevated in importance, such that the improvements are expedited through the funding, design, and construction phases. This prioritization allows the remediation strategies set forth in the BMAP to be executed quickly and efficiently.
Unique to the Wakulla River and Wakulla Springs BMAP is the inclusion of both a watershed and springshed and the delineation of the boundaries of each, along with the management plan corresponding to them. A watershed is identified by the area of land that contributes and drains rainfall and streams to a common outlet, water body, or source, while a springshed is the area of land that contributes groundwater or surface waters to a spring flow. Each can consist of hundreds of square miles of area surrounding the water bodies. This particular BMAP spans from near the Gulf of Mexico in the south to Florida’s state line in the north and includes portions of Wakulla, Leon, Gadsden, and Jefferson counties. With the development of the Upper Wakulla River and Wakulla Springs BMAP, the factors that have driven the county to implement improvements are the impaired water bodies and nutrient loading reductions.
The county evaluated the septic tank locations, density, and proximity to a central sewer system in its sewer master plan to identify areas that could be remediated quickly, efficiently, and economically. Upon identification of potential septic-to-sewer conversion areas, determination of the quantity of loadings reduction was calculated. Utilizing the OSTDS calculations made available by the immense research performed by FDEP, estimations were able to be made for the total nitrogen reduction potential for each potential OSTDS conversion area.
Additional support projects, such as infrastructure upgrades and wastewater treatment plant expansions, have been required to keep the septic-to-sewer projects moving forward. By following the tenets of cost efficiency, timeliness, and the amount of potential nutrient reduction, the county has been able to reduce the nutrient loading to the BMAP by 6,993 pounds per year and is anticipated to provide reductions of an additional 10,484 pounds per year upon completion of the projects currently under construction or in design.
Funding
Flexibility is key when trying to accomplish large projects and needing to stay innovative in how the projects can remain funded. To do this, the county has utilized several different funding avenues to assist with the planning and construction costs associated with identified sewer improvement projects. The funding sources
used to date include legislative appropriations, springs protection grants, state revolving funds, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rural development funds, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), RESTORE Act, local one-cent sales tax, and other local funds. To maintain positive cash flow, the county has also had to take out a $30 million loan and has had to find creative ways to keep the interest payments from impacting the budget. Staying organized with application deadlines and being intentional to marry various funding opportunities together has been an integral part of the county’s success. Furthermore, navigating the requirements of projects, from special federal funds all the way to local designated funds, requires diligence.
One of the pivotal moments in the organization of the funding was the creation of the county’s sewer master plan. This was completed in 2021 by identifying priority projects and providing preliminary construction costs and funding phasing plans, while also gauging the community’s opinion of the ongoing sewering efforts. Parallel to this, the county also self-funded a utility rate study to ensure it would collect proper revenues for the rapidly expanding system. By expending time and resources to organize and plan its efforts, the county has been able to streamline the funding requests and further establish relationships with the relevant agencies to best utilize all the resources and capitalize on multiple funding opportunities based on project type and timeline.
An item of high importance to the county to assist with community buy-in of the projects was the inclusion of incentives for participating. As part of the funding, the county worked with several agencies to develop these incentives for customers by way of fee reductions or full waivers. These fee reductions have included sewer impact fees, OSTDS abandonment, and tie-in costs that have typically provided a savings to the homeowner of approximately $8,000 per connection. On a parallel track to the septic abandonment and central sewer connection, the county has initiated other incentive programs, including the septic upgrade incentive program and sewer connection programs that provide financial offset to residents who wish to either upgrade their septic system to a nitrogen reducing system (as approved by FDEP) or connect their home to the existing sewer system in areas where this was previously not required during construction (typically predating the county’s current septic-to-sewer efforts).
The county’s positive financial position was not always the case and is a success story predating the sewer projects. When the current county administrator was hired circa 2010, the county had a poor financial outlook. There were no fund balance policies, revenue was not being tracked, and future needs of the county were not being considered during the budget planning
process. With the assistance of the director of fiscal operations and the clerk’s finance department, the county shifted how revenue, expenditures, recurring costs, and future needs were tracked, monitored, and planned. At that time, the county employed a grant writer to seize opportunities provided by both state and federal funds to help expand infrastructure, improve amenities, and take some financial burden off the revenue generated by ad valorem and the one-cent sales tax program.
Because of these efforts, the county had transformed the grim budget outlook by 2018 to a solid financial picture. Each budget entity was required to maintain a minimum fund balance and the pooled cash on hand was used to support cost reimbursement grants. The county had also become successful in consistently generating grant funds from state agencies, such as FDEP, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Department of Transportation, Continued on page 12
Neighborhood construction in progress.
and federally, from the U.S. Treasury RESTORE funds. By 2015, the first funding from FDEP arrived; the septic-to-sewer process officially began and it continues today.
The county has been extremely successful in getting state funding; in fact, over the past five years, the county has received over $103 million in septic-to-sewer and sewer infrastructure funds from state and federal agencies. The sewer improvement projects are not the only cost reimbursable grants that the county has been awarded. For example, in 2023 it received $11 million to replace the countywide emergency communications system, $19 million to add capacity and enhance process at the wastewater treatment facility, and $6.25 million for a new emergency operations center, all in addition to the funds received for septic-to-sewer projects.
These grants are cost-reimbursable and, as the total number of projects grew, so did the strain on the pooled fund. The county administrator, the director of fiscal operations, and the clerk’s finance department met to discuss how the county can continue to support the volume of grants and maintain enough pooled cash to fund regular county operations while fronting the cash required for the cost-reimbursable grants. The decision was made to secure a low, variable interest $30 million loan through the local Florida government finance commission. The loan allows the county to continue all grants as funded by using the loan to support the project costs and repay the loan with reimbursement from the granting agency. The loan funds were invested in statutorily approved investment pools, such that the interest expense of the loan is paid by the interest generated by the investment, with earnings nearly offsetting expenses. Because the county had planned properly and recognized its needs, it was able to continue all of the funded projects and seek funding moving forward without jeopardizing the routine operations of the county.
Phasing
The county’s septic remediation efforts should not be considered an overnight success. Planning for these projects and initial phase considerations began around 2011. Since then, the phasing plan and target areas have adjusted to meet constraints that have arisen from funding, community needs, and existing infrastructure challenges. To date, the county has been awarded nearly $103.2 million and has contributed nearly $11.5 million of local funds to enhance the projects by providing additional necessary infrastructure in several project areas, such as paving, stormwater drainage, and lighting improvements, with the first funding being received in 2015. This equates
to approximately $15 million per year that is required to be cash-flowed by the county, while balancing reimbursements from grant funding sources. The county’s average annual operating budget over this same period was approximately $120 million; therefore, the average cash flow required to keep these projects afloat was nearly 12.5 percent of the county’s budget. Total nitrogen reduction, the primary driving force behind these projects, is estimated to be 11,677 pounds per year for the projects completed and under construction.
When compared to what these areas would have contributed with traditional OSTDS, the future connections made available to lots that were empty at the time of construction are anticipated to prevent 12,220 pounds per year of total nitrogen from ever reaching the springshed. The need to reduce nitrogen loading from the springshed as quickly as possible and the county’s obligation to uphold fiscal responsibility have been successfully balanced by viewing these seemingly competing goals as a tension to be managed rather than a problem to be entirely solved.
To progress through the projects as quickly as possible, the county’s first targets were subdivisions that were primarily unpaved, with lot sizes less than a half-acre located within one of the BMAP’s PFAs and in close proximity to existing infrastructure. Gravity sewer was chosen as the primary collection method over other methods, such as vacuum sewer or lowpressure sewer, as gravity sewer typically results in lower ongoing maintenance costs. Because of thorough communication with funding agencies, the county also knew to target project areas that could be designed and constructed with a budget between $3 million and $5 million and completed in a roughly three-year window, from the award of the funding to project closeout. Project budgets of this magnitude were considered to be manageable for the county with respect to cash flow and for additional improvements not included in the grant funding, such as paving and lighting improvements.
When evaluating these numbers, the approximate cost per connection when considering only the OSTDS that were remediated is $26,830.00. Upon considering both the existing and future OSTDS that could be in the project areas upon the subdivision’s final buildout, the cost per connection decreases to $13,111. In the same manner, the cost per pound of nitrogen reduced annually for only the remediated OSTDS (projects completed and under construction) is $2,720 and the cost per pound of nitrogen reduced annually for both the remediated OSTDS and prevented OSTDS is $1,329.
The county also had to balance these collection system expansions with downstream infrastructure upgrades and treatment facility expansions. Because the county could not
expand the collection system faster than it was able to enhance the capacity of the downstream transmission and treatment systems, significant planning had to occur to determine what the impacts would be to these existing systems and how to construct these necessary improvements, while keeping the remainder of the system operational. This resulted in several substantial projects and operational changes that had to be coordinated across multiple consulting firms, county departments, and operations units. These projects also had to be considered in the county’s ability to maintain cash flow.
By communicating early and often with grant funding agencies, preparing for the local financial impacts of the projects, and prioritizing areas that can be constructed with the greatest efficiency, the county has been able to steadily move forward with success. As previously stated, this planning has allowed the county to receive funding for nearly $103.2 million of improvements over 10 years and maintain its trajectory into the future.
Public Outreach and Community Engagement
Sewer projects are, by nature, invasive and inconvenient for the community in which they are being performed. They can disrupt traffic patterns, utility services, neighborhood aesthetics, quiet environments, and sometimes even the peacefulness of life at home as construction equipment and unfamiliar faces descend upon a once-quiet residential area. Because these disruptions are expected to accompany the necessary construction efforts, it’s important to stay ahead of issues that could arise by communicating early and often to the impacted citizens. The community engagement component of each sewer project has proven to be a keystone for the relationship between the community and those involved in the construction effort.
There is a concept that states a message should be presented around seven times for the idea to stick. Regardless of the actual number of repetitions required for an idea to resonate with an audience, it’s common practice to repeat messaging via a variety of mediums. The model employed by the county has consisted of a variety of digital and personal messaging, including social media and web updates, preconstruction community meetings, mailouts, door-to-door messaging, community events, and regular discussions at public meetings. The county maintains a splash page on its website that shows updated maps of the completed, upcoming, and long-range septic-to-sewer projects. As one of these projects moves closer to commencement, the county utilizes social media to actively provide project updates throughout the entirety of the project.
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Upon successful bidding and awarding of a project, an in-person community meeting is typically held for residents of the neighborhood anticipated to be directly impacted, although any member of the community may attend to gain information. At this meeting, representatives of the county’s departments related to the sewer project, such as public works, utility billing, and administration, are available, along with representatives from the design firm and contractor. The meeting is structured to inform the homeowners of the key personnel responsible for the project and share contact information to ensure any needs can be quickly resolved and make the homeowners aware of the typical construction process so they can become educated on what to expect during the process. Utility billing personnel present the county’s billing process and make site access and septic abandonment agreements available for residents to review and sign to expedite the process.
After construction has commenced, social media sites, mailouts, and door-todoor communication are utilized to ensure homeowners adjacent to the immediate work area are informed about any temporary closures or service interruptions. The county’s public meetings are also a platform utilized during this time to keep the community informed about progress and the county and contractor efforts in the area.
The county also has various community events during the year the public can attend to ask questions and become more informed on its efforts to improve the community. These events are often informal and allow candid conversations to occur between interested citizens and members of the county and design team. This is a great opportunity to learn from community members about how they are experiencing the projects and to keep them informed about items that directly involve them.
By communicating frequently and via a variety of platforms and styles, the county can effectively ensure the community members have received the message and can be both informed and have an opportunity to be heard regarding any questions or concerns they might have. This step in the construction process can be easily overlooked, but has proven to be of paramount importance regarding the project’s success in one of the most important arenas: public perception. If the public at large does not understand the importance of these projects and is only presented with the inconvenient and disruptive components that arise during the construction process, the environmental community cannot hope to effect change for critical water resources and the ability to assist with the preservation of these essential gifts of nature will be diminished or decimated.
Challenges, Lessons Learned, and a Model to Follow
Being adaptive, resilient, and intentional has proven to be a recipe of success for the county’s implementation of these projects. As noted previously, these central sewer system projects are extremely invasive to the community in a myriad of ways. Since the inception of the septic-to-sewer projects, the county has been intentional about debriefing and evaluating what went right (and wrong) and to evaluate areas where improvement is needed. The county has been able to build on these lessons learned and continue to develop a successful project portfolio with each new project. The county has logged, addressed, and progressed through a multitude of changes that spawned from the first phases of these projects. How these items evolved to where they are today is due to the county’s acceptance of input from residents, funding agencies, contractors, consultants, and the debriefs performed after each project. This has resulted from an attitude that does not elevate knowledge above learning, because, as the county has experienced, even the best knowledge is finite, but learning leads to a future beyond current constraints.
As with any large public project, it has been crucial to engage the community at the earliest stages possible. From the beginning of the master planning process through the end of a specific project being constructed, the county works to gain community buy-in. At the inception of a new project or phase, the county establishes a series of community engagement efforts, including community meetings, a live project website, and mailers, to communicate with the impacted and interested residents. These upfront county efforts have proven to grow in their effectiveness with each project. In early stages, residents were apprehensive and, in some instances, confrontational regarding access to their properties for OSTDS abandonment, installation of laterals, and construction of the final home connections. Tensions between homeowners and the construction effort are typically anticipated for any type of project; however, the county has dramatically reduced the confrontational aspect of these interactions by its direct involvement and engagement with residents at the earliest stages.
After several iterations of septic-to-sewer projects it became clear that a more robust construction documentation practice needed to be adopted, as the historically successful field reporting tools utilized by the county and Dewberry would not suffice. As with many grantfunded projects, there are specific reporting guidelines that require intensive inspection and field reports at regular intervals (i.e., daily, weekly, monthly) and they must include backup documentation, such as photos, narratives, and
material itemization, to support the reports. With several phases of projects completed, using traditional field reports, camera-phone photos, and visually estimated percent-complete methods, it was quickly understood that a new process needed to be developed to efficiently track each project’s progress and effectively generate reports based on each funding agency’s requirements. Upon completion of a project debrief, the county and Dewberry acknowledged the need to overhaul their reporting processes. With Dewberry’s extensive background in inspection services, it was able to identify construction management software that would help construction inspectors and the county throughout the project. After agreeing on the best software, both the county and Dewberry made the necessary investments that included software and mobile field devices, such as tablets with data-transferring abilities. With the new process in effect, project tracking, reporting, and the ability to consolidate and streamline each report has proven successful and is continuing to satisfy funding agency requirements, thereby keeping relationships strong among all parties involved.
