Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and EPA Regulations
PAGE 24
Water 2050 Sustainability Think Tank PAGE 26
Good day, Ohio Section colleagues! I hope that 2023 is treating you well, as it was a challenging winter here in Ohio. The true heroes in our industry are out working in the middle of the night, enduring frigid temperatures, snow, freezing rain, and wet, muddy conditions, all to give our old crusty-looking cast iron infrastructure a new stainless-steel makeover. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I’m talking about water break season. There really is not anything good to say about that, except spring has provided some much-needed relief.
Springtime in Ohio brings newness, life, color, sights, and smells that have been dormant for months. The birds will soon sing from the trees while the grass transitions from a pale yellowish brown to a deep emerald green.
Spring training has a different meaning here at OAWWA. We started off our 2023 training schedule with the One Water Government and Regulatory Affairs Workshop on March 2 in Dublin.
The Expos are a great place to see all the latest and greatest innovations our industry offers. These events also provide an excellent opportunity to interact and network with other professionals in the water industry. For me, this is one of the most valuable components of the Expos.
One of our primary goals this year as a board is to focus on Diversity and Inclusion. There are several Diversity in Water events scheduled this year. Visit our website at tinyurl.com/diversityinwater to see what is coming next.
While it’s hard to believe, it will soon be time to start planning to participate in the 2023 One Water Joint Conference, August 21–24 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. For our members with a competitive nature, the conference will once again host an array of contests that will put their skills and knowledge to the test. These include AWWA Meter Challenge, Pipe Tapping, Hydrant Hysteria, Top Ops, and the Water Taste Test. For those that might like to give competition a try, contact the Ohio Section Competitions Chair, Jay Cermenaro at jcermenaro@aymcdonald.com.
As spring is the season for planting, it is the perfect time to, once again, sow the seeds of membership. Challenge yourself to invite one new person to attend a District Meeting, an Expo, or the Conference. The organization will sell itself once they are there. We are part of an amazing association, and we need to spread that news. The pandemic stunted our growth for a few years but, like always, we have endured. Now, let’s go get active!
Lastly, I would like to thank all the members and volunteers for the Ohio Section AWWA, past and present, for their hard work and dedication to our Section and to providing our communities with the world’s most precious resource, WATER!
Well, my time as your AWWA Director has definitely been unique, and not typical of past Ohio Section AWWA Directors. As a member of the 2023 AWWA Board of Directors, my time has been influenced by a period in history that will be remembered for generations to come. The pandemic has caused my experience as your AWWA Director to be disappointing and yet rewarding all at the same time.
From the beginning of my term in June 2020 until it ends this coming June in Toronto, I was able to serve as part of a great group of water professionals passionate about water and public health. As a Section Director and part of AWWA governance, we were able to help influence the direction of the AWWA over challenging times; the only difference is we had to do it virtually the first two years, and only in the last year have we been able to come together in person. Not being able to spend more in-person time with my fellow classmates and Executive Leadership was the disappointing part of my term. However, the rewards, which include lifetime friendships, greatly outweigh the letdown of not getting the full experience that past Directors were able to enjoy.
There were a couple items that rose to the top as focus areas for the Association over the last couple years. The first was the importance of having a diverse and inclusive organization, and a governing board that is representative of all people in the water profession. AWWA and its Diversity and Member Inclusion Committee (DMIC) led workshops to help identify how we all have a part in making the
organization stronger through diversity and inclusion. Wondering how you can help?
It’s simple: for the Ohio Section, it has to start at the district level, and then at the Ohio Governing Board level. For District officers, when you are looking for volunteers, or someone to serve as a district officer, try to actively seek diversity, and be more open to include new people that may offer a different perspective. Ultimately, these folks are the ones that later serve on the Ohio Section Governing Board, or become active at the Association level.
The second area of focus is the Water 2050 initiative that kicked off during ACE22. Since then, three of the five planned Think Tank sessions were held to discuss the following drivers: Sustainability, Technology, and Economics. The remaining two session covering Governance and Social/Demographics will be held before the end of April 2023. Simultaneously, the Association is asking for input from the Sections, as we are a key component to the AWWA member experience, and important partners of the Association. Feedback is due by May 1, 2023. Once all the feedback is distilled down, it will be used to help form the 2030 Strategic Plan.
