COLE Publishing launched Water System Operator magazine 2 1/2 years ago, based on the success of sister publication Treatment Plant Operator, focused on the wastewater side.
Professionals on the operations side of drinking water utilities embraced WSO, just as the wastewater community adopted TPO. As it turned out — we might as well just say it — WSO was a popular but not a commercial success.
And so, what’s a publisher to do? One option would be simply to discontinue WSO. Another option — and we think a better one — is to change our approach slightly and offer a magazine for the entire community of water treatment plant operators: wastewater and drinking water. And so, as of July, that’s what we’re doing. We’re expanding TPO to encompass both sides — and industrial wastewater in the bargain.
Why it makes sense
We think this change works because increasingly we find that water and wastewater are different sides of the same coin. Most manufacturers that offer products for one side also offer products for the other. On a more basic level, most communities have both water and wastewater utilities. They provide water and wastewater treatment. They bill together for water and sewer service.
Even more fundamentally, many people who operate drinking water and wastewater treatment plants have dual licenses. They may work full time on one side, but they’re also licensed for the other. Especially in smaller towns, plant operators actually work both sides or are available to help the other side in a pinch.
We’ve also observed that some state and regional AWWA sections and Water Environment Associations hold joint training events and conferences. And that industrial operators are very much a part of wastewater operator organizations.
Perhaps most basic of all, water and wastewater treatment are different components of the same urban water cycle.
So to a meaningful extent, drinking water and wastewater treatment plant operators are one big community. They share basic functions: pumping, treatment, disinfection, residuals management. They share fundamental concerns: compliance, service quality, efficiency, sustainability, public health, energy conservation, environmental protection, grounds beautification, public outreach. So while processes are different, the overall intentions are similar. The expanded TPO will reflect that.
Come along for the ride
The format of the magazine is similar to what you’ve experienced in WSO. You’ll continue to see profiles of top-performing operators, treatment plants and utilities. There will be news of the latest products and in-depth reports on exciting technology offerings. We’ll report on plant sustainability initiatives, share technical advice from experts, present case studies on successful product installations, and describe effective public outreach and education programs. In other words, everything you have come to expect in WSO, in a larger and broader context.
So, I hope you will join us on the other side of the street or, perhaps more appropriately, on the two-way street that is water and wastewater treatment. I’ve been editing TPO for almost six years now, and I’m excited about its expanding mission.
I hope to see you there. Your cards, letters, calls and electronic messages will continue to be welcome. In fact, if you have a comment, question or story to share, or anything at all you’d like to discuss, send me a note to editor@tpomag.com.
