Sept/Oct Texas H2O

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011

TEXAS H2O The Official Newsletter of the Texas Section AWWA • THE Water Professionals

2011 Scholarship Awardees are (top row from left) Olivia Beck, Cynthia Castro, Margaret Cook, Elizabeth DeMoultrie, James Georger, (middle row from left) Melanie Hunt, Ashley Lange, Cassandra Lange, Sarah Martin, Yolanda McDonald, (bottow row from left) Grace Rabalais, Scott Schreiber and Emory Wegwerth.

Not pictured are Ashley Evans and Eric Newberry.

A record number of scholarships See Story, Page 12

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Letter from the Texas Section Chair

Our Future

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By Dave Scholler

Texas Section American Water Works Association P.O. Box 80150 Austin, Texas 78708 http://www.tawwa.org DAVE SCHOLLER, CHAIR 281-558-8700 BRENT LOCKE, CHAIR-ELECT 254-562-5992 CHRISTIANNE CASTLEBERRY, VICE-CHAIR 512-751-9272 RICHARD TALLEY, IMM. PAST CHAIR 817-392-8203

MIKE HOWE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ SECRETARY-TREASURER 512-238-9292 FAX: 512-238-0496 E-MAIL: mikehowe@tawwa.org This publication is distributed monthly to the more than 3,500 members and friends of the Texas Section American Water Works Association.

Contributing writers can contact the editor: Cliff Avery GCP Association Services PO Box 676 Pflugerville, TX 78691 512-251-8101 FAX: 512-251-8152 e-mail: cavery@texas.net The publication name, TexasH2O: © 1996-2011 Texas Section - American Water Works Association, Inc. © 2011, Texas Section - American Water Works Association, Inc.

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hose of you who know me know I am not the future of our industry or our organization. The future of our industry and our organization lies in those who have many years left in their career and those who are just beginning.

Young professionals represent a dynamic and energetic group of members in AWWA and the Texas Section who are 35 years of age or younger. I certainly do not qualify for this group. This includes those working for utilities, regulatory agencies, consulting firms, or academic institutions as AWWA considers all of its members to be water industry professionals. However, this group has traditionally been under-represented in the membership of the organization.

It is vital to increase the involvement of young water professionals in the activities of AWWA at the Chapter, Section and Association levels. For many years, the Texas Section AWWA has been recognized as a leader among AWWA Sections in recognizing the value of recruiting and involving Young Professionals in the leadership of the Section. We were the first to elect a YP as Chair of the Section. A number of YPs from Texas have become part of the leadership, both with AWWA and the Texas Section. The involvement of the YPs begins with the chapters. Many chapters have a YP Committee that sponsors events specifically targeting the YPs with social events and community service events. If you are a YP, I encourage you to get involved, whether it is with your local chapter or the Section.

Our commitment to Young Professionals remains strong. We all recognize that the future of the water industry depends on it.

Looking to the future, Texas AWWA is committed to the support of higher education through the Texas Section AWWA Scholarship Program.

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors or students already enrolled in college or postgraduate work who are full-time students and family members of Texas Section members or members who have returned to full time education.

This year the Texas Section had a total of 49 applications submitted, the most ever. The TAWWA Scholarship Committee spent a lot of time and energy in evaluating these applications. Based on this evaluation, the TAWWA Scholarship Committee selected 15 recipients to receive $2,000 scholarships, also the most ever awarded.

Let’s give a BIG Shout-out to the Scholarship Committee for all their hard work. The funds for the scholarships are provided for in the Section Budget and supplemented by TAWWA’s share of the proceeds from the golf tournament at the annual Texas Water conference. In addition, several chapters contribute to the General Scholarship Fund, which allows more scholarships to be funded at the Section level. Several Chapters also award scholarships to those from their area who did not receive a scholarship at the Section level.

These scholarships provide for and influence the future of our industry and our organization.

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No relief in sight State climatologist creates a stir positing that drought ‘could’ last to 2020

DroughtLook ’ 11 TWDB adopts draft of state water plan The Texas Water Development Board adopted the draft 2012 State Water Plan at its September meeting.

