TEX Sh2o | August/September 2013 |
The Official Newsletter of the Texas Section AWWA | THE Water Professionals
EXCLUSIVE: TWDB’s Rubinstein New Chairman on Agency’s Future | Page 3
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
September 15 – October 15 Hispanic Contributions to the Water Industry | Page 9
TXWARN Update | Section Events | Calendar | and more!
© Earl Nottingham/TPWD Lake Colorado City • Colorado City, TX
Drought Outlook | Page 8 TAWWA’s New Website | Page 13
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| rubinstein exclusive |
Rubinstein Steps in the Ring BY CLIFF AVERY texash2o editor
T
he first bell hasn’t sounded, but Carlos Rubinstein is ready for his time in the ring. “I’m passionate about water,” the newly appointed chair of the Texas Water Development Board told TEXASh2o in an exclusive interview Aug. 22. Rubinstein will leave his seat as one of three members of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to take the chairmanship of the revamped TWDB. Under House Bill 4, passed in the 83rd Legislature, the board goes from six part-timers to three full-time board members. Also appointed to the new TWDB were Bech Bruun and Mary Ann Williamson [See Story, Page 12]. One early task will be to name an executive administrator, as required by HB4. Rubinstein calls HB4 “very prescriptive,” setting an aggressive agenda for the board. “We’re tasked with implementing House Bill 4. It calls for action, and that’s one of the things I’m focused on.” The new chair declares, “We’re going to be judged by how we address this water crisis, and we have to get it right.” “Inaction is not an option.” With the Legislature’s new direction, Regional Water Planning Groups — the engines of the ground-up State Water Plan — are charged with, first, quickly developing criteria that will allow them to prioritize the projects they’ve identified to meet their regional water needs. Then, using those criteria, they’ll prioritize those projects for possible funding by two new water funds created by HB4. Voters will decide Nov. 5 whether to approve the transfer of $2 billion from the state’s rainy day fund to the water funds. “We all have a choice to make Nov. 5,” Rubinstein said. If voters approve the first-ever funding for the water plan, “that will trigger additional actions as well. All that is the exciting work that HB4 is calling us to do.” “’Getting it right’ is making sure that we properly
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prioritize the projects, that we properly fund the projects that can be put in-line when they need to be in-line,” Rubinstein said. Funding criteria for TWDB are also part of House Bill 4, the new chairman said. The board will have to take into account the population served, the regional mix of Carlos Rubinstein projects and the mix between rural and urban efforts. The criteria are designed “to put us in a position to better address the drought and to increase water supplies for the population growth that’s coming our way. Rubinstein, who served in a variety of roles at TCEQ before his 2009 appointment as commissioner, said he hopes the Board can assist the regional groups by providing information about “regulatory obstacles” that might affect the viability of projects they select. Asked if he was concerned that lawmakers would be looking over his shoulder during the challenging work ahead of him, Rubinstein said, “I welcome the interest that everybody should have in the successful implementation of HB4.” He said he — and probably his fellow board members — would seek out perspectives beyond the traditional, but “I recognize that the initial decisionmaking projects remains at the regional planning level.” Rubinstein, a former Rio Grande watermaster, was instrumental in the 2005 solution that settled a dispute over Mexico’s water debt to the U.S. under treaty. The issue has returned this year. One of his last acts as TCEQ commissioner will be going to El Paso for a meeting on the issue. CONTINUED PAGE 15 | rubinstein exclusive
TEXASh2o AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 | 3 |
| letter from the texas section chair |
Drought and the Value of Water Texas Section American Water Works Association P.O. Box 80150 Austin, Texas 78708 www.tawwa.org Christianne Castleberry, Chair 512-751-9272 Alissa Lockett, Chair-Elect 210-233-3401 Jennifer Elms, Vice-Chair 713-784-4500 Brent Locke, Imm. Past Chair 254-562-5992 Mike Howe Executive Director/Secretary-Treasurer 512-238-9292 Fax: 512-238-0496 Email: mikehowe@tawwa.org This publication is distributed bi-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 Email: texwater@texas.net The publication name, TexasH2O: © 1996-2013 Texas Section – American Water Works Association, Inc. © 2013 Texas Section – American Water Works Association, Inc.
