June 2014

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE:
Source protection
in Dayton, Ohio
Page 12
wso
WATER SYSTEM OPERATOR
June 2014
www.wsomag.com
Managing Our Most Valuable Resource
TM
A Little Gem
TWO OPERATORS DELIVER AN EXCELLENT PRODUCT
FROM A CONNECTICUT DIRECT FILTRATION PLANT
Page 8
WINNING THEM OVER:
FLUSH program for Scouts
in Livonia, Mich.
Page 22
TECHNOLOGY DEEP DIVE:
Analytics made simpler
Page 20
Jeff Rines
Chief Operator
Winchester, Conn.
800-972-ASCO (2726) | www.ascovalve.com/composite | e-mail: info-valve@asco.com
Composite valve. Perfected.
Scan this QR Code*
to view the new video
and learn more about the
212 Series Composite Valve.
* Requires QR Code reader
ASCO Series 212 composite valves for water purification and conditioning.
For reverse osmosis applications from drinking water to restaurant equipment to grocery
store produce misting, heres the valve youve been waiting for! Available in 3/8" to 1" pipe
sizes, its the first to combine reliable, lead-free construction proven up to 1 million cycles
with the highest available temperature and pressure ratings, plus testing and certification
by NSF International. It also provides the industrys fastest, most cost-effective assembly via
our unique new FasN universal valve connection system. Get tomorrows perfected
composite technology by calling ASCO today!
4
The ASCO trademark is registered in the U.S. and other countries. FasN is a trademark of ASCO Valve, Inc. The Emerson logo is a trademark and service mark of Emerson Electric Co. 2014 ASCO Valve, Inc.
DIP. READ.
N
E
W
Colorimetric: Total Chlorine | Free Chlorine | Free Ammonia | Monochloramine | Nitrite | Total Ammonia | Copper
The new Hach SL1000 Portable Parallel Analyzer (PPA) performs the same tests with less
than half the manual steps. Get highly accurate results, with less opportunity for errors, in
a fraction of the time. Up to six parameters, tested simultaneously.
Probe-based: pH | Conductivity | Dissolved Oxygen (Temperature included with each probe)
hach.com/ppa
800-972-ASCO (2726) | www.ascovalve.com/composite | e-mail: info-valve@asco.com
Composite valve. Perfected.
Scan this QR Code*
to view the new video
and learn more about the
212 Series Composite Valve.
* Requires QR Code reader
ASCO Series 212 composite valves for water purification and conditioning.
For reverse osmosis applications from drinking water to restaurant equipment to grocery
store produce misting, heres the valve youve been waiting for! Available in 3/8" to 1" pipe
sizes, its the first to combine reliable, lead-free construction proven up to 1 million cycles
with the highest available temperature and pressure ratings, plus testing and certification
by NSF International. It also provides the industrys fastest, most cost-effective assembly via
our unique new FasN universal valve connection system. Get tomorrows perfected
composite technology by calling ASCO today!
4
The ASCO trademark is registered in the U.S. and other countries. FasN is a trademark of ASCO Valve, Inc. The Emerson logo is a trademark and service mark of Emerson Electric Co. 2014 ASCO Valve, Inc.
DIP. READ.
N
E
W
Colorimetric: Total Chlorine | Free Chlorine | Free Ammonia | Monochloramine | Nitrite | Total Ammonia | Copper
The new Hach SL1000 Portable Parallel Analyzer (PPA) performs the same tests with less
than half the manual steps. Get highly accurate results, with less opportunity for errors, in
a fraction of the time. Up to six parameters, tested simultaneously.
Probe-based: pH | Conductivity | Dissolved Oxygen (Temperature included with each probe)
hach.com/ppa
4 WATER SYSTEM OPERATOR
Published monthly by COLE Publishing, Inc.
1720 Maple Lake Dam Rd., PO Box 220, Three Lakes, WI 54562
Call toll free 800-257-7222 / Outside of U.S. or Canada call 715-546-3346
Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. CST
Website: www.wsomag.com / Email: info@wsomag.com / Fax: 715-546-3786
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: A one-year (12 issues) subscription to WSO
TM
in the United
States and Canada is FREE to qualied subscribers. A qualied subscriber is any individual
or company in the United States or Canada that partakes in the consulting, design, installation,
manufacture, management or operation of water treatment systems. To subscribe, return
the subscription card attached to each issue, visit wsomag.com or call 800-257-7222.
Non-qualied subscriptions are available at a cost of $60 per year in the United States and
Canada/Mexico and $150 per year to all other foreign countries. To subscribe, visit wsomag.
com or send company name, mailing address, phone number and check or money order
(U.S. funds payable to COLE Publishing Inc.) to the address above. MasterCard, VISA and
Discover are also accepted. Include credit card information with your order.
ADDRESS CHANGES: Submit to WSO, P.O. Box 220, Three Lakes, WI, 54562; call 800-
257-7222 (715-546-3346); fax to 715-546-3786; or email nicolel@colepublishing.com.
Include both old and new addresses.
Our subscriber list is occasionally made available to carefully selected companies whose
products or services may be of interest to you. Your privacy is important to us. If you prefer
not to be a part of these lists, please contact Nicole at nicolel@colepublishing.com.
ADVERTISING RATES: Call 800-994-7990 and ask for Kim or Phil. Publisher reserves the
right to reject advertising which in its opinion is misleading, unfair or incompatible with the
character of the publication.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE: Address to Editor, WSO, P.O. Box 220, Three Lakes,
WI, 54562 or email editor@wsomag.com.
REPRINTS AND BACK ISSUES: Visit www.wsomag.com for options and pricing. To order
reprints, call Jeff Lane at 800-257-7222 (715-546-3346) or email jeffl@colepublishing.com.
To order back issues, call Nicole at 800-257-7222 (715-546-3346) or email nicolel@cole
publishing.com.
CIRCULATION: Average circulation is 33,038 copies per month.
2014 COLE PUBLISHING INC.
No part may be reproduced without permission of publisher.
AllMax Software, Inc. ............... 29
ASCO Numatics ....................... 3
Blue-White Industries ................ 4
Hach Company ...................... 2
INFILCO DEGREMONT ............. 19
Mitsubishi Electric Power
Products, Inc. ...................... 19
Pollardwater ............................ 40
Advertiser Index
June 2014
www.facebook.com/WSOmag
www.twitter.com/WSOmagazine
www.plus.google.com
www.youtube.com/WSOmagazine
Get
Social
with
Water & Wastewater Equipment,

Treatment & Transport Show
www.pumpershow.com
Education Day: Feb. 23, 2015 n Exhibits: Feb. 24 - 26, 2015
Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Ind.
QUALITY LEADERS
Agency: Doing It Right Page 14
A wide array of best management practices propel the Columbus
water utility to customer service excellence and industry recognition.
BY JIM FORCE

Operator: Always Learning Page 24
Perkins-Boynton Award winner Robert McVicker thrives on
new challenges and the opportunity to increase his water
treatment knowledge.
BY TRUDE WITHAM

Plant: A Little Gem Page 8
An award-winning Connecticut direct ltration package plant
relies on just two operators to provide exceptional water for several
thousand customers.
BY TRUDE WITHAM
ON TAP Page 6
Toward a Closer Community
This is the last issue of Water System Operator
magazine. Watch for an expanded Treatment
Plant Operator focused on the whole water/
wastewater treatment profession.
BY TED J. RULSEH, EDITOR

Toward Resilient
Water Supplies Page 7
Experts share ideas on how cities and utilities
can meet water security challenges, ensure
safe and reliable supplies, and achieve long-
term sustainability.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE Page 12
Broad Spectrum
A commitment to sustainability and resource
conservation underpins all aspects of operations
for the City of Dayton Water Department.
BY ANN STAWSKI
TECHNOLOGY DEEP DIVE Page 20
Analytics Made Easier
A cellular-based solution from Badger Meter
lets utilities collect and analyze data to
improve operations and service without
investing in a proprietary network.
BY TED J. RULSEH
WINNING THEM OVER Page 22
All About the Scouts
A FLUSH program in Michigan offering
treatment plant tours meets early success
and looks to expand beyond state borders.
BY SCOTTIE DAYTON

TECH TALK Page 28
Knowing Nitrates
This increasingly important contaminant
has multiple ways to enter drinking water
supplies and can be challenging to remove.
BY JOHN ROWE, PH.D.

PRODUCT FOCUS Page 30
Treatment, Filtration and Desalination
BY CRAIG MANDLI

CASE STUDIES Page 33
BY CRAIG MANDLI

PRODUCT NEWS Page 34
Product Spotlight: On-site chemical generator
produces disinfectant on demand
BY ED WODALSKI
INDUSTRY NEWS Page 37
CONTRACTS AND AWARDS Page 37
WORTH NOTING Page 38
People/Awards; Education; Events
Contents June 2014
ON THE COVER:
Jeff Rines (pictured) and Steve Giordano work together to
deliver consistently high-quality water for 11,000 residents in
the rural town of Winsted, Conn. The 850,000 gpd Crystal Lake
Water Filtration Plant, operated by Winsted Water Works, has
never suffered from droughts. The greatest challenges include
dealing with seasonal water-quality changes. (Photography
by John Marinelli)
Were met with a new challenge each day.
Whether its the sewer or water department ...
we take our jobs very seriously, and
the key thing is knowing that were in
compliance and not polluting our waters.
Jeff Chartier
An Original Environmentalist
SUPERINTENDENT
Town of Bristol (N.H.) Sewer
and Water Department
Every day is Earth Day.
Read about original environmentalists like Jeff

each month in Treatment Plant Operator.
FREE subscription at www.tpomag.com
Published monthly by COLE Publishing, Inc.
1720 Maple Lake Dam Rd., PO Box 220, Three Lakes, WI 54562
Call toll free 800-257-7222 / Outside of U.S. or Canada call 715-546-3346
Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. CST
Website: www.wsomag.com / Email: info@wsomag.com / Fax: 715-546-3786
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: A one-year (12 issues) subscription to WSO
TM
in the United
States and Canada is FREE to qualied subscribers. A qualied subscriber is any individual
or company in the United States or Canada that partakes in the consulting, design, installation,
manufacture, management or operation of water treatment systems. To subscribe, return
the subscription card attached to each issue, visit wsomag.com or call 800-257-7222.
Non-qualied subscriptions are available at a cost of $60 per year in the United States and
Canada/Mexico and $150 per year to all other foreign countries. To subscribe, visit wsomag.
com or send company name, mailing address, phone number and check or money order
(U.S. funds payable to COLE Publishing Inc.) to the address above. MasterCard, VISA and
Discover are also accepted. Include credit card information with your order.
ADDRESS CHANGES: Submit to WSO, P.O. Box 220, Three Lakes, WI, 54562; call 800-
257-7222 (715-546-3346); fax to 715-546-3786; or email nicolel@colepublishing.com.
Include both old and new addresses.
Our subscriber list is occasionally made available to carefully selected companies whose
products or services may be of interest to you. Your privacy is important to us. If you prefer
not to be a part of these lists, please contact Nicole at nicolel@colepublishing.com.
ADVERTISING RATES: Call 800-994-7990 and ask for Kim or Phil. Publisher reserves the
right to reject advertising which in its opinion is misleading, unfair or incompatible with the
character of the publication.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE: Address to Editor, WSO, P.O. Box 220, Three Lakes,
WI, 54562 or email editor@wsomag.com.
REPRINTS AND BACK ISSUES: Visit www.wsomag.com for options and pricing. To order
reprints, call Jeff Lane at 800-257-7222 (715-546-3346) or email jeffl@colepublishing.com.
To order back issues, call Nicole at 800-257-7222 (715-546-3346) or email nicolel@cole
publishing.com.
CIRCULATION: Average circulation is 33,038 copies per month.
2014 COLE PUBLISHING INC.
No part may be reproduced without permission of publisher.
AllMax Software, Inc. ............... 29
ASCO Numatics ....................... 3
Blue-White Industries ................ 4
Hach Company ...................... 2
INFILCO DEGREMONT ............. 19
Mitsubishi Electric Power
Products, Inc. ...................... 19
Pollardwater ............................ 40
Advertiser Index
June 2014
www.facebook.com/WSOmag
www.twitter.com/WSOmagazine
www.plus.google.com
www.youtube.com/WSOmagazine
Get
Social
with
Water & Wastewater Equipment,

Treatment & Transport Show
www.pumpershow.com
Education Day: Feb. 23, 2015 n Exhibits: Feb. 24 - 26, 2015
Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Ind.
QUALITY LEADERS
Agency: Doing It Right Page 14
water utility to customer service excellence and industry recognition.
BY JIM FORCE

Operator: Always Learning Page 24
Perkins-Boynton Award winner Robert McVicker thrives on
new challenges and the opportunity to increase his water
treatment knowledge.
BY TRUDE WITHAM

Plant: A Little Gem Page 8
An award-winning Connecticut direct ltration package plant
relies on just two operators to provide exceptional water for several
thousand customers.
BY TRUDE WITHAM
ON TAP Page 6
This is the last issue of Water System Operator
magazine. Watch for an expanded Treatment
Plant Operator focused on the whole water/
wastewater treatment profession.

Toward Resilient
Water Supplies Page 7
Experts share ideas on how cities and utilities
can meet water security challenges, ensure
safe and reliable supplies, and achieve long-
term sustainability.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE Page 12
Broad Spectrum
A commitment to sustainability and resource
conservation underpins all aspects of operations
for the City of Dayton Water Department.
BY ANN STAWSKI
TECHNOLOGY DEEP DIVE Page 20
A cellular-based solution from Badger Meter
lets utilities collect and analyze data to
improve operations and service without
investing in a proprietary network.
BY TED J. RULSEH
WINNING THEM OVER Page 22
A FLUSH program in Michigan offering
treatment plant tours meets early success
and looks to expand beyond state borders.
BY SCOTTIE DAYTON

TECH TALK Page 28
Knowing Nitrates
This increasingly important contaminant
has multiple ways to enter drinking water
supplies and can be challenging to remove.
BY JOHN ROWE, PH.D.

PRODUCT FOCUS Page 30
BY CRAIG MANDLI

CASE STUDIES Page 33
BY CRAIG MANDLI

PRODUCT NEWS Page 34
Product Spotlight: On-site chemical generator
BY ED WODALSKI
INDUSTRY NEWS Page 37
CONTRACTS AND AWARDS Page 37
WORTH NOTING Page 38
People/Awards; Education; Events
Contents June 2014
ON THE COVER:
Jeff Rines (pictured) and Steve Giordano work together to
deliver consistently high-quality water for 11,000 residents in
the rural town of Winsted, Conn. The 850,000 gpd Crystal Lake
Water Filtration Plant, operated by Winsted Water Works, has
never suffered from droughts. The greatest challenges include
dealing with seasonal water-quality changes. (Photography
by John Marinelli)
C
OLE Publishing launched Water System Operator magazine 2 1/2
years ago, based on the success of sister publication Treatment
Plant Operator, focused on the wastewater side.
Professionals on the operations side of drinking water util-
ities embraced WSO, just as the wastewater community adopted TPO.
As it turned out we might as well just say it WSO was a popular but
not a commercial success.
And so, whats a publisher to do? One option would be simply to dis-
continue WSO. Another option and we think a better one is to
change our approach slightly and offer a magazine for the entire commu-
nity of water treatment plant operators: wastewater and drinking water.
And so, as of July, thats what were doing. Were expanding TPO to
encompass both sides and industrial
wastewater in the bargain.

Why it makes sense
We think this change works because
increasingly we nd that water and waste-
water are different sides of the same coin.
Most manufacturers that offer products for
one side also offer products for the other. On
a more basic level, most communities have both water and wastewater
utilities. They provide water and wastewater treatment. They bill together
for water and sewer service.
Even more fundamentally, many people who operate drinking water
and wastewater treatment plants have dual licenses. They may work full
time on one side, but theyre also licensed for the other. Especially in
smaller towns, plant operators actually work both sides or are available to
help the other side in a pinch.
Weve also observed that some state and regional AWWA sections and
Water Environment Associations hold joint training events and confer-
ences. And that industrial operators are very much a part of wastewater
operator organizations.
Perhaps most basic of all, water and wastewater treatment are differ-
ent components of the same urban water cycle.
So to a meaningful extent, drinking water and wastewater treatment
plant operators are one big community. They share basic functions: pump-
ing, treatment, disinfection, residuals management. They share funda-
mental concerns: compliance, service quality, efciency, sustainability,
public health, energy conservation, environmen-
tal protection, grounds beautication, public
outreach. So while processes are different, the
overall intentions are similar. The expanded
TPO will reect that.

Come along for the ride
The format of the magazine is similar to what youve experienced in
WSO. Youll continue to see proles of top-performing operators, treat-
ment plants and utilities. There will be news of the latest products and in-
depth reports on exciting technology offerings. Well report on plant
sustainability initiatives, share technical advice from experts, present
case studies on successful product installations, and describe effective
public outreach and education programs. In other words, everything you
have come to expect in WSO, in a larger and broader context.
So, I hope you will join us on the other side of the street or, perhaps
more appropriately, on the two-way street that is water and wastewater
treatment. Ive been editing TPO for almost six years now, and Im excited
about its expanding mission.
I hope to see you there. Your cards, letters, calls and electronic messages
will continue to be welcome. In fact, if you have a comment, question or
story to share, or anything at all youd like to discuss, send me a note to
editor@tpomag.com. wso
This is the last issue of Water System Operator magazine.
Watch for an expanded Treatment Plant Operator focused
on the whole water/wastewater treatment profession.
ON
TAP
T
o a meaningful extent, water and wastewater treatment plant operators
are one big community. They share fundamental concerns: compliance,
service quality, efciency, sustainability, public health, energy conservation,
environmental protection, grounds beautication, public outreach.
So while processes are different, the overall intentions are similar.
Its your magazine. Tell your story.
Send your ideas for future articles
to editor@tpomag.com
H
ow can communities ensure the future resiliency of urban water
supplies? The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread posed that ques-
tion recently to several water experts.
Cities in certain regions of the United States could be caught
unprepared to meet water demands if they do not take proactive steps
now to diversify their water supply, according to Lynn Broaddus, direc-
tor of the Environment Program at the foundation.
Getting out ahead of our water security challenges and achieving
long-term sustainability of the nations water resources in the face of cli-
mate change, energy demands, diminishing groundwater supplies, nan-
cial challenges and other resource constraints is going to require a
comprehensive and cross-sector approach. To
advance the conversation, the foundation posed
this question to six water experts across a range
of sectors:
Ensuring a safe and reliable source of freshwater
is fundamental to life. This is increasingly challeng-
ing in growing urban areas where intense water
demands from residential, commercial, industrial
and energy sectors is the new norm. It poses a similar
challenge to the large swaths of the country that are
experiencing long-term drought or reaching the limits
of their current supply. From your vantage point, and
drawing on your expertise and experience, what do
you see as one of the major challenges to the future resiliency of our urban water
supplies, and what corresponding opportunity or approach do you recommend
to overcome that challenge?
The dialogue is part of Charting New Waters, a foundation initiative
that aims to catalyze new solutions to freshwater challenges in the United
States. The initiative brings together experts from across the public, pri-
vate and nongovernment organization sectors, along with other stake-
holders, to focus on the challenges water and wastewater utilities need to
overcome. Here are several highlights from their comments:

Nancy Stoner, acting assistant administrator, Ofce of Water at the
U.S. EPA, and Jay Jensen, associate director of land and water, White
House Council on Environmental Quality:
Water scarcity in both urban and rural areas is a pressing concern
for Americans, especially in light of a changing climate. One of the big-
gest challenges facing communities is the increasing severity of storms
and weather events like drought. Its time to modernize the policies
underpinning the needed investment to tackle these challenges and to
bring forth innovative solutions through partnerships between the public
and private sectors.

Albert Cho, vice president of strategy and business development, Xylem:
The biggest threat to the future resiliency of urban water supplies is
not an external force, such as drought or climate change, though these are
clearly fundamental challenges, nor is it a question of lacking technology
or viable models for sustainable water management: Myriad solutions are
available and tested at scale. Rather, the biggest challenge is us more
specically, our collective inability to mobilize an engaged and informed
constituency capable of motivating decision-makers to invest in the infra-
structure we need to prepare for a more water-scarce future.

Cynthia Lane, director of engineering and technical services, AWWA:
Water utilities have historically relied upon water supplies that have
always sustained them, such as lakes, groundwater basins, and rivers with
many straws, and only recently do they need to
look outside those traditional sources. Wastewa-
ter and stormwater have not been viewed as via-
ble options for drinking water sources, further
restricting the ability of a water utility to supple-
ment an existing water resource portfolio or sup-
plant a currently unsustainable supply.

Dick Luthy, director of ReNUWIt: The Urban
Water ERC:
In response to the challenge, an increasing
number of cities are taking bold steps to increase
water availability by developing local supplies
from sources once thought to be undrinkable. These urban pioneers are
part of a quiet revolution that promises to create a water supply that will
replace much of the expensive and increasingly unreliable infrastructure
built during the 20th century.

Mary Ann Dickinson, president and CEO, Alliance for Water
Efciency:
Thirty years ago, most of us would have laughed at the fact that we
might run out of water in the U.S., or that water shortages would affect
more than 40 of 50 states. However, it is indeed happening. In California,
2013 was the driest in the states recorded history and the third consecu-
tive year of what Gov. Jerry Brown is calling a megadrought. Reservoirs
serving major population centers are dwindling to 10 percent or less of
their capacity. Aqueduct deliveries of water have been reduced to nearly
zero. Seventeen California cities have less than 120 days left of water sup-
ply. And this is the rainy season.

To read the full articles, visit http://bit.ly/1oXu3ER. The Johnson
Foundation at Wingspread is dedicated to catalyzing change by bringing
together leading thinkers and inspiring solutions on environmental and
regional issues. Visit www.johnsonfdn.org. wso
Toward Resilient Water Supplies
Experts share ideas on how cities and utilities can meet water security challenges,
ensure safe and reliable supplies, and achieve long-term sustainability
Thirty years ago, most of us

would have laughed at the
fact that we might run out of
water in the U.S., or that water
shortages would affect more
than 40 of 50 states. However,
it is indeed happening.
MARY ANN DICKINSON
wsomag.com June 2014 7
C
OLE Publishing launched Water System Operator magazine 2 1/2
years ago, based on the success of sister publication Treatment
Plant Operator, focused on the wastewater side.
Professionals on the operations side of drinking water util-
ities embraced WSO, just as the wastewater community adopted TPO.
As it turned out we might as well just say it WSO was a popular but
not a commercial success.
And so, whats a publisher to do? One option would be simply to dis-
continue WSO. Another option and we think a better one is to
change our approach slightly and offer a magazine for the entire commu-
nity of water treatment plant operators: wastewater and drinking water.
And so, as of July, thats what were doing. Were expanding TPO to
encompass both sides and industrial
wastewater in the bargain.

Why it makes sense
We think this change works because
increasingly we nd that water and waste-
water are different sides of the same coin.
Most manufacturers that offer products for
one side also offer products for the other. On
a more basic level, most communities have both water and wastewater
utilities. They provide water and wastewater treatment. They bill together
for water and sewer service.
Even more fundamentally, many people who operate drinking water
and wastewater treatment plants have dual licenses. They may work full
time on one side, but theyre also licensed for the other. Especially in
smaller towns, plant operators actually work both sides or are available to
help the other side in a pinch.
Weve also observed that some state and regional AWWA sections and
Water Environment Associations hold joint training events and confer-
ences. And that industrial operators are very much a part of wastewater
operator organizations.
Perhaps most basic of all, water and wastewater treatment are differ-
ent components of the same urban water cycle.
So to a meaningful extent, drinking water and wastewater treatment
plant operators are one big community. They share basic functions: pump-
ing, treatment, disinfection, residuals management. They share funda-
mental concerns: compliance, service quality, efciency, sustainability,
public health, energy conservation, environmen-
tal protection, grounds beautication, public
outreach. So while processes are different, the
overall intentions are similar. The expanded
TPO will reect that.

Come along for the ride
The format of the magazine is similar to what youve experienced in
WSO. Youll continue to see proles of top-performing operators, treat-
ment plants and utilities. There will be news of the latest products and in-
depth reports on exciting technology offerings. Well report on plant
sustainability initiatives, share technical advice from experts, present
case studies on successful product installations, and describe effective
public outreach and education programs. In other words, everything you
have come to expect in WSO, in a larger and broader context.
So, I hope you will join us on the other side of the street or, perhaps
more appropriately, on the two-way street that is water and wastewater
treatment. Ive been editing TPO for almost six years now, and Im excited
about its expanding mission.
I hope to see you there. Your cards, letters, calls and electronic messages
will continue to be welcome. In fact, if you have a comment, question or
story to share, or anything at all youd like to discuss, send me a note to
editor@tpomag.com. wso
This is the last issue of Water System Operator magazine.
Watch for an expanded Treatment Plant Operator focused
on the whole water/wastewater treatment profession.
ON
TAP
T
o a meaningful extent, water and wastewater treatment plant operators
are one big community. They share fundamental concerns: compliance,
service quality, efciency, sustainability, public health, energy conservation,
environmental protection, grounds beautication, public outreach.
So while processes are different, the overall intentions are similar.
Its your magazine. Tell your story.
Send your ideas for future articles
to editor@tpomag.com
H
ow can communities ensure the future resiliency of urban water
supplies? The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread posed that ques-
tion recently to several water experts.
Cities in certain regions of the United States could be caught
unprepared to meet water demands if they do not take proactive steps
now to diversify their water supply, according to Lynn Broaddus, direc-
tor of the Environment Program at the foundation.
Getting out ahead of our water security challenges and achieving
long-term sustainability of the nations water resources in the face of cli-
mate change, energy demands, diminishing groundwater supplies, nan-
cial challenges and other resource constraints is going to require a
comprehensive and cross-sector approach. To
advance the conversation, the foundation posed
this question to six water experts across a range
of sectors:
Ensuring a safe and reliable source of freshwater
is fundamental to life. This is increasingly challeng-
ing in growing urban areas where intense water
demands from residential, commercial, industrial
and energy sectors is the new norm. It poses a similar
challenge to the large swaths of the country that are
experiencing long-term drought or reaching the limits
of their current supply. From your vantage point, and
drawing on your expertise and experience, what do
you see as one of the major challenges to the future resiliency of our urban water
supplies, and what corresponding opportunity or approach do you recommend
to overcome that challenge?
The dialogue is part of Charting New Waters, a foundation initiative
that aims to catalyze new solutions to freshwater challenges in the United
States. The initiative brings together experts from across the public, pri-
vate and nongovernment organization sectors, along with other stake-
holders, to focus on the challenges water and wastewater utilities need to
overcome. Here are several highlights from their comments:

Nancy Stoner, acting assistant administrator, Ofce of Water at the
U.S. EPA, and Jay Jensen, associate director of land and water, White
House Council on Environmental Quality:
Water scarcity in both urban and rural areas is a pressing concern
for Americans, especially in light of a changing climate. One of the big-
gest challenges facing communities is the increasing severity of storms
and weather events like drought. Its time to modernize the policies
underpinning the needed investment to tackle these challenges and to
bring forth innovative solutions through partnerships between the public
and private sectors.

Albert Cho, vice president of strategy and business development, Xylem:
The biggest threat to the future resiliency of urban water supplies is
not an external force, such as drought or climate change, though these are
clearly fundamental challenges, nor is it a question of lacking technology
or viable models for sustainable water management: Myriad solutions are
available and tested at scale. Rather, the biggest challenge is us more
specically, our collective inability to mobilize an engaged and informed
constituency capable of motivating decision-makers to invest in the infra-
structure we need to prepare for a more water-scarce future.

