Pipeline 2009 Newsletter - Gwin, Dobson & Foreman, Inc.

What You Need To
Know About BNR
SUMMER 2009 EDITION
Wastewater systems in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are
faced with increased treatment standards. Biological
Nutrient Removal (BNR) is now the focus of regulators in
order to achieve the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Tributary
Strategy. Compliance will come at a very high price. Costs
are expected in the billions for capital construction and
operating expenses.
The PA Department of Environmental Resources has
imposed maximum annual BNR load limits based on total
nitrogen (6 mg/l) and total phosphorous (0.8 mg/l) at
average plant design flow. Over 180 plants in the Bay
tributary must comply within the next 5 to 6 years.
HOW WE CAN HELP
GD&F is a leader in nutrient removal design. We have the
project experience and technical expertise for large and
small BNR treatment systems. Our team of process
engineers and scientists are at the forefront of biological
nutrient removal (BNR) planning strategies and design.
Technical Expertise
GD&F is known throughout the industry for its innovative
and technically creative plant designs. Jim Butler, Jim
Balliet, Mark Glenn and Travis Long – well known
industry specialists – are part of GD&F’s staff of process
design engineers and scientists with over 100 years of
collective experience in system planning and design.
Also, their in-depth, hands-on experience in wastewater
characterization, plant operations and process optimization
ensure the plant operates as it was designed to.
Project Experience
GD&F has planned and designed the full range of BNR
treatment systems. These include plants varying in size
Osceola Mills 0.4 mgd ICEAS facility (decanter mechanism).
from 0.25 to 30 mgd. GD&F designed the BNR
modifications to the Altoona Westerly plant (24 mgd)
using the Modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE) system. The
recently completed Saxton Borough Municipal Authority
and ORD (Osceola Mills) Sewer Authority plants
successfully employed an intermittent cycle extended
aeration system (ICEAS)– a variation of the sequencing
batch reactor (SBR) process–to achieve nutrient
reduction. The Portage Area Sewer Authority plant
expansion (6.0 mgd) also uses the ICEAS system. The
proposed Karthaus-Burnside wastewater plant (0.115
mgd) uses an adapted extended aeration process with a
staged anoxic zone.
Total Daily Maximum Loads (TMDL)
And Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR)
Although the current PADEP strategy uses the “cap load”
method (annual loading limits) USEPA Region III is
considering TMDL limits for even higher levels of total
Continued on next page

“BNR” from pg.1
nitrogen and phosphorous control, or Enhanced Nutrient
Removal (ENR). Designers must consider processes
that are adaptable to future TMDL limits and compatible
with ENR. For instance, GD&F is designing the Altoona
Easterly plant with a Stage 5-Bardenpho process and
ENR membrane bioreactors and effluent filtration for a
possible TMDL limit on the Little Juniata River.
Wastewater Characterization
GD&F applies a system-specific solution to BNR control
and avoids the package or one-size-fits-all approach.
A key to effective process selection is defining influent
quality throughout the full range of wastewater flow.
Water quality kinetic parameters are often enhanced by
specialized tests such as the high F:M analysis. Proper
design criteria is essential for the proper design of reactor
basins, aeration/mixing facilities, return sludge pumping
and final clarification.
Handling High Flow
Many plants experience high wet weather flows from
excessive inflow-infiltration and combined sewers.
The integrity of the BNR process must be preserved to
prevent solids washout and maintain nitrate return,
SRT and F:M ratio. GD&F has designed step feed facilities
to bypass the BNR reactors for chemically enhanced
sedimentation at the final clarifiers while still meeting
suspended limits.
Computer Modeling
While there is no substitute for design experience and
judgment, powerful computation tools are available to
supplement the design process. For instance, BioWin ®
software is finding acceptance in the design community
for modeling dynamic conditions such as temperature,
diurnal flow/quality, process kinetics and seasonal flow
variation. GD&F personnel have applied BioWin in all
BNR planning and design projects as a check on process
design assumptions and determining annual loads for
permit “cap load” conditions.