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BY CHRISTIANNE CASTLEBERRY texas section chair
W
e all talk about the value of water, but do we really appreciate what that means? And more importantly, how do we get the general public to understand what that means? With the ongoing drought, it is now more evident than ever that we literally cannot sustain our standard of living without ample fresh water supplies. Since the 1970s Texas’s population has grown at an extreme rate, while our reservoir capacity growth has remained constant. And, CHRISTIANNE CASTLEBERRY we have mined many of our aquifers for 512-751-9272 groundwater, meaning that our total fresh c.castleberry@ water supplies have essentially decreased over castleberryengineering.com the last 40 years. Based on studies done by the TWDB, and predictions by the State Climatologist, the drought we are experiencing may continue for a number of years. Indeed, what we have long considered the “drought of record” from the 1950s may no longer hold that title in the coming years. So, how can we turn this dilemma into something positive? In one way — education. Education within our membership and education of the public. We have the ability to take current weather conditions and really get the public to understand that our water supplies are precious. They are just as precious as other things we use on a daily basis. Take for example our cell phones. Could we live without a cell phone? Of course. But could we live without water? And, given that we don’t think twice about paying a monthly cell phone bill of $100, why can’t we see the value in a rate for fresh water that may approach $6-8 per thousand gallons? It’s a perception and expectation issue. A perception that it will always rain, we will always have lakefront property, or that our groundwater well will always turn on. An expectation that the cost of fresh water should never be 100 times what we pay for it — as we do at the local convenience store when buying that bottle of Aquafina. Now is an opportunity to harness this education potential, and TAWWA is doing just that. This month we launched a new website, which has enhanced features for local chapters and members. The website will also be tooled to provide information for the public on drought issues, water
| 4 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 TEXASh2o
CONTINUED PAGE 18 | letter from the texas section chair
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| executive director report |
Getting the Message Across BY MIKE HOWE tawwa executive director
A
few weekends ago, we were visiting one of our daughters in Jacksonville, Florida. Jacksonville is on the Saint Johns River, a port city, the largest city in Florida, and the largest city by area in the country. About 1.5 million people live in Jacksonville. It is a big sprawling city with lots of neighborhoods and little downtown housing. Like any southern coastal city, Jacksonville is hot and humid. And, according to my daughter, it rains every afternoon. She was right. Like clockwork, every afternoon, sometimes early, sometimes later, the sky would darken and it would rain. And not light rain. For twenty to thirty minutes it would just pour. And then stop. This regular rainfall made Jacksonville lush. Green grass, healthy trees and shrubs and not a brown patch of ground except at the beach. After our steady drought here in Texas, it was a shock to see such lush landscape. But the other shock was actually disturbing. Everywhere we went, during the day and at night, sprinkler systems were constantly running. Water was running off onto sidewalks and streets, and even during the afternoon rain, it was not uncommon to see sprinklers running. I did notice that on some boulevards with landscaping in the median, there were signs indicating the use of non-potable reuse water, but even those sprinklers were running during the
| 6 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 TEXASh2o
heat of the day or during the afternoon rain. I did notice that areas around apartments and office buildings had numerous detention/ retention ponds to capture storm water from the regular rainfall. I was hoping that some of the irrigation water MIKE HOWE 512-238-9292 was being pumped from mikehowe@tawwa.org these sources, but no luck. Other than the reuse water mentioned above, nearly all of the irrigation that I saw was being done day and night, everyday, during the rain or heat of the day, with treated drinking water. I wasn’t quite sure what to do or think. I had this urge to emulate the late actor Peter Finch in Paddy Chayefsky’s movie “Network” and shout, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!” Now I realize that may be a little dramatic, but it was a completely different scene than here in Texas. I did check, and the St. Johns River Water Management District does promote and encourage water conservation on their website. There are five Water Management Districts in Florida and they have CONTINUED PAGE 23 | executive director report
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| drought outlook |
Drought Outlook Predicts Little Improvement
T
he drought outlook for the next three months doesn’t offer much hope to parched Texas. The Climate Prediction Center issued its forecast Aug. 15. The forecast covered the period through November 30. The good news was that, according the CPC map, a large swath of north and east Texas may look for some improvement. That was offset by the fine print: “The Green and Brown hatched areas imply at least a 1-category improvement in the Drought Monitor intensity levels by the end of the period although drought will remain [Emphasis added].” So the weather will still be dry. Just not as dry. A one-category intensity improvement for much of the area identified in the CPC map would mean going from Exceptional to Extreme Drought. Or maybe from Severe to Moderate. Whoopee.