Another crucial item the county has learned to cover extensively is the invasive nature of septicto-sewer projects. This has become a routine topic recounted to residents at every opportunity to help ease the community’s concerns. Success has been realized in showing actual local photographic examples of what to expect during installation with items, such as 15-feet-deep trenches, excavators, dewatering pumps, and encountering unfamiliar faces within the neighborhood, being highlighted.
Defining the true level of invasiveness as early as possible and having that open communication with the residents has proven to reduce the public’s aversion to the construction process. Very similarly, it has proven to be beneficial to outline the construction process, while discussing how invasive it is and assuring the public that the final product will provide improvements to the neighborhood. Showing before and after pictures of previous projects, being available to answer questions, discussing timelines and schedules, and providing outlines of the construction process has truly helped to diminish fears of the unknown. The exposure to these anticipated inconveniences has been key in relieving public concerns and ensuring smoother construction.
Throughout construction it’s imperative to have a trustworthy, reliable, personable, and highly knowledgeable person who can be the point of contact for the public. Over the development of these projects, the county and Dewberry have established highly involved construction inspectors who oversee the construction, as well as act as liaisons between the county and the residents. Upon executing the construction
contract and having the preconstruction community meeting, the inspector is introduced to the community and contact information is provided to open the lines of communication. This has added to the duties of the inspector, who is not only tracking the work of the contractor, but is also the point contact for the residents for items such as blocked driveways by construction equipment, cut internet cables, notifications of work schedules, and information regarding road closures. This personal communication has proven to effectively expedite the construction process as residents become familiar with the inspector who takes care of them through the whole process.
Most importantly, the key component to success is being adaptable. Each project has unique challenges and acts as a learning device for upcoming projects. The county has proven to be extremely flexible and open to addressing lessons learned from previous projects, not shying away from failures. Each of the items discussed in this section is a combination of both outcomes: success and failure. Whether a lesson was driven by community, construction, design, or even funding, the county has integrated what was valuable to provide higher quality on each successive project. Where the county was a decade ago, compared to where it stands today regarding the implementation of wastewater-related projects, is largely due to the ability to accept and take action on feedback received through communication, proving dedication to learning and improving.
As the county and Dewberry have learned through both the successes and failures, a system has been built that can be replicated from project to project to reduce the exposure to failure and enhance the opportunities to succeed. It’s true that success cannot always be guaranteed and failure cannot always be avoided; however, effective systems can ensure the greatest potential to achieve consistent results. As author James Clear states: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
As every effective system should be, the county’s system is quite simple. It revolves around two tenets: communication and relationships. As Merriam-Webster defines it, communication is “information transmitted or conveyed,” but research analyst Hayley Hawthorne, Ph.D., states it more aptly:
“Communication is the connective tissue between humans, holding the potential to bring
us together, create shared understanding, align on and execute initiatives, and so much more. At the end of the day, communication is the vehicle for transformation.”
As many authors and researchers have stated, the quality of one’s relationships determines the quality of life. When combining these two tenets, the county has been able to unite the government and the people, environmental groups and regulators, consultants, contractors, and citizens to a singular goal: protecting the natural wonders that can only be found in the county.
Practical ways of implementing this model can be observed through the county’s continued dedication to public outreach and education of its citizens (e.g., community meetings, site meetings, social media interactions) as well as regular contact with state and federal funding agencies. By keeping all stakeholders apprised of the county’s ongoing efforts and future goals, all who are involved can work together toward a unified vision of reducing nutrient loading within the springshed.
At face value, this appears to be too simplistic to be effective. Nonetheless, its efficacy has been proven, albeit not without challenges. Communication and relationships are difficult. Much like a delicate flower, it will wither and die without attention and affection. A great deal of time is required to be invested by the county to ensure no information is lost and that the information relayed is timely and relevant. Additional time must be invested to create items that are not mandatory, such as reports, maps, plans, and exhibits, to make sure stakeholders remain informed. Patience is essential to move at the slower paces of some funding mechanisms and empathy is requisite to connect with citizens overwhelmed by the apparent chaos of construction engulfing their neighborhoods.
Internally, this system has necessitated that information be shared more frequently and to a wider audience; therefore, silos cannot exist. Nearly every county department has become entwined in various facets of the projects, from planning through close-out. The dedication of the individuals to look beyond their job title and lean into the projects throughout their life cycles has allowed decisions to be made early to prevent complications from arising by the time the project would have traditionally become the burden of that department. This has increased personal ownership and pride in the accomplishment of this great endeavor.
Through these investments in relationships and communication, the processes have become streamlined:
S The funding agencies are routinely updated on the direction of the county, how much funding it will need, the timeline, and the current progress.
S The county itself is able to plan its upcoming budgets to accommodate cash flow requirements.
S Consultants are informed of deadlines and upcoming workload to properly prepare.
S Citizens can plan home improvements and repairs based on construction scheduling.
S Contractors can ready themselves to prepare responsive and competitive bids by planning around upcoming project schedules.
Each of these items working together multiplies the impact of the county’s efforts to reduce nutrient loading within the BMAP by reducing costs, increasing timeliness, and expanding support.
The easy way forward is to ignore investing in the relationships and communication efforts, as this path would obligate the least amount of personal involvement for staff and consultants. As appealing as an easy path is, it rarely yields the fruit we wish to harvest. As Zig Ziglar once said, “The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want right now.” No one sets out to achieve that outcome and the citizens entrusted to the county’s leadership deserve better. Municipalities that wish to accomplish similar results should audit their systems and determine if they are positioned to leverage communication and relationships to achieve their seemingly audacious goals. Preparation today will pave the way to success in the future. Legendary basketball coach John Wooden realized this when he said, “The time to prepare isn’t after you have been given the opportunity. It’s long before that opportunity arises. Once the opportunity arrives, it’s too late to prepare.”
The outcomes of the county are reproducible and attainable provided the appropriate mechanisms are in place and the county, together with its consultants, is prepared to make the necessary extra effort—which is simple but frequently challenging—to guarantee that relationships and communication are given top priority throughout any project.
Michelle Metcalf is the assistant county administrator of administration with Wakulla County in Crawfordville. Colson Marsh is a project manager with Dewberry Engineers at its Orlando office and Trevor Burch is a project engineer with Dewberry Engineers at its Blountstown office. S
Balancing Florida’s Growth, Aging Infrastructure, and Environmental Demands
Marjorie Guillory Craig, P.E. Chair, FSAWWA
It’s October, and at this time of year it’s starting to cool down—okay, a girl can dream! Is it much hotter this year, or is it just me?
Upcoming Section Events
Check out all the events on the calendar at the FSAWWA website (www.fsawwa.org) and don’t forget to register for the 2024 FSAWWA Fall Conference, to be held December 8-11 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate— it’s going to be a great conference! The exhibit booths sold out in the first few days, which is a record.
Here are some upcoming events:
S October 10 – Region IV, Oktoberfest, Barriehaus Beer Company, Tampa
S October 17 – Region II, Wine for Water, Haskell Headquarters, Jacksonville
S October 18 – Region IV, Best Tasting Drinking Water Contest, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Zephyr Hills
S October 26 – Region II, Model Water Tower Competition, University of North Florida, Jacksonville
S November 1 – Region III, Roy Likins Scholarship Golf Event, Wikiva Golf Course, Longwood
S November 15 – Region III, Sponsor Appreciation and Networking Event, Kia Center, Orlando
S November 1 – Region VIII, Model Water Tower Competition, Dan McCarty Middle School, Fort Pierce
Water Utility Council Meeting and Florida 2051 Utility Workshop
Many thanks to Orange County Utilities (OCU) for hosting two FSAWWA events at its facilities! On August 14, the Water Utility Council (WUC) meeting was held at its utilities building. In the morning a media training
session was held, led by HDR, and in the afternoon Monica Wallis, chair of the WUC, led its meeting.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent Jorge Medrano to the WUC meeting and to be one of the keynote speakers at the Florida 2051 Utility workshop, held on August 15 at OCU, along with Eric Meyers, P.E., program administrator for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection State Revolving Fund Program. A special shout out to Courtney Dantone, who led the 2051 Utility Workshop, Vision to Victory, this year. Another successful event!
Utility Infrastructure Challenges: Climate Change, Rising Costs, Supply and Worker Shortages, and Increased Customer Expectations
Florida, renowned for its beautiful beaches and coastal regions, lakes, rivers, wetlands, and extensive water systems, is home to one of the most complex water management networks in the United States, and with the impacts of climate change, the state is continuously investing in new water facilities, expanding current infrastructures, and upgrading outdated systems to ensure sustainable water supply, wastewater treatment, and flood control. These improvements are critical in maintaining Florida’s water quality and ensuring resilience for future challenges. In some of my past columns, this has been a common theme, with slight variations.
One of the continuing common solutions I have stressed is the need to light a fire of passion in our industry to attract workers and to better communicate with our customers and the public about our challenges and how to resolve them. We need to do this in language that is clear to the public, with common messaging, and all utilities need to work with our professional organizations, communication experts, and each other to make this happen. This is one reason why FSAWWA has hired HDR to put together a communication plan to conduct media training and help all members with our messaging. We have conducted two sessions already this year, but we’ve only just begun.
The Need for Water Infrastructure Upgrades
Florida’s water needs are diverse. With a population exceeding 22 million, the demand for clean drinking water, efficient wastewater treatment, and stormwater management has surged. Aging infrastructure, rising sea levels, frequent storms, and heightened environmental awareness have pressured municipalities, counties, and state agencies to take proactive measures. I feel like a broken record, and you’ve seen these words over and over. We need more funding and we need to continue to share with our elected officials how our challenges are impacting our residents and customers. We’re using innovative ideas and are systematically resolving some of these challenges, but in many cases, we need (more!) help.
To meet these growing demands, the state has been investing heavily in upgrading and expanding existing facilities while constructing new ones. I want to highlight some of the significant upgrades in water facilities across Florida, including expansions and cutting-edge technologies being integrated into their system.
I asked several professionals from Florida’s utilities about some of the challenges they are facing with growth, aging infrastructure, and emerging contaminants. Here’s what some of them shared, as well as information about some other programs I found in my research this month.
New Water Facilities
One of the key focuses in Florida has been the development of new water treatment plants that integrate advanced technologies to process water more efficiently while minimizing environmental impacts.
C-51 Reservoir Project
Ernie Cox, president at Family Lands Remembered LLC, has long championed the C-51 Reservoir, an ambitious project that is a vital component of Florida’s long-term water strategy. The reservoir is designed to store excess stormwater that would otherwise be discharged into the Lake Worth Lagoon and then the Atlantic Ocean, thereby reducing flood risks. It will also provide an alternative water supply for participating MiamiDade and Broward County utilities in Phase 1, and be a part of several environmental projects,
including the restoration of the Loxahatchee River, in Phase 2.
“This innovative project will eventually provide 60,000 acre-feet (approximately 20 billion gallons) of water storage capacity, for the benefit of south Florida,” said Cox.
East Central Florida Water Supply Project
Aimed at reducing groundwater withdrawals from the Floridan aquifer, this project focuses on developing alternative water sources to support growing communities in Orange, Osceola, and Polk counties. One component involves a new water treatment facility that will treat surface water from the St. Johns River, providing drinking water while relieving pressure on over-pumped groundwater systems.
Facility Expansions
As Florida’s population expands, so too must its water and wastewater treatment capacity. Many municipalities are undergoing major upgrades and expansions to ensure their water treatment plants can handle the increased volume.
Orange County Utilities
Ed Torres, MS, P.E., LEED AP, director of Orange County Utilities (OCU), oversees the operation of 12 regional water supply facilities and four regional water reclamation facilities serving a large population of the county. Orange County continues to experience sustained growth, with increased density and new community development adding to the demand on infrastructure. Capital charges paid by developers, along with long-term planning and a
capital improvement plan (CIP), serve to address infrastructure needs.
“Aging infrastructure is actively enhanced through a very robust renewal and replacement CIP, with a budget of over one billion dollars over the next five years. More than one third of this CIP budget is allocated for reinvestment into the water and wastewater transmission and treatment infrastructure. The OCU is very proud of its investment in infrastructure and its AAA bond rating for financing its capital needs,” said Torres
Like other utilities, OCU must meet demand while operating in a highly regulated environment. Through its research and innovation program, direct participation in the development of new regulations, and active involvement with professional associations, its aim is to be in a position where it can adapt to future regulations.
The OCU actively assesses its systems to determine the impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other contaminants of emerging concern and continually looks to expand its alternative water supply portfolio. This includes working on surface and brackish water projects, using stormwater as a reclaimed water source, and evaluating potable reuse.
Miami-Dade Central District Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
Miami-Dade County, with a population of over 2.7 million, is home to one of the largest wastewater treatment plants in the state. The Central District Plant, serving Miami and the surrounding areas, is undergoing a multibilliondollar expansion aimed at improving water reclamation and wastewater treatment capacity.
This expansion will help the county meet stringent environmental regulations and manage the additional wastewater generated by the rapidly growing region.
Tampa Bay Water
Chuck Carden, general manager at Tampa Bay Water, continues to plan future water supply for the Tampa Bay region and to ensure the resiliency of the existing water supply system. Two major infrastructure projects are currently nearing final design and preparing for construction: the Surface Water Treatment Plant Expansion and the South Hillsborough Pipeline. “By expanding and optimizing the existing plant we can leverage supplies from the rivers and take advantage of the current infrastructure already in place,” says Carden.
The South Hillsborough Pipeline project is an almost 72-inch-diameter pipeline. Carden noted, “The pipeline will not only deliver new supplies, but will also provide a redundant second connection, which doesn’t exist today, into one of the region’s fastest growing areas.”