Before I close, I do want to mention the results of the elections at this year’s winter board meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Cheryl Porter was selected as AWWA’s next President-Elect by the Board of Directors. Porter is the Chief Operating Officer of Water and Field Services at the Great Lakes Water
“From the beginning of my term in June 2020 until it ends this coming June in Toronto, I was able to serve as part of a great group of water professionals passionate about water and public health.”
Authority in Detroit, where she has worked since 2016. Since joining AWWA in 2005, Cheryl has been active with the Michigan Section, and served as an AWWA Vice President. Based on my interactions with Cheryl, AWWA will be in great hands in 2024. The Board also selected Marcus Firman, Mary Gugliuzza, Christine Spitzley and Brent Tippey to be Vice Presidents. Additionally, Amy Stoffer was selected as DirectorAt-Large and Jeff Zdrojewski as a Director-At-Large representing service providers.
As my term comes to an end, I am looking forward to passing the torch off to Tyler Converse from the City Canton. Tyler is a great friend and is passionate about the water industry and the AWWA. He has been active in the Ohio Section for many years, and will serve the Section well at the Association level.
I want to thank all those who have supported me over that last three years as your AWWA Director after a ten-year hiatus from the Ohio Section Governing Board. It was a pleasure serving you, and seeing the evolution that had been made since I last served on the Governing Board.
All R.W. Sidley silica filter sands and gravels are washed, dried and screened at our Thompson, OH, plant. All silica filter sands meet AWWA specifications for granular filter media and are NSF Certified for Drinking Water System Components.
Filter Media Uses:
• Water well packing
• Potable drinking water treatment plants
• Wastewater treatment
• Commercial package plants
• Residential septic systems
• Rapid flow sand filters
• Sludge drying beds
• Industrial water treatment
MONDAY, AUGUST 21
• Annual Golf Outing
• Plant Tour
• NEW! Community Outreach Event
• Ops Challenge
• Welcome Mixer
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22
• Kick-Off Breakfast
• Exhibit Hall
• Competitions
• Ops Challenge
• OWEA Awards Lunch
• Technical Sessions
Tracks: Efficiency/Sustainability, Customer Service, Pretreatment, Sourcewater, Lab, Stormwater, Residuals/Recovery, DEI, Leadership & Workforce Development
• Exhibit Hall Mixer
• Meet & Greet
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23
• Technical Sessions
Tracks: Treatment, Distribution, Collections, Utility Management, Asset Management, Operations & Maintenance, Regulatory
• Exhibit Hall
• OAWWA Member Appreciation Lunch
• Networking Happy Hour
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24
• Ohio EPA Updates
• Ethics
• Technical Sessions
Tracks: Regulatory, Construction
My current career is….
A Senior Consulting Engineering at R2O Consulting LLC, a small, woman-owned engineering firm. My responsibilities range from managing projects and overseeing client deliverables, to developing new business and supporting the business operations.
Due to a long-term professional relationship with R2O’s founder and CEO. I joined R2O after spending nearly 30 years in a large engineering firm, and I was energized by the opportunity to support the growth and development of a small business, especially one that was woman-owned.
Back in the mid-1990’s when I initially joined Ohio AWWA at the suggestion of my supervisor, who encouraged and actively supported my participation (ok, it was Tim Wolfe. He made me join, and I’m forever grateful!). Over the years
I volunteered at both the NE District and Section levels, and was part of developing the original YP group. I recently re-engaged with the D&I Committee when I responded to their word art challenge. The words “Thinking Styles” in the graphic stood out to me since it’s so important to be open to different types of thinking and leadership styles, and making space for them to grow and develop much as my early supervisor did for me.
I was involved in developing and leading numerous gender equity initiatives, along with mentoring and succession planning programs over my career and it’s encouraging to see these programs evolve beyond gender. There were only a handful of female engineers in the 400-person firm I joined out of grad school, and none in any supervising or leadership positions. In fact, I was asked during my interview if I was going to be getting married and having kids anytime soon. We’ve come a long way, and now many employers have Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) which
actively support diversity of many kinds (race, religion, gender, nationality, etc.) and give employees a forum for empowerment. These ERGs give validity to the various thinking styles and perspectives of their members.
We need to make space for those that come from different backgrounds and experiences. A mentor once told me, “If we both always agree, one of us isn’t needed.” He wanted me to think for myself and feel secure in presenting my own ideas and approaches and be open to others as well.