| 8 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 TEXASh2o
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| diversity committee |
Hispanic Contributions in the Water Industry BY MARCO A. VEGA mcallen public utilities
I
just finished flipping through a book put together by our local Chamber of Commerce called “McAllen, Leading the Way…The First 100 Years.” It is a history of my hometown in deep South Texas from the time it incorporated in 1911 to the year 2011. It highlights its many historical milestones and tells of the visionaries who helped create present day McAllen, Texas. I read of Salomé Ballí de la Garza, (born to a wealthy family in Matamoros, Mexico, in 1828) who married John Young, a Scotsman who came to Brownsville, Texas, for trade in the mid 1800s. They had a son named John, with Mr. Young passing away soon after his son’s birth. Two years later, Mrs. Young remarried her deceased husbands’ business associate, Mr. John McAllen, yet another Scottish Immigrant. Their son, James Ballí McAllen, was born in 1862. After years of working the family mercantile and farming business in Brownsville, the family moved to Santa Anita Ranch (ranchland where McAllen was eventually started) and continued to expand their cattle business. A few years later, the two stepbrothers, John and James McAllen, became co-founders of the McAllen Townsite Company in Hidalgo County. Enter a branch of the St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico Railway and the rest, as they say, is history. History demonstrates time and time again how people can make lasting impacts, either for good or bad, regardless of their social, financial or academic backgrounds. The McAllen family came from Brownsville yet left a legacy in both towns. The men I have chosen as Hispanic Contributors to the Water Industry have also had stints in Brownsville and McAllen and have already left (and continue to leave) their own indelible mark. Certainly, talent has been bestowed and much has been delivered. CARLOS RUBINSTEIN is former Deputy Executive Director turned Commissioner of the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and just recently appointed by Gov. Rick Perry as Chairman of the Texas
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Water Development Board. Carlos was born in Mexico City, Mexico, and arrived in Brownsville, Texas, at the age of ten. He began his career as an epidemiologist for the City of Brownsville, tracking communicable diseases. He was promoted to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director, Carlos Rubinstein then Health & Permitting Director and finally, City Manager in 1997. He received an associate degree from Texas Southmost College in Brownsville and a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from The University of Texas–Pan American in Edinburg. In addition to deputy executive director for TCEQ, he also served as area director for the Border and South Central Texas, as regional director for the Harlingen and Laredo offices, and as the Rio Grande Watermaster. His resume is impressive but when asked about his greatest accomplishment, he names assisting in improving Brownsville’s EMS from basic life support to full Mobile Intensive Care Unit capability, improving Brownsville’s finances and credit rating and contributing to the resolution of settling Mexico’s water debt to the U.S. that, at the time, stood over 1.5 million acre-feet. Asked about his biggest strength, he stated…”taking on a tough project and seeing it through to its desired end,” hence his nickname from his previous days as TCEQ Field Investigator, “The Bulldog.” Mr. Rubinstein emphasized service and responsibility as his key motivators but wisely stressed that...”Man plans and God laughs.” Mr. Rubinstein’s impact has been felt not only in the Rio Grande Valley but in all of Texas as well. Now that he has begun his new chapter at the TWDB, we anticipate he will continue to provide trusted leadership, CONTINUED PAGE 24 | diversity committee
TEXASh2o AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 | 9 |
| diversify water supplies |
Archuleta Stresses the Need to Diversify Water Supplies BY CLIFF AVERY texash2o editor
A
USTIN — Utilities need to diversify their approach to water supplies to assure they can meet their commitment to their customers, Ed Archuleta advised participants in the Third Annual Water Reuse Conference. The July conference drew more than 200 attendees to the Austin Convention Center. It was sponsored by the Texas WateReuse Association, along with Texas Section and the Water Environment Association of Texas. Archuleta, the well-known CEO of El Paso Water Utilities who retired at the beginning of this year, described his utility’s approach to water scarcity issues. “If your utility is subject to supply interruptions — because of climate,
change or whatever disaster there might be — you need to make sure you have diversification,” he said during his lunchtime keynote July 12. El Paso is no stranger to water scarcity, Archuleta said. The Rio Grande, which separates the city from Juarez, has only exceeded its 30-year average flow three times in past 17 years. Elephant Butte, the reservoir with 2 million acre-feet capacity, was 95 percent empty when Archuleta spoke, and its overseers were planning to stop providing water to El Paso until it refilled. “When you tell people it’s five percent full, they don’t seem to pay too much attention,” he quipped, “But when you say it’s 95 percent
empty, it makes a difference.” Archuleta said EPWU developed its first 50-year plan in the early 1990s. “We started out with conservation as the first step, then moved into reuse,” he said. To further diversify, the utility is pursuing desalination. El Paso worked actively to urge its customers to conserve water. After honing its message, “they’re totally used to conservation. They don’t even question it,” he said. “I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to communicate with customers on a regular, proactive basis,” Archuleta said, “You really have to have the resources and CONTINUED PAGE 21 diversify water supplies
New Reuse Award Named in Archuleta’s Honor
WateReuse Texas President Greg Meszaros (right) of the Austin Water Utility presents Ed Archuleta with the first-ever award for an outstanding career in water reuse. The award will be named in Archuleta’s honor.