The agency is also conducting feasibility studies for projects to meet additional regional water demand in 2033 and beyond. Project concepts being studied include groundwater, surface water, brackish water sources, and potential expansion of the agency’s desalination facility. Tampa Bay Water is also taking steps to ensure the continued delivery of high-quality water that meets all federal, state, and local water quality standards. The agency recently purchased equipment and trained in-house laboratory staff
Continued on page 18
An aerial drone photo of the C-51 project.
The Orange County Utilities Hamlin Water Reclamation Facility was put into service in 2023. This 5-million-gallon-per-day (mgd) facility serves the county’s rapidly expanding southwest service area and is currently being expanded to
for EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) nationwide study to measure compounds, including PFAS. Additionally, Tampa Bay Water completed a study on the effectiveness of treatment technologies to reduce total organic carbon. “We have taken steps to increase some of our in-house capabilities in order to reduce cost, but also to ensure reliability,” said Carden.
Upgrading Aging Infrastructure
Florida’s aging water infrastructure has been a point of concern, especially as the state faces increasing environmental challenges. Many water facilities were built decades ago and now require significant upgrades to meet modern standards and environmental regulations.
Sarasota County Capacity, Management, Operation, and Maintenance Program
Brooke Bailey, MBA, LSSBB, CPM, is the director of public utilities and wastewater system upgrades for Sarasota County. “Over the past couple of years, the county’s capacity, management, operation, and maintenance program has been very successful. With board of county commission approval, the county has invested over $30 million into implementing this program, which continues to demonstrate the county’s commitment to achieving clean water goals,” said Bailey. “Three wastewater shed studies have been completed that identify the extent and locations of infiltration and inflow from direct and indirect groundwater sources and stormwater. Corrective measures, such as lining manholes and sewers, are being implemented.”
largest facility, Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), is currently under construction and will come with additional treatment capacity. The Venice Garden WRF is at 30 percent design for AWT and is looking at increasing its capacity for the future as well.
Seacoast
Utility Authority Expansions and Upgrades
Rim Bishop is executive director of Seacoast Utility Authority (SUA), a publicly owned water and sewer service provider serving 95,000 customers in Palm Beach Gardens and northern Palm Beach County. Recently, SUA retired all its debt 14 years ahead of schedule, including its $75 million bond issue supporting construction of a 30.5-mgd water supply and membrane treatment conversion completed in 2014. “This combination nanofiltration/low-pressure reverse osmosis conversion optimized existing surficial aquifer sources, added brackish Floridan aquifer supply, and increased treatment capacity for growth,” said Bishop. “It allows blending of nanofiltration concentrate with reclaimed water from its 12mgd PGA wastewater treatment facility, which is 100 percent recycled as an irrigation source for 33 reclaimed water customers and a wetland preserve buffer for the Loxahatchee Slough.”
With an interlocal agreement with Palm Beach County Water Utilities to allow SUA to purchase up to 5 mgd of water and wastewater capacity for its western service area customers, and emergency interconnect agreements with three additional neighboring water supply utilities, SUA’s water supply, treatment, and transmission system has sufficient capacity for the comprehensive land use plan buildout of the five political subdivisions it serves. Its water and wastewater treatment systems feature best available technologies to address current and
Early debt retirement not only saved SUA customers tens of millions of dollars in interest expense, it freed $13 million in annual cash flow to support its aggressive CIP. Though not a hard and fast rule, SUA targets calculated asset depreciation value of $20 million annually as its benchmark to renew and replace aging infrastructure; however, the budget can be more than twice that in a given year. All 175 SUA lift stations are either new or have been rebuilt in recent years, all pumps are submersible (and nearly all from the same manufacturer), and all stations are monitored by supervisory control and data acquisition. Rather than age, pipeline inspection and repair data dictate restoration and replacement priorities; the oldest pipelines have been in service for 65 years and are of materials no longer in use, but are showing no signs of imminent failure.
Jacksonville’s Resilience Initiative
In response to increased flooding and storm surges from hurricanes, Jacksonville has implemented an infrastructure resilience initiative focused on upgrading water treatment plants and stormwater management systems. The upgrades include raising vulnerable equipment, improving water pump stations, and retrofitting facilities to withstand extreme weather events. The goal is to enhance flood protection while maintaining reliable water and wastewater services during disasters.
St. Petersburg’s Sewer System Overhaul
Following a series of sewer overflows and environmental incidents, St. Petersburg embarked on a comprehensive overhaul of its sewer system, which was originally built in the mid-20th century. The upgrades include replacing old sewer lines, increasing wastewater storage capacity, and implementing advanced monitoring technologies to detect potential issues before they become major problems. This project is part of a broader effort to reduce the environmental impact of wastewater discharge into Tampa Bay.
Incorporating Green Technology
In addition to expanding capacity, Florida is adopting green technology in water facilities to reduce environmental impacts and promote sustainability.
Solar-Powered Water Plants
Several water facilities across the state, including those in Gainesville and Fort Lauderdale, have integrated solar energy systems to power their operations. Solar panels are being installed to offset energy consumption, making water treatment more sustainable and cost-effective over the long term.
The facilities at Tampa Bay Water.
Advanced Water Reuse Systems
Many communities, including those in Orlando and Sarasota, have invested in advanced water reuse systems that treat wastewater to nearpotable standards for irrigation, industrial use, and groundwater recharge. These systems reduce the strain on freshwater supplies while providing an alternative water source for nonpotable purposes.
We Can Meet the Challenges Ahead!
Florida’s water infrastructure is undergoing a significant transformation to meet the challenges of population growth, climate change, and environmental sustainability. The development of new water facilities, the expansion of existing systems, and the upgrading of aging infrastructure are
critical to ensuring that the state’s water needs are met—both now and in the future.
With continued investment and the integration of cutting-edge technology, Florida is positioning itself as a leader in water resource management, ensuring a resilient and sustainable water supply for generations to come. S
Sarasota wastewater plant construction.
Spotlight on Celebrations in Florida for Water Professionals Month
Every year the Florida Water and Pollution Control Operators Association (FWPCOA) spearheads a movement to have municipalities, cities, and counties proclaim August as “Water Professionals Month.” This has been successful in many areas in the state. The FWPCOA started the celebration in 2007 as a week-long event, and later expanded it to the entire month of August.
Water and wastewater operators across Florida have recently been designated “essential responders” and it’s vital to
recognize these water professional heroes for their efforts during emergencies, as well as throughout the year. They provide safe drinking water, ensure proper sewer disposal, and maintain stormwater systems.
This year, Water Professionals Month has transcended past proclamations given at city and county meetings to include TV news, as well as utility and company celebrations.
Seacoast Utility Authority in Palm Beach Gardens, which is in Region VI of FWPCOA, celebrated Water Professionals
Month by creating custom shirts that all the employees wore on designated Wednesdays to recognize the event. The utility bookended the month with a group photo of all the professionals who work to help citizens have a safe and happy life.
Over in Region VIII, which includes southwest Florida, FWPCOA and Water Professionals Month were recognized in a local news report called “Mugs That Matter,” shown on ABC 7. Instead of “mugshots,” this news station highlights good things happening in its area by putting the face of a “do-gooder” on a coffee mug. The great things that FWPCOA and water professionals provide citizens across the state were recently in the spotlight. A link to the video can be found at the end of the article.
Indeed, many other great events celebrating Water Professionals Month happened all over the state. Thank you to every municipality, city, and county that recognized August as Water Professionals Month. On behalf of all water professionals, we are truly grateful.
https://www.abc-7.com/article/mugs-thatmatter-florida-water-and-pollution-controloperators-association/61900039 S
Operators: Take the CEU Challenge!
Members of the Florida Water and Pollution Control Operators Association (FWPCOA) may earn continuing education units through the CEU Challenge! Answer the questions published on this page, based on 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 New Facilities, Expansions, and Upgrades. 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, or scan and email a copy to memfwpcoa@gmail.com. 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!
PFAS 101: Five Ways to Prepare Your Community for Emerging Contaminants
Susan Danzl, Andrew Knapp, and Melanie Niday (Article 1: CEU = 0.1 DW/DS)
1. When were per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) created?
a. 1920s
b. 1930s
c. 1940s
d. 1950s
2. What percentage of United States residents have PFAS in their bloodstreams according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?
a. 50 percent
b. 75 percent
c. 97 percent
d. 100 percent
3. What is one of the pathways for PFAS to enter the natural environment?
a. Through the air
b. Firefighting foam
c. Solar radiation
d. Photosynthesis
4. What is the main challenge in removing PFAS from the environment?
a. They are easy to destroy.
b. They are very difficult to destroy.
c. They are not harmful.
d. They are inexpensive to remove.
5. What is the maximum contaminant level set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorosulfonic acid in drinking water?
a. 1 parts per trillion
b. 2 parts per trillion
c. 4 parts per trillion
d. 10 parts per trillion
2024 Drop Savers POSTER Contest
Drop Savers Poster Contest Winners Announced
Melissa Velez
Every year the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) sponsors the “Drop Savers” Water Conservation Poster Contest. Students from Kindergarten to 12th grade are encouraged to create a poster depicting a water conservation idea in slogan form, drawing form, or both. The contest allows students to promote water awareness and the importance of water conservation in their daily routines.
Posters are designated under one of the following categories:
Division 1 - Kindergarten and First Grade
Division 2 - Second and Third Grade
Division 3 - Fourth and Fifth Grade
Division 4 - Middle School: Grades Six, Seven, and Eight
Division 5 - High School: Grades Nine, Ten, Eleven, and Twelve
Rules for the contest include:
S Posters are drawn on 8 ½-inch x 11-inch white paper (horizontally or vertically).
S Each poster must portray a water conservation idea in a slogan, drawing, or both. Students may use crayons, paint, color pencils, or markers. No highlighters, photos, or computer graphics are permitted.
S Students must work on posters individually, otherwise posters will be disqualified.
S Only original artwork will be accepted (i.e., no trademarked or copyrighted materials).
The responsibility of the Drop Savers Committee is to invite and provide each water utility in Florida with the guidelines for running their own poster contest. Once water utilities select their winners, they send the first-place winner’s poster to the committee, where they participate in the state competition. This year, there were 137 posters from 29 water utilities that participated in the contest.
DIVISION 1
The prizes for this year included:
S First-Place Winners:
• $100 Amazon gift card
• Plaque displaying the poster
• Calendar displaying the poster
• Water conservation kit
• Certificate
S Second-Place Winners:
• $75 Amazon gift card
• Calendar displaying the poster
• Water conservation kit
• Certificate
S Third-Place Winners:
• $50 Amazon gift card
• Calendar displaying the poster
• Water conservation kit
• Certificate
The winning Drop Savers posters are pictured here.
Melissa Velez, P.E., LEED AP, is an engineering manager at Black & Veatch in Coral Springs. S
2024 Drop Savers POSTER Contest
DIVISION 2
DIVISION 3
DIVISION 2 – FIRST PLACE
Hillsborough County and City of Tampa Gabriel Angeli
DIVISION 2 – SECOND PLACE City of Margate Ameer Johnson
DIVISION 2 – THIRD PLACE City of Winter Garden Reeth Tokas
DIVISION 3 – FIRST PLACE
Hillborough County and City of Tampa Suah Kim
DIVISION 3 – SECOND PLACE Village of Wellington Shreeya Patel
DIVISION 3 – THIRD PLACE Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department Valentina Costa
South Walton Utility Company Khloe Smith
Oakland Park Public Works Iader Herreno
DIVISION 4 – THIRD PLACE
Hillsborough County and City of Tampa Samara Ortiz
2024 Drop Savers POSTER Contest
DIVISION 5
DIVISION 5 – FIRST PLACE
City of Sunrise
Helen Sarmiento
DIVISION 5 – SECOND PLACE
Gainesville Regional Utilities Kaylee Bleeker
DIVISION 5 – THIRD PLACE
St. Johns County Utilities Saniya Aleem
May 4-7, 2025
West Palm Beach Convention Center
2025 Booths are officially available to reserve.
Corner booths: $1,800 each
Inside booths: $1,500 each
Active Members of FWEA, FSAWWA, FWPCOA receive a 5% discount.
Sponsorships are now available. The WPB convention center offers new opportunities too! Don’t miss out - they go quick!
Make sure to submit your abstract on fwrc.org by October 15, 2024. Check on fwrc.org for guideines and how to submit propoerly.
FWRC invested in a new website, fwrc.org, to make it more user friendly for everyone. For example, content is now easier to find, key dates are clearer and new how-to-videos provide simple instructions.
PFAS 101: Five Ways to Prepare Your Community for Emerging Contaminants
Susan Danzl, Andrew Knapp, and Melanie Niday
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are top of mind for many utilities and municipalities, and rightly so. They have been found in all 50 statesi. Here’s what you need to know about these emerging contaminants and five ways to protect and prepare your community for what’s ahead.
What are PFAS?
Created in the 1940s, PFAS are referred to as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down when released into the environment and can build up in the bodies of humans and animals. They are among a group of “contaminants of emerging concern,” or simply, emerging contaminants, which are a priority across the United States because they pose potential risks to public and environmental health. The risks, however, are not yet fully understood.
Federal agencies are investing heavily in the research of emerging contaminants and improving the methods used to quantify and identify removal technologies. In fact, more than $10 billionii from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—is earmarked to help communities address these emerging contaminants.
The Health Risks
One report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveyiii states that PFAS have been found in the bloodstreams of 97 percent of U.S. residents.
This eye-opening amount of exposure is leading to more urgent testing, new monitoring plans and policies, other timely efforts that will provide communities with critical guidance. Monitoring, and in some cases, treatment, will likely be required by federal and state law. Yet,
many questions remain about the health effects, testing methods, timing, and who is responsible for leading reduction and cleanup efforts.
Some of our understanding is based on reports of the effects shown in animals that have been exposed to high concentrations, though of course not all effects observed in animals will occur in humans. This understanding is further complicated by the many thousands of PFAS compounds that have been identified, each with potentially varying effects and toxicity levels, as well as the multitude of exposure pathways and timelines.
Various peer-reviewed scientific studiesiv have shown that exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to an increased risk of cancer and reproductive issues. As touched on previously, there is still much to learn about the health risks of PFAS in humans.