The plan is an update of the “bottoms-up” water planning process begun in 1997. Regional groups across the state developed plans specific to their area, which were combined and reconciled by TWDB staff.

Among the major findings of the plan: The population in Texas is expected to increase PLEASE SEE STATE PLAN, PAGE 15

Could the drought last to 2020?

The answer is “yes.”

But just because it “could” doesn’t mean it “will.”

State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon of Texas A&M deals with heat waves, but he found a different kind of wave — a wave of media interest — when a Texas A&M-prepared press release covering his projections said the drought could last until 2020.

“I approved the headline…,” he wrote on his blog Climate Abyss on www.chron.com. “I realize now this was a mistake. Naming a particular year implied a certain precision which the fuzzy word ‘could’ could not overcome. While it was technically correct, it gave the wrong impression, and for that I apologize.”

Various media outlets picked up the story, and it sent shivers down a lot of dry Texas spines. “It made the inconceivable conceivable, which is useful since most Texans have not experienced a drought lasting more than two years,” Nielsen-Gammon wrote.

In an earlier blog post, the state climatologist noted that Sept. 27, 2010 is the date that began, for many areas of the state, the driest oneyear period in recorded history.

Nielsen-Gammon discussed in detail the climate models available to forecast dry periods in the Southern U.S. The models tracked ocean temperatures in both the Pacific and Atlantic, including the well-known La Niña effect.

The bottom line of his analysis: It doesn’t look good.

The oceanic factors may “change erratically, but tend to hang around positive or negative values for multiple decades.”

“At present, they all favor long-term drought, and have for the past five to ten years.

PLEASE SEE 2020?, PAGE 18

TCEQ pushes for more online exams for operator licenses

By Liz Davidson TEXASH2O Renewing or obtaining your operator license is becoming as easy as a few clicks of your keyboard. TCEQ has made its renewal process and licensing testing (for some exams) available online.

Meagan Warncke, team leader for the TCEQ operator licensing section, discussed the new online system Aug. 9 at the Public Drinking Water Conference in Austin.

“This is something that we’re going to be striving for,” Warncke said. “We’re going to be putting more and more of our exams online.”

To renew your license online, start by going to www.tceq.texas.gov/licensing and follow the prompts to go

through the renewal process. You can submit the application and pay the fee at the same time through the website. Warncke said the online process is quicker than paper renewals, with the license turnaround being about two days as opposed to five to seven days.

Testing for various licenses has also moved online. Although paper exams are still available at testing centers, several exams are offered online as computer-based testing, including: • CSI • Water Treatment Specialist (Class I, II, and III) • Landscape Irrigation (Inspector and Technician – English version only) • Municipal Solid Waste (Class A and B) PLEASE SEE EXAMS, PAGE 17

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THE DROUGHT as of OCT. 18

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Executive Director Report

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The Labor Day Fires

By Mike Howe TAWWA Executive Director

W

hen we host TXWARN Boot Camp training, we point out that disasters never occur Monday through Friday, eight-to-five. This past Labor Day weekend was no exception.

We were all on watch for hurricanes and, in fact,were watching Tropical Storm Lee dump rain in Louisiana. But none of us expected Labor Day Sunday, Sept. 4, to become a historic day for fires in Central Texas. With dramatically dry conditions and Tropical Storm Lee whipping up the winds, conditions were just ripe for trouble. How one utility managed the outcomes of this event is a testament to good planning, commitment, and the ability of TXWARN and its members to be ready to respond when asked.

The morning was hot, dry and windy, and already, two fires had started and were being wind-whipped east of Pflugerville.

After some harrowing moments, the skilled firefighters in the Pflugerville area, with ground and air support, were able to contain those fires with just two homes lost, instead of the 190 that were at risk. Later in the morning, a fire broke out in west Travis County in the Steiner Ranch area that would burn

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numerous homes. By afternoon, other fires would occur in Western Travis County, and we soon found the Austin area surrounded. But none of these were like the conflagration that was soon to start southeast of Austin.

