Florida Water Resources Journal - August 2015 by Florida Water Resources Journal

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Published by BUENA VISTA PUBLISHING for Florida Water Resources Journal, Inc. President: Richard Anderson (FSAWWA) Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority Vice President: Greg Chomic (FWEA) Heyward Incorporated Treasurer: Rim Bishop (FWPCOA) Seacoast Utility Authority Secretary: Holly Hanson (At Large) ILEX Services Inc., Orlando

Moving? The Post Office will not forward your magazine. Do not count on getting the Journal unless you notify us directly of address changes by the 15th of the month preceding the month of issue. Please do not telephone address changes. Email changes to changes@fwrj.com, fax to 352-241-6007, or mail to Florida Water Resources Journal, 1402 Emerald Lakes Drive, Clermont, FL 34711

Membership Questions FSAWWA: Casey Cumiskey – 407-957-8447 or fsawwa.casey@gmail.com FWEA: Karen Wallace, Executive Manager – 407-574-3318 FWPCOA: Darin Bishop – 561-840-0340

4 Florida Water Utilities Focus on Infrastructure and Regulations; Water Rates Near Top of Affordability 50 WEF HQ Newsletter—Mary Evans and Gary Sober 54 News Beat

Technical Articles 12

Thomas Friedrich, Steven Yeats, and Guanghui Hua

34 Water Quality Compatibility Challenges in a Southwest Florida Regional System: Comprehensive Data Review and Tools to Predict Water Quality—Gerardus (GJ) Schers, Mike Coates, Richard Anderson, Gabe Maul, and Michael Condran

46 What Has Been Learned in the First Two Years of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3?—Paul Bowers

Education and Training 8 11 20 37 45 53

Training Questions FSAWWA: Donna Metherall – 407-957-8443 or fsawwa.donna@gmail.com FWPCOA: Shirley Reaves – 321-383-9690

For Other Information DEP Operator Certification: Ron McCulley – 850-245-7500 FSAWWA: Peggy Guingona – 407-957-8448 Florida Water Resources Conference: 888-328-8448 FWPCOA Operators Helping Operators: John Lang – 772-559-0722, e-mail – oho@fwpcoa.org FWEA: Karen Wallace, Executive Manager – 407-574-3318

Throughout this issue trademark names are used. Rather than place a trademark symbol in every occurrence of a trademarked name, we state we are using the names only in an editorial fashion, and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark. None of the material in this publication necessarily reflects the opinions of the sponsoring organizations. All correspondence received is the property of the Florida Water Resources Journal and is subject to editing. Names are withheld in published letters only for extraordinary reasons. Authors agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Florida Water Resources Journal Inc. (FWRJ), its officers, affiliates, directors, advisors, members, representatives, and agents from any and all losses, expenses, third-party claims, liability, damages and costs (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees) arising from authors’ infringement of any intellectual property, copyright or trademark, or other right of any person, as applicable under the laws of the State of Florida.

Florida Water Resources Conference CEU Challenge FSAWWA Fall Conference FWPCOA Training Calendar TREEO Center Training FWPCOA State Short School

Columns 10 18 28 30 32 44 49

C Factor—Thomas King FSAWWA Speaking Out—Mark Lehigh Certification Boulevard—Roy Pelletier Spotlight on Safety—Doug Prentiss Sr. FWEA Focus—Raynetta Curry Marshall FWRJ Reader Profile—Jim Smith Committee Profile—FWEA Wastewater Process Committee

Websites Florida Water Resources Journal: www.fwrj.com FWPCOA: www.fwpcoa.org FSAWWA: www.fsawwa.org FWEA: www.fwea.org and www.fweauc.org Florida Water Resources Conference: www.fwrc.org

Sequential Chlorination and Chloramination: Cost-Effective Disinfection Methods for Reclaimed Water Aquifer Recharge—Brett Goodman, Paul Davis, Kayla Lockcuff,

Departments 52 56 59 62

New Products Service Directories Classifieds Display Advertiser Index

Volume 67

ON THE COVER: Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant. Producing up to 120 mil gal per day, the plant is the hub of Tampa Bay Water’s Enhanced Surface Water System and treats water from three rivers and the utility’s 15.5-bil-gal reservoir. (photo: Tampa Bay Water}

August 2015

Number 8

Florida Water Resources Journal, USPS 069-770, ISSN 0896-1794, is published monthly by Florida Water Resources Journal, Inc., 1402 Emerald Lakes Drive, Clermont, FL 34711, on behalf of the Florida Water & Pollution Control Operator’s Association, Inc.; Florida Section, American Water Works Association; and the Florida Water Environment Association. Members of all three associations receive the publication as a service of their association; $6 of membership dues support the Journal. Subscriptions are otherwise available within the U.S. for $24 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Clermont, FL and additional offices.

POSTMASTER: send address changes to Florida Water Resources Journal, 1402 Emerald Lakes Drive, Clermont, FL 34711

Florida Water Resources Journal • August 2015

Florida Water Utilities Focus on Infrastructure and Regulations; Water Rates Near Top of Affordability The biggest challenge facing many of Florida’s municipal water utilities is the replacement of aging water infrastructure, according to a recent Fitch Ratings study. The average age of Florida’s water plants rose to 13 years in 2014 from 12 years in 2012, prompting many of the state’s water utilities to prioritize upkeep and renewal after a few years of deferral. The average age of a plant (accumulated depreciation divided by the annual rate of depreciation) measures the age of a system’s assets relative to its expected useful life. While Fitch notes that utilities generally have well-defined capital improvement plans (CIPs) with funding sources in place, the trend in these metrics nonetheless indicates that capital spending is not entirely capturing annual de-

preciation rates, reflecting a degree of deferred maintenance. “Deferred maintenance has not been a harbinger for crisis—in fact, it has left many water utilities in Florida with a surplus of cash,” says Andrew DeStefano, director at Fitch. “However, many utilities are beginning to readdress their infrastructure needs, especially as regulatory demands evolve.” A focus on water quality by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the shift away from using ocean outfalls will necessitate greater spending on water infrastructure in the future. Despite these challenges, proper planning and water conservation mean that Florida’s water supply is sufficient for approximately the next 10 years.

Topography and Oversight Florida is a mostly flat peninsular state with very low elevation. Much of the population resides in coastal communities at or just above sea level (see map), and adjacent to the state’s thousands of square miles of vulnerable ecosystems. Florida water and sewer utilities are regulated by FDEP and enforcement of water quality and supply management are primarily administered by its five regional authorities, the water management districts (WMDs). The WMDs are tasked with a number of oversight roles, which include, but are not limited to, the issuance and enforcement of drinking water consumptive use permits and the support of state and federal regulatory programs that ensure that the quality of wastewater effluent meets state and federal environmental and public health standards. A typical consumptive use permit will last 20 years, with intermittent five-year updates to assess the availability of local resources and the long-term needs of the utility. Based on supply projections, the WMDs may build in restrictions and alternative supply requirements as necessary and/or appropriate during the permit renewal process. Requirements for some utilities to seek alternative or supplemental water sources are progressing. This will likely result in, among other options, building and expanding reclaimed water capacity and upgrading water treatment plants with brackish water treatment capabilities, requiring more significant longer-term capital outlays.

Growth Drives Capacity During the last housing boom, many localities built substantial infrastructure to meet actual and expected customer growth. Many Florida communities are again experiencing population growth, but not nearly at the same pace as the prerecession momentum. Nonetheless, communities across the state are evaluating their water supply and infrastructural needs to accommodate new customers, and positively, many communities already have capacity in place due to substantial groundwork that was laid prior to the recession. Continud on page 6

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

Continued from page 4 Efforts by the WMDs to curb consumption and promote water conservation have also positioned many utilities well for the next decade and beyond. Water supply protection strategies include low-flow appliance rebate programs, weekly or drought-induced irrigation restrictions, and increasing customer rates via inclining block volumetric charges to discourage excess water consumption. Increasingly, however, the WMDs have required utilities to increase capacity to treat additional alternative raw water sources to relieve overtaxed surficial aquifers and to meet increased longer-term demand. Additional and diversified water supply also remains important for utilities that may be drought sensitive (i.e., those with predominantly surface water sources), or those located in ecologically sensitive areas throughout the state. Larger-scale projects are also being considered. These include, but are not limited to: Construction or retrofit of existing facilities to treat the more abundant but lower-quality brackish groundwater supply from deeper aquifers. Continued expansion of reclaimed water (highly treated wastewater effluent) for nonpotable irrigation uses. Pumping highly treated wastewater and untreated raw water into the ground for later use, a process known as aquifer storage and recovery. Alternative treatment capabilities, such as desalination or the construction of larger regional reservoirs, remain possible but are not considered immediate capital needs for most utilities. In some areas across the state there are examples of adjacent communities partnering to construct new regional water supply facilities to address long-term needs. One example is the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI), which is a collaborative water supply planning effort spanning five counties: Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Polk, and Southern Lake, and involving three WMDs, the FDEP, and other stakeholders. The CWFI estimates a need for 300 mil gal per day (mgd) in additional supply to meet forecasted needs for the five-county service area through 2034. Planners expect this goal to be achieved through well field optimization, aquifer recharge and augmentation, increased water conservation, and the continued development of alternative treatment capacity.

Changing Regulations Utilities across Florida face different regulatory demands and challenges depending on their water sources and proximity to ecologically sensitive areas. Nutrient reduction (primarily

nitrogen and phosphorous) from wastewater discharge remains a priority for FDEP. The state’s numeric nutrient criteria (NNC) program was transferred to FDEP from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in recent years, and to date, has required many utilities to spend significant funds on new or updated nutrient removal technology. Going forward, it is expected that the focus on nutrient reduction will shift more toward the creation of robust stormwater management systems equipped with nutrient reduction capabilities. Another ongoing regulatory theme in Florida is the elimination of wastewater and stormwater discharge through ocean outfalls. Though many municipal utilities divert effluent via deep well injection or through beneficial reuse (irrigation), several utilities are still either working to eliminate the use of ocean outfalls altogether or maintain emergency ocean outfall authorization during extreme wet weather events, as allowed by the legislative update passed by the state in 2014. The push for greater renewal and replacement (R&R) among many Florida utilities will be important to maintaining compliance with key regulatory requirements. These include, but are not limited to, the replacement of leaky and/or clogged sewer and water mains. Repairing sewer mains can help minimize sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), as well as decrease inflow and infiltration, which occur when older pipes fail or crack and stormwater leaks into the sewer system. In addition, the replacement of leaky water pipes serves to reduce unbilled, lost potable water that results in lost revenues and strains available water supply.

Continued Utility Rating Stability The majority of Fitch’s Florida water and sewer utility ratings remained unchanged from the prior cycle. The few that were changed showed primarily positive rating actions. The average Florida water and sewer utility rating continues to be ‘AA’ and based on the mostly stable rating outlooks assigned to each, credit quality is expected to remain high for the foreseeable future. As of May 15, 2015, approximately 70 percent of all Fitch-rated retail systems in Florida are rated within the ‘AA’ category or higher, with seven rated ‘AAA.’ A total of 17 utilities are rated in the ‘A’ category, and similar to 2014, only one utility in Florida is rated in the ‘BBB’ category. General credit observations that support rating stability for Florida utilities include a monopolistic operating environment, very strong financial performance, and generally affordable debt levels. Most systems also demonstrate proactive, flexible, and unregulated rate settings that are largely free of political interference, have sound operating profiles, and offer sufficient in-

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

termediate water supply and treatment capacity. Credit concerns are limited to capital pressures from ongoing system upkeep and renewal, longer-term anticipated customer growth, increasing water supply and diversification mandates, and actual and potential future regulatory influences. However, Fitch expects the average rating for Florida water and sewer systems to remain ‘AA’ despite these challenges. From Jan. 1, 2014, through May 15, 2015, Fitch took 62 rating actions with 52 existing ratings affirmed (84 percent). An additional five rating actions resulted in single-notch upgrades; two more were affirmations with outlooks revised to positive from stable, and similar to the previous year, only one rating was downgraded. The remainder consisted of the assignment of new ratings for issuers not previously rated by Fitch. Along with the preponderance of rating affirmations, rating stability is further evidenced by the amount of stable rating outlooks maintained by Fitch. In total, 60 issuers (or 97 percent of the Florida portfolio) maintain stable rating outlooks, indicating that rating changes are very unlikely for the vast majority of issuers over the next two years. Of the five rating upgrades since early 2014, the utility system revenue bond ratings for the city of Tampa and the Collier County Water and Sewer District were upgraded to ‘AAA.’ The bonds for Sarasota County and Clay County Utility Authority were upgraded one notch to ‘AA+’ and Panama City Beach’s bonds were upgraded from an ‘AA-‘ to ‘AA.’ Fitch assigned a positive outlook to the city of North Miami Beach’s ‘A+’ utility revenue bonds and to the ‘AA-’ rating for the city of West Palm Beach. Recurring themes with each of these rating actions included sustained strength in financial performance and low and/or improving debt profiles. For the ‘AAA’ credits, Fitch also cited full-cost recovery of service, including full funding of the CIPs from existing user charges and abundant water supply and infrastructure capacity. Fiscal 2014 financial performance for most Florida utilities remained stable (at or near fiscal 2013 levels) and were categorized by strong liquidity and debt service coverage (DSC), as well as greater free cash flow (FCF). A major near-term driver of most CIPs discussed with Fitch during 2014 is the need to invest in the R&R of existing infrastructure. Regulatory-driven capital spending, particularly surrounding effluent quality standards, remains a capital driver as well. Total median debt outstanding has declined for a third straight year. Growth in FCF and cash reserves provides resources for stable capital investment. However, while debt metrics are moderating, Fitch has observed a rise in the median average age of plant and other metrics that point to potential deferred maintenance.

Rate Pressures Continue to Build Rates have been on a steady higher march as utilities have adjusted to lower consumption trends and modest customer growth over the past several years. Most issuers take a measured approach to rate setting, adjusting charges as part of the annual budget cycle. Nevertheless, the average monthly residential bill for combined service is approaching Fitch’s affordability. Rates are likely to continue rising, heightening the potential for increased political pressure in the rate-making process.

System Maintenance Drives Capital Planning Efforts Principal credit considerations from a capital investment standpoint remain consistent with Fitch’s prior peer review, with only a couple of notable changes. The biggest challenge for most utilities statewide remains R&R of the existing and aging infrastructure, and Fitch has observed varying degrees of capital reinvestment across its rated credits. As population levels have stabilized or returned to positive rates of growth over the past few years, many utilities have begun prioritizing system upkeep and renewal. Fitch assesses the adequacy of system reinvestment through both quantitative metrics and discussions with utility managers. Two key ratios generated by audited financial data include capital spending relative to annual depreciation and the average “age of plant.” Annual capital spending to depreciation of 100 percent or more indicates a utility is spending at least as much on infrastructure renewal as annually depreciating assets. Median capital spending to depreciation rose in fiscal 2014 to 95 percent, which is solid, but the median ratio has been below 100 percent in each of the past four fiscal years, indicating that deferred maintenance may be building in some Florida utilities. After a rise in debt to finance expanding capital bases during the housing boom, the debt profile for Florida water and sewer utilities over the past few years has moderated. The median total amount of debt outstanding declined for a third straight year, leading to lower median total debt to equity and lower annual debt service expense in fiscal 2014; most other debt metrics have leveled. In Florida, the median total debt to net fixed assets has hovered near 50 percent over the past few years, which approximates the national median of 48 percent, and debt per customer declined slightly after plateauing at $1,767 in fiscal 2013. Continud on page 8

Case Study: Converting Quarries Into Reservoirs in South Florida Several water utilities in southeast Florida are working together to develop long-term regional water supply options. The cities of Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Plantation, and Hollywood, and Palm Beach and Broward counties, are currently discussing the potential for creating the C-51 Reservoir, which is named for its connection to the C-51 drainage canal, to capture stormwater that is currently lost to the Lake Worth Lagoon estuary. Concurrently, a local mining company, Palm Beach Aggregates (PBA) LLC, is concluding operations on a quarry that occupies 2,200 acres of the PBA property, or the equivalent of 61,000 acre-ft of water. The simultaneous search for long-term water supply storage and the available quarry space have resulted in discussions suggesting converting the empty quarry into a large reservoir. It is estimated that the reservoir can meet the future regional raw water demands for the next 50 years. The initial phase could hold approximately 16,000 acre-ft and supply 35 mgd of raw water, to be utilized mainly during the drier winter months, and the second phase could add an additional 45,000 acre-ft of water storage. Added benefits of the C-51 Reservoir are that the diversion of stormwater is expected to eliminate excess freshwater discharges to the brackish Lake Worth Lagoon and result in water quality improvement. The reservoir would also serve to assist with flood control and Everglades restoration efforts by reducing groundwater withdrawal. Another example is the Loxahatchee Reservoir (L-8), located in Palm Beach County in a former rock quarry. Completed in 2008, the reservoir stores excess stormwater that is used for potable water supply, and cooling of a Florida Power and Light facility. The L-8 has 15 bil gal of water storage, and construction of a pump station to better manage inflows and outflows is currently underway. (source: Palm Beach Aggregates LLC, http://www.palmbeachag.com/c-51reservoir.html. Accessed 5/20/15)

Florida Water Resources Journal • August 2015

Continued from page 7

Metrics Stable Financial metrics were generally stable in fiscal 2014, with median operating margins in Florida again exceeding a healthy 40 percent (national median is 41 percent). An almost 6 percent rise in operating revenues that was supported by rate increases and increased customer growth was enough to offset a sizable rise in operations and maintenance expenses, leading to improved net revenues and the resulting strong DSC levels. Me-

dian senior lien DSC from all revenues totaled 2.6x. Coverage of all debt service (all-in), which typically includes low-interest state revolving fund (SRF) loans with a subordinate lien on revenues, was 2.2x, and when excluding nonrecurring impact fees, was still solid at 2.1x. These numbers continued a positive four-year trend of all-in coverage exceeding 2.0x and represent results that are similar on a national scale. The strong results in Florida are also evidenced by an increase in the median days cash on hand (DCOH) and improved FCF, both key liquidity metrics. The DCOH improved to a very robust 510 days in fiscal 2014, marking a

fifth consecutive year of annual increases in this metric, and an overall 37 percent rise in liquidity since fiscal 2010. In addition, Florida systems exhibited significant resources to meet current liabilities, with a median quick ratio of 4.9 in fiscal 2014. Fitch observes that Florida utilities displayed capital improvement plans with greater financial cushions than their national counterparts; national median DCOH and quick ratios equaled 432 and 3.2, respectively, in 2014. Free cash relative to depreciation, a key measure of a utility’s ability to meet annual fixed costs (i.e., operating and maintenance expenses, annual debt service, and transfers out) and routine system repair and upkeep from recurring revenues, has improved. Free cash, which totaled just 62 percent of depreciation in fiscal 2010, improved to 101 percent in fiscal 2014, surpassing for the second consecutive year the 100 percent threshold Fitch typically associates with well-run systems that cover the full cost of operations and routine system maintenance from rate revenues. In addition, capital expense increased marginally, with Florida utilities spending 95 percent of annual depreciation on infrastructure improvements in fiscal 2014.