Where PFAS are Found
Because of their unique properties, PFAS are nearly everywhere, and they have found their way into many of the products we use every day. Here is a closer look at where PFAS exist:
S Food packaging – Grease-resistant paper, fast-food containers and wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers
S Nonstick cookware – Pots, pans, and baking sheets
S Paints, varnishes, and sealants – Chemicals used to clean carpets, paint homes, and varnish wooden tables and chairs, among others
S Stain-resistant textiles – Chemicals used on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics
S Water-resistant products – Bedding, table clothes, yoga pants, hiking gear, and raincoats
S Personal care products – Certain shampoos, dental floss, and cosmetics
S Fire-extinguishing foam – Aqueous filmforming foams (AFFFs) are used to extinguish flammable liquid-based fires and also in training and emergency response events at airports, shipyards, military bases, firefighting training facilities, chemical plants, and refineries
Because these chemicals are used in so many consumer products, PFAS have been detected in groundwater and drinking water; in soil and air; in the food we eat, including fish and animals; and, as mentioned, in the bloodstreams of humans.
Figure 1. As the graphic highlights, PFAS do not break down if they are not intentionally treated and destroyed. They continue to cycle from the environment, to industries, to water, and beyond.
How PFAS Release Into the Environment
Long before experts were aware of the health impacts, there have been many pathways for PFAS to enter the natural environment. One example (already noted) is PFAS-containing firefighting foam, exposing soil and groundwater to these emerging contaminants. Also, as certain industries create products made with PFAS, the manufacturing processes can cause their release into the air and waste streams.
Due to their stable bonds and resistance to breaking down, PFAS are very difficult to destroy. Removing PFAS from one source without destroying the compounds shifts the problem to another location. The PFAS can be removed from drinking water, but these treatment processes concentrate the PFAS in another waste stream that might be landfilled or routed to a wastewater treatment plant. Even landfills are not the final resting place for PFAS, because landfills produce a liquid waste stream that is treated at wastewater treatment plants, and conventional wastewater treatment does not remove or destroy PFAS.
Figure 1 shows an illustrated look at how PFAS enter and cycle throughout the environment, industries, and homes.
Five Ways to Prepare Your Community
Research Your State, Look to Your Neighbors
You should research applicable state agencies to learn about upcoming plans and policies, find live webinars and recorded webcasts, and search out frequently asked questions and other resources to inform your teams and community. Some states, municipalities, and utilities are further ahead than others and offer actionable insight.
For example, the state of Florida has been actively monitoring and investigating PFAS contamination in various environmental media, such as groundwater, surface water, soil, sediment, and biosolids. To aid this endeavor, the state developed a PFAS testing method that can detect 39 different PFAS compounds at very low levels.
In another example, 12 statesv have banned the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of PFAS-containing AFFFs: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Whether the efforts are specific to drinking water, wastewater, fire prevention, or other areas, it’s helpful to know what’s being done in your state and what’s ahead.
Join a Statewide or National Organization
Membership or subscriptions with organizations, like the Virginia Municipal Drinking Water Association or Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, give you access to key resources, news and regulation alerts, and information-sharing events. Agencies like these are often first to report the news and happenings that you need to know.
Locally, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection created a PFAS webpage that provides information on the state’s PFAS activities, guidance documents, and links to other resources. The organization is also working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other stakeholders to develop and implement appropriate PFAS standards and regulations.
In addition to state-specific reports, national membership organizations, like the Water Environment Federation and American Water Works Association, offer free resources, webcasts, and collaboration opportunities to gain deeper understanding and learn the steps you can take to protect your customers.
Stay Current With Upcoming Plans and Policies
News about PFAS is coming more frequently and with more direct actions. The EPA had released the PFAS Strategic Roadmap: EPA’s Commitment to Action 2021-2024vi. This roadmap lays out a “whole-of-agency” approach to addressing PFAS in waterways, drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and air, by “setting timelines by which EPA plans to take specific actions and commit to bolder new policies to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable.”
The EPA has already issued enforceable PFAS regulations for drinking water. In April 2024, the organization finalized the first-ever national drinking water standard for six PFAS, aiming to protect around 100 million people from PFAS exposure by setting strict limits on these chemicals in drinking water. The final rule sets the maximum contaminant level at 4 parts per trillion for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorosulfonic acid (PFOS), which are the most prevalent of the six PFASvii. This standard is intended to reduce exposure from these PFAS in drinking water to the lowest levels that are feasible for effective implementation.
Additionally, EPA has laid out plans to establish wastewater effluent guidelines and standards for PFAS, which set the maximum allowable discharge of PFAS from certain industrial sources. It’s also developing a stormwater performance standard for PFAS, which is expected to be proposed soon.
The EPA is not the only federal agency
taking action on PFAS. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also working to protect the food supply from contamination. The FDA has issued a final rule to revoke the food contact substance notification for long-chain PFAS, effectively banning their use in food packaging and other materials that come into contact with food. Additionally, the administration is conducting surveillance testing of foods for PFAS and developing methods to measure PFAS levels in food and animal feed.
Do the Little Things: Preventative Education
In the near term, you can reduce risks within your community by educating residents and customers on the actions they can take to prevent the spread of PFAS in their daily lives. Though seemingly simple, every intentional effort plays a role in reducing PFAS in our family members and communities.
Here are some practical tips for your customers and the public to help minimize PFAS exposure:
S Avoid nonstick cookware; even PFOA-free labels might still contain other PFAS. Opt for stainless steel or cast iron instead.
S Be mindful of dental floss; many brands contain PFAS. Look for PFAS-free options.
S Make your own popcorn to avoid the PFAS found in microwave popcorn bags.
S When buying furniture, beware of stainresistant coatings and choose naturally stainresistant fabrics, like polyester.
S Think twice before you hike. Water-resistant outdoor gear often contains PFAS.
S Bring your own food containers to avoid PFAS in takeout packaging.
S Always read the label on products to ensure they are PFAS-free.
By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce exposure to these harmful chemicals and contribute to a healthier planet.
Plan and Design Ahead
You should start planning and designing your community facilities to be prepared for and equipped to navigate and eliminate PFAS. When designing a new water treatment plant, consider leaving space for a potential addition should PFAS be found and removal processes needed. Make sure new water supply wells are upstream from potentially contaminated sources, like industrial waste sites, AFFF sites, Brownfields and Superfund sites, wastewater treatment plants, and land-applied biosolids. Look closely at the AFFFs used by your emergency response teams and local airport, as well as other PFAS-containing products your community may be relying on. Also, consider your treatment options. Continued on page 28
Take Heart: Proactive and Preventive Measures are Working
Many efforts have been taken to prevent the spread of and eventually eliminate PFAS from the products we use, foods we eat, water we drink, and the environment we live in. The progress that’s been made is highly encouraging. In the early 2000s, PFOS was voluntarily phased out of production in the U.S. by its primary manufacturer. In 2006, eight major corporations voluntarily phased out their global production of PFOA and PFOA-related chemicals. Most noteworthy, while scientists have found PFOA and PFOS in the blood of nearly all people tested, the same studies show that the levels are decreasing.
Whether overseeing a water treatment facility, wastewater treatment plant, public safety facility, or leading the planning of upcoming infrastructure projects, invest time in gaining an understanding of PFAS and what the levels are within your community. Most importantly,
evolve; with these in hand you can make the most strategic decisions about your infrastructure.
References
i Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). PFAS contamination in the U.S. Retrieved Aug. 28, 2024, from https://www.ewg.org/interactivemaps/pfas_contamination/map/.
ii U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (Nov. 15, 2022). FACT SHEET: EPA and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Retrieved Aug. 28, 2024, from https://www.epa.gov/ infrastructure/fact-sheet-epa-bipartisaninfrastructure-law.
iii National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (n.d.). Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Retrieved Aug. 28, 2024, from https://www.niehs.nih. gov/health/topics/agents/pfc#:~:text=One%20 report%20by%20the%20Centers,blood%20 of%2097%25%20of%20Americans.
iv U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (Oct. 28, 2023). Our current understanding of the human health and environmental risks of PFAS. Retrieved Aug. 28, 2024, from https://www.epa.
v National Conference of State Legislatures. (March 23, 2023). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Retrieved Aug. 28, 2024, from https://www.ncsl.org/environment-andnatural-resources/per-and-polyfluoroalkylsubstances.
vi U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (May 7, 2024). PFAS Strategic Roadmap: EPA’s Commitments to Action 2021-2024. Retrieved Aug. 28, 2024, from https://www.epa.gov/pfas/ pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitmentsaction-2021-2024.
vii U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (July 12, 2024). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Retrieved Aug, 28, 2024, from https:// www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkylsubstances-pfas.
Susan Danzl, P.E., is a regional practice center leader for the wastewater practice; Andrew Knapp, EIT, is a water engineer specializing in removal of PFAS in water supplies; and Melanie Niday, PG, is a regional practice center leader for the environmental practice with SEH Inc. An employeeowned company, SEH provides engineering, architectural, planning, and environmental
Welcome to the FWEA Committee Corner! The Member Relations Committee of the Florida Water Environment Association hosts this article to celebrate the success of recent association committee activities and inform members of upcoming events. To have information included from your committee, send details to Melody Gonzalez at gonzalezm@bv.com.
FWEA Internship Program: Creating Lasting Connections Within Florida’s Wastewater Industry
Angel Villarruel-Moore
March 2024 marked the closing of the second annual FWEA Internship Program, which is an exciting initiative led by volunteers from the Students and Young Professionals Committee (SYPC). Building upon the successes of the preceding year, a subcommittee of SYPC is happy to announce that this year’s program helped educate over 265 student applicants from across the United States about career opportunities within Florida’s water and wastewater industry! This corresponds to a
70 percent increase in program applications compared to the previous year and highlights the clear desire of students to learn more about the work we do as water and wastewater professionals.
The success of this program is largely due to the amazing organizations that offered to participate in this endeavor. The subcommittee was pleased to offer representation from 25 participating utilities, contractors, and engineering consultants. Now, at this point you may be asking yourself: How in the world does the FWEA Internship Program even work? I’m glad you asked!
The program is structured such that FWEA serves as a liaison between students
and participating organizations. Surveys are leveraged to document employment needs and requirements of the organizations, and the interests, academic backgrounds, etc., of the students. The SYPC has developed an automated process that then utilizes these survey results to help screen applicants to identify suitable candidates to forward on to participating organizations. Depending on the number of applicants in a given month, the SYPC will generate an email for each organization that includes some brief highlights from each applicant, as well as a link to their resumé. It’s then up to the organization to respond to each applicant and schedule any follow-up interviews.
In an effort to make a lasting impact on applicants, the subcommittee explored some new virtual initiatives during this year’s program that included multiple career development webinars and a Virtual Internship Fair! The career development webinars allowed SYPC volunteers to share some tips and tricks regarding resumé development and job interviews. The Virtual Internship Fair, on the other hand, allowed a handful of organizations to present to small groups of applicants and provide an overview of their organization, showcase exciting projects, and discuss expectations for new hires and interns. The subcommittee scheduled this event in advance of this year’s Florida Water Resources Conference (FWRC), with the hope of letting students get face-to-face interaction with prospective employers in advance of FWRC. Although this year’s program exceeded expectations, the subcommittee recognizes that there’s always room for improvement. To this end, one focus for next year’s effort is expanding our list of participating organizations. While it’s amazing that so many utilities joined our ranks this year, we would love to see more participation from other groups. That’s right—we’re looking at contractors, analytical labs, equipment
Melody Gonzalez
manufacturers, sales representatives, and others!
Thank you to all of the organizations that participated in the 2023-2024 FWEA Internship Program (see the list on the previous page).
A special shoutout goes to the following organizations that hired one or more interns during this year’s program:
S City of Oviedo
S City of Tampa Wastewater Department
S Indian River County Department of Utility Services
S Orange County Utilities
The following quote came from one of the program interns:
“I am so grateful for FWEA’s Internship Program because I was able to get an internship with Orange County Utility’s engineering division. I have been introduced to so many talented water and wastewater engineers and this experience is definitely going to open doors for my future career. I have learned new skills, like using geographic information systems, filling out Florida Department of Environmental Protection permits, and completing a chain of custody. As a sophomore I wasn’t sure that I would have enough experience for the job, but everybody has been very patient and willing to teach.”
- Kyla Abraham, University of Central Florida
If you, or someone you know, would like to learn more about participating in next year’s program, then please don’t hesitate to reach out and we can discuss it further. The SYPC is looking forward to kicking off another great year, so expect to hear more about this program later this year.
Angel Villarruel-Moore, M.S. EnvE, is a staff professional at Carollo Engineers in Orlando. He is past FWEA internship program director, current SYPC treasurer, and Central Florida Chapter student liaison. He can be contacted at avmoore@carollo.com. S
What Do You Know About Disinfection? Test Yourself
Charlie Lee Martin Jr., Ph.D.
1. The factors that may impact the effectiveness of a disinfectant include a. reducing agents.
b. pH.
c. temperature.
d. all of the above.
2. It may be easier to disinfect water with a temperature of approximately
a. 70 to 95°F.
b. 50 to 65°F.
c. 40 to 55°F.
d. none of the above.
3. Water that is being treated with a turbidity of 1 nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU) will
a. have no impact on the efficiency of the disinfection process.
b. greatly reduce the efficiency of the disinfection process.
c. greatly enhance the efficiency of the disinfection process.
d. none of the above.
4. Although it has been used as a disinfectant since 1920, the chemical that can cause serious side effects in pregnant women is
a. bromine.
b. iodine.
c. ozone.
d. chlorine dioxide.
5. What are the advantages of using chlorine dioxide to disinfect rather than chlorine?
a. It doesn’t create any known carcinogenic compounds.
b. It’s not impacted by the ammonia concentration.
c. It’s effective at high pH levels.
d. All of the above.
6. The type of chlorine residual that can be found within treated water is a. free available chlorine residual.
b. combined available chlorine residual. c. total chlorine residual. d. all of the above.
7. Systems that disinfect with chloramine may limit the amount of excess ammonia available to prevent
a. ammonification occurring within the distribution system.
b. denitrification occurring within the distribution system.
c. nitrification occurring within the distribution system.
d. none of the above.
