Category: Newsworthy

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

Kenneth M. Fischer, CPA, CGMA, CEPA joins the T&H team as Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer

KenFischerSmallKenneth M. Fischer brings over 35 years of financial experience with a strong general management background to the T&H team. His previous positions as CEO/President, COO, and CFO of several mid-cap companies provided him with a successful track record as point person in numerous strategic and complex financial transactions. He has significant experience in manufacturing, engineering, distribution, healthcare, and financial services industries.

His current affiliations include Director of the Schepens Eye Research Institute (affiliate of Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA), Trustee of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (affiliate of Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA), and Trustee and Chair of Finance Committee, Executive Service Corps New England (ESCNE), Boston, MA.

Ken holds an MS in Taxation from Bentley, an MBA from Babson, and a BA in Economics from Providence College, as well as advanced certifications from Harvard Business School, Yale School of Management, and Boston University. He works out of our Marlborough office and can be reached at 508-303-9400 x123 or kfischer@tataandhoward.com.

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.

Ryan P. Neyland, P.E., promoted to Project Manager

RyanNeyland400Ryan P. Neyland, P.E., has over nine years of concentrated water treatment experience. Mr. Neyland has been involved in numerous water projects including all phases of planning, design, and construction services, as well as pump station rehabilitation and SCADA. Mr. Neyland is currently working on the 8 mgd Falmouth Dissolved Air Flotation Water Treatment Plant. He works out of our Marlborough office and can be reached at 508-303-9400 x108 or rneyland@tataandhoward.com.

2014 Water Shortage Preparedness Report Now Available

California_Drought_Dry_Riverbed_2009AWWA has released a report on the results of its Water Shortage Preparedness Survey and it is now available for download. The final report reflects analysis of 485 water utility responses to questions about utility practices and policies for water shortage planning and implementation.

In AWWA’s 2014 State of the Water Industry report, drought/periodic water shortages were ranked as the eighth most important issue facing water professionals. In addition, future droughts and water shortages may be exacerbated by climate change, which can magnify the effects of water shortages especially following extreme sequential swings, e.g., water quality changes brought about by drought (where impacts can develop) followed by flooding (where those impacts are realized).

The survey results are intended to serve as a foundation for action and further discovery. Water professionals across North America continue to meet society’s expectations for safe and clean water by developing and implementing solutions to solve a never-ending stream of difficult issues, including water shortages. As we confront these challenges, AWWA will continue to serve as a bridge organization, uniting the worlds of science and research, policy, and practice to address these critical issues.

SOURCE: American Water Works Assocation

Saxtons River, VT Considers UV Light Treatment for Wastewater

Saxtons River in Vermont
Saxtons River in Vermont

Saxtons River, Vermont is considering an upgrade to their aging wastewater treatment facility. Engineering firm Marquise & Morano introduced three plans to Saxtons River Trustees at a meeting, and Gary A. Leach, P.E., Vice President of Tata & Howard, presented an option using sequencing batch reactors (SBR) as the best option. The SBR process uses ultraviolet (UV) light instead of chlorine to treat wastewater. Not only is the SBR option the most economical, but it is also a green initiative. UV utilizes only light, and therefore eliminates all processes associated with the handling and transport of chemicals, and it is safer for operators and aquatic life. For more information on the Saxtons River wastewater treatment project, click here.

Congratulations to our Newest Vice Presidents!

Karen L. Gracey, P.E., and Jenna W. Rzasa, P.E., have both been promoted to Vice President and elected to the Board of Directors

KarenGraceyKaren has been with the firm for over 15 years, managing hydraulic analyses, asset management studies, and water system design projects. She has managed and provided technical reviews on many of the firm’s Capital Efficiency Plans™. Additionally, she serves as Manager of Business Development for the firm. Karen’s role in client development and managing high profile clients has been key to the success of the firm.

 

 

JennaRzasaJenna joined the firm over 16 years ago. She serves as manager on water system design projects as well as firm-wide Manager of Project Finance, and has served as manager of our New Hampshire operations. Jenna has been instrumental in developing and maintaining clients in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Dilla Street Water Treatment Plant Open House a Huge Success

Randytour

On October 26, Milford Water Company held an open house for the newly completed Dilla Street Water Treatment Plant. Tata & Howard’s Randy Suozzo, P.E., Project Manager for the project, and Neil Callahan, Project Manager for R.H. White Construction Company during construction, led attendees on the tour and answered questions.

The event, which lasted four hours, was attended by nearly 150 people and garnered excellent reviews. “I found it very interesting and informative. The technology is incredible,” noted attorney Warren Heller. And attendee Bill Sanborn commented, “It’s good to see our dollars at work.”

Unlike its predecessor, which utilized slow sand filters constructed in the early 1900’s, the new plant uses dissolved air flotation (DAF) to filter impurities. The process, though technologically advanced, is simple to understand: particulates and contaminants are floated to the top of a filter tank and removed, and the resulting water is then further filtered through granulated activated carbon (GAC) and chlorine tanks before being disbursed to water mains. In addition, the new treatment facility utilizes far less chlorine than its predecessor. Noted Milford Water Company Manager David Condrey, “We are putting in half what we put in with the old plant.”

The new facility also integrates multiple safety measures. Every step of the filtration process is precisely controlled by a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system, and the plant itself is monitored 24-hours a day. “There are over 300 alarms in the plant. Everything is tracked,” assured Callahan.

Milford water bottlesOpen House attendees were treated to custom bottled water. The bottles bore Milford Water Company labels and the water itself came directly from the treated water at the plant. Condrey said that Milford Water Company intends to continue bottling small batches of water to be donated at local road races and other community events.