Rate Affordability a Longer-Term Concern Municipally owned retail water and sewer utility systems in Florida have independent ratesetting authority, typically subject only to approval by a majority of the system’s elected governing board or commission. The majority of Florida utilities include both volumetric and fixed components in their rate structures. Fixed charges help smooth potential revenue variability that can arise due to changes in weather, economic conditions, and the impact of general price elasticity. In Florida, WMDs have required volumetric charges to increase with greater consumption amounts, successfully resulting in increased water conservation. This approach has successfully met conservation goals as intended; however, in many cases it has also led to variable or declining operating revenues. Most utilities adopt and implement modest, multiyear rate increases, either directly or indirectly pegged to the rate of inflation. The median rate increase for combined service in Florida was a manageable 2 percent in fiscal 2014. The average residential customer paid approximately $72 per month for combined service in fiscal 2014, a marginal increase over the prior year, but this is a 13 percent increase in rates since fiscal 2010. At this level, the average bill comprises nearly 2 percent of median household income (MHI), and generally approximates Fitch’s affordability benchmark at which monthly costs for utility service may begin to impose a financial hardship on rate payers.

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

C FACTOR

Management 101: What Every New Leader Needs to Know Thomas King President, FWPCOA

t some point in every person’s career, he or she is challenged with the option of pursuing a management position. The question is simple: to apply or not to apply. The answer, however, is never as easy as the question. There are many aspects of management that are not easy to see when you first take the plunge into the world of “getting things done through others.” What kind of person you are has a dynamic effect on what kind of supervisor you will become. Taking a leadership position over people you have worked with for years (and maybe even socialized with) can be both challenging, and sometimes, if not handled properly, volatile. You have to put away any prejudice you have over an incident with one or more of the group and take the role assigned you to lead them. You can’t put a person on grease trap inspection duty because they once stole your lunch; you save that honor for the person who refuses to leave home a little early and is late twice a week because traffic was bad. In every company or utility (or association) there are those who pull the wagon and those who ride on it; you will learn very quickly who they are, and hopefully, how to manage them. You will come to realize that “you load the mules and let the race horses run.” There are people who are so good at their jobs that, with only minimal guidance, they make you look like a great leader. There will also be those whose mission is to have an effortless day (they would be the mules). To put it simply, you give them as many menial tasks as you can and measure them closely. If you are accused of playing favorites, you are, but you are also rewarding good behavior and punishing bad habits. Job assignment is the last great frontier of supervision. Remember: If there are more people riding on the wagon than pulling, it will not

move. Many of us have worked for utilities that get top heavy and have management teams that believe the boat will go faster if there are more people to yell “Row!” If you get to an influential position (I’m not sure what level that is) minimize the supervision and nonwrench turners to what is truly needed. Seek your own management style and find the one that fits your personality and the job to be accomplished. There’s a place for autocratic leadership and that is during an emergency or crisis when everyone has to listen carefully. Even during those times, you have to listen to the responses and ask if everyone understands their tasks. Not everyone will like you and not everyone will hate you (although I have seen this as a close toss-up). If you make consistent calls and treat everyone with respect, you tend to move through the learning curve at a good pace. If you feel like you are swimming upstream, turn around! There’s a question you need to ask yourself: Am I willing to put in the time and effort to know what is required to do the job? This question is not answered once, but maybe a thousand times during your new journey. There will be new procedures, new company policies, and new regulations that require you to be the constant student. The amount of time required to be a good supervisor is similar to that of being a subject matter expert and instructor. Do you remember how many meetings you have attended on new processes that end with, “If you have questions on how this affects your job, see your supervisor.” I spend a lot of time looking around in these meetings at supervisors with that “Who, me?” look. If you are in it for the “honor and glory,” join the Army. If you are in it for the money, divide the hours you put in and have a drink handy. Next is the responsibility for the safety of others. This is a big one, and if you are lazy at the management role or you would rather not confront a person for not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), it will hurt you. Lead by example and always wear the proper PPE when inspecting a job site. We have all seen the supervisor who walks up on a crew in PPE and starts a conversation while wearing a suit—and I don’t mean one with a big red “S” on the front. The expectation that everyone

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

wears the proper PPE is standard in the utility industry, so enforce it. A great philosopher, Alfred E. Neuman, once said, “What, me worry?” (If you’re not old enough to remember him, look him up.) The answer to his question is, “Yes.” When conducting tailgate meetings, it’s always “safety first.” Communication is truly the key to good leadership. I have never seen a course called “bossmanship” but I have met many who I believe took it. We have to care to be a good supervisor. As a young supervisor, you gain great respect by listening to the crew, by asking about their families, and by visiting sick employees in the hospital. Think of the effect of a new policy on your team members and their families and deliver the news properly without being cavalier. Of all people, I understand the value of humor in communication, but I will be the first to admit that “some crap ain’t funny.” I have heard people refer to someone as a born leader. I don’t think this is completely true, but I do think that people can be taught or learn the art of communication somewhere along the way. I have seen people learn better communication skills at every age and some that just could not get there. In the world of supervision there are a lot of grey areas (maybe fifty or so). You don’t have to like the people you work with to be a good supervisor, but it helps if you do. If you find yourself disliking someone, spend some time figuring out why and you will usually find out something missing in your approach. If you continue to struggle with communication and the challenges of supervision, you may want to consider a career in engineering.

Operators: Take the CEU Challenge! Earn CEUs by answering questions from previous Journal issues!

___________________________________________ SUBSCRIBER NAME (please print)

Contact FWPCOA at membership@fwpcoa.org or at 561-840-0340. Articles from past issues can be viewed on the Journal website, www.fwrj.com.

Article 1 ________________________________________ LICENSE NUMBER for Which CEUs Should Be Awarded

Members of the Florida Water & Pollution Control Association (FWPCOA) may earn continuing education units through the CEU Challenge! Answer the questions published on this page, based on the technical articles in this month’s issue. Circle the letter of each correct answer. There is only one correct answer to each question! Answer 80 percent of the questions on any article correctly to earn 0.1 CEU for your license. Retests are available. This month’s editorial theme is Disinfection and Water Quality. 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, FL 33420-3119. Enclose $15 for each set of questions you choose to answer (make checks payable to FWPCOA). You MUST be an FWPCOA member before you can submit your answers!

Sequential Chlorination and Chloramination Brett Goodman, Paul Davis, Kayla Lockuff, Thomas Friedrich, Steven A. Yeats, and Guanghui Hua (Article 1: CEU = 0.1 WW)

1. Which of the following was selected as the ammonia source for this application? a. Anhydrous ammonia b. Ammonium hydroxide c. Ammonium sulfate d. Ammonium chloride 2. Of the studies completed prior to the one described in this article, __________ reduced haloacetic acids (HAA5) but created unacceptable turbidity. a. covering the chlorine contact basins and reducing chlorine dosage b. peracetic acid in lieu of chlorine c. application of alum and polyaluminum chloride d. ozone and ultraviolet light 3. Bench scale and three-month pilot studies at this facility confirmed that sequential chlorination with a total contact time of ______ minutes is required to completely inactivate fecal and total coliform. a. five b. nine c. fifteen d. 100 4. Which of the following ratios of chlorine to ammonia is least likely to yield stable monochloramine? a. 3:1 b. 4:1 c. 5:1 d. 6:1 5. During the years 2010-2014, which of the following regulatory effluent standards was the facility failing to meet consistently? a. Total trihalomethanes b. Chlorate c. Haloacetic acids d. 75 percent nondetectable fecal coliform counts

Article 2 ________________________________________ LICENSE NUMBER for Which CEUs Should Be Awarded

If paying by credit card, fax to (561) 625-4858 providing the following information: ___________________________________________ (Credit Card Number)

___________________________________________ (Expiration Date)

1. Which of the following participating brackish groundwatersupplied systems does not treat with corrosion inhibitor? a. Charlotte County b. Sarasota County c. Desoto County d. City of North Port 2. Systems with secondary chloramine disinfectants can inhibit nitrification by a. maintaining pH below 8.0. b. forming dichloramines. c. adding phosphates. d. maintaining total residual chlorine greater than 2.0 mg/L. 3. When corrosion inhibitors are added, divalent __________ reacts with orthophosphate to form a passivating film on pipe interior. a. lead b. copper c. calcium d. magnesium 4. ___________ a finished water calcium carbonate precipitation potential range between 4 and 10 mg/l as CaCO3. a. Local public health regulations require b. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends c. American Water Works Association Manuals of Practice suggest d. The American Society of Civil Engineers recommends 5. During the years 2010-2014, which of the following suppliers consistently maintained a positive finished-water calcium carbonate precipitation potential (CCPP)? a. North Port b. Carlton c. Venice Gardens d. University Florida Water Resources Journal • August 2015

F W R J

Sequential Chlorination and Chloramination: Cost-Effective Disinfection Methods for Reclaimed Water Aquifer Recharge Brett Goodman, Paul Davis, Kayla Lockcuff, Thomas Friedrich, Steven Yeats, and Guanghui Hua he Kanapaha Water Reclamation Facility (KWRF) is a 14.9-mil-gal-per-day (mgd) annual-average-daily-flow (AADF) advanced domestic wastewater treatment facility located in Gainesville, and is owned and operated by Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU). Major treatment processes of the KWRF include pretreatment, a Modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE), and Eimco DenitIR® carrousel-activated sludge for nitrogen removal, clarification, deep-bed filtration, and high-level disinfection. The GRU is permitted to beneficially recharge 10-mgd AADF into the Lower Floridan aquifer when the effluent meets primary and secondary drinking water standards. Reclaimed water from the KWRF is used for irrigation at residences, commercial areas, parks, and golf courses, as well as for aesthetic water features and wetland demonstration projects. Meeting the disinfection byproducts (DBPs) standards for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acids (HAA5) presented significant challenges at the KWRF,

which used sodium hypochlorite for freechlorine, high-level disinfection. Free chlorine reacts with organic matter in secondary or tertiary effluents to produce TTHMs and HAA5. The KWRF operating permit requires the effluent to meet 75 percent nondetectable fecal coliform counts and annual average effluent concentrations of 80 µg/L TTHMs and 60 µg/L HAA5. Figures 1 and 2 show that the KWRF final effluent consistently met the 80 µg/L TTHM limit, but did not consistently meet the 60 µg/L HAA5 limit using the freechlorine disinfection method. The GRU investigated a number of alternative disinfection methods and completed several studies to reduce HAA5, including covering the chlorine contact basins (CCBs) to reduce ultraviolet (UV) degradation and lower chlorine feed rates, peracetic acid addition in lieu of chlorine addition, and DBPs precursors removal using alum and polyaluminum chloride/polymer before filtration. The polyaluminum chloride study showed reduced HAA5

Brett Goodman, P.E., ENV SP, is water reclamation facilities and lift stations director, Paul Davis, P.E., is engineer IV, and Kayla Lockcuff, EIT, is an engineer intern at Gainesville Regional Utilities. Thomas W. Friedrich, P.E., BCEE is vice president for client services, and Steven A. Yeats, P.E., is chief engineer with Jones Edmunds & Associates Inc. in Gainesville. Guanghui Hua, Ph.D., P.E., is assistant professor at South Dakota State University in Brookings.

formation, but created unacceptable effluent turbidity levels. An ozone system, followed by an UV system, could reliably meet the strict KWRF effluent DBPs and disinfection limits, but these two systems required a large capital expenditure and a significant increase in the annual operations and maintenance (O&M) costs. Jones Edmunds proposed the sequential chlorination and chloramination disinfection methods to control DBP formation, meet the fecal coliform requirements, and significantly reduce capital, operation, and maintenance costs at the KWRF.

Sequential Chlorination Disinfection

Figure 1. Effluent Total Trihalomethane Concentrations, 2010-2014

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

As Figure 3 shows, sequential chlorination disinfection involves free chlorination, followed by chloramination. A sequential chlorination system allowed substantial capital and O&M cost savings by using the existing chlorine contact basin and chlorine storage and feed system. This disinfection method only required the addition of an ammonia storage and feed system. Chloramine disinfection processes generally form much fewer TTHMs and HAA5 than free chlorine (Hua and Reckhow, 2008). Chloramine disinfection, commonly referred to as chloramination, has been identified as a cost-effective technology to reduce waste-

water DBP formation (Bober, 2007; Brandes et al, 2008; Erdal et al, 2008; Hua and Yeats, 2010; Maguin et al, 2009). Chloramines are weaker disinfectants than free chlorine; however, chloramines are more stable than free chlorine and will provide a longer-lasting disinfectant residual. Many full-scale studies have shown that chloramination is an effective method to disinfect treated domestic wastewater (Erdal et al, 2008; Maguin et al, 2009). Wastewater chloramination may produce some emerging byproducts, such as NNitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and cyanogens. As a result, sequential chlorination disinfection was developed to reduce NDMA formation in wastewater. Sequential chlorination is a two-step process and consists of a free-chlorine disinfection step, followed by a chloramination step. In the first step, free chlorine is added to a fully nitrified effluent to inactivate pathogens and oxidize inorganic and organic compounds. Ammonia is added in the second step to form chloramines, which stops the formation of DBPs and provides chloramine disinfection. Full-scale applications of sequential chlorination have shown Continud on page 14

Figure 2. Effluent Haloacetic Acids Concentrations, 2010-2014

Florida Water Resources Journal â&#x20AC;˘ August 2015

Figure 3. Sequential Chlorination Disinfection

Continued from page 13 that the prechlorination step can effectively oxidize precursors for some nitrogenous DBPs, such as NDMA and cyanogens (Maguin et al, 2009). Full-scale studies have shown that sequential chlorination exhibits excellent inactivation of coliform bacteria and viruses in filtered wastewater (Maguin et al, 2009). Full-scale implementations of chloramination and sequential chlorination disinfection at wastewater treatment plants owned and operated by the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, Calif.; the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority, Bridgewater, N.J.; and the Mountain View Wastewater Treatment Facility, Wayne Township, N.J., have shown that these alternative chlorine disinfection methods effectively achieve high levels of disinfection (low fecal coliform counts) and low DBP limits.

Pilot Study Table 1. Chemical Properties of Ammonium

Jones Edmunds performed a bench scale and a three-month pilot study at the KWRF to evaluate the performance of the sequential chlorination and chloramination disinfection methods (Hua et al, 2010). The results of the pilot studies showed that sequential chlorination with a short free-chlorine contact time (0.5 to 9 minutes) and a total contact time of 100 minutes of completely inactivated fecal and total coliforms. The average TTHM concentrations of the pilot-scale tests ranged from 5 to 40 µg/L, and the average HAA5 concentrations ranged from 12 to 37 µg/L. The TTHM and HAA5 pilot results were well below the compliance limits of 80 and 60 µg/L, respectively. Based on the results of the pilot testing, GRU retained Jones Edmunds to design the sequential chlorination and chloramination improvements at KWRF.

Ammonia Source Selection

Figure 4. Kanapaha Water Reclamation Facility Disinfection System Improvements Schematic

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

The sequential chlorination and chloramination systems required the construction of a new ammonia storage and feed system. Commercially available forms of ammonia include anhydrous ammonia, ammonium hydroxide, and ammonium sulfate. The GRU evaluated the three ammonia sources and decided to use ammonium sulfate as the ammonia source. Although ammonium sulfate is typically more expensive than other ammonia sources, GRU selected ammonium sulfate based on the following operational advantages: Reduced safety concerns and risk for operators and the community Reduced O&M

Self-contained breathing apparatus not required Class A spill response suits/personnel not required Maintenance of ammonia sensors (sensors not needed) Nonscale forming at points of addition Odorless and nonvolatile (minimal offgassing) Stable and easy to handle Less hazardous if contacted Has less expensive storage facilities and does not require stainless steel pressurized storage tanks, ammonia off-gas sensors, air-conditioned storage building with scrubbers, and stainless steel/corrosion resistant piping/pumps as required by the other ammonia sources. Figure 5. Sequential Chlorination Disinfection Process

Table 1 presents the typical chemical properties of ammonium sulfate solution (40 percent) supplied to the KWRF by Dumont in Oviedo.