8. The chlorine-to-ammonia ratio most likely to result in the least amount of excess ammonia is
a. 3:1.
b. 5:1.
c. 4:1. d. all of the above.
9. A sign indicating that nitrification is occurring within the distribution system is a. a decrease in ammonia concentration. b. a decrease in total chlorine concentration.
c. an increase in nitrite concentration. d. all of the above.
10. Applying chlorine ahead of other treatment processes may be done to a. reduce taste and odors. b. increase chlorine contact time. c. control algal and slime growth. d. all of the above.
Answers on page 62
References used for this quiz:
• Small Water System Operation and Maintenance, 6th Edition CSUS
Clean Communities, Clean Lakes
IAthena Tipaldos President, FWPCOA
have a guest columnist this month: Madison Szathmary, coordinator at Keep Orlando Beautiful Inc., which is a nonprofit affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. The local organization mobilizes thousands of residents in the Orlando area to clean and beautify its streets, neighborhoods, waterways and green spaces.
As the sun rises over the Lake Fran Urban Wetlands, a diverse cast of characters arrives. A great blue heron looks inquisitively as he observes school students wading through the water in pursuit of a bike tire. A bale of turtles hurriedly slides off a stormwater pipe as kayakers float by to grab the plastic water bottles hidden
tangled with plastic, rise from the lake as they’re ripped out from the water by the Weedo, a weedharvesting boat. All these parties unite for one reason: to clean up our waterbodies and leave them more beautiful than we found them.
Volunteers removed over 1,200 pounds of trash from Orlando’s lakes and wetlands in celebration of the 2024 International Coastal Cleanup Day this past September. While not a coastal city, Orlando is home to diverse bodies of freshwater that support local recreational activities and provide a habitat to native threatened species.
Keep Orlando Beautiful hosts several such cleanups throughout the year, inspiring residents to protect local waterways. The organization harnesses the notoriety of the Keep Florida Beautiful brand, a nonprofit beautification group with more than 40 affiliates throughout the state. These well-attended events bring both city employees and residents together, and highlight the amazing work performed by the local streets, stormwater, and water reclamation departments. These partnerships strengthen resident and government relationships and contribute to positive public morale.
For many volunteers, this is the first time they’ve even been to the lake in their neighborhood. They express excitement to return in the future to go biking, fishing, or birdwatching. These cleanups also spark their interest in learning about the Weedo, turbidity barriers, and other tools implemented by the city to maintain water quality.
While volunteers removed an impressive amount of trash from this cleanup, there is still much work to be done. Historic quantities of rain don’t just result in localized flooding; they also create rivers of trash that flow from streets, to storm drains, to water bodies.
While our state’s litter issue may seem daunting, collective impact events like this provide a glimmer of hope. One cleanup won’t end our litter problem, but by encouraging people to stop and look at the trash they’re collecting, and to think about where it comes from, we hope to inspire lasting societal change that will benefit our shared waterbodies for generations to come.
To join or organize a cleanup with your nearest Keep Florida Beautiful chapter, visit keepfloridabeautiful.org. S
LET’S TALK SAFETY
This column addresses safety issues of interest to water and wastewater personnel, and will appear monthly in the magazine. The Journal is also interested in receiving any articles on the subject of safety that it can share with readers in the “Spotlight on Safety” column.
Climb On to Ladder Safety
Promoting a culture of workplace safety goes beyond simply discussing ladder safety during employee meetings. It involves taking a holistic approach that fosters a strong sense of safety awareness among employees.
One key aspect is through specialized training on ladder safety. This empowers your workers with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively mitigate hazards related to ladders. Through proper training, they’ll learn how to avoid unstable footing, improper placement of ladders, overreaching, inadequate maintenance, and more.
Fall protection and prevention are ongoing major concerns of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Year after year, falls from ladders rank as one of the leading single causes of occupational fatalities and injuries.
Regardless of the type of ladder you use, you risk a fall (and worse) if the ladder is not used properly.
Safety Tips
Here are some key safety tips to keep in mind:
S Position the ladder so its side rails extend at least 3 feet above the landing. When a 3-foot extension is not possible, secure the side rails at the top to a rigid support and use a grab device.
S Make sure the weight on the ladder can’t cause it to slip off its support. Also, never put more weight on the ladder than it’s designed for. Be sure to include the weight of the tools and materials you are using. The safe-weight load
S Before you use the ladder, inspect it for cracked or broken parts, such as rungs, steps, side rails, feet, and locking components. By law, if it has any damage, it must be removed from service and tagged until repaired, or discarded.
S Avoid electrical hazards. Never use a metal ladder near power lines or exposed energized electrical equipment. Look for overhead power lines before raising the ladder and never allow the ladder to get closer than 10 feet to power lines. Also make sure that once you’ve climbed the ladder, your body and tools cannot come in contact with the power lines.
S Never use a self-supporting ladder (such as a stepladder) as a single ladder or in a partially closed position.
S Never use the top step or rung of a ladder as a step or rung unless it’s designed for that purpose.
S Always maintain a three-point (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) contact on the ladder when climbing.
S Keep your body near the middle of the step and face the ladder while climbing.
S Never attempting to move a ladder while standing on it.
S Only use ladders and appropriate accessories for their designed purposes.
S Keep the rungs free of wet or slippery materials. Make sure that your shoes and hands are dry and clean before stepping on the ladder.
S Never place a ladder on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height.
S Only one person at a time is permitted on a ladder unless the ladder is specifically designed
for more than one climber (such as a trestle ladder).
S Ladders must not be placed in front of closed doors that can open toward the ladder. The door must be blocked open, locked, or guarded.
S Do not try to move or shift a ladder while a person or equipment is on the ladder.
S Never lean or reach away from the ladder.
S The proper angle for setting up a ladder is to place its base a quarter of the working length of the ladder from the wall or other vertical surface.
S A ladder placed in any location where it can be hit or displaced by other work activities must be secured or a barricade must be erected to keep traffic away from the ladder.
S Be sure all locks on an extension ladder are properly engaged.
S If you feel tired or dizzy, or are prone to losing your balance, stay off the ladder.
S Do not use ladders in high winds or storms.
S Only descend a ladder while facing it.
By following these ladder safety tips, you can protect yourself and others from ladder-related accidents and minimize the economic impact of falls. Additionally, investing in ladder safety equipment, such as ladder stabilizers and safety harnesses, can provide added protection and peace of mind.
For additional safety information go to the American Ladder Institute website at www. laddersafety.org. S
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Consumers Trust Water Utilities, Scientists Most for Information About Tap Water
Consumers place the most trust in water utilities and scientists to provide them with information about their tap water compared to other entities, according to a survey conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
The May 2024 poll, “Public Perceptions of Tap Water,” was conducted online May 1-7, 2024, and included responses from 2,010 adults served by water utilities in the United States. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
Poll Responses
Seventy percent of respondents said they trust their water utilities “a lot” or “some” for information about their water, with scientists (68 percent), local governments (59 percent), state governments (57 percent), and environmental groups (57 percent) all included in the top five most trusted groups. Trust in utilities was higher among white respondents (76 percent) than Hispanic respondents (73 percent) and Black respondents (65 percent).
Water affordability continues to be
a big concern among the annual survey’s respondents. More than one in three (34 percent) report that they struggle to pay water bills on time. Of those who report struggling to pay their bills, 83 percent would support a federal assistance program. Nearly 77 percent of respondents overall would support such a program.
“High-quality drinking water is critical for all communities,” said David LaFrance, AWWA chief executive officer. “It’s clear that affordability is a growing concern for many people and that a federal assistance program to aid in paying water bills for vulnerable households would be supported by those in need. They also view water as no less essential than food and energy, both of which are supported by federal programs.”
As in previous surveys, patterns emerged in water quality ratings based on the race, income, and gender of respondents. Nearly three in four survey respondents (72 percent) view the water in their home as safe, but both Black and Hispanic respondents rated their water quality lower than white respondents. Those who did not struggle to pay their water
bills rated water quality 10 points higher than those who struggled to pay. Male respondents rated water quality 11 percent higher than female respondents.
Communication is Key
Once again, recalling communication from water utilities other than a bill was associated with more positive perceptions of tap water. Respondents who remembered receiving recent communication from water utilities were three times more likely to say the safety of their water supply has gotten better over the past five years.
“It’s so important that our communities understand how water is managed, treated, tested, and delivered,” said Cheryl Porter, AWWA president. “The simple act of talking about what goes into delivering safe and affordable water can have a big impact on how people perceive water quality, regardless of their ethnicity or income. The best way to build trust with our communities and increase confidence in our water is to dedicate ourselves every day to providing safe, reliable service.” S
Erick Velazquez
City of Altamonte Springs
Work title and years of service.
I’m the water distribution and collections infrastructure manager for the City of Altamonte Springs. I’ve worked six years with the City of Orlando and two years with the City of Altamonte Springs.
What does your job entail?
In my role I oversee the maintenance, repair, and construction of potable, reclaimed, and wastewater delivery and collection systems, ensuring continuous and efficient operations. My leadership is critical in maintaining compliance, optimizing infrastructure performance, and driving continuous improvement in service delivery. I help implement forward-thinking capital improvement plans that secure the long-term reliability of our utilities.
My role is not just about managing water systems, but also about contributing to the sustainability of the city’s infrastructure. By fostering innovation and positioning the city as a leader in public works, my team and I are actively promoting public awareness and education on water safety and conservation. This work is essential to delivering reliable, safe water services, and our proactive infrastructure maintenance ensures a secure water system for generations to come.
What education and training have you had?
My water and wastewater management career is built on a solid foundation of hands-on experience and practical expertise. I have earned numerous certifications and licenses in critical areas, such as water distribution, reclaimed distribution, industrial pretreatment, backflow prevention, and many more. This extensive training and commitment to continuous education and professional development has given me the specialized skills and knowledge
FWRJ READER PROFILE
to excel in managing complex water systems. I am dedicated to maintaining the highest safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance standards in every aspect of the infrastructure I oversee, ensuring reliable and sustainable utility services for the community.
What do you like best about your job?
I genuinely enjoy leading my team into the future by embracing forward-thinking innovations and technology. My leadership philosophy is centered on guiding and empowering others, rather than dictating. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is mentoring the next generation, passing on the knowledge and passion I received when I began my career in 2004. I learned from exceptional mentors, like Gary Williams, Jeff Collins, Kevin Young, and FWPCOA’s very own president, Athena Tipaldos. Their wisdom and dedication to the field have profoundly shaped my career, and I strive to carry that legacy forward through my leadership.
What professional organizations do you belong to?
I’m involved in several professional organizations that play a significant role in shaping the industry. I currently serve as the chair for Region 11 of FWPCOA. I also volunteer with FSAWWA and am part of FWEA, Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research at the University of Southern California (USC), and American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA).
How have the organizations helped your career?
My involvement with industry-leading organizations, such as FWPCOA, AWWA, FWEA, USC, and ABPA, has profoundly shaped my career. These associations have allowed me to connect with like-minded professionals, fostering valuable relationships and collaborations. Through these networks, I’ve had numerous opportunities to advance my career, gaining access to resources, knowledge, and innovative practices. These experiences have been instrumental in helping me stay ahead of industry trends, while strengthening my leadership abilities and deepening my commitment to elevating the water and wastewater industry.
What do you like best about the industry?
What I enjoy most about the industry is the opportunity to connect with professionals from diverse fields, from government agencies to manufacturers and product developers. This broad network allows for valuable exchanges of knowledge and ideas, enriching my experience and broadening my perspective.
What do you do when you’re not working?
When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time on my boat with my beautiful wife and kids, fully embracing my passion for everything waterrelated. I take great joy in introducing my kids to our world’s wonders and adventures. Additionally, I enjoy unwinding with a nice cigar from time to time. S
Erick and his wife enjoying brunch on the beach.
As a dad of three girls, with one more on the way, Erick’s life revolves around cheer. Here the family is headed to Lake Brantley’s Pop Warner Night.
Adaptations After Hurricane Idalia Help Nature Coast Biological Station Weather Subsequent Storms
One year ago, Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region. In addition to contributing to the deaths of 12 people, the Category 4 hurricane generated storm surges as high as 12 feet and winds as strong as 125 miles per hour. Foundations were flooded, and roofs toppled.
At the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Nature Coast Biological Station (NCBS) in Cedar Key, Idalia churned up water that flooded the former motel adjacent to the station’s main structure. The NCBS staff and students had used the motel’s rooms as a laboratory, but the water destroyed some of their electrical equipment and swept other equipment away. Waves tore apart the station’s wood-plank boat dock.
“It was a horrible storm surge, and we had close to five feet of water on the first floor of the station, with high wave energy,” said Mike Allen, NCBS director.
In the year since the storm, NCBS staff members have adapted to boost the station’s resiliency. They now store equipment on shelves in shipping containers. They’ve also replaced the dock with porous fiberglass boards that allow waves to pass through.
Foremost among the changes at the marine research facility is the purchase of a new mobile laboratory. Now scientists conduct research inside the trailer, which is parked on the foundation of the razed motel. It has a bathroom, air
conditioning, and refrigeration. A back ramp facilitates the rolling of coolers full of specimens right up to microscopes on the counter. There’s also space to accommodate three or four scientists at once.
“It’s built really well, and it suits our needs perfectly,” Allen said. “It’s great that we can pack that thing up and get it off the island, and then, two days later, move it back in here, and people can continue their work.”
The NCBS partners with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which allows the station to store equipment and vessels 18 miles inland at the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge.
“All these adjustments mean the NCBS is better positioned to withstand violent weather and recover quickly after it strikes,” Allen said. “In these coastal areas where flooding is becoming more and more of a problem and these events are becoming more and more likely, we’ve
learned it’s important to modify operations so we can be mobile and get equipment out of harm’s way when needed without disrupting the work too much.”
The most recent hurricane to hit the NCBS left the station with significantly less damage than Hurricane Idalia. A week after Hurricane Debby’s August 5 landfall, workers swept sediment from the NCBS parking lot. Just one piece of siding was missing from the station’s main structure, which is a three-story building.
Aside from some minor inconveniences, however, research largely resumed without delay once Debby had passed.
“It wasn’t too bad—mainly because we learned so many lessons from Idalia,” Allen said.
