By Wendy Wert, LABS President

On January 21, 2012, the Los Angeles Basin Section (LABS) of California Water Environment Association (CWEA) hosted the 2011 annual LABS awards from the Queen Elizabeth room aboard the Queen Mary.  The event was a celebration of the contributions to the field of Environmental Engineering from the Past, Present, and Future.

The celebration began with an energized 1920’s themed social gathering of CWEA leaders, members, and award winners.  LABS Outreach Coordinator Erika DeHollan provided a photo montage highlighting sponsors whose dedicated support during this economic recovery cycle has allowed LABS to provide training that enhances the education and effectiveness of California’s wastewater professionals.

In keeping with the historical theme, CWEA LABS Directors Basil Hewitt and Wendy Wert welcomed attendees with an interactive narrative on historical contributions from the era before sanitation through the 1920’s.  Not only water professionals believe the advent of basic wastewater collection and treatment in the twentieth century resulted in direct benefits to public health in the United States and other developed countries.  For example, in 2007, thousands of readers of the prestigious British Medical Journal picked sanitation as “the most important medical advance since 1840.”  A reoccurring theme was that the most significant advances are always the result of collaborations involving engineers from multiple disciplines, scientists from multiple fields, academics from multiple global regions, and practitioners from multiple areas of expertise.

The featured speaker, CWEA Past President Pei-Chin Low highlighted specific collaborative activities CWEA and LABS have organized this past year, such as outreach to non-government organizations (NGO’s) by engaging Mark Gold and David Beckman, outreach to sister chapters by engaging Tri-Counties in the first joint event, outreach to academics by engaging students in Science Training Day at USC and outreach to regulators by engaging EPA Region 9 in the upcoming February 1, 2012 workshop at the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (Sanitation Districts).

CWEA LABS Awards Chair Hala Titus initiated presentation of the awards to the local section winners.  The 2011 Safety Award 1-25 Employees went to the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works Bureau of Sanitation for their Glendale Water Reclamation Plant.  Roger Ramsay accepted the award for the Glendale Water Reclamation Plant.

The 2011 Safety Award 26-75 Employees went to the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works Bureau of Sanitation Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant.  Roger Ramsay accepted the award for the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant.

The 2011 Environmental Engineer of the Year Award went to Michael Sarullo of the City of Los Angeles Department of Public, Works Bureau of Engineering, for his innovative contributions to the optimization of the Hyperion Treatment Plant’s two-stage, thermophilic digestion for production of class A biosolids.  These modifications reduced the number of and the detention time in the first-stage digesters, which increased efficiency by reducing the volume of steam required for digester heating and the amount of energy required for dewatering operations.

The 2011 Collection System Person of the Year Award went to Adel Hagekhalil, City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works Bureau of Sanitation.  Adel Hagekhalil is a registered civil engineer with the State of California and a national Board Certified Environmental Engineer.  Adel has a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering.  Adel is currently an Assistant Director with the City of Los Angeles’ Bureau of Sanitation where he is responsible for the Bureau’s wastewater collection system management, stormwater and watershed protection program, water quality compliance, and facilities advanced planning.  Adel is committed to working collaboratively and transparently with the various community groups while enhancing the quality of life in all neighborhoods by providing responsive, efficient and quality services to meet today’s needs, address tomorrow’s challenges and provide a healthy and bright future for our future generations.

The 2011 Collection System of the Year Award Greater than 500 Miles went to the City of Los Angeles.  For their exceptional service record which relies on public input and participation and integrates water supply, water reuse, water conservation and stormwater management with wastewater facilities planning through a regional watershed approach.  The City’s collection system spill control program has led the more than 80 percent reduction in sewer spills.  One innovative approach the City has embarked upon is a Low Impact development Ordinance for the City of Los Angeles that focuses on rainwater harvesting and runoff management for new developments and redevelopments. City of Los Angeles Sanitation Wastewater Manager Robert Potter and several other managers accepted the award

CWEA LABS Director Alec Mackie presented the 2011 Collection System of the Year Award 250 to 500 Miles to the City of Glendale. Since implementing a unique “spot check” CCTV program in 2008 the City has reduced sewer spills by over 70%. Their dedication to safety has also resulted in their safest year ever since records have been kept. Wastewater Superintendent John Hicks accepted the award for the City Glendale Public Works, Maintenance Services.

The 2011 Public Outreach Program of the Year Award went to the Long Beach Water Department for their 100 by 100 water conservation initiative.  To celebrate LBWD’s 100th anniversary the agency used a bold and creative advertising and social media campaign to encourage residents to conserve water. The results were outstanding and the City’s average per capita water usage dropped to a record low of 109 gallons per person, per day and continues dropping. The City of Long Beach purchases 40 percent of its water supply from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). During the summer of 2010, the MWD Board of Directors voted to guarantee the water supply of any MWD member agency (the City joined MWD in 1931) that reduces daily per capita water usage to 100 gallons or less. Matthew Veeh, Director of Public Affairs and Melissa Keyes, Special Projects Coordinator, accepted the award.