My dad used to read a bedtime poem to my sisters and I, called “The Owl-Critic” by James Thomas Fields. I stumbled across it again as an adult, and that’s when I better understood its message about being unduly critical and biased. I’ve used it in various professional settings as a reminder to stay open to new information and perspectives.
I support the CEO directly in developing hiring policies and job postings, making hiring decisions and creating an inclusive work environment. I’m a strong advocate for our professional organizations and, just like my supervisor before me, I encourage our staff to get involved and be active. The diversity of our Ohio AWWA members extends across race, gender, age, roles or types of organizations, and an engaged cross-section of members helps ensure that our organization remains relevant to our membership and provides meaningful learning opportunities. As The Owl-Critic implies, no matter how much we think we know, we can always learn from others if we refrain from being critical and we make time to listen. Please consider sharing your D&I Journey so we can learn from you!
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IT CARRIES? PEACE OF MIND. You have stringent specifications and even higher expectations. Decade after decade, AMERICAN is the dependable long-term choice. Materials come and materials go, but ductile iron pipe continues to be worthy of your trust. Specify AMERICAN. And specify resilience, superior life-cycle value, and environmental stewardship with every pipe we deliver.
he NEW EchoStorm aeration system maintains sufficient dissolved oxygen in wastewater, minimizing odor and corrosion
Whether it’s getting sewage to the plant or treating it at the plant, Gorman-Rupp has you covered. Our complete line of ReliaSource® lift stations include industry-leading pumps, enclosures, controls and valves – everything custom-designed from the ground up and delivered to the job site ready to install. We also manufacture pumps ideal for handling influent, sludge, effluent and a variety of other plant process applications. If odor control is a concern, pumps and stations can be equipped with Gorman-Rupp’s NEW EchoStormTM venturi aeration system, which adds dissolved oxygen into the liquid being pumped. For all of your municipal wastewater treatment needs, you can count on Gorman-Rupp – guaranteed.
For more information, call Gorman-Rupp at 419-755-1011 or visit GRpumps.com to find a distributor near you.
The Ohio Section AWWA Newsletter is published three times a year and distributed to all Ohio Section members. Highlights include Association news and updates, regulatory updates from the Ohio EPA, timely technical articles, and so much more.
Currently accepting article reservations for:
• Summer and Fall issues
Deadline for technical content:
Summer issues: June 23
Fall issues: September 29
Article Requirements/Topics
Length:
• Maximum of 3,000 words or 6 pages including graphics, whichever is less
Graphics:
• Multiple graphics are encouraged
• Hi-res 300x300 dpi or greater
Format:
• Articles should be formatted in MS Word and include graphic and photo locations. All graphics should be submitted as separate files, in the highest resolution possible.
• The newsletter committee will review the articles and approve the content. Revisions may be requested.
Topics:
• Utility Projects
• Research
• Industry Events
• Industry News
• Technology
• Innovative Utility Member Solutions (think Opflow Gimmick & Gadgets)
How to submit articles:
Send a request with synopsis of the article to oawwa@assnoffices.com
Technical articles should be submitted in a Word document file meeting the above criteria to oawwa@assnoffices.com.
The spotlight has landed on Megan Patterson, our YP and Membership Committee liaison and Membership Committee Chair for this YP Member Spotlight!
Megan, hello and welcome! Can you provide us some background on where you went to school and how you got started in the water industry?
I earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from The Ohio State University, and started at Stantec before deciding to return to OSU for a master’s in Civil Engineering, developing design criteria for low-pressure membranes. Now I work full-time with Stantec as a project engineer focused on water and wastewater treatment, and I love tackling challenging projects with the team.
What is your favorite part of being in the water/wastewater industry?
My favorite part is working on projects that have a direct benefit to the communities we serve: I love driving around town and seeing projects I worked on in progress or operational.
What do you like about OAWWA?
I love the opportunity to meet other water professionals, and learn more about relevant issues to our community. The plant tours and ‘happy hours’ are my favorite events because I get to combine learning more about water treatment with drinks and casual conversation.
What are some of your favorite things to do in your free time outside of work with OAWWA?
I love to travel! I am actually on a trip to New Orleans as I answer these questions! I also enjoy concerts, hiking, sand volleyball, and board games. Recently, I have been hooked on the new HBO tv series The Last of Us, and have been watching Gilmore Girls for the first time.
