Participate in National Groundwater Awareness Week, page 8 Winter 2013
Control Your Well Remote monitoring can impact your bottom line, page 10 Also inside: —Safety in Disasters, page 20
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101 P7 Water Level Meter The Solinst 101 Water Level Meter with P7 Probe features an extremely durable, laser marked PVDF flat tape, with an enhanced dog bone design to reduce adherence to the side of well casing.
t P7 Submersible Probe measures water levels and total well depth t Consistent measurements with sensor located at the tip of probe t Certified Traceable to National Standards The PVDF flat tape is laser marked every 1/100 ft or each mm; lengths up to 5000 ft (1500 m). Flat tape has robust tensile strength and electrical efficiency by using 6 strands of copper coated stainless steel and 13 strands of stainless steel in each conductor. P7 Probe is engineered to allow submersion to 1000 ft. (300 m). Sensor at the tip of the probe provides consistently accurate measurements in wells, boreholes, and cascading water, with almost zero displacement.
The Levelogger Junior Edge is a costeffective water level and temperature datalogger. It features a Hastelloy pressure sensor, 5-year battery (based on one reading / minute), and memory for 40,000 level and temperature data points. Levelogger Junior Edge has an accuracy of 0.1% FS. Available in 5m (15ft) or 10m (30ft) ranges.
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102 Water Level Meter Standard 102 Water Level Meter lengths to 1000 ft (300 m). The 102M Mini Water Level Meter 80 ft (25 m) length.
t Precise laser markings every 1/100 ft or each mm t Two narrow diameter probe options t Easily spliced strong flexible cable
Compact and lightweight, the Solinst 12V Peristaltic Pump is designed for field use. Variable speed motor control delivers from 120 ml/min to almost 3.5L/min pumping rates.
www.solinst.com High Quality Groundwater and Surface Water Monitoring Instrumentation Solinst Canada Ltd., 35 Todd Road, Georgetown, ON L7G 4R8 Fax: +1 (905) 873-1992; (800) 516-9081 Tel: +1 (905) 873-2255; (800) 661-2023 instruments@solinst.com
Vol. 2, No. 1 Winter 2013
FEATURED ARTICLES 10 Control Your Well By Darol W. Russell and Reay Culp
Remote well monitoring can impact your bottom line. 12 PUBLIC GROUNDWATER SYSTEMS JOURNAL Q & A
Page 10
By Mike Price
Bob Gray, PG, senior hydrogeologist for Daniel B. Stephens & Associates Inc. 16 Phosphate-Based Chemistries By Michael Schnieders, PG, PH-GW
Make sure you understand everything you can about the use of phosphates in well systems.
COLUMN 20 Safety Matters by Gary Ganson, CIH, CSP Safety in Disasters Page 16
Part 1: Disaster preparedness is the key to keeping workers safe on the job. The views expressed in the columns are the authors’ opinions based on their professional experience.
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The Sylacauga Utilities Board’s radio frequency communications tower and power supply stands above the tree line in Sylacauga, Alabama. Photo submitted by Darol W. Russell of the Sylacauga Utilities Board.
®
DEPARTMENTS 2 Editor’s Note: Saying “Good Job” Takes Only a Few Seconds 3 In This Issue 3 Index of Advertisers 4 What You’re Saying 5 Industry Newsline 8 The Log 9 Web Notes 22 Coming Events 22 Newsmakers 23 Featured Products 24 PUBLIC GROUNDWATER SYSTEMS JOURNAL Qualification Form
The Public Groundwater Systems Journal (ISSN #2166-6512) is published quarterly by the National Ground Water Association, 601 Dempsey Rd., Westerville, OH 43081. Printed and mailed at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and additional mailing offices. Postal acceptance: Periodical (requester subscription circulation) postage paid at Westerville, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Public Groundwater Systems Journal, 601 Dempsey Rd., Westerville, OH 43081. Canada Post/ Publications Mail Agreement #40739533. Return address: 4960-2 Walker Rd., Windsor, ON N9A 6J3.
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Public Groundwater Systems Journal Winter 2013 1/
NOTE Saying ‘Good Job’ Takes Only a Few Seconds
EDITOR’S
person on her way to a meeting at a hotel paused when she was about to pass a coffee shop. Incredibly, it wasn’t the smell of fresh roasted java that halted her in her tracks. She remembered someone who would be at the meeting had been doing a bang-up job of late. So this person went in the shop, purchased a cup of coffee, and gave it to the fellow attendee along with a hearty thank you when she arrived at the meeting. It was a gesture that took only a few extra minutes and a few extra bucks. But it most likely made an impact that is immeasurable—months and months of hard work from a now extra excited employee. The person who purchased the coffee is the assistant director of human resources at The Broadmoor, a five-star resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where the customer service deserves a sixth star. And it’s obvious why. Every manager at the resort could tell you dozens of personal stories similar to the coffee because recognition is part of their philosophy. “If it takes you longer than five seconds to remember the last time you told someone they’re doing a great job, it’s been too long,” the director added after recalling her story to me. Wow. How long has it been for you? I admit I can get caught up in the dayto-day processes of making sure items get checked off the to-do list and can forget those helping me. Yes, it took me
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longer than five seconds to remember my last thank you. It won’t ever take that long again though. Saying “thanks” or “good job” is easy and so helpful. Sometimes the notice of a manager or boss is what truly keeps employees going when the task is tough or the hours are long. And sometimes recognition does more. It can be the fuel that drives employees to go above and beyond the typical. When employee investment reaches that level, you’ll get performances that could truly impact your company’s bottom line. The employee recognition program at The Broadmoor is over the top—and they’ve designed it that way. The annual employee of the year is treated to an all expenses paid vacation for his or her family. The assistant director of human resources said, “When it’s announced, we want it to be a cry on the stage type of moment like the Academy Awards” and “We want our employees to want that moment.” Obviously, most of our companies are not the size of The Broadmoor and can’t dole out such a prize. But the philosophy behind it is exactly like the free coffee. And we should all think of a colleague doing a great job when the smell of coffee hits our nose from time to time.
Thad Plumley is the editor of Public Groundwater Systems Journal and director of publications at the NationalGround Water Association. He can be reached at tplumley@ngwa.org.
Advertise your products and services to the groundwater industry’s most influential readership. Call Shelby Fleck and Vickie Wiles in the NGWA sales department at (800) 551-7379. ● ● ●
Shelby Fleck
Approximately 25,000 readers every issue. More than 20,000 work at community groundwater systems. Others reside in professions also allied to the field. Readers reside in every state.
Disclaimer Public Groundwater Systems Journal and the National Ground Water Association provide information for guidance and information purposes only. This publication is not intended to provide investment, tax, or legal advice. The information contained herein has been compiled from sources deemed reliable and it is accurate to the best of our knowledge and belief; however, Public Groundwater Systems Journal and the National Ground Water Association cannot guarantee as to its accuracy, completeness, and validity and cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions. All information contained herein should be independently verified and confirmed. Public Groundwater Systems Journal and the National Ground Water Association do not accept any liability for any loss or damage howsoever caused in reliance upon such information. Reader agrees to assume all risk resulting from the application of any of the information provided by Public Groundwater Systems Journal and the National Ground Water Association. Trademarks and copyrights mentioned within Public Groundwater Systems Journal are the ownership of their respective companies. The names of products and services presented are used only in an educational fashion and to the benefit of the trademark and copyright owner, with no intention of infringing on trademarks or copyrights. No endorsement of any third-party products or services is expressed or implied by any information, material, or content referred to in the Public Groundwater Systems Journal. Advertising Disclaimer Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for all content (including text, representation, and illustrations) of advertisements printed and also assume responsibility for any claims arising therefrom made against the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising that it believes is not in keeping with the publication's standards or is deemed unsuitable or misleading.
Vickie Wiles
2/ Winter 2013 Public Groundwater Systems Journal
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IN THIS elcome to the first issue of 2013 for Public Groundwater Systems Journal, a publication created by the National Ground Water Association for those working at public water systems served by groundwater. The publication made its debut last year with two issues and moves to its regular quarterly format this year. You are receiving the journal as you work at one of the more than 40,000 community water systems in the United States. Public Groundwater Systems Journal is designed to aid you in your professional needs as it contains a mix of feature stories, columns, and departments authored by professionals in the field as well as award-winning authors.
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Freelance writers Darol W. Russell and Reay Culp detail how remote well monitoring can impact your system in the winter issue’s cover story. In “Control Your Well” on page 10, they provide a case study on a well providing water for the Sylacauga Utilities Board in Sylacauga, Alabama. They point out that developing a production well requires local water knowledge and experience in current process controls. The backbone, though, is reliable communications. Monitoring a remote well site and having the capability to make adjustments from a central location will greatly reduce additional man-hours and ultimately the overall cost of operations.
