Texas SJWP Winners - WEATftp.weat.org/texaswet/wet2005-07.pdf · President Mohamed Dahab were there...

Texas SJWP Winners

Official Publication of the Water Environment Association of Texas

July 2005Volume 22 Issue 4

Plus . . .

• Bills Sent to Governor for Signature• WET Tech Talk

Off-Site Odor Monitoring: Benefits,Training and What on Earth Do You Do with the Data?Good Fences, Better Biofilters:Considering New Odor ControlTechnology for New Neighbors

• Upcoming WEAT Biosolids Conference• Fuquay, Inc., Wins 2004 ‘ROQ Award’

Texas SJWP Winners

July 2005 Texas WET 3

Regular Features

A Message from the President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Message from the Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Highlights from the Executive Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7WEAT Section Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Intergovernmental Affairs Regulatory Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10WET Tech Talk

Off-Site Odor Monitoring: Benefits, Training andWhat on Earth Do You Do with the Data? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Good Fences, Better Biofilters: Considering New Odor Control Technology for New Neighbors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Directors’ Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32WEAT Mission Statement, Officers and Committees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34Professional Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Special Features

Salute to C. K. Foster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13WEAT Biosolids Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Science Fairs 2005 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29Bill Rixey Passes Baton for University Forum to Tim Kramer . . . . . . . . . . . . .31Top Two 2005 Texas SJWP Winners from San Antonio Section.. . . . . . . . .32Fuquay Inc. Wins 2004 ‘ROQ Award’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

On the Cover: James Kucherka, winner of the prestigious 2005 TexasState Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP), received his award from WaterEnvironment Association of Texas President, Richard Eason, at the SanAntonio Section meeting held June 2, 2005. James will represent Texas atthe U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition in Portland, Oregon,June 16–18, 2005. WEAT is providing travel expenses for James and histeacher to attend the event. (Photo by Donna Boelter, James’ teacher)

Leadership for theWater Environment in TexasJuly 2005Volume 22 Issue 4

Texas WET is published six timesa year for the Water EnvironmentAssociation of Texas.

512 E. Riverside Drive, Suite 101Austin, Texas 78704512-693-0060 / Fax 512-693-0062

WEAT Staff and Volunteers

EditorCheryl SmithExecutive [email protected]

AdvertisingBill [email protected]

Layout and DesignDonna Diggons, [email protected]

WET Tech TalkRichard Eason512-261-6222, ext. [email protected]

WEAT WebsiteBruce [email protected]

Texas WET issues are publishedin January, March, May, July,September and November.Deadline for submitting articlesis the 7th day of the monthpreceding the issue month.

Table of Contents

Update Membership Info Online: Don’t miss your mailings. Updateyour membership information online at www.weat.org. Go to membership,then update your membership profile. You will need your membership IDnumber (8 digits on WEF WE&T and WEF Highlights mailing label). Yourpassword is your last name.

4 Texas WET July 2005

A Message from the President

By Richard Eason, President

This spring, I was privileged to represent WEAT whileattending WEFMAX in Colorado Springs at a wonderfullocation overlooking the Garden of the Gods. PastPresident Ray Longoria and Treasurer Brad Castleberryjoined me in that truly amazing setting in the foothillseast of Pikes Peak, with a view of the Garden’s red sand-stone uplifts reaching several hundred feet into the sky.On the second day, we got an inch of snow during ourpresentations. Snow is quite distracting for an Austinite,and while it was really quite beautiful, an inch is quiteenough for me. Formerly known as WEF/MA ExchangeMeetings, WEFMAX meetings are put on by WEF staffand hosted by a member association. WEFMAX is heldat several sites each spring, and brings together theleadership of many of the WEF associations. Othermeetings this spring were held at Highland BeachFlorida, Tucson Arizona, Washington DC, and TorontoCanada. WEFMAX is a unique opportunity to learnmore about WEF, its Member Associations, and impor-tant issues affecting the water quality industry.

Each Association presents an overview to the groupwith questions and answers on activities at the associa-tion level, including membership, budget, structure andkey programs such as government affairs, public educa-tion, web site design, young professional and studentinvolvement.

There were several associations represented atColorado:

• The California WEA• Central States WEA• Kansas WEA• Kentucky-Tennessee WEA• Louisiana WEA• Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association• Rocky Mountain WEA• And of course, WEA Texas

WEF President-Elect J. Michael Read and WEF VicePresident Mohamed Dahab were there to presentmessages from the leadership at WEF. Dahab led adiscussion on WEF’s consideration of group member-ship and how it could offer improved value to WEFmembers. He described two possible directions groupmembership could take and the relative advantagesof each. He solicited input from the attendees on whatdirection to take. WEF is considering group member-ship similar to WEAT’s utility membership, in whicha utility can buy a specific number of membershipsat a small discount, and allow the entire utility accessto certain benefits. It offers the promise of increasedmembership numbers and could be implementedas early as this November at WEFTEC.

One thing that struck me as I listened to the asso-ciation presentations was that, while we share similarmissions and goals, there is diversity in how our organi-zations are structured and who we serve. For example,while the California association (CWEA) has 7,667members, only 2,686 are WEF members. WEAT hasabout 1,400 members and all but about 100 of thembelong to WEF. This may be because CWEA has respon-sibility for training and certifying in six disciplines. InTexas, the training role for a large part of certificationis served by other organizations and certification ishandled by the TCEQ.

CWEA’s presentation focused on strategic planning.WEAT does long range planning too. You can learnmore about California’s strategic planning at theirwebsite, www.cwea.org. They have an annual leadershipplanning meeting, while we have our long range plan-ning meeting. Their strategic plan has a “core purposeto enhance the effectiveness of water environmentprofessionals and to benefit society by protecting andenhancing our water environment.” Our mission state-ment is very similar. They have established what theycall their “Big Audacious Goal, that the public willvalue wastewater professionals as partners in protectingthe water environment.” Simple yet profound. Theyidentified a number of steps to work toward this.We will too!

For their Big Audacious Goal, some key steps include:

• Improving the image of our industry and profession• Inclusive membership• Professionally competent and ample workforce• Value and recognition of certification• Information and knowledge• Impacting water quality industry leadership

Success will lead water professionals to being:

• Seen as an integral part of watershed management• Sought out for advice, tapped to help create

regulation• Collaborative with other groups, including activists• Active in student chapters at every university• Supported by employers• Excited about and knowing what to say about our

jobs at cocktail parties!

This is good stuff. I believe we are already doing wellat some of these things. WEAT can help us achieve suchgoals by supporting our existing programs and focusingon the emerging opportunities. Please let me knowwhat we are NOT doing to promote these [email protected]

Main Office301 M&B Industrial, Waco, TX 76712254-776-0377 • 800-299-8909 • Fax 254-776-0023Branch Offices7437 Tower Street, Fort Worth, TX 76118817-589-2060 • 888-381-3873 • Fax 817-595-49001900 West Howard Lane, Austin, TX 78728512-310-1480 • 800-967-8536 • Fax 512-310-141713126A Lookout Ridge, San Antonio, TX 78233210-656-0530 • 866-816-PUMP • Fax 210-656-2372

www.smithpump.com


A Message from the Executive Director

By Carol Batterton, Executive Director

The 79th Session of the Texas Legislature endedon May 30, with a short list of enrolled water qualitylegislation. You will find a summary of the bills onWEAT’s tracking list that passed in the GovernmentAffairs Committee’s column. Perhaps what were mostnotable were not the bills that passed, but the bills thatdid not pass. Unfortunately, HB 86 by Rep. WayneSmith, which would have made significant changes tothe way TCEQ calculates and uses compliance history,passed the House, but did not pass the Senate. Also,SB 3, a comprehensive water bill by Sen. Armbrister,which would have created a water infrastructurefinancing mechanism and an environmental flowsstudy commission, did not pass.

Now that the session is over, we will turn our atten-tion to the rulemaking activities at TCEQ. Coming upin late July, the agency will be conducting a series ofstakeholder meetings to get input which will be usedto develop the agency’s enforcement penalty policyinto rules. I will be working with WEAT’s GovernmentAffairs Committee and the Board to formulate WEAT’sposition on the issues posed by the agency. We alsoanticipate seeing a re-initiation of TCEQ rulemaking onchapter 317/217 Design Criteria. Many of our membershave been heavily involved in this rule project in the

past, and we anticipate that WEAT will play a veryactive role in the future.

In ongoing TCEQ rulemakings, WEAT providedcomments on the pending rules to implement HB 2546from the 78th legislative session. These rules placecertain requirements on the application of Class Bbiosolids (sludge). WEAT’s comments questioned theapplicability of establishing a nutrient managementsystem for biosolids that parallels the system used forland application of manures. These rules are scheduledfor adoption on September 28, 2005.

On the federal level, we have been working withthe WEF Government Affairs staff to contact Texas con-gressmen on the issues of maintaining state revolvingloan funding and protecting the current practice ofwastewater effluent and stormwater blending.

In the next issue of Texas WET, we expect toannounce the recipient of our first Award for Excellencein Environmental Policy and Regulation. I will be work-ing with the Government Affairs Committee and theBoard to nominate a candidate for this special award.

Thanks to all of you for your help during the legisla-tive session and for sharing your thoughts and ideas.Please feel free to contact me at any time.

Hydronics, Inc.

www.Hydronics-Inc.com

. . . for all your

water & wastewater

equipment needs The Best Choice

The First Time

The Right Price


Highlights from the Executive Office

By Cheryl Smith, Executive Administrator

Summer is here and the heat is up at WEAT. The79th legislative session is over and, included in thisissue, under the intergovernmental affairs regulatoryregister column, is a summary of the bills on WEAT’stracking list that passed. Many thanks to Carol Batter-ton, WEAT’s Executive Director, who has done anoutstanding job in the legislative arena, along withRebecca Cobos, Brad Castleberry, Carolyn AhrensWieland and all the other members who gave of theirexpertise and input, when needed.