Thank you, Megan, for speaking to us about your experience in the industry and in OAWWA. Most importantly, thank you for your service to the YP Committee and water industry!
“My favorite part is working on projects that have a direct benefit to the communities we serve: I love driving around town and seeing projects I worked on in progress or operational.”
Federal legislation requires community water systems serving 3,300 or more people to consider cybersecurity threats in their risk and resilience assessment, as well as in their emergency response plan.
AWWA can help systems of all sizes, with essential planning resources to start your water utility on the path to cyber resilience. Clarify your exposure to cyber risks, set priorities, and execute an appropriate and proactive cybersecurity strategy.
Explore AWWA’s Cybersecurity & Guidance page:
• AWWA’s Cybersecurity Guidance and Assessment Tool
• Policy action updates
• Current education and events
• Up-to-date risk management resources
www.awwa.org/cybersecurity
Governing Board
Name Email Chair Marcus Lehotay marcus.lehotay@fairbornoh.gov
Vice-Chair Mike G michael.giangiordano@jacobs.com
At-Large Trustee
Daryl Bowling daryl.bowling@suez.com
At-Large Trustee Jason Adkins jadkins@indianhill.gov
NE District Trustee
NW District Trustee
SE District Trustee
SW District Trustee
Denita Bonhart denita_bonhart@clevelandwater.com
Scott Ballenger sjballenger@aquaamerica.com
Luke Murry lmurry@gpdgroup.com
Lance Livesay lance.livesay@amwater.com
Treasurer Valerie Copanic vcopanic@warren.org
Secretary George Sendrey gsendrey@envdesigngroup.com
Assistant Treasurer (vacant)
Assistant Secretary Glenn Marzluf gmarzluf@delcowater.com
Past Chair Sam W. Jacob swjacob@cityofelyria.org
AWWA Director Danella Pettenski dpettenski@msconsultants.com
Incoming AWWA Director (ACE23) Tyler Converse tyler.converse@cantonohio.gov
Districts Name Email
NW District Chair Chad Slagle chadmslagle@gmail.com
NE District Chair Dave Gilbert david.gilbert@lakewoodoh.net
SE District Chair
SW District Chair
Committees/Councils
Asset Management
Awards
Charitable Outreach
Competitions
Conference Co-Chair
Conference Co-Chair
Customer Service
Distribution
Diversity
Education
Lake Erie Water Plant
MAC
Membership
Newsletter
Nominating
Ohio WARN
Research
Scholarship
Sourcewater Protection
Technical Program
Technology
Utility Management
Water Utility Council
Young Professionals
Rob Shoaf rshoaf@shoafconsulting.com
Jennifer Webster jennifer.webster@arcadis.com
Name Email
Annette Mollet annette.mollet@cantonohio.gov
Cliff Shrive cshrive.cincinnati@gmail.com
Alyssa Ramsey alyssa.ramsey@jacobs.com
Jay Cermenaro jcermenaro@aymcdonald.com
Dick Lorenz richard.lorenz@westerville.org
Charles Moore clmoore@columbus.gov
Kim Spiert kaspiert@columbus.gov
Sandra Vozar sandra.vozar@lakewoodoh.net
Trish Harrison tricia.harrison@gcww.cincinnati-oh.gov
Steve Heimlich sheimlichalmu@gmail.com
Sam Jacob sjacob@cityofelyria.org
Tony Lococo tony@hlbaker.com
Megan Patterson megan.patterson@stantec.com
Gene Miller millerle@bv.com
Mike Giangiordano
Tim Truman tim.truman@daytonohio.gov
Rod Dunn rjdunn@columbus.gov
Jason Phillips jphillips@findlayohio.com
Bruce Whitteberry bruce.whitteberry@gcww.cincinnati-oh.gov
Becky Andrus becky_andrus@clevelandwater.com
Shawn Wagner swagner@newarkohio.net
Joe Crea jcrea@raftelis.com
Sarah Affrunti affruntis@swwater.org
Sarah Hayes sarah.hayes@stantec.com
Staff Name Email
Executive Director
Association Services Coordinator
Emily Pierson emily@assnoffices.com
Madeline Swain madeline@assnoffices.com
• Virtual Diversity in Water Series: July 13
• Water Distribution Seminar: July 19
• NW District Summer Meeting: July 20
• SW District Summer Meeting: July 28
• Cincinnati Race for Global Water: August 5
• Virtual Diversity in Water Series: September 14
• Columbus Race for Global Water: October 7
• NW District Fall Meeting: October 12
• Cleveland Race for Global Water: October 14
• SW District Fall Meeting: October 19
• NE District Fall Meeting: October 26
• Virtual Diversity in Water Series: November 9
• Joint Conference & Expo
August 21–24 | Columbus, OH
• AWWA ACE: June 11–14 | Toronto, Canada
• AWWA Potable Reuse & Biological Treatment Symposium: July 24–26 | Salt Lake City, UT
• AWWA Water Infrastructure Conference:
September 10–13 | Philadelphia, PA
• AWWA WIFIA/SRF Workshop:
September 13–14 | Philadelphia, PA
• WEFTEC: September 30 – October 4 | Chicago, IL