Cynthia Lane, director of engineering and technical services, AWWA:
Water utilities have historically relied upon water supplies that have
always sustained them, such as lakes, groundwater basins, and rivers with
many straws, and only recently do they need to
look outside those traditional sources. Wastewa-
ter and stormwater have not been viewed as via-
ble options for drinking water sources, further
restricting the ability of a water utility to supple-
ment an existing water resource portfolio or sup-
plant a currently unsustainable supply.

Dick Luthy, director of ReNUWIt: The Urban
Water ERC:
In response to the challenge, an increasing
number of cities are taking bold steps to increase
water availability by developing local supplies
from sources once thought to be undrinkable. These urban pioneers are
part of a quiet revolution that promises to create a water supply that will
replace much of the expensive and increasingly unreliable infrastructure
built during the 20th century.

Mary Ann Dickinson, president and CEO, Alliance for Water
Efciency:
Thirty years ago, most of us would have laughed at the fact that we
might run out of water in the U.S., or that water shortages would affect
more than 40 of 50 states. However, it is indeed happening. In California,
2013 was the driest in the states recorded history and the third consecu-
tive year of what Gov. Jerry Brown is calling a megadrought. Reservoirs
serving major population centers are dwindling to 10 percent or less of
their capacity. Aqueduct deliveries of water have been reduced to nearly
zero. Seventeen California cities have less than 120 days left of water sup-
ply. And this is the rainy season.

To read the full articles, visit http://bit.ly/1oXu3ER. The Johnson
Foundation at Wingspread is dedicated to catalyzing change by bringing
together leading thinkers and inspiring solutions on environmental and
regional issues. Visit www.johnsonfdn.org. wso
Toward Resilient Water Supplies
Experts share ideas on how cities and utilities can meet water security challenges,
ensure safe and reliable supplies, and achieve long-term sustainability
Thirty years ago, most of us

would have laughed at the
fact that we might run out of
water in the U.S., or that water
shortages would affect more
than 40 of 50 states. However,
it is indeed happening.
MARY ANN DICKINSON
A LITTLE
GEM
STORY: TRUDE WITHAM
PHOTOGRAPHY: JOHN MARINELLI
An award-winning Connecticut
direct ltration package plant
relies on just two operators
to provide exceptional water
for several thousand customers
STORY: TRUDE WITHAM
W
hen the seasons change, Jeff Rines and Steve Giordano
carefully watch their source water organic and turbidity
levels and make water treatment plant process adjustments.
Their plants upow clariers help them deliver con-
sistently high-quality water for 11,000 residents (2,300
service connections) in the rural town of Winsted, Conn. Its a little gem
in the hills, with Highland Lake for recreation and Crystal Lake and
Rugg Brook for our water supply, says Rines, chief operator.
Built in 1998, the 850,000 gpd Crystal Lake Water Filtration Plant is
blessed with an abundant water supply. Operated by Winsted Water
Works, the plant has never suffered from droughts, and dams at both
lakes prevent ooding. For Rines and Giordano, his fellow operator, the
greatest challenges have included dealing with seasonal water-quality
changes and learning how to operate and maintain the upow clariers.
They have easily met the challenges. Winsted Water Works won the
2013 Water Operations Award from
the Atlantic States Rural Water
and Wastewater Association. Rines
credits the utilitys good relation-
ship with the state Department of
Public Health. Our employees
are certied and maintain their
CEUs, and we have never been on
the DPH watch list, he says.
Another success factor is the
waterworks pledge to better and
progress its water system to meet
the ever-increasing requirements
of providing safe drinking water
to customers.

Highly experienced
Winsted Water Works employs
two operators at the water plant and
a working foreman and two utility
workers who handle distribution.
They are a highly experienced team.
Besides Rines (Class IV water treat-
ment certification, 25 years of
experience) and Giordano (Class
IV, one year), the team includes:
Jim McCarthy, foreman and
chief operator of distribution
(Class II water treatment and
water distribution certica-
tions, 26 years)
Mark Lombardo, utilityman
IV (Class II water treatment
and water distribution certi-
cations, 24 years)
Mike Girolamo, utilityman
cations, 16 years)
Rines came to the water indus-
try with a construction background:
I had been working for Borghesi
Building & Engineering Company
in Torrington. A close friend told me about an opening in the Winsted water
department, and I was hired as a utilityman III in 1988. I got a lot of good
on-the-job experience in water distribution. Pat Hague, the water super-
visor, encouraged me to get my water management certicate so I could
run the soon-to-be-built water treatment plant. Im still here 25 years later.
Rines reports to Neal Amwake, public works director. Hes a very
knowledgeable individual and is there when I need him, but he trusts me
to do my job, says Rines.
The team attends quarterly classes through the ASRWWA to main-
tain certication. They hold seminars at the local re station, so its con-
venient for our staff to attend, Rines says. The association has been a
godsend for us. When we rst had to learn how to do our consumer con-
dence reports, they sent someone out with a template and went through it
with us.

Direct ltration
Before the plant was built, engineers determined there was no need for
conventional ltration, as the source water contained low turbidity. The
town chose a direct ltration system with a Microoc Adsorption Clarier
(purchased from US Filter, now sold by WesTech Engineering) that com-
bines mixing, occulation and clarication in one step. The plant runs
two of its three upow clariers at a time the third is for redundancy.
We add alum and polymer to the clarier inuent so that a smaller
oc is created, Rines says. The oating plastic media grabs the oc and
Crystal Lake Water Filtration Plant,
Winchester, Conn.
FOUNDED: | 1998
POPULATION SERVED: | 11,000
SERVICE AREA: | Winsted, Conn.
SOURCE WATER: | Crystal Lake, Rugg Brook
TREATMENT PROCESS: | Direct ltration
DISTRIBUTION: | 40 miles of water mains
SYSTEM STORAGE: | 2.5 million gallons
KEY CHALLENGES: | Aging package plant, future regulations
ANNUAL BUDGET: | $1.4 million (operations)
WEBSITE: | www.townofwinchester.org
QUALITY
LEADERS
PLANT
Steve Giordano (left), Class IV
operator, and Jeff Rines,
chief operator, lead a highly
experienced team at the Crystal
Lake Water Filtration Plant.
A LITTLE
GEM
STORY: TRUDE WITHAM
An award-winning Connecticut
direct ltration package plant
relies on just two operators
to provide exceptional water
for several thousand customers
STORY: TRUDE WITHAM
W
hen the seasons change, Jeff Rines and Steve Giordano
carefully watch their source water organic and turbidity
levels and make water treatment plant process adjustments.
Their plants upow clariers help them deliver con-
sistently high-quality water for 11,000 residents (2,300
service connections) in the rural town of Winsted, Conn. Its a little gem
in the hills, with Highland Lake for recreation and Crystal Lake and
Rugg Brook for our water supply, says Rines, chief operator.
Built in 1998, the 850,000 gpd Crystal Lake Water Filtration Plant is
blessed with an abundant water supply. Operated by Winsted Water
Works, the plant has never suffered from droughts, and dams at both
lakes prevent ooding. For Rines and Giordano, his fellow operator, the
greatest challenges have included dealing with seasonal water-quality
changes and learning how to operate and maintain the upow clariers.
They have easily met the challenges. Winsted Water Works won the
2013 Water Operations Award from
the Atlantic States Rural Water
and Wastewater Association. Rines
credits the utilitys good relation-
ship with the state Department of
Public Health. Our employees
are certied and maintain their
CEUs, and we have never been on
the DPH watch list, he says.
Another success factor is the
waterworks pledge to better and
progress its water system to meet
the ever-increasing requirements
of providing safe drinking water
to customers.

Highly experienced
Winsted Water Works employs
two operators at the water plant and
a working foreman and two utility
workers who handle distribution.
They are a highly experienced team.
Besides Rines (Class IV water treat-
ment certification, 25 years of
experience) and Giordano (Class
IV, one year), the team includes:
Jim McCarthy, foreman and
chief operator of distribution
(Class II water treatment and
water distribution certica-
tions, 26 years)
Mark Lombardo, utilityman
cations, 24 years)
Mike Girolamo, utilityman
cations, 16 years)
Rines came to the water indus-
try with a construction background:
I had been working for Borghesi
Building & Engineering Company
in Torrington. A close friend told me about an opening in the Winsted water
department, and I was hired as a utilityman III in 1988. I got a lot of good
on-the-job experience in water distribution. Pat Hague, the water super-
visor, encouraged me to get my water management certicate so I could
run the soon-to-be-built water treatment plant. Im still here 25 years later.
Rines reports to Neal Amwake, public works director. Hes a very
knowledgeable individual and is there when I need him, but he trusts me
to do my job, says Rines.
The team attends quarterly classes through the ASRWWA to main-
tain certication. They hold seminars at the local re station, so its con-
venient for our staff to attend, Rines says. The association has been a
godsend for us. When we rst had to learn how to do our consumer con-
dence reports, they sent someone out with a template and went through it
with us.

Direct ltration
Before the plant was built, engineers determined there was no need for
conventional ltration, as the source water contained low turbidity. The
town chose a direct ltration system with a Microoc Adsorption Clarier
(purchased from US Filter, now sold by WesTech Engineering) that com-
bines mixing, occulation and clarication in one step. The plant runs
two of its three upow clariers at a time the third is for redundancy.
We add alum and polymer to the clarier inuent so that a smaller
oc is created, Rines says. The oating plastic media grabs the oc and
Crystal Lake Water Filtration Plant,
Winchester, Conn.
FOUNDED: | 1998
POPULATION SERVED: | 11,000
SERVICE AREA: | Winsted, Conn.
SOURCE WATER: | Crystal Lake, Rugg Brook
TREATMENT PROCESS: | Direct ltration
DISTRIBUTION: | 40 miles of water mains
SYSTEM STORAGE: | 2.5 million gallons
KEY CHALLENGES: | Aging package plant, future regulations
ANNUAL BUDGET: | $1.4 million (operations)
WEBSITE: | www.townofwinchester.org
QUALITY
LEADERS
PLANT
Steve Giordano (left), Class IV
operator, and Jeff Rines,
chief operator, lead a highly
experienced team at the Crystal
Lake Water Filtration Plant.
removes around 65 percent of it. Our mixed-media lter takes out the
rest. The ltered water is chlorinated and uoridated before distribu-
tion. The operators maintain a 0.40 mg/L chlorine residual in the system.
Samples are sent weekly to an outside lab to satisfy DPH requirements.
US Filter personnel trained the staff on the clarier. I worked with
the rep for a month and a half before going online with the new plant,
says Rines. For a year after startup, we stayed in contact for operational
help. Other plant equipment includes:
Chemical feed pumps (Milton Roy)
Raw, nished and backwash water pumps (Fairbanks Nijhuis)
Turbidimeters, pH meters and chlorine analyzers (Hach)
Chemical injectors (Saf-T-Flo)
The upow clariers work well; the plants nished water turbidity is
typically 0.05 NTU, but has been as low as 0.03 NTU. We see higher tur-
bidities in the fall from the turnover of organics as the temperature
changes in the lake, says Rines, who took a chemistry course at Gateway
Community College in North Haven, Conn. The clarier handles it, but
we have to adjust with proper chemistry addition.

Training challenges
Besides learning to operate the upow clarier, Rines was challenged
with the new programmable logic controller (PLC) and iFix software
(GE). We upgraded to this a few years ago, he says. The plant isnt staffed
24/7 and the PLC takes care of that, so I am at its mercy. PLCs are outside
my scope of computer literacy. We have contracted with Automated Con-
cepts to handle any PLC problems.
Rines trained on the PLC software at a similar plant in Norwich, Conn.
Our building engineers, who had also done a project there, hooked me
up with operator Debbie Ouellette at the Norwich plant, says Rines. I
cant say enough about how much she helped me get acquainted with
plant operations. Although the PLC is the brains of the system, Rines
can operate things manually if necessary.
Rines and Giordano work 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday,
and take turns working 7 to 9 a.m. on weekends. I trained Steve on the
job, and he also received a water management certicate from Gateway
Community College, says Rines. Hes been a good addition, with a
strong maintenance background. I focus on instrument calibration, and
Steve is good with motor maintenance.

All hands on deck
The team has faced a few operating hurdles. I was out of state on
vacation. Steve was fairly new and having a problem with the PLC, which
had shut down certain processes, recalls Rines. All of our distribution
people, who are Class II water treatment operators, went to the plant and
helped him out. Operators return the favor: When there is a big distri-
bution problem, its all hands on deck, and Steve helps by repairing water
The association has been a godsend for us. When we rst had to learn
how to do our consumer condence reports, they sent someone out
with a template and went through it with us.
JEFF RINES
Steve Giordano (left) and
Jeff Rines complement
each other well. Giordanos
specialties include motor
maintenance, while Rines
focuses on instrument
calibration.
main leaks or any other big job
that needs to be done.
The operators biggest chal-
lenge was replacing the failed air
diffusers in one of the upow clar-
ifiers in 2007. The pipes had
become clogged with media, which
prevented airow during ushes,
says Rines. So, with very little
advisement and no experience, we
had to jump in with both feet.
The fix required removing
three large I-beams and angle
irons that held down four stainless
steel wire mesh screens. Then, the
clariers oating media had to be
herded into the filter compart-
ment to get at the ten 2.5-inch
plastic pipes that each held eight
plastic air diffusers.
We replaced all 80, and the
repairs and rell took about three
days, says Rines. Mark and
Mike helped us put everything
back in place. Eventually, the
other two clariers needed the
same rescue: By the time we got
to the third one, we were quite good at it.
Besides equipment operation and maintenance, Rines and Giordano
handle all the grounds work, painting and facility maintenance. I do
everything from mopping the oor to taking an instrument apart, ling
state reports, and dealing with vendors and customers, says Rines.
Steve can be doing daily tasks in the lab one minute and mowing the
lawn the next. We keep the plant sparkling and have gotten a Wow from
vendors who have said its one of the cleanest places they have seen.

Future goals
Rines considers the plants future needs: Package plants are known
to have a life span. Our motors and pumps are 15 years old, and when they
get to be 25, we may have to make changes. Filter media replacement and
worn pump impellers are just a few areas that we will need to address.
Another concern is tightening regulations. Weve seen changes in
the surface water treatment rules and sample points in the distribution
system, says Rines. The levels for haloacetic acids (HAA5) and trihalo-
THE DIRECT FILTRATION DIFFERENCE
The Crystal Lake Water Filtration Plant relies on a direct ltration system to provide
high-quality water. The Microoc Adsorption Clarier package plant uses an upow process
to achieve occulation and clarication in a small footprint. The process has been a good
choice: nished water turbidity of 0.03 to 0.05 NTU is typical.
In direct ltration, coagulant is added, followed by rapid mixing, clarication and
mixed-media ltration. It does not require a separation process such as sedimentation or
occulation between the coagulant addition and ltration steps. Direct ltration is primarily
used on good-quality source water with turbidity less than 5 to 15 NTU, color less than 20 to
40 units, and low concentrations of algae, iron and manganese.
The upow clarier packaged plant was invented in 1982. Without the need for separate
mixing, occulation and clarication basins, the technology reduces space requirements
and cost. Coagulant is added to the clarier inuent. Water follows an upward path through
a bed of buoyant plastic media. The tortuous path causes mixing and collisions of coagu-
lated particles, while the buoyant media adsorbs the coagulated particles so that settling is
not required.
The system is cleaned periodically using water at process ow rates combined with a
substantial amount of air. The media bed becomes uidized, creating vigorous mixing that
allows the captured solids to be removed. The solids are ushed to a spent lter backwash
tank. The advantages of direct ltration include lower coagulant dosages, lower capital
costs, and lower operations and maintenance costs.
Jeff Rines, shown taking a reading
from the plants turbidimeter (Hach),
urges aspiring operators to attain an
operator-in-training certication
before applying for jobs.
Rines tends the sodium bicarbonate feed mixture.
(Continued on page 13)
removes around 65 percent of it. Our mixed-media lter takes out the
rest. The ltered water is chlorinated and uoridated before distribu-
tion. The operators maintain a 0.40 mg/L chlorine residual in the system.
Samples are sent weekly to an outside lab to satisfy DPH requirements.
US Filter personnel trained the staff on the clarier. I worked with
the rep for a month and a half before going online with the new plant,
says Rines. For a year after startup, we stayed in contact for operational
help. Other plant equipment includes:
Chemical feed pumps (Milton Roy)
Raw, nished and backwash water pumps (Fairbanks Nijhuis)
Turbidimeters, pH meters and chlorine analyzers (Hach)
Chemical injectors (Saf-T-Flo)
The upow clariers work well; the plants nished water turbidity is
typically 0.05 NTU, but has been as low as 0.03 NTU. We see higher tur-
bidities in the fall from the turnover of organics as the temperature
changes in the lake, says Rines, who took a chemistry course at Gateway
Community College in North Haven, Conn. The clarier handles it, but
we have to adjust with proper chemistry addition.

Training challenges
Besides learning to operate the upow clarier, Rines was challenged
with the new programmable logic controller (PLC) and iFix software
(GE). We upgraded to this a few years ago, he says. The plant isnt staffed
24/7 and the PLC takes care of that, so I am at its mercy. PLCs are outside
my scope of computer literacy. We have contracted with Automated Con-
cepts to handle any PLC problems.
Rines trained on the PLC software at a similar plant in Norwich, Conn.
Our building engineers, who had also done a project there, hooked me
up with operator Debbie Ouellette at the Norwich plant, says Rines. I
cant say enough about how much she helped me get acquainted with
plant operations. Although the PLC is the brains of the system, Rines
can operate things manually if necessary.
Rines and Giordano work 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday,
and take turns working 7 to 9 a.m. on weekends. I trained Steve on the
job, and he also received a water management certicate from Gateway
Community College, says Rines. Hes been a good addition, with a
strong maintenance background. I focus on instrument calibration, and
Steve is good with motor maintenance.

All hands on deck
The team has faced a few operating hurdles. I was out of state on
vacation. Steve was fairly new and having a problem with the PLC, which
had shut down certain processes, recalls Rines. All of our distribution
people, who are Class II water treatment operators, went to the plant and
helped him out. Operators return the favor: When there is a big distri-
bution problem, its all hands on deck, and Steve helps by repairing water
The association has been a godsend for us. When we rst had to learn
how to do our consumer condence reports, they sent someone out
with a template and went through it with us.
JEFF RINES
Steve Giordano (left) and
Jeff Rines complement
each other well. Giordanos
specialties include motor
maintenance, while Rines
focuses on instrument
calibration.
main leaks or any other big job
that needs to be done.
The operators biggest chal-
lenge was replacing the failed air
diffusers in one of the upow clar-
ifiers in 2007. The pipes had
become clogged with media, which
prevented airow during ushes,
says Rines. So, with very little
advisement and no experience, we
had to jump in with both feet.
The fix required removing
three large I-beams and angle
irons that held down four stainless
steel wire mesh screens. Then, the
clariers oating media had to be
herded into the filter compart-
ment to get at the ten 2.5-inch
plastic pipes that each held eight
plastic air diffusers.
We replaced all 80, and the
repairs and rell took about three
days, says Rines. Mark and
Mike helped us put everything
back in place. Eventually, the
other two clariers needed the
same rescue: By the time we got
to the third one, we were quite good at it.
Besides equipment operation and maintenance, Rines and Giordano
handle all the grounds work, painting and facility maintenance. I do
everything from mopping the oor to taking an instrument apart, ling
state reports, and dealing with vendors and customers, says Rines.
Steve can be doing daily tasks in the lab one minute and mowing the
lawn the next. We keep the plant sparkling and have gotten a Wow from
vendors who have said its one of the cleanest places they have seen.

Future goals
Rines considers the plants future needs: Package plants are known
to have a life span. Our motors and pumps are 15 years old, and when they
get to be 25, we may have to make changes. Filter media replacement and
worn pump impellers are just a few areas that we will need to address.
Another concern is tightening regulations. Weve seen changes in
the surface water treatment rules and sample points in the distribution
system, says Rines. The levels for haloacetic acids (HAA5) and trihalo-
THE DIRECT FILTRATION DIFFERENCE
The Crystal Lake Water Filtration Plant relies on a direct ltration system to provide
high-quality water. The Microoc Adsorption Clarier package plant uses an upow process
to achieve occulation and clarication in a small footprint. The process has been a good
choice: nished water turbidity of 0.03 to 0.05 NTU is typical.
In direct ltration, coagulant is added, followed by rapid mixing, clarication and
mixed-media ltration. It does not require a separation process such as sedimentation or
occulation between the coagulant addition and ltration steps. Direct ltration is primarily
used on good-quality source water with turbidity less than 5 to 15 NTU, color less than 20 to
40 units, and low concentrations of algae, iron and manganese.
The upow clarier packaged plant was invented in 1982. Without the need for separate
mixing, occulation and clarication basins, the technology reduces space requirements
and cost. Coagulant is added to the clarier inuent. Water follows an upward path through
a bed of buoyant plastic media. The tortuous path causes mixing and collisions of coagu-
lated particles, while the buoyant media adsorbs the coagulated particles so that settling is
not required.
The system is cleaned periodically using water at process ow rates combined with a
substantial amount of air. The media bed becomes uidized, creating vigorous mixing that
allows the captured solids to be removed. The solids are ushed to a spent lter backwash
tank. The advantages of direct ltration include lower coagulant dosages, lower capital
costs, and lower operations and maintenance costs.
Jeff Rines, shown taking a reading
from the plants turbidimeter (Hach),
urges aspiring operators to attain an
operator-in-training certication
before applying for jobs.
Rines tends the sodium bicarbonate feed mixture.
T
he City of Dayton (Ohio) Water Department takes a broad approach
to creating a sustainable water supply and community. It ranges
from diligently protecting source water against contamination,
to recycling residuals, to conserving energy and reducing carbon
emissions.
The department is committed to providing a safe water supply, says
Michele Simmons, environmental manager for the city. Surrounding the
regions wellelds are early-warning monitoring wells that keep a watch-
ful eye over our regional source water.
The department has a proactive, multi-jurisdictional Source Water
Protection Program designed to spur economic development with ground-
water-friendly businesses in the regions welleld areas. The program,
which works to protect groundwater through pollution prevention, is a
model of regional cooperation. The cities of Huber
Heights, Riverside, Vandalia, Harrison Township and
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have all adopted
programs parallel to Daytons.

Vital to development
Dayton, on the Great Miami River, gets its drinking water from the
Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer, which is naturally ltered and con-
tinuously replenished. The aquifer is the largest and most prolic ground-
water system in Ohio and one of the largest groundwater systems in the
country. Dayton depends on high-volume wells and last year treated and
pumped 24.6 billion gallons to more than 400,000 residents of Dayton
and Montgomery counties.
Water is vital to the citys economic development and enhances the
quality of life, work and play. Dayton has applied protective strategies
essential to the long-term viability of the drinking water supply, recre-
ational interests, core-city revitalization and regional economic vitality,
according to Simmons. The program includes zoning, groundwater mon-
itoring, groundwater remediation and emergency preparedness.
In 2013, the city received a Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Perfor-
mance from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA),
honoring its operations and management practices. It has also received
national recognition from the Groundwater Foundation as a Groundwa-
ter Guardian Community.
In addition, the water department has established a leadership devel-
opment program for its 400 employees. A Water University offers skill
enhancement and professional development. The utility also conducts
outreach to local college students and operates an intern program.
An annual Childrens Water Festival, offering groundwater and envi-
ronmental education, has drawn more than 26,000 attendees. In 2013,
more than 1,600 fourth-grade students and 68 teachers from 28 area
schools were educated on topics such as groundwater, surface water, land
use, pollution prevention, wetlands, environmental stewardship and recy-
cling, says Simmons.
In keeping with a commitment to collaborative partnerships, the depart-
ment is a member of the Dayton Regional Green (DRG3) program, estab-
lished in 2013 to promote sustainability for residential, government and
commercial areas. The DRG3 offers Green Business certication through
a voluntary program to companies that adopt basic green measures to
reduce their ecological footprint, reduce energy and resource use, and
save money, says Simmons.

Productive recycling
One of the departments most
effective programs is lime calcina-
tions recycling, launched in 2008.
Daytons water plants use hydrated
calcium oxide (lime) to soften well
water. The reclamation process
eliminates the need to dispose of
SUSTAINABLE
PRACTICE
WSO welcomes stories
about your green and environ-
mentally progressive initiatives
for future Sustainable Practice
articles. Send your suggestions
to editor@wsomag.com or
call 715/277-4094.
As a steward to our environment, we resolve to do what we can

to protect our most valuable natural resource our water.
MICHELE SIMMONS
P
H
O
T
O
S

C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y

O
F

C
I
T
Y

O
F

D
A
Y
T
O
N

W
A
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D
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P
A
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M
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N
T

Daytons Ottawa Water
Treatment Plant.
Broad
Spectrum
A commitment to sustainability and resource conservation underpins
all aspects of operations for the City of Dayton Water Department
BY ANN STAWSKI
softening residuals. The materials, mainly calcium carbonate and mag-
nesium hydroxide, are pumped to a lime residuals recycling plant that
treats some 56,000 tons per year.
A natural gas burner heats a rotary kiln and converts calcium carbon-
ate to calcium oxide, resulting in a nished product of pebble-sized granules
that can be sold as a soil amendment. Besides processing its own residuals,
the department contracts to treat residual material for two other commu-
nities. Processing a higher volume increases per-unit energy efciency.
The department looks for addi-
tional opportunities to treat resid-
uals on a larger scale. In 2013,
Dayton imported 5,600 tons of
residuals. We are looking at
expanding the lime kiln treatment plant, says Keshia Kinney, water
treatment technology supervisor. We want to make it more of a regional
recycling project.

Energy and carbon
Dayton is committed to reducing its carbon emission and energy con-
sumption. In 2011, the water department completed a performance con-
tract that included an assessment of its baseline energy usage. The city
created a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and carbon footprint from
data on energy (natural gas, electricity and fuel) used in city facilities and
eet vehicles from 2006 to 2011. That helped identify opportunities to
save energy through efciency practices such as lighting and HVAC
upgrades and replacement of older pumps with more efcient units.
As one example, the utility in 2007 installed SolarBee mixers (Medora
Corporation) inside its above-ground water tanks. The solar-powered
mixers consist of a brushless motor, solar collectors and a digital control
system outside the tank. A light on top of the tank indicates when the
mixers are in operation. The solar mixers signicantly reduce the
demand for purchased electricity, says Kinney. They are cost-effective
and help promote public health by circulating the water.
The department also looks to reduce electricity costs by pumping
water during off-peak hours when rates are lower.
In all its operations, the department takes a forward-thinking approach
to water services, supplies and treatment, and environmental protection.
We have a precious resource with the Great Miami Buried Valley Aqui-
fer and the river network, says Simmons. As a steward to our environ-
ment, we resolve to do what we can to protect our most valuable natural
resource our water. wso
A natural gas burner (left) supplies
heat for the lime reclamation facility
(above).
methanes (THMs) were lowered about a dozen years ago. Its always a
challenge to meet the numbers, but we have been successful. There will
soon be another group of disinfection byproducts to be tested for. Water
regs are constantly evolving, and operators have to be aware of how to
deal with the changes.
Rines doesnt see the need to upgrade plant capacity anytime soon, as
it was overbuilt for re protection. It was originally supposed to be a 4
mgd plant built for future expansion, with four 1.0 mgd upow clariers.
But the clarier vendor offered us three 2.0 mgd systems for the same price.
We run the plant at 1.0 mgd in the summer and 800,000 gpd in the fall.
He advises those who want to become operators to get their operator-
in-training certication before applying for a job. There is a market here
in Connecticut, but to get your foot in the door, you have to have your
Class IV license. You cant really
learn on the job at a small utility,
since the state requires two Class
IV operators at every plant.

