Time Saved Testing Pays Off   Water & Wastes Digest May 2005   By Adam Potter
Many wastewater plants are switching from fecal coliforms to monitoring for E. coli and Enterococcus, because the EPA has identified these bacteria as the best indicators of fecal contamination in water.

Using Baseline Monitoring Techniques to Assess Filter Run Performance   WWDmag.com January-December 2005   Michael J. Sadar and Kathleen Bill
Determining if a filter run is approaching a breakthrough condition is a daily challenge for water treatment plant (WTP) operators. Current techniques look for upward trends in either turbidity or particle counts of the filter effluent. However, this does not consistently predict actual filter breakthrough. This study’s objective is to determine if data from different particle detection technologies can be better utilized to characterize filter performance.
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The Application of Simplified Process Statistical Variance Techniques to Enhance the Detection of Filtration Integrity Loss   WWDmag.com January-December 2005   Mike Sadar
Process monitoring for loss of filtration integrity is often performed using basic light scatter detection methods such as turbidity and particle counting. These methods monitor for the presence of particles in the filtration effluent (permeate). The industries where these parameters are most widely used include drinking water and ultra-pure water production. The recent upward trend in the application of membrane systems for drinking water production enhances the need for technologies with higher sensitivity and greater reliability because the loss of filtration integrity could directly impact human health.
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An Alarming Situation   Water & Wastes Digest December 2003
This alarm notification and monitoring system sends detailed alarm messages to engineers, eliminating the need to run to the RTU location every time an alarm sounds.

Fluid Samplers: Vacuum vs. Peristaltic   Water & Wastes Digest September 2003   Tim Gregorski
A fluid sampler is essentially a smart pump that takes a liquid sample from a source and deposits it into one or several containers for inspection. Fluid can either be pulled up the intake hose, or pushed from the source. Two types of samplers are typically used, vacuum/compressor and peristaltic. When choosing a sampler, correct analysis of your application is vital.

County Installs Stormwater Monitoring With Real-time Reporting   Water & Wastes Digest February 2003   Gustavo Diaz
Holder Construction, Inc. of Atlanta was contracted to expand Gwinnett County's Cultural and Civic Center in Georgia. According to EPA's regulations and state laws, projects such as this require a NPDES Construction Activity permit.To address the monitoring side of this compliance issue, Holder Construction regularly uses traditional stormwater monitoring systems. However, in this instance, they decided to implement both a traditional system and a newer system, created through a partnership of WRT and NIVIS LLC. Holder Construction did so in order to compare results and operational efficiencies between both types of units.

Wireless Automation Opens Door to New Monitoring Options   Water & Wastes Digest November 2002
Donala Water and Sanitation serves a large community of upscale homes in suburban Colorado Springs. In 1995, Donala turned to GMS Engineering of Colorado Springs to create a Request for Proposal for a comprehensive radio-based telemetry network that would grow with the rapidly expanding district. From the RFP, a Motorola MOSCAD wireless telemetry system was selected. Once it was installed, the district began to realize benefits from the new technology.

Louisiana Meets New Security Requirements with Quick Test to Monitor Chemical Profile at Plants, Water Sources   Water & Wastes Digest October 2002
As part of its Safe Drinking Water Program, the State of Louisiana recently implemented 12 units of the Severn Trent Services Eclox(tm) Rapid Response Water Testing System. Eclox offers municipalities a low cost option for monitoring water quality and meeting new security requirements.

Controlling Hospital Grease, Sludge Discharges   Water & Wastes Digest September 2002
One of the major problem areas in St Petersburg, Florida has two hospitals and a nursing home that discharge to a common sewer line. Historically, the city had to clean this section of the sewer line at least four times a year to avoid blockages and sanitary sewer overflows. Working together, the city and one of the hospitals took action to control the discharge of grease from the hospital's facilities and to reduce the costs of maintenance for both the city and the hospital.

Stormwater Retrofitting to Protect Drinking Water Reservoirs from the Impacts of Urban Runoff - Part 2   Water Engineering & Management July 2002   James D. Benson, AICP, and Melissa Beristain
The Kensico Reservoir Stormwater Management Program is designed to reduce fecal coliform bacteria and turbidity delivered to the reservoir by controlling and treating stormwater. The first phases of the project, assessment of the watershed, site selection and the screening and design of stormwater control and treatment facilities, were completed in July 1998. Facility construction began in the spring of 1999 and completed early in 2001. DEP has committed to monitoring and evaluating facility performance and maintaining the facilities.
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Stormwater Retrofitting to Protect Drinking Water Reservoirs from the Impacts of Urban Runoff - Part 1   Water Engineering & Management June 2002   James D. Benson, AICP, CPESC, and Melissa Beristain, CPESC
This paper summarizes the stormwater management element of the program and its control of the two key pollutants regulated by the SWTR: fecal coliform bacteria and turbidity that are conveyed to the reservoir by stormwater.
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Increased Treatment Security, Process Optimization Through Improved Monitoring Techniques   Water & Wastes Digest May 2002   Robert L. Bryant
Recent implementation of the Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT1ESWTR) has increased potable water sampling and analysis requirements for an additional 11,000 treatment plants serving more than 18 million Americans.

