Annual Conference Brochure - AZ Water Association

TECHNICAL SESSIONS
TRACK 6 -
TOPICS IN WATER QUALITY
3:30 - 4:00pm
Applied Geochemistry: The Search for a Nitrate Source
Erick Weiland, ARCADIS / Malcolm Pirnie, Inc.
Results of a geochemical/isotope study undertaken at
the CAP - Hieroglyphic Mountains Recharge Project will
be presented. This study was undertaken on behalf of the
Central Arizona Water Conservation District to: identify
the source of nitrate; determine the nature and extent
of nitrogen in the environment; determine likely future
impacts; and, develop operational control recommendations
that may decrease nitrogen loading and mitigate impacts
of elevated nitrate in groundwater. General geochemical
parameters, as well as stable isotopic data (nitrogen,
oxygen, and boron), were utilized in evaluating nitrogen
sources and fate. Geochemical data will be presented to
show that the source of the nitrate is naturally occurring
organic-nitrogen and not potential sources such as ancient
playa lakes (mineral), fertilizers (synthetic and organic), or
human/animal wastes.
4:00 - 4:30pm
Filamentous Bacteria in Wastewater
Mary McReynolds, Arizona American Water Company
A significant, but little understood group of wastewater
bacteria, are those that form filaments. When operational
conditions encourage rapid and undesired growth of
filamentous bacteria in activated sludge, settleability
problems may occur. Optimum waste treatment in
activated sludge treatment plants depends on maintaining
a healthy population of microorganisms in ever changing
environments with numerous variables. Because of this wide
range of variables, troubleshooting operational problems
in activated sludge can be challenging. Realizing a need
for a user friendly reference guide to identify filamentous
bacteria and their subsequent effect on wastewater
treatment process, a single source informational tool and
troubleshooting guide was created. This program allows
its’ user, through microscopic examination, to identify
filamentous bacteria, link process problems with causes,
and arrive at solutions.
4:30 - 5:00pm
Modeling of Advanced Oxidation of Trace Organic
Contaminants by Hydrogen Peroxide Photolysis
Mario Roberto Rojas, University of Arizona
In this session, we investigate advanced oxidation of an EDC
that is typically present in wastewater effluent: nonylphenol
(NP). The experimental work focused on NP degradation
in aqueous solution via UV-irradiation using doses of H2O2
between 10 and 200 mM and wavelengths in the range
between 240-280 nm. The initial concentrations of NP
used were in the range 15-25 microM. Simulations of the
UV/H2O2 model can be used to anticipate the kinetics
of advanced oxidation involving any target compound
for which there is a known apparent second-order rate
constant for reaction with hydroxyl radical. The presence of
radical scavengers was successfully treated by the model,
suggesting that the model can be generalized to the
treatment of complex matrices.
TRACK 7 - COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Committee Meetings are TBA
8:00am – 5:00pm
22
FRIDAY, MAY 6
TRACK 1 -
ONSITE TREATMENT SYSTEMS
8:00 - 8:30am
On-site System Technology Selection
Justin O. Ramsey, Environmental Hydrosystems, LTD
In Arizona there are two ways to treat and dispose of
wastewater back into the ground, the Individual Permit and
the General Permit. Individual Permits can be requested
for any flow volume, but a General Permit is the primary
method for flows under 24,000 gpd. The rules have specific
permits with specific requirements for multiple treatment
and disposal methods. The designer must match the most
appropriate treatment and disposal method with the site
constraints and pollutant load of the wastewater to be
treated. This presentation will discuss the advantages
and disadvantages of the treatment and disposal systems
covered under General Permits and design tricks to aid in
quick approval and a fully functioning system.
8:30 - 9:00am
Responsibilities and Obligations for the Contractor
Mark Schweiger, Registrar of Contractors
This presentation will be an overview of the Registrar of
Contractor’s licensing requirements, types of licenses, and
which licenses allow a contractor to install an on-site
wastewater system. Violations of scope, inspections, the
complaint process, hearings, and the Recovery Fund will also
be discussed.