Implementation Jones Edmunds designed the disinfection system improvements to have the flexibility of operating in three modes: (1) free chlorination, (2) sequential chlorination, and (3) chloramination. The disinfection system improvements included the following: Ammonia storage and feed buildings Ammonia and sodium hypochlorite feed piping and chemical diversion station Chemical injection vaults and injection points Ammonia and chlorine analyzers and building Plant supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system additions and modifications

Figure 4 is a schematic showing the improvements to the disinfection system. Sequential Chlorination Mode In the sequential chlorination mode, the existing sodium hypochlorite feed system will add free chlorine to the filtered effluent at the new chemical injection vault immediately downstream of the postfilter basin (filter clearwell). The new ammonium sulfate feed system will add ammonia to the chlorinated effluent at the existing meter vault downstream of the postfilter basin. Free-chlorine residual will be continuously monitored at the point upstream of the ammonia addition. Figure 5 is a basic schematic of the sequential chlorination process. The ammonium sulfate dosage is based on the flow, chlorine residual, and the design chlorine-to-ammonia ratio (refer to Table 2). Figure 6 shows that if the Cl2-to-NH3-N ratio is kept in the 3:1 to 5:1 range, the desired sta-

Table 2. Sequential Chlorination Operating Mode

ble monochloramine (NH2Cl) is formed. The primary benefits for the initial free chlorination step in the sequential chlorination mode are greater disinfection efficiency (greater initial pathogen kill) and color removal by quick oxidation reactions. The primary benefits of the chloramination step following free chlorination are reduced DBPs formation, effective disinfection, and a longer-lasting total chlorine residual. Chloramination Mode In the chloramination disinfection mode, an ammonia analyzer at the postfilter basin continuously monitors the ammonia concentration in the filter effluent. The ammonium sulfate feed system adds ammonia to the new chemical injection vault immediately downstream of the postfilter basin, as shown in Figure 7. The sodium hypochlorite feed system adds chlorine in response to the measured Continud on page 16

Figure 6. Theoretical Breakpoint Curve

Florida Water Resources Journal â&#x20AC;˘ August 2015

Continued from page 15 ammonia at the meter vault downstream of the ammonia addition point. The chlorine dosage will be based on the flow, ammonia concentration, and target chlorine-toammonia mass ratio. Operators control the modes of disinfection (free, sequential, chloramination) through the KWRF’s SCADA system. The operators set chemical dosages, alternate chemical feed pump operations, and meter chemical usage at the operations center control room.

Results Figure 7. Chloramination Disinfection Process

Figure 8. Trihalomethane Final Effluent Concentrations During Startup, Testing, and to the Present

Figure 9. Haloacetic Acids Final Effluent Concentrations During Startup, Testing, and to the Present

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

The GRU required a 60-day reliability and performance acceptance testing period at the conclusion of the construction of the system to verify that consistent operations and a compliant effluent were achieved. After the system was tested and accepted, and system training was completed, GRU’s KWRF operating staff fine-tuned the controls and set points, and improved the performance of the system in free chlorination, chloramination, and sequential chlorination disinfection modes. Figures 8 and 9 show the system’s ability to meet the DBP standards for the three modes of operation. Samples were sent to two certified laboratories to verify the effectiveness of the new disinfection system. Both sequential chlorination and chloramination disinfection modes have been demonstrated to be very effective at reducing final effluent TTHM and HAA5 concentrations below the regulatory limits of 80 µg/L and 60 µg/L, respectively, and meet all fecal coliform disinfection requirements.

Conclusion The KWRF has been in full compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 since the completion and testing of the full-scale sequential chlorination and chloramination systems in July 2014. Implementation of the sequential chlorination and chloramination systems avoided a complex transition to an alternative disinfection system. These systems have saved GRU an estimated $8.5 million in new capital expenditures by avoiding a more complex UV and ozone disinfection system. The final design and construction cost of the sequential chlorination and chloramination systems was $2.5 million, and the ammonium sulfate chemical cost is estimated to be about $80,000 per year (FY2015). Future efforts at the KWRF will evaluate the potential chemical cost savings associated with operating in chloramination disinfection mode by optimizing chlorine and ammonia feed and control sys-

tems and using a partially nitrified filter effluent as an ammonia source.

Acknowlegments The authors gratefully acknowledge GRU’s KWRF laboratory, operation, and maintenance staff for their invaluable assistance throughout this project, beginning with the initial benchscale and pilot studies and through design, construction, and start-up of the chloramination and sequential chlorination systems.

References • Bober, P.S. (2007). “Control of Trihalomethanes (THMs) in Wastewater.” Wayne Township, N.J. • Brandes, J.L., Matteson, H.S., and Petrauski, G.D. (2008). “Alternative Chloramination Isn’t Just for Water Treatment Anymore.” Water Environment & Technology, August, 79-81. • CH2MHILL (2006). “Kanapaha WRF Disinfection Study 2006,” prepared for Gainesville Regional Utilities, December. • Erdal, U.G., Chaney, K., Ganesan, S., and Daigger, G.T. (2008). “Full-Scale Evaluation of THMs Formation and Minimization of THMs via Chloramination.” WEFTEC 2008, 1850-1859. • Hua, G.; Reckhow, D.A. (2008). “DBP Formation During Chlorination and Chloramination: Effect of Reaction Time, pH, Dosage, and Temperature.” Journal American Water Works Association, 8, 82-95. • Hua, G.; Yeats, S.A. (2010). “Control of Trihalomethanes in Wastewater Treatment.” Florida Water Resources Journal, April, 6-12. • Hua, G, Goodman, B., Yeats, S., Sealey, K., Davis, P, and Cunningham, A. “Sequential Chlorination-to-Control Disinfection Byproduct Formation to Meet Stringent Disinfection Requirements at the Kanapaha Water Reclamation Facility in Gainesville.” Florida Water Resources Conference, April 2010. • Jones Edmunds (2010). “KWRF Sequential Chlorination Bench Study,” prepared for Gainesville Regional Utilities, February. • Maguin, S.R., Friess, P.L., Huitric S.J., Tang, C.C., Kuo, J., and Munakata, N. (2009). “Sequential Chlorination: A New Approach for Disinfection of Recycled Water.” Environmental Engineer: Applied Research and Practice, Fall 1-10. • York, D.W., Walker-Coleman, L., Williams, L., Menendez, P. (2003). “Monitoring for Protozoan Pathogens in Reclaimed Water: Florida’s Requirements and Experience.” Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Florida Water Resources Journal • August 2015

FSAWWA SPEAKING OUT

AWWA, the Florida Section, and the Water Industry Lose Two Great Men Mark Lehigh Chair, FSAWWA ver a two-day span in early June of this year, the water industry lost two colleagues, leaders, mentors, and friends. Dr. J. Edward (Ed) Singley passed away on June 7 at Shands Hospital in Gainesville after a stroke, and Marvin Kaden died of a heart attack on June 9 in Shady Hills. Both of these men will be greatly missed by those of us whose lives were made far better by having them as part of it.

Dr. J. Edward Singley Dr. J. Edward Singley was a rare individual, serving for over 60 years as an inspiring teacher, gifted researcher, and successful consultant. He achieved worldwide recognition for advancing the science and practice of water treatment. In 1967, Dr. Singley joined the faculty of the University of Florida's environmental engineering department and developed a research program focusing on coagulation and softening chemistry. He was prominent in refining treatment processes that are used to this

day in scores of lime softening treatment plants throughout Florida. While scholarly, his research always had practical applications for engineers and operators. Dr. Singley also contributed significantly to the understanding of corrosion in water pipes, and he was instrumental in developing corrosion control techniques that are widely used by water operators around the world. In the late 1970s, new regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act required that all water plants in the United States minimize trihalomethanes (THMs) and other chlorinated byproducts. “Doc” responded with research in the chemistry of chlorination and its byproducts, chloramination, and in THM-removal technologies, such as activated carbon and air stripping. In addition to Dr. Singley's academic and scientific pursuits, he was a leader in professional associations, such as American Water Works Association (AWWA), National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE), and American Chemical Society (ACS). He not only contributed technically, by chairing AWWA's Coagulation Committee for many years, but also served in many leadership positions, culminating in serving as president of AWWA in 1991-92. Dr. Singley's consulting work took him all over the world. In keeping with his practical bent, he spent innumerable days and weeks in

water treatment plants evaluating treatment systems and optimizing water quality. In fact, perhaps his most important contribution as a consultant was in the on-site training of engineers and operators on how to get the most out of their facilities. In the early days of the University of Florida Training, Research, and Education for Environmental Occupations (TREEO) Center, Dr. Singley was one of the first directors because of his close ties to the water industry (through the Florida Water and Pollution Control Operators Association, as well as FSAWWA) and his passion for training water professionals in Florida. He touched and guided generations of professionals throughout the water industry. Those of us who were privileged to have worked closely with him during our careers can attest to the importance of the knowledge that he has imparted to us. What we value most highly, however, has been his friendship, kindness, and everlasting support. I want to pass on a personal note from FSAWWA member and former Region XI chair, Jennifer McEIroy: “I met Dr. Singley when he was in his late 70’s and I was working at my first engineering job out of school. It was one of my first “real” projects and I was asked to call in ‘the expert’ for some water quality advice. Of course I was a little intimi-

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

dated to meet such an authority in our field, but as soon as I laid eyes on Ed, I knew he was more than just that. We quickly bonded over the Florida Gators and our passion for environmental engineering. He instantly became a mentor figure and a friend. I feel so honored that I was the young engineer assigned to meet with him that day and I truly treasure knowing and working with him for more than 10 years. I have heard him called the ‘father of water chemistry,’ and the man who brought together science, engineering, and the environment. Those who knew him would whole heartedly agree that he was a man of wisdom, kindness, and humility, and absolutely a joy to be around.”

Marvin Kaden As a long-time FSAWWA member and active volunteer, Marvin played a significant role in the growth of the Florida Section over the past 10 years; specifically, the development of the FSAWWA Operators and Maintenance Council, the Operators Scholarship, and the $25 operator membership. These programs, created under Marvin’s leadership, turned FSAWWA’s attention toward the vital role that water treatment plant and system operators play in the protection of safe and reliable drinking water. Marvin’s passion for education, and the recognition of an untapped source for future employees, led him to facilitate FSAWWA’s relationship with Heritage High School in the City

of Palm Bay on the state’s east coast. The school’s Academy of Environmental Water Technology focuses on a level C water operator prelicensure course of study for high school students leading to graduation, including taking and passing the Florida Department of Environmental Protection class C water exam. In 2011, Marvin was presented with the Allen B. Roberts Jr. Award for providing valuable leadership and service to the drinking water industry. The man the award is named for worked diligently as the section’s executive director. Marvin retired from Pasco County as utilities water operations manager and was instrumental in developing the majority of its rapidly growing water system. After retirement, Marvin worked as a senior water quality specialist for Gannett Fleming in Tampa, and was responsible for overseeing regulatory compliance, developing pilot tests, providing and performing preliminary and process designs, and assisting with the optimization of water plant start-ups. With more than 33 years of experience, Marvin was highly skilled in drinking water treatment operations, problem solving, and facility maintenance management. Marvin was a dual-licensed class B water and class C wastewater operator and held an associate of applied science in business management from Nassau Community College in New York. Marvin was also an active member of the Florida Rural Water Association, Southeast Desalting Association, Florida Water and Pollution Control Operators Association, and Florida Water Environment Association. He enjoyed raising large dogs, a good laugh, playing a tough game of golf with friends, and wagering at the casinos, regularly coming home with more cash than he took with him. The following is a personal note from FSAWWA Operators and Maintenance Council chair and close friend, Steve Soltau:

“Marvin was more than a coworker and peer; he was my friend. I first met him 29 years ago when I was hired as an entry-level water plant operator with Pasco County Utilities. Marvin took me under his wing, introduced me to the business of drinking water treatment, and we stayed good friends over the years. Much of Marvin’s passion for success has rubbed off onto me. He had the ability to make you feel good about yourself. Marvin would light up a room with a joke or a ‘Marvinism’ and would always take the time to look you in the eye, smile, and say, ‘How ya doing, man?” Both of these men were instrumental in the growth of our industry through their leadership, inspiration, and passion. They will surely be missed, but never forgotten.

Florida Water Resources Journal • August 2015

Certification Boulevard

Roy Pelletier 1. What are typical nitrogen permit limitations for reuse water applications? A. 1 to 2 mg/L total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and 25 mg/L nitrate (NO3) B. 10 to 12 mg/L TKN and 20 mg/L NO3 C. 8 to 12 mg/L NO3 or total nitrogen (TN) D. 1 mg/L NO3 2. What is a typical permit requirement for carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD5) of reuse water as it leaves a water reclamation facility in Florida? A. B. C. D.

No greater than 1.0 to 2.0 mg/L No greater than 10.0 to 15.0 mg/L No greater than 5.0 to 10.0 mg/L No greater than 20.0 to 30.0 mg/L

3. What type of solids cannot be removed with conventional effluent filtration? A. Settleable C. Total

B. Suspended D. Dissolved

4. What will a pressure gauge read on the suction of a reuse water pump if the pump is located at floor elevation of a storage tank and the tank has a static water level of 30 ft? A. B. C. D.

About 30.0 pounds per sq in. (psi) About 21.6 psi About 13.0 psi About 15.9 psi

5. What is a typical permit requirement for total chlorine residual of reuse water that is applied to a reuse water service area? A. No greater than 1.0 mg/L total

Test Your Knowledge of Conservation and Reuse chlorine residual B. No less than 1.0 mg/L total chlorine residual C. No greater than 1.0 mg/L free chlorine residual D. No less than 0.1 mg/L total chlorine residual 6. What is a typical permit requirement for total chlorine residual of effluent applied to an open body of water, other than the ocean? A. No greater than 0.01 mg/L total chlorine residual B. No less than 0.5 mg/L total chlorine residual C. No greater than 1.0 mg/L free chlorine residual D. No less than 0.1 mg/L total chlorine residual 7. Given the following information, does this reuse water satisfy the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) requirements for fecal coliform standards? • 75 percent of the sample is below the detection limits per 100 mL of sample. • The highest single sample was 50 per 100 mL of sample. A. Yes, this meets typical requirements for reuse water fecal coliform. B. No, this fails to meet typical requirements for reuse water fecal coliform. 8. Given the following data, what is the total suspended solids (TSS) concentration of a reuse grab sample: • 100 ml of sample • Tare weight of filter is 11.8873 grams

LOOKING FOR ANSWERS?

Check the Archives Are you new to the water and wastewater field? Want to boost your knowledge about topics youʼll face each day as a water/wastewater professional? All past editions of Certification Boulevard through 2000 are available on the Florida Water Environment Associationʼs website at www.fwea.org. Click the “Site Map” button on the home page, then scroll down to the Certification Boulevard Archives, located below the Operations Research Committee.

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

• Final weight of filter after drying is 11.8877 grams A. 10 mg/L C. 2 mg/L

B. 4 mg/L D. 8 mg/L

9. Given the following data, how much rainwater will enter this open storage pond? • Rainfall is 4.7 in. • The storage pond is 225 ft long, 75 ft wide, and has a maximum depth of 5 ft A. 126,225 gal C. 336,600 gal

B. 49,438 gal D. 3,506 gal

10. What is the main difference between a conventional activated sludge process and an advanced wastewater treatment process? A. B. C. D.

CBOD5 removal TSS removal Nitrogen and phosphorus removal Metals removal Answers on page 62

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS Readers are welcome to submit questions or exercises on water or wastewater treatment plant operations for publication in Certification Boulevard. Send your question (with the answer) or your exercise (with the solution) by email to: roy.pelletier@cityoforlando.net, or by mail to: Roy Pelletier Wastewater Project Consultant City of Orlando Public Works Department Environmental Services Wastewater Division 5100 L.B. McLeod Road Orlando, FL 32811 407-716-2971

SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY

"Dog Days" of Summer 2015 Doug Prentiss Sr.

hile many dogs will bark at me for using this term, the dog days of summer describes a specific occurrence that happens often in the South. When the temperature is high and the air is humid, with no air movement, a dangerous condition exists because the humidity prevents the sweat on your body from evaporating. Without evaporation, the sweat falls to the ground and does not cool the body. That is what is meant by the dog days of summer: When you sweat, but the liquid on your skin won’t evaporate, you can’t cool down. It’s the evaporation of the sweat on the skin that produces the cooling temperature that cools the body. Without moving air, evaporation doesn’t happen and you overheat. Sometimes simple muscle cramps warn you, but sometimes heat stroke kicks in right away. A worker’s physical condition and extreme weather can make the signs and symptoms unpredictable. My first experience of being “bear caught” was in the bottom of a pit setting sheeting boards, standing in water and sweating profusely, with nowhere to escape the sun. Before I knew what was happening, the entire pit began to move and swirl and the hands of one of my fellow workers caught my fall. He splashed water on my face until I could crawl out of the pit on the escape ladder. I think the term “bear caught” is related to the feeling of losing all control and being pushed around and engulfed by a force stronger than you can resist. Had I fallen face down in the foot of water in the pit I could have easily drowned. When your workers walk out of their homes in the morning and hot air hits them in the face, they know they are in for an unpleasant day. What we need to do is to help them understand that they may also be facing a dangerous day and teach them how to avoid experiencing a heat-related illness.