WEAT now has a professional JOB BANK on line.If you are looking for a job, you can post your resumeFREE. Employers who are looking for qualified indi-viduals can post a job listing for $150 a month (intro-ductory offer this summer). Go to WEAT’s website atwww.weat.org to see for yourself how easy it is to postor find a job.

The 3rd Bi-Annual Odor and Corrosion Conferenceand Expo took place on May 12–13, at the SheratonGrand Hotel in Irving, Texas. Over 70 attendees werepresent for the two-day conference. Exhibitors at theconference included: Alan Plummer & Associates,Inc.; Altivia; Biocope, Inc.; Biorem Technologies Inc.;Bioway America,Inc.; Calgon Cargon Corporation;Duall Division, Met-Pro Corporation; ECO2;Hartwell; Environmental Corp.; NuTech Environ-mental Inc.; Pencco, Inc.; US Peroxide; and US FilterDavis Process. Many thanks go to the Trinity RiverAuthority for allowing us to tour their facility and toOCTC for sponsoring the Meet ‘n Greet. The confer-ence was a great success and planning is underway forthe 4th Bi-Annual Odor and Corrosion Conference andExpo in 2007.

The Advancing Asset Management in Your Utility:A “Hands-on” Workshop Approach is coming toCityPlace Conference Center in Dallas on June 28–29.Limited seating is available. Tabletop exhibits areavailable at $300 each. “America’s water infrastructureis critical to our nation’s environmental, economic,and social health. To help sustain our infrastructure,we should all be striving towards the goal of making

Advanced Asset Management concepts and technolo-gies the normal and expected condition of the service,everywhere.” Benjamin H. Grumbles Acting AssistantAdministrator for Water USEPA. On-line registrationis available at www.weat.org.

Mark Your Calendars

June 22–24, WEF POTW Security VSAT Workshopwill be held at the Courtyard Austin Central.

June 28–29, Advancing Asset Management in YourUtility: A “Hands-on” Workshop Approach will beheld at CityPlace in Dallas.

August 19, Biosolids Conference will be held at theCrowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Austin.

August 29–30, CMOM—Examples of StrongMaintenance Practices will be held at the AustinConvention Center, sponsored by USEPA Region 6 inassociation with TCEQ, WEAT and City of Austin WaterUtility.

September 22, the First Innovative TechnologyConference will be held at the Wichita Falls Conven-tion Center in Wichita Falls, Texas.

WEAT Scholarship

Deadline to submit application forBob Derrington Memorial EndowmentScholarship is July 15. See WEAT websiteat www.weat.org for more information andapplication.


WEAT Section Activities

Amarillo Vacant—rep needed

LubbockRepresentative Dr. Andrew Jackson, 806-742-2801

Dallas/Fort WorthRepresentative Betty Jordan, 817-284-2724

The North Texas Section of WEAT held its May meet-ing at CityPlace, Dallas. Patty Cleveland (TRA), FrankCrumb (Ft. Worth), Donna Long (DWU), and DolanMcKnight (NTMWD) gave a very interesting joint pres-entation on the past, present, and future of wastewatermanagement in the DFW area. 2005-2006 Section offi-cers were announced: Jody Zabolio, President; BeckyGuthrie, President Elect; Randy McIntyre, Vice Presi-dent; Amy Robinson, Treasurer; Tina Hanson, Secretary;Donna Long, Past President; and Betty Jordan, SectionRep. Our next meeting will be July 12 at Lone Star Parkin Irving, Texas. This is a social evening with familyand friends and is always well attended. Come join us!

Longview/Tyler/Texarkana/LufkinRepresentative Brandy Germany, 903-509-1552

The Northeast Texas Section presented SteveKennedy with three awards during the May luncheon

sponsored by Tyler Pipe. Steve receivedhis 5S shovel award for recruiting 5 newmembers in 2004, a plaque from theState recognizing him for his member-ship recruitment efforts in 2004 andspecial recognition from Ray Longoria

as “An Outstanding Member of WEAT.” The NortheastSection is incredibly proud of Steve! In addition, elec-tion of officers took place during our meeting. LisaWhite will serve as President, Steve Kennedy as VicePresident, and Mary Evans as Secretary/Treasurer. Ournext meeting will occur in July. This will be a greatopportunity for anyone interested in the NortheastSection of WEAT to come and help us grow. Please callBrandy Germany for the location of the meeting.

El PasoRepresentative David Ornelas, 915-594-5730

Midland/Odessa Vacant—rep needed

Abilene Vacant—rep needed

AustinRepresentative Lynne Moss, 512-346-1100

The Central Texas Section of WEAT met on May 17,2005, where David Jackson, P.E., was our guestspeaker, and discussed Integrated Fixed Film ActivatedSludge Systems. The evening also included a short

business meeting and a social gathering followed by abuffet dinner.

David Jackson is a Project Manager and Associate atFreese and Nichols, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Sciencein Civil Engineering and Master of Science in Environ-mental Engineering from Texas A&M University, andhe has been with Freese and Nichols since 1993.Mr. Jackson has been involved in project managementand design of multiple water and wastewater treatmentfacilities throughout the State of Texas. He specializes inwater and wastewater treatment plant design, construc-tion contract administration, and water and wastewaterplanning. Mr. Jackson has been an active member ofWEAT since 1993 and is currently serving as Past Presi-dent of the North Texas Section, WEAT Bylaws Chairand Parliamentarian.

The Meeting Sponsors were Freese and Nichols, Inc.and Hartwell Environmental Corporation. Foundedin Fort Worth in 1894, Freese and Nichols, Inc. offerscomprehensive engineering, environmental science andarchitectural services to municipal, industrial and pri-vate sector clients. For more information in CentralTexas, contact Mike Nichols at 512-451-7955. HartwellEnvironmental Corporation represents manufacturersof water and wastewater treatment equipment formunicipalities, industries, and utility districts. For moreinformation, contact Kent Guilbeau at 512-347-7676.

During the business meeting, new officers were votedinto several positions including Karol Menhard, Presi-dent-Elect; Brad Castleberry, Vice President; PervezJameel, Secretary; and Lynne Moss, Section Representa-tive. Officers continuing to serve, or moving into newpositions include Steve Coonan, new President, DavidBriggs, new Past-President; and Heather Harris, Treasurer.

Young Professionals: Several of the Sections’ YP’svolunteered at Texas Water, assisting with registration,technical sessions, and other activities. YP leaders fromacross the state met at the conference to determine howto encourage young professionals to participate inWEAT. Also in April, the YP’s gathered at a local restau-rant to meet and get to know their peers. To learn moreabout YP activities and/or to get more involved withthe Central Texas Section YPs, please contact KathyPontesso at 512-732-7517 or at [email protected].

Upcoming Events: The Austin-area WEAT andTAWWA chapters have started planning our annualSummer Cruise, and all are welcome. This year thecruise will be held on Friday, July 29, aboard the Flag-ship Texas on Lake Travis. Please plan on joining us forfood, (a little) sun, music, and fun between 7 and10 pm. If you have any questions or would like tosponsor this event, please contact Heather Harrisat [email protected].

Central Texas Section Officers

• President – Steve Coonan452-5905, [email protected]

• President-Elect – Karol Menhard457-7748, [email protected]

• Vice-President – Brad Castleberry322-5856, [email protected]

• Treasurer – Heather Harris453-2468, [email protected]

• Secretary – Pervez Jameel328-8975, [email protected]

• Young Professionals Rep. – Kathy Pontesso732-7517, [email protected]

• Section Rep. – Lynne Moss346-1100, [email protected]

• Past President – David Briggs346-1100, [email protected]

Houston/GalvestonRepresentative Dr. Bob Hill, 281-367-3556

The section held its last meeting of the spring onMay 19th at the Saint Arnold Brewing Company. Newofficers were elected. They are: Jennie Almerico, Presi-dent; Naomi Azulai, President-Elect; Chuck Gilman,Vice President; Tejal Gholkar, Secretary-Treasurer; andBob Hill, Representative. Rami Issa was also voted inas the new Young Professionals (YP) representative.The new officers will be meeting this summer to plan2005-06 activities.

Please visit the section’s web site at www.weat.org/southeast for the latest news from the Houston/Galve-ston Section. The web site has contact information forthe officers, planned activities, and past newsletters.

Beaumont/Port ArthurRepresentative Karin Warren, 409-785-3006

San AntonioRepresentative Don Vandertulip, P.E., 210-541-9166

The San Antonio Section Executive Board met onMay 16, 2005. New Officers for this year are:

President: Albert Rodriguez, P.E. with HDRVice President: Bob Johnson, P.E. with SAWSSecretary: Matthew Hinkson with SAWSTreasury: Steven Renneker , P.E.. with SAWSPast President: Keith Pyron, P.E. with PBS&JSection Representative: Don Vandertulip, P.E. withKimley-Horn

WEAT Section 11 met on June 2 with the localAWWA Section to hear a presentation from Dr. RobertMace, TWDB, entitled “The History of the Rule ofCapture in Texas.”

June 22–24. WEF POTW Security VSATWorkshop – Courtyard Central, Austin, TX

June 23. San Antonio Section Meeting – LocationTBA

June 28–29. Advancing Asset ManagementWorkshop – CityPlace, Dallas, TX

July 12. Dallas/Fort Worth Section Meeting – LoneStar Park, Irving, TX

July 28. Executive Board of Directors Meeting –Austin, TX

July 29. Austin Section WEAT and TAWWA 5thAnnual Joint Summer Cruise – Flagship Texas atLake Travis

July 29–30. Long Range Planning CommitteeMeeting – Lakeway, TX

August 19. Biosolids Conference – CrownePlaza, Austin, TX

August 29–30. CMOM – USEPA Region 6,TCEQ, WEAT and City of Austin Water Utility –Austin Convention Center, Austin, TX

September 22. First Innovative TechnologyConference – Wichita Falls, TX

October. WEAT Safety Conference

October 29–November 2. WEFTEC –Washington, DC

October 30. Texas Reception at WEFTEC –Washington, DC

October 31. WEAT Executive Board Meeting –Washington, DC

Calendar of Events

Corpus ChristiRepresentative Foster Crowell, 281-367-3556

Bryan/College Station Vacant—rep needed

Del Rio/Uvalde Vacant—rep needed

Harlingen/Brownsville Vacant—rep needed

Laredo Vacant—rep needed

Port Lavaca Vacant—rep needed

San Angelo Vacant—rep needed

WacoRepresentative Trey Buzbee, 254-761-3168

Wichita FallsRepresentative Naomi Fernandez, 940-761-7477


79th Legislative Roll Call . . . Bills Sent to the Governor for Signature

HB 467 Bailey. Relating to the financing of water and sewerprograms in economically distressed areas in counties over acertain population.