| 10 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 TEXASh2o
Former El Paso Water Utilities CEO Ed Archuleta was honored with an award for his pioneering in water reuse. The first-ever award from the Texas WateReuse Association, announced during the Third Annual Water Reuse conference in July, will be named the “Ed Archuleta Award” in future years. Future awards will recognize individuals who, like Archuleta, have significantly contributed to the advance of Texas water reuse; demonstrated exceptional service and leadership in the reuse community; demonstrated innovation in technology, efficiency or management CONTINUED PAGE 21 | archuleta award
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| twdb appointments |
Gov. Perry Announces New Texas Water Development Board Members
A
USTIN — Gov. Rick Perry today announced Carlos Rubinstein, Bech Bruun and Mary Ann Williamson will serve as the new full-time, three member board of the Texas Water Development Board pursuant to House Bill 4 of the 83rd Legislative Regular Session, effective Sept. 1, 2013. Rubinstein will serve as chair of the board. The new board will provide leadership, planning, and financial and technical assistance for the responsible development of water for Texas. Rubinstein is a commissioner of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), a position he has held since his appointment in August 2009. He is a member of the Texas Environmental Flows Advisory Group and is the Texas representative to the Western States Water Council, the Border
| 12 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 TEXASh2o
Governors Conference Sustainable Development worktable, the Environmental Council of the States, the Good Neighbor Environmental Board, an independent federal advisory committee that assists the president and Congress on environmental infrastructure needs along the U.S. border with Mexico, and the Governmental Advisory Committee, which advises the EPA Administrator on environmental concerns regarding NAFTA, the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation, and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Prior to his appointment, Rubinstein served as deputy executive director of TCEQ and as Rio Grande Watermaster. He is also the past CONTINUED PAGE 17 | twdb appointments
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| tawwa website |
TAWWA Launches New Website Log onto www.tawwa.org to get started
T
AWWA recently launched its new and improved member website, found at the same web address, www.tawwa.org. The new site provides members with more resources, opportunities to get involved and direct communication, as well as chances for water professionals across the state to connect and share information, events and news. Through the new website, members can register for events, record training credits, participate in committeess, divisions and group discussions, as well as stay better informed of what’s going on in the chapter in your area. Each TAWWA member has an individual profile page, accessible with a login and password you should have received recently via email. After you login, you can change your username and password, personalize your profile and access all of the features of the website. If you have any problems logging in, please contact help@tawwa.org. Log on today and get connected with the new TAWWA website!
Notice for Utility/Organizational Members If you are an organizational member, have your employees visit www.tawwa.org to create their own record on the website. To the left of the homepage, there is a box that says “Sign In.” Click on the link at the bottom of that box that says “Haven’t registered yet?” Select Future member to get started (we will change your member status). Unsure if your utility or company is an organizational member? A list you can check is available at http://tawwa.site-ym. com/?Organizational.