9:00 - 9:30am
Septic System and Alternative System
Installation Problems
Brian Bishop, Bishop Construction, LLC
Installer education and certification requirements are the
weakest links in Arizona’s on-site wastewater program. Site
investigators, designers, and Notice of Transfer inspectors
have special education requirements. Contractors must pass
the Registrar of Contractor’s exam, which permits them to
install any kind of system, Conventional or Alternative. The
exam content is barely rigorous enough to cover the old
traditional rock-and-pipe installations, much less, some
newer disposal technologies and Alternative systems. Poor
septic system installations can affect the environment,
personal health, and long term costs. This presentation
will discuss installation issues and ways that the designer,
owner, and regulator can assist. Suggestions for tightening
the contractor requirements will be presented.
9:30 - 10:00am
The Case for Point-of-Sale Inspections
Dawn Long, American Septic Service
Point-of-Sale (POS) inspections, mandated by the
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ)
Comprehensive Septic Tank Inspection Program, protect
all involved parties. Inspection reports reduce risks, avoid
liability issues, and minimize consumer complaints. This
presentation shows photographic evidence supporting
the necessity for the ADEQ rule - 278 examples from
point-of-sale inspections conducted between July 2006 and
December 2007. Mandated inspections provide factual data
on the state onsite systems in Arizona. A standardized POS
inspection is the first step to the integration of maintenance
and management of onsite systems. As an inspector,
American Septic Service insures that the buyer has a full
disclosure regarding their onsite system and in turn POS
inspections contribute to the protection of the aquifer.
TRACK 1 - WATER FOR PEOPLE
10:30 - 11:00am
Where the Money Goes –
Executing Water For People’s Mission
Levi Dillon, Carollo Engineers and Venkat Radhakrishnan,
ARCADIS / Malcolm Pirnie
Have you ever donated or just thought of donating to Water
For People and wondered about the details of how they
put the money to good use in the countries around the
world where they work? Come listen and find out! You’ll
experience an up-to-date overview of Water For People’s
structure, strategies, programs, development models, and
tools that they utilize to change people’s lives through water
and sanitation projects and education.
11:00 - 11:30am
Results You Can See! –
Water For People’s New Data Collection Tool
David Christiana, Arizona Department of Water Resources
Truly transforming lives means taking transparency,
accountability and sustainability seriously. To attain this
goal, Water For People developed and launched a visual
technology in 2010 called Field Level Operations Watch
(FLOW). Program data are gathered with an Android cell
phone and uploaded to the Internet to display the status
of a water point or sanitation solution on Google Maps and
Google Earth. With a view of what’s working, what’s on the
verge of disrepair, and what’s broken, Water For People can
use the data to make better programming decisions, and
build upon its programmatic strengths and identify areas of
weakness that need to improve. Learn more about this new
tool and see how Water For People is using FLOW in all its
programs.
11:30 - 12:00pm
Water For People Video Potpourri
Various Water For People Committee Members
Join us for various videos that document the work abroad
of Water For People. The videos will be intermixed with
discussion about various development topics such as water
and sanitation as a business and common hurdles to
sustainable development.
TRACK 1 - FACILITY START-UP
CASE STUDIES
1:30 - 2:00pm
New Treatment Facility Startup
Joseph Cornejo, Arizona American Water Company
Hear about the challenges of starting up a new surface
water treatment plant and the challenges of dealing with
changes in source waters such as unexpected turbidity
spikes. This presentation will touch on having to shut down
the facility yearly when the source water (CAP) is offline,
shutdown procedures, as well as system restart.
2:00 - 2:30pm
Treatment Train Start-Up - Constraints and Challenges
Venkata Yeddanapudi, Wilson Engineers
The City of Phoenix decided to replace the east train in
the treatment basins at Deer Valley WTP, due to settling
issues. Following substantial completion of construction,
start-up of the new treatment train is currently in progress.
This presentation will focus on challenges faced by the
construction team during start-up period and how they
were resolved in a time effective manner to help meet the
project schedule. This involved in developing a detailed
start-up plan that works for the entire process and also
simultaneously from an individual equipment viewpoint.
Further, the modifications required to implement the startup
plan drawn, shall be discussed in depth.
AZ Water Association 84th Annual Conference & Exhibition Arizona’s Water Future is Here!