Control And Instrumentation
At many plants, biological nutrient removal is a radical
operating departure from a typical secondary treatment
process. BNR demands a stable and predictable process
which can only be achieved by precise operational control.
The acquisition of process input/outputs, acquired in real
PAGE 2
Saxton 0.6 mgd ICEAS facility (fill cycle).
time, assists operating personnel in these efforts. GD&F
has designed supervisory control systems (SCADA) to
provide this information. GD&F personnel, under the
direction of Andy Johnson, have designed hundreds of
similar applications.
Nutrient Credits
The nutrient credit market is an option for some systems.
Compliance with cap load limits can be achieved by
purchasing credits under Pennvest’s nutrient trading
project with the Chicago Climate Exchange. GD&F
recommended that the Clearfield Municipal Authority
purchase credits as an interim compliance solution for
its 4.5 mgd plant.
Function And Cost Control
All the technical knowledge and expertise is for naught
unless the project works as designed. The project must
also be affordable, both now and in the future. This is
where the GD&F experience factor comes through.
It is our depth of knowledge in planning and design,
project management, operator needs and the appropriate
use of new technology that makes the difference. From
the use of the best nutrient removal technology to the
maximum reuse of existing facilities, cost-effectiveness
and functionality are our primary objectives.
GD&F OFFERS COMPLETE BNR PROJECT
ENGINEERING SERVICES from preliminary
planning to startup, commissioning and beyond.
Our personalized approach to your system needs
and those that operate it have been our hallmark
for over 55 years. Let GD&F assist you in developing
a nutrient removal strategy for your treatment plant.

Potomac River Water Treatment
Facility Starts Operation
The Berkeley County Public Service Water District recently began operations at
its Potomac River water treatment plant. Located in the fast growing Eastern
West Virginia Panhandle, the District serves more than 18,000 customers in
suburban Martinsburg, WV. Gwin, Dobson & Foreman, Inc. designed this 6.0
MGD capacity plant featuring submerged membrane filtration and ultraviolet
disinfection. The $18.5 million project included the following unique elements:
• The plant uses advanced treatment technology for advanced particle, control
of disinfection byproducts, taste, odor, color, bacteria and pathogen
removal/inactivation.
• Potomac River water source has seasonal high levels of total organic carbon
and turbidity. Pretreatment in the form of an enhanced coagulation process
serves to reduce TOC and turbidity levels before membrane filtration.
• Unit operations include coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation; submerged
membrane filtration, ultraviolet disinfection, waste holding lagoons,
chlorination, chemical feed systems and clearwell contact time. All systems
were pilot-tested to verify design assumptions.
• State-of-the-art instrumentation and control systems operates and monitors
the treatment process. The user friendly system allows operators the
maximum in treatment flexibility and capacity.
• UV disinfection system provides for inactivation of pathogens such as giardia
and cryptosporidium.
Chris Eckenrode handled the construction phase for GD&F in addition to
coordinating start-up and commissioning.
5th Annual
Golf Outing
A Success
Gwin, Dobson & Foreman, Inc.
hosted its annual golf outing on
September 21, 2008 at the
Sinking Valley County Club. Eighty
clients, colleagues and friends
enjoyed a beautiful day of golf
along with a steak dinner.
The winning score was posted by
perennial contender, the Portage
Area Sewer Authority. The team of
Don, Mike and Denny Squillario
and Ray Huff had the low overall
score of 66. Mike Squillario
scored closest to the hole at No. 2
while Eric Stener (Shippenville
Borough) was closest at No. 10.
Eric also had the longest drive
on No. 18 while Earl Campbell
(Sykesville Borough) was long
on No. 9.
Many thanks to Angie Kordish,
Pam Illig and Mary Alice
Kauffman for helping with food
and beverages and providing
cheerful hospitality.
PAGE 3

NEW PROJECTS
GWIN, DOBSON & FOREMAN
Altoona City Authority – Biological nutrient removal
upgrade of the Westerly and Easterly wastewater treatment
plants
Bear Valley Joint Water Authority – Membrane
filtration water treatment facility for St. Thomas area of
Franklin County
Ulster Municipal Water Authority – Membrane
filtration water treatment facility for Village of Ulster,
Bradford Co.