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TEXASh2o AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 | 13 |
| txwarn update |
TXWARN Assists Utilities with Power Outages
T
XWARN, the utility-to-utility disaster program spearheaded by Texas AWWA, played a key role in getting assistance to two McCulloch County utilities after high winds knocked out power. Intense straight-line winds apparently knocked out electric transmission lines and left the cities of Brady and Rochell without power for their utility operations. The State Operations Center, the nerve center for emergency response and recovery in Austin, called TXWARN Administrator Mike Howe just after 11 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11. The SOC advised PITTSBURG that Brady was TANK & TOWER unable to treat MAINTENANCE CO., INC. sewage and SAVE! Rochelle was We have a crew in unable to pump
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water into its tanks. An electrician in the area determined that each of the western central Texas utilities needed a generator of the 480 volt, 200 kilowatt, 3-phase variety. Howe contacted Austin Water Utility’s Charlie Maddox, a TXWARN event manager, who quickly arranged for two generators, trucks to tow the generators and a four-person crew. “It’s the great thing about being part of the Texas water community and TXWARN,” Howe said, “Everyone’s willing to step in to help.” At 2 p.m. on that Sunday, the SOC asked TXWARN to deploy the generators, and by about 3:15 p.m. — only four hours after the first call for assistance — help was on its way to McCulloch County. For more information about TXWARN, go to www.txwarn.org.
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| rubinstein exclusive |
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 | rubinstein exclusive Even though he is leaving TCEQ, he is not leaving the discussion. “That one will absolutely remain with me. That will not change,” he declared, “That will continue to be my job whether I’m at TCEQ or the water development board.” Rubinstein said that the Rio Grande Valley regional water plan is predicated on the assumption that Mexico will meet its obligations, so the issue falls within the board’s purview. Rubinstein said his experience at TCEQ will help him in his new role. He knows, for example, that some droughtstressed utilities under TCEQ oversight may end up requesting financing for water projects at the TWDB. The allocation of water rights while he was on the commission has also reinforced his appreciation for the seriousness of Texas water issues: “When you tell someone to shut off their pumping, that has significant impact.” He’ll also call on his experience as Brownsville city manager because, he said, he knows what a city goes through when it’s looking for financing for a water project.
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| twdb appointments |
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 | twdb appointments Texas representative to the Border Governors Conference Water worktable and a former city manager for the City of Brownsville. Rubinstein received a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Pan American University. His term will expire Feb. 1, 2017, and will serve as chair of the board for a term to expire at the pleasure of the governor. Bruun is currently serving as Director of Governmental Appointments for the Office of the Governor, and previously served as the government and customer relations manager for the Brazos River Authority. A native of Corpus Christi, he also served as chief of staff to State Representative Todd Hunter (District 32). Bruun is former general counsel to the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence, past executive director of Texas Victory 2008, and is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Knights of the Austin Symphony, and the Onion Creek Club Board of Governors. He received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. His term will expire Feb. 1, 2015. Williamson is owner of MKS Natural Gas Company.
She is a board member and current chair of the Texas Lottery Commission, a board member of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, and a member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is also a member of the Austin Colony Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and past president of the Weatherford Independent School District Community Education Advisory Council. Williamson received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration from Texas Christian University. Her term will expire Feb. 1, 2019.
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TEXASh2o AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 | 17 |
| letter from the texas section chair |
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 letter from the texas section chair related news, and ways to learn more about the water industry. TAWWA has also restructured its Education Division to better respond to the differences in member education, consumer outreach, and K-12+ learning tools. These changes and additions will provide more opportunities to get the word out about the value of water. And, given the current drought conditions, now is definitely a great time to do this. As we saw in 2011, once that year-long drought broke, the public seemingly forgot about the trials and tribulations that had been ongoing. TAWWA and its members should look to use the current drought as a means for enhancing education, and we are poised to do that with these resources. As Chair of your Section, I encourage you to take the time to help educate your neighbors, your friends, your
family members, and others about the value of water. Seize upon the current drought conditions to try and give them additional perspective. I also encourage you to use our new website and the tools it will provide, including new committees for participation, to enhance your own knowledge of the value of water. For example, our Education Division Consumer Outreach Committee is right now working on a webcast to help our utilities better communicate the value of water to their customers. The Rates and Charges Committee is developing tools to offer utilities as they develop rates that address drought conditions. And, our Conservation and Reuse Division is working on ways to promote efficiency and conservation in the use of fresh water. There are many educational opportunities right here within our Section. The drought of 2013 has been tough. And it may well end up getting tougher. But, I encourage you to think about ways to use this time as a means of education about the value of water.