Modifies current eligibility requirements for politicalsubdivisions to qualify for water and sewer fundingunder the Economically Distressed Areas Program(EDAP) operated by the Water Development Board.Removes requirements linking eligibility to average percapita income, unemployment levels, and proximityto the international border and replaces them with arequirement based on median income. Requires thecounty in which participating communities are locatedto have adopted the model subdivision rules and adop-tion of water conservation program to be eligible formonies.

HB 841 Kolkhorst. Relating to the rates charged by amunicipally owned utility to certain recreational vehicleparks for potable water or wastewater service.

Requires municipalities to charge commercial waterand wastewater rates to recreational vehicle parks andcampground owners, similar to hotels and motels.

HB 1225 Puente. Relating to the grounds for an exemptionfrom cancellation of a water right for nonuse.

A permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudicationor a portion of a permit, certified filing, or certificateof adjudication is exempt from cancellation if the waterhas not been put to beneficial use within a 10-yearperiod due to implementation of water conservationmeasures.

HB 2510 Bonnen. Relating to the regulation of on-sitesewage disposal systems and the maintenance of thosesystems; imposing administrative and criminal penalties.

Grants the Texas Commission on EnvironmentalQuality (“the Commission”) oversight of entitiesinvolved in the maintenance of on-site sewage disposalsystems and provides penalties for improper mainte-nance of such systems. In addition, it requires thatthose involved in maintaining and servicing on-sitesewage disposal systems be licensed or registered by theCommission. Authorizes the Commission to adopt rulesregarding standards for training in system maintenance,including single-family residences. Requires the Com-mission to develop curriculum and a manual for alicense and for the maintenance of an on-site sewagedisposal system.

HB 2651 Krusee. Relating to the regulation of subsurfacearea drip dispersal systems by the Texas Commission onEnvironmental Quality.

Creates a permitting system for certain processedcommercial, industrial, or municipal waste being dis-posed of by subsurface drip dispersal systems. Autho-rizes the Commission to hold a public hearing on apermit application for a subsurface area drip dispersalsystem. Authorizes rulemaking for giving notice of theopportunity to request a public hearing on a permitapplication. Requires the Commission to consider allevidence admitted, including compliance history, indetermining whether to issue, amend, extend, or renewa permit and to deny the permit upon concluding thatthe applicant’s compliance history is unacceptable.Requires TCEQ to create rules separate from the under-ground injection category by July 31, 2006. Exempts aperson from holding a permit until November 1, 2006.

HB 2876 Callegari. Relating to certificates of public conven-ience and necessity for water service and sewer service.

The bill grants the Commission meaningful discre-tion with regard to its evaluation of CCN applicationswhile giving affected landowners greater latitude indeciding whether or not their land will be included in acertificated area. Listed below are various administrativerequirements for the Commission in granting certifi-cates of public convenience and necessity (CCN).

• The agency would be prohibited from granting aCCN to a retail public utility within the boundariesor extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality witha population of 500,000 or more without the consentof the municipality unless certain conditions exist.

• Allows a municipality to require that all water andsewer facilities be designed and constructed in accor-dance with the municipality’s standards and facilities.

• If a city extends its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ)to include an area certificated to a retail publicutility, the retail public utility may continue andextend service in its certificated area under the rightsgranted by its certificate.

• Commission may not extend a municipality’s CCNbeyond its ETJ without the written consent of thelandowner who owns the property in which thecertificate is to be extended.

• Requires Commission to mail notice to each ownerof a tract of land that is at least 50 acres and iswholly or partially included in the area proposedto be certified.

Intergovernmental Affairs Regulatory Register

By Rebecca Cobos, Intergovernmental Committee Chair


• A municipality with a population of more than500,000 may exercise the power of eminent domainto acquire a substandard water or sewer system ifthey are within the municipality’s boundaries.

• Requires Commission to include assessment ofmanagerial, technical and financial capabilitiesfor CCN amendments.

• Wholesale providers of water or sewer may notrequire a customer to have a CCN in order to serve.

• Requires the Commission to adopt rules to ensurethat a decertified retail public utility receives ade-quate compensation for its facilities.

SB 9 Staples. Relating to homeland security.Provides for improvement in the areas of agro-terror-

ism, mutual aid, first responder radio and computercommunications interoperability in the state, theHealth Alert Network, public drinking water and waste-water security, and protection of critical infrastructure.Requires cities that operate or own public water supplyand sewer systems to notify the Texas Commission onEnvironmental Quality immediately of: (1) an unusualor unexplained entry at the facility; (2) an act of terror-ism; (3) an unauthorized attempt to probe for accessto proprietary information; (4) a theft of property, or(5) a natural disaster, accident, or act that results indamage to the public water system.

SB 1281 Armbrister. Relating to the regulation and permit-ting of a commercial industrial solid waste facility connectedto a publicly owned treatment works facility.

Prohibits a commercial industrial solid waste facilityfrom receiving industrial solid waste for discharge intoa publicly owned treatment works facility without firstobtaining a permit from TCEQ under Chapter 361,Health and Safety Code or Chapter 26, Water Codewith an exception that a permit is not required ifwastes are incidental to handling, processing, storage ordisposal at a municipal solid waste facility or commer-cial industrial solid waste landfill facility. Authorizesrulemaking no later than February 1, 2006, and directsa commercial industrial solid waste facility not toaccept industrial solid waste on or after June 1, 2006,unless it obtains a permit under this new section.Stakeholder meeting scheduled for 7/21/05 from8:00 am to noon.

SB 1297 Armbrister. Relating to the elements of the criminaloffense of discharging used oil into water in the state.

Amends Section 7.147(a) of the Water Code so thatit is not a criminal offense to discharge used oil intothe waters of the state if the concentration of used oilin the waste stream is less than 15 parts per million andif the discharger is authorized to discharge storm waterunder a general permit issued under Section 26.040.Amends Section 7.176(a) of the water code so that it isnot a offense to discharge used oil into a sewer, septictank, surface water, groundwater, watercourse, or

marine water if the concentration of used oil in thewaste stream is less than 15 parts per million and if thedischarger is authorized to discharge storm water undera general permit issued under Section. 26.040. Commis-sion is forming stakeholder group.

SB 1707 Staples. Relating to the regulation of poultry facilities.Defines “Liquid waste handling system” as a system

in which fresh water or wastewater is used for trans-porting and land applying waste. Amends the WaterCode to allow the State Soil and Water ConservationBoard to certify a water quality management plan fora poultry facility that does not use a liquid wastehandling system and has obtained a permit or otherauthorization from the Commission. Provisions do notaffect the authority of the Commission to investigateor take enforcement action against a point sourcedischarge. Also amends the Agriculture Code to providethat these provisions apply to a water quality manage-ment plan developed or certified for use by a poultryfacility under provisions relating to nonpoint sourcepollution. Amends the Water Code to provide that thestatute relating to procedures applicable to permits forcertain concentrated animal feeding operations do notapply to a poultry operation that does not use a liquidwaste handling system. The Commission’s Water Qual-ity division will participate in the rulemaking activitiesbetween the Soil Board and Commission.

SB 1354. Relating to the protection of water quality inwatersheds threatened by quarry activities; establishinga pilot program in a certain portion of the Brazos Riverwatershed; providing penalties.

Establishes specific permitting and enforcementprograms for this special stretch of the Brazos Riverby developing a pilot-permitting program. Requiresindividual or general permits for quarries, dependingon their proximity to the river and requires quarryoperators to submit reclamation and restoration planswhile providing financial assurances to mitigatedamages from unauthorized discharges.

What’s New in Rulemaking at TCEQ

78th-HB 2546: Sludge Use. Disposal and transportation. Modifies and adds new requirements for land

application of Class B sewage sludge. Comments due5/09/05. Approval date 10/12/05.

78th-SB 934: Lab Accreditation. Amendments to Chapter 215.

Updates certain references and requirements relatingto the accreditation of environmental laboratories.Approval date 8/10/05.


WET Tech Talk

Off-Site Odor Monitoring: Benefits, Training andWhat on Earth Do You Do with the Data?

By Charlotte G. Smith, P.E., and Betty L. Jordan, P.E.Alan Plummer Associates, Inc.

Introduction

Development in many communities has broughtparks, neighborhoods, and people closer to wastewater,and other environmental, treatment facilities. Thepublic expects those facilities to control odor emissions.The data collected through off-site odor monitoring canbe an effective tool in appropriately targeting odorcontrol expenditures.

Alan Plummer Associates, Inc. (APAI) worked withthe City of Denton and the Trinity River Authorityof Texas to help determine the off-site impacts of odoremissions from their wastewater and environmentaltreatment facilities.

For the City of Denton, APAI conducted a compre-hensive odor abatement study to evaluate the off-siteimpacts of its water reclamation plant (WRP), compost-ing facility, and landfill, all of which are within onesquare mile of each other. APAI also evaluated otherpotentially objectionable odor sources such as the City’scollection system, other businesses, and industrialfacilities in close proximity to the plant. The majortasks of the project included completing an off-siteodor survey, measuring on-site emissions, and odordispersion modeling.