• AWWA WaterSmart Innovations:
October 3–5 | Las Vegas, NV
• AWWA Water Quality Technology Conference:
November 5–9 | Dallas, TX
• AWWA North American Water Loss Conference:
December 5–7 | Denver, CO
Across:
2.wintertime add from fill
6.adding chlorine to a tank
7.AC powered Ixombrand
8.___ By-Products (DBPs)
9.THMRS for inline application
10.solar powered Ixombrand
14.THMRS for inline application
15.magnetic ion exchange for short
16.center of THMs
18.coating's worst enemy
19.full load amps
20.mixing independent of fill/draw
Down:
1.___ column, aka. Hydropillar
3.water in levels
4.concentration varies by depth
5.causes some THMs & kills bacteria
9.green option for mixing
10.golf ball with tee (tower shape)
11.hardest of four to volatilize
12.easiest of four to volatilize
13.keeps headspace conc. low
17.low turnover causes long water ___
Thisdistractionhasbeenprovidedby: BakerandAssociates,Ltd. www.hlbaker.com
Ohio Section AWWAOn June 15, 2022, U.S. EPA announced the interim updated drinking water health advisories for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). These updates replace the advisory levels that were initially issued by U.S. EPA in 2016. These interim advisory levels shall remain in place until U.S. EPA establishes maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS through the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR). The draft of the NPDWR is expected to be available for review by the end of 2022 and finalized by the end of 2023. Ohio EPA will evaluate the interim health advisory levels (HALs) once the draft NPDWR is available.
In addition to establishing the interim advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS, U.S. EPA’s June 15, 2022, update also finalized the health advisory levels for GenX (the ammonium salt of hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid) and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid and its potassium salt (PFBS).
In response to the September 2019 directive by Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio EPA, and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) began conducting a statewide sampling program for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Beginning in 2020, testing was conducted at community and non-transient non-community public water systems for six PFAS chemicals: PFOA, PFOS, GenX, PFBS, PFHxS, and PFNA. Of the nearly 1,550 public
water systems sampled statewide, 2.97 percent of systems had finished water detections for PFOA and PFOS. Additional sampling at a few select ground water systems was conducted in the summer of 2022.
Ohio EPA has developed an interactive dashboard and map for the State of Ohio PFAS Action Plan, which shows the sampling status of individual public water systems, and an interactive map showing results for all systems that have sampled for PFAS.
*Ohio EPA’s Action Levels (ALs) for PFAS remain unchanged at this time. Ohio EPA will evaluate the interim Health Advisory Levels (HALs) once US EPA releases the draft NPDWR at the end of 2022. Public water systems with PFAS detections at or above the interim HALs outlined above should contact Ohio EPA for additional guidance.
The fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5), issued by U.S. EPA on Dec. 27, 2021, will require sample collection for 30 chemical contaminants between 2023 – 2025. All public water systems serving more than 3,300 people, and select systems serving less than 3,300 people, shall sample for 29 PFAS chemicals and lithium during a 12-month period between Jan. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2025. Additional details on UCMR 5 can be found at epa.gov/dwucmr/fifthunregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule.
As we await final regulatory determinations for PFAS, Ohio EPA
encourages public water systems to begin evaluating the options to reduce PFAS levels in finished water, identify short- and long-term planning needs, take advantage of funding available through the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA), and begin developing communication plans to address PFAS contamination. A webinar was offered in August 2022 to public water systems with known PFAS detections. Additional future webinars will be available to more systems as more regulatory and funding information becomes available. Several webinars on the updated health advisories are available through the U.S. EPA PFAS webpage.