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Want to advertise in TEXASh2o? Call 512-251-8101 today! | 18 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 TEXASh2o
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| customer service workshop |
REGISTER TODAY! TAWWA Customer Service Workshop October 17-18, 2013 Holiday Inn South Broadway Tyler, Texas Cost is $150 For more info and to register, visit www.tawwa.org Attendees can obtain 12 customer service credit hours for completing the workshop.
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| drinking water seminar |
SAVE the DATE » OCT 25, 2013 12th Annual North Central Texas Chapter of Texas AWWA Drinking Water Seminar The North Central Texas Chapter will be presenting its 12th Annual Drinking Water Seminar at the Petroleum Club in Fort Worth on October 25, 2013. The annual one-day seminar attempts to provide an informative program on topics of interest to our industry. The topics for this year include:
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| 20 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 TEXASh2o
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| diversify water supplies |
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 diversify water supplies commitment to communicate all the time with your customers. You can’t wait until you’re going to implement a new project. You can’t wait until you’re talking about raising rates.” Beyond reducing demand, utilities must remember supply-side conservation. Archuleta recalled that a common standard held that utilities were not wasting water if they had a 15 percent water loss. With the current drought, that standard will soon seem quaint, he said. “We decided to implement practices to come down to ten percent in ten years,” Archuleta said. He said that the utility aggressively pursued plugging its leaks and moved to steel tanks which seemed to leak less than concrete. “We developed an aggressive program of residential meter replacement on a schedule of every ten years, whether it needs to be replaced or not,” Archuleta said. He added that he told the EPWU staff that meters are “our cash register”, and the replacement program actually increased the revenue per customer by reducing leakage. “We meter everything. We meter our own plants. We meter parks,” he said, “If it stands still, we put a meter on it.” Reuse of reclaimed water has been a factor in El Paso since the utility built the Fred Hervey Reclamation Plant in 1985, which has treated and returned about 100,000 acre-feet to the aquifer. A project by AWWA’s research arm identified geologic spreading basins that sped the return of water into the aquifer. Reclaimed water is also injected into the aquifer through wells, and studies have shown
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that it takes about five years for the reclaimed water, now mixed with the aquifer water, to reach production wells. “This type of reuse is more acceptable to the public than if we treat and release into a lake,” Archuleta said. In 2007, EPWU opened a desal plant to treat brackish water, an abundant resource in the El Paso area. “The key is concentrate management,” Archuleta said. After extensive groundwater modeling and work with Fort Bliss, EPWU secured an exemption from TCEQ and EPA to inject concentrate mixed with other brackish water into the aquifer. The injected water has lower total dissolved solids than the brackish water it’s going into. It does exceed arsenic levels, Archuleta acknowledged, but the location of the wells and the brackish water it enters make it unlikely water sources without extensive treatment. Through its diversification of water sources and aggressive communication, EPWU pumped and sold the same amount of water last year as it did in 1990, even though its customer base has grown more than 45 percent. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 | archuleta award related to water reuse and demonstrated leadership in the advancement of research and education in the reuse and water resource fields. Archuleta retired from EPWU after 24 years at the helm. During his tenure, EPWU aggressively pursued the use of reclaimed water and opened the Fred Hervey Water Reclamation Plant. Along with industrial cooling, irrigation and wetland restoration, the plant replenishes a groundwater aquifer through an extensive aquifer storage and recovery program. A former chair of Awwarf, AWWA’s research foundation that has been renamed the Water Research Foundation, he also served on the board of the WateReuse Research Foundation. In 2008 he was appointed to the National Academies of Engineering and Sciences committee that studied the reuse of treated wastewater. The committee’s report — “Water Reuse: Potential for Expanding the Nation’s Water Supply Through Reuse of Municipal Wastewater” — was published by the National Research Council in 2012.
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Defend your rate structure
Financial Management: Cost of Service Rate-Making Seminar Sept. 23–25, 2013 | San Antonio, TX Financial objectives in the drinking water industry are constantly changing, making successful planning more difficult and more important than ever. This three-day course teaches proven strategies for capital finance planning and rate setting.