About UF/IFAS
The mission of UF/IFAS is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human, and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings sciencebased solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries and all Florida residents.
Matt Suggs shovels mud outside the old Nature Coast Biological Station laboratory following Hurricane Idalia. (photo: Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS)
Nature Coast Biological Station scientists now conduct research inside the mobile laboratory. (photo: Suzette Cook, UF/IFAS)
Mike Allen, director of Nature Coast Biological Station. (photo: UF/IFAS)
A Stormwater Management Model Assessment for Flood Control in St. Augustine
St. Augustine is located on the coast of northern Florida and is the oldest continuously inhabited Europeanestablished settlement in the continental United States. The city has direct access to the Atlantic Ocean through an intel, named the St. Augustine Intel. The city is divided by three tidal rivers: Salt Run River, San Sebastian River, and the Matanzas River. The city was founded by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés of Spain on Aug. 28, 1565. Menéndez’s mission from the king of Spain was to defeat the French settlers who were trying to claim Florida as a French colony and disrupt Spanish trade ships that were traveling from Mexico to Spain.
The city saw many battles throughout the years, as many countries, like England, wanted the town, but the citizens were resilient. In 1672, the Castillo de San Marcos was built to protect the city; it’s currently the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. and it stands over the city today (Kiger, 2023). Saint Augustine’s well-preserved historic district, cobblestone streets, coquina-shell walls, and Spanish Colonial architecture make it a city of historical significance and a beacon for tourism and cultural exploration.
St. Augustine, however, is at risk of flooding, leaving the historic artifacts vulnerable to destruction and potentially affecting the
Aubrey B. Litzinger and Hector R. Fuentes
tourism industry, a crucial component of the local economy. There is a need, therefore, for flood mitigation infrastructure that not only improves stormwater control, but also harmoniously aligns with the city’s architectural legacy and significance.
The study site for this work contains a large amount of public property with known flooding issues. St. Augustine City Hall and the surrounding area were chosen as historical landmarks located within the site; most of the land and parking lots are owned by the City of St. Augustine (COSA), and the location is paramount to the employees of the city government. Flooding issues at city hall were documented by a study with the engineering firm, CDM Smith, in February 2013 in which it was found that most of the existing road infrastructure was not safe for a two-year storm. For example, an intersection at the site became unpassable by vehicles after a two-year storm event, and this same issue is seen at many of the local road intersections (CDM Smith, 2013). The severity of this flooding issue is the reason why the site is a good candidate for low-impact development (LID) consideration (Figure 1).
This study focused on the goal of using a stormwater management model (SWMM) to evaluate the impact of green infrastructure approaches and LID solutions for flood
Aubrey B. Litzinger is a graduate research assistant in the Applied Research Center and Hector R. Fuentes is a full tenured professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering at Florida International University in Miami.
mitigation in downtown St. Augustine.
Figure 1. Flooding near the Lightner Museum at the intersection of Granada Street and Cedar Street. (source: USACE, 2023)
The SWMM is a powerful computer-based simulation tool widely applied around the U.S. and can be used for modeling and analyzing stormwater runoff, drainage systems, and water quality within urban and suburban areas (Alsarawi, 2018). It was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and can model the effectiveness of LID solutions in reducing stormwater runoff and improving water quality. The SWMM was used to simulate precipitation scenarios in which current flooding and stormwater volume was quantified. Subsequently, LID was implemented in the model to demonstrate the effects of the LID infrastructure on water quantity compared to the pre-LID model. Recognizing the pivotal role of historic architecture in defining St. Augustine’s cultural and tourism appeal, the proposed mitigation infrastructure harmoniously aligns with the city’s architectural legacy and significance. By applying SWMM to this context, the study provided practical insights for enhancing flood resilience and sustainable urban development in the heart of the city.
Methodology
Site Description
The site, regulated under COSA, is in the middle of downtown St. Augustine; it’s comprised of 24.5 acres and approximately 2,000 ft from the Matanzas River. The site includes residential homes and major historical landmarks, such as the Lightner Museum and the Villa Zorayda Museum. The city hall is also located within the site and hosts many crucial public services, like planning, parking, city management, and more. Flagler College, a historic private college, has classrooms, recreational buildings, and housing at the site. Figure 2 shows the location of the study area in St. Augustine and the Atlantic Ocean.
Data Collection
For this study, geographic information systems (GIS), hydrologic, and hydraulic data were collected from various agencies. Soil parameters were obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Resources Conservation Service (USDA, 2023). Meteorological data were obtained from St. Johns County, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which are discussed later. Hydraulic data were also obtained from COSA. Additionally, manuals and design guides were obtained from agencies and used in this work. These manuals are discussed later.
Geographic Information Systems Analysis
ArcGIS was used to perform the watershed delineation that gave the foundation for identifying subcatchments. To perform the delineation, the ArcHydro toolbox of ArcGIS and a high-resolution, 1-meter, digital elevations model (DEM) of St. Augustine, was used (LiDar 2013 Digital Elevation Model, 2015). The results of the watershed delineation showed that there are two major catchments at the site that drain from north to south, and then within the catchment, there are multiple subcatchments that drain from west to east. All the subcatchments then drain to a singular point at the southmost point of the larger catchment. Figure 3 shows the results of the watershed delineation. There are 10 subcatchments, with four within the larger catchment 1, and six subcatchments within the larger catchment 2. The results of the stream definition are seen in Figure 3, as the blue colored lines, indicating the flow paths. The subcatchments in catchment 1 drain onto Granada Street, which then eventually leads to Bridge Street. The subcatchments in catchment 2 drain onto Cordova Street, which also eventually leads to Bridge Street. The outfall of Catchment 1 and Catchment 2 is located at the intersection of Cordova Street and Bridge Street. The percentages of impervious area, average slope, and size of each subcatchment are needed for the SWMM model. These parameters were also found using ArcGIS tools. The average area, slope, and impervious area (2.6 acres) for the subcatchments were 3 percent and 91 percent, respectively.
Meteorological Data
For this study, event-based rainfall was used to establish a base line in the model and then continuous rainfall data were used to confirm the results. The event-based scenarios were 24-hour design storms with return periods of two, five, 10, 25, 50, and 100 years with respective total precipitation depths of 4.6, 5.8,
7, 8.9, 10.6, and 12.4 in. The design storms were based on Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) drainage manual guidelines, with the precipitation frequency data obtained from the NOAA Hydrometeorological Design Studies Center and the precipitation frequency data server (PFDS), also known as the NOAA ATLAS 14 (NOAA, 2023).
The cumulative precipitation depth for each return period was then multiplied by the FDOT NRCS fraction to make 24-hour storms (FDOT IDF Curves, 2023). The continuous rainfall was obtained from a Saint Johns County WeatherSTEM unit located approximately 1,500 ft from the site. The continuous rainfall includes data from Jan. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2022, for a total of one year. The year 2022 was chosen due to data availability and the impact of
Figure 3. The map shows the two major catchments, the 10 subcatchments chosen for this study (S1- S10), the flow paths from the delineation (blue), and the street names at the site (yellow).
both Hurricane Ian and Tropical Storm Nicole within the same year. Hurricane Ian affected St. Augustine from Sept. 28-31, 2022, with most of the rainfall from Sept. 29-30, 2022; it brought almost 20 in. of rain over three days. Tropical Storm Nicole arrived in St. Augustine on Nov. 10-11, 2022.
These two major events took place less than six weeks apart. Throughout the 2022 precipitation records, there were 119 rainfall events recorded, with a rainfall event being defined as an event separated from other events by six hours. The mean precipitation intensity of these events was 0.11 in./hour, with a maximum of 0.89 in./hour and a minimum of 0.001 in./ hour.
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Figure 2. The map displays the location of the study area in the city, the streets, and landmarks, such as the Lightner Museum, City Hall, and Flagler College property at the site.
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Stormwater Management Model: Existing Conditions
Figure 4 displays the existing conditions in the SWMM model. Subcatchments have the labels S#, junctions, J#, Conduits, C#, and outfall, O1. The dotted line shows the outlet of each subcatchment. The method used to compute the flow in the model was the dynamic wave method, as this allows for complex flow patterns, like backflow. The kinematic wave method is simpler, but would not provide the results needed for the complex hydraulic structures implemented. The outfall of the model leads off the site, continuing through the COSA stormwater system, and eventually draining to Maria Sanchez Lake. Since the impervious areas in the subcatchment were main roads and parking lots, the Manning’s roughness coefficient for the impervious area of all the subcatchments was chosen as 0.015, as this value represents well concrete and asphalt, as per FDOT. The roughness for the pervious area was chosen as 0.3 as the pervious surfaces are a mixture of short, patchy grass and Bermuda grass. The depression storage for the impervious area was chosen as 0.07 in. and the storage for the pervious area was 0.15 in. These values were chosen based on the SWMM manual for concrete and grass, respectively. Then, the percentage of impervious areas with zero depression storage was chosen as 25 percent, as this is a common value used among the SWMM modeling community for urban areas (EPA, 2016).
For this SWMM model, Horton infiltration parameters were used. Using the USDA soil survey, the soil type for the site is called St. Augustine-Urban Land Complex Soil. The hydrologic soil group for this soil type is group A. The maximum infiltration rate for the soil is 5 in./hour, the minimum infiltration rate is 0.5 in./hour, the decay constant is two per hour, the drying time is 2.1 days, and the maximum water volume of the soil is 4 in. The water capacity of this soil is lower than a typical soil group A due to the water table being potentially only 3 ft below the surface at times (St. Augustine Open Data, 2023).
The city stormwater system was also modeled in SWMM, as the runoff from each subcatchment drains into the stormwater infrastructure. To represent the stormwater system, SWMM junctions were placed where city manholes were present. These junctions (manholes) were connected by SWMM conduits to represent the gravity main that is underneath the street at the site. The locations of manholes and gravity mains were obtained from the COSA stormwater system GIS file, as described in the previous data collection section. Two gravity mains run north to south at the site, one on Granada Street and the other on Cordova Street. There is also another gravity main on Bridge Street that runs west to east and receives water from Granada Street and Cordova Street; the water then leaves the site through a larger main at the intersection of Bridge Street and Cordova Street running north to south. Along these streets, there are various stormwater inlets for runoff. Each subcatchment has an individual manhole that connects to the gravity main.
The data obtained from COSA were missing information on the depth of the manholes and the invert elevations; therefore, educated estimates were used based on design guidelines. The manholes at the site were estimated to have a maximum depth of 4 ft and the elevation drop between each manhole was estimated as 0.1 ft. These values were estimated using the Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission (WSSC) Water Sewer Design Manual (S-18-2008 Manhole Depth Design, 2008); however, if the entering and exiting pipes within the manholes have an angle of 90 degrees, the minimum drop for the next manhole must be greater than 0.24 ft (S-187-2008 Manhole Channel Design, 2008). The stormwater system GIS file provided by COSA contained the diameters of the gravity mains, the material, and its shape. From this information, the shape maximum height (ft), shape maximum depth (ft), Manning’s roughness coefficient, and loss coefficients were obtained. The entry, exit, and average loss coefficients were obtained by using standards from CDM Smith (CDM Smith, 2021).
Stormwater Management Model: Low-Impact Development Implementation
The following sections describe the LIDs that were added to the model to reduce the effects of stormwater. To properly quantify each LID’s contribution and performance to the system, the subcatchments described in the pre-existing model were divided even further so that each LID occupies its own
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Figure 4. Stormwater management model existing conditions model displaying the subcatchments, junctions, conduits, outfall, and rain gauge.
Figure 5. Stormwater management model low-impact development model displaying the new subcatchments to account for the addition of the rain garden and the tree trenches.
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subcatchment. Figure 5 displays the LID implementation model in SWMM; only the subcatchments are shown in Figure 5 since many new junctions and conduits were added to account for underdrains in LIDs and the redirection of runoff. If a subcatchment was further divided to account for LID, the new subcatchment name became its original subcatchment number plus a letter. The LID within the subcatchment was named with the original subcatchment number and then a second number to show which LID is present. In total, four LIDs were added to the system, including a vegetative swale, a rain garden in subcatchment 2 on Flagler College property, permeable pavement in subcatchment 4 on COSA property, and a tree trench system in the city hall parking lot, also on COSA property. To summarize the methodology, only the two most efficient and valuable LIDs were discussed: the rain garden and tree trench systems.
Rain Garden
Subcatchment 2 contributes the largest amount of runoff to the system, and therefore, adding green infrastructure to this subcatchment would lessen the amount of water entering the city stormwater system. In subcatchment 2.2 a rain garden was proposed behind the Flagler College Gymnasium in an existing surface depression. An image from the site visit is displayed in Figure 6 showing the surface depression ponded with water. A rain garden was proposed, as this will increase infiltration, evaporation, and transpiration, while also reducing mosquito breeding. The rain garden will be 100 ft long and 50 ft wide (0.115 acres). A berm height of 7 in. and a soil layer 27 in. deep was implemented. The surface roughness was 0.4 and the vegetation volume
fraction was 0.15, as the rain garden will host thick grass, such as Bermuda grass, native plants, and brush to increase infiltration and transpiration. The soil of the rain garden will have the characteristics of loamy sand. Any overflow from the rain garden drains into the city stormwater system on Granada Street.
Tree Trench Systems
Four tree trenches are proposed at the site (Figure 7), receiving water from the entire system. The tree trench design is a combination of green/gray infrastructure, with the green aspect being the tree trench and the gray aspect being a large, concrete storage vault underneath the tree trench. Immense amounts of water enter the city’s stormwater system and all the water collects at the south end of the site before leaving the system. City property is in the middle of the site, and the most optimal place for a green/gray infrastructure is the parking lot south of city hall, as it collects water from both the east and west side of the site, along with the north. The parking lot is the largest area where water travels before leaving the system at Bridge Street and Cordova Street and it’s determined to be the best place for water storage. This analysis was confirmed with the 2013 CDM Smith report on the stormwater at the site, where a storage vault with a volume of 22,500 ft3 underneath the city parking lot was proposed. This storage vault would collect overflow volume from the city’s main stormwater infrastructure (CDM Smith, 2013). To modify and expand on the CDM Smith storage vault proposal, four tree trenches will be implemented in the city parking lot, each with a storage vault for noninfiltrated water and overflow. There will be four, 3,442-ft3 storage vaults totaling 13,767 ft3 of storage within the parking lot. The storage volume needed is less
than the CDM Smith proposal and above the storage vaults there will be 3,442 ft3 of soil per tree trench for infiltration and transpiration. The berm height of the tree trench will be 3 in., the depth of soil will be 6 ft, and the depth of the storage vault will be 6 ft. The soil will have the characteristics of loamy sand, the same as the rain garden. The storage vault has a void ratio of 0.8, as it’s estimated that 20 percent of the storage vault volume will be used for structural aspects. A perforated pipe connected to street inlets and the city stormwater system on Granada Street and Cordova Street will provide the tree trench with stormwater. An underdrain located within the storage vault will release stormwater stored after 48 hours from the storm event to reduce the peak flow of the system.