Sparks from electric power lines likely started the blaze that became the most destructive wildfire in Texas history as more than 1,500 homes were destroyed near Bastrop, and two people lost their lives. Two separate fires had started and soon came together, driven by gusty 30 mile-per-hour winds with a humidity of 22 percent and temperatures of 99 degrees. The tall pines and buildings in the area were nothing but fuel in the way of this fast moving fire. The Bastrop Complex wildfires forced thousands of residents to flee their homes, burned out of control for several days and ultimately blackened more than 50 square miles.

As the fire swept through the area, more than one utility was impacted. The largest provider, the Aqua Water Supply Corporation, was, in a word, devastated. Much of the system lost electricity, including power to Aqua’s remote wells and elevated storage. It wasn’t long before firefighting needs and the open line leaks in the system caused by the fire depleted the water in elevated storage tanks throughout the system.

As the fire raced through the neighborhoods, the intensity of the fire wiped homes off their foundations, melted water meters, PLEASE SEE HOWE, PAGE 20

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TCEQ reviews water issues addressed in 82nd Legislature

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TEXAS WATER 2012 APRIL 10-13 Sm

HENRY B. GONZALEZ CONVENTION CENTER SAN ANTONIO

The 82nd legislative session addressed several water issues across the board. Isaac Jackson, with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Intergovernmental Relations Division, highlighted some of the new legislation that is pertinent to the water industry at the Public Drinking Water Conference on August 9 in Austin.

TCEQ’S ISAAC JACKSON Highlights from the Sunset Bill, HB 2694: • Continued the TCEQ for another 12 years.

• Groundwater protection from oil and gas drilling activities, generally called the Surface Casing Program, was transferred from the TCEQ to the Railroad Commission of Texas.

• Dams located on private property are exempted from meeting TCEQ standards if the dam has a maximum capacity of less than 500 acre feet, has a hazard classification of low or significant, is located in a county with a population of less than 215,000 and is not within a municipality.

• Penalties have increased to a maximum of $5,000 for some noncompliance violations and up to $25,000 for other PLEASE SEE LEGISLATURE, PAGE 22

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Workshop engages landowners in riparian area management

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DALLAS/FORT WORTH — At a recent workshop conducted in the Mill Creek watershed area of Navarro County, 11 area landowners heard from representatives of various conservation-oriented organizations, businesses and educational agencies on how effective riparian area management can provide long-term benefits to the Trinity River basin.

“The Sand County Foundation and Trinity Waters hosted the workshop as a learning experience for landowners taking part in the Water As A Crop initiative that seeks to implement water conservation measures on private lands,” said Texas AgriLife Extension Service assistant Blake Alldredge, who helped coordinate the workshop.

Other organizations represented included the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, MillerCoors, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and AgriLife Extension.

“Conservation practices that enhance water resources within the Trinity River basin are critical as the river provides water to nearly 40 percent of Texans,” said Ken Klaveness, Trinity Waters executive director. “Projects like Water As A Crop are vital in these rural watersheds, and landowner involvement is key in any effort to improve the water and wildlife of the basin.”

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TAWWA awards 15 scholarships Texas Section has named 15 recipients of 2011 scholarships.

That’s the highest number in the Section’s history. They are: OLIVIA BECK is pursuing a degree in civil engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Last spring and summer, she volunteered as a research assistant in the Environmental and Water Resources Engineering department, which led her to realize that she would like to pursue a career in water resources engineering. Olivia serves as president of the AWWA/WEF student chapter at UT and was a Student Engineering Council Representative for Engineers for a Sustainable World from 2009 to 2010. She is a student member of AWWA. CYNTHIA CASTRO graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a civil engineering degree and is pursuing a master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in water management, treatment and conservation. Cynthia would like to use her education to work on global water issues and with organizations such as UNICEF. Cynthia has interned with TCEQ and served as an undergrad research assistant at UT, where she conducted research on the hydraulic performance of bridge deck drains. She is a student member of AWWA. MARGARET COOK graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in civil engineering, and is pursuing a master’s degree in environmental engineering at UT. Among other interests, she would like to work as an advocate for clean water and help educate the public about water issues and conservation. Margaret has served as president of the UT chapter of AWWA/WEF and has been involved with Projects for Underserved Communities, Engineers for a Sustainable World, Chi Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi. She is a student member of AWWA. ELIZABETH DEMOULTRIE is pursuing a degree in biology from the University of Texas at El Paso, with minors in geology and environmental science. She has worked in the water and wastewater industry for 17 years at El Paso Water Utilities.