In this issue’s Public Groundwater Systems Journal Q & A on page 12, Associate Editor Mike Price spoke with Bob Gray, PG, senior hydrogeologist for Daniel B. Stephens & Associates Inc. (DBS&A) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. DBS&A won the 2011 National Ground Water Association® Outstanding Groundwater Project Award for outstanding science, engineering, and contractor innovation in the area of supplying groundwater. The award was given for DBS&A’s Mike Price $9 million project involving the design of a new wellfield in Potter County, Texas. DBS&A used a three-dimensional hydrostratigraphic model to optimize well site selection and modeled groundwater drawdown impacts from an existing nearby wellfield. The data was used to develop a wellfield design that minimizes local drawdown impacts and balances pumping demands between the two wellfields. A project team member, Gray talks in-depth about working on the groundwater development project. The feature story “Phosphate-Based Chemistries” on page 16 by Michael Schnieders, PG, PH-GW, points out that phosphates have been used for a number of years in water treatment to reduce scale formation and limit corrosion. It adds that the application of the chemcals
in the groundwater industry has been a subject of debate without a true understanding of the chemical, biological, or geological implications. Schnieders then explains what phosphates are, how they are used, and where their limitations Michael Schnieders, PG, lie with respect to well PH-GW maintenance. The Safety Matters column this month is the first of a two-part series on safety during disasters. The first article by columnist Gary Ganson, CIH, CSP, “Safety in Disasters” on page 20, covers disaster preparedness and he points out that Hurricane Sandy and its horrific effects that struck the North Atlantic coast should serve as a reminder on how important it is to be prepared for disasters. Disasters can come in many sizes and many forms such as weather, earthquakes, epidemics such as the flu, and terrorism. Ganson says the key is to have a plan, communicate it, and then to make sure everyone understands it by being prepared. We hope this issue impacts your system. Public Groundwater Systems Journal is free to individuals working in the groundwater industry. Fill out the qualification form on page 24 so you don’t miss any issues and pass it on to others you know who would benefit from its content.
INDEX OF Page
Alloy Screen Works (800) 577-5068 www.alloyscreenworks.com Cotey Chemical (806) 747-2096 www.coteychemical.com Ground Water Science www.groundwaterscience.com Heron Instruments (800) 331-2032 www.heroninstruments.com
www.NGWA.org
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ADVERTISERS
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Morrow Water Technologies (205) 408-6680 www.morrowwater.com NGWA/Asset Management (800) 551-7379 www.ngwa.org NGWA/Groundwater Awareness Week (800) 551-7379 www.ngwa.org NGWA/Membership (800) 551-7379 www.ngwa.org
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NGWA/NGWREF (800) 551-7379 www.ngwa.org/ngwref Robbco Pumps (806) 749-7475 www.robbcopumps.com Solinst Canada (800) 661-2023 www.solinst.com U.S. Saws www.ussaws.com
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Public Groundwater Systems Journal Winter 2013 3/
SAYING
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Darol W. Russ the cost of he source ell water. water quali ty drives all aspects of require? Wha potable wate delivering quality t is the initia r to customers expense? l capital municipal What will or community for a be the opera 1500 gallo costs? system. ns per minu tional water The Park te or 2.1 mgd. The answ If the sourc Well, built er e to wate all of these in the 1950 r proves to a capacity will deter excellent questions s, has mine of producing quality, the be of end produ expense and the purveyor’s overa ultimately 0.5 mgd. The avera ct cost less. ll If the sourc will Sylacauga ge system demand consumer. ultimately the cost poor quali for for the e is is ty, mer dema 3.1 mgd. The peak the system treatment can be costl of Obviously nd increases sumas and groun , all types of surface to 4.7 mgd. Among other well as the rate paye y to Now let’s dwater are water analyze the rs. treate ated with regulation costs to build variables analyzed costs assoc these s. Some form d to meet the are the stood all comm facilities. It is unde iand disinfectio duce, trans infrastructure that s of treatm can proport, and rent n include unity wate store capac in methods filtration, aeration, sand When comp ity. membrane of treatment r systems vary aring surfa s, and desal groundwat and opera ce water and ination. Disin reverse osmosis, er, tions. Water Trea commonly contamina there are a myriad fectio of nts tme used are chlor n methods or liquid, Source wate that must be moni Capital Expe nt Infrastructur ine (gaseous onsite chlor tored. r e nse ine systems), state to state contaminants vary There are chlorine dioxi generation from (ultraviole Even thoug as well as within the de, and UV must be spentinitial capital expe t light). h state. nses that . Here water purve this is the case, every So how do is two for the a compariso yor the costs comp case n of comes to tor and repor must continually are when treati Water treatm study. moniit posed to surfa ng groundwater as ent plant submit their t primary contamina $3.50 to $4 nts and opresults to ce water? per gallon. construction: there are a ronmental their local 4 mgd plant For exam number of As mentioned, agency and enviple, a could cost variables to be deter U.S. Envi only $14 that have million. ronmental adhere to the mine to $16 Protection Let’s go over d when figuring regulation Agency Well const the cost. s. per thousand some as expressed To meet the Grove Well, ruction: For the Pine in cost gallons. regulation approxima questions s, there are was spent tely $1 milli that to on A Case Stud there a treatm must be addressed. the new well drill test wells and Is y deve What does ent process for remo This case per minute producing 1500 gallo lop the method val? or 2.1 mgd. ns of treatment the city of study is based prim arily on Sylac Utilities Boar auga, Alabama. Process Requ The Darol Russe irements operates both d of the City of Sylac ll Surface wate director for is the operations auga a surface the Sylaca plant and r treatment water treatm wate uga Utilities Board two r process: The in Lake How ent wells. . He has 23 The Lake ard would years of ered pristi service in be considthe industry. ne Treatment Howard Surface Wate He can be water sourc when compared with Plant is capab r reach es, such as most 6 million le of produ drussell@syl ed at large lakes rivers and gallons per cing acauga.net . The lake’ other day (mgd Pine Grov s boun Talladega ). The www.NGWA e Well was National Fores dary is the .org placed on-li January of water asses 2010 and ne in sment revea t. The source has a capac led low poten ity of COST OF WATER tial /continues on page 10 Public Groun dwater System s Journal Spring 2012 9/
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Clear Language Provides Tips Hi Darol, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your article about the benefits of the new well in Sylacauga (“Ground-
water vs. Surface Water� by Darol W. Russell, Spring 2012). I have been thinking about augmenting our surface water supply with groundwater and had not thought about how the groundwater might reduce our overall THMs. I also appreciate the clear, practical language of the article—best thing I’ve read in a water journal! Marcie R. Seleb General Manager Butts County Water & Sewer Authority Jackson, Georgia
Reader Spreading the Word Hello, Just received, read, and enjoyed my first issue of the magazine. Congratulations on getting it going. I think it will be well received, especially in the small water systems world. There are a lot of small systems in my area and I will spread the word
about the magazine if they haven’t received it directly. And by the way, almost all are groundwater-only systems! Best wishes, Chet Anderson Chair, Safe Drinking Water Subcommittee Association of California Water Agencies
Send Your Feedback to PGWSJ We want to hear from you. Comment on Public Groundwater Systems Journal articles or other community watersystem related topics by e-mailing Thad Plumley, editor of PGWSJ, at tplumley@ngwa.org. Tell us what you think about an article, our new publication, ways we can help you, or what you’re seeing in your community.