For additional information on recent and upcoming PFAS updates, please visit the websites listed below, or contact Colin White at colin.white@epa.ohio.gov.
• Ohio EPA PFAS webpage: pfas.ohio.gov
• Ohio EPA State of Ohio PFAS Action Plan Interactive Dashboard and Map: arcg.is/0OvHaK
• U.S. EPA PFAS webpage: epa.gov/sdwa/drinking-waterhealth-advisories-pfoa-and-pfos
• U.S. EPA UCMR 5 Guidelines: epa.gov/dwucmr/fifthunregulated-contaminantmonitoring-rule
Adiverse group of influential thinkers from within and outside the water community put forth 10 recommendations for a sustainable water future in the first think tank report of the Water 2050 initiative.
Published on December 1st, 2022 by the AWWA, the Water 2050 Sustainability Think Tank Report is the first in a series of five think tank reports associated with the initiative. Water 2050 seeks to envision the future of water and chart a course for sustainability.
The 24 participants in the Water 2050 Sustainability Think Tank, which took place Sept. 21–23 at the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, included highly respected voices from the water and wastewater utility and consulting community, agriculture, climate science, academia, environmental advocacy, regulatory agencies, the beverage industry and innovation incubation, among others.
The group engaged in a series of facilitated discussions and developed recommended actions that can be grouped into four broad categories, expanded upon in the report:
• Implement a new water utility paradigm
• Establish a climate resilient water future
• Define the value of water for a new reality
• Achieve circularity of water “AWWA is uniquely positioned to host these Water 2050 conversations and explore long-term solutions for the water community,” said AWWA President Joe Jacangelo. “By bringing together diverse voices and thought leaders from various fields, we will be better prepared to overcome the significant water challenges that lie ahead.”
Four other think tanks will be held over the next six months to visualize the future of water through the additional drivers of technology, economics,
governance, and social/demographics. High-level recommendations will be reported after each think tank, and after all five are completed, the reports will be combined with additional Water 2050 inputs into a final report. Outcomes will be presented at AWWA’s 2023 Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE23) in Toronto to support the water community in realizing the Water 2050 vision.
The next Water 2050 Think Tank, focusing on technology, is Dec. 5–7 in Mountain View, California. To engage in AWWA’s Water 2050 initiative or to learn more, visit the Water 2050 webpage.
From Sept. 21-23, 2022, 24 influential thinkers gathered for the Water 2050 Sustainability Think Tank in one of the driest large cities in the world: Las Vegas, Nevada. As they arrived at the Springs Preserve cultural institution, where spring water quenched the thirst of Native Americans for thousands of years, the Colorado River Basin was
1
Water resources planning for a resilient planet in 2050 and beyond
suffering the worst drought on record.
The water level in Lake Mead, the main water supply for Las Vegas, had dropped nearly 150 feet since 2000. Thanks to innovative conservation and efficiency approaches by Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District, per capita water use decreased by 47% over the past two decades. While Water 2050 examines sustainability on a much broader scale than the southwestern United States, Las Vegas is a modern-day reminder of both the challenges ahead and the innovative spirit of the water community. It was the ideal site to focus thinking on the issue of water sustainability.
2
Transforming triple bottom line sustainability through infrastructure solutions
Participants emerged with 10 recommended actions that can be grouped into four broad categories: implement a new water utility paradigm, establish a climate resilient water future, define the value of water for a new reality, and achieve circularity of water. While the recommended actions are bold, participants considered them a starting point, a promising foundation from which more detailed actions will emerge through future think tanks, scientific research and other contributions to the Water 2050 initiative.
Focus Area 1
Water resources planning for a resilient planet in 2050 and beyond Water resources planning is among the most important functions of any community, region or country, and is the cornerstone of a water utility’s operational sustainability. Without sufficient water resources, at the right times and in the right condition, with appropriately matched infrastructure, a utility simply cannot fulfill its core mission of providing a safe, reliable water supply. While the water community has a long history of anticipating future demand based on population growth (or decline), climate change is expected to exacerbate resource challenges and alter population and water demand in many places. The demand for water from many sectors and geographies
3
will also change. A water resources planning strategy for 2050 needs to be resilient, flexible and adaptative, employing a wide portfolio of water sources to meet the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet the needs of tomorrow.