Mansfield University – Membrane filtration
water treatment facility for PA northern tier university
water system
Hampton Township Municipal Authority –
Treatability study of the Wildwood mine discharge for a
Pittsburgh-area public water system
Karthaus-Burnside Joint Sewer Authority – Project
engineer for $9 million Karthaus Township and Burnside
Township wastewater collection and treatment project
Sandy Township Municipal Authority – Project
engineer for the $4 million West Sandy waterline
extension project, Clearfield County, PA
Jefferson County (WV) Public Service District –
Feasibility study for the Glen Haven and Cavaland
community water systems near Charles Town, WV
Cresson Borough – Project engineer for new borough
office building, Cambria Co.
Berkeley County (WV) Public Service Water
District – Project engineer for 24-inch water
transmission main projects at a cost of $12 million
Norfolk Southern Corporation – Construction
surveying for NS railroad projects in Brownsville, PA,
Croxton, NJ and Fostoria and Wheelersburg, OH
PAGE 4
State College Borough Water Authority – Beaver
Avenue, Vairo Boulevard and S. Allen Street water main
replacement projects
Brookville Municipal Authority – Design of the
$12 million North Fork Creek membrane filtration
water treatment facility
McVeytown Municipal Authority (Mifflin Co.) –
Consulting engineer for water and wastewater authority
near Lewistown, PA
Lake Mokoma Association – Evaluation of Lake
Makoma Dam modifications
Altoona City Authority – Engineer for new $3.5 million
office administration building
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation –
Construction inspection for District 9-0 highway
occupancy permit work (five years)
Borough of Sharpsville – $5 million water distribution
system replacement
PATHLINE
Tussey Mountain School District – Project Manager
for upgrade and additions to the Junior-Senior High
School and Saxton-Liberty, Robertsdale and Defiance
Elementary Schools (including constructibility review and
value engineering) at a cost of $12 million
St. Francis University – On-Site Construction
Monitoring for $7 million DiSepio Institute of Rural Health
and Wellness Project
Shippensburg Area School District – Project Manager
for the $10 million high school renovations project

New EPA Groundwater Rule
Will Place Demands On
Well Water Suppliers
Public water systems that have well water supplies will need to begin
monitoring and testing in 2010. The US Environmental Protection Agency
proposed the final Ground Water Rule (GWR) in October 2006 to reduce the
risk of exposure to fecal contamination that may be present in public water
systems that use ground water sources (GWS).
EPA has designed the rule to establish a risk-targeted strategy to identify ground
water systems that are at high risk for fecal contamination. The GWR also
specifies when corrective action (which may include disinfection) is required to
protect consumers who receive water from ground water systems from bacteria
and viruses. Excerpts from the June 2008 USEPA Ground Water Rule Reference
Guide include:
• By December 1, 2009, systems conducting compliance monitoring
because they provide at least 4-log virus inactivation or a PADEPapproved
combination of these technologies before or at the first
customer, must have notified PADEP and must begin compliance
monitoring. The written notification to PADEP must include engineering,
operational, and other requested information.
• By December 1, 2009, groundwater systems must conduct triggered source
water monitoring if the GWS does not provide at least 4-log virus inactivation,
removal, or a PADEP-approved combination of these technologies before or
at the first customer and the GWS is notified that a sample collected for the
Total Coliform Rule (TCR) is total coliform-positive.
• By December 1, 2009, groundwater systems for which PADEP has
identified a significant deficiency and systems at which at least one of the
five additional ground water source samples (or at PADEP’s discretion,
after the initial source sample) has tested positive for fecal contamination
must comply with the treatment technique requirements. These may
include additional chlorination/contact time, membrane filtration,
ultraviolet disinfection or other approved means.
• By December 31, 2012, PADEP must complete initial sanitary surveys for all
community groundwater systems except those that meet performance criteria.
GD&F CAN ASSIST THOSE GROUND WATER SUPPLIERS
WITH SAMPLING AND TESTING PLANS for the Ground Water Rule.
Services can also be provided to design long term treatment techniques
and compliance solutions.