Join the leading authority on groundwater as a source for public systems. Become a part of the National Ground Water Association of professionals whose expertise is providing solutions and innovations on issues related to groundwater. An NGWAÂŽ membership will provide you with: s %XPERTISE KNOWLEDGE AND GUIDANCE FOR LOCATING DEVELOPING AND MANAGING GROUNDWATER SOURCES FOR public supply from industry professionals who want to help you in your job s )NFORMATION ON GROUNDWATER ISSUES INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES s 0RODUCTS AND SERVICES TO HELP YOU DO YOUR JOB cost-effectively and efficiently. *OIN NOW TO START TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THESE BENElTS and more! ÂŽ
s www.NGWA.org/Membership 4/ Winter 2013 Public Groundwater Systems Journal
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INDUSTRY Lead-Content Law Takes Effect in 2014 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that back inventory of products not meeting the definition of lead-free under the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act can no longer be used after January 3, 2014, unless the product is exempted under the law. NGWA members should begin now to plan their production, purchasing, and inventory management to meet this deadline in the United States. The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act changed the definition of lead-free to mean not containing more than a weighted average of 0.25% lead when used with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures. As of January 4, 2014, no person may introduce into commerce or use any pipe, or any pipe or plumbing fitting or fixture, in the installation or repair of any public water system or any plumbing in a residential or nonresidential
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facility providing water for human consumption, that is not lead-free under this new definition. Back inventory that does not meet the 0.25% lead-free calculation cannot be installed after January 3, 2014, unless it is exempt from the prohibitions. The definition of lead-free solder and flux—0.2% lead—was not affected by the Act. Exemptions are provided for pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings or fixtures, including backflow preventers, that are used exclusively for nonpotable services such as manufacturing, industrial processing, irrigation, outdoor watering, or any other uses where the water is not anticipated to be used for human consumption. Also specifically exempted are toilets, bidets, urinals, fill valves, flushometer valves, tub fillers, shower valves, service saddles, or water distribution main gate valves that are 2 inches in diameter or larger. Some states such as California, Maryland, and Vermont have already adopted and implemented their own
NEWSLINE
0.25% lead-content standards. The federal action is separate from these state laws. However, NGWA members may get some idea of what the transition under federal law may mean from state experience. The EPA rulemaking is expected to provide additional direction on the new federal law’s implementation. Some of the potential topics that may be addressed through rulemaking include: how repair of components will be treated; whether and what product labeling may be mandated; clarification on the scope of coverage and the scope of exemptions; as well as whether and through what process product certification, third-party or otherwise, may be required. The EPA currently anticipates issuing a proposed rule in the September 2013 timeframe. Given it typically takes many months between issuing a proposed and final rule, final rule publication is highly unlikely until after the
NEWS/continues on page 6
Public Groundwater Systems Journal Winter 2013 5/
NEWS/from page 5 January 4, 2014 date when only products meeting the new lower lead content requirement can be introduced into commerce or used in drinking water systems in the United States. During the minutes of the August 2012 stakeholders meeting, the EPA sought input on whether developing a guidance document as an interim step would be beneficial given the law’s January 4, 2014 effective date and the expected final rule issuance timing. Stakeholders at the meeting were generally supportive of such guidance. During recent conversations, EPA staff made the point that the EPA is constrained, however, in what it can do in guidance. As background, the EPA has been taken to task, including through the court, by some for using guidance rather than going through the formal rulemaking process to flesh out implementation requirements under various laws. This limitation on what guidance can address means that if guidance is released, it may provide little to no clarification on marking, certification, product
coverage, and other issues that the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act does not spell out. Throughout the United States manufacturers in the groundwater industry are taking the necessary steps to comply with the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act. Under the "Protect your business category" in the “Member exclusive content” area of www.NGWA.org, members can access the FAQ on the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act and EPA’s presentation on the new lead-free law.
Underwriters Laboratories Will Provide UCMR 3 Testing Services for Public Water Systems Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a global leader in water quality and safety, announced that it has won a contract from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to test samples from small public water systems serving 10,000 people or fewer for contaminants listed in the third cycle of EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 3) program.
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Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA identifies a new list of contaminants suspected in public water systems that may warrant regulation every five years. The UCMR program is designed to provide data to the EPA to help determine whether new regulations are needed to protect public health. Since the inception of the UCMR program in 2001, UL has supported the EPA in this effort. During a 12-month period of January 2013 through December 2015, about 800 EPA-selected small public water systems serving 10,000 or fewer people will be required to monitor for 21 contaminants and 480 EPA-selected small systems will be required to monitor for seven additional contaminants. UL is approved by the EPA to perform all methods required for UCMR 3 List 1 and List 2 contaminants. Over the past 20 years, UL has analyzed more than 2.5 million water samples for thousands of bottlers, public water systems, engineering firms, and state and federal agencies, such as the EPA and military. UL is also accredited by the American National Standards Institute for deliver-
Smith-Comeskey Ground Water Science LLC www.groundwaterscience.com 6/ Winter 2013 Public Groundwater Systems Journal
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ing the widest range of testing and certification services for water product manufacturers.
Ohio Adopts New Rules to Approve Operator Certification Exam Providers The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Division of Drinking and Ground Waters adopted new rules in Chapter 3745-7 (Operator certification) of the Ohio Administrative Code. The new rules establish a program under which organizations can apply to become approved examination providers for water and wastewater operators wanting to become statecertified. The rules require the examination provider to conduct computerized examinations in multiple locations and multiple times per year. The Division of Drinking and Ground Waters will continue to hold state-sponsored examinations twice per year and give operators the choice of whether they would like to take the computerized examination offered by the approved examination provider or the traditional state examination.
The Director of Environmental Protection, after considering public comment, adopted these rules in final form, pursuant to Section 6109.04 of the Ohio Revised Code. The Director’s order of adoption was issued on December 21, 2012. The effective date of these new rules was January 1, 2013, in accordance with Section 119.04(A) of the Revised Code. These rules are available at http:// epa.ohio.gov/ddagw/rules.aspx#Live TabsContent110544.
NSF International Issues First WaterMark Certification for 3M Filtration Systems NSF International, a global independent public health organization that writes standards, and tests and certifies products for the water, food, and consumer goods industries, has certified 3M’s commercial foodservice filtration systems to the Australian WaterMark Certification Scheme for plumbing, water treatment, and distribution products. 3M’s commercial foodservice filtration systems are the first to earn certification from NSF International,
enabling 3M to distribute its product to the Australian market. WaterMark certification is required for products to be legally installed in the water supply system in Australia and New Zealand. To earn WaterMark certification, 3M’s commercial foodservice filtration systems were subject to rigorous material safety, performance, and structural integrity testing. NSF auditors also conducted an audit of 3M’s manufacturing facility to verify product formulations, suppliers, and quality assurance/quality control records and that only authorized materials were used to manufacture the product. NSF International is the only U.S. certification body to earn JAS-ANZ (Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand) accreditation and offers certification to the WaterMark Certification Scheme as part of its NSF Passport Program. NSF began offering this program in 2011 to help companies achieve product certifications required in major and emerging global markets such as the UK, Australia, Brazil, China, Italy, France, Japan, and many others.
National Groundwater Awareness Week Promote the resource that helps provide your livelihood. Educate your customers about the importance of groundwater stewardship during National Groundwater Awareness Week, March 10-16, 2013. By doing so you will be helping your customers and the resource. NGWA is here to help you spread the word! Visit www.NGWA.org/AwarenessWeek and click on “Groundwater stewardship—protection and conservation,” or call NGWA’s public awareness department at 800 551.7379 or 614 898.7791.
March 10-16, 2013 www.NGWA.org
Public Groundwater Systems Journal Winter 2013 7/
THE
LOG
NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION
Groundwater Awareness Week Is Good for Your Business
Over the past 14 years, National Groundwater Awareness Week has grown from an obscure recognition of an obscure resource into an internationally known and recognized annual event—one that public water systems can and should embrace and publicize. This year’s Groundwater Awareness Week takes place March 10-16, and the National Ground Water Association is offering you some facts followed by some action steps your public water system can take. There are an estimated 107,848 community supply wells serving 40,025 American community water systems. Consider the following points and how they can apply to your system: • An estimated 99% of all available freshwater in the world is groundwater. • Groundwater is a vital part of the hydrologic cycle with a direct connection to most surface water bodies. • Groundwater tends to be comparatively more protected from contamination, making it an attractive source of potable water. • Groundwater therefore can be more economical to provide because it often requires less treatment. • Groundwater can supplement surface water supplies to reduce overall treatment costs. So what? The bottom line is that many if not most public water systems have a stake in raising awareness about groundwater because of the direct or indirect impact it has on your system. Here are some actions your system can take to raise groundwater awareness in ways that ultimately will benefit the resource and your customers. 1. Visit the Groundwater Awareness Week page by visiting www.NGWA .org and clicking on the Media
Center tab, and then on Awareness Week. Learn more about this event. 2. On the Awareness Week menu on the left side of the page, click on “Get involved” and “Promotional tools for NGWA members.” Feel free to use any of these tools as is or modify them to fit your needs. 3. Click on “Groundwater Stewardship —protection and conservation.” There is valuable information you can draw from to inform the public on your own water system’s Web page or through local news media. 4. Take at least one step during Groundwater Awareness Week to inform the public in your service area. Remember, too, that by making the public aware of groundwater protection and conservation you are demonstrating environmental responsibility to the public you serve. Your customers will appreciate that. If you have any questions about Groundwater Awareness Week and how to publicize it, contact NGWA Public Awareness Director Cliff Treyens at (800) 551-7379, ext. 554, or ctreyens @ngwa.org.