To keep the dog days from getting your workers down you need to educate them to make good decisions in complicated situations. How do we balance worker health and safety with service to our customers? There is no simple answer, no short solution, and no one piece of equipment to buy. Workers have to understand the facts, know what actions to take, and recognize this as an issue that could affect their health and safety. Our organizations must be smart enough to support and encourage those decisions. For workers in southern states such as Florida, it’s relatively simple to get workers to buy into heat-related safety programs. Dog days can start as early as July and run through the end of October with little relief. In the month of August humidity is almost always high and the sun is hot, but most workers who are aware of the issues have become acclimated to the higher temperatures and adapt to the additional stresses placed on their bodies over time. The same worker acceptance of heat-related illnesses may not be so universally supported in northern states, but in actuality the potential hazard may be worse because a sudden hot spell may not allow for the workers to adjust to the heat. Other support systems, such as air conditioners, may not be normal in areas where cold is the norm. Air-conditioned loaders and heavy equipment are common in southern climates, but they are certainly not a standard item on all construction equipment. Studies done by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have determined that work in hot environments is linked to lower mental alertness and physical performance. Wastewater workers perform many work-related tasks that expose them to serious safety hazards—and in some cases, death—if not performed properly. Workers in hot environments can experience elevated body temperatures and physical discomfort resulting in a reduced level of compliance to safety procedures and practices. In some situations the safety equipment itself may contribute to the heat problems a worker is experiencing. Wearing emergencyresponse equipment, such as a class encapsu-

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

lant suit, is an obvious heat issue, but a disposable sewer suit also allows for a buildup of body heat. Simple safety equipment, such as gloves, goggles, and hard hats, all have some potential to reduce the body's ability to deal with high temperatures. Working in a wet well increases humidity and reduces air movement, and when personal protective equipment (PPE), such as sewer suits, rubber boots, gloves, and an air-line respirator are added, the picture becomes pretty hot and sweaty. In cases of hot work in confined space, the situation becomes even more critical. Employees must be aware of this issue and recognize it as a hazard. Slips and falls have been a major source of lost-time accidents in the wastewater field for years. We all recognize that falls, slips, and trips are related to mental and physical fatigue, but NIOSH has now clearly identified the connection between heat and both mental and physical fatigue. When workers are breathing hot air with sweat running in their eyes, they simply are not going to be as aware as they need to be on our job sites. The primary responsibility employers have to prevent heat-related illnesses and accidents is to educate employees and develop a strategy to assist front-line managers and supervisors to prevent accidents, but still accomplish the needed work. This effort begins with acknowledgment by top-level management of the existence of the issue. It must then be conveyed to the supervisory staff so that operational approaches can be implemented. This is no different than having to work in an exceptionally busy intersection or deep wet well. You identify the special hazards and develop a plan to mitigate them. We may reschedule the work for a better time, just as we would do to accommodate lower traffic flows. We may use a ventilator in a wet well with a good atmosphere just to keep the air moving. There are many tools we can use, but we must educate supervisors and workers to identify heat as a problem that must be included in our work plans. The facts that supervisors and workers must know include air temperature, humidity in the air, sources of radiant heat on the job

site, and wind velocity or air movement. All of these items are needed to identify the risk of heat stress. Local weather stations, TV, or newspapers may provide some of this information, as they have in the past. Today, smartphones put most of this information in the hands of everyone on your staff. Your personal knowledge of the space or area to be worked in provides other important information. In some cases, the best place to be on a hot summer day is at the bottom of a manhole with a nice breeze and shade. It’s the people standing up on the asphalt as your attendants with the sun beating on them and the heat radiating off the asphalt who may be in trouble. The use of measuring devices, such as a wet bulb thermometer, can also provide valuable information in high-hazard situations. Additional factors that are harder to determine are the amounts of physical exertion of each employee, the clothes they are wearing, and their physical condition. All of these are factors that contribute to the evaluation of heat-related risk. The medical community generally agrees that workers who are older, overweight, or taking medications that affect their ability to handle exertion in hot weather are the groups at highest risk. However, anyone at any age can become a victim of heat-related illness or experience an accident contributable to the heat. You can adjust to heat over time, but you can’t train to prevent becoming dehydrated. Maintaining the proper balance of water in your body is the single most important thing we need to practice. Our bodies sweat to bring moisture to the surface of our skin where air movement cools the body. When we are not sweating in high-heat situations, we are in trouble. Workers must be encouraged to drink water before they become thirsty. Water must be made easily available on the job. In addition to promoting the consumption of water, we must also discourage drinks that dehydrate the body, such as soda, coffee, tea, and alcohol. Even many of the sports drinks marketed today may not be suitable for consumption in the workplace. Water is our drink of choice. Another prevention strategy is assignment of workers to lighter workloads or longer rest periods for the first five to seven days of intense heat. The same approach should be applied to workers just back from vacation. (This may not be necessary if they just got back from a week on the beach sporting a nice tan.) Lightweight clothing is also beneficial to help reduce heat problems, and loose fitting clothing will generally allow for more cooling

and airflow around the body. If clothing becomes completely saturated with sweat, workers should change into dry clothes to avoid chaffing the skin, which can start an unpleasant and distracting medical condition usually described as prickly heat. Once this starts during the hot part of the year, it’s hard to get rid of and could result in a lost-time accident. Ventilation is always an important part of this issue. As stated earlier, air movements over the skin are how our bodies cool themselves. The lack of air movement is a concern, but can be supplemented by portable fans or ventilators. Sometimes the simple removal of multiple manhole lids can allow for a significant improvement in air circulation; even response suits can have ventilation added to them if heat is an issue. All the major manufacturers of emergency response suits have cooling air options, just as they have pass-through options for additional breathing air supplies. Training workers to identify the signs of heat-related illness is also important. First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training should include a heat illness and response component. A worker who experiences cramps in the lower calf when working in the heat should immediately be removed from that environment. Heat illnesses must be identified and responded to immediately. Unfortunately, many organizations wait until they have a worker go down on the job and experience first hand the pain and costs asso-

ciated with a full-blown heat exhaustion hospitalization. It usually only take one incident, but in most cases, even that one time can be prevented. The photo I’ve included here shows a heat-related prevention procedure. I took this picture in Hawthorne, Nev., where it was midsummer and over 100 degrees. I was training some fire fighters to be chlorine first responders at the technician level. They had to wear class A emergency response suits and the photo shows one team member taking the pulse and core temperature of another member before going into the suit. Issues such as weight, blood pressure, temperature, and hydration are all important when determining how much time workers can remain in an area. The humidity was very low and a nice breeze helped a little, but once in the suit, sweat is just another smelly nuisance. One of my training tips I always give is: Don't be the last person in a training suit on a hot summer day. Encourage your operational staff to monitor the temperature and humidity during the dog days and include that information in morning meetings on the worst days of summer. With just a little effort you can take the bite out of the dog; you just have to give a little training. Doug Prentiss is an FWEA Safety Committee member.

Florida Water Resources Journal • August 2015

FWEA FOCUS

Each One Teach One Raynetta Curry Marshall, President, FWEA ne of FWEA’s strategic goals is “maintaining a strong organization.” And, as we all know, you can’t have a strong organization if you don’t have a strong workforce. Succession planning and knowledge transfer are critical components to maintaining a healthy workforce and organization. Many of the utilities and businesses where we work have implemented some form of succession planning to help ensure that knowledge is transferred to their future leaders. This is also the case in FWEA. We are committed to shaping our future leaders and that is why, in fiscal year 2013-2014, we initiated a mentoring program. The mentoring program was implemented on a pilot basis, consisting of eight mentors, made up of FWEA past presidents and board members, and eight mentees. This program was such a success that it was expanded in fiscal year 2014-2015 with a total of 13 mentors and 15 mentees participating, with the goal of “providing a structured program in which experienced association leaders can transfer knowledge about FWEA’s history, organization, strategic plan, and relationship with WEF.” Mentors were selected based on their FWEA experience and geographical location in order to provide opportunities for face-to-face contact with the mentees. The FWEA board of directors determined that, during this first year, the program would

focus on the local chapter leaders in order to strengthen the relationship between the board and the local chapters. A mentor orientation was conducted before the mentoring sessions began so that a consistent message would be provided to all the mentees. Kart Vaith, the then-FWEA president; the past president at the time, Greg Chomic; and WEF director Linda Kelly reviewed the goals of the program, FWEA’s strategic plan and budget, and the WEF/FWEA relationship. Some of the benefits of the program are: Promoting development of future FWEA leaders Encouraging networking between experienced leaders who share their knowledge and experience with young professionals Demonstrating the benefits of being involved in FWEA and WEF Recognizing the contributions of young leaders Improving membership retention and recruitment Participants were both encouraged and excited about the program and provided feedback, such as: “The program did meet my expectations. I feel as though the information gathered and discussed during our meetings allowed me to function better as president of our local chapter.” “I was able to meet a great mentor who has tons of experience and knowledge of the organization and the industry, gained valuable understanding of WEF and FWEA in a business sense and its goals, and gained an excitement for WEF/FWEA that didn’t exist before.” “The program is very valuable. The fact that leaders take time off from their busy

At right: Mentor Joe Cheatham (FWEA past board member) with mentee Sondra Lee (FWEA director at large), both from City of Tallahassee.

Far right: Mentee Isaac Holowell (Southwest Chapter chair, 201415) and mentor Paul Pinault (FWEA president 2012-13), both from CDM Smith.

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

schedules to sit down and discuss the organization and the roles that you could fit in means a lot.” Many more positive comments were provided that reinforced the need and desire to continue this program. While there were a number of recommendations made concerning the next program, the most significant one was that the FWEA board of directors authorize continuation of the mentoring program as a tool for training and encouraging future leaders. This recommendation was unanimously and enthusiastically approved during the last board meeting. Thank you to Alexandria Terral for developing the pilot mentoring program in 2013 and thank you to all the mentors for taking time to participate in this program. A special thanks and acknowledgement go to FWEA’s Executive Advisory Council members, under the leadership of chair Mike Cliburn (FWEA president, 20012002), for not only participating as mentors, but also for providing recommendations to the board and guidance and direction for the program. While we have an excellent organization today, the mentoring program will only help preserve and improve it well into the future for the young professionals just now entering the industry. In closing, I’ll leave you with a quote from one of our mentees that I believe sums it up best: "Having a seasoned FWEA/WEF volunteer as a resource provided a lot of value. I have made a lifelong mentor and friend who I know I can turn to for guidance and questions involving the organization along the way.” FWEA’s Vision: A Clean and Sustainable Water Environment for Florida’s Future Generations.

Florida Water Resources Journal â&#x20AC;˘ August 2015

F W R J

Water Quality Compatibility Challenges in a Southwest Florida Regional System: Comprehensive Data Review and Tools to Predict Water Quality Gerardus (GJ) Schers, Mike Coates, Richard Anderson, Gabe Maul, and Michael Condran s regional interconnections among water supply systems increase statewide in order to meet potable water demands, a greater understanding of water quality issues is needed. The Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority (Authority) is an independent special district in southwest Florida operating as a regional wholesale water provider to Charlotte, DeSoto, and Sarasota counties, and the cities of North Port and Punta Gorda (Figure 1). These local government customers in turn serve over 600,000 retail customers across the region. The Authority meets the challenges in delivering water that can be effectively blended with each customer’s finished waters, which are supplied from a variety of fresh groundwater, brackish groundwater, and surface water sources.

The Authority’s surface water treatment plant experiences raw water quality variations due to seasonal trends and the use of aquifer storage and recovery wells, which impact the finished water quality entering the distribution system. Several water quality parameters vary with water age in the distribution system, including pH, chlorine residual, and corrosion control indices. To help manage the regional system and ensure continued delivery of high-quality water to customers, the Authority conducted a study to characterize regional and local finished water, transmission, and distribution system water quality.

System Description and Operation The Authority provides wholesale potable water to its customers with a permitted annual

Gerardus (GJ) Schers is water practice lead and Gabe Maul, EI, is associate engineer with MWH in West Palm Beach. Mike Coates, PG, is deputy director and Richard Anderson is system operations manager with Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority in Lakewood Ranch. Michael Condran, P.E., is regional manager for water and wastewater services with GHD in Tampa.

average flow of 32.8 mil gal per day (mgd). A summary of water supply characteristics of the Authority and its customers is presented in Table 1. From 2011 to 2013, many of the Authority’s customers purchased significantly more water from the Authority than they produced at their own water treatment plants (WTPs). Desoto County and Charlotte County purchased the majority of their water needs from the Authority. The North Port WTP had the capability to produce approximately 4 mgd from combined surface water and groundwater treatment trains and purchased the Authority’s water on a consistent basis to meet the demand. Water in the distribution system of Sarasota County was a combination of water produced at its three WTPs (11 percent), water purchased from Manatee County (25 percent), and water purchased from the Authority (64 percent). Therefore, the water quality of the Authority either dominated or had a major impact on the overall distribution system water quality for every customer’s system.

Corrosion Regulations and Control Strategies Figure 1. Schematic Diagram of the Authority System (source: Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority Master Plan).

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

Lead and copper are present in materials used in water distribution systems (e.g., service lines, brass and bronze fixtures, solders, and

fluxes). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule, or LCR [1] established action levels (ALs) for lead and copper of 0.015 and 1.3 mg/L, respectively, at the 90th percentile level. Three typical strategies can be used for corrosion control [2, 3]: 1. Calcium hardness adjustment (calcium carbonate precipitation) 2. Alkalinity and pH adjustment (carbonate passivation) 3. Corrosion inhibitor treatment (inhibitor passivation) Calcium hardness adjustment involves the addition of a calcium source, such as calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2), calcium chloride (CaCl2), or calcium bicarbonate (Ca[HCO3]2), to precipitate calcium carbonate as a protective film on the inside of the pipe. A second strategy involving an increase in alkalinity and pH can be used to form a passivating metal carbonate film on the pipe interior through the addition of chemicals such as soda ash, sodium bicarbonate, and caustic soda. Both of these corrosion control strategies are monitored through the calcium carbonate equilibrium, based on the pH needed to maintain a calcium carbonate precipitation potential (CCPP) of 4-10 mg/L as CaCO3. A third strategy consists of adding a corrosion inhibitor, such as phosphate. Divalent lead reacts with orthophosphate and forms a passivating lead orthophosphate film on the pipe interior. Orthophosphate appears to be most effective when the system pH is maintained within the range of 7.2 to 7.8, with increased phosphate precipitation metals like calcium above pH values of 7.8 [2]. Orthophosphate addition is beneficial for copper corrosion control, but a higher orthophosphate dose and residual are required, compared to lead corrosion control. The Authority and City of North Port adjust alkalinity and pH as a corrosion control strategy and monitor the effectiveness through calcium carbonate equilibrium. Desoto County and Charlotte County purchased the majority of finished water from the Authority, so these systems also relied on a calcium carbonate equilibrium approach to corrosion control. Sarasota County dosed a phosphate-based corrosion inhibitor at each WTP and, therefore, the calcium carbonate equilibrium is not relevant. Nitrification, an undesirable microbial process in the distribution system, can promote biofilm and decrease the disinfectant residual. Biofilm grows when organisms feed off nutrients in the drinking water, producing hydrogen ions that consume alkalinity and drop the pH. Systems with chloramine secondary disinfectants would benefit from keeping the pH above 8.0 to limit chloramine decay (Figure 2) and

Table 1. Summary of Water Supply Characteristics of the Authority and its Customers

Figure 2. Distribution Diagram for Chloramine Species with pH (source: Palin, 1950).

avoid dichloramines. They also would benefit from maintaining a total chlorine residual of 2.0 mg/L or greater, which is generally regarded as the level below which a system may begin to experience nitrification and biofilm growth [4, 5, 6]. Systems with chloramine secondary disinfectants and phosphate corrosion inhibitors compromise between the two competing pH ranges.

Finished Water Quality Characterization Data from 2011 through 2013 were collected and analyzed for disinfection residuals, pH, hardness, alkalinity, calcium carbonate equilibrium, organic content, inorganic ions,

and corrosion inhibitors. The water quality data sources included monthly operating reports, annual Safe Drinking Water Act reporting (for primary and secondary contaminants), summaries of treatment facilities, routine lead and copper monitoring, disinfection byproduct (DBP) reporting, and total coliform and pH sampling in the distribution network. The Authority and its customers used chloramines as the secondary disinfectant residual. A spreadsheet calculation tool developed by Trussell Technologies was used to estimate CCPP based on given water quality [7]. A summary table of finished water quality of the Authority and its customers is provided in Table 2. Continud on page 36

Florida Water Resources Journal â&#x20AC;˘ August 2015

Continued from page 35 The Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority Water Treatment Plant The mineralization levels in the Authority’s raw water varied seasonally, which resulted in seasonally variable finished water. Total hardness and total dissolved solids (TDS) were higher during summer months and lower during winter months. The finished water total or-

ganic carbon (TOC) varied between 3.9 and 5.2 mg/L. The combined chlorine residual was maintained near the maximum residual disinfectant level (MRDL) of 4.0 mg/L. No additional phosphate-based corrosion control chemical was used. The water quality parameters that significantly affected CCPP are presented over time as monthly averages in Figure 3. Total hardness, on a monthly average, fluctuated between 180 mg/L as CaCO3 in the sum-

Figure 3. Variations in Alkalinity, Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids, and pH in Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority Water Treatment Plant Finished Water Based on Average Monthly Values.