You’ll Learn How to Evaluate financial policies and rate impacts Develop defendable, fair, equitable, and objective policies Recover the full cost of service by obtaining the rate your utility needs Avoid rate shock by using proven techniques of capital budgeting and analysis
Who Should Attend Water Utility Management Rate Analysts or Designers Accounting or Budget Professionals Utility Board Members Municipal or Regional Government Officials Water Resources Professionals
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Seminar
| 22 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 TEXASh2o
Register by August 12, 2013, for reduced rates! To learn more or to register online, visit www.awwa.org/financialmgmtsa. 2.0 CEUs
20 PDHs
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| executive director report |
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 | executive director report been around since the 1970s and manage the use of the many aquifers in Florida. Florida has and does experience drought and understands water supply planning, use of storm water, alternative supplies, and conservation. Cities also have inclining block rate structures to encourage conservation. They are aware and have any number of resources promoting and supporting water conservation. So, where is the breakdown between the message and customer action? Is the price of water too low? Is there no enforcement of conservation rules? Or is it the same problem we all have? The public doesn’t understand the value of treated drinking water? I think the latter. And not only in Jacksonville, but nearly everywhere. There seems to be a universal lack of understanding of what water costs, how much water people actually use, or the extent of how water infrastructure problems impact them personally. We have done such a good job for so long that the public takes access to clean water for granted and is assured the water that comes out of the tap is safe. And while the public believes we should address water issues more seriously, they are less inclined to support spending more money on infrastructure. Most are not even sure that we have an infrastructure problem or funding issues. And, even with much of the western part of the U. S. experiencing some level of drought, many are not sure we have a water supply problem. The good news is that data suggests a willingness to pay somewhat more to upgrade water systems, but on average, only $5-$10 more per month. When presented with facts regarding water loss from old and leaky pipes, the support for taking action is strong. And,
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the public believes that the costs should be shared between users, federal, state and local government in that order. But, support for spending more in infrastructure is softening from previous years and should problems occur, the public will hold local officials responsible. It seems that for all of our collective messages to the public, we have not been as successful as we need to be in telling our story. The conservation message seems to be getting through here in Texas (not Jacksonville) but extreme drought has helped. But, other than increases in rates to offset revenue loss from conservation, the public doesn’t see money coming out of their pockets for conservation. Conservation appeals to them and they respond. Infrastructure replacement is different. The capital costs of replacing pipes, pumps and more is going to increase rates no matter how low the borrowing costs might be. For the public to “agree” to the needed rate increases, we have more work to do in getting them to understand the problem, and then collaborate with them to understand the true value of water, and then to invest in water’s future — and stop throwing treated drinking water on the ground. We’ll talk more.
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| diversity committee |
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 | diversity committee just as he has been doing since his days in South Texas. He and his wife of more than 30 years, Judy Rubinstein, have three daughters and three granddaughters, whom he singles out as his focus after retirement but confesses his greatest weakness is never being able to refuse them. ROEL “ROY” RODRIGUEZ, P.E., is the current General Manager of the McAllen Public Utility (MPU) and Assistant City Manager for the City of McAllen. Roel was born to migrant workers in 1963 in Harlingen, Texas, and was the youngest of eight siblings. He began helping his father (a selfemployed construction worker) Roel “Roy” Rodriguez every summer at the young age of ten, the beginning to a strong work ethic he carries to this day. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and later, a Master in Public Administration from University of Texas Pan American. After initially trying to gain employment with the Army Corp. of Engineers, he took a job with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