NGWA’s 2012 Groundwater Expo Showed Larger Numbers Across the Board The National Ground Water Association’s 2012 Groundwater Expo and Annual Meeting showed increases in every attendance category and once again topped 300 exhibiting firms. The NGWA® Groundwater Expo and Annual Meeting took place December 4-7 in Las Vegas. “Excellent business opportunities and strong educational offerings really brought people out in all sectors of our membership,” said NGWA Chief Executive Officer Kevin B. McCray, CAE. “In case after case, exhibiting manufacturers said they had a very good Expo. Many of the workshops were packed, which is another good sign for the groundwater industry.” In the 64-year history of the NGWA Groundwater Expo and Annual Meeting, this was the 13th best attended event,
8/ Winter 2013 Public Groundwater Systems Journal
with a total attendance of 4357 from all sectors of the industry—water well drillers and contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, and scientists and engineers. All 50 United States were represented, along with Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands. In addition, 32 other nations attended including Australia, Canada, Italy, Mexico, and South Korea. Highlights included: • Total attendance was up 2% from a year ago • Suppliers in attendance increased a whopping 12% followed by scientists and engineers, who were up 4% over 2011 • The number of water well system contractors increased nearly 2% at 1810 • Manufacturers attending were up slightly more than 1% at 1300. After three consecutive years in Las Vegas, the NGWA Groundwater Expo will be held next December in Nashville’s new Music City Center—the most expensive publicly financed complex in the state’s history. The $623 million downtown convention center is the length of more than a dozen football fields. At its 1.2 million square feet of total space, it is among the largest convention centers in the South. For more information about the 2013 Expo, visit www.Groundwater Expo.com. www.NGWA.org
WEB
NOTES
FIND IT ON THE NGWA WEB SITE, NGWA.ORG
NGWA Provides Industry Best Practices on Issues with Water Quality and Treatment NGWA has a variety of industry “best suggested practices” for industry professionals’ issues with water quality and treatment, including: • Water Well Systems Inspection • Reduce and Mitigate Problematic Concentrations of Stray Gases in Water Well Systems • Managing a Flowing Water Well NGWA’s BSPs are designed to aid groundwater professionals at industry job sites. They are not standards, but practices that have been demonstrated to show superior results. They are prepared by a consensus of groundwater professionals from around the country. NGWA members can download all BSPs for free as a member benefit under the “Member exclusives” section at www.NGWA. Nonmembers can purchase the BSPs in the Online Bookstore at the NGWA Web site. After going to the bookstore, simply click “Best suggested practices” in the yellow navigation bar on the right-hand side of the page.
NGWA’s First Phone App for iPhone Provides Valuable Information A glossary of groundwater and water well terms is available from NGWA as an iPhone application downloadable online in the App Store at www.apple.com/ iphone/apps-foriphone. The application for Apple’s iPhone is $4.99 and educational institutions receive a discounted rate for multiple purchases. NGWA’s Lexicon of Groundwater and Water Well System Terms was selected by a task force of industry professionals and contains terms with the most relevancy to the various groundwater professions and to the use, protection, remediation, and management of groundwater. While there are often regional differences in the use of some www.NGWA.org
terms, the document is certainly an ideal collection of the definitions that relate to groundwater and the professionals who work with it. To learn more or to purchase this product, visit the NGWA Online Bookstore at www.NGWA.org, or call (800) 551-7379 or (614) 898-7791.
NGWA’s Community Makes Sharing Ideas, Communicating Easier The NGWA Community is a discussion group that makes it easier to share ideas and communicate with other NGWA members. The upgraded discussion group: • Has an area to post messages and still receive discussion posts in your email inbox • Allows you to control how and when you receive messages from the groups • Uses your NGWA.org Web site login to access your groups • Has an enhanced member directory to allow member-to-member networking • Updates your profile, adds your photo, imports your LinkedIn profile, etc. for others to view • Allows you to post documents, videos, and links. Please make sure your NGWA membership is up to date to assure you have access to the discussion group. You can log on to the site by going to http://community.ngwa.org and signing in with your NGWA.org user name and password. To become a member, visit www.NGWA.org.
NGWA Bookstore Offers Variety of Water Resources NGWA’s Online Bookstore at www.NGWA.org offers a wide range of resources on water use, including the book Siting, Drilling and Construction of Water Supply Wells. Designed for municipal water supply engineers, hydrogeologists, water utility managers, and water resource professionals, this book is an excellent desk reference for any question regarding water wells—including siting, water
quality, drilling methods, field testing, design, construction, development, and operation. The book is designed to be a practical reference and contains dozens of photographs and drawings. It describes and illustrates all common drilling methods, geophysical logging, and field testing. Well development, important for assuring well productivity and long life, is covered in detail as well. To learn more or to purchase this product, visit the NGWA Online Bookstore at www.NGWA.org, or call (800) 551-7379 or (614) 898-7791.
NGWA Career Center Connects Those in the Groundwater Industry Prospective employees can start a job search by visiting the NGWA Career Center at careers.ngwa.org, where job seekers can post their resume, view jobs, create a personal job alert, and set up a job seeker account and access it. The NGWA Career Center has been enhanced with new features to help connect members with new employment opportunities. Employers and recruiters now have access to an employee’s specialized niche. Among other things, employers and recruiters can review resumes, post jobs, and create an employer account and access it. Make use of the NGWA Career Center to meet all of your needs in today’s job market.
Stay Connected with NGWA Follow the National Ground Water Association on . . . Twitter www.Twitter.com/NGWAtweets Facebook www.Facebook.com/NGWAFB YouTube www.YouTube.com/user/NGWATUBE
Public Groundwater Systems Journal Winter 2013 9/
(COVER STORY)
Control Your Well Remote well monitoring can impact your bottom line. By Darol W. Russell and Reay Culp hen the search is over and you now have an acceptable groundwater production source, the second phase of your work begins. No one should approach this task without carefully counting the cost of developing and constructing the project. We’ll discuss the control aspect by looking at the Sylacauga Utilities Board’s Pine Grove Well in Sylacauga, Alabama. Aside from the obvious, such as the type and size of the building, several issues must be addressed. What is the capacity or gallons per minute (gpm) that the well produces? Based on water quality, what are the regulatory parameters that dictate what will be monitored and how they are monitored? What means of communications will be needed for remote operations? Should a
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Darol W. Russell is the operations director for the Sylacauga Utilities Board. He has 23 years of service in the industry. He can be reached at drussell@sylacauga.net. Reay Culp is the SCADA systems manager and telecommunications manager for the Sylacauga Utilities Board. He can be reached at rculp@sylacauga.net.
You will not regret the time invested in researching all options to determine which processes should be automated at your well.
tered at 0.2 ppm to meet the required amount for the system. Additional treatment may be required, depending on water characteristics. Since the well is in a remote location, alarms were required to provide security to the well premises.
Communications supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system be installed? Will there be power quality issues? Also ask what controls are necessary and what are “wish list” items? What should trigger alarms for operator notification or system shutdown? How will flow be monitored?
Regulatory Parameters The Alabama Department of Environmental Management requires a national turbidity units (NTU) level not to exceed 5. So the turbidity of wells in a system must be constantly monitored. The Pine Grove Well permit also requires that a corrosion control inhibitor be added, which must be metered according to flow. Fluoride is introduced not to exceed 1 part per million (ppm) and chlorine is added for disinfection. Chlorine is me-
10/ Winter 2013 Public Groundwater Systems Journal
Two-way communications for SCADA is critical for this type of unmanned installation. With the proper communications, the pumping variables, discharge pressures, NTU readings, and pumping set-points can all be monitored and managed in real time so as to maintain the safe drinking water standard and proper process controls. For the Pine Grove Well, the options were limited due to the remote nature of the well site. The Utilities Board personnel chose a 900 MHz fixed wireless radio system (Motorola Canopy) to provide the two-way communications back to our local manned surface water treatment plant located about six miles away. Operators at the Utilities Board surface water plant can monitor critical well parameters, receive and respond to alarms, modify pumping set-points, and even toggle between modes of pumping operations. www.NGWA.org
The supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) panel for Sylacauga Utilities Board’s Pine Grove Well.
Process Control Enabled with a reliable communications pathway, a variable frequency drive (VFD) on the well pump, and automated control valves on the discharge and waste lines, the stage was set to configure and implement an advanced control scheme to maximize well output and efficiency. Water level monitoring was installed to provide static level and drawdown readings. The chemical pumps are programmed to track the well’s production in gpm. This assures the continuous pumping ratio of the treatment chemicals into the system or discontinuing chemical feed when pumping to waste. The automated functionality allows the well to flush to waste or shift to “Emergency Shutdown” when any programmed alarm condition is seen. For example, if turbidity were to suddenly increase to an unacceptable level, a chemical treatment pump malfunctioned, or other predefined operating condition threatens the water safety or equipment at the well, the SCADA system will automatically switch operations to waste or shut down and immediately alert the operator. www.NGWA.org
In the control scheme there are two well “Status Schemes”—Online and Waste—along with five “Modes” of operating: • Flow • Turbidity • Pressure • Level • Manual In Flow Mode, we have the capability to control the output of this well with a set gpm. Our operating range is from 700 gpm up to 2500 gpm. This is our normal operating mode and is usually set at the maximum rated capacity for the well as permitted by our regulating agency. The pumping capacity for the Pine Grove Well is 1500 gpm. Turbidity Mode allows for the control system to automatically raise or lower the pump speed to maintain a turbidity set-point. In the event that the turbidity begins to rise, this mode will reduce the rpm of the pump, as needed, to maintain an acceptable turbidity setting. As turbidity readings drop, the pump speeds up, thereby providing maximum well production. In Pressure Mode, we have the ability to control the pump speed based on the discharge pressure setting. The main purpose for this mode is to maintain a constant system pressure. This option is used when we have a water tank out of service for maintenance or in the event of an equipment failure that would prevent receiving a reliable tank level reading. The pressure mode is also activated when we are switching from waste to system pressure. This allows for a very smooth changeover into the system while not upsetting the pumping level or the turbidity of the well. In the older wells which are not as automated as the Pine Grove Well, the operator has to move between the waste valve and the system valve, while making small adjustments between each valve. This is done while visually monitoring a pressure gauge, the turbidimeter, and a flowmeter. If care is not taken, the turbulence made by the flow can cause the turbidity of the water to increase, requiring the system to return to waste mode until the turbidity drops to a satisfactory level.