Ample satisfaction
The team takes great pride in
providing a good product. I was
born and raised in Winsted, and
so were Jim, Mark and Mike, says
Rines. There are a lot of eyes on
you in this business, so you have
to deliver quality. A football coach
and basketball referee in his spare
time, Rines jokes, Were like
umpires or referees; if people are
not talking about you, everything
is cool.
He adds, My mom is one of
my customers, which also makes
me want to do a good job. She lets
me know if shes not happy. wso
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Steve Giordano and the rest of the Crystal Lake plant team pride themselves
on excellent housekeeping.
My mom is one of my customers, which

also makes me want to do a good job.
She lets me know if shes not happy.
JEFF RINES
(Continued from page 11)
T
he City of Dayton (Ohio) Water Department takes a broad approach
to creating a sustainable water supply and community. It ranges
from diligently protecting source water against contamination,
to recycling residuals, to conserving energy and reducing carbon
emissions.
The department is committed to providing a safe water supply, says
Michele Simmons, environmental manager for the city. Surrounding the
regions wellelds are early-warning monitoring wells that keep a watch-
ful eye over our regional source water.
The department has a proactive, multi-jurisdictional Source Water
Protection Program designed to spur economic development with ground-
water-friendly businesses in the regions welleld areas. The program,
which works to protect groundwater through pollution prevention, is a
model of regional cooperation. The cities of Huber
Heights, Riverside, Vandalia, Harrison Township and
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have all adopted
programs parallel to Daytons.

Vital to development
Dayton, on the Great Miami River, gets its drinking water from the
Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer, which is naturally ltered and con-
tinuously replenished. The aquifer is the largest and most prolic ground-
water system in Ohio and one of the largest groundwater systems in the
country. Dayton depends on high-volume wells and last year treated and
pumped 24.6 billion gallons to more than 400,000 residents of Dayton
and Montgomery counties.
Water is vital to the citys economic development and enhances the
quality of life, work and play. Dayton has applied protective strategies
essential to the long-term viability of the drinking water supply, recre-
ational interests, core-city revitalization and regional economic vitality,
according to Simmons. The program includes zoning, groundwater mon-
itoring, groundwater remediation and emergency preparedness.
In 2013, the city received a Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Perfor-
mance from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA),
honoring its operations and management practices. It has also received
national recognition from the Groundwater Foundation as a Groundwa-
ter Guardian Community.
In addition, the water department has established a leadership devel-
opment program for its 400 employees. A Water University offers skill
enhancement and professional development. The utility also conducts
outreach to local college students and operates an intern program.
An annual Childrens Water Festival, offering groundwater and envi-
ronmental education, has drawn more than 26,000 attendees. In 2013,
more than 1,600 fourth-grade students and 68 teachers from 28 area
schools were educated on topics such as groundwater, surface water, land
use, pollution prevention, wetlands, environmental stewardship and recy-
cling, says Simmons.
In keeping with a commitment to collaborative partnerships, the depart-
ment is a member of the Dayton Regional Green (DRG3) program, estab-
lished in 2013 to promote sustainability for residential, government and
commercial areas. The DRG3 offers Green Business certication through
a voluntary program to companies that adopt basic green measures to
reduce their ecological footprint, reduce energy and resource use, and
save money, says Simmons.

Productive recycling
One of the departments most
effective programs is lime calcina-
tions recycling, launched in 2008.
Daytons water plants use hydrated
calcium oxide (lime) to soften well
water. The reclamation process
eliminates the need to dispose of
SUSTAINABLE
PRACTICE
about your green and environ-
mentally progressive initiatives
for future Sustainable Practice
call 715/277-4094.
As a steward to our environment, we resolve to do what we can

to protect our most valuable natural resource our water.
MICHELE SIMMONS
P
H
O
T
O
S

C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y

O
F

C
I
T
Y

O
F

D
A
Y
T
O
N

W
A
T
E
R

D
E
P
A
R
T
M
E
N
T

Daytons Ottawa Water
Treatment Plant.
Broad
Spectrum
A commitment to sustainability and resource conservation underpins
all aspects of operations for the City of Dayton Water Department
BY ANN STAWSKI
softening residuals. The materials, mainly calcium carbonate and mag-
nesium hydroxide, are pumped to a lime residuals recycling plant that
treats some 56,000 tons per year.
A natural gas burner heats a rotary kiln and converts calcium carbon-
ate to calcium oxide, resulting in a nished product of pebble-sized granules
that can be sold as a soil amendment. Besides processing its own residuals,
the department contracts to treat residual material for two other commu-
nities. Processing a higher volume increases per-unit energy efciency.
The department looks for addi-
tional opportunities to treat resid-
uals on a larger scale. In 2013,
Dayton imported 5,600 tons of
residuals. We are looking at
expanding the lime kiln treatment plant, says Keshia Kinney, water
treatment technology supervisor. We want to make it more of a regional
recycling project.

Energy and carbon
Dayton is committed to reducing its carbon emission and energy con-
sumption. In 2011, the water department completed a performance con-
tract that included an assessment of its baseline energy usage. The city
created a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and carbon footprint from
data on energy (natural gas, electricity and fuel) used in city facilities and
eet vehicles from 2006 to 2011. That helped identify opportunities to
save energy through efciency practices such as lighting and HVAC
upgrades and replacement of older pumps with more efcient units.
As one example, the utility in 2007 installed SolarBee mixers (Medora
Corporation) inside its above-ground water tanks. The solar-powered
mixers consist of a brushless motor, solar collectors and a digital control
system outside the tank. A light on top of the tank indicates when the
mixers are in operation. The solar mixers signicantly reduce the
demand for purchased electricity, says Kinney. They are cost-effective
and help promote public health by circulating the water.
The department also looks to reduce electricity costs by pumping
water during off-peak hours when rates are lower.
In all its operations, the department takes a forward-thinking approach
to water services, supplies and treatment, and environmental protection.
We have a precious resource with the Great Miami Buried Valley Aqui-
fer and the river network, says Simmons. As a steward to our environ-
ment, we resolve to do what we can to protect our most valuable natural
resource our water. wso
A natural gas burner (left) supplies
heat for the lime reclamation facility
(above).
I
ts 4:30 p.m. downtown, rush hour just beginning, wind chill minus 30.
The last thing a water utility needs now is a major line break.
Yet thats exactly what happened last January in Columbus, Ohio.
A 24-inch water main popped, ooding about 10 city blocks. Water
poured into basements. Worse yet, a nearby hospital faced possible
evacuation of patients and staff. We had a river owing four ways at once
in downtown Columbus, recalls
Mike Spriggs, water maintenance
coordinator. The water turned to
ice. Locators were freezing up.
But it wasnt the disaster it
could have been. By 9 p.m., the
Columbus crew had the valves
located and the water shut off. The
team stayed with the emergency
all night and had the leak repaired
and the water turned back on by
morning. Most critically, although
some elective surgeries were post-
poned, patient care at the hospital
was not affected.
Our guys didnt hesitate to come in and stay overnight, says Spriggs.
Second shifters were called in to operate the valves. We had multiple
crews who worked through it, even though they were standing in water.
The Water Division of the Columbus Department of Public Utilities
is ready for such situations. Emergency response is among a number of
best management practices (BMPs) the utility has put in place, and its
just one reason the utility received 2013 Platinum Award recognition
from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA). Other
attributes cited by AMWA were strategic planning, asset management,
benchmarking, environmental stewardship, employee training, commu-
nity outreach, customer service and scal responsibility.

QUALITY
LEADERS
AGENCY
DOING IT
RIGHT
STORY: JIM FORCE
PHOTOGRAPHY: AMY VOIGT
water utility to customer service excellence and industry recognition
Our guys didnt

hesitate to come in
and stay overnight.
Second shifters were
called in to operate the
valves. We had multiple
crews who worked through
it, even though they were
standing in water.
MIKE SPRIGGS
Infrastructure innovation
The award was a natural in the eyes of Richard Westereld, P.E.,
Ph.D., division administrator: We won the AMWA gold award some 10
years ago, and we were essentially doing all the BMPs that people were
talking about. We were using BMPs to run our system. It wasnt hard to
put the application together and submit it.
The Columbus Division of Water serves some 1.1 million people,
delivering clean, safe water through a sophisticated system of reservoirs,
groundwater wells, treatment plants, and storage and distribution net-
works. Its a system recognized internationally for innovation and
advancement of water treatment science. In 1908, in what was known as
the Columbus Experiment, water ltration was successfully combined
with water softening for the rst time.
Today, source water is drawn from three reservoirs on the Scioto
River and Big Walnut Creek, as well as from a groundwater aquifer
between the two rivers. Three water treatment plants produce a total of
140 mgd of high-quality water. The Hap Cremean Water Plant produces
68.5 mgd, the Dublin Road Water Plant 49 mgd and the Parsons Avenue
Water Plant 22.5 mgd.
The treatment process is similar at all three facilities. Water is
pumped into the plants through rotating screens, and alum is added to
aid in occulation. After 20 to 40 minutes of occulation, the water passes
to the sedimentation basins, where it is held for two to four hours. Sodium
carbonate and hydrated lime are added to remove calcium and magne-
sium, softening the water.
Columbus (Ohio) Department
of Public Utilities, Division of Water
FOUNDED: Late 1800s
SERVICE AREA: City of Columbus and suburbs
POPULATION SERVED: 1.1 million (300,000 connections)
SOURCE WATER: Surface water and groundwater
INFRASTRUCTURE: 3,600 miles of pipe, 3 treatment plants, 25,000 hydrants,
20 pump stations, 37 storage tanks
TREATMENT PROCESS: Conventional
TREATMENT CAPACITY: 255 mgd
SYSTEM STORAGE: 77 million gallons
ANNUAL BUDGET: $190 million operations, $240 million capital
WEBSITE: www.columbus.gov
A metal clamp is placed over a
water main break in Columbus.
I
ts 4:30 p.m. downtown, rush hour just beginning, wind chill minus 30.
The last thing a water utility needs now is a major line break.
Yet thats exactly what happened last January in Columbus, Ohio.
A 24-inch water main popped, ooding about 10 city blocks. Water
poured into basements. Worse yet, a nearby hospital faced possible
evacuation of patients and staff. We had a river owing four ways at once
in downtown Columbus, recalls
Mike Spriggs, water maintenance
coordinator. The water turned to
ice. Locators were freezing up.
But it wasnt the disaster it
could have been. By 9 p.m., the
Columbus crew had the valves
located and the water shut off. The
team stayed with the emergency
all night and had the leak repaired
and the water turned back on by
morning. Most critically, although
some elective surgeries were post-
poned, patient care at the hospital
was not affected.
Our guys didnt hesitate to come in and stay overnight, says Spriggs.
Second shifters were called in to operate the valves. We had multiple
crews who worked through it, even though they were standing in water.
The Water Division of the Columbus Department of Public Utilities
is ready for such situations. Emergency response is among a number of
best management practices (BMPs) the utility has put in place, and its
just one reason the utility received 2013 Platinum Award recognition
from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA). Other
attributes cited by AMWA were strategic planning, asset management,
benchmarking, environmental stewardship, employee training, commu-
nity outreach, customer service and scal responsibility.

QUALITY
LEADERS
AGENCY
DOING IT
RIGHT
STORY: JIM FORCE
PHOTOGRAPHY: AMY VOIGT
water utility to customer service excellence and industry recognition
Our guys didnt

hesitate to come in
and stay overnight.
Second shifters were
called in to operate the
valves. We had multiple
crews who worked through
it, even though they were
standing in water.
MIKE SPRIGGS
Infrastructure innovation
The award was a natural in the eyes of Richard Westereld, P.E.,
Ph.D., division administrator: We won the AMWA gold award some 10
years ago, and we were essentially doing all the BMPs that people were
talking about. We were using BMPs to run our system. It wasnt hard to
put the application together and submit it.
The Columbus Division of Water serves some 1.1 million people,
delivering clean, safe water through a sophisticated system of reservoirs,
groundwater wells, treatment plants, and storage and distribution net-
works. Its a system recognized internationally for innovation and
advancement of water treatment science. In 1908, in what was known as
the Columbus Experiment, water ltration was successfully combined
with water softening for the rst time.
Today, source water is drawn from three reservoirs on the Scioto
River and Big Walnut Creek, as well as from a groundwater aquifer
between the two rivers. Three water treatment plants produce a total of
140 mgd of high-quality water. The Hap Cremean Water Plant produces
68.5 mgd, the Dublin Road Water Plant 49 mgd and the Parsons Avenue
Water Plant 22.5 mgd.
The treatment process is similar at all three facilities. Water is
pumped into the plants through rotating screens, and alum is added to
aid in occulation. After 20 to 40 minutes of occulation, the water passes
to the sedimentation basins, where it is held for two to four hours. Sodium
carbonate and hydrated lime are added to remove calcium and magne-
sium, softening the water.
Columbus (Ohio) Department
of Public Utilities, Division of Water
FOUNDED: Late 1800s
SERVICE AREA: City of Columbus and suburbs
POPULATION SERVED: 1.1 million (300,000 connections)
SOURCE WATER: Surface water and groundwater
INFRASTRUCTURE: 3,600 miles of pipe, 3 treatment plants, 25,000 hydrants,
20 pump stations, 37 storage tanks
TREATMENT PROCESS: Conventional
TREATMENT CAPACITY: 255 mgd
SYSTEM STORAGE: 77 million gallons
ANNUAL BUDGET: $190 million operations, $240 million capital
WEBSITE: www.columbus.gov
A metal clamp is placed over a
water main break in Columbus.
After additional sedimentation, carbon dioxide lowers the pH to about
7.8. (When groundwater is used, the inuent does not need screening or
initial sedimentation.)
Media lters gravel, sand and anthracite coal polish the product
water, which is disinfected with chlorine before passing to the clearwell.
Solids collected in treatment are pumped to lagoons for drying.

Source security
Treatment is only part of the quality equation. Columbus is recog-
nized for its watershed approach to water supply. The departments web-
site states, The most important part of the water treatment process is
protection of our water sources.
Since 1994, the Division of Water has had responsibility not only for
managing the water source reservoirs but for land management, boat
safety and public education on protection of drinking water sources. In
1996, the Ohio EPA approved the divisions welleld protection plan.
The improvements continue. The Hap Cremean plant is undergoing a
$70 million upgrade to increase capacity to 125 mgd and address disinfec-
tion byproducts by adding ozone with biologically active ltration. The
ozone generators are from Mitsubishi. Leopold a Xylem Brand, supplied
the underdrain system and the I.M.S. 1000 media retainer. A pressurized
solution feed recarbonation system (Tomco2 Systems) is also being installed.
The Dublin Road plant is getting a $200 million upgrade that includes
a capacity boost to 80 mgd, a $40 million anion exchange system to remove
nitrates, a recarbonation basin with pressurized solution feed system
(Tomco2), Mitsubishi ozone generators and conversion to biologically active
ltration (AWI Phoenix lter underdrain, WesTech Engineering media
retaining troughs).
A $50 million upgrade at the Parsons Avenue plant includes electrical
improvements, a new clearwell, a lter rebuild with the existing Leopold
clay tiles and a new recarbonation basin.
The Dublin Road plant was recently converted from chlorine gas to
sodium hypochlorite disinfection, and the other two plants will be simi-
larly converted in the next ve years. The two surface water plants (Dub-
lin Road and Hap Cremean) will get
standby power and UV disinfection as
an additional disinfection barrier within
the next three years.

Distribution challenges
The distribution system serves most
of Franklin County 2,700 miles of pipe within the city and 900 miles
in neighboring suburbs served by the division. The system includes 20
pump stations and 37 storage tanks with a combined 77 million gallons
capacity. The systems countywide footprint raises special challenges,
especially in leak repairs: Some of our piping is over 100 years old,
Spriggs says.
While age is one issue, conditions are another. We battle all the ele-
ments here, plus trafc issues, says Spriggs. The crew xes at least 1,500
leaks a year and checks out twice that many. Our group does a great job,
Spriggs says. We try to get to a leak within three to ve days, with no
Clockwise from left, Chris Briggs, water
maintenance worker; James Davis, excavator;
Nick Marsh, water maintenance supervisor I;
and Matt Bateman, water maintenance
worker; make preparations to repair a
main break.
When deciding whether to move ahead with a capital project, we look at

the risk. What are the options? We take a triple-bottom-line approach
the nancial risk as well as the social and environmental risk.
RICHARD WESTERFIELD, P.E., PH.D.
leak going over 14 days. We stay pretty even with that.
When we get a call, we send out our supervisors that day. If its an
owners leak, we shut off service to that property if its causing damage or
a safety concern. If not, it is left on and the customer has 14 days to repair
it. If its an emergency, like the downtown leak last January, we get out
there that day.
The team helps the customer suburbs with leaks, as well. We have
contracts with each of those areas, based on a usage formula, Spriggs
says. If the number of leaks goes beyond the contract, we just charge
them labor and materials. We help each other out. Thats the culture
weve grown up with here.
Dwayne Maynard, water maintenance coordinator, ticks off improve-
ments made recently in the control center and distribution system: Were
using an Oracle database and asset management system. It creates work
orders, tracks all funding and adds preventive maintenance schedules.
We have it linked to our storerooms so we can track stock on hand cer-
tain pumps, valves, parts and equipment.
The hard assets have also been improved. The division has built a
number of new storage tanks, essentially doubling the above-ground stor-
age capacity. In addition, standby generators now can provide backup
power to the booster stations. We also inspect tanks for coating, paint-
ing, debris removal and rusting, especially in the bowl itself, Maynard
says. We put a lot of extra effort into the tank interiors.

Richard Westereld, Division
of Water administrator, at the
entrance to the headquarters
and executive ofces.
FLOATING TRIBUTES
The balloons ying over the
cubicles in the Columbus Public
Utilities call center arent celebrating
employee birthdays. Theyre
acknowledging exceptional service
a customer service representative
(CSR) has given to one of the
thousands of callers who phone each
month with questions or complaints.
Cyndi Estep, utility service
coordinator, says, The rst thing we
train our CSRs to do is to listen.
Empathizing with our customers goes
a long way. The balloons are our attaboys. We write messages on them
thanking our CSRs for a job well done.
The call center has a big job, handling customer contact for the
citys water, sewer and electrical divisions, which serve more than a
million people. The staff numbers 50 CSRs and ve supervisors. Working
eight- to 10-hour shifts, team members handle more than 30,000 calls a
month relating to water and sewer issues.
Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be the busiest, and the most
frequent issue involves people moving in or out of homes. Bill paying is
next. Other calls relate to meter replacements, nal readings, frozen
pipes or meters, and other service issues.
After taking a call, the CSR creates a service order on the spot and
transmits it electronically to the eld crew. New metering technology
promises to enhance response. Debby Murphy, utility services coordina-
tor, says the plan is to transition all customers to automated metering.
Another improvement is a mobile dispatch system (PragmaCad),
launched in May 2014. It replaced thousands of pieces of paper with
mobile work orders. Once the work is complete, Murphy says, the work
order is closed and transmitted instantaneously back to the call center.
Kim Spiert, customer service
representative, handles all sorts of
service issues and questions in the
call center.
After additional sedimentation, carbon dioxide lowers the pH to about
7.8. (When groundwater is used, the inuent does not need screening or
initial sedimentation.)
Media lters gravel, sand and anthracite coal polish the product
water, which is disinfected with chlorine before passing to the clearwell.
Solids collected in treatment are pumped to lagoons for drying.

Source security
Treatment is only part of the quality equation. Columbus is recog-
nized for its watershed approach to water supply. The departments web-
site states, The most important part of the water treatment process is
protection of our water sources.
Since 1994, the Division of Water has had responsibility not only for
managing the water source reservoirs but for land management, boat
safety and public education on protection of drinking water sources. In
1996, the Ohio EPA approved the divisions welleld protection plan.
The improvements continue. The Hap Cremean plant is undergoing a
$70 million upgrade to increase capacity to 125 mgd and address disinfec-
tion byproducts by adding ozone with biologically active ltration. The
ozone generators are from Mitsubishi. Leopold a Xylem Brand, supplied
the underdrain system and the I.M.S. 1000 media retainer. A pressurized
solution feed recarbonation system (Tomco2 Systems) is also being installed.
The Dublin Road plant is getting a $200 million upgrade that includes
a capacity boost to 80 mgd, a $40 million anion exchange system to remove
nitrates, a recarbonation basin with pressurized solution feed system
(Tomco2), Mitsubishi ozone generators and conversion to biologically active
ltration (AWI Phoenix lter underdrain, WesTech Engineering media
retaining troughs).
A $50 million upgrade at the Parsons Avenue plant includes electrical
improvements, a new clearwell, a lter rebuild with the existing Leopold
clay tiles and a new recarbonation basin.
The Dublin Road plant was recently converted from chlorine gas to
sodium hypochlorite disinfection, and the other two plants will be simi-
larly converted in the next ve years. The two surface water plants (Dub-
lin Road and Hap Cremean) will get
standby power and UV disinfection as
an additional disinfection barrier within
the next three years.

Distribution challenges
The distribution system serves most
of Franklin County 2,700 miles of pipe within the city and 900 miles
in neighboring suburbs served by the division. The system includes 20
pump stations and 37 storage tanks with a combined 77 million gallons
capacity. The systems countywide footprint raises special challenges,
especially in leak repairs: Some of our piping is over 100 years old,
Spriggs says.
While age is one issue, conditions are another. We battle all the ele-
ments here, plus trafc issues, says Spriggs. The crew xes at least 1,500
leaks a year and checks out twice that many. Our group does a great job,
Spriggs says. We try to get to a leak within three to ve days, with no
Clockwise from left, Chris Briggs, water
maintenance worker; James Davis, excavator;
Nick Marsh, water maintenance supervisor I;
and Matt Bateman, water maintenance
worker; make preparations to repair a
main break.
When deciding whether to move ahead with a capital project, we look at

the risk. What are the options? We take a triple-bottom-line approach
the nancial risk as well as the social and environmental risk.
RICHARD WESTERFIELD, P.E., PH.D.
leak going over 14 days. We stay pretty even with that.
When we get a call, we send out our supervisors that day. If its an
owners leak, we shut off service to that property if its causing damage or
a safety concern. If not, it is left on and the customer has 14 days to repair
it. If its an emergency, like the downtown leak last January, we get out
there that day.
The team helps the customer suburbs with leaks, as well. We have
contracts with each of those areas, based on a usage formula, Spriggs
says. If the number of leaks goes beyond the contract, we just charge
them labor and materials. We help each other out. Thats the culture
weve grown up with here.
Dwayne Maynard, water maintenance coordinator, ticks off improve-
ments made recently in the control center and distribution system: Were
using an Oracle database and asset management system. It creates work
orders, tracks all funding and adds preventive maintenance schedules.
We have it linked to our storerooms so we can track stock on hand cer-
tain pumps, valves, parts and equipment.
The hard assets have also been improved. The division has built a
number of new storage tanks, essentially doubling the above-ground stor-
age capacity. In addition, standby generators now can provide backup
power to the booster stations. We also inspect tanks for coating, paint-
ing, debris removal and rusting, especially in the bowl itself, Maynard
says. We put a lot of extra effort into the tank interiors.

Richard Westereld, Division
of Water administrator, at the
entrance to the headquarters
and executive ofces.
FLOATING TRIBUTES
The balloons ying over the
cubicles in the Columbus Public
Utilities call center arent celebrating
employee birthdays. Theyre
acknowledging exceptional service
a customer service representative
(CSR) has given to one of the
thousands of callers who phone each
month with questions or complaints.
Cyndi Estep, utility service
coordinator, says, The rst thing we
train our CSRs to do is to listen.
Empathizing with our customers goes
a long way. The balloons are our attaboys. We write messages on them
thanking our CSRs for a job well done.
The call center has a big job, handling customer contact for the
citys water, sewer and electrical divisions, which serve more than a
million people. The staff numbers 50 CSRs and ve supervisors. Working
eight- to 10-hour shifts, team members handle more than 30,000 calls a
month relating to water and sewer issues.
Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be the busiest, and the most
frequent issue involves people moving in or out of homes. Bill paying is
next. Other calls relate to meter replacements, nal readings, frozen
pipes or meters, and other service issues.
After taking a call, the CSR creates a service order on the spot and
transmits it electronically to the eld crew. New metering technology
promises to enhance response. Debby Murphy, utility services coordina-
tor, says the plan is to transition all customers to automated metering.
Another improvement is a mobile dispatch system (PragmaCad),
launched in May 2014. It replaced thousands of pieces of paper with
mobile work orders. Once the work is complete, Murphy says, the work
order is closed and transmitted instantaneously back to the call center.
Kim Spiert, customer service
representative, handles all sorts of
service issues and questions in the
call center.
Going big on BMPs
The key to efciency at Columbus is continuous
improvement based on performance measurement.
Product quality is key, along with customer satisfac-
tion, Westereld says. On the same level is compli-
ance with regulations: We actually try to stay ahead
of the regs.
Financial viability is right up there, too. Colum-
bus is one of few cities its size to have an AAA bond
rating that holds nancing costs down. Here are
some specic tools Columbus employs to maintain its
award-winning efciency:

Asset management
This was new to us until about ve years ago,
says Westereld. We use it to measure risk. When
deciding whether to move ahead with a capital proj-
ect, we look at the risk. What are the options? We take
a triple-bottom-line approach the nancial risk as
well as the social and environmental risk. Thats
especially important as the division looks at replacing
and repairing its vast piping system: Were able to
prioritize our water system and all the pipes and plan
for replacement of those that will eventually fail.

Environmental management system (EMS)
We have a group in the department that focuses
on environmental management, Westereld says.
They are concerned with anything that will have an
environmental impact. In fact, now the whole department is trained in
environmental management. The program deals with matters such as
spill control, emergency response, protecting the stormwater system from
mud in the streets, and proper handling of material excavated from main
breaks. The city recently upgraded its water emergency plan and hired an
emergency planning section chief. The water division also works with
other emergency response organizations in the community.

Sustainability
Since a serious drought in central Ohio in 1987, the division has an
extensive plan for drought conditions. That includes additional storage
capacity: A $120 million upground reservoir completed in November
2013 added 25 million gallons for Columbus and 4 million gallons for a
partner utility (Del-Co Water Company).
The 850-acre reservoir is one of the nations largest lined drinking
water reservoirs (liner from the Rufco Division of Raven Industries). As
part of the reservoir, a pump station and inatable weir (Obermeyer Hydro)
were built on the Scioto River to allow pumping during high ows.
Sustainability is also supported through a GreenSpot community con-
servation program that encourages conservation through the use of water-
saving showerheads and xtures and efcient lawn and garden watering.

Community relations
Extensive community involvement in the divisions planning and
operation is also high on the list. The water department holds regular and
frequent meetings with stakeholder groups like the Sierra Club and
neighborhood organizations. We talk about things that need to be done
to protect the watershed stormwater management, creek clean ups,
projects affecting neighborhoods, says Westereld.

Fiscal responsibility
Our success hinges on our ability to nance these programs and
projects, Westereld says. Our rates are in a good place about in the
middle of other large cities in the United States.
The city council and the community have supported rates over the
years, recognizing the need for water infrastructure improvements.