Focus Area 2
Transforming triple bottom line sustainability through infrastructure solutions
“Triple Bottom Line” is a sustainability framework that examines an organization’s social, environmental, and economic impact. One of the largest capital expenses and most visible parts of any water utility is its infrastructure (natural and built). Decisions about what, where and how to build have long- lasting effects and impacts on others in the water community and elsewhere.
“While Water 2050 examines sustainability on a much broader scale than the southwestern United States, Las Vegas is a modern-day reminder of both the challenges ahead and the innovative spirit of the water community. It was the ideal site to focus thinking on the issue of water sustainability.”
“A water resources planning strategy for 2050 needs to be resilient, flexible and adaptative, employing a wide portfolio of water sources to meet the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet the needs of tomorrow.”Water 2050 Sustainability Think Tank participants self-selected into three focus areas to initiate conversations.
Today’s infrastructure decisions will impact 2050 and decades beyond. Similarly, those decisions made in 2050 will have ramifications well into the 22nd century. This leads to the question of whether business as usual is sustainable. Is there a need for radical change in how we plan, deploy, and manage infrastructure moving forward to assure triple bottom line sustainability?
Focus Area 3
A water community roadmap for the race to net zero emissions
Many organizations have touted lofty goals of community-wide and even economy-wide transitions to producing “net-zero” greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the coming decades, with 2050 often as a target date. The goal is to reduce the impact on the Earth’s climate from gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. However, progress in most sectors has been modest and the pathways for reaching this goal become less likely with each passing year. How can the water community make a realistic commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, while collaborating with and building off progress in other sectors? Defining the water community’s role will be essential. For example, would such a commitment apply only to GHG emissions, or would it capture other forms of waste in pursuit of a circular economy? Would a commitment cover supply chain impacts, fleet management, travel choices and other business considerations? What are realistic timelines and pathways to reach these goals?
Implement a new water utility paradigm
• Integrate management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse and energy utilities. The water community must
fully embrace energy production and emissions reduction as integral to its work. “One Water” emphasizes that all water is valuable, wherever it exists in the natural or human-engineered cycle. The future calls for bold strategies that address emissions and water comprehensively.
• Cultivate a new era of structured partnership with agriculture and other major water users. The World Bank estimates that agriculture already accounts for 70% of all freshwater withdrawals globally and that agricultural production will expand by approximately 70% by 2050. The water community must cultivate a new era of collaboration with farmers and ranchers and recognize the central role they play in assuring safe and sustainable water.
• Shift to watershed-based thinking. Watersheds are the cradle of irreplaceable ecosystems, and they do not recognize human-designated borders. To assure healthy and sustainable watersheds, water providers must model and advance a new way of thinking that recognizes the shared benefits and limitations of watersheds. Purposeful crosssector and cross-community collaboration at a watershed scale, led by water utilities, will result in innovative water and carbon management solutions.
• Reduce water community’s impacts on climate change through adaptive management. The water community itself has a significant carbon footprint. The future requires adaptive water management that actively pursues efficiency opportunities and evaluates the water community’s
direct and indirect impacts on climate change. The water community must work closely with partners such as energy utilities to reduce emissions embodied in energy use and production.
• Rapidly identify financing structures and funding sources for resilient systems of the future. Creating a resilient and sustainable water sector requires a significant investment. Innovative financing approaches and alternative financing structures are needed.
• Reframe the value of water to reflect the need to prepare for a sustainable future. The water community must bring about a new appreciation of the value of water resources, systems and services. At no point does water stop being valuable, whether it be groundwater, seawater, used water, stormwater, recycled water or drinking water.
• Assure that equity and affordability are key considerations in water infrastructure and resource investments. Prior to the recent inflation spike in the United States, increases in the price of water had been outpacing the consumer price index for many years. With prices higher for a broad swath of consumer goods and services, an affordability crisis is on the horizon. Water infrastructure and services –like many community investments –have not always been equitably distributed among the population. Discriminatory land use and zoning practices created neighborhoods that suffer greater environmental impacts from utility activity, more public health concerns, less protection from natural disasters, and lower-quality services. Clean and accessible water and sufficient
provisional services are critical for community vitalization and revitalization. Diverse waterwork forces that reflect the community makeup are important in pursuing these changes. Recognizing that safe and adequate water supplies are essential for the health of every person in every community, the water community must assure that everyone is respected in allocating future resources.
planning that transcends siloed thinking, exploration of regional or national water plans, integration or consolidation of utilities at the local level, and a new level of cross-sector collaboration.