The touch-screen display control panel for the Pine Grove Well.
Level Mode uses the well’s pumping water level as the control point. This allows for the maximum pumping capacity possible while at the same time maintaining a level in the well that is deemed safe. As the pumping level decreases, as in a dry period during the summer months, the pump slows down only enough to maintain the level setpoint. Once the well begins to recover, the pump slowly gains speed until such time that 100% pumping capacity may again be achieved. Manual Mode bypasses some the programmed protections of the other modes, disables alarms, and allows the on-site operator to run the well manually as needed for servicing and maintenance of the well pump or other equipment.
In Conclusion Developing a production well for a municipal water system requires local water system experience and a good knowledge of current process controls. You will not regret the time invested in researching all options to determine which processes should be automated at your well. Making good use of the process controls that are available today will reduce waste and provide accurate chemical and turbidity measurement and monitoring. A reliable communications backbone is very important. Monitoring a remote well site and having the capability to make adjustments from a central location will greatly reduce additional manhours and ultimately the overall cost of operations. PGWSJ
Public Groundwater Systems Journal Winter 2013 11/
PUBLIC GROUNDWATER SYSTEMS JOURNAL Q & A
Bob Gray, PG Daniel B. Stephens & Associates Inc. ublic Groundwater Systems Journal regularly interviews groundwater professionals throughout the year. We decided to chat with Bob Gray, PG, senior hydrogeologist for Daniel B. Stephens & Associates Inc. (DBS&A) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. DBS&A won the 2011 National Ground Water Association Outstanding Groundwater Project Award for outstanding science, engineering, and contractor innovation in the area of supplying groundBob Gray, PG water. The award was given for DBS&A’s $9 million project involving the design of a new wellfield in Potter County, Texas. DBS&A used a three-dimensional hydrostratigraphic model to optimize well site selection and modeled groundwater drawdown impacts from an existing nearby wellfield. Gray has more than 35 years of professional experience in the mining, environmental, and water resource development industries. He specializes in water supply development, well design, water resource and well impact studies, and groundwater flow modeling. He has conducted numerous hydrogeologic research and characterization studies at sites throughout the southwest United States for tribal, government, and private clients.
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Mike Price is the associate editor of Public Groundwater Systems Journal. In addition to his PGWSJ responsibilities, Price produces NGWA’s newsletters and contributes to the Association’s quarterly scientific publication. He can be reached at mprice@ngwa.org.
Public Groundwater Systems Journal: What new information has come to light since completing the new wellfield in Potter County, Texas? Bob Gray: There really isn’t much in the way of new information yet. Although we completed our phase (the well installations) of the project in late 2010, the first five wells were not brought online until September 2011 and the remaining wells came online in February through May 2012. The delays in startup were necessary to complete the construction of the collector lines and transmission lines and for pump procurement and installation. The entire wellfield has not been in operation long enough to have any data on water levels yet. Water levels are typically measured annually in January. Everything seems to be running smoothly except for one pump that is currently out on warranty repair. PGWSJ: How has the Potter County project impacted future work projects at Daniel B. Stephens & Associates? Bob: As a successful, large-scale, and award-winning wellfield development project (ACEC New Mexico 2011 Engineering Excellence Award as well as NGWA 2011 Outstanding Groundwater Project Award for Groundwater Supply), it certainly has helped to raise the company’s profile in the water resource development business. Since then we have been involved in another large wellfield expansion project in west Texas and have prepared a feasibility study and cost estimates for an additional wellfield expansion on a similar scale. We also anticipate followup work with the city of Amarillo for future water supply development. PGWSJ: What did you hope to learn from the project and why? Bob: We wanted to be able to characterize the variability of the aquifer lithol-
12/ Winter 2013 Public Groundwater Systems Journal
ogy and stratigraphy in sufficient detail to allow optimum site selection for maximum production potential and then determine the site-specific aquifer characteristics at each well location to optimize each well design. We needed to evaluate an area of about 40 square miles and analyze more than 200 well and test boring logs to target areas with favorable production potential. The application of 3-D modeling was a useful tool to visualize the complex stratigraphy of the aquifer over the large area and to zero in on areas with the highest sand to silt/clay ratios. A model always employs generalizing assumptions and is only as good as the data it is based on. Fortunately, there was a substantial amount of previous drilling information available to build the 3-D model. We then conducted a Phase 1 field program to define the likely range of aquifer properties and well performance. We wanted to not only learn how a well would perform in an area with greater saturated thickness, but we also tested an area with lower saturated thickness. We installed monitor wells and ran ten-day and seven-day pumping tests to learn what levels of pumping the aquifer could handle on a sustainable basis. We also discovered that one of our prototype wells encountered a recharge boundary several days into the test associated with a large stock pond located about a quarter mile away. We learned—not surprisingly—that ponded water sitting over the Ogallala is a pretty efficient recharge source. This adds to growing existing knowledge which may be useful for potential applications of aquifer storage and recovery in the region.
Q & A/continues on page 14 www.NGWA.org
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Q & A/from page 12 PGWSJ: Characterizing the complex hydrostratigraphy of the Ogallala Aquifer and guiding development of the new wellfield designed for maximum production capacity while limiting depletion impacts is challenging enough. What were some other challenges that came with the project? Bob: One of the biggest challenges was simply managing the considerable level of simultaneous field activities when the Phase 2 well installation and testing activities were in full swing. We installed 17 wells during this phase with two drilling rigs running simultaneously 24 hours a day, but also had crews performing bailing development while others were installing or pulling test pumps and performing disinfection and pumping development or step-drawdown and constant rate pumping tests on each well. Water samples had to be collected and submitted. We were also installing several monitor wells at the same time. There were times that we had different activities going on at seven or eight sites simultaneously. Our field staff was stretched pretty thin sometimes and I have to commend them for exemplary performance under demanding conditions through many days and nights with long hours. Another challenge was meeting the TCEQ requirement that negative coliform results had to be obtained for three consecutive days on each well. This criterion had to be met before a pump could be pulled and it proved to be a challenge in the midst of roaming cattle herds and an abundance of cattle excrement, along with the windy conditions typical in the Texas panhandle. The lab test for coliform is so sensitive that it can detect the presence of a single bacterium. Getting clean samples in those conditions was a challenge and sometimes took a week or more to accomplish. We ended up devising a system where the sample port was disinfected with bleach and then heated with a torch before collecting the sample, all done while enclosed under a box to shield the port and sample jars from the wind.
Data logging takes place during a pump test. This was the largest groundwater development project in the western United States during 2010. Photo courtesy Daniel B. Stephens & Associates Inc.
PGWSJ: Who thought to use threedimensional modeling software designed for the mining industry for the Potter wellfield project? How has this software been used for groundwater projects since? Bob: The idea of employing the Mining Visualization System (MVS) software to groundwater studies came out of our Austin, Texas, office—Allan Standen and Stefan Schuster in particular. Allan had a background in the mining industry and so was familiar with the technology. We have applied this technology to develop 3-D models of aquifer systems for several groundwater conservation districts in Texas. A model of the Ogallala Aquifer throughout a five-county area was built for the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District, incorporating data from more than 2700 wells. A volumetric analysis was performed based on indicator kriging of assigned material type codes and assigning representative specific yields for each material type. This study found that water volume in storage had decreased from 101 million acre-feet in 1950 to about 39 million acre-feet in 2010.