Elizabeth hopes to gain a better understanding of the biological, geological and chemical processes that happen in our environment. She would like to educate the public, especially children, about water and environmental issues. Elizabeth is a member of the AWWA through El Paso Water Utilities.

ASHLEY EVANS graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in civil engineering, and is pursuing a master’s degree in environmental and water resources engineering at UT. For her graduate research, she plans to assess the feasibility of rainwater harvesting at the subdivision-scale to supply potable water in rural central Texas. She is a founding officer of the AWWA/WEF student chapter at UT and currently serves as treasurer. Ashley has interned with Alan Plummer Associates, Inc. and TCEQ. She is a student member of AWWA through the University of Texas at Austin.

JAMES GEORGER is working toward a degree in natural resource management from Texas Tech University, with plans to expand his study into environmental science and earn an environmental and wasteland management and wildlife biology dual major degree. Upon graduating, he would like to work in the development of the natural environment, with a focus on watershed management. James is involved with the Society for Conservation Biology and the Range, Fishing and Wildlife Club.

His AWWA family member is James T. Georger, regional sales manager for Kruger Inc. MELANIE HUNT is a graduate of Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth and is working toward a psychology degree at Texas A&M University. She plans to continue her education upon graduation and earn a master’s degree in educational psychology. Melanie was involved in many activities in high school, including the golf and volleyball team, serving as an Ambassador Program representative and volunteering at H.O.P.E. Tutoring. Her AWWA family member is her mother, Julie Hunt, director of Water Utilities for the City of Arlington.

ASHLEY LANGE is pursing a degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University, with the goal of opening her own engineering firm. She would also like to use her knowledge and expertise to help meet engineering needs around the world, especially in developing Third World countries. Ashley is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Her AWWA family member is father Donald Lange, engineering manager in the water division at Black and Veatch.

CASSANDRA LANGE is a graduate of Boerne-Samuel V. Champion High School in Boerne and is working toward a degree in physics from the University of Central Arkansas. She played varsity soccer in high school and is a member of the Central Arkansas soccer team. Cassandra plans on becoming a high school physics teacher and soccer coach, where she can have a positive influence on youth. Her AWWA family member is father Donald Lange, engineering manager in the water division at Black and Veatch.

SARAH MARTIN is pursuing a master’s degree in Forensic Science at Sam Houston State University and would like to work as a toxicologist upon earning her degree. Sarah is involved with the Elliot T. Bowers Honors College Admissions Committee, is the Social Chair and member of the Society of Forensic Science and a member of the Alpha Chi National Collegiate Honor Society, among other activities. Her AWWA family member is father Kenneth Martin, project manager at Murfee Engineering Company.

YOLANDA MCDONALD is working toward a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Texas at El Paso, with her thesis focusing on the link between water quality at a neighPLEASE SEE SCHOLARS, PAGE 21

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State Water Plan chart shows water use TABLE 3.4. PER CAPITA WATER USE FOR THE 40 LARGEST CITIES IN TEXAS FOR 2008-2060 (GALLONS PER CAPITA PER DAY) City or Place Name