In a similar project, the Trinity River Authority(Authority), with the Cities of Grand Prairie and Irving,retained APAI to evaluate the off-site impact of theCentral Regional Wastewater System (CRWS) treatmentplant and to prepare a baseline survey of perceivedodors at locations surrounding the wastewater treat-ment plant. The Authority has proactively addressedodor concerns at its CRWS treatment plant through aphased odor abatement program. The need to continuethis program has become more apparent by a recentincrease in the number of private developments in thearea surrounding the wastewater treatment plant. It waspossible that odors were being emitted from nearbybusinesses or industrial facilities not operated by theAuthority. Odors emanating from these sources wouldnot be controlled by odor abatement measures takenby the CRWS.

Odor Sources and Receptors

Potential odor sources are identified based on theircapacity to provide an objectionable odor with an off-site impact. Odor sources could include wastewater

treatment plants and collection systems, landfill opera-tions, compost facilities, Type V liquid waste processingfacilities, illegal dumps, agricultural operations, oil andgas production and processing facilities, and numerousother industries located in the area of interest. Prior todeveloping a monitoring plan, potential odor sourcesare identified and screened for further study. Assessingthe sources of odors in the study area helps determinethe best use of odor control dollars.

Odor receptors are those locations that have a signifi-cant potential for generating odor complaints, or thathave a history of generating odor complaints. These aresites at which odors may be perceived; such as, residen-tial developments, parks, shopping malls, and schools.Odor receptor locations are ideal monitoring sites. Priorto conducting the off-site monitoring, the project teamreviewed historical odor complaints and used thoselocations to identify odor source and receptor locations.Participating agencies and the consultant workedtogether to identify off-site odor monitoring locations.

Odor Characterization

Odor may be characterized according to concentra-tion, intensity, character, and hedonic tone. Measuringthe multitude of compounds that can cause odor is costprohibitive. Odor units, also known as dilution-to-threshold (D/T) values, characterize the odor concentra-tion. An odor unit is defined as the volume of diluted(non-odorous) mixture divided by the volume of theodorous air sample at the threshold level. Thresholdodor level refers to the minimum concentration of anodor that an average person can detect. The U.S. stan-dard for odor concentration measurement is ASTMMethod E679-91, “Determination of Odor and TasteThreshold by a Forced-Choice Ascending ConcentrationSeries Method of Limits.” The European Union,Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and much of thePacific Rim will follow, prEN 13725, “Air Quality—Determination of Odor Concentration by DynamicOlfactometery.”

Odor intensity is the perceived strength of the odorwith reference to a standard odor strength, typicallyusing n-butanol as a reference. The n-butanol scaleis a series of eight solutions of n-butanol and water.Intensity of the odor is determined by comparing theintensity of the known n-butanol concentration to the

Off-Site Odor Monitoring continued on page 14


Both of us knew and worked with C. K. Foster formany years and believe that he lived the life of onedescribed by Tom Brokaw in his book, “The GreatestGeneration.” Mr. Foster did not wait to be drafted inthe Army in World War II, but voluntarily joined theNavy Sea Bees to build barracks for the U.S. forces tolive in, on their way to Japan. After the war, he couldhave taken a job without much responsibility, but hechose to take advantage of the G.I. Bill and got a degreein Civil Engineering. He also found time to meet andmarry Catherine. They have four solid-citizen typechildren.

By now, readers may wonder why we are praisingC. K. Foster. It is simply to say that we served for manyyears with him on the V. M. Ehlers Scholarship Fund,which has grown from one scholarship per year to over100 scholarships per year, all in Texas.

In spite of having a large fund for scholarships, weseem to have gotten away from the original purpose ofdonating to Science and Engineering students planningcareers in water. Mr. Foster spent over thirty years

working to assure that the cities of Texas had purewater meeting Health Department standards.

Our ages prevent us from serving as Officers of theV. M. Ehlers Fund any longer, but we are not too oldto ask for money for scholarships in his memory (taxdeductible, too). The V. M. Ehlers share of this Foun-dation has been shrinking due to local Districts nothaving enough funds and the Foundation has pickedup the slack.

Both of us worked for Mr. Ehlers and believe that ifwe could ask for his opinion, it would be “try to pleaseeveryone, but get the job done.” Thus our plan is toincrease the V. M. Ehlers share of the whole Foundationand restrict these scholarships to Science and Engineer-ing students. In time, the amounts of these scholarships“might” increase.

Donations in any amount will be acknowledged andmay be sent to the WEAT office or the V. M. EhlersFoundation, 1106 Clayton Lane, Suite 101 E. Austin,Texas 78723.

Salute to C. K. Foster

By S. A. Garza and Sam Warrington


perceived intensity of the odor, without regard tothe odor character. The odor intensity is the relativestrength of the odor above the threshold.

Using descriptors such as “fragrant,” “fresh-cutgrass,” “sewer,” or “hydrogen sulfide,” odor characteris useful in determining the source of the odor, whichwas a goal of these projects.

Hedonic tone is the degree of pleasantness orunpleasantness of an odor. It can be measured by arelative scale (i.e., +10 being pleasant to –10 beingunpleasant) or degree of magnitude. Hedonic tonecan be used to determine if an odor will be consideredobjectionable.

City of Denton

Methodology for conducting the off-site monitoringfor the City of Denton included identifying monitoringsites, training the personnel who would be conductingthe monitoring, and collecting and interpreting thedata. Personnel from the City and APAI, as well asvolunteers from the Denton Regional Medical Centerand the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA), were involved in the project.

Site Identification

Project participants from the City and APAI moni-tored odor and climatic conditions at 16 locationswithin a five-mile radius of the WRP, compostingfacility, and landfill. The sites were determined basedupon historical odor complaints, potential odor sources,and potential odor receptors.

Training

St. Croix Sensory, Inc., trained personnel fromthe City of Denton in observation of ambient odors.St. Croix’s “odor school,” conducted by ChuckMcGinley, included classroom study and fieldwork.The classroom study included learning how the olfac-tory senses work, how to characterize odors, and howto conduct off-site odor monitoring. The class alsodiscussed meteorological conditions that can lead toworst-case odor episodes and the basics of air disper-sion. The Nasal Ranger field olfactometer, a portableinstrument developed by St. Croix for measuringambient D/T, was introduced in the training.

St. Croix provided an “odor wheel” as part of thetraining. All of the odor descriptors used during themonitoring project were taken from the odor wheel.Descriptors were added as needed. For this project, fourdifferent food odor descriptors were added.

Following the classroom study, the participants vis-ited the WRP, compost facility, and landfill to becomefamiliar with the odor emissions of the different treat-ment processes. Fieldwork also included visiting two ofthe proposed monitoring sites and conducting a drive-by review of the remaining monitoring sites. Partici-

pants were also trained in observing typical meteorolog-ical conditions, including wind speed and direction.

Monitoring

From March 2003 through February 2004, teams oftwo from the City of Denton monitored off-site odorsfrom two to three times per week, weather permitting.A team of two from APAI monitored off-site odors fourtimes during the project. Each group completed adatasheet for each monitoring session. APAI staff loggedodor and meteorological observations into a MicrosoftAccess database. Each observation at each location wasits own record. The odor observations were classifiedinto the nine categories listed below:

W: WRP Odors where the wastewatertreatment plant was specified.

C: Compost Odors where the compost facilitywas specified.

L: Landfill Odors where the landfill wasspecified.

S: Sewer Odors where sewer, sewage wasspecified.

G: Garbage Residential garbage. R: Combustion Construction, roadwork, com-

bustion odors, traffic, automotiveodors, gasoline, exhaust.

V Vegetation Grass, trees, floral, vegetation,onion.

O: Food Animal odors, water, odors notlisted in other categories.

N: No odor No odor detected.

Participants used a compass to measure wind direc-tion, which was recorded as where the wind originated.For each observation attributed to one of the environ-mental facilities, the measured wind direction wascompared to the direct downwind angle (DDA) of thefacility to evaluate the effect of the wind direction onthe perception of off-site odors. The DDA of the envi-ronmental facilities to the monitoring location is thedirection to the facilities from north using each site asa reference point.

Figure 1 illustrates the six zones used to evaluate theeffect of the wind direction on the perception of odors.Zone 1 comprises the observations with the wind direc-tion within 7.5Y plus or minus of the DDA. Zones 2through 6 comprise the observations with the winddirection at increments of 7.5Y plus or minus up to 45Yplus or minus of the DDA. Illustrating the wind direc-tions taken for each odor measurement relative to theWRP, landfill, and compost facility can help data usersdecipher whether the treatment facilities are probableculprits of offensive odors throughout the area.

Many odors observed and reported by the odormonitors were of short duration, and slight changesin the wind direction or speed could cause odors todisappear or change type. As such, some of the odor

Off-Site Odor Monitoring continued from page 12


readings gave descriptions of odors, but the odorsdissipated prior to measuring the dilution-to-thresholdor vice versa.

Minimal off-site odor impact was experienced duringthe first half of the sampling period. As a result, eighton-site monitoring locations were added to the project,bringing the total number of monitoring sites to 24.The eight additional sites were located on the premisesof the WRP, composting facility, and landfill.

Interpretation and Results

The City of Denton has proactively addressedodor concerns through the use of Bioxide® at selectedlocations in the distribution system. Bioxide, a patentedprocess using nitrate salt, creates an environment wherebacteria that use dissolved hydrogen sulfide for theirmetabolism thrive. Thus, odors emanating from thewastewater treatment processes were relatively innocuous.

Sewer odors were observed at the State School andNorth Forty monitoring locations. Wind directionaldata and the distance from the WRP to the monitoringlocations indicate that the sewer odors were likely fromthe collection system rather than the WRP.

The compost facility controls odors by properly aer-ating piles and practicing good housekeeping. The land-fill also practices good housekeeping and neutralizesodors with sprays during times when odors may traveloff-site.