The underdrain has a drain flow coefficient of 0.5 in./hour and a drain exponent of 0.5, which was calculated using the SWMM manual for timed release of underdrain flow. The surface roughness for the tree trench is 0.4 and the vegetation volume fraction is 0.15 for Bermuda grass, trees, and brush (EPA, 2016). Figure 8 shows the cross section diagram for one of the four tree trenches and an image from the LID SWMM model showing the four tree trenches (subcatchments), junctions, and the conduits that connect the system. A 12-in.-diameter concrete pipe will be placed in the middle of the parking lot to collect the underdrain flow from the storage vault before releasing the water back to the stormwater system further south. The pipes will be sloped between junctions (manholes and pipe connectors) to force water to travel by gravity. The introduction of water from the storage vault back into the city system is at a deeper invert elevation depth than the manhole that introduces flow into the tree trench.
Figure 6. Image from a site visit in the location of a proposed rain garden.
Figure 7. Image from a site visit in the location of a proposed tree trench.
Results and Discussion
System Outfall Results
As described in the methodology, the outfall of the entire system is located at the intersection of Bridge Street and Cordova Street. This outfall is connected to a stormwater system and leads out of the site through a gravity main to Maria Sanchez Lake. One of the objectives of this work is to reduce the peak flow and volume of water leaving the system. From the existing SWMM, the stormwater infrastructure’s most evident issue is being overloaded and flooding quickly. To analyze the impact of the added LID solutions on the system and the outfall, the six design storms and a full-year simulation were used. Design storms of return periods two, five, 10, 25, 50, and 100 years were used to analyze the inflow rate from the system into the outfall. Figure 9 shows the LID model plotted along with the existing condition model for inflow into the outfall for the two-, five-, and 25-year events.
From the design storms, before implementing LID, the inflow rate into the outfall increases for the larger design storms. After implementing the LID, the peak flow rate reduced significantly, as described earlier, but it had a more-constant peak flow rate than the existing model. This is important for flood control within the stormwater infrastructure. The steady flow rate of water may be attributed to the addition of the underdrain in the tree trench that releases water over 48 hours instead of releasing it immediately whenever flooding is encountered.
The precipitation records for 2022 were then modeled to confirm the design storm results. The before and after LID solutions were compared with two parameters: the peak flow and the total volume of runoff. The existing conditions model results showed that a total of 15.5 mil gal (MG) of water were inflow into the outfall, with a peak flow of 4.72 cu ft per second (cfs) and an average flow of 1.32 cfs. After the LID was implemented in the model, a total of 12.6 MG of water were inflow into the outfall, with a peak flow of 1.75 cfs and an average flow of 0.27 cfs. For the 2022 record, there was a 63 percent reduction in the peak flow rate, an 80 percent reduction in the average flow rate, and a 19 percent reduction in the total volume of water into the outfall. Regarding the flow rate reductions, the LID significantly reduced the flow rate of the stormwater exiting the system, which is important for controlling flooding and system overloading.
Since the existing conditions of the site have high flow rates of stormwater in the infrastructure, flooding of the manholes and inlets occurs more frequently. Controlling
and conduits.
9. Inflow rate (cfs) for the low-impact development model (blue) and the existing conditions model (orange) into the outfall over 24 hours for a two-, five-, and 25-year design storm.
this flow rate with LID would significantly improve the system. Regarding the volume of water reduced over the year with LID, a 19 percent reduction was seen. Ultimately, a higher reduction rate would be ideal, as this may aid in flooding mitigation, which can be achieved through increasing infiltration, evaporation, and transpiration within the LIDs. To further understand the impact of LID on the system outfall, the statistic tool in SWMM was used to analyze the change in the number of events that occur at the outfall with an inflow rate of greater than 1.5 cfs. An event at the outfall with a flow rate above1.5 cfs is typically seen with flooding
of the system. The number of events before the implementation of LID was 72, which had an inflow rate greater than 1.5 cfs. The number of events after LID implementation decreased to just seven events in 2022, which is a 90 percent reduction in events. Overall, the LID reduced peak flows into the outfall significantly and influenced the amount of stormwater leaving the system.
Subcatchment and Junction Results
To assess the impact of the LID on runoff and flooding of the stormwater system, the
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Figure 8. Image of the low-impact development stormwater management model for the tree trenches, junctions,
Figure
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results of the subcatchments and junctions (manholes and inlets) were analyzed before and after LID was implemented. A rain garden was added to subcatchment 2 on the Flagler College property. As discussed earlier, this manhole has been observed to flood during a two-year storm event. When modeled in SWMM, the inflow volume into J2 before LID was almost 1 MG of stormwater for the two-year design event. The flooding that occurred at J2 during this two-year design storm was over half a MG of stormwater. This shows that more than half of the inflow of stormwater into J2 ends up as flooding for just a two-year return period event. This issue at the site shows the crucial need for stormwater control, as a two-year event overloads the system. After the addition of LID to the model, the flood volume at the J2 manhole was reduced by 96 percent. The reduction in flooding volume of the manhole for each design storm is seen in Table 1.
For modeling the precipitation records in 2022, the statistical tool in SWMM was used to determine the flooding of junction 2, a manhole that receives direct runoff from subcatchment 2. The parameters for the statistical analysis were that flooding events of the manhole greater than 0.1 cfs were accounted for and these events had to be more than six hours apart. Before LID was implemented in the model, 61 events of flooding greater than 0.1 cfs occurred in 2022; the minimum flooding rate was 0.13 cfs and the maximum was 11.13 cfs. The mean rate of flooding in the manhole was 2.13 cfs, with a standard deviation of 2.04
cfs. After LID was implanted in subcatchment 2, the number of events dropped to 24 events. The reduction in flooding greater than 0.1 cfs of the subcatchment 2 manhole was 61 percent. Without setting a standard of events greater than 0.1 cfs, the reduction in flooding of the manhole was 65 percent over the year.
Two of the most crucial manholes at the site are J4 and J10, which are both located at an intersection between Bridge Street and Granada Street (J4) and Cordova Street (J10). These manholes receive inflow from all the stormwater north through the gravity main; therefore, evaluating the total inflow volume (gal) into these manholes before and after LID implementation would show the effectiveness of the implementation. Table 2 shows the reduction in inflow volume to J4 and J10 at the end of Granada Street and Cordova Street, respectively. After LID was implemented in the system, the volume reduction in stormwater inflow into the two manholes was significantly reduced. On average for all six design storms, the reduction was over 50 percent. For the precipitation records of 2022, the percent reduction was smaller due to the timed release of the tree trenches as described in the outfall results. The purpose of the timed-release underdrains in the tree trenches is to store stormwater until the event is ended and release the water at a constant rate that the system would be capable of handling to prevent flooding. Even though the reduction in volume of inflow is smaller, similar to the outfall, the peak flow rate of the incoming stormwater was lower.
Low-Impact Development Results Rain Garden
To assess the performance of the rain garden in subcatchment 2 at the Flagler College property, the percentage of stormwater retained, infiltrated, and evaporated was determined. The storage (in.) was also investigated. Table 3 shows the calculated results of the LID efficiency. The rain garden performed well in runoff retention, infiltration, and storage. Evaporation was not high in the rain garden, most likely due to high infiltration rates of the rain garden that prevent ponded water on the surface, which is not a negative, as this may help with mosquito control. The runoff retained for 2022 was 65 percent, which means that a significant portion of runoff was removed from the overall site and did not enter the stormwater system. Overall, the rain garden improved flooding at the site and would have a significant impact if implemented by Flagler College.
Tree Trenches
The most influential system was the tree trenches installed in the city parking lot across from city hall. This system combined green/ gray infrastructure, which maximized storage capacity. Four tree trenches were implemented, all connected by a gravity pipe. The flow, after being treated and stored by the tree trench, is redirected back to the city stormwater system. For all six design storms and the precipitation records of 2022, the percent of stormwater retained by the LID was 100 percent. This means that no overflow occurred within the tree trench, even for the 100-year storm. Figure 10 shows the inflow (cfs) of stormwater for J3b (red), J10b (blue), and J11b (pink). The J3b is the inflow into tree trench 1 and J10b is the inflow into tree trench 2 of the four tree trenches; the J11b is the outflow of all the tree trenches (through the underdrain), and understanding the amount of stormwater outflowing from this point helps identify the performance. The graphs in Figure 10 are for the two-year and five-year design storms. The amount of inflow into the tree trench increased for each design storm, as expected. The outflow within the 24 hours of the storm (J11b) stayed consistent, between 1 and 1.25 cfs. This shows that the tree trench controls the outflow flow rate, therefore preventing overloading of the original city stormwater infrastructure. For the two-year and five-year events, the outflow of J11b reached almost zero, meaning that these events were small enough to the system that there was not much stormwater after the event for the underdrain to keep releasing water. For the 25-year and 100-year events, 0.5 cfs was the final rate of flow for J11b, meaning that even after the 24-hour event occurred, the flow would keep being released from the
Table 1. Total Flood Volume Reduction After Low-Impact Development Implementation at the Subcatchment 2 Manhole
Table 2. Reduction in Total Inflow Volume (Gal) After Low-Impact Development Implementation for J4 and J10 Manholes
Table 3. Performance of the Rain Garden Low-Impact Development by Analyzing Runoff, Infiltration, Evaporation and Storage
underdrain, as there was much more runoff that was being stored.
The J11c is also an outflow manhole of all four tree trenches, and J3b is the inflow junction for tree trench 1. The outflow rate (cfs) from all the tree trenches (J11c) is near half the inflow (cfs) into just tree trench 1, J3b. During the 2022 continuous simulation, the inflow into tree trench 1 reached a peak flow of 3.5 cfs, and during that same period, the maximum outflow from the tree trenches reached 1.6 cfs. This shows that the tree trenches help reduce the peak flow of stormwater leaving the system, which is important for the longevity of infrastructure and flood mitigation.
For the continuous simulation, a total of 9.6 MG of stormwater inflowed into the tree trenches (all four combined), and the volume of stormwater released from the trenches in 2022 was 4.7 MG. This is a 51 percent reduction in the amount of stormwater, which shows the high efficiency of the system. The final storage of the tree trenches for the continuous simulation was 67 in. in total (5.1 ft). The storage after the twoyear event was 32 in., the five-year event was 36.4 in., the 10-year event was 41.2 in., the 25year event was 48.9 in., the 50-year event was 55.5 in., and the 100-year event was 62.56 in. The storage amounts of the tree trench reached 5 ft during the 100-year event, meaning that, to reduce the costs of the tree trench construction, the storage capacity could be reduced to a depth of 4 ft to match the 25-year event. The storage vault is currently 6 ft deep for these simulations. To further analyze the storage vault of the tree trench, a storage node could be implemented in SWMM instead of using the LID feature.
Conclusions
The SWMM simulation of the study site showed that the overall effect of the LID on the site significantly improved stormwater flooding issues. Modeling of 2022 precipitation records showed that the outfall of the system had a 63 percent reduction in the peak flow rate, an 80 percent reduction in the average flow rate, and a 19 percent reduction in the total volume of water into the outfall. Before LID implementation, the site had major flooding at just a two-year return period storm, but after LID was implemented, the flooding of manholes by the Flagler College property decreased by 96 percent.
Limitations of the model included the absence of calibration and validation of the model with observed data, and not performing a sensitivity analysis with LID and manhole parameters. Regarding the data collection, assumptions were made for a few hydraulic parameters; for example, the COSA dataset
10. Inflow (cfs) for J3b (red), J10b (blue), and J11b (pink) for the return periods of two and five years.
was missing information on the depths of manholes and the invert elevations. Educated assumptions were made regarding these parameters, but further work should include fieldwork and observational data.
Moving forward, a cost analysis should be conducted, and the LID options and details should be optimized to make the system more effective and economically sustainable, while improving flood control. The stormwater storage available to the tree trench and vault design was 6 ft, but the 100year event simulation showed that only 5.2 ft of the storage vault was needed. The depth could be reduced to lower construction costs. The rain garden implemented in the model proved valuable for reducing stormwater, therefore similar rain gardens could be implemented in other areas of the site. The rain garden performed well in removing water from the system through infiltration and evaporation, so if additional rain gardens were added, the overall amount of stormwater could be reduced. Overall, a fundamental aspect of future work must be to implement LID that harmoniously aligns with the city’s architectural legacy and significance.
Disclaimer
This article was prepared at Florida International University by the author, Aubrey Litzinger. The author; the coauthor, Professor Hector R. Fuentes; the department of civil and environmental engineering at Florida International University; and all sources referenced in this research:
1. Do not guarantee the accuracy of all scenarios and simulations that were created and evaluated, their cost estimation,
conclusions, recommendations, content of this study, and used references.
2. Do not guarantee the completeness of the information contained in this research or represent that its use would not infringe upon privately owned rights.
3. Do not assume liability or responsibility of any consequential damages from the use of any information, method or process presented in this study, which should be considered within the scope, assumptions, and limitations of the investigation and study.
In addition, this article does not reflect the official views or policies of any sponsoring, participating, or contributing organizations and individuals.
Acknowledgments
A special thanks to the City of St. Augustine for its invaluable contribution through the open data hub initiative under the COSA Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Division. We would also like to acknowledge Reuben Franklin, P.E., assistant city manager for City of St. Augustine, and Jessica Beach, P.E., chief resilience officer and deputy director, public works and utilities for the City of St. Augustine, for their assistance throughout the project.