Figure 4. Variations in Corrosion Indices in Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority Water Treatment Plant Finished Water Based on Average Monthly Values.

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

mer and 140 mg/L as CaCO3 in the winter; note that this is opposite to raw water hardness, which can be explained by the average detention time of six months in the raw water reservoirs. Alkalinity was between 40 and 50 mg/L as CaCO3. Finished water pH levels were fairly consistent between 8.0 and 8.3. Langelier Index (LI) and CCPP values were calculated using the water quality based on monthly averages (Figure 4). Overall CCPP trends coincided with seasonal variations in hardness and TDS and varied from -0.9 to 0.8 mg/L as CaCO3. Levels dropped below 0 mg/L as CaCO3 during periods of low hardness levels. Therefore, the Authority’s finished water typically was neutral with respect to corrosion, but slight seasonal variations were observed. North Port Water Treatment Plant The City of North Port used both surface water and brackish groundwater reverse osmosis (RO) treatment trains. In the City’s surface water source (Myakkahatchee Creek), the finished water mineralization varied seasonally as a result of similar raw water mineralization trends (Figure 5). In contrast to the Authority’s seasonal trends, the North Port WTP finished water had higher mineralization in the winter and lower mineralization in the summer. Total hardness fluctuated between approximately 70 to 470 mg/L as CaCO3 in the period of review (2011 to 2013). The addition of a brackish groundwater RO system in March 2013 helped the City to decrease TDS, hardness, and TOC by blending treated flows from the surface water treatment and RO treatment processes.. The combination of seasonally variable water quality and water sources resulted in variable corrosion indices in the final blended water (Figure 6). The CCPP, based on monthly averages, ranged from -5.1 to 24.6 mg/L as CaCO3. Sarasota County Carlton Water Treatment Plant Finished water quality from the electrodialysis reversal (EDR) system was more consistent than finished water from a surface water system because the product water quality could be controlled by setting a target conductivity. Based on the calculated conductivity levels, TDS in the treated water ranged from 350 to 400 mg/L; calcium, magnesium, and sulfate concentrations were the major constituents of TDS. Caustic soda was used to adjust the pH of the treated water to 7.5-8.0. The finished water was slightly aggressive based on calculated CCPP values, but a 50/50 poly/orthophosphate blend was used for corrosion control. Chloramine levContinud on page 38

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You are required to have your own calculator at state short schools and most other courses. Florida Water Resources Journal â&#x20AC;˘ August 2015

Continued from page 36 els in the finished water were maintained between 4.8 and 6.8 mg/L. Alkalinity levels were around 45 mg/L as CaCO3, which provided a moderate buffering capacity in the finished water.

Figure 5. Seasonal Variation of Total Dissolved Solids, Hardness, Alkalinity, and pH in Surface Water Treatment Train in the City of North Port Water Treatment Plant Finished Water.

Figure 6. Variations in Corrosion Indices in North Port Water Treatment Plant Finished Water Based on Average Monthly Values.

Sarasota County University Water Treatment Plant The brackish groundwater was treated with acidification with carbon dioxide, degasification, and disinfection prior to blending with Manatee County finished water, typically in a 5:1 ratio, with Manatee County water as the major component. The TDS concentrations in the groundwater were approximately 1,100 mg/L, but the TDS was diluted down in the blended product. The University wellfield compliance point was downstream of the blending point, so detailed treated water quality data of the University WTP were not available. The main constituents of the TDS in the groundwater were sulfate (at 700 mg/L), calcium (at 195 mg/L as CaCO3), and magnesium (at 95 mg/L as CaCO3). The County used chloramines for secondary disinfection, with typical levels between 3.5 and of 4.5 mg/L. Alkalinity levels were typically 60 mg/L as CaCO3. A 50/50 poly/orthophosphate blend was used for corrosion control. Sarasota County Venice Gardens Water Treatment Plant Brackish groundwater was withdrawn from 10 production wells to feed multiple single-stage RO trains. Finished water TDS concentrations ranged from 350 to 375 mg/L from the RO system. The County bypassed approximately 5 percent of the RO feed flow to remineralize the RO permeate. Also here, a 50/50 poly/orthophosphate blend was used for corrosion control. Chloramines were dosed for secondary disinfection, with typical levels of 4.0 to 4.5 mg/L. Alkalinity levels were around 20 mg/L as CaCO3 which provided limited buffering capacity in the finished water.

Distribution Water Quality Characterization Table 2. Range of Finished Water Quality of the Authority and its Customers in 2011-2013.

August 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Florida Water Resources Journal

Distribution water quality data were obtained from monthly operating reports, lead and copper sampling, DBPs, and total coliform sampling in the distribution networks. All lead and copper results were significantly below the ALs (Figure 7). All systems dosed combined chlorine at levels close to or just above the MRDL of 4.0 mg/L. In addition, each customer operated chlorine booster stations in the distribution systems. All utilities reported concentrations of total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acids

(HAA5) at less than 51 µg/L and 40 µg/L, respectively. These concentrations were below the respective maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) of 80 µg/L and 60 µg/L, respectively. Several systems used blending of several water supply sources to help meet system goals that can include meeting flow demands and offsetting water quality that may exceed goals from one or more sources. For example, brackish groundwater sources that were treated with membrane processes, such as reverse osmosis, might be used for blending to decrease TDS of a water source that has a higher TDS. Peace River System Residual chloramine levels dropped from 4.0 mg/L at the WTP to around 3.3 to 3.7 mg/L at the delivery points with the Authority's customers, showing a chloramine decay of approximately 0.5 mg/L within hours. The level and speciation of minerals in water, including pH levels, do not change significantly between WTP and distribution system sample points. As a wholesale provider, the Authority only measured lead and copper in the finished water, and levels were below ALs.

Figure 7. Lead and Copper 90th Percentile Concentrations in the Distribution Systems of the Authority and its Customers (Charlotte County was not available).

Charlotte County Charlotte County purchased approximately 95 percent of its potable water from the Authority; the remainder was produced at the Burnt Store WTP for an isolated service area. The County’s distribution system is extensive and has low-flow zones with long hydraulic residence time (i.e., water age of multiple days), (b) which resulted in significant chloramine decay. (a) The distribution of total chlorine residual samples in the Charlotte County system compared Figure 8. Percentile Distribution in Charlotte County Distribution System of (a) Total Chlorine Residto the Authority’s finished water shows that the ual and (b) pH. County maintained a residual greater than 0.8 mg/L in 90 percent of samples in 2013 (Figure 8a). The County managed this issue by executing a flushing program. The pH distribution of the Charlotte County system and the Authority’s finished water showed that, in all samples taken in 2013, the median (i.e., 50 percentile) pH drop in the distribution system was 0.5 units, from 8.1 to 7.6 (Figure 8b). Using the median pH value of 7.6, the CCPP of the water in the distribution system was calculated to be -2.6 mg/L as CaCO3 compared to 0.1 mg/L as CaCO3 in the Authority’s finished water. The possible reasons for pH drops in the distribution systems were explained earlier and include chloramine decay, biofilm growth, and nitrification. City of North Port The City of North Port purchased and blended water from the Authority routinely Continud on page 40

(a)

(b)

Figure 9. Percentile Distribution in North Port Distribution System of (a) Total Chlorine Residual and (b) pH. Florida Water Resources Journal • August 2015

Continued from page 39 with production from its own surface water and brackish water RO treatment plants. The distribution of total chlorine residual samples in the North Port system, compared to the Authority’s finished water, shows that the City maintained a residual greater than 1.0 mg/L in 90 percent of samples in 2013 (Figure 9a). The pH of the North Port distribution system water was, as expected, in between the pH of City of North Port and the Authority’s finished waters (Figure 9b).

The calculated CCPP of the distribution system water ranged from -7.5 to 1.6 mg/L as CaCO3. In 2013, the City modified the pressures at the remote booster pump stations to create better blending of North Port WTP water with the Authority’s water, which improved the CCPP in the distribution system compared to North Port WTP finished water. The distribution system was designed for build-out conditions, and with the large numbers of residential lots remaining undeveloped, the system experienced long hy-

Figure 10. Summary Graphic of Blending Scenarios for City of North Port.

(a)

(b)

Figure 11. Percentile Distribution in Sarasota County Distribution System of (a) Total Chlorine Residual and (b) pH.

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

draulic residence time. Similarly to Charlotte County, the City managed this issue by executing a flushing program. To predict the water quality in the distribution system under varying operation regimes, a spreadsheet was developed to combine water quality parameters for given blending scenarios. Four blending scenarios with North Port and the Authority finished water are summarized in Figure 10. The following operation scenarios were modeled using average monthly values: 1. Only North Port surface water and groundwater blended, current ratio (4:1 blending ratio) 2. North Port blend from Scenario 1 with current Authority allocation added (4:2:1 SW:PR:GW) 3. Blending from Scenario 2 with groundwater treatment train flow doubled (2:1:1 SW:PR:GW) 4. Blending from Scenario 2 with one quarter of surface water flow (1:2:1 SW:PR:GW) The figure presents average finished water quality from each of the three sources that supply the North Port system. Each blending scenario shows the weighted average of selected water quality parameters based on the stated blending ratios (blended pH was calculated using a weighted average of the hydrogen concentration). Lastly, blending ratios were calculated using finished water quality for the months that experienced the minimum and maximum CCPP values. The calculated CCPP values were 6.5, -11.7, and 0 on average in 2012 for the North Port surface water, North Port groundwater treatment train, and the Authority’s water, respectively. Blending scenarios showed a CCPP range of between -5.7 and -2.4 mg/L as CaCO3, on average. The CCPP in each scenario is below the recommended guideline of 4 to 10 mg/L as CaCO3. Sarasota County The Sarasota County distribution system receives water from the County’s three WTPs, Manatee County, and the Authority. Manatee County water is blended at the University Wellfield WTP in the north part of the service area, and Authority water is blended at Carlton WTP in the southeast part of the service area; the Venice WTP serves a small part of the southwest service area. The distribution of total chlorine residual samples in the Sarasota County System shows that the County maintained a residual greater than 1.8 mg/L in 90 percent of samples in 2013 (Figure 11a). From sample points taken in 2013, the median pH residual decreased approximately 0.2 units (from 8.0 to 7.8) in the distribution system (Figure 11b). The County

managed chloramine decay and a decrease in pH with a flushing program using autoflushers. Two blending scenarios for Sarasota County and Peace River are summarized in Figure 12. The blending ratios included 10:1 and 5:1 from the Authority to Carlton WTP water that reflected operational regimes in 2013. The CCPP values varied from -1.0 to -0.2 mg/L as CaCO3 for all blending scenarios, but the slight corrosiveness of the water toward lead and copper was effectively controlled by a phosphatebased corrosion inhibitor. The average and range of pH values of the different blend scenarios are shown, as well as the recommended pH ranges for phosphate and chloramines.

Calcium Carbonate Precipitation Potential Comparison A summary of CCPP values in the finished and distribution waters of the Authority and its customers is presented in Table 3. None of the systems produced finished water with a CCPP in the recommended range of 4 to 10 mg/L as CaCO3. The finished water of the Authority varied between -0.9 and 0.8 mg/L as CaCO3, which is close to equilibrium conditions with respect to calcium carbonate equilibrium. Similarly to the Authority, finished water from the North Port WTP surface water treatment train varied considerably with respect to calcium carbonate equilibrium as a result of varying mineralization in the finished water. The CCPP, on a monthly average basis, varied only about 2 mg/L as CaCO3 in the Authorityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finished water, but varied about 24 mg/L as CaCO3 in North Port WTP surface-water finished water. Based on all blending scenarios, distribution system water in the North Port system ranged from moderately corrosive to slightly supersaturated. Charlotte County purchased the most water from the Authority, but the pH decrease in the distribution system made the water moderately corrosive. The corrosiveness of Sarasota County finished water was managed by corrosion inhibitors in the finished water and distribution system.

Calcium Carbonate Precipitation Potential Blending Model Although the previous graphics were useful in calculating CCPP for a given blending ratio, a visual analysis was needed to convey a more intuitive understanding of the water quality variations for a range of blending ratios. A CCPP blending model was created to predict the water quality of blended water from two sources for an average, minimum, and maximum case. Example charts (Figures 13a and 13b) show CCPP for all possible blending combinations of

Figure 12. Summary Graphic of Blending Scenarios for Sarasota County.

Table 3. Calcium Carbonate Precipitation Potential Comparison Summary of Finished and Distribution Waters of the Authority and its Customers Based on Monthly Averages.

Carlton WTP and the Authority WTP finished waters, and North Port WTP and the Authority WTP finished waters, using average, minimum, and maximum total hardness water quality data based on monthly averages. The shaded area of the graph shows the operational range of blending that was used in 2013. The graph was combined with the CCPP spreadsheet to calculate the predicted corrosiveness of the modeled blended water quality. After the water quality of each water source is entered, the graph calculates the blended water quality at several different blending ratios, and graphs them using a PivotChart. For instance, when the blend ratio between North Port WTP and Peace River WTP increases (moving to left in Figure 13b) the finished water may become slightly more corrosive in terms of CCPP. This may be corrected at the North Port WTP by dosing additional caustic soda in the blended water to create slightly higher pH values to maintain CCPP values in the recommended range. The model has the potential to be used as a predictive tool for operational decision making. Scenarios of theoretical water quality set points can be entered to predict blended water quality and verify possible treatment changes to main-

tain optimal distribution water quality with CCPP values within the recommended range. Predictive water quality would be valuable to the Authority and its customers in several situations when the parties either: 1. Modify the water blend ratio due to operational and maintenance needs, such as piping and valve rehabilitation and replacement requiring partial shutdowns. 2. Modify the water blend ratio due to water production needs and changing demands. 3. Add a new source or interconnection. 4. Observe a (sudden) change in water quality in one or more water sources.

Conclusions Water quality compatibility was evaluated in the finished water, transmission, and distribution systems of the Authority and its customers. For period 2011-2013, water quality parameters, including pH, chloramine residuals, DBPs, lead, copper, and calculated CCPP values, were analyzed in each system and water quality models were developed for several applicable blending scenarios. The data analysis Continud on page 42

Florida Water Resources Journal â&#x20AC;˘ August 2015

Continued from page 41 supports the following conclusions: 1. The ability of Charlotte County, DeSoto County, Sarasota County, and the City of North Port to meet typical water supply goals is highly dependent on the Authority’s operations and water quality because the Authority supplies a major portion of the water in these systems. 2. The Authority, City of North Port, Charlotte County, and Desoto County relied on a calcium carbonate equilibrium approach for corrosion control, while Sarasota County

dosed phosphate-based corrosion control inhibitors. 3. Finished water hardness and TDS of the surface water treatment plants varied seasonally due to variations in mineralization of the raw water. Total hardness levels varied by approximately 50 mg/L as CaCO3 in the Authority WTP finished water and varied by approximately 400 mg/L as CaCO3 in North Port WTP finished water. The seasonal changes in calcium hardness, alkalinity, and pH resulted in variable CCPP values in the finished waters.

Figure 13a. Examples of Results of Dynamic Water Quality Blending Analysis for Carlton Water Treatment Plant.

4. Water treatment plants with brackish groundwater sources in North Port and Sarasota County had more consistent finished water quality (independent of the season) and lower TDS values when blended with surface water, but the calculated CCPP values suggested slightly corrosive water. 5. Although the CCPP values in the finished water of the utilities were slightly outside of the recommended CCPP range of 4 to 10 mg/L as CaCO3, all utilities measured lead and copper concentrations that were well below the ALs, regardless of corrosion control strategy. Also, levels of DBPs were in compliance with regulatory standards in the distribution systems. 6. Chloramine was typically dosed at or near the MRDL of 4.0 mg/L and each customer’s system had several chloramine booster stations. Customers use flushing programs to control water age, creating significant water losses. The median pH value decreased from 8.1 to about 7.7 to 7.8 in each distribution system, and the 10th percentile of chloramine residual ranged from 0.8 to 1.8 mg/L. Calculated CCPP values of water in the distribution systems indicated water that ranged from moderately corrosive (-7.4 mg/L as CaCO3) to slightly supersaturated (1.0 mg/L as CaCO3). 7. The CCPP blending models were created as predictive distribution water quality tools to actively plan for events in the distribution system, including maintenance work and change in water demands, which may modify the water blend ratios, add a new source or interconnection, or cause a (sudden) change in water quality of one or more sources.

References

Figure 13b. Examples of Results of Dynamic Water Quality Blending Analysis for North Port Water Treatment Plant.