The off-site odor monitoring data collected by theCity of Denton and APAI has been used in conjunctionwith dispersion modeling to determine the environ-mental facilities with the greatest off-site impact. Dueto the effectiveness of Bioxide® and the operationaland housekeeping practices at compost facility andlandfill in controlling odor emissions, additional odorcontrol at the three environmental facilities is notrecommended at this time.

Trinity River Authority Central Regional Wastewater System

Methodology for conducting the off-site moni-toring for the CRWS treatment plant also includedidentifying monitoring sites, training the personnelwho would be conducting the monitoring, andcollecting and interpreting the data. Personnelfrom the Authority, the Cities of Grand Prairieand Irving, and APAI were involved in the project.Details of the project are described below.

Site Identification

Personnel from the Authority, APAI, and theCities of Irving and Grand Prairie performed thefield reconnaissance to identify the locations ofthe odor monitoring sites. The project teamdetermined the sites based on historical odorcomplaints, potential odor sources, and potentialodor receptors such as nearby neighborhoods.

Training

Prior to beginning the off-site odor monitoring,personnel were trained in the classroom on odor prop-erties, odor measurement methodology, meteorologicalfactors, and complaint response. In the field, partici-pants were trained in observing typical meteorologicalconditions, including wind speed and direction, and inidentifying odor intensity and character. Ned Ostojic,Ph.D, of Odor Science and Engineering, Inc. (OS&E),conducted the odor monitoring training.

The project team conducted olfactory sensitivityscreening to ensure that no participant was deficientin sensitivity to odors. Olfactory fatigue occurs rapidlywhen exposed to constant odors. Only personnel whowere not in contact with wastewater odors for a signifi-cant part of their workday were selected. Personnel whowork around landfills and wastewater treatment wouldnot be suitable candidates for field reconnaissance.

Monitoring

Trained participants conducted field monitoringof odors weekly between July 2003 and January 2004.While in the field, participants recorded meteorologicalconditions, odor intensities, odor character and poten-tial odor sources at each odor monitoring location.Odor sources were recorded if they could be determined.

Personnel from the Authority and APAI also recordedambient gas hydrogen sulfide concentrations in the airusing the Jerome 631X meter during field reconnais-sance operations. Odor and meteorological observationswere logged into a Microsoft Access database. Eachobservation at each location by each participant wasits own record. Each observation was placed into oneof the following eight categories:

T: TRA Observations that specificallynoted that the odors were fromthe treatment plant.

Figure 1. Source relative wind direction zones.


Data Interpretation and Results

Odor-monitoring participants observed several in-dustries in the area including Frito Lay Plant, EnglandProducts, House of Color, and Jolly Chef. Jolly Chef isthe only industry mentioned that is likely to produceodors that could be confused with odors from thewastewater treatment plant or landfills. Jolly Chefgenerates large amounts of perishable waste fromits food production operations, which may becomerelatively odorous prior to trash collection.

As with the City of Denton project, many odorsobserved and reported by off-site odor patrol teamswere of short duration and slight changes in the winddirection or speed could cause odors to disappear orchange type. Odors from TRA CRWS could be maskingother odors from the two landfills or other nearbybusinesses or industrial facilities. If TRA CRWS expendslarge amounts of money to abate odors from the treat-ment plant, odors from sources not operated by theAuthority may become more noticeable.

Although a variety of odors from industrial odorsources near the CRWS facility were observed, the odorsfrom the facilities that may be confused with sewerodors were difficult to differentiate from the odors fromthe wastewater treatment plant. Further evaluation ofthe area within one mile of the treatment plant mayhelp to isolate the odors from CRWS from the othernearby odor sources.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend our sincerestthanks to all who had contributed to the completionin the off-site odor evaluations. We wish to thank LoyalRowland, Yolanda Nolan, Jason Branch, James Stewartand Sylvia Molinar with the City of Grand Prairie; MarkOndras, Paul Hamm and Steve Martin with the Cityof Irving; John Greer, Peggy English and Sharon Doylewith the Authority; Annie Bunger, David Hunter, LisaLemons, Ron Linn, Gary Myers, Loyd Ritchson, JoettaSmith, Nancy Towle, and David Wachal with the Cityof Denton; Rodney Dillon with the Denton RegionalMedical Center; and Lawrence Bannister with FEMA;and Jason Bowen and Lynsy Nagle with APAI for theirwillingness to help, diligence and cooperation. Theirenthusiasm and efficiency has helped with the successof the Off-site Odor Evaluations.

About the Authors

Charlotte Smith is an Environmental Engineer withAlan Plummer Associates, Inc. Her consulting workincludes water and wastewater treatment plant masterplanning, design, and troubleshooting, modeling ofbiological systems, odor modeling, and permit applica-tion preparation. Betty Jordan is a Principal with AlanPlummer Associates, Inc.

S: Sewer Observations of sewer odorswhere the treatment plant wasnot specified.

L: Landfill Observations that specificallynoted that the odors were froma landfill.

R: Residential Residential trash, port-a-pottytrash or garbage at curb.

G: Grass Grass, vegetation, dirt, field,flowers or trees.

C: Combustion Combustion, automotive, trafficor construction.

O: Other Observations of other odorsincluding, but not limited to,food, grease, or manure.

N: No odor No odor detected.

For each observation, the measured wind directionwas compared to the downwind direction angle fromthe CRWS treatment plant and the center of the twomunicipal solid waste landfills using the methodologyillustrated by Figure 1.

Here are the people and topics:Topic: Current Issues

National Update and Trends in Biosolids, presented byBob Bastian. Bob is a Senior Research Scientist with EPA,who most of you know by name and credentials. Polymer Shortage, Real or Not?, presented by Ron Sieger.Ron is a Principal Technologist for CH2M HILL and isalso the Vice Chair of the WEF Residuals and BiosolidsCommittee.

Class A Technologies

A Thermal Drying Update presented by Lynne Moss.Lynne is a Senior Environmental Engineer with CDM andher co-author is Frank Sapienza who is involved in allthermal drying projects for CDM, world-wide.Successful Composting and Product Marketing is pre-sented by Aaron Horne. Aaron will bring his experienceas Sales Manager for Gardenville’s award-winning organicsmarketing operation.

Public Involvement

Public Issues involved in an Environmental ManagementProgram presented by Gary Rockers and Tom Boerth.Gary is the Biosolids Contract Manager and Tom is theTechnical Manager for Renda Environmental.Public Involvement, A Necessity for Proper BiosolidsManagement presented by Mike Moore. Mike is themanager of the Orange County Sanitation District’s EMSprogram, and is Chair of the WEF Residuals and BiosolidsCommittee.

Land Application

Sustainable Land Application Under Phosphorus-basedNutrient Management presented by Hershel Elliott.Hershel is a leading researcher in the biosolids arena, andhis work at Penn State University is shaping the way tomanage phosphorus. The Future of Land Application presented by BobO’Dette. No biosolids conference is complete withoutBob O’Dette. Bob has experience both as a regulator andas Vice President of Technical Services for Houston-basedSynagro.

This is a program no plant manager, biosolidsmanager, regulator or consultant should miss.

Register RIGHT AWAY at www.weat.org as space islimited for this outstanding program featuring expertsin biosolids management from around the county.

Registration fee is $145 per person. Tabletop exhibitsare available at $300 each.

Upcoming WEAT Biosolids ConferenceAugust 19, 2005

Austin, Texas

Reasons to attend:■■ Controversial issues will be discussed.

■■ New technologies and ideas will be presented.■■ National experts will be presenting

on topics of major concern.■■ And last, all the speakers are experts on the

biosolids topic they are presenting.


WET Tech Talk

Good Fences, Better Biofilters: Considering New Odor Control Technology for New NeighborsBy Brandon Neal and Jim Glaser, P.E., Ph.D., HDR Engineering, Inc.,Jim Clarno, P.E., and Monica Pfeifer, P.E., Lower Colorado River Authority, andCurtis Smalley and Francisco Vicent, Brazos River Authority

Introduction

The Lower Colorado River Authority’s (LCRA) BrushyCreek Regional (BCR) Wastewater Treatment Plant(WWTP) serves approximately 130,000 people, includ-ing parts, or all, of Round Rock, Cedar Park, and severalmunicipal utility districts west of Round Rock.

The plant is located on Highway 79, near RoundRock on the north bank of Brushy Creek, approxi-mately three miles east of Interstate 35. When the plantwas constructed in the early 1980’s, Round Rock’s popu-lation barely exceeded 12,000, and the nearest devel-oped area was no closer than Round Rock’s downtownarea, approximately three miles to the Southwest.Today, over 80,000 people live in Round Rock, and thearea around the BCR WWTP has developed consider-ably, including a housing subdivision just south of theplant, and Dell Diamond, home of the AAA LeagueRound Rock Express.

Although complaints of odor problems have beenfew, normal plant odors have been noticeable at DellDiamond during baseball games. Minor odor events,due to unusual conditions that are not expected torecur with any frequency, have occurred that wereeasily noticeable from highway 79 and the nearbysubdivision.

Odor Sampling and Operations

In November and December of 2003, odor samplingand operations review was conducted at the BCRWWTP. The study was conducted for a number ofreasons, the most important of which are listed below:

• The plant had treated flows at, and slightly above,the nominal facility rated capacity during most of2003.

• There were isolated odor episodes in the fall of 2003.

• Plant expansion was being planned for the nearfuture.

The LCRA and the Brazos River Authority (BRA)wanted to confirm that operations and related odorcontrol measures were optimal. They also wantedto identify if operational changes might be justified,including any that might have an impact on odoremissions.

An operations specialist was tasked with analyzingthe existing plant equipment and operations. Amongthe recommended operational improvements were:

• Improve air distribution within the aeration basins.

• Install cover on the grit removal unit, the anoxicsplitter box, the anoxic basins, the aeration basininlet channel, and the inlet zone to the south treat-ment unit.

• Evaluate mixing and aeration in the sludge holdingtank to insure efficient operation with minimalodors.