References
• Alsarawi, Noura, “Design of Low Impact Development and Green Infrastructure at Flood Prone Areas in the City of Miami Beach, Florida, USA” (2018). FIU Electronic
Continued on page 56
Figure
Theses and Dissertations. 3739. https://digital commons.fiu.edu/etd/3739.
St. Augustine Open Data. ArcGIS, 2023. datastaug.opendata.arcgis.com.
• CDM Smith. “Stormwater Master Plan Update Phase 1.” City of St. Augustine, CDM Smith, February 2013.
• CDM Smith. “South Davis Shores Resiliency Study.” City of St. Augustine, CDM Smith, June 2021. https://www.citystaug.com/ DocumentCenter/View/4870/2021-SouthDavis-Shores-Resiliency-Report-PDF.
• Environmental Protection Agency. (2016). Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) Reference Manual Volume 1: Hydrology. Retrieved from [https://www.epa.gov/waterresearch/storm-water-management-modelswmm].
• Environmental Protection Agency. (2016). Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) Reference Manual Volume 3: Water Quality. Retrieved from [https://www.epa.gov/waterresearch/storm-water-management-modelswmm].
• FDOT Drainage Design Guide. Florida Department of Transportation, January 2019.
• Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). IDF Curves. FDOT Drainage Manual, Accessed Sept. 18, 2023. https:// fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/ docs/default-source/roadway/drainage/files/ idfcurves.pdf?sfvrsn=1babf202_4.
• Jones Edmunds & Associates, Inc. “Duval County Low-Impact Development Manual.” City of Jacksonville, July 2013.
• Kiger, Patrick. “How St. Augustine Became the First Permanent European Settlement in America.” History, Aug. 29, 2023, https:// www.history.com/news/st-augustine-firstAmerican-settlement.
• “LiDAR 2013 Digital Elevation Model.” St. Johns County Data Depot, June 30, 2015.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). “PrecipitationFrequency Data Server (PFDS) ATLAS 14.” NOAA, Accessed Sept. 14, 2023. https:// hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/pfds/pfds_map_cont. html?bkmrk=fl.
• Phelps, G. “Water Recourses of Duval County, Florida.” U.S. Geological Survey. Water-
• USACE. “Back Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study”. City of Saint Augustine, Feb. 22, 2023. https://usace. contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/ p16021coll11/id/6107
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has deactivated the Tampa Bypass Canal System and the Hillsborough Flood Detention Area as water levels in the Hillsborough River have declined following Hurricane Debby. The Tampa Bypass Canal System was activated in response to heavy rains from the storm to help protect the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding. The system, constructed in response to massive flooding caused by Hurricane Donna in 1960, is made up of three elements: Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area, Tampa Bypass Canal, and Harney Canal. As the reservoir fills with water from the river and the surrounding 450-square-mile watershed, the flows enter the 15.7-mile Tampa Bypass Canal, which is made up of five flood control structures located along the canal. The flows are then safely diverted to McKay Bay, protecting the cities from river flooding. The district has opened Structure S-155 and removed boat barriers to restore navigation on the Hillsborough River.
In addition to providing flood control, the Tampa Bypass Canal also serves as a water supply source to help meet the drinking water needs of the Tampa Bay area.
R
The City of Palm Coast recently asked residents to reduce their water usage because unexpected rain posed the threat of a backup in local wastewater plants. One wastewater treatment facility took on over six million gallons of water in a single day, which is equivalent to 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Of the 165 pump stations in the city, 23 of them are nearing capacity, which can lead to an overflow. Along with limiting water usage, the city had 11 pumper trucks working around the clock to pump out lift stations and prevent a backup. In the case of a power outage, the pumper trucks would not be able to function.
The city currently has several wastewater treatment plant improvement projects in the works to hopefully alleviate issues in the future. S
FWEA FOCUS
New Facilities, Expansions, and Upgrades
WJoe Paterniti, P.E. President, FWEA
hat is the new normal in Florida’s water and wastewater construction industry? Why are bids coming in well above the opinion of probable construction cost? Why aren’t utilities receiving multiple bids for their capital projects?
For new facilities, expansions, and upgrades to capital assets, utilities rely on design engineers to estimate the probable construction cost of these improvements so that utility capital budgets can be prepared for implementing capital projects.
Over the last two years, construction
costs in north Florida have increased over one and half to two times. Specialty construction has increased as much as four times what it was two years ago.
We all know material costs escalated due to supply chain issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. While material costs remain high, they aren’t accelerating at a rate they did a year or two ago. These material cost increases were partly the reason for increased construction costs.
According to the Association of General Contractors (AGC), labor costs have also steadily risen. Material costs are relatively easy to determine by requesting quotes from manufacturers and vendors; the difficulty lies in estimating the construction industry’s cost, profit margins, and contingencies.
The primary reason for the increased construction cost that every utility has experienced is that the water and wastewater construction market is saturated with capital
projects, and there are a limited number of contractors. Specialty contractors, like electrical and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractors, are in short supply. Most are busy due to the exponential growth in housing starts Florida has experienced over the past two years. This trend doesn’t appear to be ending any time soon. Several large utilities have large five-year capital improvement budgets totaling billions of dollars.
Some contractors are avoiding conventional delivery (design, bid, build) projects and pursuing alternative delivery projects to reduce risk exposure and increase profit margins. Even with alternate delivery projects, utilities do not see the cost or schedule benefits as they did previously. Utilities have to adapt to this new normal. Some techniques utilities are using to manage this supplier inflation market condition include:
S Prioritizing projects due to limited revenue streams.
S Prepurchasing long lead items, like electrical gear and generators, to shorten the construction duration.
S Packaging multiple projects into a single bid to increase value and attract bidders.
S Increasing in-house design and construction for smaller projects that contractors won’t bid on.
S Exploring working directly with manufacturers to install equipment upgrades and replacements.
I’d like to hear what other utilities are doing to manage this new normal in Florida. Perhaps we can conduct a workshop or roundtable discussion at the next Florida Water Resources Conference (www.fwrc.org), to be held May 4-7, 2025, in West Palm Beach.
I want to close this month’s column by complimenting the FWEA Southwest Chapter, in coordination with FSAWWA Region V and FWPCOA Region 8, for hosting the Southwest Florida Water and Wastewater Exposition in Charlotte County. This one-day event was well-attended by manufacturers and vendors, utility operators, and consulting firms. There were over 350 attendees, with 180 people registered for the technical sessions, and 68 exhibit booths (see photos). Thank you to all the volunteers from all three organizations for another successful event. I’d like to repeat this event in north and central Florida. S
C L A S S I F I E D S
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POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Citrus County BOCC – Engineer I
Performs routine professional and technical engineering work reviewing and evaluating plans for the design of new water/ wastewater infrastructure and provides general professional engineering services for departmental capital improvement projects.
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or recent college graduate with internship experience in general civil engineering design, site development, residential development, transportation projects, and water and wastewater related projects. Must be a Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Florida.
To learn more about the position and to apply please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/citrusfl
The Coral Springs Improvement District – A GREAT place to further your career and enhance your life!
Water Plant Operator
Applicants must have a valid Class C or higher Drinking water license and experience in Reverse Osmosis/Nano Filtration treatment processes preferred however not required. Position requirements include knowledge of methods, tools and materials used in the controlling, servicing, and minor repairs of all related R.O. water treatment facilities machinery and equipment.
Salary range for C license or greater - $54,059. - $86,112. Salary to commensurate relative to level of license and experience in this field.
Benefits:
Excellent benefits which include health, life, disability, dental, vison and a retirement plan which includes a 6% non-contributory defined benefit and matching 457b plan with a 100% match up to 6%. EOE. All positions require a valid Florida Drivers license, high school diploma or GED equivalent and must pass a pre-employment drug screen test.
Please send resume to jzilmer@csidfl.org or fax resume to 954-7536328, attention Jan Zilmer, Director of Human Resources.
Utilities Field Tech Trainee or Utilities Field Tech I
$40,352/yr or $42,452 - $46,862/yr
Apply Online At: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/davie Open until filled.
Wastewater Maintenance Supervisor
The South Central Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility is looking for an experienced Maintenance Supervisor to oversee our maintenance department. Job duties include, but are not limited to, assigning tasks, overseeing repairs, installation and replacement of equipment, piping, electrical, etc. as well as ordering parts, equipment, and maintaining the facility’s buildings and grounds. This is an on-call position. Applicants must have at least 5 years prior experience in a supervisory maintenance role at a wastewater or water facility. Applicant must have hands-on experience in all aspects of repairs and maintenance, as well as getting their hands dirty. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid Florida driver’s license. Contact DLevine@scrwwtp.org to apply.
UTILITIES DIRECTOR
City of Pembroke Pines, Florida
The City of Pembroke Pines, Florida seeks a Utility Director to oversee City’s Utilities Department. The Utilities Department provides water, wastewater collection and reuse/reclaim water for irrigation. The Utilities Department consist of the following Divisions: water treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, water distribution, wastewater collection, plant maintenance, laboratory, business operations and engineering. Work involves planning, developing and implementing proposals and programs to administer revenues to maintain and expand services in accordance with needs of the service area as ascertained by surveying and conferring with residents and public officials.
Minimum requirements include, but are not limited to the following: 1) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree or higher, 2) minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible managerial experience managing and overseeing a large utility, 3) licensed as a Professional Engineer. Very competitive salary and benefit package offered. Four-day per week schedule option available.
Pembroke Pines is located in Southeast Florida in Broward County. A city of over 180,000 residents West of Fort Lauderdale. Equal Opportunity Employer
Please send resumes to: hrcitycommunications@gmail.com
The City of Marco Island has a Wastewater Plant Operator I, II or III position available in the Water & Sewer Department, The City of Marco Island is a great place to work with an excellent benefits package.
Compensation will be based upon the level of experience and license level.
To view the complete job posting, salary ranges and instructions for applying for this position, please visit our website Wastewater Plant Operator I, II, III, or Trainee | Job Details tab | Career Pages (governmentjobs.com)
EOE/AA/ADA/VET Employer
Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority
is seeking a Project Engineer and Instrumentation & Controls Technician. Apply at www.regionalwater.org
Water Treatment Plant Operators
The Water Treatment Plant at the Village of Wellington is currently accepting applications for a full-time WATER OPERATOR and an INSTRUMENT TECH/OPERATOR positions. Apply online. Job postings and applications are available on our website: https://wellingtonfl.munisselfservice.com/employees/ EmploymentOpportunities/
We are located in Palm Beach County, Florida. The Village of Wellington offers great benefits. For further information, call Human Resources at (561) 753-2585.
Utilities Electrician
$61,234 - $86,163/yr.
Utilities Plans Examiner Coordinator
$68,199 - $105,558/yr.
Utilities Treatment Plant Operator I or Trainee
$55,542 - $78,152/yr. or $50,378 - $70,885/yr.
Utilities System Operator Foreman
$55,542 - $78,152/yr.
Utilities System Trainee or Operators I $41,446, $43,517
Apply Online At: http://pompanobeachfl.gov Open until filled.
Calling all Awesome Wastewater Operators – you know who you are!
Join one of the fastest growing cities in Central Florida – with a NEW RATE OF PAY! Applicants must hold at least a Class “C” license and a valid driver’s license. Starting Pay Range: $46,096.61 - $50,705/yr – 10% more if you have a dual license or a Class A or B. Applications online www.wildwood-fl.gov or City Hall, 100 N. Main St, Wildwood, FL 34785 Attn: Marc Correnti EEO/AA/V/H/ MF/DFWP.
JEA is hiring dedicated professionals to operate a state-of-the art membrane purification facility as part of JEA’s H2.O Purification Program.
Be a part of Florida’s operational history by joining our team today.
Please visit www.jea.com/careers and look for Advanced Treatment Water Facility (ATWF) positions for more details.
WHY Choose US
• Top-tier Operator Pay Scale
• Excellent Benefits
• Advancement Opportunities
• Award-winning Facilities and Operations Team
THE Center
JEA is constructing a 1.0 MGD membrane-based Advanced Treatment Water facility as part of the H2.O Purification Program. “The Center” is designed to exceed water quality goals needed for aquifer replenishment. Operational processes include membrane filtration, reverse osmosis and UV advanced oxidation.
Editorial Calendar
January
February
Alternative Sources
March ........... Energy Efficiency; Environmental Stewardship
April ............. Conservation and Reuse
May .............. Operations and Utilities Management
June ............. Biosolids Management and Bioenergy Production
July .............. Stormwater Management; Emerging Technologies
August ......... Disinfection; Water Quality
September... Emerging Issues; Water Resources Management
October ....... New Facilities, Expansions, and Upgrades
November Water Treatment
December .... Distribution and Collection
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Test Yourself Answer
Continued from page 31
1. D) all of the above.
The factors that may impact the effectiveness of a disinfectant include reducing agents, pH, and temperature.
2. A) 70 to 95°F.
It may easier to disinfect water with a temperature of approximately 70 to 95°F.
3. C) will greatly enhance the efficiency of the disinfection process.
Water that is being treated with a turbidity of 1 NTU will greatly enhance the efficiency of the disinfection process.
4. B) iodine.
Although it has been used as a disinfectant since 1920, the chemical that can cause serious side effects in pregnant women is iodine.
5. D) All of the above.
The advantages of using chlorine dioxide are that it doesn’t create any known carcinogenic compounds, it’s not impacted by the ammonia concentration, and it’s effective at high pH levels.
6. D) all of the above.
The types of chlorine residuals that can be found within treated water are free available chlorine residual, combined available chlorine residual, and total chlorine residual.
7. C) nitrification occurring within the distribution system. Systems that disinfect with chloramine may limit the amount of excess ammonia available to prevent nitrification occurring within the distribution system
8. B) 5:1.
The chlorine-to-ammonia ratio most likely to result in the least amount of excess ammonia is 5:1.
9. D) all of the above.
Signs that indicate that nitrification is occurring within the distribution system include a decrease in ammonia concentration, a decrease in total chlorine concentration, and an increase in nitrite concentration.
10. D) all of the above. Applying chlorine ahead of other treatment process may be done to reduce taste and odors, increase chlorine contact time, and control algal and slime growth.
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