“If you are a nice person — if virtue comes easy to you — beware! Much is expected from those to whom much is given.” » C.S. Lewis upon graduation. He later returned to Harlingen to become City Engineer then left for County Engineer at Jefferson County (Beaumont, Texas) where he was the first ever Hispanic department head. He found himself back home when he took the Assistant City Manager position, under then City Manager Natalie Prim, an event that may never have occurred had it not been for her willingness to rehire her former employee. One year later he was promoted to City Manager and held that position until 2004 when he accepted the position of General Manager for MPU. Advice he remembers came to him from his former colleague in Harlingen, Public Works Director Ruben Diaz, who recognized talent in the young engineer but cautioned him to be patient in allowing success to happen instead of forcing it to happen. He also expressed humility as being a critical component toward enabling him to maintain a high degree of care for people, evident through many aspects of his managerial style, such as individually meeting with each new employee for a face to face introduction to the organization. Although he is very proud of having served several communities, he is most proud of serving the community he grew up in and cited that becoming City Manager of Harlingen was his most gratifying professional accomplishment to date. Roel has been affiliated with organizations too numerous to mention
engineers surveyors landscape architects www.tnpinc.com For t Wor th 817.336.5773 Denton 940.383.4177
| 24 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 TEXASh2o
Dallas Sherman
214.461.9867 903.870.1089
www.tawwa.org
| diversity committee |
but most notable are his current tenures with the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) as past Chairman and member of the Rio Grande Regional Water Authority, both appointments by Gov. Perry. Despite his professional success and involvement, he cites his faith and his family as the main factors in keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground. His personal mantra — “I work to live and not live to work” — reveals his perspective and personal philosophy that although very important, work is not the most important part of life. Roel has been married to Noelia Rodriguez since 1989. Together they have two daughters and one son. Ten years from now, Roel plans on being retired, however…”Man plans and God laughs,” so who knows? Both contributors deliberately placed significant importance on their commitment to serving people. Today, Texans are faced with historic political, environmental and economic challenges, threatening the positive outlook that most citizens have come to expect. These difficult times are begging for leadership that makes a positive impact on those living in this great state. Texans have been blessed to have these two individuals providing dedicated service in the midst of some of its most trying times.
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TEXASh2o AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 | 25 |
| classified advertising |
YOUR FUTURE IS OUR FOCUS.
Classified Advertising WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR City of Midlothian, Texas
PARTNERS FOR A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE Austin • Corpus Christi • Dallas • Fort Worth • Houston McKinney • Round Rock • San Antonio
www.cpyi.com
The City of Midlothian, TX is accepting applications for Water Treatment Plant Operator. Must have high school diploma/GED, valid TX driver’s license, a class C Surface Water License and be familiar with SCADA system. Salary: $35,942.00 plus excellent benefits. www.midlothian.tx.us. Please submit an application. City of Midlothian. 104 W Avenue E. Midlothian, TX 76065 — 972-775-7198.
Want to see your ad here? Call 512-251-8101 or email Tracy Wagner-Haight at tbwagner@texas.net
Creating a better water environment. • Austin • Dallas • Ft. Worth • Houston • San Antonio • Laredo • Midland • Corpus Christi • El Paso • Lufkin
Offices Worldwide www.arcadis-us.com
Engineering | Science | Consulting El Paso | Houston
Offices Nationwide | 100% Environmental Employee Owned | BrownandCaldwell.com
| 26 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 TEXASh2o
www.tawwa.org
| calendar |
What’s Happening Across Texas DATE
ACTIVITY
TIME
LOCATION
INFORMATION
SEPT 20
Desert Mountain Chapter 1:30 pm Annual Golf Tournament
Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course El Paso
garizpe@epwu.org
SEPT 23-25
AWWA Financial Management Seminar
Four Points by Sheraton San Antonio
www.awwa.org/ financialmgmtsa
SEPT 27
Deadline to submit abstracts for Texas Water 2014SM
www.txwater.org
OCT 17-18
TAWWA Customer Service Workshop
Holiday Inn South Broadway Tyler
www.tawwa.org
OCT 25
North Central Chapter 12th Annual Drinking Water Seminar
Petroleum Club Fort Worth
www.weat.org
Want to share your event with the Texas water community? Contact Mike Howe, 512-238-9292 or mikehowe@tawwa.org. Check the Section’s website, www.tawwa.org, the TXAWWA_Sustainable_DNTanks:KKL_BCA 7/8/2012 9:44 AM for Page 1 latest information on Section activities.
Sustainable Infrastructure Prestressed Concrete Water Storage Tanks
972.823.3300 www.dntanks.com Kyle Leininger, Southwest Regional Manager kyle.leininger@dntanks.com
www.tawwa.org
TEXASh2o AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 | 27 |
TEXASh2o
PRESORTED FIRST CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID AUSTIN, TEXAS PERMIT NO. 1
c/o GCP Association Services, LLC PO Box 676 | Pflugerville, TX 78691 512-251-8101 | (f ) 512-251-812 texwater@texas.net | www.tawwa.org
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