14/ Winter 2013 Public Groundwater Systems Journal
PGWSJ: How has the current drought affected the wellfield in Potter County? Bob: The startup of production from the Potter County Wellfield had a positive impact on Amarillo’s water supply during the current drought since its previous supply component from Lake Meredith has been eliminated entirely. The Canadian River Municipal Water Authority historically provided the city about 27 million gallons per day from the lake, so its elimination could have potentially had a very serious effect on the water supply. But to their credit, they began the planning for the new wellfield back in 2007 to provide additional production capacity that would maintain their supply demands under a worst-case scenario that did eventually turn out to be true. So the direct result of the drought is that the wellfield is now being used to replace most of the lost surface water supply. As I indicated previously, the wellfield has not been in operation long enough to gauge impacts on water levels, but that data will be forthcoming this winter and it will be interesting to see how it compares to our modeling predictions. PGWSJ: Municipalities throughout the United States are continually raising residential water rates for a variety of reasons. What are your thoughts on the future state of water in this country? Bob: When existing water sources are stressed due to growth or environmental factors, developing additional supplies requires capital expenditures that result in higher rates. In west Texas, the increased reliance on groundwater from aquifers with limited recharge such as the Ogallala is accelerating the effects of groundwater mining, driving the need to acquire and develop additional sources of supply and continually putting upward pressure on rates. I see water continuing to get more expensive as this process continues and more costly development projects are required—for example, drilling deeper, building longer pipelines, and possibly moving more toward desalination projects to develop brackish sources. Other parts of the country with more renewable water resources still have competition for the resources and other reasons that drive up www.NGWA.org
costs. The real value of these water resources in municipal water supply use is almost always higher than the cost and the replacement cost should be passed on to the rate payers. That is the only long-term solution to a reliable and sustainable water supply. Another reason for charging the true value of water supply is to encourage conservation. This can be further facilitated through tiered pricing structures. Water planning for future desired conditions has become a focus of groundwater districts throughout Texas that is driving more communities to think about what they can do to prolong sustainability of existing supplies. I think that in order to meet the goal of sustainability, conservation and reuse need to become more widely implemented components of municipal water supply planning. PGWSJ: Lastly, what do you think are the critical issues facing the groundwater industry today? Bob: In the West, the biggest issue is how can we sustain continued growth with a limited water supply? Marc Reisner in his book, Cadillac Desert, pointed out that throughout ancient history, civilizations
www.NGWA.org
“Conservation and reuse need to become more widely implemented components of municipal water supply planning.” that were built upon extensive irrigation in dry climates have eventually collapsed. Our economic system relies on continued growth and that puts increasing stresses on existing supplies, driving the need for continually developing new, more costly supplies. In order to mitigate this process, more widespread application of reuse and conservation is going to become more and more necessary. Another issue is the large amount of water used by agriculture compared to that used for municipal supply. As supplies are depleted, there will be more friction between these competing interests. True economic value must be allowed to allocate between competing demands. Finally, water quality issues are also important as the impacts of legacy pollutants continue to result in diminished supplies and increased costs for remediation and treatment. Clean water of drinking quality is becoming more scarce and
The 2012 NGWA Outstanding Groundwater Project Award recipients included: • Groundwater Protection Mesa Water District received the Outstanding Groundwater Project Award—Protection for its innovations and advancements in the CWTF Technology Replacement and Expansion Project. • Groundwater Remediation ARCADIS received the Outstanding Groundwater Project Award— Remediation for its innovations and advancements in the Advanced Water Treatment Research Program for Hexavalent Chromium in Drinking Water. To view all the 2012 NGWA Award recipients, visit www.NGWA.org. expensive, and solutions to ensuring a sustainable future supply will require a combination of different approaches incorporating conservation, reuse, and innovations in treatment technology to develop poorer water quality sources. PGWSJ
Public Groundwater Systems Journal Winter 2013 15/
Phosphate-Based Chemistries Make sure you understand everything you can about the use of phosphates in well systems. By Michael Schnieders, PG, PH-GW hosphates have been used for a number of years in water treatment. They are commonly employed to sequester metals (iron, manganese) including softer metals (calcium, magnesium) to reduce corrosion and scale buildup in pipelines and distribution systems. In groundwater wells, phosphates have been used in well development to target formation materials, including clay particulate and crystalline sediment and as a low-cost alternative for rehabilitation efforts. They are grouped together due to their base chemistry. However, there are
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Michael Schnieders is a hydrogeologist and lead consultant for Water Systems Engineering of Ottawa, Kansas. He has an extensive background in groundwater geochemistry, geomicrobiology, and water resource investigation and management. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of fouled well systems. He can be reached at mschnieders@h2osystems.com.
Polyphosphate chemicals designed for pipeline use have been employed in the well environment to reduce mineral scale encrustation downhole. a variety of phosphate chemical compounds marketed to the water industry. The activity for each phosphate compound varies considerably, as does its reaction with water. The pH and hardness composition of the water significantly impacts the sequestering ability of the phosphate compound. For example, a phosphate that sequesters iron at a specific pH will sequester considerably less calcium at the same pH. In pipelines and distribution systems transporting treated water, the conditions are generally stable with regards to water chemistry and a defined zone or area of treatment is present.
16/ Winter 2013 Public Groundwater Systems Journal
(Above) Solubilized tetrapotassium pyrophosphate (TKPP) In groundwater applications there are severe limitations on the sequestering ability of phosphates, especially given the broad pH range of 6–9 found in natural waters. The lack of a defined treatment space and the potential expansion of the impacted or treated zone are also of concern. Additionally, how the phosphate chemistry alters or changes over time is often misunderstood and of great concern for the downhole environment. Polyphosphates naturally revert to pyrophosphates and then to orthophosphates over time with pH changes, pressure fluctuations, and temperature changes. Orthophosphate is the readily available phosphorous nutrient for bacterial growth and energy transfer. As a readily available nutrient, phosphorus is removed from the bulk solution and
PHOSPHATES/continues on page 18 www.NGWA.org
2013
is looking . . . . . . for a few good pictures! Do you have any high quality cover photos that depict community water systems or professionals working at community systems? Photos of any step in the daily activities of providing water to communities are welcome. The selected photos will appear on the covers of upcoming issues of PGWSJ. Look through your files and submit your best photos today! Name ____________________________________________________________________________ Company name ____________________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ______________________________________________________________________ Phone __________________________________________ Fax ______________________________ E-mail ______________________________ Enclosed you’ll find ______ photos for Public Groundwater Systems Journal. I understand that these photos become the property of the Public Groundwater Systems Journal, and will not be returned. If any photo is selected for use ona PGWSJ cover, I further understand that I will be paid $250 and my photo credit will appear on the issue’s contents page. Signed ______________________________________________________ Date ________________ Instructions: Send high-resolution digital photos to tplumley@ngwa.org or mail to PGWSJ Photos, 601 Dempsey Rd., Westerville, OH 43081-8978. Please include a description of the activity taking place in the photo.
®
PHOSPHATES/from page 16
assimilated into cellular material as the bacteria reproduce (Gerardi 2006). Chemical precipitation of orthophosphate is commonly practiced at wastewater treatment plants. Although polyphosphates and organic phosphorus compounds are not removed by chemical precipitation, they are hydrolyzed and mineralized (degraded) to release orthophosphate, which is then chemically precipitated. Metals that are commonly used to precipitate orthophosphates are Al+3, Ca+2, Fe+3, and Mg+2. Chemical precipitation of orthophosphates is controlled by pH (Gerardi 2006). When aeration occurs, orthophosphate may be incorporated into floc-like particles as insoluble hydroxyapatite (CaOH(PO4 ) 3). This occurs naturally without chemical influence. If the dissolved oxygen concentration is relatively low and carbon dioxide remains in solution, the pH decreases. The decrease occurs because the carbon dioxide dissolves in the water and carbonic acid (H2CO3) is produced. Under this condition, orthophosphate is present as the HPO4-2 ion. If this occurs in hard water containing elevated levels of calcium and magnesium, orthophosphate is precipitated from solution as hydroxyapatite and incorporated into floc particles and eventually scale. Downhole, this begins as cloudiness or turbidity, but over time results in the development of an amorphous hydroxyapatite (CaOH(PO4)3). This amorphous state, while it is still hydrated, is more gelatinous in form with few crystals that are formed. However, over time as the material compounds and dries or contacts a surface where it becomes dehydrated, a denser and harder crystal formation takes place.
●●● Polyphosphate chemicals designed for distribution and pipeline use have been employed over the years in the well environment in an effort to reduce mineral scale encrustation downhole. The objective was to limit the development of calcium- and iron-based scales that are common in wells. Without fully understanding the changes in pH, temperature, pressure, and water chemistry, this has resulted in wells becoming fouled
Tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) in granular form
Generic polyphosphate molecular structure
with insoluble hydroxyapatite, amorphous hydroxyapatite, and the harder whitlockite (Ca3Mg(PO4)6(HPO4)). The development of these accumulations has been counterproductive to the intended use of these chemicals. A number of dissolved phosphorus compounds can be used for growth by algae and bacteria. However, the use of complex organic phosphates has to be proceeded by the external liberation of orthophosphate. Orthophosphate is generally recognized as the prime phosphorus uptake mechanism in both algae and bacteria (Jansson 1988). Unfortunately, aquifer sediments can absorb these ions, allowing for potentially harmful influence for extended time frames. Phosphorus is adsorbed to clays by cation exchange and available for bacteria to use in metabolism, cell growth, and development (Borch et al. 1993). Phosphate-based chemistries have been employed historically for well development in an effort to remove fine sediment and clay particulate. Phosphates supply a surface activity so that better penetration of the gravel pack and formation is achieved, as well as a
18/ Winter 2013 Public Groundwater Systems Journal
deflocculation action on clay to aid in mud or bentonite removal. The theory is that the longer chain phosphate blends can attach themselves molecularly (as noted above) and aid in the removal of these sediments through the secondary use of mechanical energy. However, phosphates are not as efficient as some polymer deflocculants and are required at rates of 10 to 15 pounds per 100 gallons of water to be effective. This level amounts to a phosphate concentration as high as 9000 ppm. In some lithologies, the application of phosphates has proven useful, but adequately removing the phosphate components has proven difficult. To combat the potential negative influence, chlorine products are often used to retard or prevent any bacterial activity. This provides some biological control as long as the chlorine is present. The use of calcium hypochloride, however, actually promotes the precipitation of phosphate in the well. A condition commonly observed in sand-and-gravel wells treated repeatedly over time using phosphate compounds is a change in the type of biofouling present. It is transformed from a lowwww.NGWA.org
biomass filamentous form toward a bulkier, slimy type of biomass that is more difficult to remove using conventional rehabilitation methods. This change results in an acceleration of the performance decay in such wellfields. Successes in the 1980s have been followed by rapid declines in performance persisting to the present (Umble and Smith 1999).