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

1. EPA, Lead and Copper Rule (1991). 2. AWWA, Manual M58, Internal Corrosion Control in Water Distribution Systems (2011). 3. EPA, Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water: Revised Guidance Manual for Selecting Lead and Copper Control Strategies (2003). 4. EPA, Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water: Nitrification (2002). 5. EPA, Guidance Manual, Alternative Disinfectants and Oxidants, Chapter 6 Chloramines (1999). 6. Geo. Clifford White, Handbook of Chlorination and Alternative Disinfectants, 4th Edition (1998). 7. Trussell Technologies, CaCO3 Indices Modeling Spreadsheet (2009).

FWRJ READER PROFILE Mid Florida Technical Institute – Water Distribution Microsoft Windows Michigan State University – Supervisory Management Water/Wastewater Field

Jim Smith Retired from City of Deltona Working part time for Odyssey Manufacturing Co., Tampa Work title and years of service. I was a water/wastewater manager for 28 years. Training you’ve taken. California State University, Sacramento Water/Wastewater Treatment Daytona Beach Community College – Water Treatment Seminole Community College – Water Treatment Edison Community College – Water and Wastewater Facility

Accreditations and licenses: State of Florida Drinking Water Treatment Plant Operator (Class A) State of Florida Drinking Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (Class B) FWPCOA Water Distribution (Class A) Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification Backflow Prevention Assembly Repair Certification FWPCOA Wastewater Collections (Class A) FWPCOA Reclaim Water Inspector Certification F FWPCOA Test Proctor and Instructor What do you like best about your work? I like being involved in the water/wastewater field to help the environment. What organizations do you belong to? Florida Water and Pollution Control Operators Association (past president and honorary life member) American Water Works Association Awards received: A.P. Black Outstanding Water Plant Operator of the Year

Four generations of the Smith family. Jim (in back) with, from left: granddaughter, Amanda; great-grandaughter, Analeigh; daughter, Heather; and wife, Debbie.

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

Pat Robinson Outstanding Service Award FWPCOA 1022 Proclamation FWPCOA Safety Award Water/Wastewater Plants 2001 FWPCOA 2004 Honorary Life Member Award Top Ops Team Captain, 1997-2004 - Florida State Champions: 1998 to 2003 - International Top Ops Champion: 1999–2nd place, 2000–1st place, 2000– 4th place, 2002–1st place, 2000–4th place How have the organizations helped your career? The organizations have helped with training, networking, and keeping me updated on state and federal regulations. What do you like best about the industry? I like being involved in training. What do you do when you’re not working? I enjoy going to the beach in the golf cart with Debbie, my wife of 50 years, and my dog, Ivy; gardening; spending time with family; and being involved in FWPCOA functions, committee work, and chairing committees, such as: FWPCOA Education Committee Backflow Committee Programs and Short Course Committee (chair) Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Committee (chair)

Analeigh, Ivy, and Jim.

Florida Water Resources Journal â&#x20AC;˘ August 2015

F W R J

What Has Been Learned in the First Two Years of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3? Paul Bowers s part of the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to create a list every five years of up to 30 unregulated contaminants to be monitored in public water supplies. This list is supposed to be derived from the Candidate Contaminant List (CCL) and to represent compounds for which EPA is in need of occurrence data to determine whether future regulation is warranted. The first Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR1) occurred from 2001-2005, the second (UCMR2) from 2008-2010, and the third (UCMR3) is currently in effect. In January 2013 monitoring of more than 5000 public drinking water supplies began for 28 contaminants representing seven different analytical methods. For both UCMR1 and UCMR2, the minimum report limits (MRLs) were based on a combination of analytical method capabilities and the available health reference data, with most reporting limits being in the 1 to 10 parts per billion (ppb) range (ug/L).

The UCMR1 monitoring resulted in a large number of “nondetects.” Perchlorate was detected at ppb levels in nearly 5 percent of systems, and it is now a candidate for regulation in drinking water. The UCMR2 monitoring was similar to UCMR1, with most compounds being nondetects, with the exception of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a disinfection byproduct found at parts per trillion (ppt) levels (ng/L) in nearly 25 percent of systems, and metolachlorESA, a pesticide, found in <1 percent of systems. Most of the other compounds in UCMR1 and UCMR2 had fewer than three detections nationwide out of more than 30,000 samples. For UCMR3, EPA changed the paradigm and set MRLs based on the capabilities of the analytical methods. This change was at least in part due to the preponderance of nondetects in UCMR1 and UCMR2. This has led to much lower MRLs in UCMR3, some as low as sub-ppt (ng/L), with, as shown in Figure 1, a resulting much greater frequency of detection (Roberson and Eaton, 2014). The EPA has publicly released

Figure 1

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

Paul Bowers is southeast account manager with Eurofins Eaton Analytical in Monrovia, Calif., and South Bend, Ind.

(USEPA, 2014) multiple sets of results from the first two years of monitoring, representing nearly 4,000 water systems (up to 38,000 samples). In reporting the results, EPA focused on “reference levels” similar to the Health Reference Levels (HRLs) published by EPA when it first evaluated contaminants for potential regulation and compared the results to those levels, rather than on the actual detection frequency. These results are quite different, however, from the first two UCMR programs, in that there is an overall significant increase in detections. This will represent a significant communications challenge for public water supplies when they have to report their UCMR3 results with their 2014 or 2015 Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs). The CCRs include the actual detects and not the comparison to HRLs or other reference levels, although it is important to put detections into perspective as to relevance and potential health risk. Table 1 summarizes the most recent results as a percent of systems with hits and the percent above the reference level, and also looks at the overall frequency of detection. Several things stand out in looking at these data. Five sets of results have been released by EPA (approximately every quarter), and in looking at the patterns of occurrence, there has been little change over that time (Table 2). Not surprisingly, the reduction in MRLs results in increased detections. For some of the metals (strontium), more than 99 percent of systems have detections, although <1 percent are above the reference level. The EPA has recently proposed regulating strontium and the UCMR3 data will undoubtedly have an influence on how that regulation proceeds. Hexavalent chromium, an element made famous by environmental activist Erin Brockovich that now has a California Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 10 ppb and a current EPA

MCL of 100 ppb (which assumes potentially 100 percent hexavalent chromium), is being detected in nearly 90 percent of systems, with 4 percent of groundwater systems above the California MCL. Other metals, notably chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium, are all detected in >40 percent of systems, with vanadium as high as 75 percent. For all of these elements, groundwater sources have higher levels than surface waters. These elements are mainly naturally occurring, but will still likely be issues of concern for consumers, who may well ask, “Why would EPA require monitoring if these are not dangerous?” The inorganic that is more problematic is chlorate, a disinfection byproduct formed either from degradation of sodium hypochlorite, onsite generation of hypochlorite, or chlorine dioxide. Chlorate is being detected in more than 68 percent of systems, with nearly 35 percent of systems exceeding EPA’s reference level of 210 ppb. However, this HRL results from EPA’s across-the-board use of a relative source contribution of 20 percent for the HRL, whereas a more likely relative source contribution for

chlorate would be in the 60 to 80 percent range because disinfected drinking water is the largest exposure source. This would make a potential standard in the 600 to 800 ppb range. It is notable that the World Health Organization (WHO) has a limit of 700 ppb, assuming 80 percent relative source contribution, which is more than three times EPA’s reference level. Canada’s guideline value is 1 mg/L, also assuming 80 percent relative source contribution from drinking water. At this point, it is hard to predict where EPA may choose to regulate chlorate. Recent work in Europe, however, may lead to a significant lowering of that standard. If EPA elects to regulate chlorate near 210 ppb, water supplies will have a difficult time with treatment once chlorate is formed, because there are few effective removal techniques for chlorate. Chlorate formation can be controlled by proper storage of hypochlorite, but that does not address the on-site generation formation or the chlorine dioxide formation. With the organics being monitored in UCMR3, there are four classes: volatiles; per-

fluorinated compounds (PFCs), such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA); hormones; and 1,4-dioxane. Most of the volatiles are being found in very few systems (<5 percent), but still substantially more frequently than the organics in UCMR1 and UCMR2, again likely due to the low MRLs. Notable is the fact that 1,3-butadiene, considered the most toxic of the volatiles, has been detected only in one system to date. The PFCs are being found in less than 2 percent of systems, with no values approaching the reference levels. Both volatile organic contaminants (VOCs) and PFCs appear to be very localized with respect to occurrence. Other work by EPA with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has shown much greater frequency of PFCs in water systems, but at levels even lower than the UCMR3 MRLs, again demonstrating that the lower one looks for things, the more one sees. Hormones have the lowest MRLs in the UCMR3, but there have been few hits (<5 percent of systems). However, Continud on page 48

Table 1. January 2015 UCMR3 Data Summary for Chemical Contaminants

Florida Water Resources Journal • August 2015

Continued from page 47 given the public interest in “drugs in the water,” those systems that have detects will again have a challenge in explaining the results to their consumers. It’s interesting that the hormones being detected most frequently, testosterone and 4-androstene-3,17-dione, are not on the CCL3 list and thus have no reference levels. The last of the organics, 1,4-dioxane, is a bit of a surprise because it is being found in over 19 percent of water systems, with 6.5 percent of samples exceeding the 0.35 ppb reference level. This compound is used as a stabilizer in chlorinated solvents and as a purifying agent in pharmaceutical production, and is found in many personal care products (e.g., shampoos and cosmetics). Like chlorate, 1,4-dioxane is very diffi-

cult to remove, with advanced oxidation being the only effective technique. Although initially expected to be mainly a groundwater supply issue, many of the highest levels have been found in surface water supplies. Thus, the widespread occurrence of 1,4-dioxane in UCMR3 monitoring results could well result in a move towards national regulation in drinking water, as many states (over 12 at last count) already have regulatory limits for it. So, what does this all mean? First, in UCMR3 there have been a lot of detects, albeit at very low concentrations, raising some questions about EPA’s decision logic for selecting MRLs and chemicals to be analyzed in UCMRs. Second, it demonstrates that “the lower you look, the more you find” in drinking water and

could well cause EPA to rethink its approach for the next UCMR (UCMR4). Third, there are a few contaminants (chlorate and 1.4-dioxane) that are a cause for concern due to their widespread occurrence at levels above “health reference levels,” which could well result in a need for additional regulation and treatment. Fourth, the fact that patterns have not changed much as additional data have been released raises questions over whether UCMR4 should require the same degree of monitoring (number of samples/sites and/or frequency of monitoring). The EPA draft UCMR4 proposal, which will be out later in 2015, will indicate how it is considering the UCMR3 data as a guideline for changes in UCMR4.

References Table 2.

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

• Roberson, A. and Eaton, A. 2014. Retrospective Analysis of Mandated National Occurrence Monitoring and Regulatory Decision Making, Journal of the American Water Works Association. • USEPA, 2014. Occurrence Data: Accessing Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Data. http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/ ucmr/data.cfm#ucmr2013.

FWRJ COMMITTEE PROFILE This column highlights a committee, division, council, or other volunteer group of FSAWWA, FWEA, and FWPCOA.

FWEA Wastewater Process Committee Affiliation: FWEA Current chair: Jeffrey (Jeff) S. Lowe, P.E., wastewater practice leader/regional manager, McKim & Creed Inc. Year group was formed: 2013 Scope of work: To coordinate and host regional wastewater process-oriented seminars to provide information transfer and foster process knowledge throughout Florida. Recent accomplishments: 2015 Florida Water Resources Conference (FWRC) Wastewater Process Committee Technical Workshop Fall 2014 Wastewater Process Seminar – Southeast Chapter Spring 2015 Wastewater Process Seminar – First Coast Chapter 2014 Water Festival Process Page – Florida Water Resources Journal

Current projects: Fall 2015 Wastewater Process Seminar - West Coast Chapter Winter 2016 Wastewater Process Seminar – Treasure Coast Chapter Future work: 2015 Water Festival 2016 FWRC Technical Workshop Group members: Past chair - Jody Barksdale, Gresham, Smith and Partners Co-chair - TBD Treasurer - TBD Secretary - Matt Love, Gresham, Smith and Partners Webmaster - Jamison Tondreault, Kimley-Horn and Assoc. Inc. FWRJ coordinator - Laurel Rowse, AECOM Other members: Derek Bieber, AECOM Josh Boltz, CH2M Tony Bray, EMD Greg Chomic, Heyward Inc. Owen Cumiskey, JEA Timur Deniz, CDM Smith Kristiana Dragash, Carollo Engineers

Jeff Elick, King Engineering Craig Fuller, URS Corp. David Hagan, Greeley & Hansen Tim Harley, St. Johns County Utility Dept. Jason Hopp, Southwest Florida Water Management Dist. Jose Jimenez, Brown & Caldwell Brian Karmasin, CDM Smith Andy Koebel, Bonita Springs Utilities Inc. Roz Matthews, Hazen & Sawyer John Meyer, U.S. Water Corps John Milligan, Seminole County Manny Moncholi, Miami Dade County Cliff Morris, Bonita Springs Utilities Inc. Tina Nixon, Parsons Marie-Laure Pellegrin, HDR Jacob Porter, Hazen & Sawyer Lisa Prieto, Amec Foster Wheeler Rod Reardon, Carollo Engineers David Refling, consulting engineer Joe Sacco, ECO Oxygen Technologies LLC Beth Schinella, Hillsborough County Utilities W. David Shoup, Florida Gateway College Eric Stanley, Hazen & Sawyer Alex Terral, consulting engineer Ram Tewari Joseph Viciere, CDM Smith Kevin Vickers, Kimley-Horn and Assoc. Inc. Christopher Wilson, Greeley & Hansen

Florida Water Resources Journal • August 2015

How Alkalinity Affects Nitrification Use alkalinity profiling in wastewater operations to control biological activity and optimize process control Mary Evans and Gary Sober The Water Environment Federation’s new Operations Challenge laboratory event will determine alkalinity needs to facilitate nitrification. Operators will evaluate alkalinity and ammonia by analyzing a series of samples similar to those observed in water resource recovery facilities. This event will give operators an understanding of how alkalinity works in the wastewater treatment process to facilitate nitrification, as well as the analytical expertise to perform the tests on-site. This provides the real-time data needed to perform calculations, since these analyses typically are performed in a laboratory that can present a delay in the data.

What is alkalinity? The alkalinity of water is a measure of its capacity to neutralize acids. It also refers to the buffering capacity, or the capacity to resist a change in pH. For wastewater operations, alkalinity is measured and reported in terms of equivalent calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

Alkalinity is commonly measured to a certain pH. For wastewater, the measurement is total alkalinity, which is measured to a pH of 4.5 standard units (SU). Even though pH and alkalinity are related, there are distinct differences between these two parameters and how they can affect a facility’s operations.

Alkalinity and pH Alkalinity is often used as an indicator of biological activity. In wastewater operations, there are three forms of oxygen available to bacteria: dissolved oxygen (O2), nitrate ions (NO3- ), and sulfate ions (SO42 ). Aerobic metabolisms use dissolved oxygen to convert food to energy. Certain classes of aerobic bacteria, called nitrifiers, use ammonia (NH3) for food instead of carbonbased organic compounds. This type of aerobic metabolism, which uses dissolved oxygen to convert ammonia to nitrate, is referred to as “nitrification.” Nitrifiers are the dominant bacteria when organic food supplies have been consumed. Further processes include denitrification, or anoxic metabolism, which occurs when bacteria

Figure 1.The pH versus nitrification rates at 68ºF. Maximum nitrification rate occurs at 8.0–8.5 pH. (source: EPA-625/4-73-004a, Revised Nitrification and Denitrification Facilities Wastewater Treatment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Seminar)

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

utilize nitrate as the source of oxygen and the bacteria use nitrate as the oxygen source. In an anoxic environment, the nitrate ion is converted to nitrogen gas, while the bacteria convert the food to energy. Finally, anaerobic conditions will occur when dissolved oxygen and nitrate are no longer present and the bacteria will obtain oxygen from sulfate. The sulfate is converted to hydrogen sulfide and other sulfur-related compounds. Alkalinity is lost in an activated sludge process during nitrification. During nitrification, 7.14 mg of alkalinity as CaCO3 is destroyed for every milligram of ammonium ions oxidized. Lack of carbonate alkalinity will stop nitrification. In addition, nitrification is pH-sensitive and rates of nitrification will decline significantly at pH values below 6.8. Therefore, it is important to maintain an adequate alkalinity in the aeration tank to provide pH stability, and also to provide inorganic carbon for nitrifiers. At pH values near 5.8 to 6.0, the rates may be 10 to 20 percent of the rate at pH 7.0. A pH of 7.0 to 7.2 is normally used to maintain reasonable nitrification rates, and for locations with lowalkalinity waters, alkalinity is added at the water resource recovery facility to maintain acceptable pH values. The amount of alkalinity added depends on the initial alkalinity concentration and amount of NH4-N to be oxidized. After complete nitrification, a residual alkalinity of 70 to 80 mg/L as CaCO3 in the aeration tank is desirable. If this alkalinity is not present, then alkalinity should be added to the aeration tank.