2040 Per-Capita Use

2060 Per-Capita Use

Frisco

254

158

295

295

297

Midland

235

159

254

248

247

Plano

223

113

253

250

249

Richardson

216

128

278

274

272

Dallas

213

95

252

247

246

Beaumont

206

140

209

203

201

McAllen

202

114

197

193

193

College Station

193

92

217

213

212

Irving

193

104

249

246

246

Waco

193

72

183

183

183

Fort Worth

192

75

207

203

202

Longview

190

75

120

115

115

Amarillo

188

108

201

201

201

McKinney

183

122

240

240

240

Tyler

177

103

255

249

248

Austin

171

102

173

171

169

Carrollton

162

102

188

184

183

Odessa

160

108

202

195

194

Arlington

157

100

179

175

174

Sugar Land

155

94

214

211

211

Corpus Christi

154

80

171

166

165

Laredo

154

88

192

189

188

Round Rock

154

96

194

191

191

Grand Prairie

152

89

152

148

148

Denton

150

60

179

176

176

Garland

150

90

160

156

155

San Antonio

149

92

139

135

134

Lewisville

143

75

173

171

170

Lubbock

141

93

202

196

195

Abilene

139

73

161

155

154

Wichita Falls

138

88

172

170

168

El Paso

137

98

130

130

130

Brownsville

134

63

221

217

217

Houston

134

65

152

147

146

Mesquite

134

90

164

168

168

San Angelo

131

91

193

187

186

Killeen

127

82

179

174

167

Pearland

112

105

127

124

124

Pasadena

109

67

110

105

104

86

68

167

167

169

Missouri City

138

2008 Per-Capita Use 2008 Residential Per-Capita Use 2020 Per-Capita Use

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State Plan

from Page 3

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NOTICE Texas Watersm is a registered servicemark of Texas AWWA for the exclusive use in conjunction with the joint conference with the Water Environment Association of Texas.

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TEXASH2O

82 percent between the years 2010 and 2060, growing from 25.4 million to 46.3 million people.

Water demand in Texas is projected to increase by only 22 percent, from about 18 million acre-feet per year in 2010 to about 22 million acre-feet per year in 2060.

Existing water supplies — the amount of water that can be produced with current permits, current contracts, and existing infrastructure during drought — are projected to decrease about 10 percent, from about 17.0 million acre-feet in 2010 to about 15.3 million acre-feet in 2060, due primarily to Ogallala Aquifer depletion and reduced reliance on the Gulf Coast Aquifer.

If Texas does not implement new water supply projects or management strategies, then homes, businesses, and agricultural enterprises throughout the state are projected to need 8.3 million acre-feet of additional water supply.

Annual economic losses from not meeting water supply needs could result in a reduction in income of approximately $11.9 billion annually if current drought conditions approach the drought of record, and as much as $115.7 billion annually by 2060, with over a million lost jobs.

Regional planning groups recommended 562 unique water supply projects to meet needs for additional water supplies for Texas during drought, resulting in a total, if implemented, of 9.0 million acre-feet per year in additional water supplies by 2060.

The capital cost to design, construct or implement the recommended water management strategies and projects is $53 billion.

Municipal water providers are expected to need nearly $27 billion in state financial assistance to implement these strategies.

The report also collected 2008 water use statistics for the 40 most populous cities in the state. That table is reproduced on Page 14.

For a download of the complete report, go to www.twdb.texas.gov.

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TWDB urges legislative action to bolster water plan

TEXASH2O

www.kimley-horn.com

Austin ∙ College Station Dallas ∙ Fort Worth Frisco ∙ Houston Irving ∙ San Antonio

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As the Texas Water Development Board adopted its draft 2012 State Water Plan in September, it considered broader recommendations from the regional planning groups.

The planning groups made a number of regulatory, administrative, and legislative recommendations that they believe are needed to better manage Texas water resources and to prepare for and respond to droughts.

Based on these recommendations and other policy considerations, the TWDB made the following recommendations to facilitate the implementation of the 2012 State Water Plan: ISSUE 1: RESERVOIR SITE AND STREAM SEGMENT DESIGNATION The Legislature should designate the three additional sites of unique value for the construction of reservoirs recommended in the 2011 regional water plans (Turkey Peak Reservoir, Millers Creek Reservoir Augmentation, and Coryell County Reservoir) for protection under Texas Water Code, Section 16.051 (g).

The Legislature should designate the nine river or stream segments of unique ecological value recommended in the 2011 regional water plans (Pecan Bayou, Black Cypress Creek, Black Cypress Bayou, Alamito Creek, Nueces River, Frio River, Sabinal River, Comal River, and San Marcos River) for protection under Texas Water Code, Section 16.051.