GD&F And Altoona
Officials Tour
Stamford, CT Plant
Mark Perry, Jim Farrell and Mike
Sinisi, PE, of the Altoona Water
Authority along with Jim Potopa, PE,
Jim Balliet, Leo Drass, PE, and
Mark Glenn, PE, of GD&F, toured the
Stamford, CT, wastewater treatment
facility on August 14, 2008. Similar in
capacity to Altoona’s facilities, the
Stamford plant achieves biological
nutrient removal using the Modified
Ludzack-Ettinger Process.
Jeanette Brown, PE, Executive Director
of the City of Stamford Water Pollution
Control Authority, gave a technical
presentation on the process treatment
system and a field tour of plant
operations. Jeanette is considered one
of the country’s foremost experts on
wastewater treatment. She is the
2008-2009 Vice President of the
Water Environment Federation and a
visiting professor of environmental
engineering at Manhattan College.
Considerable insight was gained from
the plant tour and Ms. Brown’s
presentation.
LR, Jim Farrell, AWA Plant Operator; Mark
Perry, AWA General Manager; Jim Potopa,
P.E., GD&F; Jim Balliet, GD&F; Jeanette
Brown, P.E., Executive Director, SWPCA;
Leo Drass, P.E., GD&F; Mike Sinisi, P.E.,
AWA Engineer.
PAGE 5

WELCOME ABOARD
Gwin, Dobson & Foreman, Inc. welcomes
the following employees to our team:
RAVI BHARDWAJ is a Staff Environmental Engineer
working under the supervision of Jim Balliet. A 2004
Environmental Engineering graduate from the Indian
Institute of Technology-Guwahati, Ravi recently obtained a
MS Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from
the University of Pittsburgh. Ravi provides technical
support on a variety of projects including process
computer modeling (BioWin)/design and biological
nutrient removal studies. Ravi lives in Altoona.
ERIC COOLEY is a CADD technician who joined the
CADD Department under the supervision of Jeff Sergent,
CADD Manager. Eric is a graduate of the Thaddeus Stevens
College of Technology, with an Associates Degree in
Architectural Drafting. He has ten years experience in
site/civil and topographic/boundary survey drafting and
design. Eric has worked on a variety of projects, including
water and wastewater systems, residential subdivisions and
roadway layouts. Eric lives in Robertsdale.
PAM ILLIG is our new Marketing Assistant who helps
prepare proposals, update our experience and
qualifications, complete on-line proposal forms and
submissions and arrange and coordinate our trade show
displays. Pam is a graduate of the Indiana University of
Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. She
has had a variety of work experiences including six years
as a Marketing Associate for L. Robert Kimball &
Associates (Civil-Environmental Department). Pam’s
previous position was a Conference & Event Assistant,
Lake Raystown Resort & Conference Center. Pam lives in
Duncansville.
PAGE 6
TRAVIS MCELHANEY is a CADD technician who
transferred from the GD&F survey corps in February 2007.
He is a graduate of the Penn Highlands Community
College, Ebensburg, PA with an Associates Degree in
Building Systems Technology. Before joining the CADD
Department, Travis worked as a GD&F Survey Technician
on several Norfolk Southern Railway projects. Travis lives
near Ashville.
MAGGIE MORGAN is an Environmental Scientist
working under the direction of Travis Long. A graduate of
Juniata College, she has a B.S. in Environmental Science.
Maggie formerly worked for Fairway Laboratories as a
laboratory technician. She is currently working on a wide
variety of ecological and environmental studies. Maggie
lives in Hopewell.
CHAD REID joined the GD&F inspection team last year
as a Resident Project Representative. Chad will be working
on PennDOT District 9-0 highway occupancy permit
inspections. He attended IUP where he studied
Criminology and Business law. He is certified as a
PennDOT Bituminous Field Technician. Chad formerly
worked for IA Construction in bridge construction and
roadway paving work. Brad lives in Cherry Tree.