Ready to grow
Of course, the best of BMPs is to be ready for the future. Westereld
focuses on being prepared and merging water utility plans with commu-
nity needs. The recently built earthen-dike upground reservoir is an
example. We knew it wouldnt be easy or acceptable to the community to
build another dam, he says. So we constructed a pump station along one
of the rivers and used an inatable rubber dam to divert water and ll
the reservoir.
He knows the utility needs to be ready for growth by maintaining a
reliable and redundant system for customers. And he adds that a fourth
water treatment plant is already in the discussion stages. Theres nothing
quite like being ready for anything. wso
AWI
801/566-1700
www.awilter.com
Leopold a Xylem Brand
855/995-4261
www.fbleopold.com
Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc.
724/778-5283
www.meppi.com
(See ad page 19)
Obermeyer Hydro, Inc.
970/568-9844
www.obermeyerhydro.com
Oracle
800/392-2999
www.oracle.com
Raven Industries
800/635-3456
http://ravenefd.com
TOMCO2 Systems
800/832-4262
www.tomcosystems.com
801/265-1000
www.westech-inc.com
W
atch T
hem
In Action
To learn more about the
Water Division of the
Columbus Department of
Public Utilities, view the
video at www.wsomag.com.
Chris Briggs (left) and Matt Bateman,
like the other Columbus crew
members, stand ready to tackle line
repairs in all kinds of weather.
Going big on BMPs
The key to efciency at Columbus is continuous
improvement based on performance measurement.
Product quality is key, along with customer satisfac-
tion, Westereld says. On the same level is compli-
ance with regulations: We actually try to stay ahead
of the regs.
Financial viability is right up there, too. Colum-
bus is one of few cities its size to have an AAA bond
rating that holds nancing costs down. Here are
some specic tools Columbus employs to maintain its
award-winning efciency:

Asset management
This was new to us until about ve years ago,
says Westereld. We use it to measure risk. When
deciding whether to move ahead with a capital proj-
ect, we look at the risk. What are the options? We take
a triple-bottom-line approach the nancial risk as
well as the social and environmental risk. Thats
especially important as the division looks at replacing
and repairing its vast piping system: Were able to
prioritize our water system and all the pipes and plan
for replacement of those that will eventually fail.

Environmental management system (EMS)
We have a group in the department that focuses
on environmental management, Westereld says.
They are concerned with anything that will have an
environmental impact. In fact, now the whole department is trained in
environmental management. The program deals with matters such as
spill control, emergency response, protecting the stormwater system from
mud in the streets, and proper handling of material excavated from main
breaks. The city recently upgraded its water emergency plan and hired an
emergency planning section chief. The water division also works with
other emergency response organizations in the community.

Sustainability
Since a serious drought in central Ohio in 1987, the division has an
extensive plan for drought conditions. That includes additional storage
capacity: A $120 million upground reservoir completed in November
2013 added 25 million gallons for Columbus and 4 million gallons for a
partner utility (Del-Co Water Company).
The 850-acre reservoir is one of the nations largest lined drinking
water reservoirs (liner from the Rufco Division of Raven Industries). As
part of the reservoir, a pump station and inatable weir (Obermeyer Hydro)
were built on the Scioto River to allow pumping during high ows.
Sustainability is also supported through a GreenSpot community con-
servation program that encourages conservation through the use of water-
saving showerheads and xtures and efcient lawn and garden watering.

Community relations
Extensive community involvement in the divisions planning and
operation is also high on the list. The water department holds regular and
frequent meetings with stakeholder groups like the Sierra Club and
neighborhood organizations. We talk about things that need to be done
to protect the watershed stormwater management, creek clean ups,
projects affecting neighborhoods, says Westereld.

Fiscal responsibility
Our success hinges on our ability to nance these programs and
projects, Westereld says. Our rates are in a good place about in the
middle of other large cities in the United States.
The city council and the community have supported rates over the
years, recognizing the need for water infrastructure improvements.

Ready to grow
Of course, the best of BMPs is to be ready for the future. Westereld
focuses on being prepared and merging water utility plans with commu-
nity needs. The recently built earthen-dike upground reservoir is an
example. We knew it wouldnt be easy or acceptable to the community to
build another dam, he says. So we constructed a pump station along one
of the rivers and used an inatable rubber dam to divert water and ll
the reservoir.
He knows the utility needs to be ready for growth by maintaining a
reliable and redundant system for customers. And he adds that a fourth
water treatment plant is already in the discussion stages. Theres nothing
quite like being ready for anything. wso
AWI
801/566-1700
www.awilter.com
Leopold a Xylem Brand
855/995-4261
www.fbleopold.com
Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc.
724/778-5283
www.meppi.com
(See ad page 19)
Obermeyer Hydro, Inc.
970/568-9844
www.obermeyerhydro.com
Oracle
800/392-2999
www.oracle.com
Raven Industries
800/635-3456
http://ravenefd.com
TOMCO2 Systems
800/832-4262
www.tomcosystems.com
801/265-1000
www.westech-inc.com
W
atch T
hem
In Action
To learn more about the
Water Division of the
Columbus Department of
Public Utilities, view the
video at www.wsomag.com.
Chris Briggs (left) and Matt Bateman,
like the other Columbus crew
members, stand ready to tackle line
repairs in all kinds of weather.
Mitsubishi Electric Power Products - Ozone Systems Division
116 Commerce Drive, Building 7, Freedom, PA15042
Call us or visit our website to learn more:
Phone: 724-778-5111 www.meppi.com/products/ozone
Ozone concentration
up to 16% by weight
for reduced oxygen
usage and lower
operating cost.
Mitsubishi Electric
ozone generators meet
the growing demand by
water and wastewater
treatment plants for systems
that offer low initial cost, high operational
efficiency, low maintenance and low operational costs. Our ozone
generators are characterized by:
Reduced oxygen consumption
Reduced power consumption
Compact, skid-mounted design
Smaller ancillary equipment
Reduced dissolved oxygen in
fnished water
Reliable, Cost-Efficient,
High Concentration Ozone Generators
Keeping it GREEN since 1979
www.colepublishing.com
A
dvanced metering infrastructure (AMI) lets water utilities wire-
lessly collect data that helps them operate more efciently and
serve customers better.
However, adopting AMI typically has meant investing in a
separate data network and assuming responsibility for software, communi-
cation gateways, servers and other infrastructure items not necessarily
within utilities core competency.
Now Badger Meter has introduced the BEACON Advanced Metering
Analytics (AMA) system, a managed solution that can use traditional xed
network communications, existing cellular networks or both. The com-
pany takes responsibility for the infrastructure, enabling the utility to ben-
et from the data while focusing on the business of producing and
delivering high-quality water. John Fillinger, director of utility marketing,
talked about the offering in an interview with Water System Operator.

wso: What exactly makes this offering unique among automated meter
reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems?
Fillinger: In previous-generation offerings, including ours and those
of competitors, xed networks were becoming more and more complex,
and they were forcing water utilities to put on many hats. For example,
when they put in a system, they would need a dedicated IT person to ser-
vice the software and the servers. They needed the sites and the expertise
to place gateways. All this made it difcult for utilities. Our managed solu-
tion says to utilities, Let us take all that risk and handle all those things
you arent or dont want to be good at, while you get all the benets and you
focus on what you do best.

wso: Is this a cloud-based solution?
Fillinger: Yes, its a cloud-based or hosted solution. The software is
accessible by any utility personnel. Weve also interwoven a consumer
engagement piece, called EyeOnWater, that allows the utilities to provide
usage data directly to their end water customers. Now they can partner
with those customers to educate them on their water use or help drive con-
servation programs. The data also serves as a proof source, so that as bills
are being rolled out, customers can look at their usage prole and under-
stand their bill before they actually get it. That helps prevent the oods of
calls that often come in soon after a bill is mailed.
A cellular-based solution from Badger Meter lets utilities collect and analyze data
to improve operations and service without investing in a proprietary network
BY TED J. RULSEH
2
TECHNOLOGY
DEEP DIVE
1
1) The EyeOnWater app on a smartphone or tablet makes alerts, notications and water usage data
conveniently available anytime.
2) Utility users see a customizable at-a-glance dashboard (shown on a tablet). The image also shows
some of the information end water customers can access using the EyeOnWater mobile app.
Our cellular endpoints ... use the cellular

network that is already present in the territory to
communicate data back to the hosted environment
for presentation to the utility and the end customers.
They can be deployed in residential or commercial
applications wherever the utility has meters.
JOHN FILLINGER
wso: From a hardware perspective, what does the BEACON AMA
offering consist of?
Fillinger: Its based on our ORION family of endpoints. We have two
endpoints now for network deployments. We have a xed-network end-
point that continues to use gateways. If a utility went down that path with
BEACON AMA, Badger Meter would install and maintain the gateways
and the utility would still get the full benets of the data. Weve also released
a cellular endpoint that requires no gateways.
wso: Does this technology accommodate utilities of different sizes
and with different characteristics?
Fillinger: Yes. It is customizable for each utilitys needs. We provide an
engineered design that best suits the number of services, the topography
and the service density of each utility.

wso: What exactly is the advantage of the cellular endpoints?
Fillinger: The cellular endpoints in themselves are not a new technol-
ogy. Cellular is used in AMI systems, but typically it uses gateways to com-
municate the data back. So if a utility wants to deploy a system today, they
would have to nd locations for gateways, get approval to install them, run
electricity to them and clear various other hurdles.
Our cellular endpoints erase those concerns. They use the cellular net-
work that is already present in the territory to communicate
data back to the hosted environment for presentation to the
utility and the end customers. They can be deployed in resi-
dential or commercial applications wherever the utility has
meters. It just makes sense to use existing communication
networks.

wso: How do the utility personnel experience this managed data
solution?
Fillinger: As part of the BEACON AMA offering, we have released
new software. Its very easy to use. Its powerful, yet intuitive. There is an
at-a-glance page that can be customized for each user at the utility. They
can dene which widgets they see when they open the program, and any
information in the database is within a couple of clicks of a mouse.

wso: Can you give an example of how this works?
Fillinger: Suppose I am a customer service representative and I want
to be able to pull up any customers account at any time. I would have the
Help widget on the at-a-glance page so that when someone called in, I could
type in their endpoint or meter serial number, their account number or
address and access data to help me answer their questions.
If Im in management, I may want to see the system widgets where I can
assess the ow health, see how many gallons were measured yesterday ver-
sus today, and spot any trends. I could also look at my large customers and
see how much they were using on a given day. All that would be on the at-
a-glance page.

wso: How might this look from the consumers side of the meter?
Fillinger: Using the EyeOnWater software, consumers can set up an
account and see their data using a tablet or a smartphone. They can set up
a user prole with specic criteria. For example, I could ask to be notied
if my usage reached a certain point, or if a spike in usage were to indicate
a leak. It also allows them to compare their usage against other homes in
the territory of similar size and with similar usage proles.

wso: Does this system have the ability to adapt so that utilities can
avoid obsolescence?
Fillinger: Yes. If we look at how technology has changed, going back 20
years, if you had a cellphone, you carried a bag that contained the batter-
ies. By 2004, you had a ip phone a signicant advancement. Then look
at where we are today, with smartphones for making calls, accessing email,
getting on the Internet. We looked at the BEACON AMA system in the
same way. We wanted to future-proof a utilitys investment. So as part of
the offering, we have managed upgrade programs. Over the life of the sys-
tem, they will receive the latest software and will be able to upgrade to all
the latest technology.

wso: Is there two-way communication between the utility and end
users?
Fillinger: Yes. If the system were to go down for a period of time, we
have the ability to reach back to the endpoints and pull data that was
missed. The two-way communication improves utilities ability to collect
and manage data, manage revenue, identify leaks, respond to customer
inquiries, address billing issues, monitor conservation programs, cong-
ure and send regulatory compliance reports, and more.

wso: How resilient is this system in the face of major disruptions,
such as from storms or oods?
Fillinger: One of our rst customers to deploy a BEACON AMA sys-
tem wanted cellular endpoints because they are in an area where natural
disasters occur more often than in other parts of the country, and they
know when those events happen the cellular network is typically the rst
thing that is put back up. They wanted the ability to know how the system
was performing after a natural disaster. Are there breaks in the line? Are
there other things they should know about?
Another advantage of the cellular endpoints is we can use a variety of
networks. When an endpoint is rst installed, it identies the networks
that are available locally, then ranks them according to strength. If Pro-
vider A has the strongest signal, then that will be the preferred network.
But if something happens to Provider A, the endpoint will automatically
roll to Provider B or C. The data will continue to go through as if nothing
ever happened.

wso: How do utilities pay for this service?
Fillinger: Utilities can get started at a much lower price than with a
traditional system. We remove the risk they would have in deploying gate-
ways and purchasing software and hardware. We provide the software, and
the gateways and installation if they choose to go with a proprietary net-
work. We provide the training and get them started on the system. The
utility then pays an endpoint activation fee and a monthly subscription fee
over the life of the system.

wso: Will any kind of consulting or ongoing training be offered to
help utilities optimize their use of the system?
Fillinger: We want to develop a community of users. We will do online
training to get them started and comfortable with day-to-day tasks. Then,
through our user community, we will offer weekly opportunities to learn to
implement the more powerful features of the software, such as alerts and
analytics. We would like to see utilities talking to utilities and utilities
talking to Badger Meter, so that we can all share through experience and
bring out best practices. wso
Utilities can get started at a much lower price than with a

traditional system. We remove the risk they would have in
deploying gateways and purchasing software and hardware.
JOHN FILLINGER
A
dvanced metering infrastructure (AMI) lets water utilities wire-
lessly collect data that helps them operate more efciently and
serve customers better.
However, adopting AMI typically has meant investing in a
separate data network and assuming responsibility for software, communi-
cation gateways, servers and other infrastructure items not necessarily
within utilities core competency.
Now Badger Meter has introduced the BEACON Advanced Metering
Analytics (AMA) system, a managed solution that can use traditional xed
network communications, existing cellular networks or both. The com-
pany takes responsibility for the infrastructure, enabling the utility to ben-
et from the data while focusing on the business of producing and
delivering high-quality water. John Fillinger, director of utility marketing,
talked about the offering in an interview with Water System Operator.

wso: What exactly makes this offering unique among automated meter
reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems?
Fillinger: In previous-generation offerings, including ours and those
of competitors, xed networks were becoming more and more complex,
and they were forcing water utilities to put on many hats. For example,
when they put in a system, they would need a dedicated IT person to ser-
vice the software and the servers. They needed the sites and the expertise
to place gateways. All this made it difcult for utilities. Our managed solu-
tion says to utilities, Let us take all that risk and handle all those things
you arent or dont want to be good at, while you get all the benets and you
focus on what you do best.

wso: Is this a cloud-based solution?
Fillinger: Yes, its a cloud-based or hosted solution. The software is
accessible by any utility personnel. Weve also interwoven a consumer
engagement piece, called EyeOnWater, that allows the utilities to provide
usage data directly to their end water customers. Now they can partner
with those customers to educate them on their water use or help drive con-
servation programs. The data also serves as a proof source, so that as bills
are being rolled out, customers can look at their usage prole and under-
stand their bill before they actually get it. That helps prevent the oods of
calls that often come in soon after a bill is mailed.
A cellular-based solution from Badger Meter lets utilities collect and analyze data
to improve operations and service without investing in a proprietary network
BY TED J. RULSEH
2
TECHNOLOGY
DEEP DIVE
1
1) The EyeOnWater app on a smartphone or tablet makes alerts, notications and water usage data
conveniently available anytime.
2) Utility users see a customizable at-a-glance dashboard (shown on a tablet). The image also shows
some of the information end water customers can access using the EyeOnWater mobile app.
Our cellular endpoints ... use the cellular

network that is already present in the territory to
communicate data back to the hosted environment
for presentation to the utility and the end customers.
They can be deployed in residential or commercial
applications wherever the utility has meters.
JOHN FILLINGER
wso: From a hardware perspective, what does the BEACON AMA
offering consist of?
Fillinger: Its based on our ORION family of endpoints. We have two
endpoints now for network deployments. We have a xed-network end-
point that continues to use gateways. If a utility went down that path with
BEACON AMA, Badger Meter would install and maintain the gateways
and the utility would still get the full benets of the data. Weve also released
a cellular endpoint that requires no gateways.
wso: Does this technology accommodate utilities of different sizes
and with different characteristics?
Fillinger: Yes. It is customizable for each utilitys needs. We provide an
engineered design that best suits the number of services, the topography
and the service density of each utility.

wso: What exactly is the advantage of the cellular endpoints?
Fillinger: The cellular endpoints in themselves are not a new technol-
ogy. Cellular is used in AMI systems, but typically it uses gateways to com-
municate the data back. So if a utility wants to deploy a system today, they
would have to nd locations for gateways, get approval to install them, run
electricity to them and clear various other hurdles.
Our cellular endpoints erase those concerns. They use the cellular net-
work that is already present in the territory to communicate
data back to the hosted environment for presentation to the
utility and the end customers. They can be deployed in resi-
dential or commercial applications wherever the utility has
meters. It just makes sense to use existing communication
networks.

wso: How do the utility personnel experience this managed data
solution?
Fillinger: As part of the BEACON AMA offering, we have released
new software. Its very easy to use. Its powerful, yet intuitive. There is an
at-a-glance page that can be customized for each user at the utility. They
can dene which widgets they see when they open the program, and any
information in the database is within a couple of clicks of a mouse.

wso: Can you give an example of how this works?
Fillinger: Suppose I am a customer service representative and I want
to be able to pull up any customers account at any time. I would have the
Help widget on the at-a-glance page so that when someone called in, I could
type in their endpoint or meter serial number, their account number or
address and access data to help me answer their questions.
If Im in management, I may want to see the system widgets where I can
assess the ow health, see how many gallons were measured yesterday ver-
sus today, and spot any trends. I could also look at my large customers and
see how much they were using on a given day. All that would be on the at-
a-glance page.

wso: How might this look from the consumers side of the meter?
Fillinger: Using the EyeOnWater software, consumers can set up an
account and see their data using a tablet or a smartphone. They can set up
a user prole with specic criteria. For example, I could ask to be notied
if my usage reached a certain point, or if a spike in usage were to indicate
a leak. It also allows them to compare their usage against other homes in
the territory of similar size and with similar usage proles.

wso: Does this system have the ability to adapt so that utilities can
avoid obsolescence?
Fillinger: Yes. If we look at how technology has changed, going back 20
years, if you had a cellphone, you carried a bag that contained the batter-
ies. By 2004, you had a ip phone a signicant advancement. Then look
at where we are today, with smartphones for making calls, accessing email,
getting on the Internet. We looked at the BEACON AMA system in the
same way. We wanted to future-proof a utilitys investment. So as part of
the offering, we have managed upgrade programs. Over the life of the sys-
tem, they will receive the latest software and will be able to upgrade to all
the latest technology.

wso: Is there two-way communication between the utility and end
users?
Fillinger: Yes. If the system were to go down for a period of time, we
have the ability to reach back to the endpoints and pull data that was
missed. The two-way communication improves utilities ability to collect
and manage data, manage revenue, identify leaks, respond to customer
inquiries, address billing issues, monitor conservation programs, cong-
ure and send regulatory compliance reports, and more.

wso: How resilient is this system in the face of major disruptions,
such as from storms or oods?
Fillinger: One of our rst customers to deploy a BEACON AMA sys-
tem wanted cellular endpoints because they are in an area where natural
disasters occur more often than in other parts of the country, and they
know when those events happen the cellular network is typically the rst
thing that is put back up. They wanted the ability to know how the system
was performing after a natural disaster. Are there breaks in the line? Are
there other things they should know about?
Another advantage of the cellular endpoints is we can use a variety of
networks. When an endpoint is rst installed, it identies the networks
that are available locally, then ranks them according to strength. If Pro-
vider A has the strongest signal, then that will be the preferred network.
But if something happens to Provider A, the endpoint will automatically
roll to Provider B or C. The data will continue to go through as if nothing
ever happened.

wso: How do utilities pay for this service?
Fillinger: Utilities can get started at a much lower price than with a
traditional system. We remove the risk they would have in deploying gate-
ways and purchasing software and hardware. We provide the software, and
the gateways and installation if they choose to go with a proprietary net-
work. We provide the training and get them started on the system. The
utility then pays an endpoint activation fee and a monthly subscription fee
over the life of the system.

wso: Will any kind of consulting or ongoing training be offered to
help utilities optimize their use of the system?
Fillinger: We want to develop a community of users. We will do online
training to get them started and comfortable with day-to-day tasks. Then,
through our user community, we will offer weekly opportunities to learn to
implement the more powerful features of the software, such as alerts and
analytics. We would like to see utilities talking to utilities and utilities
talking to Badger Meter, so that we can all share through experience and
bring out best practices. wso
Utilities can get started at a much lower price than with a

traditional system. We remove the risk they would have in
deploying gateways and purchasing software and hardware.
JOHN FILLINGER
A
love of eld trips and
educating children, along
with an engaged work
environment and sup-
portive co-workers enabled Angella
Breitenbeck of Paragon Laborato-
ries in Livonia, Mich., to develop
the FLUSH program for Boy Scouts
and Girl Scouts.
By introducing them to the
science of water and water infra-
structure through tours of water
and wastewater facilities, the pro-
gram satises some criteria for
badges and awards. Breitenbeck
created FLUSH for Filtration,
Let large particles settle, Usable
fertilizer, Sterilization, and
Healthy discharge water to catch
the attention of youngsters and
their parents.
Launched in 2013, the pro-
gram had ve tours in March and
April and six in September, draw-
ing 130 Scouts and 59 adults.
The reaction from everyone was
overwhelming, says Breitenbeck.
Scouts who couldnt attend a tour
emailed to ask when we would
hold another. Based on demand,
there is a hunger for this kind of
information.

Powerful networks
The idea for FLUSH came to
Breitenbeck when she attended a
personal and professional devel-
opment course as part of the com-
panys Centrality 2.0 staff develop-
ment program. The courses help
Paragon maintain a corporate cul-
ture that encourages people to
think about what is important to
them, then take action, she says.
Her 4- and 6-year-old children
inspired her contribution. The
catalyst was excitement she felt
when they asked questions about
science or wanted to do experi-
ments. She broached the idea for
FLUSH at a meeting of the Mich-
igan Water Environment Associa-
tion (MWEA) Laboratory Practice
Committee. The members
drinking water and wastewater
professionals gave it their full
support and agreed to promote the
tours in more areas of the state.
Breitenbeck next approached
the MWEA and American Water
Works Associations joint Youth
Education Committee, which she
chairs. They welcomed FLUSH
into educational activities designed
to interest people in becoming
water and wastewater professionals.
Through work contacts, Breit-
enbeck found Girl Scout Council
leaders, who passed details of the
program to local troops. The pro-
gram specialist for the local Boy
Scout council posted a statewide
online registration page. FLUSH
is a unique program because noth-
ing like it exists in either Scouting
agenda, says Breitenbeck. Even
many schools no longer offer eld
trips to water and wastewater treat-
ment facilities, so its very exciting
for kids to get inside them.
WINNING
THEM OVER
A FLUSH program in Michigan offering treatment plant tours
meets early success and looks to expand beyond state borders
BY SCOTTIE DAYTON
Claudette Wizniuk from the
Macomb County Public Works
Ofce teaches Girl Scouts about
urban pollution and how it enters
watersheds during rainstorms.
She made the presentation at
the Mount Clemens Wastewater
Treatment Plant.
Boy Scouts line up to taste the
nished product at the Mount
Clemens drinking water plant.
They all rated it delicious!
P
H
O
T
O

C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y

O
F

A
N
N

G
O
R
D
O
N

P
H
O
T
O
G
R
A
P
H
Y
P
H
O
T
O

C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y

O
F

A
N
G
E
L
L
A

B
R
E
I
T
E
N
B
E
C
K
Making it fun
Group sizes depend on the
facility, but Breitenbeck recom-
mends no more than 25 to 30 chil-
dren (age 8 or older) so they and
their parents or chaperones can
hear above the noise. We encour-
age adults to come because they
are just as amazed as the kids,
says Breitenbeck. No one realizes
the fantastic job water and waste-
water operators do to ensure high-
quality products.
Above all, the experience must
be fun. The 60- to 90-minute tours
work best when operators tailor
them to their facilities: Give them
creative license and the kids love
the result.
Tours should include hands-
on activities. When children cant
enter the laboratory, try setting up
exhibits in a lunch room, says
Breitenbeck. Some plants have
microscopes with slides, while oth-
ers have pictures of slides showing
creepy-crawlies peeking back.
A water ltration plant using
enzyme substrate demonstrated
testing for coliform bacteria using
Colilert reagent. The kids were
astonished when the sample turned
yellow and uoresced, says Breit-
enbeck. A wastewater treatment
plant demonstrated what is ush-
able by putting a sheet of bath-
room tissue in one clear bottle of
water and a disposable wipe in
another bottle. Scouts then shook
the bottles, trying to break up
the materials.
The guide at the Mount Clem-
ens Water Filtration Plant invited
Macomb County environmental
educators to participate. They
brought a water pollution model
on which Scouts added food color-
ing and paper debris, then made it
rain to demonstrate how pollution
enters waterways. The educators
also gave a slide presentation
about watersheds.
Lessons learned
While the FLUSH program is
free, Breitenbeck recommends offer-
ing something tangible to encour-
age attendance. Boy Scouts received
a FLUSH patch and paid $3 to cover
the cost when registering. She is
working with the local Girl Scout
council to develop a similar memento.
Last year taught us that tim-
ing is critical for Scouts troops,
says Breitenbeck. Our 2013 March
tours worked out, but it was chilly
with snow on the ground. There-
fore, we scheduled our rst tour
this year in early May. We avoid
dates closer to the end of the
school year, because then turnout
decreases. Our September 2013
tours were too early for many
Scout groups to mobilize, so we
moved them to October.
Ripples from the FLUSH pro-
gram have traveled far and fast.
The program became part of the
2014-2015 Heart of Michigan Girl
Scout Source Book, a mailer listing
all events that help fulll criteria
for badges. Promotional efforts by
the MWEA expanded the pro-
gram to neighboring states, and
the association plans to approach
parent organizations.
Id love to see FLUSH go
nationwide, says Breitenbeck.
There is no reason that it shouldnt.
Water treatment happens all over.
To learn more about FLUSH and
how to bring it to your area, con-
tact Breitenbeck at 734/469-5610
or angellab@paragonlaboratories.
com. wso
about your public information
and education efforts for
future Winning them Over
call 715/277-4094.
ABOVE: Boy Scout Troop
371 prepares to tour
the Mount Clemens
Wastewater Treatment
Plant. LEFT: Angella
Breitenbeck with a Girl Scout
troop about to tour the plant.
FLUSH is a unique program because nothing

like it exists in either scouting agenda.
Even many schools no longer offer eld trips
to water and wastewater treatment facilities,
so its very exciting for kids to get inside them.
ANGELLA BREITENBECK
P
H
O
T
O

C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y

O
F

A
N
N

G
O
R
D
O
N

P
H
O
T
O
G
R
A
P
H
Y
P
H
O
T
O

C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y

O
F

A
N
G
E
L
L
A

B
R
E
I
T
E
N
B
E
C
K
A
love of eld trips and
educating children, along
with an engaged work
environment and sup-
portive co-workers enabled Angella
Breitenbeck of Paragon Laborato-
ries in Livonia, Mich., to develop
the FLUSH program for Boy Scouts
and Girl Scouts.
By introducing them to the
science of water and water infra-
structure through tours of water
and wastewater facilities, the pro-
gram satises some criteria for
badges and awards. Breitenbeck
created FLUSH for Filtration,
Let large particles settle, Usable
fertilizer, Sterilization, and
Healthy discharge water to catch
the attention of youngsters and
their parents.
Launched in 2013, the pro-
gram had ve tours in March and
April and six in September, draw-
ing 130 Scouts and 59 adults.
The reaction from everyone was
overwhelming, says Breitenbeck.
Scouts who couldnt attend a tour
emailed to ask when we would
hold another. Based on demand,
there is a hunger for this kind of
information.

