Author: artefact_admin

Separation of Water Distribution System into Two Zones, Spencer, MA

Abstract: The Town of Spencer, Massachusetts received an Administration Consent Order (ACO) from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) mandating changes to their water treatment process, and the separation of the Town’s water distribution system into two pressure zones. This paper discusses the completion of this project in three phases. The System Study evaluated the conceptual design criteria needed for the two pressure zones and selection of tank sites. The Design Phase highlights permitting and design challenges encountered, and the Construction Phase discusses the overall final product, construction challenges and project successes.

Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) Pilot Study for Algae and DBP Reduction

Abstract: A pilot study of dissolved air flotation clarification (DAF) with mixed media filtration was conducted at the Norwich Public Utilities Stony Brook water treatment plant for the removal of disinfection byproducts (DBP) and algae in the late summer of 2013.  A variety of coagulants and flow rates were studied. DAF showed outstanding algae removal in excess of 90 percent with all coagulants. DBP removal varied by coagulant with ferric chloride and high doses of alum achieving the best results.

Application of Ozonation and Ultrafiltration in Drinking Water Treatment Operational Comparison

Abstract:
The Spectacle Pond Water Treatment Facility in Littleton, Massachusetts has been successfully operating for over ten years relying on a combination of ozone oxidation followed by ultrafiltration membranes. This paper compares the operation of the plant in Littleton with more recent installations utilizing ozonation and ultrafiltration membranes at the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Treatment Facility in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts and the Baldwin Pond Water Treatment Facility in Wayland, Massachusetts with regard to similarities as well as changes that have affected the industry.

Advanced Condition Assessment for Pipeline Rehabilitation

In 2007, Tata & Howard began extracting one foot long cast iron water main samples ranging in diameter from six to twelve inches as part of a cleaning and cement lining water main rehabilitation project for the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (SCCRWA). Since then, Tata & Howard has evaluated a significant number of cast iron water main samples for several water distribution systems throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut, typically during a pipeline rehabilitation project, water main failure, or water main replacement project.

View the graphical presentation below:

AWWA submits comments on EPA’s draft CCL4

glass of waterAWWA has submitted comments to the EPA on the draft Fourth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL4). The draft CCL4, originally published in the Federal Register on February 4, 2015, listed 100 chemicals and 12 microbial contaminants. However, AWWA has recommended that the final CCL4 only include 20-50 compounds and that the EPA “use an alternative contaminant identification process to select a shorter list of compounds of greatest potential concern”.

To read the AWWA’s full comments, click here.

AWWA and EFCN partner to offer no-cost webinars for small water systems

small water utility eventsAs part of the EPA Competitive Assistance Award process, AWWA and the Environmental Finance Center Network are partnering to offer the following no-cost web trainings designed specifically to meet the needs of small water systems. You do not need to be an AWWA member to participate – but advance registration for each event is required.

April 14, 2015 | 1:30–2:30PM (eastern)

Key Financial Indicators

Is your water system financially healthy? This webinar will discuss and examine the key financial indicators that allow small systems to make informed decisions in planning and investment. The webinar will include training on how to calculate and interpret your system’s operating ratio, debt service coverage ratio, current ratio, and days of cash on hand. The webinar will also discuss how funders use these numbers in deciding whether or not to loan your system money needed for capital improvements.

Attending this webinar will help you to:

  • Better understand your system’s operating ratio, debt service, coverage ratio, current ratio, and days of cash on hand
  • Understand your costs and revenues
  • Move from “paycheck to paycheck” to longer term planning

Click here to register for this event.

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April 16, 2015 | 1:00–2:00PM (eastern)

Asset Management IQ: How much do you know about AM tools and resources?

This interactive webinar will include an overview of Asset Management core principles and community/organization level of engagement with Asset Management. There are many tools and resources that communities can use as they move through the process of developing an Asset Management plan. This webinar will also provide an overview of available tools and resources.