Why is alkalinity or buffering important? Aerobic wastewater operations are net-acidproducing. Processes influencing acid formation include, but are not limited to: biological nitrification in aeration tanks, trickling filters, and rotating biological contactors the acid formation stage in anaerobic digestion

biological nitrification in aerobic digesters gas chlorination for effluent disinfection chemical addition of aluminum or iron salts In wastewater treatment, it is critical to maintain pH in a range that is favorable for biological activity. These optimum conditions include a near-neutral pH value between 7.0 and 7.4. Effective and efficient operation of a biological process depends on steady-state conditions. The best operations require conditions without sudden changes in any of the operating variables. If kept in a steady state, good flocculating types of microorganisms will be more numerous. Alkalinity is the key to steady-state operations. The more stable the environment for the microorganisms, the more effectively they will be able to work. In other words, a sufficient amount of alkalinity can provide for improved performance and expanded treatment capacity.

How much alkalinity is needed? To nitrify, alkalinity levels should be at least eight times the concentration of ammonia in wastewater; this value may be higher for untreated wastewater with higher-than-usual influent ammonia concentrations. The theoretical reaction shows approximately 7.14 mg of alkalinity (as CaCO3) is consumed for every milligram of ammonia oxidized; a rule of thumb is an 8-to-1 ratio of alkalinity to ammonia. Inadequate alkalinity could result in incomplete nitrification and depressed pH values in the facility. Plants with the ability to denitrify can add back valuable alkalinity to the process, and those values should be taken into consideration when doing mass balancing. (For the Operations Challenge event, the decision has been made to not incorporate the denitrification step in process profiling.) To determine alkalinity requirements for plant operations, it is critical to know the following parameters: influent ammonia, in mg/L influent total alkalinity, in mg/L effluent total alkalinity, in mg/L For every mg/L of converted ammonia, alkalinity decreases by 7.14 mg/L. Therefore, to calculate theoretical ammonia removal, multiply the influent (raw) ammonia by 7.14 to determine the minimum amount of alkalinity needed for ammonia removal through nitrification. For example: Influent ammonia = 36 mg/L 36 mg/L ammonia Ă&#x2014; 7.14 mg/L alkalinity to nitrify = 257 mg/L alkalinity requirements 257 mg/L is the minimum amount of alkalinity needed to nitrify 36 mg/L of influent ammonia. Once the minimum amount of alkalinity needed to nitrify ammonia in wastewater has been calculated, compare this value against the meas-

Figure 2. Measurement of nitrification activity at a pH of 7.2 and lower. (source: EPA625/4-73-004a, Revised Nitrification and Denitrification Facilities Wastewater Treatment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Seminar)

ured available influent alkalinity to determine if enough is present for complete ammonia removal, and how much (if any) additional alkalinity is needed to complete nitrification. For example: Influent ammonia alkalinity needs for nitrification = 257 mg/L Actual measured influent alkalinity = 124 mg/L 257 - 124 = 133 mg/L deficiency In this example, alkalinity is insufficient to completely nitrify influent ammonia, and supplementation through denitrification or chemical addition is required. Remember that this is a minimum â&#x20AC;&#x201D; some is still needed for acid buffering in downstream processes, such as disinfection.

Bioavailable alkalinity Most experts recommend an alkalinity residual (effluent residual) of 75 to 150 mg/L. As previously identified, total alkalinity is measured to a pH endpoint of 4.5. For typical wastewater treatment applications, operational pH never dips that low. When measuring total alkalinity, the endpoint reflects how much alkalinity would be available at a pH of 4.5. At higher pH values of 7.0 to 7.4 SU, where wastewater operations are typically conducted, not all alkalinity measured to a pH of 4.5 is available for use. This is a critical distinction for the bioavailability of alkalinity. Therefore, in addition to the alkalinity required for nitrification, additional alkalinity must be available to maintain the 7.0 to 7.4 pH. Typically, the amount of residual alkalinity required to maintain pH near neutral is between 70 and 80 mg/L as CaCO3.

Proper alkalinity levels or treatment Alkalinity is a major chemical requirement for nitrification and can be a useful and beneficial tool for use in process control. Several things to keep in mind: Alkalinity provides an optimal environment

for microscopic organisms whose primary function is to reduce waste. In activated sludge, the desirable microorganisms are those that have the capability, under the right conditions, to clump and form a gelatinous floc that is heavy enough to settle. The formed floc or sludge can be then be characterized as having a sludge volume index. The optimum pH range is between 7.0 and 7.4. Although growth can occur at pH values of 6 to 9, it does so at much reduced rates (Figures 1 and 2). It is also quite likely that undesirable forms of organisms will form at these ranges and cause bulking problems. The optimal pH for nitrification is 8.0, with nitrification limited below pH 6.0. Oxygen uptake is optimal at a 7.0 to 7.4 pH. Biochemical oxygen demand removal efficiency also decreases as pH moves outside this optimum range. Note: The information provided in this article is designed to be educational. It is not intended to provide any type of professional advice, including, without limitation, legal, accounting, or engineering. Your use of the information provided here is voluntary and should be based on your own evaluation and analysis of its accuracy, appropriateness for your use, and any potential risks of using the information. The Water Environment Federation (WEF), author and publisher of this article, assumes no liability of any kind with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness of use for a particular purpose. Any references included are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement of any sources.

Mary Evans is a regional account manager for Premier Magnesia (Flint, Texas). She is a past president of the Water Environment Association of Texas and is the laboratory event coordinator of the WEF Operations Challenge Committee. Gary Sober is vice president of technology for ByoGon Inc. (Chandler, Texas).

Florida Water Resources Journal â&#x20AC;˘ August 2015

New Products The Spider™ 125 from McElroy has a universal clamping system designed for quick and accurate socket-fusion field installations of 63- to 125-mm polypropylene pipe and fittings. The lightweight and compact device features a worm gear drive with a parallel link system to bring pipe and fittings together evenly and with control. (www.mcelroy.com)

The UVT-LED from Sensorex verifies the effectiveness of an ultraviolet disinfection system by providing extremely stable readings of treated water in all conditions. It is the first UV-transmittance monitor to use a single LED light source instead of a conventional mercury lamp. As a result, the product features quick warm up, extended lamp life, and a small footprint. The monitor comes in two models: a handheld version for use in the field and multiple plant sampling locations, and a process version for installation directly into a pipe or open channel system. Also available from Sensorex is the SAM-1 Smart Aqua Meter, with Android compatibility, which transforms smartphones or tablets into convenient and powerful pH, ORP, or Conductivity/TDS meters with integral temperature measurement. It plugs into the headphone jack of virtually any smartphone or tablet, and connects to Sensorex smart analytical sensors. The free SAM-1 app instantly recognizes the smart sensor and provides an easy-to-use interface for taking measurements and managing data. (www.Sensorex.com)

Arch Chemicals Inc. has produced a newgeneration Constant Chlor® Plus calcium hypochlorite briquette feed systems for disinfection. The MC4-400 retains all of the key features of Constant Chlor®, such as optimum solution consistency and a small footprint, but its loading and feed rate capacities are much higher, allowing for

effective service for disinfection to larger treatment facilities. The MC4-400 dry calcium hypochlorite feeding system utilizes a patented spray technology to prepare and automatically deliver a consistently accurate dose of 1.8 percent solution of available chlorine. This highly customizable feeding system can supply up to 400 lbs of AvCL/day on a sustained basis without the storage and handling issues associated with liquid bleach or chlorine gas and uses EPA-approved Constant Chlor® Plus calcium hypochlorite briquettes to provide a fresh liquid chlorine solution where and when it is needed. (www.archchemicals.com)

The Model 2000C from JCS Industries is an actuator system to automatically open and close the valves on chlorine or sulfur dioxide ton cylinders. The system includes a battery operated actuator with electric motor that rotates the valve stem toward open or closed position for alignment, tests, and remote operation. The actuator is designed to mount without interfering with or requiring yokes or additional adaptors for dispensers or discharging hardware. The motor, gears, and controls are assembled as one unit. The product’s capabilities include: • Battery operated with trickle charger • Optional integral leak detection for automatic shutdown • Remote control by leak detector, panic button, or other digital signals such as PLC or computer • Easy to install or remove • Can be used on chlorine and sulfur dioxide containers • Can be part of an automatic changeover system to permit only one container in service at a time • Eliminates the need for scrubbers in certain applications per the Uniform Fire Code The system includes a remote power supply enclosure for trickle charge of the batteries. Place-

ment of the actuator can be accomplished by connection to the cylinder valve with an easy on/off latch. Monitor and controls are accomplished through an on-board microprocessor with integral LED displays for closed, align, and open positions. The LED display enables the operator to easily read the condition when mounted outdoors with bright sunlight. Programming is accomplished through an integral keypad. Valve position is transmitted to the microprocessor from a direct-coupled potentiometer. (www.jcsindustries.us.com)

The Ultrameter III 9P™ AHL Titration Kit from Myron L. Co. eliminates the need to collect and transport samples to another location for analysis, and features user-intuitive prompts through alkalinity, hardness, and lSI titrations. The system adds the ability to perform in-cell conductometric titrations that provides a convenient way to determine alkalinity, hardness, and LSI in the field. All required reagents and equipment are included in the 9P titration kit. Other features include: • Measures 9 parameters: conductivity, resistivity, TDS, alkalinity, hardness, LSI, pH, ORP/free chlorine, temperature • LSI calculator for hypothetical water balance calculations • Wireless data transfer capability with bluDock™ option • Autoranging delivers increased resolution across diverse applications • Adjustable temperature compensation and Conductivity/TDS conversion ratios for userdefined solutions • Nonvolatile memory of up to 100 readings for stored data protection • Date and time stamp makes record-keeping a snap • pH calibration prompts alert you when maintenance is required • Auto-off minimizes energy consumption • Low battery indicator The system also has a wide range of readings: • Conductivity: 0–9999 µS/cm 10–200 mS/cm in 5 autoranges • Resistivity: 10 KΩ–30 MΩ • TDS: 0–9999 ppm 10–200 ppt in 5 autoranges • pH: 0–14 pH • ORP: ±999 mV • Free Chlorine: 0.00–10.00 ppm (5<><>< li=""><><>) • Alkalinity Titration: 10-800 ppm • Hardness Titration: 0-1710 ppm 0-100 grains • LSI Titration: -10 to 10 • Temperature: 0–71°C/32–160°F For more www.myronl.com.

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

information,

Florida Water & Pollution Control Operators Association

FWPCOA STATE SHORT SCHOOL August 10 - 14, 2015

Indian River State College - Main Campus – FORT PIERCE –

COURSES Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester ..........................$375/$405

Utility Customer Relations I, II & III................................$260/$290

Backflow Prevention Assembly Repairer ......................$275/$305

Utilities Maintenance III & II ..........................................$225/$255

Backflow Tester Recertification ......................................$85/$115

Wastewater Collection System Operator C, B & A ......$225/$255

Basic Electrical and Instrumentation ............................$225/$255

Water Distribution System Operator Level 3, 2 & 1 ......$225/$255

Facility Management Module I......................................$275/$305

Wastewater Process Control ........................................$225/$255

Reclaimed Water Distribution C, B & A ........................$225/$255 (Abbreviated Course) ................................................$125/$155

Wastewater Sampling for Industrial Pretreatment & Operators................................................................$160/$190

Stormwater Management C & B ...................................$260/$290

Wastewater Troubleshooting ........................................$225/$255

Stormwater Management A .........................................$275/$305

Water Troubleshooting ..................................................$225/$255

For further information on the school, including course registration forms and hotels, download the school announcement at www.fwpcoa.org/fwpcoaFiles/upload/2015FallSchool.pdf

SCHEDULE CHECK-IN: August 9, 2015 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. CLASSES: Monday – Thursday........8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday........8:00 a.m. to noon

FREE AWARDS LUNCHEON + Wednesday, August 12, 11:30 a.m. +

For more information call the

FWPCOA Training Office 321-383-9690 Florida Water Resources Journal • August 2015

News Beat The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) has awarded Woolpert a fiveyear contract, with one five-year option to renew, to provide consulting services relating to capacity management, operations, and maintenance (CMOM) programs. Woolpert will work with WASD to review, modify, and develop the CMOM plans and programs as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region IV’s consent decree. Woolpert’s CMOM programs will take into account the vulnerability of the facilities to climate-change impacts such as sea level rise, storm surge, wind, and flooding. Woolpert will also ensure that the programs and plans are consistent with EPA’s guidance and are completed and submitted within the specific deadlines on the consent decree. These plans and programs include: Information management system program Implementation of a geographic information system Sewer system assessment management program Gravity sewer system operation and maintenance program Pump station operations and preventative maintenance program Force main operations, preventative maintenance and assessment/rehabilitation program Force main criticality assessment and prioritization program Force main rehabilitation and replacement program Wastewater treatment plant operations and maintenance program The CMOM programs will take into consideration the vulnerability of the facilities to climate change, such as sea level rise, storm surge, wind, and flooding.

The City of Miami Beach has selected Itron Inc. to help modernize its water distribution system and recover lost water. The utility will use Itron’s advanced metering infrastructure, leak detection solution, and cloud-based analytics to more effectively manage the delivery of water resources, reduce nonrevenue water, and conserve resources. The solution will allow the utility to collect meter readings remotely, thereby increasing operational efficiency, enhancing worker safety, and improving billing accuracy. The installation in scheduled to be completed in summer 2015.

As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan Virtual Climate Resilience Toolkit, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

has announced the release of the Climate Adjustment Tool for EPA’s Stormwater Management Model—a widely-used, downloadable online stormwater simulation model. The Climate Adjustment Tool allows engineers and planners to evaluate the performance of water infrastructure while considering future climate change projections, such as more frequent high-intensity storms and changes in evaporation rates of seasonal precipitation, to determine the benefits of resiliency decisions to reduce local economic burden and protect communities. “Climate change means increased risks to our health, our economy, and our environment,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “But with the Climate Action Plan, the agency is taking action to advance science-based technology, such as the addition of the Climate Adjustment Tool, to help state and local planners combat the impacts of climate change, especially significant economic burdens from severe weather, and protect communities through sustainability and resiliency measures.” The new tool will enable users to add climate projections, based on the climate change scenarios developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, to existing simulations to determine the quality of water traveling through traditional infrastructure—a system of gutters, storm drains, pipes, channels, collection tanks, and storage devices. The tool also has the ability to model the performance of green infrastructure practices, including permeable pavement, rain gardens, and green roofs. Engineers and planners are able to accurately represent any combination of traditional and green infrastructure practices within an area to determine their effectiveness in managing stormwater and combined sewer overflows in their community. Stormwater runoff is a major environmental problem resulting in flooding, erosion, and contaminated waters. Every year billions of gallons of raw sewage, trash, household chemicals, fertilizers, and urban runoff flow into streams, rivers and lakes. Polluted stormwater runoff can adversely affect plants, animals, and people. The Climate Adjustment Tool, in addition to other tools in the Climate Action Plan, can help users make planning, analysis, and design decisions that will guard against the impacts of climate change. Using these tools to choose the best adaptation options is an innovative and efficient way to promote healthy waters and support more sustainable communities. The toolkit can be accessed at http://toolkit.climate.gov/tools . The EPA’s Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) is used throughout the world for stormwater runoff reduction planning, analysis, and design of combined and sanitary sewers, and other drainage systems. Originally released

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

decades ago, SWMM is now used in thousands of communities throughout the world, including as the core modeling engine in cities such as Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Seattle. To assist community planners and managers in determining resiliency and sustainability actions that will help protect against extreme weather and reduce the local economic burden after a natural disaster, EPA has developed additional tools, including: Stormwater Calculator - a tool that can be used by homeowners, landscapers, and developers to estimate the amount of rainwater and frequency of runoff on a specific site based on local soil conditions, land cover, historic rainfall records, and climate change scenarios. For more information on the complimentary National Stormwater Calculator, go to http://www2.epa.gov/water-research/nationalstormwater-calculator. Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT) - a tool that assists drinking water and wastewater utility owners and operators in understanding potential climate change threats and assess the related risks. For more information on the Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool, visit http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/climate/creat.cfm . For additional information about the Stormwater Management Model and Climate Adjustment Tool, visit http://www2.epa.gov/ water-research/storm-water-managementmodel-swmm . For more information about the President’s Climate Action Plan, log on to http://www.white house.gov/sites/default/files/image/president27sc limateactionplan.pdf. For more information on EPA’s Green Infrastructure research, visit http://water.epa.gov/ infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/index.cfm .

CH2M HILL has adopted a new brand and logo designed to better reflect its clients’ needs and its own ambitions for growth. The company also now has a simpler brand name: CH2M. “Through the years, CH2M has evolved from a regional engineering and consulting firm associated with first-of-a-kind projects to a global leader associated with some of the largest, best-known infrastructure programs for public and private clients,” said CH2M chair and chief executive officer Jacqueline Hinman.“The last time we rebranded

the company was in the 1990s, and since that time, CH2M has grown from 5,000 to 25,000 employees, working in more than 50 countries, with annual revenues of almost $6 billion. Our distinctive new look reflects the energy and passion of the firm and its zest for bringing the smartest approaches to the markets and industries we serve.” The leadership of CH2M believes that the rebrand and new logo, coupled with a refreshed business strategy launched in January, will help to deepen the relationships between its clients and its sales and project delivery teams. In the past year, the company has focused its strategy on strengthening the culture of collaboration and sharing across its five business groups and around the world, to bring seamless solutions and full depth of the company’s capabilities to individual clients.

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has issued a request for bids to start early construction of key features of the Caloosahatchee River (C-43) West Basin Storage Reservoir. The work is the precursor for achieving water storage benefits before the entire reservoir is complete.