Powerful networks
The idea for FLUSH came to
Breitenbeck when she attended a
personal and professional devel-
opment course as part of the com-
panys Centrality 2.0 staff develop-
ment program. The courses help
Paragon maintain a corporate cul-
ture that encourages people to
think about what is important to
them, then take action, she says.
Her 4- and 6-year-old children
inspired her contribution. The
catalyst was excitement she felt
when they asked questions about
science or wanted to do experi-
ments. She broached the idea for
FLUSH at a meeting of the Mich-
igan Water Environment Associa-
tion (MWEA) Laboratory Practice
Committee. The members
drinking water and wastewater
professionals gave it their full
support and agreed to promote the
tours in more areas of the state.
Breitenbeck next approached
the MWEA and American Water
Works Associations joint Youth
Education Committee, which she
chairs. They welcomed FLUSH
into educational activities designed
to interest people in becoming
water and wastewater professionals.
Through work contacts, Breit-
enbeck found Girl Scout Council
leaders, who passed details of the
program to local troops. The pro-
gram specialist for the local Boy
Scout council posted a statewide
online registration page. FLUSH
is a unique program because noth-
ing like it exists in either Scouting
agenda, says Breitenbeck. Even
many schools no longer offer eld
trips to water and wastewater treat-
ment facilities, so its very exciting
for kids to get inside them.
WINNING
THEM OVER
A FLUSH program in Michigan offering treatment plant tours
meets early success and looks to expand beyond state borders
BY SCOTTIE DAYTON
Claudette Wizniuk from the
Macomb County Public Works
Ofce teaches Girl Scouts about
urban pollution and how it enters
watersheds during rainstorms.
She made the presentation at
the Mount Clemens Wastewater
Treatment Plant.
Boy Scouts line up to taste the
nished product at the Mount
Clemens drinking water plant.
They all rated it delicious!
P
H
O
T
O

C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y

O
F

A
N
N

G
O
R
D
O
N

P
H
O
T
O
G
R
A
P
H
Y
P
H
O
T
O

C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y

O
F

A
N
G
E
L
L
A

B
R
E
I
T
E
N
B
E
C
K
Making it fun
Group sizes depend on the
facility, but Breitenbeck recom-
mends no more than 25 to 30 chil-
dren (age 8 or older) so they and
their parents or chaperones can
hear above the noise. We encour-
age adults to come because they
are just as amazed as the kids,
says Breitenbeck. No one realizes
the fantastic job water and waste-
water operators do to ensure high-
quality products.
Above all, the experience must
be fun. The 60- to 90-minute tours
work best when operators tailor
them to their facilities: Give them
creative license and the kids love
the result.
Tours should include hands-
on activities. When children cant
enter the laboratory, try setting up
exhibits in a lunch room, says
Breitenbeck. Some plants have
microscopes with slides, while oth-
ers have pictures of slides showing
creepy-crawlies peeking back.
A water ltration plant using
enzyme substrate demonstrated
testing for coliform bacteria using
Colilert reagent. The kids were
astonished when the sample turned
yellow and uoresced, says Breit-
enbeck. A wastewater treatment
plant demonstrated what is ush-
able by putting a sheet of bath-
room tissue in one clear bottle of
water and a disposable wipe in
another bottle. Scouts then shook
the bottles, trying to break up
the materials.
The guide at the Mount Clem-
ens Water Filtration Plant invited
Macomb County environmental
educators to participate. They
brought a water pollution model
on which Scouts added food color-
ing and paper debris, then made it
rain to demonstrate how pollution
enters waterways. The educators
also gave a slide presentation
about watersheds.
Lessons learned
While the FLUSH program is
free, Breitenbeck recommends offer-
ing something tangible to encour-
age attendance. Boy Scouts received
a FLUSH patch and paid $3 to cover
the cost when registering. She is
working with the local Girl Scout
council to develop a similar memento.
Last year taught us that tim-
ing is critical for Scouts troops,
says Breitenbeck. Our 2013 March
tours worked out, but it was chilly
with snow on the ground. There-
fore, we scheduled our rst tour
this year in early May. We avoid
dates closer to the end of the
school year, because then turnout
decreases. Our September 2013
tours were too early for many
Scout groups to mobilize, so we
moved them to October.
Ripples from the FLUSH pro-
gram have traveled far and fast.
The program became part of the
2014-2015 Heart of Michigan Girl
Scout Source Book, a mailer listing
all events that help fulll criteria
for badges. Promotional efforts by
the MWEA expanded the pro-
gram to neighboring states, and
the association plans to approach
parent organizations.
Id love to see FLUSH go
nationwide, says Breitenbeck.
There is no reason that it shouldnt.
Water treatment happens all over.
To learn more about FLUSH and
how to bring it to your area, con-
tact Breitenbeck at 734/469-5610
or angellab@paragonlaboratories.
com. wso
about your public information
and education efforts for
future Winning them Over
call 715/277-4094.
ABOVE: Boy Scout Troop
371 prepares to tour
the Mount Clemens
Wastewater Treatment
Plant. LEFT: Angella
Breitenbeck with a Girl Scout
troop about to tour the plant.
FLUSH is a unique program because nothing

like it exists in either scouting agenda.
Even many schools no longer offer eld trips
to water and wastewater treatment facilities,
so its very exciting for kids to get inside them.
ANGELLA BREITENBECK
P
H
O
T
O

C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y

O
F

A
N
N

G
O
R
D
O
N

P
H
O
T
O
G
R
A
P
H
Y
P
H
O
T
O

C
O
U
R
T
E
S
Y

O
F

A
N
G
E
L
L
A

B
R
E
I
T
E
N
B
E
C
K

The river is a living, dynamic system that changes regardless of the weather. It can be
too clean, and that makes it harder to treat because there is not much to work with in
the water. Or all hell breaks loose and the water looks like mud and plugs up the intakes.
ROBERT McVICKER
ALWAYS
LEARNING
STORY: TRUDE WITHAM
PHOTOGRAPHY: AMANDA STEEN
A
fter a career of 40 years, 17 in public water treatment, Robert
McVicker still nds satisfaction in new challenges and the
chance to improve.
He has done it all, from operating, maintaining, inspect-
ing and auditing military, private and municipal water
plants and distribution systems, to producing water with ion exchange,
reverse osmosis, distillation and package plants. As chief operator of the
1.3 mgd Kingwood (W.Va.) surface water ltration plant and distribution
system, his greatest challenge is running the facility with only two certi-
ed operators.
Making the water is the easy part, but there is so much else to take
care of to support it, and that is a lot more demanding, he says. Still, he
has done well, earning several awards, including the Perkins-Boynton
Award from the West Virginia AWWA for exemplary operations in sys-
tems with more than 1,000 customers.

Consistent performance
The Kingwood plant has met the EPA ltered water efuent turbidity
requirement (less than 0.30 NTU) at least 95 percent of the time (100 per-
cent of the time in 2011-2012). In fact, in those years, the plant topped the
more stringent U.S. EPA Area Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) goal
of less than 0.1 NTU at least 95 percent of the time instead reaching
that level 99.5 percent of the time and receiving the AWOP award for out-
standing effort in optimizing plant performance.
McVicker credits several factors for his success. They include his
experience in the U.S. Navy nuclear power program and in commercial
nuclear electric power plants, as well as supervisory training and experi-
ence, leadership skills, mentors, and current operator and co-worker
James Marks.

Robert McVicker, Town of Kingwood (W.Va.)
Water Filtration Plant
POSITION: | Chief operator
EXPERIENCE: | 40 years, 17 in public water treatment
CERTIFICATION: | Class III water plant operator license
EDUCATION:
|

Engineering technology courses at Cal Poly University and
at Cuesta Community College, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
GOALS:
|

Use his knowledge and skills to improve the public water
utility business
QUALITY
LEADERS
OPERATOR
Perkins-Boynton Award winner Robert McVicker thrives on new challenges
and the opportunity to increase his water treatment knowledge
OPPOSITE PAGE: Robert McVicker, chief operator, performs an alkalinity test
using calametric titration (equipment from Hach Company).

The river is a living, dynamic system that changes regardless of the weather. It can be
too clean, and that makes it harder to treat because there is not much to work with in
the water. Or all hell breaks loose and the water looks like mud and plugs up the intakes.
ROBERT McVICKER
ALWAYS
LEARNING
STORY: TRUDE WITHAM
PHOTOGRAPHY: AMANDA STEEN
A
fter a career of 40 years, 17 in public water treatment, Robert
McVicker still nds satisfaction in new challenges and the
chance to improve.
He has done it all, from operating, maintaining, inspect-
ing and auditing military, private and municipal water
plants and distribution systems, to producing water with ion exchange,
reverse osmosis, distillation and package plants. As chief operator of the
1.3 mgd Kingwood (W.Va.) surface water ltration plant and distribution
system, his greatest challenge is running the facility with only two certi-
ed operators.
Making the water is the easy part, but there is so much else to take
care of to support it, and that is a lot more demanding, he says. Still, he
has done well, earning several awards, including the Perkins-Boynton
Award from the West Virginia AWWA for exemplary operations in sys-
tems with more than 1,000 customers.

Consistent performance
The Kingwood plant has met the EPA ltered water efuent turbidity
requirement (less than 0.30 NTU) at least 95 percent of the time (100 per-
cent of the time in 2011-2012). In fact, in those years, the plant topped the
more stringent U.S. EPA Area Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) goal
of less than 0.1 NTU at least 95 percent of the time instead reaching
that level 99.5 percent of the time and receiving the AWOP award for out-
standing effort in optimizing plant performance.
McVicker credits several factors for his success. They include his
experience in the U.S. Navy nuclear power program and in commercial
nuclear electric power plants, as well as supervisory training and experi-
ence, leadership skills, mentors, and current operator and co-worker
James Marks.

Robert McVicker, Town of Kingwood (W.Va.)
Water Filtration Plant
POSITION: | Chief operator
EXPERIENCE: | 40 years, 17 in public water treatment
CERTIFICATION: | Class III water plant operator license
EDUCATION:
|

Engineering technology courses at Cal Poly University and
at Cuesta Community College, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
GOALS:
|

Use his knowledge and skills to improve the public water
utility business
QUALITY
LEADERS
OPERATOR
Perkins-Boynton Award winner Robert McVicker thrives on new challenges
and the opportunity to increase his water treatment knowledge
OPPOSITE PAGE: Robert McVicker, chief operator, performs an alkalinity test
using calametric titration (equipment from Hach Company).
He names his father as a key mentor: My dad taught me how to be inde-
pendent. He always said, Dont ever break your promise or promise some-
thing you cant do. My parents worked hard and taught me to do the same.
Navy man
McVicker enlisted in the Navy after high school, and served eight years.
I passed tests to enter their elite nuclear power program, he says. Our
commanding ofcer told us we had passed a program equivalent to passing
law school in 1 1/2 years. That environment prepared me for all accom-
plishments for the rest of my life.
In the Navy, McVicker operated and maintained a Navy submarine
prototype nuclear reactor in Idaho, a job that included producing water. He
also handled water chemistry, radiological chemistry and radiological control.
Later, on the nuclear submarine USS Billsh, he supervised opera-
tion, maintenance and quality control of the reactor plant, among other
duties. He was also the ships lead scuba diver. The submarine used evap-
orators, distillation and ion exchange to produce different water qualities,
from potable to ultrapure nuclear reactor grade.
After active duty, McVicker worked in the nuclear power industry and
studied engineering technology at Cal Poly University and Cuesta Com-
munity College in San Luis Obispo, Calif. I went back to school at night
while working 10 to 12 hours a day at the nuclear plant to advance my
career and knowledge, he says. At that time, I never thought I would
change careers, as I enjoyed the high level of performance and standards
required to safely operate and maintain a nuclear power plant.

Doing it all
When the nuclear power industry downsized, McVicker moved to
West Virginia in 1995 to be near his retired father and start a new career.
He soon landed a job as an operator at the Town of Thomas water treat-
ment plant.
My mom saw the ad in the paper, and it seemed like a career that I
could contribute to with my training and experience, McVicker says. When
they looked at my resume they said, You are way over-qualied, but we
can use you because our workers have not been able to pass the tests.
He was a quick study, performing operations, meter testing and some
chief operator duties. By summer 1997, he passed the Class I and II water
treatment operator and Class I to III wastewater treatment operator tests.
I did a little of everything for the town, including standing in for the
city clerk, laying and relocating water lines, xing leaks, ordering parts,
mowing and plowing, building and road repair, he says. I was able to
improve plant performance from eight
hours or less of operation between l-
ter backwashes to over 20 hours.
Two other operator jobs followed,
for the town of Beverly and then King-
wood, where he was quickly promoted
to chief operator. Now in his 11th year
I try to clone myself and train operators the

way I do things. If you dont have the back-
ground and training, you cant properly do the job
at todays treatment plants.
ROBERT McVICKER
Treat people like

you care about
them and the work
they do, and show an
interest in their ideas
and concerns on a
daily basis.
ROBERT McVICKER
The team at the Kingwood Water Works Filtration Plant includes, from left,
Patrick Hartman, distribution technician; Robert McVicker, chief operator;
and James Marks, eld supervisor and operator.
In 2011-2012 the Kingwood plant received the U.S. EPA Area Wide Optimization
Program (AWOP) award for outstanding effort in optimizing plant performance.
there, McVicker has settled in nicely. The plant serves 3,000 Kingwood
residents and sells water to three community wholesale purchasing sys-
tems in Preston County, for a total population of 6,800.
I like my job, and I get to use my diverse training and skills,
McVicker says. Once I master something, I get bored, and then I need a
new challenge. In this job, I can be involved with anything on a given day,
but still have more to learn and improve upon.

Team of two
Just two certied operators run the Kingwood plant: We used to
have four, but one left for health reasons and the other went to a higher
paying job. James [Marks] is a blessing because he came to the water busi-
ness from a similar professional background and training. Like me, he was
a star athlete and team player in high school, then went to work for a
large, well-respected construction company. He learned about the bene-
ts of planning, working as a team and doing the work right the rst time
using best practices.
McVicker trained Marks and taught him everything about water
treatment operation: I try to clone myself and train operators the way I
do things. If you dont have the background and training, you cant prop-
erly do the job at todays treatment plants.
Marks, a 10-year team member who holds a Class II water plant oper-
ator license, supervises and handles distribution system eldwork, meter
testing and the backow prevention and cross-connection programs.
McVicker takes care of operation and maintenance, paperwork, regula-
tory monitoring and administration. They work hard, averaging 60 hours
a week. Operators-in-training Patrick Hartman (full time) and Jeff Smith
and Rose Turner (part time) handle distribution tasks and help as needed
at the treatment plant.
McVickers management style is to treat people with respect regard-
less of their skill level. His training includes the Zenger-Miller supervi-
sion, teamwork development, diversity training, facilitative leadership
and manager-as-coach training courses. I can play the parent part, but I
can be the kid part too, since I have young kids and I played sports until
I was in my 40s, he says. Ive learned a lot about myself from those Ive
supervised, and Ive also learned from my managers.
FAMILY MAN
When not making quality water at the Kingwood Water Filtration
Plant, Robert McVicker enjoys spending time with his wife and three
sons. He attends the boys soccer games and coaches them when
time permits. Hes also a guitarist who likes playing 1950s and 1960s
music, especially by Elvis Presley and the Beatles.
He also enjoys swimming, gardening and hunting deer, squirrels
and rabbits in the areas public lands, alone or with the local hunting
club. He shes for bass in the state parks and for trout in the Cheat River.
A dedicated operator and supervisor, McVicker puts in, on
average, 11 to 13 hours a day at the plant. I have to work those hours
and it is still not enough, but I do have another life, he says. I take some
time off to go to my kids games, plays and concerts. I have had a
wonderful second career in water treatment, and I feel like Ive accom-
plished a lot. My goal is to do even more for the industry by teaching
others. But my greatest pride, by far, is in my family and my children.
McVicker, shown with a variable-speed turbine drive (SEW-Eurodrive),
draws heavily on his experience in the U.S. Navy and commercial nuclear
power sectors.
He names his father as a key mentor: My dad taught me how to be inde-
pendent. He always said, Dont ever break your promise or promise some-
thing you cant do. My parents worked hard and taught me to do the same.
Navy man
McVicker enlisted in the Navy after high school, and served eight years.
I passed tests to enter their elite nuclear power program, he says. Our
commanding ofcer told us we had passed a program equivalent to passing
law school in 1 1/2 years. That environment prepared me for all accom-
plishments for the rest of my life.
In the Navy, McVicker operated and maintained a Navy submarine
prototype nuclear reactor in Idaho, a job that included producing water. He
also handled water chemistry, radiological chemistry and radiological control.
Later, on the nuclear submarine USS Billsh, he supervised opera-
tion, maintenance and quality control of the reactor plant, among other
duties. He was also the ships lead scuba diver. The submarine used evap-
orators, distillation and ion exchange to produce different water qualities,
from potable to ultrapure nuclear reactor grade.
After active duty, McVicker worked in the nuclear power industry and
studied engineering technology at Cal Poly University and Cuesta Com-
munity College in San Luis Obispo, Calif. I went back to school at night
while working 10 to 12 hours a day at the nuclear plant to advance my
career and knowledge, he says. At that time, I never thought I would
change careers, as I enjoyed the high level of performance and standards
required to safely operate and maintain a nuclear power plant.

Doing it all
When the nuclear power industry downsized, McVicker moved to
West Virginia in 1995 to be near his retired father and start a new career.
He soon landed a job as an operator at the Town of Thomas water treat-
ment plant.
My mom saw the ad in the paper, and it seemed like a career that I
could contribute to with my training and experience, McVicker says. When
they looked at my resume they said, You are way over-qualied, but we
can use you because our workers have not been able to pass the tests.
He was a quick study, performing operations, meter testing and some
chief operator duties. By summer 1997, he passed the Class I and II water
treatment operator and Class I to III wastewater treatment operator tests.
I did a little of everything for the town, including standing in for the
city clerk, laying and relocating water lines, xing leaks, ordering parts,
mowing and plowing, building and road repair, he says. I was able to
improve plant performance from eight
hours or less of operation between l-
ter backwashes to over 20 hours.
Two other operator jobs followed,
for the town of Beverly and then King-
wood, where he was quickly promoted
to chief operator. Now in his 11th year
I try to clone myself and train operators the

way I do things. If you dont have the back-
ground and training, you cant properly do the job
at todays treatment plants.
ROBERT McVICKER
Treat people like

you care about
them and the work
they do, and show an
interest in their ideas
and concerns on a
daily basis.
ROBERT McVICKER
The team at the Kingwood Water Works Filtration Plant includes, from left,
Patrick Hartman, distribution technician; Robert McVicker, chief operator;
and James Marks, eld supervisor and operator.
In 2011-2012 the Kingwood plant received the U.S. EPA Area Wide Optimization
Program (AWOP) award for outstanding effort in optimizing plant performance.
there, McVicker has settled in nicely. The plant serves 3,000 Kingwood
residents and sells water to three community wholesale purchasing sys-
tems in Preston County, for a total population of 6,800.
I like my job, and I get to use my diverse training and skills,
McVicker says. Once I master something, I get bored, and then I need a
new challenge. In this job, I can be involved with anything on a given day,
but still have more to learn and improve upon.

Team of two
Just two certied operators run the Kingwood plant: We used to
have four, but one left for health reasons and the other went to a higher
paying job. James [Marks] is a blessing because he came to the water busi-
ness from a similar professional background and training. Like me, he was
a star athlete and team player in high school, then went to work for a
large, well-respected construction company. He learned about the bene-
ts of planning, working as a team and doing the work right the rst time
using best practices.
McVicker trained Marks and taught him everything about water
treatment operation: I try to clone myself and train operators the way I
do things. If you dont have the background and training, you cant prop-
erly do the job at todays treatment plants.
Marks, a 10-year team member who holds a Class II water plant oper-
ator license, supervises and handles distribution system eldwork, meter
testing and the backow prevention and cross-connection programs.
McVicker takes care of operation and maintenance, paperwork, regula-
tory monitoring and administration. They work hard, averaging 60 hours
a week. Operators-in-training Patrick Hartman (full time) and Jeff Smith
and Rose Turner (part time) handle distribution tasks and help as needed
at the treatment plant.
McVickers management style is to treat people with respect regard-
less of their skill level. His training includes the Zenger-Miller supervi-
sion, teamwork development, diversity training, facilitative leadership
and manager-as-coach training courses. I can play the parent part, but I
can be the kid part too, since I have young kids and I played sports until
I was in my 40s, he says. Ive learned a lot about myself from those Ive
supervised, and Ive also learned from my managers.
FAMILY MAN
When not making quality water at the Kingwood Water Filtration
Plant, Robert McVicker enjoys spending time with his wife and three
sons. He attends the boys soccer games and coaches them when
time permits. Hes also a guitarist who likes playing 1950s and 1960s
music, especially by Elvis Presley and the Beatles.
He also enjoys swimming, gardening and hunting deer, squirrels
and rabbits in the areas public lands, alone or with the local hunting
club. He shes for bass in the state parks and for trout in the Cheat River.
A dedicated operator and supervisor, McVicker puts in, on
average, 11 to 13 hours a day at the plant. I have to work those hours
and it is still not enough, but I do have another life, he says. I take some
time off to go to my kids games, plays and concerts. I have had a
wonderful second career in water treatment, and I feel like Ive accom-
plished a lot. My goal is to do even more for the industry by teaching
others. But my greatest pride, by far, is in my family and my children.
McVicker, shown with a variable-speed turbine drive (SEW-Eurodrive),
draws heavily on his experience in the U.S. Navy and commercial nuclear
power sectors.
Old but t
The Kingwood treatment plant was built in 1987 and has seen no
major upgrades except for the SCADA system. The greatest challenge is
operating the plants upow clariers.
We have to control the occulation blanket, which is very sensitive to
changes in water temperature and hydraulic ow, McVicker says. When
its exposed to the sun and snow and ice, it is hard for us to observe the
process, and were ying blind except for the three sample taps in the ver-
tical walls of the clariers. Were trying to get funding for a clarier cover
and to change out the old lines with larger and better materials, loop the
lines together and add more system monitoring and controls.
Changing conditions keep them on their toes: There is enough
change in routine to make it interesting. We monitor the Cheat River for
color and turbidity and do jar testing
or use a coagulant charge analyzer sev-
eral times a day. That tells us the net
charge of our water and how much
coagulant to add to neutralize it. We
dont make any chemical changes with-
out rst doing tests.
The river is a living, dynamic sys-
tem that changes regardless of the
weather. It can be too clean, and that
makes it harder to treat because there is not much to work with in the
water. Or all hell breaks loose and the water looks like mud and plugs up
the intakes.
A big storm in June 2012 caused power outages in all West Virginia
counties. The weather forecasters didnt predict it, but luckily our tanks
were full before it hit, McVicker recalls. The winds were gusting at 80
to 100 miles an hour, but we made it through.
The worst storm was Hurricane Sandy in October 2012: I stayed at
the plant to keep the tanks full until the storm hit at 8 p.m. We didnt run
out of water, thanks to vendors loaning us two generators and the Camp
Dawson National Guard people giving us some of their reserve fuel.

Looking to the future
McVicker reports to the Kingwood Water Works Water Board. Not all
small to mid-size systems in the state have separate, independent water
board members, he says. As a result, these systems are set up to fail in many
respects, and they are not properly funded, operated and maintained.
He would like to see the industry do more to publicize the water eld:
The West Virginia Rural Water Association is great, but I would like to
see a greater coordinated effort in this area from all the systems and state
agencies to bring people to the industry.
For those looking at the eld, he advises: Unless you have the knowl-
edge and skills to get hired by a very large water system, you are in trou-
ble for good pay, benets and management. You will have to do more work
for less money and with less people. But because others will depend on
you to produce quality water, your services will be in critical demand,
ensuring a long-lasting career.
His advice to plant managers is to lead by example. Demonstrate your
knowledge and skills in a constructive and teaching manner for the bet-
terment of your workforce, the
company and the water utility
business as a whole. Treat people
like you care about them and the
work they do, and show an interest
in their ideas and concerns on a
daily basis. wso
Hach Company
800/227-4224
www.hach.com
(See ad page 2)
SEW-Eurodrive, Inc.
864/439-7537
www.seweurodrive.com
Ive learned a lot

about myself from
those Ive supervised,
and Ive also learned
from my managers.
ROBERT McVICKER
A
small community contacted Florida Gateway College about nitrates
in the groundwater that supplied its municipal wells.
College personnel explained that nitrates and nitrites occur
naturally in food, plants, water and soil. They are formed when
microorganisms in the environment break down organic materials such
as sewage, animal manure and plants. Nitrates are also found in chemical
fertilizers, and nitrites are used as curing agents for meats. Nitrates are
more common in water than nitrites.

Through the cycle
Nitrogen is essential for life because it is a component of proteins. It
exists in the environment in many forms, and it changes forms as it moves
through the nitrogen cycle. However, excessive concentrations of nitrate
or nitrite in drinking water can be hazardous to health, especially for
pregnant women and infants.
Nitrates combine with various inorganic and organic compounds.
Once taken into the body, nitrates are converted to nitrites. Infants less
than six months old who drink water containing nitrates in excess of the
U.S. EPA maximum contaminant limit (10 mg/L) can become seriously
ill and may die if untreated. Symptoms of excessive nitrate ingestion
include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome a consequence
of low blood oxygen level.
Nitrates are highly leachable and readily move with water through the
soil prole. Excessive rainfall or over-irrigation may leach nitrates below
plants root zone and eventually into groundwater. Sources of nitrates in
drinking water include erosion of natural deposits, sewage leaking from
septic tanks, excessive fertilization, poorly managed animal feedlots and
landlls. Wells may allow nitrates to seep into groundwater if improperly
located or poorly constructed.
High levels of nitrates from particular sources can indicate the pres-
ence of other contaminants. For example, faulty septic tanks or animal
feedlots causing nitrate contamination may indicate that microbial con-
taminants are also present; residential or agricultural fertilizers causing
nitrate contamination may be accompanied by pesticides.

Knowing the risks
Nitrate in water is undetectable without testing because it is colorless,
odorless and tasteless. A water test for nitrate is recommended for systems
where infants, pregnant women, nursing mothers or elderly people live,
as they are the most vulnerable to nitrate contamination.
All drinking water supplies should be checked every several years to
ensure that there have been no signicant increases in total nitrogen or
nitrogen compounds, including nitrate, nitrite and ammonia. If a fertil-
izer or manure spill occurs, it should be cleaned up immediately and any
nearby wells tested. In addition, annual testing is recommended to mon-
itor the long-term effects of the spill.
The primary health hazard from nitrate in drinking water is its trans-
formation to nitrite in the digestive system. The nitrite oxidizes iron in
the hemoglobin of the red blood cells to form methemoglobin, which lacks
the oxygen-carrying ability of hemoglobin. This condition, known as
methemoglobinemia, causes veins and the skin to appear blue.
Most people over one year old can rapidly convert methemoglobin back
to oxyhemoglobin. However, in infants under six months, the enzyme
systems for reducing methemoglobin to oxyhemoglobin are incompletely
developed. Methemoglobinemia also occurs in older people who have
genetically impaired enzyme systems for metabolizing methemoglobin.
There are also potential cancer risks from nitrates and nitrites in water
and food. A possibility exists that nitrates can react with amines or amides
in the body to form nitrosamine, which is known to cause cancer. Nitrate
must be converted to nitrite before nitrosamine can be formed. The mag-
nitude of the cancer risk from nitrate in drinking water is not known.