â—?â—?â—? Another phosphorus-containing chemical that is employed in well rehabilitation is phosphoric acid (H3PO4). This acid usually is available in food grade and National Sanitation Foundation-certified qualities. The two most common concentrations (strengths) are 75% and 85%. Unlike other liquid acids, they do not give off harmful vapors, but sprays or mists of the acid are considered acidic and dangerous. Phosphoric acid is far less corrosive to metal than the commonly used hydrochloric acid and can lead to some passivation of the metal with the proper chemistry. These benefits have led to the increased use of phosphoric acid in well rehabilitation efforts. It is a slower reacting acid than hydrochloric, and while it has less ability to dissolve phosphate (because of the similar ion concentration), it is effective against iron and manganese compounds because of its ability to sequester these metals. Its sequestering ability also leads to a greater ability against large concentrations of calcium and magnesium minerals. The chemical reactivity of phosphoric acid in aqueous systems is highly dependent on the composition and pH of the solution (Butcher et al. 1992). Ion pairs within the dissolved solution play a central role in controlling the aqueous phosphate speciation, preventing the precipitation of phosphates downhole. Additional control of the phosphorus presence is added through the use of dispersants, which not only aid in the cleaning reaction (dissolution) but also in the removal of the dissolved materials. Thus, maintaining a depressed pH (>3) and application of dispersants during phosphoric acid use is important, although these points have proven to be true for all acid reactions in well rehabilitation. As with any treatment, the www.NGWA.org
choice of acid and the means in which it is employed should be balanced with the well structure, the identified problem, and aquifer characteristics. One argument that is often raised when phosphates have been used in a well is that no immediate detriment was identified. As discussed earlier, the natural degradation of phosphates varies greatly with pH changes, pressure fluctuations, and temperature changes all impacting the timeline. In responding to such a question, one would be forced to say “not yet�—in that each well is unique and as there is no defined timeline for the negative impacts of phosphate use to be seen. One well could begin to see immediate problems, while another well system may not experience issues for several years while the phosphates degrade and convert to a more ominous form. Concerns that phosphate use may influence the development of scale down hole, and that the degradation of these materials could lead to an increase in the stimulation and growth of bacteria within the well and aquifers, are well founded. Given the potential for long-
term detrimental impact, balancing the understanding of these processes with the desired benefits and use of accepted best practices is very important, and is true for all applications in the well. PGWSJ
References
Borch, M.A., S.A. Smith, and L.N. Noble. 1993. Evaluation and Restoration of Water Supply Wells. National Ground Water Association (NGWA). Butcher, S.S., R.J. Charlson, G.H. Orians, and G.V. Wolfe. 1992. Global Biogeochemical Cycles. Academic Press. Gerardi, M. Wastewater Bacteria. 2006. J. Wiley and Sons. Jansson, M. Phosphorus in Freshwater Ecosystems. 1988. Academic Publishers. Langmuir, D. Aqueous Environmental Geochemistry. 1997. Prentice Hall. Umble, A., and S.A. Smith. A Cautionary Tale: Well Rehabilitation in Elkhart, Indiana. 1999. American Water Works Association (AWWA).
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Public Groundwater Systems Journal Winter 2013 19/
By Gary Ganson, CIH, CSP
Safety in Disasters Part 1: Disaster preparedness is the key to keeping workers safe on the job.
urricane Sandy and its horrific effects that struck the North Atlantic coast can serve as a wake-up call to remind us how important it is to be prepared for disasters large or small. Two additional storms struck after Sandy hit the East Coast and some companies and businesses are still not functioning. Many of those businesses probably thought they were exempt from the impact of a devastating hurricane in their region, but in reality they weren’t.
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Disasters Take Different Forms Multiple types of disasters must be taken into consideration to make sure your groundwater business and your employees are properly prepared. These include disasters related to weather, earthquakes, epidemics such as the flu, and terrorism. And disastrous weather can be more than superstorms. For instance, it can include conditions brought on by severe drought, such as what hit the country last summer. A drilling company working last year in Oklahoma saved the lives of 12 crew members by preplanning for the strong winds that accompany a tornado. Knowing that Oklahoma receives an average of 52 tornados a year, the company prepared their crew trailer by securing it to the ground to hold it firmly in place. This simple action provided a strong place of refuge for the workers to safely protect themselves when a tornado struck on a job. Gary Ganson, a certified industrial hygienist and certified safety professional, is a senior consultant for Terracon in Lenexa, Kansas.
The priority is always to make sure preparations have been taken to assure the safety of all employees. In the summer of 2012 in the Midwest, drought conditions required water well drillers to ramp up and do heavier drilling, sometimes down to depths of 1000 feet, to create wells that would have required 300 to 400 feet of drilling a few years ago. This is also a disaster preparedness issue. We tend to think only the single incident types of disasters require disaster response preparations that are included in the company business plan. The drought of 2012 taught us differently. Disasters can be of long duration and become severe over time. Regardless of what kind of disaster, the priority is always to make sure preparations have been taken to assure first of all the safety of all employees, and secondly the security of the surrounding areas. This means looking around and checking that nothing has been left behind or unsecured that could do additional harm. This could include hazardous liquids such as fuels that could contaminate soil or objects that could become airborne.
like the preparations made by the drilling company in Oklahoma. A disaster plan for a company in Florida will focus largely on preparing for a hurricane, while a firm in the Midwest will have a plan preparing for a tornado, severe rain, a windstorm, and a massive snow or ice storm. With the changes in weather patterns we have been witness to lately, we might need to be a little more flexible regarding the category of disaster that could occur in our region. The elements of a disaster preparation plan include the following: • Conduct a risk assessment for the area and determine what the hazards are for a potential disaster to occur. • Focus on life-saving measures such as knowing the route to the nearest hospital, performing CPR, and first aid training. • Identify equipment needs such as tiedown supplies, food and water, additional clothing, shelter needs for workers, routes of escape, or spill supplies. • Have emergency contact phone numbers for each location. An understanding of what can happen will give you confidence that you have evaluated the resource requirements and developed a plan and procedures to prepare your crews should an emergency happen.
Having a Disaster Plan The first thing a company does to prepare is to craft a written plan. The plan should be created around those disasters most likely to occur in the region where the company is operating—just
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Communication Is Key You then must communicate the plan to your employees. That could be done through formalized training or on-thejob training while employees are workwww.NGWA.org
ing—so long as the workers are familiar with how to conduct pre-task planning. Prior to every project and every daily assignment, it’s good practice for all crews and individual employees to understand how important it is to review the challenges they face at each job site. They need to ask themselves, “What are the hazards and how do I prevent myself and others from being injured?” This includes disaster planning. Workers must have a good understanding of how to be prepared if something happens. This will mean less confusion, less chance of damage and injury, and better chance of a more speedy recovery. Plan for communication devices. Crews sometimes work in remote locations, and mobile communication devices anymore are typically carried by everyone. But towers, lines, or even weather can damage or interfere with electronic signals and prevent mobile phones from being of service. Old systems such as CB radios and walkietalkies carried in a response kit have turned out to be useful devices when mobile phones aren’t functioning.
Each employee should have a copy of the disaster plan, and there should be one at every work site. If the disaster preparedness plan requires special equipment such as tie-downs, absorbent material, personal protective equipment, or cover for employees, that equipment should be readily accessible—or even better—carried on the truck or trailer.
Being Prepared Employees should also go through some method of disaster preparedness exercises. This can even be done as a tabletop exercise, but it’s better to actually do the exercises out in the field. It might take an hour or two, but it’s worth a life being saved or equipment not being damaged. Not to mention it can also mean the savings of many dollars. Training should be repeated frequently. If nothing happens for a year and you have a 50% turnover in your workforce—repeat the training! Even veteran employees will benefit as repeated actions will reinforce their knowledge that in the instant a disaster happens, knowing what to do and how
to react will mean the difference between injuries, loss of equipment, and how quickly work can resume. By way of example, under OSHA’s Hazwoper (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) standard, all personnel are required to go through eight hours of retraining annually. It is about being proactive in the act and the art of prevention. The last thing you want to say to yourself is, “I wish I had planned better and been prepared.” Taking the time and some simple steps to think through a potential disaster is time well spent. The outcomes include never having to implement the plan, which is not a bad thing, and knowing that if it does happen, you were ready. And your employees went home safe to work another day. PGWSJ This is part one of a two-part series. Part 2 focusing on disaster recovery will be published in the Spring 2013 issue of Public Groundwater Systems Journal.
Thank you for making a difference at the 2012 NGWREF Fundraising Auction!