DON VEROBISH is a Junior Civil Engineer who joined
GD&F in April 2009. Don recently graduated from the
University of Pittsburgh (Johnstown) with a BS in Civil
Engineering Technology. A resident of Duncansville, Don
will be working on a variety of civil/structural projects
including bridges, roads, hydrology/hydraulics,
foundations, reinforced concrete and precast concrete
design. He is under the supervision of Bill Wieserman and
Tim Boland. Don attained his Engineering-in-Training
certification.

DID YOU KNOW
� Mark Glenn attended the
Manhattan College Institute of
Water Pollution Control in June
2008? He achieved certification
under the Wastewater Treatment
Program with an emphasis on
Biological Nutrient Removal.
� Ravi Bhardwaj rode (and raised
over $400) in the annual Keystone
Country Ride for Bike MS (Multiple
Sclerosis)?
� Colin and Tina Showalter are the
proud parents of a baby daughter
(MaKenna) who was born on
February 4, 2008?
� Bill Wieserman (10 years),
Kevin Smith (15 years),
Andy Johnson (20 years) and
Leo Drass (20 years) reached
milestone service tenures in 2009
while Jeff Spencer (15 years) and
Matt Orner (10 years) had similar
benchmarks in 2008?
� Matt and Heidi Orner were
married on November 15, 2008 at
the Mt. Union Methodist Church,
Lovely, PA? Heidi rejoined GD&F as
a Senior CADD Technician?
� Travis and Chrissy Long are the
proud parents of a baby daughter
(Allison) who was born on April
13, 2009?
� Matt and Tammy Harper are the
proud parents of a baby boy
(Daniel) who was born on
February 9, 2009 and of a baby
daughter (Clara) who was born on
July 3, 2007?
� Adam and Danielle Luko are the
proud parents of a baby boy (Ethan)
who was born on August 11, 2008?
� Jeff Sergent’s son, Jeff Lee, is
attending Penn Highlands College
majoring in Biology?
� Mary Alice (DelGrosso)
Kauffman’s family was featured on
Food Network’s show “Unwrapped”
and that their pasta sauce is
distributed throughout the country
and overseas?
� Norm Gosselin’s daughter Emily
graduated from the MMI Prep
School, Freeland, PA and was an
inductee to the school’s Science
National Honor Society?
� Andy and Sarah Johnson have
sons attending the University of
Pittsburgh? Matt is a junior in the
pharmacy program while Daniel is
enrolled as a freshman in the
nursing program?
� Bill and Jeanette Wieserman
were married on August 31, 2007
at the Church of the Nazarene,
Homer City, PA with a wedding
reception at the Church social hall?
� Jareed and Mary Feerrar were
married May 27, 2007 in Altoona
and that they are also the proud
parents of a baby daughter, (Leah)
who was born on October 25, 2008
and son, Nathaniel?
� Jerry Brunner’s son, Matt,
graduated with a degree in Finance
from Penn State? His brother, Troy,
worked at GDF as a survey
instrumentman and is now a junior
in the UPJ mechanical engineering
program.
� Angie and Andy Kordish are the
proud parents of a baby boy (Will)
who was born on June 11, 2007?
� Josh and Kelli James are the
proud parents of a baby boy
(Brendan) who was born on July 7,
2009?
Website
Redesigned
Check out GD&F’s redesigned
website at www.gdfengineers.com.
Designed by Suzanne Egan Marketing
& Advertising, the site includes many
new features including project web
sites, project information, firm and
personnel history and employee
benefits. Link Computer provided
webmaster services.
GD&F Supports
Altoona
Symphony
Ä C
GD&F has been an active
supporter of the Altoona
Symphony. We co-sponsored the
November 1, 2008 concert in
honor of the Symphony’s 80th
season. This concert featured a
new composition by Altoona
native, Michael Kooman, a
Sibelius violin concerto and
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1.
E
PAGE 7
D

GD&F Assists Local
Habitat For Humanity
GD&F provided the site surveys and coordinated city
subdivision approval for three Blair County Habitat for
Humanity houses in Altoona. An open house was held
in February for the latest house at 1412 N. 7th Avenue.
We are proud of our association with Habitat for Humanity
and their ongoing mission in our community.
3121 FAIRWAY DRIVE, ALTOONA, PA 16602