“Momentum continues to build, and this initial work paves the way for tangible benefits for the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary,” said Daniel O’Keefe, the SFWMD governing board chair. “This is the kind of progress that will accomplish major restoration goals.” The request seeks bids for construction work, including: · Demolishing existing agricultural features, such as buried pipes, culverts, irrigation pump stations, and above ground facilities across the 10,000-acre reservoir site. · Construction of seven compacted, above ground earthfill mounds reaching 56 ft high at select locations to help compact the ground to support future structures. · Moving approximately 1.8 mil cu yd of fill for the mounds, enough to fill 1 acre of land to a height of 1,100 ft, or 120 ft higher than the Eiffel Tower. · Preparation of the foundation for construction of the 16-mi dam that will surround the reservoir. The work is the first step for the SFWMD to undertake expediting construction of the facility as part of Governor Rick Scott’s commitment to

the south Florida ecosystem restoration. The project as a whole is a joint effort between the District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). This action follows a June vote by the SFWMD governing board that authorized entering into an agreement designed to help the District receive federal cost credit for expediting construction. The C-43 reservoir project was authorized by Congress in the Water Resources and Reform Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014. It will one day hold approximately 170,000 acre-ft of water to be used during dry periods to help maintain a desirable minimum flow of fresh water to the Caloosahatchee Estuary. During the rainy season, the reservoir will capture and store excess stormwater and regulatory releases from Lake Okeechobee, helping to prevent excessive freshwater flows to the estuary. Since 2012, SFWMD has put the reservoir property to use with emergency water storage of summertime rainfall and high runoff. Temporary pumps and levee improvements have helped capture approximately 4.2 bil gal of water that would have otherwise flowed to the river.

Florida Water Resources Journal • August 2015

ENGINEERING DIRECTORY

Tank Engineering And Management Consultants, Inc.

Engineering • Inspection Aboveground Storage Tank Specialists Mulberry, Florida • Since 1983

863-354-9010 www.tankteam.com

EQUIPMENT & SERVICES DIRECTORY

Motor & Utility Services, LLC

Instrumentation,Controls Specialists Instrumentation Calibration Troubleshooting and Repair Services On-Site Water Meter Calibrations Preventive Maintenance Contracts Emergency and On Call Services Installation and System Start-up Lift Station Controls Service and Repair

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CEC Motor & Utility Services, LLC 1751 12th Street East Palmetto, FL. 34221 Phone - 941-845-1030 Fax – 941-845-1049 prademaker@cecmotoru.com • Motor & Pump Services Test Loaded up to 4000HP, 4160-Volts • Premier Distributor for Worldwide Hyundai Motors up to 35,000HP • Specialists in rebuilding motors, pumps, blowers, & drives • UL 508A Panel Shop, engineer/design/build/install/commission • Lift Station Rehabilitation Services, GC License # CGC1520078 • Predictive Maintenance Services, vibration, IR, oil sampling • Authorized Sales & Service for Aurora Vertical Hollow Shaft Motors

EQUIPMENT & SERVICES DIRECTORY Showcase Your Company in the Engineering or Equipment & Services Directory Contact Mike Delaney at

352-241-6006 ads@fwrj.com

CLASSIFIEDS Positions Available

Utilities Treatment Plant Operations Supervisor $54,099 - $76,123/yr. Assists in the admin & technical work in the mgmt, ops, & maint of the treatment plants. Class “A” Water lic. & a class “C” Wastewater lic. req. with 5 yrs supervisory exp.

Utilities Field Superintendent $72,499 - $102,012/yr. Plans/organizes/directs & performs operations, maint. and/or construction of potable & reuse water distrib, wastewtr collections and stormwtr systems. Class “1” Water lic. & 10+ yrs exp. with 5 yrs supervisory exp. Apply Online At: http://pompanobeachfl.gov Open until filled.

CITY OF MARGATE UTILITY OPERATIONS MANAGER Applicant must have graduated from a four-year college or university with a degree in sanitary, civil or environmental engineering or related field, plus a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in the operation of water, wastewater and reuse treatment, collection, transmission and distribution systems; including at least four (4) years in a supervisory or administrative capacity. Must be licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) and licensed in the State of Florida, or have the ability to obtain such license within 12 months of hire. Possession of State of Florida, water and/or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator’s certificates is preferred. Must possess a valid Florida Driver License. Competitive starting salary range $73,565 -$87,648. Total salary range for the postion $73,565 - $103,213. Excellent benefits. The City of Margate is a participant in the Florida Retirement System and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications are available in Human Resources, Margate City Hall, 5690 Margate Blvd., Margate, FL, or may be down loaded from the web site at www.margetfl.com. Completed, original applications must be submitted to Human Resources. This position is open until filled.

Waste Water Plant Operator

Reiss Engineering, Inc. Are you looking for an opportunity with a company that is poised for growth? Reiss Engineering stands as one of the most prominent Civil and Environmental engineering firms in the State of Florida and the Bahamas. Our main focus is water and wastewater, serving both public and private sector clients with integrity, technical excellence and a commitment to performance. At Reiss Engineering, we are committed to making success happen for our clients, our employees and our firm. Reiss Engineering offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, as well as a stimulating and fast paced work environment. Reiss Engineering is continuously searching for highly talented individuals and welcomes resumes from those with an interest in joining our team. For a list of our current openings, or to submit a resume for a potential opportunity, please visit our website at www.reisseng.com.

The Coral Springs Improvement District is currently accepting applications for the position of a waste water treatment plant operator. Applicants must have a valid Class A waste water treatment license, minimum of five years experience in field, have a valid Florida drivers license, satisfactory background check and pass a pre-employment drug screening test. Excellent starting salary / to commensurate relative to years of experience in the field. Full-time regular employees are eligible for paid Medical, Dental, Disability, and Life benefits, paid vacations, holidays, and sick benefits. Full-time regular employees are eligible to participate in our 6% noncontributory investment money purchase pension plan, and matching 457 plan of up to 4%. EOE. Applications may be obtained by visiting our website at www.fladistricts.com and fax resume to 954-753-6328, attention Jan Zilmer, Director of Human Resources.

Florida Water Resources Journal • August 2015

Wastewater Plant Operator C License Marathon, Florida Keys Category: Full-Time Description: This position is responsible for wastewater treatment plant operation and process control data collection and reporting, ensuring that the plant operates within the required State of Florida Department of Environmental permit standards. Miscellaneous: Email application/resume to HR@ci.marathon.fl.us or fax to 305-289-4143. See website for full description: www.ci.marathon.fl.us

THE CITY OF DAYTONA BEACH WASTEWATER PLANT SUPERINTENDENT Bethune Point WW Treatment Plant Weekly Salary Range $938.10 - $1,786.54 Anticipated hire date – October 2015 June 25, 2015 – August 31, 2015 The purpose of this classification is to function as superintendent for the operations and maintenance of a Class A, Type I advanced wastewater treatment facility, meeting guidelines and standards set forth by the state and federal government. Employees in this classification perform middle management work for a 5 stage Bardenpho treatment plant, reclaimed water system, and auxiliary facilities. Position is responsible for assisting with planning, training, organizing, directing, and maintaining the uninterrupted flow of operations. This position directly supervises 7 operational personnel and 6 maintenance personnel. Performs related work as required. MINIMUM QUALIFACTIONS (Education, Training, and Experience): Associate's degree with course work emphasis in higher mathematics and science or related; supplemented by five (5) years wastewater treatment operations, two (2) of which shall be acquired in a supervisory capacity in a wastewater treatment plant. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Valid State of Florida Driver’s License and Class “A” Wastewater Certification. For application, information, and submittal requirements, go to www.codb.us/jobs Job Opportunities EOE/AA/ADA/VET Employer

Field Salesperson Seeking a highly motivated Field Salesperson. A self starter w/ established contacts in the Water/Wastewater Field. Contacts at the local attractions a plus. Pay commensurate w/experience. Focus on New Equipment Sales & Repairs EMail resumes to KFender@PatsPump.com.

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

CITY OF MARGATE UTILITY OPERATIONS MANAGER Applicant must have graduated from a four-year college or university with a degree in sanitary, civil or environmental engineering or related field, plus a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in the operation of water, wastewater and reuse treatment, collection, transmission and distribution systems; including at least four (4) years in a supervisory or administrative capacity. Must be licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) and licensed in the State of Florida, or have the ability to obtain such license within 12 months of hire. Possession of State of Florida, water and/or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator’s certificates is preferred. Must possess a valid Florida Driver License. Competitive starting salary range $73,565 -$87,648. Total salary range for the position $73,565 - $103,213. Excellent benefits. The City of Margate is a participant in the Florida Retirement System and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications are available in Human Resources, Margate City Hall, 5690 Margate Blvd., Margate, FL, or may be down loaded from the web site at www.margetfl.com. Completed, original applications must be submitted to Human Resources. This position is open until filled.

City of Coral Springs Senior Water Plant Operator Salary range: $39,000 - $53,000 per year + excellent benefits. Performs skilled operational and regulatory work in the testing and treatment of City water in compliance with governmental regulations and guidelines. Requires high school graduation and minimum 5 years and 10,000 hours in a Class A water plant; knowledge of AWWA best practices for water utilities. Must have Florida Class A Water Operator's license and Florida driver's license. Apply online at www.coralsprings.org/jobs and submit resume, license and inquiries to csjobs@coralsprings.org EOE/M/F/D/V

Water and/or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators The City of Edgewater is accepting applications for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators, minimum Class C license required. Individuals who have passed the state exam and need hours will be considered for trainee position. Valid FL driver license required. Salary Range for licensed operators is $31,096 - $48,755. Physical and background check required. Apply online at www.cityofedgewater.org, or submit to City Hall, 104 N Riverside Dr, Edgewater, FL 32l32. EOE/DFWP

City of St. Petersburg Water Plant Operator III (IRC31779) Lead worker and participatory technical work at Cosme Potable Water Plant in Northwest Hillsborough County, FL on rotating shift (24/7 operation). Requirements: able to respond to emergency events; high school diploma/GED equivalency; State of FL DL; State of Florida Class "B" Water Operator Certificate. Closes 08-12-2015, 4:00 PM DST; $41,538 - $59,488 DOQ; See detailed requirements at www.stpete.org/jobs EEO-AA-Employer-Vet-Disabled-DFWP-Vets' Pref

City of St. Petersburg Water Plant Operator IV (IRC31781) Lead supervisory technical work at Cosme Potable Water Plant in Northwest Hillsborough County, FL on rotating shift (24/7 operation). Requirements: able to maintain phone contact - respond to emergency events 24/7; high school diploma/GED equivalency; State of FL DL; State of Florida Class "A" Water Operator Certificate. Closes 08-122015, 4:00 PM DST; $48,048 - $70,491 DOQ; See detailed requirements at www.stpete.org/jobs EEO-AA-Employer-Vet-Disabled-DFWP-Vets' Pref

City of Miami Beach Seeking to hire an experienced leader in the street & stormwater field to be part of our team. We are looking for a dynamic, energetic individual to be a team leader of a diverse municipal workforce to deliver excellent customer service to our residents, visitors, and business community. Interested candidates meeting the minimum requirements should apply online at http://www.miamibeachfl.gov.

Water Plant Operator Trainee The North Springs Improvement District is searching for a water plant operator trainee. Under direct supervision, follows a defined training program in water treatment to become a certified operator; performs daily tasks and maintenance of the water facility; and performs related duties as assigned. Please email Mireya Ortega atMireyaO@nsidfl.gov with your application and resume.

Assistant Operator Biosolids Processing Facility is seeking Asst. Operator whose primary responsibilities are: receipt of incoming WWTF sludge truck deliveries; and, outgoing shipments of pellets. Included are: monitoring safety for self and truck drivers; knowledge of control panels; and the ability to be an active, professional member of the facility’s and its customer’s team thru effective communication. Must have HS Diploma or equivalent plus a valid Florida Driver’s License. Please send resumé to mbowman@nefcobiosolids.com

Positions Av ailable SHEILA STRAMPP – Has passed the C Water course and is seeking a Trainee position. Available immediately and prefers the Palm Beach County or northern Broward County areas. Contact at 2105 NE 4th St. Boynton Beach, Fl. 33435. 561-274-9873. t99334@yahoo.com

Classified Advertising Rates Classified ads are $20 per line for a 60 character line (including spaces and punctuation), $60 minimum. The price includes publication in both the magazine and our Web site. Short positions wanted ads are run one time for no charge and are subject to editing. ads@fwrj.com

Looking For a Job? The FWPCOA Job Placement Committee Can Help! Contact Joan E. Stokes at 407-293-9465 or fax 407-293-9943 for more information.

Lift Station/Collection System Operators If there is a right place in all of the Orlando metropolitan area, Altamonte Springs is it. Positioned in the geographic heart of central Florida, Altamonte Springs provides a solid base of services with the convenience of a location that virtually eliminates the daily challenge of commuting to work. Recently recognized as the Outstanding Public Organization of the Year during the Central Florida Engineers’ Week, the Altamonte Springs Public Works & Utilities Department is seeking lift station operators to serve our residents and utility customers. Qualifications: Six (6) months experience working with lift stations, pumps, and electrical meters. HS diploma or G.E.D. and valid driver’s license. Valid Class C Wastewater Collection Technician certification preferred. For additional information and to apply, please visit www.Altamonte.org. Hiring range D.O.Q.: $28,245- $43,780 Compensation and Benefits: A competitive salary based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. Employee health insurance and life insurance coverage, a retirement system with pension/investment plan options, paid leave time, paid holidays, a comprehensive wellness program, Employee Assistance Program, etc. Florida Water Resources Journal • August 2015

Certification Boulevard Answer Key From page 28 February 2014

Editorial Calendar January ......Wastewater Treatment February ....Water Supply; Alternative Sources March ........Energy Efficiency; Environmental Stewardship April............Conservation and Reuse May ............Operations and Utilities Management; Florida Water Resources Conference June ..........Biosolids Management and Bioenergy Production July ............Stormwater Management; Emerging Technologies; FWRC Review August........Disinfection; Water Quality September..Emerging Issues; Water Resources Management October ......New Facilities, Expansions, and Upgrades November ..Water Treatment December ..Distribution and Collection Technical articles are usually scheduled several months in advance and are due 60 days before the issue month (for example, January 1 for the March issue). The closing date for display ad and directory card reservations, notices, announcements, upcoming events, and everything else including classified ads, is 30 days before the issue month (for example, September 1 for the October issue). For further information on submittal requirements, guidelines for writers, advertising rates and conditions, and ad dimensions, as well as the most recent notices, announcements, and classified advertisements, go to www.fwrj.com or call 352-241-6006.

1. C) 8 to 12 mg/L NO3 or TN Some reclaimed water permits are based on nitrates (NO3), and others may be based on total nitrogen (TN); however, the limits are typically between 8 to 12 mg/L. 2. C) No greater than 20.0 to 30.0 mg/L CBOD5 This CBOD5 range is a typical annual average limit for reclaimed water quality. 3. D) Dissolved Dissolve solids, like sugar in water, are not typically removed with conventional effluent filtration. 4. C) About 13.0 psi 30 ft x 0.433 psi per ft of head = 12.99 psi Or 30 ft ÷ 2.31 ft of head per psi = 12.98 psi 5.

B) No less than 1.0 mg/L total chlorine residual This is a typical requirement of reuse water after it has completed the disinfection process, usually at the end of the chlorine contact chamber.

A) No greater than 0.01 mg/L total chlorine residual It typically requires some form of dechlorination to remove the chlorine residual before final effluent is allowed to enter a body of water in Florida, like sulfur dioxide or another dechlorinating chemical.

B) No, this does not meet typical requirements for reuse water fecal coliform. The rule for fecal coliform in reuse water states: "Over a 30-day period, 75 percent of the fecal coliform values (the 75 percent percentile value) shall be below detection limits. Any one sample shall not exceed 25 fecal coliform values per 100 mL of sample.”

B) 4 mg/L TSS, mg/L = (final wt., gm - tare wt., gm) x 10,000 = (11.8877 gm - 11.8873 gm) x 10,000 = 4 mg/L

B) 49,438 gal Volume of pond per ft = 225 ft x 75 ft x 1 ft. x 7.48 gal per cu ft = 126,225 gal per ft

Display Advertiser Index Acipio ........................................48

Distribution Awards ................27

Blue Planet ................................63

FWPCOA Short School ................53

Crom..........................................17

FWPCOA Training........................37

Data Flow ..................................33

2016 FWRC Call for Papers ..........8

FIPA ..........................................52

Garney ........................................5

FSAWWA CONFERENCE

GML Coatings........................13,55

Registration................................20

Hudson Pumps ..........................43

Exhibits ..................................21

Medora ........................................9

Poker ....................................22

Polston ......................................29

Golf ........................................23

Stacon ........................................2

Overview ..............................24

Treeo..........................................45

Utility Systems Symposium ....25

Xylem ........................................64

Competitions ............................26

August 2015 • Florida Water Resources Journal

Volume of pond per in. = 126,225 gal per ft divided by 12 in./ft = 10,518.75 gal per in. Volume of pond per 4.7 in. = 10,518.75 gal per in. x 4.7 in. = 49,438 gal 10. C) Nitrogen and phosphorus removal Conventional activated sludge is typically designed to remove TSS and CBOD5 and advanced wastewater treatment is typically required to achieve high removal levels of nitrogen and phosphorus.