Sampling

The odor sampling was designed to identify odoremissions points at the plant, provide an indicationof the odor level at the property line from each odorsource, and identify odor control measures appropriatefor the plant.

Odor samples were gathered from eight differentlocations within the plant: the Grit Unit, Anoxic Split-ter Box, Anoxic Basin, Aeration Distribution Channel,Aeration Basin, Sludge Holding Tank, Biofilter, andSludge Dumpster.

All odor samples were gathered in Tedlar samplebags with a vacuum chamber, shown in Figure 1.

The vacuum chamberdrew a vacuum aroundthe sample bag, whichwas completely sealedwithin the vacuumchamber, except for asingle sample tube. Aspressure decreased out-side of the sample bag,sample air was drawninto the sample bag viathe sample tube. A newsample tube was usedat each sample location.The sample bag wasfilled and purged withsample air, prior to

drawing the official sample at each location.A flux sampler, shown in Figure 2, was used to gather

samples from locations with quiescent liquid surfaces,plus the biofilter.

Samples at the Grit Unit, Anoxic Basin, AerationDistribution Channel, Aeration Basin, Sludge HoldingTank, and Biofilter were taken using the flux sampler.The Anoxic Splitter Box and the Sludge Dumpster were

Figure 1. Vacuum chamber. Photocourtesy St. Croix Sensory, Inc.


covered in plastic sheeting, and the samples were takenfrom the enclosed air space.

Analysis

Third party qualititative analysis was performed byan odor panel, a group of people trained to evaluate thecollected gases using standard equipment and ASTMprocedures. Each sample was diluted and evaluatedby the members of the panel. Among the analysesperformed was Detection Threshold (DT). DT was akey planning number because it relates directly to theolfactory perception of the odors.

Third party constituent analysis of the data aidedin determining the source of some odors. Determiningodor constituent can also aid in verifying or determin-ing necessary changes to operation.

Figure 2. Flux sampler in use in the sludge holding basin. Figure 3. Graph of detection threshold by sample location.

Field measurements of hydrogen sulfide andammonia were taken with a portable hydrogen sulfidemeter and a Draeger sample tubes with hand pump,respectively. The Draeger sample tubes registered from0.25 to 3 ppm of ammonia.

Results

Detection threshold results, recorded in the Table 1and graphed in Figure 3, indicated a generally down-ward trend in detection threshold and hydrogen sulfideconcentrations as the plant flow progressed throughthe treatment process. Likewise, treatment units thataerated the plant flow yielded a decrease in the detec-tion threshold and hydrogen sulfide concentrations.The anoxic basins and aeration distribution channelswere the two treatment units that do not agitate theplant flow through turbulence or aeration.

Table 1. Detection threshold by sample location.

Subjective Olfactory Analysis Analytical Data

Sample Location Hydrogen Methyl DimethylDetection Sulfide Mercaptan SulfideThreshold Characterization ppb ppb ppb

Grit Unit 2,900 Offensive, Septic, Chemical, Sewer 4,070 320 30.7

Anoxic Splitter Box 2,500 Offensive, Fecal, Sewer, Putrid, Septic 47.3 329 41.1

Anoxic Basins 3,900 Offensive, Sewer, Septic, Sour 247 1,440 153

Aeration DistributionChannel 3,600 Offensive, Sewer, Septic, Fecal 154 934 110

Aeration Basins 980 Offensive, Earthy, Musty, Stale, Sour 5.35 14.4 6.55

Sludge Holding Tank 170 Earthy, Offensive, Musty, Medicinal, Ammonia, Woody ND ND 11.1

Biofilter 65 Chemical, Ammonia, Plastic ND ND ND

Sludge Dumpster 130 Chemical, Offensive, Plastic ND ND ND

ND = Not Detected


Field sulfide data was consistent with the third partyconstituent analysis. Ammonia readings were eithervery low or not detectable at all sample locations.

Conclusions

The results of the analyses supported the operationalrecommendations for controlling odor emissions.Specifically, the results indicated that covering the gritunit, anoxic splitter box, anoxic basins, aeration dis-tribution channel, and sludge holding tanks couldprovide some reduction in the odor strength at theproperty line at minimal expense. The results alsoindicated that covering the aeration basins mightyield a significant decrease in odor strength.

Of particular interest was a set of samples thatdemonstrated a gradual decrease in odor productionthrough the aeration basin. It had been hoped thataeration would strip most of the odorants early in thebasin, allowing most of the basin’s odorants to becaptured by covering only one part of the basin.

Also of interest was that the sludge holding tank, themalfunction of which had been the source of at leastone odor episode, was attributed with a low DT andundetectable hydrogen sulfide concentrations. The unitwas operating normally during sampling. However,odor emissions from the tank were estimated as beinghigh, due to the forced air flow through the unit. Addi-tional sampling indicated the sludge holding tank’sodor strength and character can vary dramatically.

Results indicated that the biofilter was performingvery well.

Control and Treatment Options

The following treatment methods were consideredfor inclusion in the 22 MGD expansion of the BCR-WWTP:

Foul Air Treatment• organic media biofilter• mineral media biofilter• synthetic media scrubber• other

Chemical Addition• ferrous sulfate• liquid oxygen• hydrogen peroxide• other

Foul Air Treatment

The existing biofilter at the BCR WWTP is anorganic media biofilter. It’s dimensions are 100-feetby 100-feet horizontally, approximately 3.5 feet belowgrade, and approximately 2 feet above grade. Foul airdistribution laterals are routed through a 2.5′ layer ofgravel. A three foot layer of organic media, a mixtureof biosolids and yard waste, covers the gravel anddistribution laterals.

Air is provided by three blowers, and moisture is

maintained by a sprinkler system, when necessary.Moisture content of the media is measured regularlyat the BCR WWTP and operators report that the mediamoisture content requires very little management.

Biofilter Technology Review

Experiences and commentaries were gathered fromindustry professionals on changes in biofilter technol-ogy in the 10 years since the BCR WWTP’s biofilter wasinstalled.

Feedback indicated that the BCR WWTP biofilterdesign is still the best available organic media biofiltertechnology. In general, those contacted have beenhappy with biofilter performance and continue toconsider it an effective treatment method. Three feetof organic filter media continues to be the acceptednorm; additional media thickness quickly drives up theheadloss through the media with little return in addi-tional treatment.

Biofilters in general are not well suited to variableflow rates and odor concentrations. Like the biologicalprocesses in a WWTP train, the biology of a biofilterworks best when it is able to adapt to a steady odorantinput.

Pro• Adaptable to a wide range of odorants and organic

compounds • Inexpensive media• “Green” solution• Very effective at sulfide removal

Con• Moisture management requires regular oversight

and attention• Potential for upset• Significant area required, relative to some other

systems• Frequent media replacement, relative to some

other systems

Figure 4. The BCR WWTP organic media biofilter during sampling.


Mineral vs. Organic Media

The BCR WWTP currently utilizes organic media inits biofilter. Mineral media is an alternative to organicmedia, utilizing gravel and sand of various diametersas a base for growth of odor-removing organisms.

Commentary gathered on mineral media was gener-ally favorable, citing the media as being equally effec-tive at sulfide removal as organic media when properlydesigned. Mineral media requires approximately twoto three times the area required for organic media, andis also typically more expensive ($20 to $30 per ton forDr. Bohn’s proprietary biofilter media) than organic,which can often be had for the cost of hauling. Mineralmedia requires replacement approximately every 20years, compared to every 5 years for organic media.Mineral media is less likely than organic media toexhibit permanent damage from mismanagementof moisture content in the media.

Alternatives to Biofilters

Some alternatives to biofilters were considered:Bioscrubbers and their variants are similar to biofilters,

but vary significantly in design from various manufac-turers. They consist of a tower packed with syntheticmedia, which serves as a host to biological film growththat consumes odorants from air forced through thetower. The footprint of a bioscrubber is typically small.

Carbon Scrubbers utilize activated carbon filter mediato remove odors from foul air. The carbon media iscompletely consumable and the footprint is typicallysmall. Carbon scrubbers are sometimes used to polishor handle peaks in odor production that an upstreambiological treatment unit cannot adapt to quicklyenough to completely treat.

Aeration With Foul Air. Foul air can be used as the airsupply for an aeration basin or other treatment unit.Organisms in the mixed liquor digest odorants in therecirculated air. Treatment performance can be variable,and special considerations must be made for potentialscaling and corrosion from the recirculated air.

Chemical Addition

Liquid odor control chemicals, including ferrous sul-fate, hydrogen peroxide, liquid oxygen, and some pro-prietary chemicals, oxidize dissolved sulfides into non-odorous compounds or precipitate sulfide compounds.BRA staff tested the dissolved sulfides at the plant andat various locations within the collection system. Sul-fide levels were measured ranging from 0.35 mg/L to2.9 mg/L. 1.0 to 1.5 mg/L is typical of plant influent.

A pilot study conducted by BRA staff and Pennco, aDallas area based ferrous sulfate, is currently under wayat the BCR WWTP. The goal of the study is to verifythat ferrous sulfate addition will reduce dissolved sul-fides in the plant influent and reduce odor emissionsfrom the plant, particularly from the aeration basin.The pilot will also determine the quantity of ferroussulfate addition required to achieve an appreciable

reduction in odor. Preliminary results of the pilot studyare not yet available.

Liquid oxygen and hydrogen peroxide were also con-sidered for treatment of plant influent, based on inputfrom industry professionals. Although the cost of usingoxygen and peroxide promised to be significantly lowerthan that of ferrous sulfate, their special handlingrequirements were considered undesirable to the BRAand LCRA.

In addition to the above referenced chemicals, someproprietary chemicals, such as Bioxide, were brieflyconsidered. However, their estimated unit cost per mg/Lof sulfides were considered prohibitive and were notconsidered further.

Final Recommendations

Unit Coverage

It was recommended that the grit units and othersmaller open water surfaces should be covered.