Effects of Recharge of Chlorinated State Water Project Waters to Groundwaters in Lancaster Area of California   Water Engineering & Management April 2002   Hisam A. Baqai, P.E., G.E.
As the population in Southern California increases, more and more demands are being put on the state’s groundwater resources, further exacerbating the overdraft problem. Many communities in Southern California are recharging their aquifers with imported surface waters to combat this problem. The major recharge normally is carried out during wet weather periods when surface water is plentiful. However, recharging these groundwater aquifers with imported surface water can create the potential for water quality degradation. The problem can start when surface water is disinfected with chlorine to prevent biofouling and remove pathogens.
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Practical Engineering Combined with Sound Operations Optimizes Phosphorus Removal   Water Engineering & Management April 2002   Daniel Bolduc and James Fitch, P.E.
Built in the early 1970s, The Oakland, Maine, Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) treats and discharges approximately 300,000 gallons per day (gpd) of wastewater to the Messalonskee Stream. The facility was designed as a conventional activated sludge secondary treatment system to be used principally for BOD and TSS removals. The secondary effluent enters the Messalonskee Stream upstream of several impoundments. This practice has resulted in a steady decline in the water quality of the stream as evidenced by increased algae blooms and other signs of euthophication in impoundments located downstream of the discharge.
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Metering Pump Technology   Water Quality Products March 2002   By Steven Ebersohl, Pulsafeeder, Inc.
Since the introduction of the metering pump, chemical feed for disinfection has been a primary application. As we move into the 21st Century, it again is time to review how we introduce chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite into our water systems. While the goal remains the same, changes in pump technology have been created to provide more accurate and consistent results. This article will discuss current metering pump technologies, proper pump sizing, installation and future enhancements.

Cutting Grease With Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance   Water Engineering & Management March 2002   James M. Russell
Grease is clogging sewers nationwide, creating a costly mess to clean up and a dilemma for officials and regulators. Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that 75 percent of the sewer systems in the United States work at only half capacity because of grease clogs. The cost of keeping sewers open, a cost borne by taxpayers at a local level, is $25 billion per year. The increase in grease in sewer lines is a direct result of the phenomenal growth in dual-income households who choose to eat out or take-out rather than cook at home.
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Legionella Management and Monitoring: Part 2   Water Quality Products February 2002   Paul S. Warden, Kristen S. Fallon, Ph.D., M.S.E.L., & Colin R. Fricker, Ph.D.
Well-designed water distribution and cooling systems, coupled with sound management and operational procedures, are essential to control Legionella in industrial facilities—and a monitoring program should not be considered as a replacement. However, most experts even those ill-disposed towards routine Legionella monitoring, would agree that monitoring should be considered if enough legionellosis risk factors apply to the system in question. No management program, regardless of its treatment, maintenance or monitoring components, can guarantee the absence of future legionellosis, but prudent operational practices combined with ongoing review of risk factors will allow facility managers to minimize exposure to Legionella and to its legal consequences.
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Legionella Management and Monitoring: Part I   Water Quality Products January 2002   Paul S. Warden, Kristen S. Fallon, Ph.D., M.S.E.L., Analytical Services, Inc., and Colin R. Fricker,
This article will present an overview of Legionella bacteria, its ecology and sample collection strategies. A discussion of the pros and cons of Legionella monitoring also is included.
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Threat of Water Supply Bioterrorism: Who Will It Impact?   Water & Wastes Digest December 2001   Nikolai Pitchforth, Research Analyst, Environmental Group, U.S.
The tragic events of September 11th highlighted America’s vulnerability to terrorism and spurred an unprecedented domestic security response. Water treatment facilities were identified almost immediately as a potential target for further attacks and were urged by the FBI to implement security measures, most of which are still in place.

Meeting the Challenge: Revitalizing the Las Vegas Wash   Water Engineering & Management October 2001
In response to growing concerns over water quality issues in the Wash, a committee has developed a comprehensive adaptive management plan to save this primary outlet for water flows.
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Flexible Monitoring System Helps Ohio Company Meet Daily EPA Measurement Requirements   Water & Wastes Digest May 2001
An Ohio utility company provides water plant operator services to facilities throughout the state, including several very large travel center operations. Daily monitoring became time consuming and costly, so they sought a more efficient solution by investigating plant monitoring systems.
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Modern Water Conditions in the Northwest Part of Ukraine: An Analysis   Water Engineering & Management April 2001   Victor Moshynsky
In Ukraine, the monitoring of superficial waters is carried out by the state. this ecological monitoring is the main source of objective information on the condition of waters and territories.

Riding the Tides to Information Integration and Improved Performance   Water Engineering & Management March 2001   Paul Borzo
San Diego Water has taken a giant technological leap forward. It has gone from a 15-year-old monitoring system operating with tone telemetry on leased lines to a state-of-the-art supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system that integrates numerous technology systems throughout the enterprise.
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New SCADA System Reduces Downtime at Omaha Utility   Water & Wastes Digest January 2001

Like all municipalities, the agency responsible for the distribution of natural gas and water throughout the metropolitan area of Omaha, Nebraska – the Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) – needed a SCADA system that is user-friendly and failsafe.

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Is Water Monitoring Necessary for Quality Purposes? Applications Speak for Themselves   Water Quality Products October 2000   Crystal McGee and Bob Langie
By tradition, water quality monitoring has focused on compliance monitoring where the concentrations of a variety of chemical constituents are measured and those found are compared to water quality standards.