Thanks to the auction’s sponsors, those who donated items, made cash contributions, attended, and made purchases, nearly $35,000 was raised at the NGWREF Fundraising Auction that took place during the 2012 NGWA Groundwater Expo! A special thank you goes out to our: Auction sponsors—
Platinum level donors—
For more information about NGWREF and the many ways you can make a difference to the groundwater industry, visit www.NGWA.org/NGWREF or call customer service at 800 551.7379 (614 898.7791). Operated by NGWA, NGWREF is a 501(c)(3) public foundation focused on conducting educational, research, and other charitable activities related to a broader public understanding of groundwater.
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Public Groundwater Systems Journal Winter 2013 21/
COMING
EVENTS
March 10–13/ Alabama Rural Water Association 35th Annual Technical Training Conference/ Montgomery, Alabama. Web: http://alruralwater.com/ conference/am-1.asp March 10–16/ National Groundwater Awareness Week/ PH: (800) 551-7379, Fax: (614) 898-7786, E-mail: customer service@ngwa.org, Web: www.NGWA.org March 20–22/ Michigan Rural Water Association Annual Management and Technical Conference/ City TBA, Michigan. PH: (989) 539-4111 March 20–22/ Texas Rural Water Association 44th Annual Convention/ Austin, Texas. Web: www.trwa.org March 25–28/ Mississippi Rural Water Association Annual Conference/ City TBA, Mississippi. Web: www.msrwa.org April 9–12/ Texas Water 2013/ Galveston, Texas. Web: www.texaswater.com April 22–25/ California Rural Water Association Expo/ South Lake Tahoe, California. Web: www.calruralwater.org /p/expo April 28–May 2/ 2013 NGWA Summit— The National and International Conference on Groundwater/ San Antonio, Texas. PH: (800) 551-7379, Fax: (614) 898-7786, E-mail: customerservice @ngwa.org, Web: www.NGWA.org April 30/ Asset Management for Groundwater-Based Public Supply Systems short course/ San Antonio, Texas. PH: (800) 551-7379, Fax: (614) 898-7786, E-mail: customerservice@ngwa.org, Web: www .NGWA.org May 6–8/ Ohio Rural Water Association Annual Managers and Directors Conference, Exposition and Golf Outing/ Athens, Ohio. Web: http://ohiorural water.org
NEWSMAKERS NEW NAME, LOGO
Mesa Consolidated Water District in Costa Mesa, California, has renamed the organization Mesa Water District, with “Mesa Water” for short, and by launching a new logo and look. The new logo features waterfall-type waves in two clear blue colors representing the “M” and “W” of Mesa Water. Mesa Water also named James R. Fisler president and Shawn Dewane first vice president of Mesa Water’s Board of Directors in December 2012. BUSINESS GROWTH Connecticut Water Service Inc. announced it has completed the acquisition of the Biddeford and Saco Water Co. BSWC serves nearly 15,500 customers, or a population of 50,000 people, in four communities in the state of Maine. In less than 12 months, Connecticut Water Service has grown its customer base by 35% through acquisitions in the state of Maine. AWARDS Flowserve Corp., a provider of flow control products and services for the global infrastructure markets, announced its Durco Mark 3 ISO chemical process pump won the 2012 Ringier Technology Innovation Award in the centrifugal pumps category. Ringier Technology Innovation Awards were developed to encourage, acknowledge, and reward those individuals and companies at the forefront of the international pump and valve industry.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honored two Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, communities for protecting sources of drinking water used by more than 20,000 people. The Source Water Protection Award recognizes organizations and communities that take extraordinary steps to protect drinking water sources in the EPA’s mid-Atlantic region. Warwick and Lititz were recognized for their joint wellhead protection program to protect groundwater sources from contamination. CERTIFICATION The American Public Works Association announced that 22 public works professionals have earned their credentials as Certified Public Infrastructure Inspectors. Since its inception, a total of 242 U.S. and Canadian public infrastructure professionals have received the CPII certification. APWA announced that 14 public works professionals throughout the United States have earned the Certified Stormwater Manager credential. The CSM certification is intended for water experts in both the public and private sectors who coordinate and implement stormwater management programs for city, county, state, provincial, and federal agencies. APWA announced that five public works fleet professionals have earned the Certified Public Fleet Professional credential. Since its inception, the CPFP program has certified 105 public works fleet professionals in North America with the CPFP credential.
*Dates shown in red are National Ground Water Association events.
Look for PGWSJ Once a Season in 2013 The Public Groundwater Systems Journal will be published quarterly in 2013. Make sure you get content that can help you on the job by filling out and mailing back the card on the cover of this issue. Each publication will be filled with feature articles on key topics, columns by industry experts, and departments featuring the latest news and products of the industry. Don’t miss PGWSJ in 2013. 22/ Winter 2013 Public Groundwater Systems Journal
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FEATURED Solinst Offers Cost-Effective Water Level Datalogging
The Solinst Levelogger Junior Edge provides a cost-effective option for water level and temperature datalogging. It uses a durable Hastelloy pressure sensor, which has superior corrosion resistance and can withstand up to two times over-pressure without permanent damage. The Levelogger Junior Edge features a memory capacity of 40,000 sets of datapoints, accuracy is 0.1% FS, and the battery lasts up to five years. If greater accuracy, sampling options, or ranges are required, the Solinst Levelogger Edge has the functionality to suit your application. The Levelogger Edge has 0.05% accuracy, a 10-year battery, and memory for up to 120,000 datapoints using the linear compressed sampling option.
Hydroflo Pumps Provide Zero Lead Pump Hydroflo Pumps USA Inc., a manufacturer of turbines, pumps, and specialty products for numerous industries since 1998, manufactures the Zero Lead Pump that meets and exceeds regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act, including the most stringent laws in the states of California and Vermont. The standard Hydroflo Zero Lead Pump features stainless steel impellers and hardware, cast iron lined bowls and Vesconite bearings, a specialized thermoplastic composed of internally lubricated polymers. Impellers are offered in 201, 304, and 316 stainless steel. The Hydroflo product line ranges from vertical and submersible turbines to zero lead and drainage pumps. www.NGWA.org
SJE-Rhombus Lift Station Control Panel Has Three Phase, Three Voltages in One Panel
SJE-Rhombus, a pump control solutions provider, introduces the 331 Lift Station control panel. The 331 Lift Station control panel is a simple, versatile solution for standard duplex applications. It covers three phase (up to 32 amps each) and three voltages (208V, 240V, or 480V) with one panel. The 331 Lift Station control panel is pre-engineered to simply “fit and click” the appropriate overload module into the starter for operation. Available in stainless steel or fiberglass wall mount enclosure, each 331 panel features single-point power connection; IEC HP rated motor starter with adjustable overload module; 10 hp max at 208V, 240V, 480V; class 10 ambient compensated overload relay; pump short circuit disconnect and overload reset accessible through the inner door; tri-voltage stepdown control transformer; separate alarm/control fuses; override circuit to operate lag pump if load float fails; alternator relay for even run time; seal lead circuit for single- or double-probe pumps; and more.
Xylem Introduces CentriPro Xtreme Duty 4-Inch Submersible Motor Xylem Inc., a global water technology company focused on addressing the world’s most challenging water issues, introduced the CentriPro Xtreme Duty 4-inch submersible motor. Designed especially for sandy wells and coal bed methane applications, the innovative CentriPro Xtreme Duty motor uniquely combines both sand fighting and coal bed methane motor capabilities into one unit. A silicon carbide mechanical seal and a felt diaphragm filter prevent coal fines
PRODUCTS
and other abrasives from entering the motor. All sizes feature a 17-4PH stainless steel shaft and 1500-pound thrust bearings, compared to the industry standard 2 hp and 3 hp motors with 900pound bearings. The complete line is available in single-phase, 2-5 hp 230 volt; three-phase, 3-7.5 hp 230 volt; and three-phase, 3-10 hp 460 volt. The Xtreme Duty motor also features a new pressure equalizing diaphragm cover to prevent debris from entering. Other features of the Xtreme Duty motor include standard 15-foot motor leads; silicon carbide mechanical seal rather than lip seals; top end bell to accommodate the mechanical seal with bronze seal cover; 304 Cast SS thrust bearing housing for corrosion resistance; and epoxy painted diaphragm cover.
New High Resolution Electronic LCD Encoder Improves Reading Performance and Offers Programming Options A new high resolution electronic liquid crystal display (LCD) encoder from Badger Meter provides utilities with improved reading performance and important feature upgrades. The Badger Meter High Resolution Encoder (HR-E LCD) is fully electronic, solid-state, and field programmable. Utilities have access to industry standard encoder ASCII output with an easy-to-read high resolution nine-digit LCD display. The display toggles between nine digits, six digits, rate of flow, and meter model. Status indicators/alarms are sent as part of the high resolution encoded output for endpoints capable of receiving extended messages. Encoders come factory-programmed to customer order specifications. Utilities may also program the unit of measure, meter type, meter model, billing units, and rate-of-flow parameters. Programming of the encoder can be performed at any time—helping to manage and reduce inventory requirements.
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