Becoming a concern
Nitrate contamination of drinking water sources is becoming one of
the most important water-quality concerns across the United States. Col-
lege personnel explained to the community leaders that the EPA lists
anion exchange, reverse osmosis and electrodialysis reversal as accepted
water treatments for nitrate removal. However, these technologies pro-
duce high-strength brine residuals that can pose disposal challenges.
The lack of affordable and feasible nitrate treatment alternatives can
force utilities to remove nitrate-contaminated sources from their water
supplies. In many instances, this can severely compromise a water utili-
tys ability to provide an adequate supply of safe and affordable water.
The need for additional nitrate treatment technologies has driven
water utilities to explore removal options that are effective and affordable
while limiting brine production. Promising options include:
Weak-base anion exchange and improvements in strong-base anion
exchange, such as low-brine residual technologies.
Biological treatment using uidized beds, xed beds and mem-
brane biolm reactors.
Chemical reduction using media such as zero-valent iron and sulfur-
modied iron.
In practice, nontreatment options are generally considered rst because
they can be more sustainable and less costly. These include wellhead pro-
tection, land use management, well inactivation, source modication,
development of alternative sources and blending of water sources. Blend-
ing is the most common method. When a low-nitrate source is available,
dilution of high-nitrate sources to produce water with acceptable nitrate
levels is typically more cost-effective than treatment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Rowe, Ph.D., is a professor of Water Resources at Florida Gateway
College in Lake City, Fla. He can be reached at john.rowe@fgc.edu. wso
Knowing Nitrates
This increasingly important contaminant has multiple ways
to enter drinking water supplies and can be challenging to remove
BY JOHN ROWE, PH.D.
TECH
TALK
Old but t
The Kingwood treatment plant was built in 1987 and has seen no
major upgrades except for the SCADA system. The greatest challenge is
operating the plants upow clariers.
We have to control the occulation blanket, which is very sensitive to
changes in water temperature and hydraulic ow, McVicker says. When
its exposed to the sun and snow and ice, it is hard for us to observe the
process, and were ying blind except for the three sample taps in the ver-
tical walls of the clariers. Were trying to get funding for a clarier cover
and to change out the old lines with larger and better materials, loop the
lines together and add more system monitoring and controls.
Changing conditions keep them on their toes: There is enough
change in routine to make it interesting. We monitor the Cheat River for
color and turbidity and do jar testing
or use a coagulant charge analyzer sev-
eral times a day. That tells us the net
charge of our water and how much
coagulant to add to neutralize it. We
dont make any chemical changes with-
out rst doing tests.
The river is a living, dynamic sys-
tem that changes regardless of the
weather. It can be too clean, and that
makes it harder to treat because there is not much to work with in the
water. Or all hell breaks loose and the water looks like mud and plugs up
the intakes.
A big storm in June 2012 caused power outages in all West Virginia
counties. The weather forecasters didnt predict it, but luckily our tanks
were full before it hit, McVicker recalls. The winds were gusting at 80
to 100 miles an hour, but we made it through.
The worst storm was Hurricane Sandy in October 2012: I stayed at
the plant to keep the tanks full until the storm hit at 8 p.m. We didnt run
out of water, thanks to vendors loaning us two generators and the Camp
Dawson National Guard people giving us some of their reserve fuel.

Looking to the future
McVicker reports to the Kingwood Water Works Water Board. Not all
small to mid-size systems in the state have separate, independent water
board members, he says. As a result, these systems are set up to fail in many
respects, and they are not properly funded, operated and maintained.
He would like to see the industry do more to publicize the water eld:
The West Virginia Rural Water Association is great, but I would like to
see a greater coordinated effort in this area from all the systems and state
agencies to bring people to the industry.
For those looking at the eld, he advises: Unless you have the knowl-
edge and skills to get hired by a very large water system, you are in trou-
ble for good pay, benets and management. You will have to do more work
for less money and with less people. But because others will depend on
you to produce quality water, your services will be in critical demand,
ensuring a long-lasting career.
His advice to plant managers is to lead by example. Demonstrate your
knowledge and skills in a constructive and teaching manner for the bet-
terment of your workforce, the
company and the water utility
business as a whole. Treat people
like you care about them and the
work they do, and show an interest
in their ideas and concerns on a
daily basis. wso
Hach Company
800/227-4224
www.hach.com
(See ad page 2)
SEW-Eurodrive, Inc.
864/439-7537
www.seweurodrive.com
Ive learned a lot

about myself from
those Ive supervised,
and Ive also learned
from my managers.
ROBERT McVICKER
A
small community contacted Florida Gateway College about nitrates
in the groundwater that supplied its municipal wells.
College personnel explained that nitrates and nitrites occur
naturally in food, plants, water and soil. They are formed when
microorganisms in the environment break down organic materials such
as sewage, animal manure and plants. Nitrates are also found in chemical
fertilizers, and nitrites are used as curing agents for meats. Nitrates are
more common in water than nitrites.

Through the cycle
Nitrogen is essential for life because it is a component of proteins. It
exists in the environment in many forms, and it changes forms as it moves
through the nitrogen cycle. However, excessive concentrations of nitrate
or nitrite in drinking water can be hazardous to health, especially for
pregnant women and infants.
Nitrates combine with various inorganic and organic compounds.
Once taken into the body, nitrates are converted to nitrites. Infants less
than six months old who drink water containing nitrates in excess of the
U.S. EPA maximum contaminant limit (10 mg/L) can become seriously
ill and may die if untreated. Symptoms of excessive nitrate ingestion
include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome a consequence
of low blood oxygen level.
Nitrates are highly leachable and readily move with water through the
soil prole. Excessive rainfall or over-irrigation may leach nitrates below
plants root zone and eventually into groundwater. Sources of nitrates in
drinking water include erosion of natural deposits, sewage leaking from
septic tanks, excessive fertilization, poorly managed animal feedlots and
landlls. Wells may allow nitrates to seep into groundwater if improperly
located or poorly constructed.
High levels of nitrates from particular sources can indicate the pres-
ence of other contaminants. For example, faulty septic tanks or animal
feedlots causing nitrate contamination may indicate that microbial con-
taminants are also present; residential or agricultural fertilizers causing
nitrate contamination may be accompanied by pesticides.

Knowing the risks
Nitrate in water is undetectable without testing because it is colorless,
odorless and tasteless. A water test for nitrate is recommended for systems
where infants, pregnant women, nursing mothers or elderly people live,
as they are the most vulnerable to nitrate contamination.
All drinking water supplies should be checked every several years to
ensure that there have been no signicant increases in total nitrogen or
nitrogen compounds, including nitrate, nitrite and ammonia. If a fertil-
izer or manure spill occurs, it should be cleaned up immediately and any
nearby wells tested. In addition, annual testing is recommended to mon-
itor the long-term effects of the spill.
The primary health hazard from nitrate in drinking water is its trans-
formation to nitrite in the digestive system. The nitrite oxidizes iron in
the hemoglobin of the red blood cells to form methemoglobin, which lacks
the oxygen-carrying ability of hemoglobin. This condition, known as
methemoglobinemia, causes veins and the skin to appear blue.
Most people over one year old can rapidly convert methemoglobin back
to oxyhemoglobin. However, in infants under six months, the enzyme
systems for reducing methemoglobin to oxyhemoglobin are incompletely
developed. Methemoglobinemia also occurs in older people who have
genetically impaired enzyme systems for metabolizing methemoglobin.
There are also potential cancer risks from nitrates and nitrites in water
and food. A possibility exists that nitrates can react with amines or amides
in the body to form nitrosamine, which is known to cause cancer. Nitrate
must be converted to nitrite before nitrosamine can be formed. The mag-
nitude of the cancer risk from nitrate in drinking water is not known.

Becoming a concern
Nitrate contamination of drinking water sources is becoming one of
the most important water-quality concerns across the United States. Col-
lege personnel explained to the community leaders that the EPA lists
anion exchange, reverse osmosis and electrodialysis reversal as accepted
water treatments for nitrate removal. However, these technologies pro-
duce high-strength brine residuals that can pose disposal challenges.
The lack of affordable and feasible nitrate treatment alternatives can
force utilities to remove nitrate-contaminated sources from their water
supplies. In many instances, this can severely compromise a water utili-
tys ability to provide an adequate supply of safe and affordable water.
The need for additional nitrate treatment technologies has driven
water utilities to explore removal options that are effective and affordable
while limiting brine production. Promising options include:
Weak-base anion exchange and improvements in strong-base anion
exchange, such as low-brine residual technologies.
Biological treatment using uidized beds, xed beds and mem-
brane biolm reactors.
Chemical reduction using media such as zero-valent iron and sulfur-
modied iron.
In practice, nontreatment options are generally considered rst because
they can be more sustainable and less costly. These include wellhead pro-
tection, land use management, well inactivation, source modication,
development of alternative sources and blending of water sources. Blend-
ing is the most common method. When a low-nitrate source is available,
dilution of high-nitrate sources to produce water with acceptable nitrate
levels is typically more cost-effective than treatment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Rowe, Ph.D., is a professor of Water Resources at Florida Gateway
College in Lake City, Fla. He can be reached at john.rowe@fgc.edu. wso
Knowing Nitrates
This increasingly important contaminant has multiple ways
to enter drinking water supplies and can be challenging to remove
BY JOHN ROWE, PH.D.
TECH
TALK
Clariers/Components

Sedimentation basin oor cleaner
The SedVac sedimentation removal system for
drinking water plants from Brentwood Industries
cleans the sedimentation basin oor, removing sol-
ids without clogging, regardless of inuent qual-
ity. Its header is designed to engulf and funnel
the sludge blanket to the discharge hose. Powered
by cable-drive technology along a guide track anchored to the basin oor,
it can operate daily or continuously in plants up to 380 feet long. 610/374-
5109; www.brentwoodindustries.com.

Molded clarier access grating
Molded grating for clarier access from Fibergrate
Composite Structures is certied to NSF Standard 61
for potable water contact. It is available in numerous
grating congurations and in many panel sizes, with
various surface options. It is offered in NSF Standard 61
certied structural shapes, ladders and handrail sys-
tems for a complete solution. It is corrosion resistant
and requires minimal maintenance. It is lightweight and easy to fabri-
cate, while providing long service life and low life cycle cost. 800/527-
4043; www.bergrate.com.

Solids contact clarier
Hi-Tech solids contact clariers from Kusters
Water are used for water and wastewater treat-
ment applications, including raw water intake,
turbidity removal, cold lime softening, metals
removal and other types of high-rate clarication.
205/987-8976; www.kusterwater.com.

Rapid gravity lter feedwater clarier
The Clari-DAF clarication system from
Leopold a Xylem Brand for pretreatment
of rapid gravity lter feedwater provides
consistent water quality while operating
at increased loading rates. It has low
operating cost through optimized point
of addition of all chemicals and optimized mixing
energy. Its clarication technology removes low-density particulates as
well as Giardia and Cryptosporidium. It reduces operation and mainte-
nance costs through lower energy and chemical usage and less time to
dewater. 704/409-9700; www.fbleopold.com.

Automatic sludge blanket level detector
The Automatic Sludge Blanket Level Detec-
tor from Markland Specialty Engineering
helps drinking water plants monitor interface
levels in clariers, upow lter reactors and
gravity settlers. It allows users to program de-sludge pumps to
operate only when necessary, preventing carryover and optimiz-
ing feed density for improved lter press/centrifuge perfor-
mance. A slim prole and high-intensity infrared light make it
suited for obstructed or constricted areas. 855/873-7791; www.
sludgecontrols.com.
Coagulants/Flocculants

Flash mixer
The InstoMix high-energy ash mixer from Walker
Process Equipment disperses coagulant and
other occulent solutions into raw water. The
ash blending of coagulant (within millisec-
onds) results in optimum oc formation and max-
imizes chemical economy. Units are constructed for ange
mounting directly in the pipeline and are equipped with an internal-feed
manifold to distribute solutions uniformly throughout the sectionalized
mixer body. The in-line design allows a low energy input, low headloss
and high G-Value result. The mixer can be custom-sized to produce a
desired G-Value. Units are available for 8- to 72-inch pipelines. 630/892-
7921; www.walker-process.com.

Desalination Filtration Systems

Stainless steel lter housings
Multi-cartridge, jumbo and bag lter stainless steel
housings from Neologic Solutions are available with 3M
epoxy coating for seawater applications. They are available
in a number of sizes with ow rates up to 1,200 gpm in the
multi-round jumbo housing. With V-band clamp or swing
bolt closures, they are designed for quick cartridge change-
outs. The heat-curable, fusion-bonded epoxy coating is
sprayed onto preheated steel to create a uniform barrier against seawater
or harsh chemicals. 855/896-3525; www.neologicsolutions.com.

Membranes

Pressurized membrane system
The MEMCOR CP II pressurized, pre-engineered
membrane system from Evoqua Water Technologies
has a modular building-block conguration and com-
pact footprint. It uses PVDF UF membrane technol-
ogy and has design enhancements that reduce
installation costs, improve system performance and
simplify operations. It is suited for new installations and facility upgrades.
It combines durable materials and reusable housings with easy module
access that reduces maintenance and delivers value over the system life
cycle. 866/926-8420; www.evoqua.com.

Polymers/Components

Drum thickener
The ALDRUM G3 drum thickener from
Alfa Laval increases solids load capacity up to
30 percent within the same footprint as the com-
panys standard unit. The feed zone provides lower polymer consump-
PRODUCT FOCUS:
TREATMENT, FILTRATION AND DESALINATION BY CRAIG MANDLI
tion, while power plates reduce power consumption by the decanter
centrifuges. The Slimline design of the centrifuges and a smaller con-
veyor diameter provide room for more liquid in the pond and higher bowl
wall pressures for a drier cake. 866/253-2528; www.alfalaval.us.

Pretreatment Chemicals

Sodium chlorite
ADOX Sodium Chlorite from DuPont Clean Water Technologies is
used in generating chlorine dioxide using DuPont MG III generators.
Chlorine dioxide has highly selective oxidizing properties that enable
lower dosages. It remains a truly dissolved gas in water and retains its
useful oxidative and biocidal properties throughout a broad pH range (2
to 10). It does not chlorinate organics to form halogenated disinfection
byproducts. It is approved for use by the U.S. EPA and the World Health
Organization. 302/999-2709; www.dupont.com.

Dry chemical feeder
The stainless steel volumetric Dry Chemical
Feeder from Eagle Microsystems uses direct drive
to ensure optimum performance and durability in
harsh environments. With no external gears, pulleys,
chains, belts or lubrications, it is user-friendly and
low-maintenance. Chemical feed is controlled by
electronic SCR speed control for accuracy. It is cus-
tomizable to t any process. 610/323-2250; www.
eaglemicrosystems.com.

Sodium hypochlorite generator
The SciCHLOR Sodium Hypochlorite Genera-
tor with SciCELL technology from Scienco/FAST
automatically produces chlorine on demand using a
recirculation method to concentrate the brine and
allow the system to run at optimum salinity and
increase power efciency. Available in capacities
from 10 to 60 pounds of produced hypochlorite per
day, it generates an optimal 0.8 percent sodium hypochlorite solution
using salt, water and electricity. It includes an integral brine tank, chlo-
rine storage tankage, control panel, multi-pass SciCELL unit and recir-
culation pump. 866/652-4539; www.sciencofast.com.

Reverse Osmosis

Composite solenoid valves
The 212 Series of composite solenoid valves
from ASCO Numatics incorporate the FasN
universal connection system. They are designed
for water purication and conditioning systems in commercial and indus-
trial applications. The valves are rated at up to 150 psi and 180 degrees F.
The durable, lightweight engineered plastic bodies are tested to achieve
up to 1 million operating cycles. The valves are suited for use in midsize
reverse osmosis systems where lead-free and NSF-approved construc-
tions are required. 800/972-2726; www.ascovalve.com.

Dow reverse osmosis elements
Filmtec ECO reverse osmosis elements from Dow
Water and Process Solutions combine membrane chem-
istry and low dP feed spacers for lower energy costs and
reduced chemical consumption when RO is followed by a
mixed-bed ion exchange unit. The elements, available in
ECO-4001 and ECO-440i congurations, are designed to
deliver up to 40 percent lower salt passage with up to 30
percent less energy input. www.dow.com/liquidseps.

Reverse osmosis pressure pump system
The SALINO Pressure Center from KSB combines a high-pressure
pump, energy recovery device, booster pump
and electric motor in a compact reverse osmo-
sis system. Few working parts mean low initial
cost and maintenance expense. The systems
integrated energy recovery provides efciency.
Its plug-and-desalt design allows straightfor-
ward, fast installation and operation. Oil-free, water-based lubrication
and proven axial piston technology make it reliable, safe and environ-
mentally friendly. 804/222-1818; www.ksbusa.com.

Reverse osmosis control system
RO WISE water process controls from
PRIMEX Controls combine control hard-
ware platforms with Process PRO modular
program architecture to provide process
control, data storage, and remote monitor-
ing and operation for reverse osmosis applications. Systems include an
HMI main touch screen offering easy operation, exible congurability,
continuous process variable monitoring, normalization data, language
selection, real-time units conversion, cycle counts and run times for all
valves and pumps. Data storage tracks trends for process variables and
changes to system settings. With Internet access at the site, the system
offers remote monitoring, access to trend data, and email and SMS mes-
saging of alarms. 844/477-4639; www.primexcontrols.com.

Sand/Membrane/Ion Exchange/Activated
Carbon Filtration Systems

Small-particle lter cartridges
LT2 cartridges and housings from Harmsco exceed the
three-log (99.9 percent) removal requirement described in
the LT2 ESWTR Toolbox Guidance Manual 8.4.1 for cyst-
sized particles. They can control Cryptosporidium, Giardia
and other pathogens. 800/327-3248; www.harmsco.com.

Hollow-ber ultraltration
The TARGA II hollow-ber ultraltration system
from Koch Membrane Systems ts drinking
water, RO pretreatment, tertiary wastewater
treatment and other applications. Designed
with the Safe Drinking Water Act and World (continued)
BY CRAIG MANDLI
Clariers/Components

Sedimentation basin oor cleaner
The SedVac sedimentation removal system for
drinking water plants from Brentwood Industries
cleans the sedimentation basin oor, removing sol-
ids without clogging, regardless of inuent qual-
ity. Its header is designed to engulf and funnel
the sludge blanket to the discharge hose. Powered
by cable-drive technology along a guide track anchored to the basin oor,
it can operate daily or continuously in plants up to 380 feet long. 610/374-
5109; www.brentwoodindustries.com.

Molded clarier access grating
Molded grating for clarier access from Fibergrate
Composite Structures is certied to NSF Standard 61
for potable water contact. It is available in numerous
grating congurations and in many panel sizes, with
various surface options. It is offered in NSF Standard 61
certied structural shapes, ladders and handrail sys-
tems for a complete solution. It is corrosion resistant
and requires minimal maintenance. It is lightweight and easy to fabri-
cate, while providing long service life and low life cycle cost. 800/527-
4043; www.bergrate.com.

Solids contact clarier
Hi-Tech solids contact clariers from Kusters
Water are used for water and wastewater treat-
ment applications, including raw water intake,
turbidity removal, cold lime softening, metals
removal and other types of high-rate clarication.
205/987-8976; www.kusterwater.com.

Rapid gravity lter feedwater clarier
The Clari-DAF clarication system from
Leopold a Xylem Brand for pretreatment
of rapid gravity lter feedwater provides
consistent water quality while operating
at increased loading rates. It has low
operating cost through optimized point
of addition of all chemicals and optimized mixing
energy. Its clarication technology removes low-density particulates as
well as Giardia and Cryptosporidium. It reduces operation and mainte-
nance costs through lower energy and chemical usage and less time to
dewater. 704/409-9700; www.fbleopold.com.

Automatic sludge blanket level detector
The Automatic Sludge Blanket Level Detec-
tor from Markland Specialty Engineering
helps drinking water plants monitor interface
levels in clariers, upow lter reactors and
gravity settlers. It allows users to program de-sludge pumps to
operate only when necessary, preventing carryover and optimiz-
ing feed density for improved lter press/centrifuge perfor-
mance. A slim prole and high-intensity infrared light make it
suited for obstructed or constricted areas. 855/873-7791; www.
sludgecontrols.com.
Coagulants/Flocculants

Flash mixer
The InstoMix high-energy ash mixer from Walker
Process Equipment disperses coagulant and
other occulent solutions into raw water. The
ash blending of coagulant (within millisec-
onds) results in optimum oc formation and max-
imizes chemical economy. Units are constructed for ange
mounting directly in the pipeline and are equipped with an internal-feed
manifold to distribute solutions uniformly throughout the sectionalized
mixer body. The in-line design allows a low energy input, low headloss
and high G-Value result. The mixer can be custom-sized to produce a
desired G-Value. Units are available for 8- to 72-inch pipelines. 630/892-
7921; www.walker-process.com.

Desalination Filtration Systems

Stainless steel lter housings
Multi-cartridge, jumbo and bag lter stainless steel
housings from Neologic Solutions are available with 3M
epoxy coating for seawater applications. They are available
in a number of sizes with ow rates up to 1,200 gpm in the
multi-round jumbo housing. With V-band clamp or swing
bolt closures, they are designed for quick cartridge change-
outs. The heat-curable, fusion-bonded epoxy coating is
sprayed onto preheated steel to create a uniform barrier against seawater
or harsh chemicals. 855/896-3525; www.neologicsolutions.com.

Membranes

Pressurized membrane system
The MEMCOR CP II pressurized, pre-engineered
membrane system from Evoqua Water Technologies
has a modular building-block conguration and com-
pact footprint. It uses PVDF UF membrane technol-
ogy and has design enhancements that reduce
installation costs, improve system performance and
simplify operations. It is suited for new installations and facility upgrades.
It combines durable materials and reusable housings with easy module
access that reduces maintenance and delivers value over the system life
cycle. 866/926-8420; www.evoqua.com.

Polymers/Components

Drum thickener
The ALDRUM G3 drum thickener from
Alfa Laval increases solids load capacity up to
30 percent within the same footprint as the com-
panys standard unit. The feed zone provides lower polymer consump-
PRODUCT FOCUS:
TREATMENT, FILTRATION AND DESALINATION BY CRAIG MANDLI
tion, while power plates reduce power consumption by the decanter
centrifuges. The Slimline design of the centrifuges and a smaller con-
veyor diameter provide room for more liquid in the pond and higher bowl
wall pressures for a drier cake. 866/253-2528; www.alfalaval.us.

Pretreatment Chemicals

Sodium chlorite
ADOX Sodium Chlorite from DuPont Clean Water Technologies is
used in generating chlorine dioxide using DuPont MG III generators.
Chlorine dioxide has highly selective oxidizing properties that enable
lower dosages. It remains a truly dissolved gas in water and retains its
useful oxidative and biocidal properties throughout a broad pH range (2
to 10). It does not chlorinate organics to form halogenated disinfection
byproducts. It is approved for use by the U.S. EPA and the World Health
Organization. 302/999-2709; www.dupont.com.

Dry chemical feeder
The stainless steel volumetric Dry Chemical
Feeder from Eagle Microsystems uses direct drive
to ensure optimum performance and durability in
harsh environments. With no external gears, pulleys,
chains, belts or lubrications, it is user-friendly and
low-maintenance. Chemical feed is controlled by
electronic SCR speed control for accuracy. It is cus-
tomizable to t any process. 610/323-2250; www.
eaglemicrosystems.com.

Sodium hypochlorite generator
The SciCHLOR Sodium Hypochlorite Genera-
tor with SciCELL technology from Scienco/FAST
automatically produces chlorine on demand using a
recirculation method to concentrate the brine and
allow the system to run at optimum salinity and
increase power efciency. Available in capacities
from 10 to 60 pounds of produced hypochlorite per
day, it generates an optimal 0.8 percent sodium hypochlorite solution
using salt, water and electricity. It includes an integral brine tank, chlo-
rine storage tankage, control panel, multi-pass SciCELL unit and recir-
culation pump. 866/652-4539; www.sciencofast.com.

Reverse Osmosis

Composite solenoid valves
The 212 Series of composite solenoid valves
from ASCO Numatics incorporate the FasN
universal connection system. They are designed
for water purication and conditioning systems in commercial and indus-
trial applications. The valves are rated at up to 150 psi and 180 degrees F.
The durable, lightweight engineered plastic bodies are tested to achieve
up to 1 million operating cycles. The valves are suited for use in midsize
reverse osmosis systems where lead-free and NSF-approved construc-
tions are required. 800/972-2726; www.ascovalve.com.

Dow reverse osmosis elements
Filmtec ECO reverse osmosis elements from Dow
Water and Process Solutions combine membrane chem-
istry and low dP feed spacers for lower energy costs and
reduced chemical consumption when RO is followed by a
mixed-bed ion exchange unit. The elements, available in
ECO-4001 and ECO-440i congurations, are designed to
deliver up to 40 percent lower salt passage with up to 30
percent less energy input. www.dow.com/liquidseps.

Reverse osmosis pressure pump system
The SALINO Pressure Center from KSB combines a high-pressure
pump, energy recovery device, booster pump
and electric motor in a compact reverse osmo-
sis system. Few working parts mean low initial
cost and maintenance expense. The systems
integrated energy recovery provides efciency.
Its plug-and-desalt design allows straightfor-
ward, fast installation and operation. Oil-free, water-based lubrication
and proven axial piston technology make it reliable, safe and environ-
mentally friendly. 804/222-1818; www.ksbusa.com.

Reverse osmosis control system
RO WISE water process controls from
PRIMEX Controls combine control hard-
ware platforms with Process PRO modular
program architecture to provide process
control, data storage, and remote monitor-
ing and operation for reverse osmosis applications. Systems include an
HMI main touch screen offering easy operation, exible congurability,
continuous process variable monitoring, normalization data, language
selection, real-time units conversion, cycle counts and run times for all
valves and pumps. Data storage tracks trends for process variables and
changes to system settings. With Internet access at the site, the system
offers remote monitoring, access to trend data, and email and SMS mes-
saging of alarms. 844/477-4639; www.primexcontrols.com.

Sand/Membrane/Ion Exchange/Activated
Carbon Filtration Systems

Small-particle lter cartridges
LT2 cartridges and housings from Harmsco exceed the
three-log (99.9 percent) removal requirement described in
the LT2 ESWTR Toolbox Guidance Manual 8.4.1 for cyst-
sized particles. They can control Cryptosporidium, Giardia
and other pathogens. 800/327-3248; www.harmsco.com.

Hollow-ber ultraltration
The TARGA II hollow-ber ultraltration system
from Koch Membrane Systems ts drinking
water, RO pretreatment, tertiary wastewater
treatment and other applications. Designed
with the Safe Drinking Water Act and World (continued)
BY CRAIG MANDLI
Health Organization guidelines for drinking water in mind, it provides
greater than 4 log removal of bacteria, viruses, Cryptosporidium and Giar-
dia. Fibers have smooth inner core morphology and small pore size,
allowing pathogens to be trapped and swept away. 888/677-5624; www.
kochmembrane.com.

Carbon ltration process
The ACTIFLO Carb process from
Kruger facilitates removal of natural
organic matter (NOM), taste and odor
compounds, endocrine disruptors and
pesticides with the combined benets
of ballasted clarication and the adsorption capacities of powdered acti-
vated carbon (PAC). It can be applied to drinking water and wastewater
and operates in a small footprint. Since the PAC is recycled within the
process, dosages are reduced and the solids handling capabilities allow
for high concentrations of PAC to be maintained in the system. The pro-
cess is adaptable to changes in raw-water quality by modifying the fresh
PAC dose. The process train can be used with or without PAC based on
seasonal demands. 919/677-8310; www.krugerusa.com.

Diatomaceous earth lter
Vacuum diatomaceous earth lters from
Separmatic are easy to operate and maintain.
Tank ushing is required approximately every
two weeks, assisted by the reciprocating spray
bars and internal ush system. The unit can be
operated by unskilled personnel. Aside from infrequent lter element
fabric replacement, maintenance is minimal. Units are available in capac-
ities as low as 5 gpm and can be skid or trailer mounted for portability.
Tanks are constructed of stainless steel in 304 or 316 material. 414/466-
5200; www.separmaticsystems.com.

Ion exchange treatment resin
The NutrIX-P ion exchange treatment process from
Tonka Water uses a specialty formula to treat phos-
phates. It is a macroporous styrene/divinylbenzene
copolymer with enhanced quaternary amine functional
groups supplied in chloride form. 763/559-2837; www.
tonkawater.com.

Ultraltration membrane treatment system
The AltaPac ultraltration membrane treatment package system
from WesTech Engineering can process ows up
to 100 gpm on surface water and 180 gpm on
groundwater. It can be upgraded by adding a
module and changing the ow setpoint. Systems
are fully functional, self-contained skids that have
all of the features and benets of the full-scale
AltaFilter, including automated operation and
daily integrity tests. They contain all the components for a complete and
operable water treatment system. 801/265-1000; www.westech-inc.com.