Attending this webinar will help you to:

  • Understand the concepts and practices of Asset Management
  • Gauge system-wide level of understanding and engagement in Asset Management planning
  • Understand how to conduct asset management using simple and complex tools
  • Be presented with a breadth and depth of resources that support community asset management efforts

Click here to register for this event

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Please direct any webinar-specific questions to Khris Dodson at kdodson@syracusecoe.org.

Please direct all other small system training questions to Kami Johle Butt at kbutt@awwa.org.

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In-Person Workshops

These training partners are also offering several in-person training opportunities for small water systems:

  • Oregon, Financial Management Workshop, April 8, 2015
  • Louisiana, Asset Management and Water Loss Workshop, April 14, 2015
  • Rhode Island, Management and Finance Tools and Techniques, April 14, 2015
  • New Jersey, Small System Operator Training: Achieve and Maintain Compliance with SDWA, April 14 and April 21, 2015 (Two half day workshop)

Click 2015 Workshops for more information about these and other no-cost small system workshops sponsored by these training partners.

EPA Launches Water Utility Response On-The-Go Mobile Site

Water Utility Response On-The-GoThe US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a brand new field-accessible mobile website. Water Utility Response On-The-Go is an innovative tool that consolidates information and tools that water utility operators and their response partners may need during an emergency. The tool is ideal for small systems that lack a large support network in place when natural disasters strike.

Water Utility Response On-The-Go allows users to accomplish the following:

  • identify and contact emergency response partners
  • monitor local and national severe weather conditions
  • review and complete incident-specific checklists; and populate
  • save and email both generic damage assessment forms and FEMA incident command system forms.

The Water Utility Response On-the-Go Mobile Website is available at epa.gov/responseotg.

For more information or questions about this tool, please contact Bailey Kennett at 202-566-1344 or Brian Pickard at 202-564-0827 of EPA’s Water Security Division.

Worcester DPW’s Michael F. Ferguson Receives Thomas S. Green Award

michael_f_fergusonFive City of Worcester, Massachusetts municipal employees were honored with Thomas S. Green Public Service Awards on March 25 at Assumption College, including Worcester Department of Public Works and Parks Principal Civil Engineer Michael F. Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson is the primary contact for the city’s complex water distribution system and has helped oversee the city’s Water Abatement Appeal Committee, which addresses customer concerns. Congratulations, Michael!

For more information: https://j.mp/1IDLeE1

Summary of 2014 Draft MA Small MS4 General Permit

MarlboroughMA_Stormwater10The long awaited 2014 Draft Massachusetts Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) General Permit was released on September 30th, 2014.  It is important to note that this permit is still in draft form and that the current 2003 MS4 Permit is still administratively effective. The public comment period is 90 days, ending on December 29, 2014. During the comment period, public meetings and hearings will be scheduled for Municipalities and the general public to ask questions and learn more about the permit. One public hearing has already been scheduled for November 19, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Leominster Public Library. Representatives from Tata & Howard will be at the Leominster hearing taking notes and asking necessary questions.

The draft permit and associated documents can be found here. Currently, US EPA estimates costs of compliance for the six minimum controls measures to be between $78,000 and $829,000 per year, averaged over the permit term. The application for coverage and reporting requirements are similar to the current procedures of the 2003 Massachusetts MS4 Permit, and the six minimum control measures are comparable to the most recent 2013 Draft New Hampshire MS4 Permit.

The most significant change in the new permit is for the Water Quality Based Effluent Limitations.  The permit names specific MS4 Communities and requirements to address Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Water Quality Limited Waters.  These requirements, listed in Appendix F and H of the new permit, are detailed and provide phased plans that extend up to 20 years past the permit’s start date.  Some of these reductions for established TMDLs require specific numerical percentage reductions.  All other approved TMDLs, including parameters for nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), bacteria, pathogen, and metals, require non-numeric reductions. Many MS4 Communities are on these lists.  For more information on TMDL and Water Quality Limited Water requirements for a specific community, or for assistance with questions or comments on the draft permit, please contact Tata & Howard.