It was also recommended that the sludge holdingtank be covered, because the odor sampling analysisindicated its potential for significant odor emissionsand because the unit had been responsible for someprevious odor events.

It was recommended that the aeration basin not becovered. With over 25,000 square feet of aeration basinexisting and another 25,000 square feet planned for the22 MGD expansion, the cost of covering the basins wasexpected to be high. It was recommended that theeffectiveness of the odor control improvements for the22 MGD expansion be evaluated, and that the effective-ness of ferrous sulfate addition on aeration basin emis-sions be evaluated prior to covering the aeration basins.

Foul Air Treatment

An array of organic media biofilters was recom-mended for treatment of the BCR WWTP’s foul air.The increased area requirements make mineral medialess favorable for the site, which has limited space. Inaddition, the organic media biofilter already in placeis performing well and the plant operators are comfort-able with its operation.

Chemical Addition

BRA’s and LCRA’s preference for chemicals with fewspecial handling requirements left only ferrous sulfateas a viable option for chemical addition. Until the pilotstudy has been completed and the results measured, afinal recommendation will not be made.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the Brushy Creek Regional WastewaterTreatment Plant staff and the LCRA/BRA/HDR designteam for their continuing support, input, and expertise.

Thanks to the Trinity River Authority’s Bill Tatum forhis time and input.


Announcing WEAT’s Job Bank

Check it out at www.weat.org

The Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) is pleased to announce the launch of our JOB BANK, anew online resource designed to connect professional wastewater/water and other industry employers withthe largest, most qualified audience of the wastewater/water industry professionals.

Let WEAT’s JOB BANK help you make your next employment connection.

Employers

❊ Post your job to the largest exclusiveaudience of wastewater and water industryprofessionals.

❊ Connect with the most qualified PlantManagers, Engineers, Operators, Environ-mental Scientists and other career-mindedprofessionals.

❊ Online management of job postings,including activity reports.

❊ Access to a searchable resume database.

❊ Competitive job posting pricing.

Job Seekers

❊ WEAT Job Bank is dedicated exclusivelyto wastewater and water professionals, andit’s FREE.

❊ Employment opportunities include plant/collection systems operators, plantmanagement, engineers, laboratory,scientific, sales and marketing.

❊ Receive automatic notification of new jobsmatching your criteria.

❊ Post your resume—confidentially, ifpreferred—so employers can actively search for you.

FIRST Innovative Technology Conference

September 22, 2005Wichita Falls, Texas

Here is your opportunity to further your understanding of wastewater and water equipment.

Potential topics include:

• Fixed film technology• Membrane technology• Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification• Phosphorous removal• Biosolids• Handling FOG-related SSO• Arsenic removal and residuals disposal• TCEQ regulations• Safety—equipment, operations and maintenance

Look for more information in the mail and on WEAT’s website at www.weat.org.

NO MEMBRANES TO REPLACE.

NO ELECTRODES TO MAINTAIN.

SO WHAT DO YOU REALLY NEED

TO KEEP OUR NEW

HACH LDO® PROBE WORKING?

The latest technology for measuring dissolved oxygen is also the easiest to maintain. The Hach LDO®

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enjoy a faster, easier and more reliable performance with your Hach LDO® probe.

For more information, call Terry Smith at 1-800-227-4224 ext. 6955 or e-mail [email protected].®

© 2004 Hach Company

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®


The WEAT Public Education Committee and theTAWWA Education Division joined forces to judge thir-teen regional science fairs across the State of Texas inMarch and April of this year. There was a total of$3,725 in prize money awarded to the winning studentsat these fairs. The judges were all volunteers from theTAWWA and WEAT organizations who took the time toattend the regional fairs and judge all the water andwastewater related projects. They awarded, where possi-ble, cash prizes to the top three projects in the seniorage division and top three projects in the junior agedivision. The prizes were $75 for first place, $50 for sec-ond place, and $25 for third place.

Science fair coordinators were:

• Austin Area Science Festival—Judy Musgrove

• Brazos Valley Regional Science and EngineeringFair—Jennifer Douglass Nations

• Dallas Morning News-Toyota Reg. Science andEngineering Fair—Darryl Corbin

• Ft. Worth Regional Science Fair—Darryl Corbin

• Science Engineering Fair of Houston—Naomi Azulai

• East Texas Regional Science Fair—Sal Pisano

• South Plains Regional Science and Engineering Fair—Cande Hurn

• Permian Basin Regional Science Fair—Peggy Allen

• Alamo Regional Science and Engineering Fair—Dennis Laskowski

• Texas Mid-Coast Regional Science and EngineeringFair—Sara Vazquez

• Central Texas Science and Engineering Fair—Megan Miller

• Red River Regional Science and Engineering Fair—Daniel Nix

• Sun Country Science Fair—Robert Riley

The top senior age winner at each fair was eligibleto compete at the State Level for the Stockholm JuniorWater Prize. The winner of the State of Texas competi-tion will go on to compete at the National Level.

We still need judges for the regional science fairs inBrownsville, Laredo and San Angelo for 2006. If anyonecan judge these fairs next year, please contact JudyMusgrove at 512-972-0157 or Cathy Henderson at972-331-4312.

Science Fairs 2005

Announcing

Texas Water 2006Call for Papers Online

Launch Date July 1, 2005

For the first time, individuals desiring to presenta paper at Texas Water 2006 will now log on tothe Texas Water website at www.texas-water.comand follow the process for submitting theirabstract and selecting the subject matter. Onceyou have submitted your abstract, you will benotified by email no later than November 1, 2005if your abstract has been selected.

You will then be directed to a webpage to con-firm your participation, and the full text of yourpaper (in PDF format) will be due by Jan. 15, 2006for inclusion in the Conference Proceedings CD.

If your abstract does not meet our presentationneeds this year, you may be given the opportunityto make a poster presentation at Texas Water 2006.


2006 WEAT and WEF AwardsState-Level Nominations

Nomination Deadline: November 1, 2005

WEF Arthur Sidney Bedell Award acknowl-edges extraordinary personal service to theMember Association (WEAT). WEF George W. Burke, Jr., Award recognizesmunicipal and industrial wastewater facilities foractive and effective safety programs. WEF William D. Hatfield Award recognizesoperators of wastewater treatment plants foroutstanding performance and professionalism.WEF Laboratory Analyst Excellence Awardrecognizes individuals for outstanding per-formance, professionalism, and contributionsto the water quality analysis profession.WEAT Lifetime Achievement Award recognizesa current or past WEAT member who has demon-strated continual and tireless contributions towardthe improvement of the water environmentthroughout a long and distinguished career in thewastewater treatment industry and in WEAT/WEF.WEAT Pillars of the Profession Award recog-nizes an individual with a long and distinguishedcareer in the wastewater treatment or water qualityindustry who has demonstrated meaningful andsubstantial contributions toward the improvementof the water environment and who has had a posi-tive impact on the success and growth of WEAT.WEAT Municipal Wastewater TreatmentPlant of the Year Award acknowledges amunicipal wastewater treatment plant in Texasthat has consistently exhibited outstandingperformance of daily activities beyond the normalcall of duty.WEAT Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plantof the Year Award acknowledges an industrial

wastewater treatment plant in Texas that hasconsistently exhibited outstanding performanceof daily activities beyond the normal call of duty.WEAT Outstanding Operator of the YearAward recognizes a wastewater treatment plantoperator (municipal and/or industrial) in the Stateof Texas who has demonstrated outstanding pro-fessionalism at his/her facility and has performedhis/her duties tirelessly and with dedication to thebetterment of the water environment.WEAT Medal of Honor for Heroism is pre-sented to an individual (or group of individuals)from the State of Texas who has demonstratedexceptional courage and bravery in the perform-ance of a single act of heroic behavior involvingthe water environment industry.WEAT Sidney L. Allison Award recognizes aperson (or entity) who has made significant con-tributions to the engineering, science, and/oroperation and maintenance of wastewater collec-tion and pumping stations with the mission totransport wastewater to a treatment plant.WEAT Winfield S. Mahlie Award recognizesa person who has made significant contributionsto the art and science of wastewater treatment andwater pollution control.WEAT T. L. Satterwhite Award recognizes anindividual, an engineering firm, or an industrialentity for the development of a solution to anindustrial wastewater treatment problem.WEAT Emerging Leader Award recognizesa young WEAT member who has providedoutstanding service in support of WEAT.

For updated criteria and further information and to submit a nomination, please contact:

WEAT Awards CommitteeAttn: Betty Mayo, Chair5710 LBJ Freeway, Suite 270Dallas, Texas 75240Phone: 972-387-3339 FAX: 972-387-9399 E-Mail: [email protected]

This is our opportunity to honor outstanding achievement and service within our ownstate’s water environment industry. Let your peers know that their dedication and talentsand hard work are appreciated. Don’t wait! Do it today!


Bill Rixey is an associate professor in the Departmentof Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Univer-sity of Houston. He has been the Chair of the Univer-sity Forum since 1995, and is now passing the baton toTim Kramer of Texas A&M. “This has been a very enjoy-able event to organize, since it is such a positive experi-ence for the students. But I inherited what was alreadyan excellent program from former chairs at Rice, TexasA&M, and UT-Austin. So my job has really been one ofjust keeping a good thing going. And, since these pro-fessors have been in my spot before, they’ve been allthe more willing to help out.”

“We’ve been able to maintain the level of participa-tion and the quality over the years due to the supportfrom my faculty colleagues and a group of talentedstudents. But, I must also acknowledge the exceptionalsupport from WEAT and TAWWA over the past 10years. This program would not have flourished withoutthese organizations’ strong support.”

This year’s winners are: 1st Place received $500, HoiYi Lai from The University of Texas at Austin, presented“The Emergence and Divergence of Antimicrobial Resis-tance in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Biofilms”; 2nd Placereceived $300, Pranav Kulkarni, University of Houston,presented “Predicting Disinfection By-product Forma-tion in Municipal Drinking Water by Artificial NeuralNetworks”; and 3rd Place received $200, Saqib Shirazifrom Lamar University, presented “Study of InorganicFouling on NF Membranes.”

