Water System Operator aims to bring stories that help you and your plant perform better. Now we do more of the same at www.wsomag.com. There you’ll find stories that appear only online — and that are current, because they’re not subject to the lead times involved in the print magazine. Here are a few online exclusives recommended by the WSO editorial team:
Small Staff, Big Rewards: Water and Wastewater Program Keeps AWWA Members In the Know
With 5,400 members, the California-Nevada section of the AWWA is the largest of the organization’s 43 sections. The section’s staff of 10 works hard to keep members updated on best practices with conferences, a Water College program, and H2O Know online courses. Tim Worley, Ph.D., executive director, brought 20 years’ experience with two California water utilities to his role.
Outsourcing: What Makes a Private Water Contract Work?
What goes into a successful private water operation contract? We asked three proponents of privatized water services. “The most important feature of contracting out water services is an open process,” said David Stokes, a policy analyst with Missouri’s Show-Me Institute. “The public needs to know what’s happening at every stage of the process ... Utility employees also need to understand the process and how the agreement will affect their jobs.”
Proper Security at Treatment Facilities Keeps Drinking Water Safe
A recent break-in at a small water treatment plant in northern Georgia forced the utility to issue a boil water advisory that lasted for days. An intruder broke in and changed the chemical settings in the filtration system, essentially poisoning the water. The facility had no security guards or cameras, and its lock and barbed wire fence didn’t cut it. The bright side of this incident is that it gives all plants good reason to pause, evaluate their security systems, and consider improvements.
Saving Energy and Reducing Costs at Water Treatment Plants
As energy costs rise, many water treatment plants are taking steps to reduce usage. One example is the North Conway (N.H.) Water Precinct. The plant has taken a number of energy-saving measures on the plant and water distribution sides and has invested in renewable energy. “The single highest cost of treatment plant operation is electricity,” says David Bernier, superintendent. “Eight years ago it was 35 percent of our operating budget. Today, it is less than 18 percent.”
Cities Coping With Drought as Summer Heat Intensifies
San Antonio, Texas, and Loveland, Colo., may be very different — a Southwest powerhouse with 1.4 million people and a community of 66,000 north of Denver — but they do share a concern: drought. In the face of dry weather, the communities are taking steps to ensure a steady water supply. Instead of going into panic, they’re working with residents to curtail water use in ways that won’t hurt quality of life or hinder businesses.