• Define and quantify a “net-zero” water community. To overcome challenges wrought by climate change, water utilities must advance a circular water economy that transforms existing waste streams into valuable resources. A circular economy keeps materials, energy, products, and services in circulation as long as possible, recapturing what would traditionally be discarded. While general methodologies of GHG emission evaluation exist, common tools to calculate water-related emissions must be scalable to utilities of all sizes and consider varying utility realities. In addition to the operational and financial efficiencies to be gained by utility integration, there are opportunities to create partnerships, establish incentives, and identify investors to enhance long-term financial sustainability.
others, evaluating them in light of both resource and emissions goals. The water community can incentivize efficiency by creating certifications that recognize sustainable utility practices and makes them more attractive to lenders and investors. Lower interest rates may be awarded conditionally on meeting sustainability goals, with rate adjustments when set metrics are not hit on defined schedules.
A vital component of the Water 2050 process is broad engagement –tapping into the diverse perspectives of voices from within and outside of AWWA and the greater water community. A collaborative exploration is essential to challenge currently held beliefs, put forth bold solutions, and cultivate the most resilient course for the future.
• Achieve economies of scale of water systems through consolidation and operational efficiencies. A sustainable water future requires utility optimization and transformation and sharing and leveraging resources, balancing the role of the utility as a community leader with an integrated and collaborative approach. n the coming decades, successful water utilities will maximize operational efficiencies, apply systems thinking, and achieve economies of scale, within and across utilities. Such a shift requires comprehensive
• Maximize efficiency through reuse, conservation, and expanding collaboration with other sectors. To optimize efficiency and sustainability, the water community must normalize and incentivize a One Water, integrated approach that can serve as an example for other sectors. Alongside regional and agricultural partners, the energy sector, and other collaborators, each community should assess a diverse portfolio of resource management, infrastructure and treatment options, including conservation, reuse, desalination, natural treatment processes, water loss control and
Water 2050 invites participation beyond the think tanks in many ways. At the 2022 AWWA Annual Conference and Exposition, the opening general session featured a video of young professionals sharing their thoughts on water in the year 2050. In the exhibition hall, an artist collected insights from attendees and created colorful sketches expressing the combined vision for each Water 2050 driver. Board members have engaged in multiple deep-dive discussions. AWWA members and staff answered Water 2050 surveys in the weeks following the initiative’s launch, and each of the organization’s six volunteer leadership councils and 43 sections are also providing insights.
To navigate toward a sustainable water future, Water 2050 needs your voice. If you, someone you know, or an organization you recommend want to be part of this journey, please contact the Water 2050 team at water2050@awwa.org.
“Water infrastructure and services – like many community investments –have not always been equitably distributed among the population. Discriminatory land use and zoning practices created neighborhoods that suffer greater environmental impacts from utility activity, more public health concerns, less protection from natural disasters, and lower quality services.”
The Ohio Section American Water Works Association Newsletter is made possible by the companies below who convey their important messages on our pages. We thank them for their support of OAWWA and its publication and encourage you to contact them when making your purchasing decisions. To make it easier to contact these companies, we have included the page number of their advertisement, their phone number, and, where applicable, their website.
Stores and feeds dry hydrated lime, quicklime, powdered activated carbon (PAC), or soda ash in a silo, dissolves it in a tank, and pumps the chemical solution to the point of application.
• Tailored to the project’s needs
• Pre-assembled, piped, wired and factory-tested
• Fully engineered and integrated
• Single-piece welded silo construction (up to 14-foot in diameter)
• Skirted interior with insulation, lighting, fans, dampers, louvers, and heaters
• Completely automatic control system with PLC
• Flexible configurations and options for individual installation requirements
• Can be used in conjunction with the IMS A-758™ and A-758 PLUS™ Paste-Type Lime Slakers
As a local leader, you have enough on your mind. We partner with you to ensure water issues are not one of them.
We are water resource experts who help committed leaders make sure their water is safe + managed + future-proof.