What’s in store over the next few years? “There hasbeen quite a bit of interest in developing a program forundergraduates too. It’s more of a challenge to developa quality program for undergrads, since there is asmaller pool of students participating in research. But,it’s a good idea that is certainly worth a try. I’m lookingforward to helping out with continuing to improveWEAT and TAWWA sponsored student programs anyway I can.”

Bill Rixey Passes Baton for University Forum to Tim Kramer

Left to right: Tim Kramer, Saquib Shirazi, Pranav Kulkarni, Hoi Yi Laiand Bill Rixey (photo by Cliff Avery).

WEF Quarter Century Operators’ Club

The Water Environment Federation honorsoperators of wastewater treatment plants for theirservice and dedication in a difficult and dangerousfield by presenting qualifying members with mem-bership in the Quarter Century Operators’ Club.Application deadline is July 1. For criteria andan application, please contact:

Betty Mayo, WEAT Awards Committee Chair5710 LBJ Freeway, Suite 270, Dallas, Texas 75240Phone: 972-387-3339 FAX: 972-387-9399E-mail: [email protected]


The winners of the prestigious 2005 Texas StateStockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) were decided onApril 28, 2005. The competition is open to theTAWWA/WEAT high school level first place winnersfrom each International Science and Engineering Fair(ISEF) regional competition in Texas. TheTAWWA/WEAT regional winners are selected from allprojects aimed at improving the quality of life throughimprovement of water quality, water resource manage-ment, water protection, and water or wastewater treat-ment.

The winners for the 2005 competition were deter-mined by a panel of well-known water professionalsfrom across the state. Each of these individuals hasbeen involved with science fair activities for some time.They represent different facets of the water environ-ment, as well as, different geographical areas. A specialthank you is due to each of the judges for the 2005SJWP competition:

• Raj Bhattarai, City of Austin• Karen Bick, USEPA Region VI• Mary Evans, City of Tyler• Becky Guthrie, City of Denton• Cande Hurn, City of Lubbock• Judy Musgrove, City of Austin

This year’s state competition saw eleven regionalwinners from across the state of Texas vying for thestate crown, a significant increase from the eight stu-dents in 2004. Students were judged based on a one-page abstract of their project. This year’s contest wasvery competitive, but when the dust settled, both thefirst and second place winners were from the San Anto-nio area.

First place was claimed by Mr. James Kucherka,from Seguin High School in Seguin, Texas. Mr.Kucherka presented his research project titled “Waste-water Doesn’t Have To Be A Waste.” His project was anattempt to produce chlorine for disinfection of feedlotwastewater by introducing an electrical current to splitsodium chloride molecules present in the waste. As thefirst place winner, he receives a $250 prize, a commem-orative plaque, and travel expenses to Portland, Ore-gon, June 16–18, to represent the State of Texas at theU.S. National Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competi-tion.

Second place was won by Mr. Bernardino Vil-lasenor, a student at John F. Kennedy High School inSan Antonio, Texas. Mr. Villasenor’s project title was“Comparative Study on the Effects of Greywater on theGrowth of Lawn Grass.” Mr. Villasenor’s research isrelated to the use of residential greywater for lawnwatering as a means of conserving water. He received a$100 cash prize and a plaque to commemorate his win.

Third place award was won by a team, Ms. SummerSink and Ms. Crystal Wong, from Burkburnett High

School in Burkburnett, Texas. Their research project wastitled “ON GOLDEN POND: The Study of MicronutrientDeficiency in the Golden Alga, Prymnesium parvum.”The team’s research was focused on identifying agrowth-limiting micronutrient for the golden algalblooms presently plaguing areas of Texas. Ms. Sink andMs. Wong will share a $50 cash prize and each willreceive a commemorative plaque.

James Kucherka and Bernardino Villasenor receivedtheir awards at the June 2nd meeting of the San Anto-nio Section of WEAT. They displayed their projects anddiscussed their research with the WEAT membershipprior to the business meeting.

Top Two 2005 Texas SJWP Winners from San Antonio Section

Second place winner Bernardino Villasenior.

Directors’ Report

WEF Directors—Ron Mayo, Betty Jordan, and Foster Crowell (October 2005)

Spring brings the WEFMAX meetings, at which direc-tors, officers, and other interested Member Associationmembers meet to share notes and ideas, and to discussissues related to the Member Associations and theirinteraction with WEF. Associations are making progressin involving Young Professionals (YP) in their activities.Texas is one of the leaders in the YP movement with itsstrong YP group. Other areas of emphasis were: workingrelationships with WEF on joint conferences; providingmore value to members for their membership; retainingand growing membership; fiscal responsibility; support-ing WEF’s emphasis on public education; and expand-ing representation on the governing boards. Texas waswell represented by current and past officers at theColorado Springs and Toronto meetings. Many of theseideas will be shared and discussed at the next WEATBoard meeting.


and tear that is placed on manholes, lift stations andother underground structures, they’ve become aware ofthe value of protecting them with a durable liner whilethey are still new. We’re also seeing increased needs torehabilitate existing structures that have deterioratedover years of use.”

Sprayroq’s NSF-approved coating products are formu-lated to provide both structural and chemical resistanceto these structures, including potable water and sanitarysewer systems, tanks, manholes, pump stations, liftstations and wet wells. In the case of exisiting struc-tures, the coatings can be installed without digging upthe original, making them more convenient and lessdisruptive to a community.

Other finalists for this prestigious award were AffholderInc., Bessemer, AL, Moore Construction, Clarksville, TN,and Slaughter Construction, Gulf Shores, AL.

For additional information on Fuquay, Inc., pleasevisit the company’s website at www.fuquay.com.

For more information on how to become a SprayroqCertified Partner or to find one in your area, call 800-634-0504 or visit Sprayroq’s website at www.sprayroq.com.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (May 23, 2005) — Fuquay Inc.has been named the 2005 winner of the “ROQ Award,”presented annually by Sprayroq Inc. to the SprayroqCertified Partner that demonstrates the greatest growth,market coverage and quality performance for the previ-ous year. The award was announced at the annualmeeting of Sprayroq Partners by company presidentJerry Gordon.

With offices in Austin and New Braunfels, Tex.,Fuquay is an environmental and erosion control con-tractor that serves Central and South Texas. A divisionof its business is dedicated to coating new and existingmanholes, lift stations and other underground struc-tures using Sprayroq’s protective “cured-in-place” spraycoatings.

“It’s always good to see one of Certified Partners suc-ceed,” says Gordon. “We’re especially pleased to seehow Fuquay has built this segment of its business,while addressing a growing need for infrastructure pro-tection and repair in many communities,” says Gordon.

“A big part of our business is underground utilityconstruction,” explains John Fuquay, Vice President ofFuquay Inc. “Because owners can see the kind of wear

Fuquay Inc. Wins 2004 ‘ROQ Award’This Annual Award honors the Sprayroq Certified Partner

that demonstrates exceptional quality and growth for the year.


Water Environment Association of Texas

Mission StatementThe Water Environment Association of Texas is an open association of water environmental profes-sionals, practitioners and operations specialists with a broad range of expertise working together to:

1 Meet the needs of its members for professional growth and development;2 Educate the public on water environmental issues;3 Benefit society through protection and enhancement of the water environment.

Executive Committee

President

Richard Eason512-261-6222

President-Elect

Paul Roach214-638-0500

Vice-President

Raj Bhattarai512-972-0075

Secretary

Curtis Smalley254-776-1441

Treasurer

Brad Castleberry512-322-5800

Member-at-large

Brandy Germany903-509-1552

WEF Director

Ron Mayo972-387-3339

WEF Director

Betty Jordan817-284-2724

Past WEF Director

Carolyn Ahrens Wieland512-472-3263

Executive Director

Carol Batterton830-990-1029

Historian

Vacant

Past President

Raymond Longoria214-920-2500

PWO Representative

John Bennett817-430-4657

Committee Chairs

Audit & Budget

Bob Smith214-752-8300

Awards

Betty Mayo972-387-3339

By-Laws

David Jackson817-735-7300

Conference Management(Annual)

Raj Bhattarai512-972-0075

P R O F E S S I O N A L D I R E C T O R Y

P R O F E S S I O N A L D I R E C T O R Y

Texas officelocations:

www.WestonSolutions.com

Austin (512) 651-7100Corpus Christi (361) 850-7800Dallas (469) 374-7700Houston (713) 985-6600San Antonio (210) 308-4300

®

Engineering and Environmental Services

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OLLER ENGINEERING, INC.

2517 74th StreetLubbock, Texas 79423806-748-5700806-748-5705www.oeihq.com

Rich Oller, [email protected]

Engineering/Construction Management/Planning/Computer Sciences

Conference Management(Seminars)

Randy Bush214-360-9929

Ethics Education

Robert McMillon817-277-7591

Exhibits

Rhonda Harris956-795-2600

Government Affairs

Rebecca Cobos512-322-3663

International Liaison

Ron Carlson817-277-7591

Membership

Jennafer Covington972-980-2188

Nominating

Raymond Longoria214-920-2500

Program

Jody Zabolio817-804-4963

Public Education(co-chairs)

Karen Bick214-665-7539Cathy Henderson972-262-5186

Publication

Bill Goloby713-641-9169

Resolutions

Jim Taffe817-594-2277

Safety

Kim Lutz

Student Affairs

Tim Kramer979-845-9709

Young Professionals(co-chairs)

Becky Guthrie940-349-8938Heather Harris512-453-2468

Texas SJWP Winners - WEATftp.weat.org/texaswet/wet2005-07.pdf · President Mohamed Dahab were there...

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Transcript of Texas SJWP Winners - WEATftp.weat.org/texaswet/wet2005-07.pdf · President Mohamed Dahab were there...