Screens/Screening Systems

Underdrain system
The Phoenix underdrain system from AWI has
stainless steel construction, a low-prole design, a
bolt-together system for easy installation, and direct
retention to eliminate gravel for lter media support. Each air and water
orice is sized using a computer program, assuring uniform distribution
throughout the lter. A separate air and water channel eliminates wave
action in the laterals and air header. 801/566-1700; www.awilter.com.

Bar screen
Bar screens from Hendrick Screen Company
include a passive water intake screen, at intake
and sh diversion screens, header laterals and
pipe laterals, sieves and strainer screens. They
are constructed from 304 and 316L stainless steel
and copper-nickel, and are ISO 9001:2008 certied. 270/685-5138; www.
hendrickscreenco.com.

Filter media scouring unit
Modular Air Scour units from Unilt Corpora-
tion dont require the removal of lter media or
underdrain replacement. Laser-cut microslits resist
clogging to help reduce maintenance and system
failures. Retrot options are available. Units are
made of 304 stainless steel. The system includes a
diesel-powered blower with automated controls,
temporary piping and anchorage, as well as comprehensive operator
training. It exceeds AWWA B100-09 and is listed under NSF Standard 61.
800/752-3899; www.unilt.com. wso
PRODUCT FOCUS:
TREATMENT, FILTRATION AND DESALINATION

inspiring, stimulating, motivating
Savored by municipal wastewater
professionals everywhere.
Get your ll for free. Subscribe at www.tpomag.com
Filter cartridges reduce contaminants in desalination system

Problem
A private club on the Atlantic Ocean in Rhode Island relied on desal-
ination for drinking water. Northeast Water Solutions Inc. (NWSI)
helped during startup of the initial RO system. The source water con-
tained elevated TDS, iron and manganese. The system ran for 15 minutes
before it automatically shut down due to terminal pressure drop across
the RO membranes. The preltration plan was inadequate given the qual-
ity of the water and the strict limitations imposed by the state Depart-
ment of Environmental Management.

Solution
NWSI installed a new treatment system consisting of 5-micron bag
lters followed by 25 1-micron dual-gradient cartridge lters and then a
2,000-gallon atmospheric storage tank. After repressurization to 40 psi,
the water stream is directed through duplex parallel NanoCeram
4.5- by 20-inch pleated lters from Argonide Corp. Flow is then
directed through 1-micron nal prelters before a 7,500 gpd RO system.
The recovered water ows into a
1,000-gallon atmospheric stor-
age tank followed by UV disin-
fection before entering the water
distribution pump station feed-
ing the resort. The reject water
is discharged to an ocean out-
fall. A remote maintenance sys-
tem monitors pressure drop
across each step in the ltration process.

RESULT
The lter cartridges have decreased the frequency of membrane
cleaning by reducing iron and manganese in the feedwater. Monitoring
provides the client with worry-free service and plentiful drinking water.
The system is now in compliance with state regulations. 407/322-2500;
www.argonide.com.
Air strippers remove vinyl chloride contamination

Problem
A South Florida municipality had three drinking water wells contam-
inated with vinyl chloride from an unknown source. The wells were
needed to meet water demand and could not be taken out of service. The
community needed a quick and economical solution for the short and
long term.

Solution
Within six weeks of notication, Carbonair Environmental Sys-
tems supplied two rental STAT 720 low-prole air strippers to
remove the vinyl chloride. For a permanent solution, the city bought the
two rental units and one additional STAT 720. Carbonair assisted with
the design of the permanent system and supplied a system-control pack-
age integrated with the citys SCADA system.
RESULT
The resulting system routinely reduces vinyl chloride from an average
of 13.1 ug/L to less than 0.5 ug/L, saving the city signicant money and avoid-
ing a short-term water shortage. 800/526-4999; www.carbonair.com. wso
Underdrains retrotted into compact footprint

Problem
In an upgrade of its drinking water plant to eliminate taste and odor
complaints, the town of Palmer, Mass., needed a 6-foot bed of granular
activated carbon (GAC). However, the plants layout limited the maxi-
mum dimensions of the tank that could be retrotted to the site.

Solution
By installing low-prole Triton underdrains and a slightly deeper
ltration tank, the town was able to accommodate a full 6-foot-deep
GAC bed. The Vee-Wire Technology from Bilnger Water Technologies
in the underdrains has wedge wire elements placed 0.005 inch apart to
create an upper surface that holds granular media without a traditional
gravel bed. That allows systems to accommodate more media, enabling
greater depth ltration and more contaminant removal. It maintains a
6 percent open area, minimizing
headloss and plugging. During
backwash, the narrowing prole
between each pair of wires acts like
a nozzle, accelerating the ow of
air and water to backwash and agi-
tate the media, creating a uniform,
uidized cleaning action.

RESULT
The water treatment plant is
running with high efciency and minimal operating cost in its existing
footprint. 800/833-9473; www.water.bilnger.com.
CASE STUDIES:
BY CRAIG MANDLI
Health Organization guidelines for drinking water in mind, it provides
greater than 4 log removal of bacteria, viruses, Cryptosporidium and Giar-
dia. Fibers have smooth inner core morphology and small pore size,
allowing pathogens to be trapped and swept away. 888/677-5624; www.
kochmembrane.com.

Carbon ltration process
The ACTIFLO Carb process from
Kruger facilitates removal of natural
organic matter (NOM), taste and odor
compounds, endocrine disruptors and
pesticides with the combined benets
of ballasted clarication and the adsorption capacities of powdered acti-
vated carbon (PAC). It can be applied to drinking water and wastewater
and operates in a small footprint. Since the PAC is recycled within the
process, dosages are reduced and the solids handling capabilities allow
for high concentrations of PAC to be maintained in the system. The pro-
cess is adaptable to changes in raw-water quality by modifying the fresh
PAC dose. The process train can be used with or without PAC based on
seasonal demands. 919/677-8310; www.krugerusa.com.

Diatomaceous earth lter
Vacuum diatomaceous earth lters from
Separmatic are easy to operate and maintain.
Tank ushing is required approximately every
two weeks, assisted by the reciprocating spray
bars and internal ush system. The unit can be
operated by unskilled personnel. Aside from infrequent lter element
fabric replacement, maintenance is minimal. Units are available in capac-
ities as low as 5 gpm and can be skid or trailer mounted for portability.
Tanks are constructed of stainless steel in 304 or 316 material. 414/466-
5200; www.separmaticsystems.com.

Ion exchange treatment resin
The NutrIX-P ion exchange treatment process from
Tonka Water uses a specialty formula to treat phos-
phates. It is a macroporous styrene/divinylbenzene
copolymer with enhanced quaternary amine functional
groups supplied in chloride form. 763/559-2837; www.
tonkawater.com.

Ultraltration membrane treatment system
The AltaPac ultraltration membrane treatment package system
from WesTech Engineering can process ows up
to 100 gpm on surface water and 180 gpm on
groundwater. It can be upgraded by adding a
module and changing the ow setpoint. Systems
are fully functional, self-contained skids that have
all of the features and benets of the full-scale
AltaFilter, including automated operation and
daily integrity tests. They contain all the components for a complete and
operable water treatment system. 801/265-1000; www.westech-inc.com.

Screens/Screening Systems

Underdrain system
The Phoenix underdrain system from AWI has
stainless steel construction, a low-prole design, a
bolt-together system for easy installation, and direct
retention to eliminate gravel for lter media support. Each air and water
orice is sized using a computer program, assuring uniform distribution
throughout the lter. A separate air and water channel eliminates wave
action in the laterals and air header. 801/566-1700; www.awilter.com.

Bar screen
Bar screens from Hendrick Screen Company
include a passive water intake screen, at intake
and sh diversion screens, header laterals and
pipe laterals, sieves and strainer screens. They
are constructed from 304 and 316L stainless steel
and copper-nickel, and are ISO 9001:2008 certied. 270/685-5138; www.
hendrickscreenco.com.

Filter media scouring unit
Modular Air Scour units from Unilt Corpora-
tion dont require the removal of lter media or
underdrain replacement. Laser-cut microslits resist
clogging to help reduce maintenance and system
failures. Retrot options are available. Units are
made of 304 stainless steel. The system includes a
diesel-powered blower with automated controls,
temporary piping and anchorage, as well as comprehensive operator
training. It exceeds AWWA B100-09 and is listed under NSF Standard 61.
800/752-3899; www.unilt.com. wso
PRODUCT FOCUS:

inspiring, stimulating, motivating
Savored by municipal wastewater
professionals everywhere.
Get your ll for free. Subscribe at www.tpomag.com
Filter cartridges reduce contaminants in desalination system

Problem
A private club on the Atlantic Ocean in Rhode Island relied on desal-
ination for drinking water. Northeast Water Solutions Inc. (NWSI)
helped during startup of the initial RO system. The source water con-
tained elevated TDS, iron and manganese. The system ran for 15 minutes
before it automatically shut down due to terminal pressure drop across
the RO membranes. The preltration plan was inadequate given the qual-
ity of the water and the strict limitations imposed by the state Depart-
ment of Environmental Management.

Solution
NWSI installed a new treatment system consisting of 5-micron bag
lters followed by 25 1-micron dual-gradient cartridge lters and then a
2,000-gallon atmospheric storage tank. After repressurization to 40 psi,
the water stream is directed through duplex parallel NanoCeram
4.5- by 20-inch pleated lters from Argonide Corp. Flow is then
directed through 1-micron nal prelters before a 7,500 gpd RO system.
The recovered water ows into a
1,000-gallon atmospheric stor-
age tank followed by UV disin-
fection before entering the water
distribution pump station feed-
ing the resort. The reject water
is discharged to an ocean out-
fall. A remote maintenance sys-
tem monitors pressure drop
across each step in the ltration process.

RESULT
The lter cartridges have decreased the frequency of membrane
cleaning by reducing iron and manganese in the feedwater. Monitoring
provides the client with worry-free service and plentiful drinking water.
The system is now in compliance with state regulations. 407/322-2500;
www.argonide.com.
Air strippers remove vinyl chloride contamination

Problem
A South Florida municipality had three drinking water wells contam-
inated with vinyl chloride from an unknown source. The wells were
needed to meet water demand and could not be taken out of service. The
community needed a quick and economical solution for the short and
long term.

Solution
Within six weeks of notication, Carbonair Environmental Sys-
tems supplied two rental STAT 720 low-prole air strippers to
remove the vinyl chloride. For a permanent solution, the city bought the
two rental units and one additional STAT 720. Carbonair assisted with
the design of the permanent system and supplied a system-control pack-
age integrated with the citys SCADA system.
RESULT
The resulting system routinely reduces vinyl chloride from an average
of 13.1 ug/L to less than 0.5 ug/L, saving the city signicant money and avoid-
ing a short-term water shortage. 800/526-4999; www.carbonair.com. wso
Underdrains retrotted into compact footprint

Problem
In an upgrade of its drinking water plant to eliminate taste and odor
complaints, the town of Palmer, Mass., needed a 6-foot bed of granular
activated carbon (GAC). However, the plants layout limited the maxi-
mum dimensions of the tank that could be retrotted to the site.

Solution
By installing low-prole Triton underdrains and a slightly deeper
ltration tank, the town was able to accommodate a full 6-foot-deep
GAC bed. The Vee-Wire Technology from Bilnger Water Technologies
in the underdrains has wedge wire elements placed 0.005 inch apart to
create an upper surface that holds granular media without a traditional
gravel bed. That allows systems to accommodate more media, enabling
greater depth ltration and more contaminant removal. It maintains a
6 percent open area, minimizing
headloss and plugging. During
backwash, the narrowing prole
between each pair of wires acts like
a nozzle, accelerating the ow of
air and water to backwash and agi-
tate the media, creating a uniform,
uidized cleaning action.

RESULT
The water treatment plant is
running with high efciency and minimal operating cost in its existing
footprint. 800/833-9473; www.water.bilnger.com.
CASE STUDIES:
BY CRAIG MANDLI

1
|
Blue-White diaphragm metering pump
The Chempro-M diaphragm metering pump from Blue-White
Industries is designed for the injection of aggressive and/or viscous chem-
icals. The non-loss motion pump is powered by a variable-speed DC
motor. Features include a Dia-Flex single layer PVDF diaphragm for
chemical compatibility and all PVDF pump head. The LCD with UV
protective cover indicates output in several optional measurements,
including mL/mm or gpm. Intelligent electronics permit connection to
SCADA systems and other remote controllers. 714/893-8529; www.blue-
white.com.

2
|
Spire ultrasonic water meter
The Prime Series 280W Cl ultrasonic water meter from Spire
Metering Technology is designed for durability, wide dynamic range (2
to 10 inches) and leakage detection. Features include multi-path technol-
ogy, no moving parts, bidirectional ow and it is AMR/AMI ready with
pulse, M-Bus, Modbus, BACnet or wireless interface. 888/738-0188; www.
spiremt.com.

3
|
Automation Products Group Modbus network display
The Modbus Network Display from Automation Products
Group (APG) can operate in sniffer or master mode to locally display vol-
ume, level, distance and/or pressure readings from up to 10 sensors in a
Modbus RTU network. Readings are presented as a ve-digit display
with 0.4-inch characters for at-a-glance readability. 888/525-7300; www.
apgsensors.com.

4
|
Endress+Hauser FMR5X level transmitters
The Micropilot FMR5X series of free space radar level transmit-
ters from Endress+Hauser features software with multi-echo tracking
algorithms and functions to suppress echoes for 0.078 inch accuracy.
Designed for the level measurement of liquids and bulk solids, liquids
can be measured in metal or plastic tanks, stilling wells, bypass chambers
or other vessels up to 131 feet high with standard units or 197 feet with the
enhanced dynamics option. 888/363-7377; www.us.endress.com.

5
|
Val-Matic QuadroSphere ball valve
The QuadroSphere ball valve from Val-Matic Valve & Manu-
facturing Corp. features a contoured ball with four recessed surfaces that
allow solids to be ushed from the body/ball cavity, preventing them
from being trapped around the back of the seat rings and bearings.
Recessed surfaces on the ball provide lipped edges for scraping the seats
clean to avoid buildup of solids and scale. 630/941-7600; www.valmatic.
com.
6
|
Dakota Instruments acrylic owmeters
The 6A03 line of acrylic owmeters from Dakota Instruments
have interchangeable direct reading scales for air, water, argon, oxygen,
carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium and hydrogen. Dual scales display ow
rates in metric and English units. Optional scales can be developed for
diverse ow conditions. 800/879-7713; www.dakotainstruments.com.

On-site chemical generator
On-site chemical generators from MIOX Corp. are designed for
safe, lower-cost water disinfection (when compared to sodium hypo-
chlorite or chlorine gas). Mixed oxidant solution (MOS) and sodium
hypochlorite (HYPO) generators are available in a variety of sizes for
municipal and industrial appli-
cations. All systems use the same
salt, water and electrical process
to produce disinfectant. The
self-cleaning Vault generator (36
inches wide by 17 inches deep
and 65.5 inches tall) produces
15 to 60 pounds per day of
MOS and 25 to 100 pounds per
day of 100 percent free avail-
able chlorine. It requires min-
imal maintenance beyond the
annual replacement of lters.
The history of the MIOX
system dates to the early 1990s
where it was used on the bat-
tleelds of Iraq and Afghani-
stan to produce safe drinking
water for U.S. troops.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
BY ED WODALSKI
PRODUCT
NEWS
On-site chemical generators
from MIOX Corp.
1
4
3
5
2
6

7
|
PRIMEX Web-based remote monitoring system
The Pump Watch remote monitoring system from PRIMEX
Controls enables lift stations and wastewater collection systems to be
managed remotely on a PC, tablet or smartphone. Alarms are monitored
and service personnel notied by email or text message. Data and trend-
ing can be monitored 24/7 from the website. 800/746-6287; www.primex
controls.com.

8
|
FLIR iPhone thermal imager
FLIR ONE thermal imager from FLIR Systems is designed to
attach to an Apple iPhone 5, displaying a live thermal image on the
phones screen. The noncontact device detects infrared energy and con-
verts it into an electronic signal that produces a thermal image on the
phone screen and performs temperature calculations. 866/477-3687;
www.ir.com.

9
|
Chemineer static mixer
The Kenics KMX-V state mixer from Chemineer is designed
for uids with extreme viscosity or volume ratios. Features include cross-
stream mixing and ow splitting for rapid blending. Other features
include proprietary V-shaped blades, liquid dispersion/gas-liquid con-
tacting, standard dimensions to 24 inches, injectors designed to optimize
process and high volumetric ow ratios between mainstream and addi-
tive. 800/643-0641; www.chemineer.com.

10
|
Hach portable data collection
Support for mobile devices from Hach automatically col-
lects data and imports it to the WIMS management system, enabling
doForms and AuditMatic software to collect information from water and
wastewater processes. Data can be collected on Android, iPad and iPhone
(Android and IOS operating systems) mobile devices. AuditMatic also
runs on Windows Mobile hand-held computers and Windows tablets.
800/227-4224; www.hach.com.

11
|
HEMCO containment work area
The HazMax containment work area from HEMCO Corp. is
engineered to isolate large equipment distillation procedures, pilot plant
requirements, sampling, weighing and dispensing operations. The vara-
ow bafe system and bypass inlets safely vent vapors, odors and pow-
ders. The ventilated work area is constructed of corrosion-resistant
composite resin surface panels. Other features include vapor-proof or
explosion-proof lighting, secondary containment basin and raised ber-
glass grate deck oor. 800/779-4362; www.hemcocorp.com.

12
|
NK Technologies power monitoring sensor
The APN series power monitoring sensor from NK Technolo-
gies measures three phases of current and voltage and computes 14 val-
ues necessary to track power usage in the RS485 Modbus RTU format.
The monitor uses current transformers to measure amperes. The line
voltage connects directly to the transducer, up to 600 volts AC. 800/959-
4014; www.nktechnologies.com.

They were using other methods, such as iodine and hypochlo-
rite, but that would take 48 hours at least of contact time to kill
tough-to-kill-spores, such as Cryptosporidium, says Cem Candir,
vice president of sales and marketing for MIOX. At the time MIOX
used an existing electrolytic cell process to create MOS a chlo-
rine-based product that in 20 minutes of contact time could treat a
soldiers water bottle using a marker-pen-size purier.
The on-site generator (OSG) process moves water through a water
softener and into a brine tank. The brine is fed into an electrolytic
cell inside the OSG where an electrolysis process converts it into a
disinfectant (an electrical current passing through the solution turns
chloride ions into chlorine-based disinfectant).
As a byproduct you would produce hydrogen gas, but at a relatively
low concentration [which is vented], Candir says. A controller or meter
feeds the chemical into the disinfection process, or it can be piped to
a hypochloride tank, providing 24 to 48 hours of buffer capacity.
MIOX systems range from the 21- by 16- by 13.5-inch RIO Zuni
MOS, which produces 1 to 2 pounds of chemical per day, capable of
treating up to 120,000 gpd (depending on dosage), to the trailer-sized
41.5- by 92.4- by 79.2-inch RIO Gila MOS that produces from 750 to
3,000 pounds of chemical per day, capable of treating up to 360 mil-
lion gpd of frac site water.
Producing the disinfectant on site when needed eliminates the
delivery and storage of dangerous chemicals, providing a safer envi-
ronment for operators, Candir says.
Available for retrots and new construction, the generators fea-
ture air-cooled power supply, corrosion-resistant cabinet and touch-
screen display. 800/646-9426; www.miox.com.
(continued)
11
12
8
9
7
10

1
|
Blue-White diaphragm metering pump
The Chempro-M diaphragm metering pump from Blue-White
Industries is designed for the injection of aggressive and/or viscous chem-
icals. The non-loss motion pump is powered by a variable-speed DC
motor. Features include a Dia-Flex single layer PVDF diaphragm for
chemical compatibility and all PVDF pump head. The LCD with UV
protective cover indicates output in several optional measurements,
including mL/mm or gpm. Intelligent electronics permit connection to
SCADA systems and other remote controllers. 714/893-8529; www.blue-
white.com.

2
|
Spire ultrasonic water meter
The Prime Series 280W Cl ultrasonic water meter from Spire
Metering Technology is designed for durability, wide dynamic range (2
to 10 inches) and leakage detection. Features include multi-path technol-
ogy, no moving parts, bidirectional ow and it is AMR/AMI ready with
pulse, M-Bus, Modbus, BACnet or wireless interface. 888/738-0188; www.
spiremt.com.

3
|
Automation Products Group Modbus network display
The Modbus Network Display from Automation Products
Group (APG) can operate in sniffer or master mode to locally display vol-
ume, level, distance and/or pressure readings from up to 10 sensors in a
Modbus RTU network. Readings are presented as a ve-digit display
with 0.4-inch characters for at-a-glance readability. 888/525-7300; www.
apgsensors.com.

4
|
Endress+Hauser FMR5X level transmitters
The Micropilot FMR5X series of free space radar level transmit-
ters from Endress+Hauser features software with multi-echo tracking
algorithms and functions to suppress echoes for 0.078 inch accuracy.
Designed for the level measurement of liquids and bulk solids, liquids
can be measured in metal or plastic tanks, stilling wells, bypass chambers
or other vessels up to 131 feet high with standard units or 197 feet with the
enhanced dynamics option. 888/363-7377; www.us.endress.com.

5
|
Val-Matic QuadroSphere ball valve
The QuadroSphere ball valve from Val-Matic Valve & Manu-
facturing Corp. features a contoured ball with four recessed surfaces that
allow solids to be ushed from the body/ball cavity, preventing them
from being trapped around the back of the seat rings and bearings.
Recessed surfaces on the ball provide lipped edges for scraping the seats
clean to avoid buildup of solids and scale. 630/941-7600; www.valmatic.
com.
6
|
Dakota Instruments acrylic owmeters
The 6A03 line of acrylic owmeters from Dakota Instruments
have interchangeable direct reading scales for air, water, argon, oxygen,
carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium and hydrogen. Dual scales display ow
rates in metric and English units. Optional scales can be developed for
diverse ow conditions. 800/879-7713; www.dakotainstruments.com.

On-site chemical generator
On-site chemical generators from MIOX Corp. are designed for
safe, lower-cost water disinfection (when compared to sodium hypo-
chlorite or chlorine gas). Mixed oxidant solution (MOS) and sodium
hypochlorite (HYPO) generators are available in a variety of sizes for
municipal and industrial appli-
cations. All systems use the same
salt, water and electrical process
to produce disinfectant. The
self-cleaning Vault generator (36
inches wide by 17 inches deep
and 65.5 inches tall) produces
15 to 60 pounds per day of
MOS and 25 to 100 pounds per
day of 100 percent free avail-
able chlorine. It requires min-
imal maintenance beyond the
annual replacement of lters.
The history of the MIOX
system dates to the early 1990s
where it was used on the bat-
tleelds of Iraq and Afghani-
stan to produce safe drinking
water for U.S. troops.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
BY ED WODALSKI
PRODUCT
NEWS
On-site chemical generators
from MIOX Corp.
1
4
3
5
2
6

7
|
PRIMEX Web-based remote monitoring system
The Pump Watch remote monitoring system from PRIMEX
Controls enables lift stations and wastewater collection systems to be
managed remotely on a PC, tablet or smartphone. Alarms are monitored
and service personnel notied by email or text message. Data and trend-
ing can be monitored 24/7 from the website. 800/746-6287; www.primex
controls.com.

8
|
FLIR iPhone thermal imager
FLIR ONE thermal imager from FLIR Systems is designed to
attach to an Apple iPhone 5, displaying a live thermal image on the
phones screen. The noncontact device detects infrared energy and con-
verts it into an electronic signal that produces a thermal image on the
phone screen and performs temperature calculations. 866/477-3687;
www.ir.com.

9
|
Chemineer static mixer
The Kenics KMX-V state mixer from Chemineer is designed
for uids with extreme viscosity or volume ratios. Features include cross-
stream mixing and ow splitting for rapid blending. Other features
include proprietary V-shaped blades, liquid dispersion/gas-liquid con-
tacting, standard dimensions to 24 inches, injectors designed to optimize
process and high volumetric ow ratios between mainstream and addi-
tive. 800/643-0641; www.chemineer.com.

10
|
Hach portable data collection
Support for mobile devices from Hach automatically col-
lects data and imports it to the WIMS management system, enabling
doForms and AuditMatic software to collect information from water and
wastewater processes. Data can be collected on Android, iPad and iPhone
(Android and IOS operating systems) mobile devices. AuditMatic also
runs on Windows Mobile hand-held computers and Windows tablets.
800/227-4224; www.hach.com.

11
|
HEMCO containment work area
The HazMax containment work area from HEMCO Corp. is
engineered to isolate large equipment distillation procedures, pilot plant
requirements, sampling, weighing and dispensing operations. The vara-
ow bafe system and bypass inlets safely vent vapors, odors and pow-
ders. The ventilated work area is constructed of corrosion-resistant
composite resin surface panels. Other features include vapor-proof or
explosion-proof lighting, secondary containment basin and raised ber-
glass grate deck oor. 800/779-4362; www.hemcocorp.com.

12
|
NK Technologies power monitoring sensor
The APN series power monitoring sensor from NK Technolo-
gies measures three phases of current and voltage and computes 14 val-
ues necessary to track power usage in the RS485 Modbus RTU format.
The monitor uses current transformers to measure amperes. The line
voltage connects directly to the transducer, up to 600 volts AC. 800/959-
4014; www.nktechnologies.com.

They were using other methods, such as iodine and hypochlo-
rite, but that would take 48 hours at least of contact time to kill
tough-to-kill-spores, such as Cryptosporidium, says Cem Candir,
vice president of sales and marketing for MIOX. At the time MIOX
used an existing electrolytic cell process to create MOS a chlo-
rine-based product that in 20 minutes of contact time could treat a
soldiers water bottle using a marker-pen-size purier.
The on-site generator (OSG) process moves water through a water
softener and into a brine tank. The brine is fed into an electrolytic
cell inside the OSG where an electrolysis process converts it into a
disinfectant (an electrical current passing through the solution turns
chloride ions into chlorine-based disinfectant).
As a byproduct you would produce hydrogen gas, but at a relatively
low concentration [which is vented], Candir says. A controller or meter
feeds the chemical into the disinfection process, or it can be piped to
a hypochloride tank, providing 24 to 48 hours of buffer capacity.
MIOX systems range from the 21- by 16- by 13.5-inch RIO Zuni
MOS, which produces 1 to 2 pounds of chemical per day, capable of
treating up to 120,000 gpd (depending on dosage), to the trailer-sized
41.5- by 92.4- by 79.2-inch RIO Gila MOS that produces from 750 to
3,000 pounds of chemical per day, capable of treating up to 360 mil-
lion gpd of frac site water.
Producing the disinfectant on site when needed eliminates the
delivery and storage of dangerous chemicals, providing a safer envi-
ronment for operators, Candir says.
Available for retrots and new construction, the generators fea-
ture air-cooled power supply, corrosion-resistant cabinet and touch-
screen display. 800/646-9426; www.miox.com.
(continued)
11
12
8
9
7
10

PRODUCT
NEWS
13
|
Xylem performance upgrade UV kits
Ecoray upgrade kits from Wedeco a Xylem Brand,
reduce the energy consumption of an ultraviolet disinfection system
by up to 30 percent. Kits include Wedeco Ecoray UV lamps with bal-
lasts that enable the lamps to consistently perform for 14,000 hours.
Sensors guarantee accurate measurements and support optimum oper-
ation. Wipers and sleeves keep sensors free from dirt. 704/409-9700;
www.wedeco.com/us.