ISSUE 2: RESERVOIR SITE ACQUISITION The Legislature should provide a mechanism to acquire feasible reservoir sites so they are available for development of additional surface water supplies to meet future water supply needs of Texas identified in the 2011 regional water plans and also water supply needs that will occur beyond the 50-year regional and state water planning horizon.

ISSUE 3: INTERBASIN TRANSFERS OF SURFACE WATER The Legislature should enact statutory provisions that eliminate unreasonable restrictions on the voluntary transfer of surface water from one basin to another.

ISSUE 4: PETITION PROCESS ON THE REASONABLENESS OF DESIRED FUTURE CONDITIONS The Legislature should remove TWDB from the petition process concerning the reasonableness of a desired future condition except for technical review and comment.

ISSUE 5: WATER LOSS The Legislature should require all retail public utilities to conduct water loss audits on an annual basis, rather than every five years.

ISSUE 6: FINANCING THE STATE WATER PLAN The Legislature should develop a long-term, affordable, and sustainable method to provide financing assistance for the implementation of state water plan projects.

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Exams

from Page 3 TEXASH2O

• Wastewater Treatment Operator Class D (with others being phased in) • Water Operators (Class D, Class C Distribution, Class C Ground, Class C Surface, Class B Distribution, Class B Ground, Class B Surface, with Class A exams currently being revamped before going online) “We do still have the written exams available at all locations, but we’re encouraging everyone to start looking into this as a new option,” said Warncke.

To take the licensing exams online, you must be preapproved through TCEQ. To become preapproved, you must complete all licensing requirements and submit an application with the $111 processing fee to TCEQ Central Office, MC-178, 12100 Park 35 Circle, Bldg. A, Austin, TX 78711-3087. You’ll be notified of your approval within 30 to 45 days.

Once you receive the approval letter you can make an appointment with a registered testing center to take the exam, where you’ll login to the online system with a unique ID. Some testing locations do charge a nominal fee to take the exam online.

A list of registered testing centers that offer computer-based exams is available on the TCEQ website, and it will be continually updated as locations are added around the state.

Warncke noted that some of the advantages to computer-based testing are that you get your results immediately following the exam, you only have to wait 30 instead of 60 days to retest, and if it’s your first time taking the exam and you don’t pass, you can immediately retake the exam at the center. She added that several of the testing sites offer after-hour and weekend times.

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TEXAS WATER 2012 Sm APRIL 10-13 • SAN ANTONIO www.texas-water.com

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2020?

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from Page 3

In that time, we’ve seen several drought years interspersed with some very wet years. So we know the current temperature patterns are not a death sentence for nonstop drought. But we have heightened drought susceptibility during this period, and, according to some studies the effect of La Niña is likely to be amplified,” he wrote.

The coming year looks to be another dry one, with water shortages and drought problems next summer.

“I don’t expect the rainfall to be so low again, mainly because it was so extremely low, but even 70 percent to 80 percent of normal will cause many reservoirs and aquifers to be lower next summer….”

“At this point,” the climatologist wrote, “all I can say is that we’re in a period of frequent Texas drought until further notice. The period, with both the Pacific and Atlantic working against us, might be over in a couple of years, or it might last another 15 or 20 years.”

“It seems likely to last another decade.

While not all of the next ten years are likely to be dry, they could be.”

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COLLEGE STATION — Val Silvy, 61, who helped establish a unique interdisciplinary masters and doctoral degree program in water management and hydrologic science at Texas A&M, died August 31.

The program has been cited as a model by a number of organizations including the National Research Council. She served as the coordinator and student advisor for the program sending emails to her students until the day before her death.

Born in Connecticut, she spent her formative years at Big Pine Island in the Florida Keys. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, she developed a love of the natural world and of the wonders of water.

Silvy earned a BS degree at the University of Illinois. In 1974, she and her husband, Nova, moved to College Station where she continued her education, earning a master’s degree in parks and recreation from Texas A&M University. She later completed her doctorate in community planning from the UT Austin.

From 1982-1989, Silvy served as the first executive director of the Brazos Valley Museum. From 1991 to 1994, Val taught environmental education courses at Texas A&M but, according to her students, offered advice on life skills and career choices.

Silvy would remind her students that timing, persistence and hard work were keys to success.

In 1995, Val began working on water education programs at Texas A&M University. She was active in Texas AWWA and was involved in the first discussions about creating a chapter in the Bryan-College Station area.

She is survived by her husband, Nova; a daughter, Elizabeth; and a brother, Jeff Adams.

In recognition of her role in educating the next generation of water scientists, a Valeen Silvy Fellowship has been established at Texas A&M University Foundation.

Contributions may be sent to the Texas A&M University Foundation at 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840.

Please indicate on your check that it is for the Valeen Silvy Fellowship.

TEXASH2O

Texas Section mourns Texas A&M’s Val Silvy

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TEXASH2O

Howe

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from Page 4

and consequently, much of the system was left open. Water was leaking from every broken or melted connection.

As the Aqua crews rushed to valve off the remaining unaffected areas of their geographically large system, they began evaluating their options. Pressure was lost, and elevated storage was depleted. Realizing the situation he was in, one of the things Aqua’s General Manager Bill Loven did to was reach out for assistance from other utilities.

The fire occurred on Sunday Sept. 4. On Monday morning, Sept. 5, TXWARN activated in anticipation of requests for assistance from impacted utilities. We notified all utilities in the broad Central Texas area that Aqua Water Supply Corporation may need assistance soon.

Early Wednesday morning, while the fire continued to burn out of control, the first request came from Aqua Water Supply for three generators to help them repower their wells and fill elevated storage.

Within just over three hours of that request, the Austin Water Utilities secured three generators of the needed size, and had them on their way to Bastrop. It is our understanding that it did not take long, with the assistance of Austin Water Utility staff, to help move these units on location, install them and begin pumping operations.

Later that afternoon, Aqua made a second request through TXWARN to secure crews to help locate and repair/replace valves and meters throughout the damaged part of the water system. This request included trucks and manpower for the work.

Within moments of the request being made, Travis County WCID No. 17 responded and within the next day, crews from Austin, Bryan and WCID17 were poised to move in to begin the repair/replacement process.

Wthin hours of the most devastating wildfire in Texas history, Aqua was able to restore a large portion of service to their remaining customer base. By the next Monday, they were able to restore service to all the schools so classes could reopen, and within ten days after the fire, they have been able to secure their system and recover to near normal operations. In addition, they are working closely with impacted customers to waive their bills and help restore water service as they begin rebuilding. In short, their emergency planning efforts have paid off and they have not only restored their operations, but maintained the faith of their customers who are also their owners.

I am pleased that TXWARN was able to assist and so quickly.

This would not be the case if not for our well-organized TXWARN system, and most importantly, TXWARN members ready and willing to respond. We are already planning to meet with Bill Loven and the Aqua staff to get the whole story, but for now, we should all be proud of their efforts and commitment to being ready and able to restore their system so quickly.

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Scholars

from Page 12 TEXASH2O

borhood level and the health of its members. She also plans to earn a doctorate in environmental sociology and a juris doctor in a dual-degree program, with the goal of becoming a sociology professor. Yolanda has been a research assistant and a teaching assistant at the University of Texas at El Paso, and is a student member of AWWA through the university.

ERIC NEWBERRY is a graduate of Louis D. Brandeis High School in San Antonio and is pursuing a degree in maritime engineering technology at Texas A&M Galveston. He was accepted into the Texas Maritime Academy and will be enrolled in the US Merchant Marine officer licensing program for marine engineering. Upon graduation, Eric plans to continue his education by earning a master’s degree in ocean engineering. He is the son of Erin Newberry, a Planner II at the San Antonio River Authority.

GRACE RABALAIS is a graduate of St. Agnes Academy in Houston and is working toward a degree in arts and technology and animation from the University of Texas at Dallas. She is active in Girl Scouts and has received the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award. In high school, Grace was also involved with the French club, Art club, Anime club and Habitat for Humanity. Her father is Gary Rabalais, associate vice president at Malcolm Pirnie in Houston.