14
|
Guardair pneumatic Gun Vac
The pneumatic Flexible Gun Vac from Guardair Corp.
has an 18-inch by 1 5/16-inch O.D. tapered exible metal extension.
The tapered vacuum inlet accepts standard 1 1/4-inch vacuum acces-
sories. Designed for industrial cleaning, features include comfort grip,
ltration collection bag and dual 1/4-inch FNPT air inlets (bottom
and rear). 800/482-7324; www.guardaircorp.com.

15
|
Thermo Scientic chlorine analyzer
The Orion Chlorine XP online process analyzer from
Thermo Fisher Scientic measures chlorine and other water-quality
parameters, including pH and temperature. Designed for drinking
water, industrial and wastewater treatment applications, the analyzer
uses colorimetric DPD chemistry to provide measurements of free,
total residual and combined chlorine. 978/232-6000; www.thermo
scientic.com/processwater.

16
|
Sodimate custom-fabricated slurry tanks
Custom-fabricated slurry tanks from Sodimate include
mixer, waterboard (with solenoid valves and owmeters), level control
systems and connections for slurry pumping and draining. Tanks are
made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), stainless steel or ber-
glass with volumes ranging from 130 to 750 gallons. The dust-free
tanks are designed to hold dry hydrated lime, powdered activated car-
bon (PAC) and polymers. 773/665-8800; www.sodimate-inc.com.

17
|
ExakTime Mobile 2.0 for Apple devices
The Mobile 23.0 time tracking app from ExakTime is
designed for all IOS devices, including Apple iPhone and iPad prod-
ucts. Features include Team View, a GPS-enabled oversight option
that enables a supervisor to view a map showing the clock-in coordi-
nates of all company employees. 877/435-6411; www.exaktime.com.
18
|
Pump Solutions Group AODD pumps
Almatec E-Series air-operated double diaphragm (AODD)
pumps from Pump Solutions Group feature a plastic, solid-body
design for general chemical transfer. Plastic AH-Series AODD pumps
in high-pressure congurations are designed for charging lter presses
with chemical waste and sludge. 909/557-2900; www.psgdover.com.

19
|
Tintometer water-quality colorimeter
The Lovibond MD 600 colorimeter from The Tintometer
Group (formerly Orbeco-Hellige) features a six LED photodetector
array that supports 120 preprogrammed methods, including DPD
chlorine, COD, phosphate and molybdate. Additional features include
1,000 data point storage, uploads via the Internet, infrared interface
for data transfer and user calibration mode. 800/922-5242; www.
tintometer.us.
20
|
Franklin Electric submersible turbines
STS Series submersible turbine pumps by Franklin Elec-
tric are designed for harsh environments. Features include ductile iron
bowls, discharges, motor brackets, investment cast 304SS impellers,
lengthened bronze discharge bearing and bronze motor bracket bear-
ing. Custom options are available. 866/271-2859; www.franklinwater.
com. wso

13
14
17
19
20
15
16
18
Xylem opens dewatering branch in Florida
Xylem opened a dewatering branch in Pompano Beach, Fla. Managed
by Mike Sturgill, the 12,000-square-foot facility is located at 1201 NW
18th St.

Franklin Electric names chief executive ofcer
Franklin Electric named Gregg C. Sengstack chief executive ofcer.
He replaces R. Scott Trumbull who retired in May. Trumbull will remain
the companys nonexecutive chairman.

Electro Static releases AEGIS repair handbook
The AEGIS Shaft Grounding Ring Motor Repair Handbook from Elec-
tro Static Technology describes best practices for protecting motor bear-
ings from electrical damage. The book explains how to diagnose electrical
bearing damage caused by variable-frequency drives, known as inverters.
It also explains best practices for preventing damage to motors of various
sizes and horsepower. The book can be downloaded at www.est-aegis.
com/bearing.

HOBAS recertied to ISO 9001, 14001
HOBAS Pipe USA was recertied in accordance with ISO 9001 and
14001. The certicates verify the establishment and application of quality
(9001) and environmental (14001) management systems for development,
production, sales and customer service of centrifugally cast berglass-
reinforced polymer mortar (CCFRPM) pipes.
Orbeco-Hellige transitions to Lovibond brand
Orbeco-Hellige, a member of the Tintometer Group, has transitioned
to selling products under the Lovibond brand. Orbeco-Hellige had been
selling products under the Orbeco-Hellige brand since its acquisition by
Tintometer in 2006.

Sauereisen names
technical service specialist
Sauereisen, manufacturer of corrosion-resistant
materials, named Brian Wagner technical service
specialist.

Reed redesigns website
Reed Manufacturing Co.s redesigned website, www.reedmfgco.com,
includes tool training videos, new products, promotions and distributor
locator.

ESCO sells Aclara Technologies
ESCO Technologies sold Aclara Technologies to an afliate of Sun
Capital Partners for approximately $130 million. Net cash proceeds are
estimated to be $130 million after taxes and expenses.

American Water names CFO
American Water Works Company named Linda G. Sullivan senior
vice president and chief nancial ofcer. She succeeds Susan Story, who
was named president and chief nancial ofcer.

Evoqua board names interim CEO, CFO
The Evoqua Water Technologies Board of Directors named Gary
Cappeline interim chief executive ofcer and Mark Roos interim chief
nancial ofcer.

SEPCO launches website
SEPCO launched a new corporate website, www.sepco.com. The site
features product descriptions, downloadable data sheets and customer
feedback. wso
INDUSTRY
NEWS
Brian Wagner
Tigg wins contracts for two New York
municipal drinking water projects
TIGG Corporation won two competitively bid contracts on Long
Island, N.Y., to provide drinking water purication equipment worth a
total of $500,000. The company delivered a custom-made dual-vessel CP
20K-10 activated carbon water purication system to the Roslyn Water
District. Each of the integrated systems two 10-foot-diameter vessels will
operate at 150 psi an1d handle ows up to 750 gpm. The Locust Valley
Water District received a custom CP 20K-12 system. Each of the two
12-foot-diameter vessels will have a maximum operating pressure of 150
psi and will handle ow of 750 gpm. Both systems hold 40,000 pounds of
granular activated carbon.

Ohio city selects Neptune-Benson as UV system
provider for drinking water
Engineered Treatment Systems (ETS) won a contract to supply UV
treatment systems for the Dr. Dimiter Ramandanoff Water Treatment
Plant in Berea, Ohio, a western suburb of Cleveland with 20,000 resi-
dents. The disinfection system will consist of two ETS SX-425-10 drink-
ing water reactors, each installed after a carbon-based ltration system
and able to treat up to 3.6 mgd peak ow for a transmittance of 84
percent.
Worlds largest UV disinfection facility wins
Best of the Best Projects Award
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Catskill-Delaware UV Disinfection Facility, the largest UV water treat-
ment facility in the world, was selected by Engineering News-Record as a
2013 Best of the Best Projects award winner for design and construction
excellence. The facility includes several rsts, including the installation
of equipment record-setting in size and demonstrates an exemplary
application of UV technology. CH2M HILL, in partnership with Arcadis,
was construction manager on the $1.3 billion project. The facility treats
2.2 bgd for 9 million residents. wso
Contracts & Awards

PRODUCT
NEWS
13
|
Xylem performance upgrade UV kits
Ecoray upgrade kits from Wedeco a Xylem Brand,
reduce the energy consumption of an ultraviolet disinfection system
by up to 30 percent. Kits include Wedeco Ecoray UV lamps with bal-
lasts that enable the lamps to consistently perform for 14,000 hours.
Sensors guarantee accurate measurements and support optimum oper-
ation. Wipers and sleeves keep sensors free from dirt. 704/409-9700;
www.wedeco.com/us.

14
|
Guardair pneumatic Gun Vac
The pneumatic Flexible Gun Vac from Guardair Corp.
has an 18-inch by 1 5/16-inch O.D. tapered exible metal extension.
The tapered vacuum inlet accepts standard 1 1/4-inch vacuum acces-
sories. Designed for industrial cleaning, features include comfort grip,
ltration collection bag and dual 1/4-inch FNPT air inlets (bottom
and rear). 800/482-7324; www.guardaircorp.com.

15
|
Thermo Scientic chlorine analyzer
The Orion Chlorine XP online process analyzer from
Thermo Fisher Scientic measures chlorine and other water-quality
parameters, including pH and temperature. Designed for drinking
water, industrial and wastewater treatment applications, the analyzer
uses colorimetric DPD chemistry to provide measurements of free,
total residual and combined chlorine. 978/232-6000; www.thermo
scientic.com/processwater.

16
|
Sodimate custom-fabricated slurry tanks
Custom-fabricated slurry tanks from Sodimate include
mixer, waterboard (with solenoid valves and owmeters), level control
systems and connections for slurry pumping and draining. Tanks are
made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), stainless steel or ber-
glass with volumes ranging from 130 to 750 gallons. The dust-free
tanks are designed to hold dry hydrated lime, powdered activated car-
bon (PAC) and polymers. 773/665-8800; www.sodimate-inc.com.

17
|
ExakTime Mobile 2.0 for Apple devices
The Mobile 23.0 time tracking app from ExakTime is
designed for all IOS devices, including Apple iPhone and iPad prod-
ucts. Features include Team View, a GPS-enabled oversight option
that enables a supervisor to view a map showing the clock-in coordi-
nates of all company employees. 877/435-6411; www.exaktime.com.
18
|
Pump Solutions Group AODD pumps
Almatec E-Series air-operated double diaphragm (AODD)
pumps from Pump Solutions Group feature a plastic, solid-body
design for general chemical transfer. Plastic AH-Series AODD pumps
in high-pressure congurations are designed for charging lter presses
with chemical waste and sludge. 909/557-2900; www.psgdover.com.

19
|
Tintometer water-quality colorimeter
The Lovibond MD 600 colorimeter from The Tintometer
Group (formerly Orbeco-Hellige) features a six LED photodetector
array that supports 120 preprogrammed methods, including DPD
chlorine, COD, phosphate and molybdate. Additional features include
1,000 data point storage, uploads via the Internet, infrared interface
for data transfer and user calibration mode. 800/922-5242; www.
tintometer.us.
20
|
Franklin Electric submersible turbines
STS Series submersible turbine pumps by Franklin Elec-
tric are designed for harsh environments. Features include ductile iron
bowls, discharges, motor brackets, investment cast 304SS impellers,
lengthened bronze discharge bearing and bronze motor bracket bear-
ing. Custom options are available. 866/271-2859; www.franklinwater.
com. wso

13
14
17
19
20
15
16
18
Xylem opens dewatering branch in Florida
Xylem opened a dewatering branch in Pompano Beach, Fla. Managed
by Mike Sturgill, the 12,000-square-foot facility is located at 1201 NW
18th St.

Franklin Electric names chief executive ofcer
Franklin Electric named Gregg C. Sengstack chief executive ofcer.
He replaces R. Scott Trumbull who retired in May. Trumbull will remain
the companys nonexecutive chairman.

Electro Static releases AEGIS repair handbook
The AEGIS Shaft Grounding Ring Motor Repair Handbook from Elec-
tro Static Technology describes best practices for protecting motor bear-
ings from electrical damage. The book explains how to diagnose electrical
bearing damage caused by variable-frequency drives, known as inverters.
It also explains best practices for preventing damage to motors of various
sizes and horsepower. The book can be downloaded at www.est-aegis.
com/bearing.

HOBAS recertied to ISO 9001, 14001
HOBAS Pipe USA was recertied in accordance with ISO 9001 and
14001. The certicates verify the establishment and application of quality
(9001) and environmental (14001) management systems for development,
production, sales and customer service of centrifugally cast berglass-
reinforced polymer mortar (CCFRPM) pipes.
Orbeco-Hellige transitions to Lovibond brand
Orbeco-Hellige, a member of the Tintometer Group, has transitioned
to selling products under the Lovibond brand. Orbeco-Hellige had been
selling products under the Orbeco-Hellige brand since its acquisition by
Tintometer in 2006.

Sauereisen names
technical service specialist
Sauereisen, manufacturer of corrosion-resistant
materials, named Brian Wagner technical service
specialist.

Reed redesigns website
Reed Manufacturing Co.s redesigned website, www.reedmfgco.com,
includes tool training videos, new products, promotions and distributor
locator.

ESCO sells Aclara Technologies
ESCO Technologies sold Aclara Technologies to an afliate of Sun
Capital Partners for approximately $130 million. Net cash proceeds are
estimated to be $130 million after taxes and expenses.

American Water names CFO
American Water Works Company named Linda G. Sullivan senior
vice president and chief nancial ofcer. She succeeds Susan Story, who
was named president and chief nancial ofcer.

Evoqua board names interim CEO, CFO
The Evoqua Water Technologies Board of Directors named Gary
Cappeline interim chief executive ofcer and Mark Roos interim chief
nancial ofcer.

SEPCO launches website
SEPCO launched a new corporate website, www.sepco.com. The site
features product descriptions, downloadable data sheets and customer
feedback. wso
INDUSTRY
NEWS
Brian Wagner
Tigg wins contracts for two New York
municipal drinking water projects
TIGG Corporation won two competitively bid contracts on Long
Island, N.Y., to provide drinking water purication equipment worth a
total of $500,000. The company delivered a custom-made dual-vessel CP
20K-10 activated carbon water purication system to the Roslyn Water
District. Each of the integrated systems two 10-foot-diameter vessels will
operate at 150 psi an1d handle ows up to 750 gpm. The Locust Valley
Water District received a custom CP 20K-12 system. Each of the two
12-foot-diameter vessels will have a maximum operating pressure of 150
psi and will handle ow of 750 gpm. Both systems hold 40,000 pounds of
granular activated carbon.

Ohio city selects Neptune-Benson as UV system
provider for drinking water
Engineered Treatment Systems (ETS) won a contract to supply UV
treatment systems for the Dr. Dimiter Ramandanoff Water Treatment
Plant in Berea, Ohio, a western suburb of Cleveland with 20,000 resi-
dents. The disinfection system will consist of two ETS SX-425-10 drink-
ing water reactors, each installed after a carbon-based ltration system
and able to treat up to 3.6 mgd peak ow for a transmittance of 84
percent.
Worlds largest UV disinfection facility wins
Best of the Best Projects Award
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Catskill-Delaware UV Disinfection Facility, the largest UV water treat-
ment facility in the world, was selected by Engineering News-Record as a
2013 Best of the Best Projects award winner for design and construction
excellence. The facility includes several rsts, including the installation
of equipment record-setting in size and demonstrates an exemplary
application of UV technology. CH2M HILL, in partnership with Arcadis,
was construction manager on the $1.3 billion project. The facility treats
2.2 bgd for 9 million residents. wso
Contracts & Awards
PEOPLE/AWARDS
Michael Hwang was named the Membrane Young Professional of the
Year at the AWWA and American Membrane Technology Association
2014 Membrane Technology Conference & Exposition. Hwang is an engi-
neer and west regional membrane technology leader for the water busi-
ness group of CH2M HILL.

The Bryte Bend Water Treatment plant in West Sacramento, Calif.,
was renamed the George Kristoff Water Plant, after the late George
Kristoff, who helped govern the region before cityhood by serving on the
East Yolo Community Services District Board.

The Bay County Water Treatment Plant in Panama City, Fla.,
received the 2013 Plant Operations Excellence Award from the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection for outstanding operation,
maintenance and compliance.

Sheila Hyatt, Cherokee (N.C.) Water Treatment Plant manager,
received the 2014 Indian Health Service Operator of the Year Award. The
Cherokee Water System serves the reservation and the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park.

Lonn Stalter retired as superintendent of the water treatment depart-
ment in Pekin, Ill., after 35 1/2 years of public works experience. He had
run the department since 1989. Bob Burton, his replacement, had been
chief water treatment technician since 1980.
EDUCATION

AWWA
The American Water Works Association is offering these courses:
July 16 Responding to Top Consumer Issues: Linking Effective
Communication with Technical Solutions webinar
July 23-25 2014 Summer Workshop, Denver, Colo.
Visit www.awwa.org.

Alabama
The Alabama Rural Water Association is offering a Clarier Optimi-
zation and Activated Sludge course in Jackson on June 25. Visit www.
alruralwater.com.

Arkansas
The Arkansas Environmental Training Academy is offering these courses:
June 16-20 Backow Assembly Tester, Conway
June 16-30 Intermediate Water Distribution, online
June 17-19 Basic Water Distribution, Camden
June 24-26 Backow Assembly Repair (Large Series), Camden
July 1-15 Advanced Water Treatment, online
July 14-18 Backow Assembly Tester, Jonesboro
July 14-24 Basic Water Treatment, Fort Smith
July 15-17 Basic Water Treatment, North Little Rock
July 16-31 Advanced Water Distribution, online
July 22-24 Backow Assembly Repair, Conway
July 29-31 Intermediate Water Treatment, Russellville
Visit www.sautech.edu/aeta/.

The Arkansas Rural Water Association is offering these courses:
June 17-19 Backow Repair, Lonoke
June 24-26 Basic Water Treatment, Lonoke
July 8 Basic Water Math, Nashville
July 9 ADH Compliance, Nashville
July 10 Applied Water Math, Nashville
July 14-18 Backow Certication, Lonoke
July 23-24 Water Specialized Training, West Helena
July 29-31 Advanced Distribution, Lonoke
Visit www.arkansasruralwater.org.

California
The California-Nevada Section of AWWA is offering these courses.
June 18 Water Use Efciency Grade I Workshop, Rancho Cucamonga
June 23 Water Use Efciency Grade 3 Workshop, Rancho Cucamonga
June 27 Backow Refresher, West Sacramento
July 25 Backow Refresher, Rancho Cucamonga
July 28 Backow Tester Course, Rancho Cucamonga
Visit www.ca-nv-awwa.org.

Colorado
The Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association is offering
these courses.
June 19 Action Now Seminar, Steamboat Springs
July 24 Action Now Seminar, Glenwood Springs
Visit www.rmwea.org.

Florida
The Florida Section of AWWA is offering these courses:
June 18 Hydrology, Drilling and Surface Geology, Orlando
June 30-July 30 AWWA eLearning
July 23 Pumps and Hydraulics, Orlando
July 31-Aug. 30 AWWA eLearning
Visit www.fsawwa.org.

Illinois
The Illinois Section of AWWA is offering these courses:
June 17 Practical Asset Management: Best Practices for Small and
Large Systems, St. Charles
Large Systems, Moline
June 24 SCADA 101, Elk Grove Village
July 10-11 Visitation Day, Elgin
Visit www.isawwa.org.

New York
The New York Section of AWWA is offering these courses:
June 18 Water Treatment O&M, Melville
June 25 Basic Laboratory Skills, Utica
July 16 Distribution System Monitoring, Woodbury
Visit www.nysawwa.org.

North Carolina
The North Carolina Section of AWWA-WEA is offering the Mainte-
nance Technologist School and Exam - Class I & II in Morganton July
14-17. Visit www.ncsafewater.org.

WSO invites your national, state or local association
to post notices and news items in the Worth Noting
column. Send contributions to editor@wsomag.com.
Worth Noting
Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Environmental Training Center is offering these courses:
June 17 Quality Assurance and Quality Control, Tulsa
June 19 Operator Math, Stillwater
June 24 Operator Math, Tulsa
June 26 Quality Assurance and Quality Control, Stillwater
July 8-10 D Water and Wastewater Operator, Stillwater
July 11 Open Exam Session, Tulsa
July 16-17 C Water Operator, Tulsa
July 22-24 D Water & Wastewater, Tulsa
July 28-31 C Water Laboratory, Stillwater
Visit www.accuratelabs.com.

Texas
The Texas Water Utilities Association is offering these courses:
June 17 CSI/CCC, New Braunfels
June 24 Surface Water Production I, Gatesville
June 24 Valve and Hydrant Maintenance, Terrell
July 7 Chlorinator Maintenance, Corpus Christi
Visit www.twua.org.

Utah
The Intermountain Section of AWWA is offering a Water System Oper-
ator Training course July 17 in Brigham City. Visit www.ims-awwa.org.

Wisconsin
The University of WisconsinMadision Department of Engineering
Professional Development is offering a Fundamentals of Drinking Water
Treatment course June 23-25 in Madison. Visit www.epdweb.engr.wisc.edu.

The UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education is offering a
Water Law for Sustainable Management course June 19 in Milwaukee.
Visit www4.uwm.edu.

The Wisconsin Rural Water Association is offering these courses:
June 17 Wells, Clintonville
June 17 Distribution System O&M, Clintonville
June 18 Wells, Jackson
June 18 Distribution System O&M, Jackson
July 22 Bloodborne Pathogens/Hazard Communication/Lockout-
Tagout, Plover
Visit www.wrwa.org. wso
July 20-23
AWWA Georgia Section 2014 Annual Conference, Savannah. Visit
www.awwa.org.

July 20-23
AWWA Kentucky-Tennessee Section 2014 Annual Conference,
Chattanooga, Tenn. Visit www.awwa.org.
EVENTS
Treatment Plant Operator
Get your FREE subscription today at www.tpomag.com

Dedicated to
Municipal Wastewater
Professionals
PEOPLE/AWARDS
Michael Hwang was named the Membrane Young Professional of the
Year at the AWWA and American Membrane Technology Association
2014 Membrane Technology Conference & Exposition. Hwang is an engi-
neer and west regional membrane technology leader for the water busi-
ness group of CH2M HILL.

The Bryte Bend Water Treatment plant in West Sacramento, Calif.,
was renamed the George Kristoff Water Plant, after the late George
Kristoff, who helped govern the region before cityhood by serving on the
East Yolo Community Services District Board.

The Bay County Water Treatment Plant in Panama City, Fla.,
received the 2013 Plant Operations Excellence Award from the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection for outstanding operation,
maintenance and compliance.

Sheila Hyatt, Cherokee (N.C.) Water Treatment Plant manager,
received the 2014 Indian Health Service Operator of the Year Award. The
Cherokee Water System serves the reservation and the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park.

Lonn Stalter retired as superintendent of the water treatment depart-
ment in Pekin, Ill., after 35 1/2 years of public works experience. He had
run the department since 1989. Bob Burton, his replacement, had been
chief water treatment technician since 1980.
EDUCATION

AWWA
The American Water Works Association is offering these courses:
July 16 Responding to Top Consumer Issues: Linking Effective
Communication with Technical Solutions webinar
July 23-25 2014 Summer Workshop, Denver, Colo.
Visit www.awwa.org.

Alabama
The Alabama Rural Water Association is offering a Clarier Optimi-
zation and Activated Sludge course in Jackson on June 25. Visit www.
alruralwater.com.

Arkansas
The Arkansas Environmental Training Academy is offering these courses:
June 16-20 Backow Assembly Tester, Conway
June 16-30 Intermediate Water Distribution, online
June 17-19 Basic Water Distribution, Camden
June 24-26 Backow Assembly Repair (Large Series), Camden
July 1-15 Advanced Water Treatment, online
July 14-18 Backow Assembly Tester, Jonesboro
July 14-24 Basic Water Treatment, Fort Smith
July 15-17 Basic Water Treatment, North Little Rock
July 16-31 Advanced Water Distribution, online
July 22-24 Backow Assembly Repair, Conway
July 29-31 Intermediate Water Treatment, Russellville
Visit www.sautech.edu/aeta/.

The Arkansas Rural Water Association is offering these courses:
June 17-19 Backow Repair, Lonoke
June 24-26 Basic Water Treatment, Lonoke
July 8 Basic Water Math, Nashville
July 9 ADH Compliance, Nashville
July 10 Applied Water Math, Nashville
July 14-18 Backow Certication, Lonoke
July 23-24 Water Specialized Training, West Helena
July 29-31 Advanced Distribution, Lonoke
Visit www.arkansasruralwater.org.

California
The California-Nevada Section of AWWA is offering these courses.
June 18 Water Use Efciency Grade I Workshop, Rancho Cucamonga
June 23 Water Use Efciency Grade 3 Workshop, Rancho Cucamonga
June 27 Backow Refresher, West Sacramento
July 25 Backow Refresher, Rancho Cucamonga
July 28 Backow Tester Course, Rancho Cucamonga
Visit www.ca-nv-awwa.org.

Colorado
The Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association is offering
these courses.
June 19 Action Now Seminar, Steamboat Springs
July 24 Action Now Seminar, Glenwood Springs
Visit www.rmwea.org.

Florida
The Florida Section of AWWA is offering these courses:
June 18 Hydrology, Drilling and Surface Geology, Orlando
June 30-July 30 AWWA eLearning
July 23 Pumps and Hydraulics, Orlando
July 31-Aug. 30 AWWA eLearning
Visit www.fsawwa.org.

Illinois
The Illinois Section of AWWA is offering these courses:
Large Systems, St. Charles
Large Systems, Moline
June 24 SCADA 101, Elk Grove Village
July 10-11 Visitation Day, Elgin
Visit www.isawwa.org.

New York
The New York Section of AWWA is offering these courses:
June 18 Water Treatment O&M, Melville
June 25 Basic Laboratory Skills, Utica
July 16 Distribution System Monitoring, Woodbury
Visit www.nysawwa.org.

North Carolina
The North Carolina Section of AWWA-WEA is offering the Mainte-
nance Technologist School and Exam - Class I & II in Morganton July
14-17. Visit www.ncsafewater.org.

WSO invites your national, state or local association
to post notices and news items in the Worth Noting
column. Send contributions to editor@wsomag.com.
Worth Noting
Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Environmental Training Center is offering these courses:
June 17 Quality Assurance and Quality Control, Tulsa
June 19 Operator Math, Stillwater
June 24 Operator Math, Tulsa
June 26 Quality Assurance and Quality Control, Stillwater
July 8-10 D Water and Wastewater Operator, Stillwater
July 11 Open Exam Session, Tulsa
July 16-17 C Water Operator, Tulsa
July 22-24 D Water & Wastewater, Tulsa
July 28-31 C Water Laboratory, Stillwater
Visit www.accuratelabs.com.

Texas
The Texas Water Utilities Association is offering these courses:
June 17 CSI/CCC, New Braunfels
June 24 Surface Water Production I, Gatesville
June 24 Valve and Hydrant Maintenance, Terrell
July 7 Chlorinator Maintenance, Corpus Christi
Visit www.twua.org.

Utah
The Intermountain Section of AWWA is offering a Water System Oper-
ator Training course July 17 in Brigham City. Visit www.ims-awwa.org.

Wisconsin
The University of WisconsinMadision Department of Engineering
Professional Development is offering a Fundamentals of Drinking Water
Treatment course June 23-25 in Madison. Visit www.epdweb.engr.wisc.edu.

The UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education is offering a
Water Law for Sustainable Management course June 19 in Milwaukee.
Visit www4.uwm.edu.

The Wisconsin Rural Water Association is offering these courses:
June 17 Wells, Clintonville
June 17 Distribution System O&M, Clintonville
June 18 Wells, Jackson
June 18 Distribution System O&M, Jackson
July 22 Bloodborne Pathogens/Hazard Communication/Lockout-
Tagout, Plover
Visit www.wrwa.org. wso
July 20-23
AWWA Georgia Section 2014 Annual Conference, Savannah. Visit
www.awwa.org.

July 20-23
AWWA Kentucky-Tennessee Section 2014 Annual Conference,
Chattanooga, Tenn. Visit www.awwa.org.
EVENTS
Treatment Plant Operator
Get your FREE subscription today at www.tpomag.com

Dedicated to
Municipal Wastewater
Professionals
People.
The greatest natural resource.

tpomag.com
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The team members are the
greatest resource at this plant.
They know it. Theyve been
here forever. They do the work.
Im support staff. I coordinate
what they do, and the best way
for me to do that is to listen
to what they have to say.
Nate Tillis
Operations and maintenance supervisor
Beloit (Wis.) Water Pollution Control
Treatment Facility
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Pollardwater
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SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE:

Water & Wastewater Equipment,

Read about original environmentalists like Jeff

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FLUSH is a unique program because nothing

FLUSH is a unique program because nothing

I try to clone myself and train operators the

Treat people like

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Ive learned a lot

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