SCOTT SCHREIBER is pursuing a mechanical engineering degree from Texas Tech University. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, has been involved with intramural softball and enjoys fishing and hunting. Scott has worked for Walther Water Well Service, where he drilled and serviced water wells, and is employed by Willen Electric Company. His father is Russell Schreiber, Public Works Director for the City of Wichita Falls.

EMORY WEGWERTH is working toward a degree in special education from Texas A&M University, and was on the Dean’s Honor Roll last spring. She would like to become a teacher upon graduation. Emory is involved with Aggie Catholics and is the team captain of her intramural volleyball team. She is a student worker assistant at the Memorial Student Center L.T. Jordan Institute on campus. Emory is the daughter of Arlene Wegwerth, customer relations coordinator for the City of Waco Water Utilities.

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Legislature

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Built Fast....Built To Last

www.columbiantectank.com w ww.columbiantectank.com

from Page 6

violations. Local governments that receive penalties may also qualify for approved supplemental environmental projects that will bring the entity into compliance or correct the environmental damage.

• Water rights holders are now required to have monthly water use reports that can be made available to the TCEQ upon request.

• Areas that do not currently have a watermaster program will be evaluated by the TCEQ executive director at least once every five years to determine whether one needs to be appointed.

• Water districts that have gross receipts of $250,000 or less may file annual financial reports with the TCEQ instead of a full financial audit.

Other Legislative Highlights: SB 332: Recognizes that a landowner owns the groundwater below the surface of the land as real property and that landowners are entitled to drill for and produce that groundwater, but not the right to capture a specific amount. It does not affect the ability of local groundwater conservation districts to regulate groundwater production.

HB 451: Creates the “Don’t Mess With Texas Water” program to prevent illegal dumping in surface waters. TCEQ will be working to implement this program, which will involve signs at water crossings that provides a toll-free number to call to report illegal dumping.

HB 3372, HB 3391 and SB 1073: These bills are related to rainwater harvesting, and direct TCEQ to adopt rules for the installation and maintenance of rainwater harvesting systems used for indoor potable purposes and connected to a public water supply system. They also allow loans for developments using harvested rainwater, provide for rainwater harvesting technology to be used in new state buildings, and encourage cities and counties to promote and provide rainwater harvesting incentives.

SB 181: This bill directs the Texas Water Development Board and the TCEQ to develop a way to uniformly calculate and report water usage by municipalities and water utilities for state water planning.

You can keep up with the latest legislation implementation and rule-making process at TCEQ’s website, www.tceq.texas.gov.

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Want to share your event with the Texas water community? Contact Mike Howe, 512-238-9292; fax 512-238-0496.

Check the Section’s website — www.tawwa.org — for the latest information on Section activities.

DATE

ACTIVITY

TIME

LOCATION

INFORMATION

Nov. 4

TAWWA Board Meeting

10am

Wells Branch Community Center mikehowe@tawwa.org 2106 Klattenhoff, Austin

Dec. 1

South Texas Chapter Old San Francisco Steakhouse 7th Annual Christmas Dinner and Scholarship Fundraiser 10223 Sahara Dr., San Antonio

Dec. 8

Southeast Texas Chapter 11:30am Chapter Meeting/Speaker: Jace Houston

HESS Club www.setawwa.org 5430 Westheimer Rd : Houston TX

April 10-13

Texas Water 2012SM

Henry B. Gonzalez Conv. Center www.texas-water.com San Antonio

cale.underberg@hdrinc.om

Volunteer for Texas Water 2012 sm • You can help make the Largest Regional Water Conference in the U.s.Tm a success by volunteering. Volunteers can earn up to a half-day free admission to technical sessions, exhibits and many other activities. Contact Adam Conner (adam.conner@saws.org) or melissa Bryant (mbryant@sara-tx.org).

Offices in Austin, College Station, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio WeKnowWater@BV.com Consulting • Engineering • Construction • Operation | www.bv.com

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TEXASH2O

Texas Section Calendar

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