CWEA LABS Director Amanda Schmidt presented the 2011 Engineering Achievement Award to the City of Malibu for their Legacy Park Project.  Bob Brager accepted the award for the City of Malibu.  Award Recipient Brager, thanked the members of the team which brought this innovative project to the City.  Among the most innovative stormwater management projects in California, the City of Malibu’s Legacy Park is one of the first to combine a vegetated detention pond with a stormwater treatment facility and create a multi-benefit park.  The project serves to store rainwater and urban runoff, maximize treatment capacity, and provide educational and recreational opportunities. Its creative approach to stormwater management serves to promote environmental sustainability, social equity and fiscal responsibility and will serve to inspire future generations of environmental stewards.

The 2011 Outstanding Young Professional Award to Miluska Propersi, of RMC Water and the Environment for her energized contributions to both the professional society and the field of environmental engineering.  She served as LABS webmaster for 3 years and is also active in the Young Professionals committee at the local and state levels. Miluska attends nearly every dinner meeting and regularly attends the Board Meetings. She also aspires to move up through LABS. She is passionate about getting students and young professionals interested in CWEA, and to attend meetings. She promotes CWEA to nearly everyone she meets and genuinely feels it is a valuable organization for all types of wastewater professionals.

CWEA LABS President Wendy Wert presented the 2011 Outgoing Training Certification Preparation Committee Award to John Mays, of the City of Los Angeles for his extraordinary contributions to the profession.  John has served on this committee for more than a decade and continues to contribute to CWEA’s mission of providing training opportunities to the membership.  He served as President of LABS in 2006.  In 2011 John continues to contribute to the field through his commitment to effective use of local resources.  Wastewater currently treated at the Tillman plant is used to irrigate nearby golf courses and a Japanese garden on site, and to fill Lake Balboa. Most of the treated water, however, flows into the Los Angeles River. “We have the possibility today to make pristine distilled water from mountain water or from raw sewage,” said John Mays, a city environmental engineer who oversees construction at the plant. “It’s just being wasted.”

The 2011 Distinguished Service Award went to Matt Copeland of the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County for his diligent service to LABS.    Matt is always willing to go above and beyond what is required.  For example when there was an unexpected need for a Newsletter Editor, Matt not only filled the need but invigorated the program.    When LABS needed to get the word out for a key event, Matt jumped in and accelerated the publication schedule.  When CWEA needed an organized, energetic and effective communicator, we once again approached Matt and he willing served as the Local Arrangements.  Co-Chair for the CWEA 2011 Annual Conference Planning Committee.  Matt elegantly thanked fellow Co-Chair Patrick Griffith when he accepted the award.

The 2011 Past Presidents Award went to Hala Titus of Black and Veatch for her exceptional leadership. Hala was the 2009 CWEA LABS President.  During her term we encountered unanticipated challenges due to the loss of CWEA LABS President Pat McDaniel.  Hala not only filled the void but her leadership skills actually enhanced participation in collaborative training opportunities for the membership.  Hala has the unique ability to gather the right brilliant minds together around key issues.  This skill has led to celebrated accomplishments.

The 2011 Public Education Person of the Year Award went to Basil Hewitt of the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County for his tireless dedication to inclusive outreach initiatives. Basil Hewitt has occupied a key role on the Districts Clearwater Program since its initiation in 2006. The Clearwater Program is a comprehensive planning effort undertaken by the Sanitation Districts to ensure that the Joint Outfall System (JOS), serving 73 cities and unincorporated county areas within metropolitan Los Angeles County, will continue to provide environmentally sound and cost-effective wastewater management through the year 2050.  Basil’s work has resulted in tangible benefits to the Sanitation Districts and to industry at large.  Substantial achievements include the culture of trust that the Sanitation Districts has established with its constituency.  This is largely due to the high quality outreach materials developed by the Public Information Department.  Basil’s leadership style has resulted in a culture of outreach and engagement, including data sharing initiatives to support the promulgation of scientifically based regulations, sustainability initiatives for the new economy, and industry adoption of best environmental practices, as well as water and energy conservation.

In a festive twist in this years’ program, CWEA LABS Director Janel Warren of Godwin Pumps and CWEA LABS Committee Chair Nicole You of the City of Los Angeles presented gift cards to the 1920s costume contest winners.  The award for Best Female 1920’s Attire to Teresa Sarullo for her wonderful accessories and the award for Best Male 1920’s Attire went to Brian Dietrick for his cool costume and interesting props.  There were a record number of door prizes at this year’s event.

CWEA LABS Director Ian Mackenzie eloquently wrapped up the festivities by challenging attendees to continue the good work.  If ever the world needed well qualified Environmental Engineers the time is now.  The pressures we face in the United States in the form of aging infrastructure, environmental regulations, resource constraints, coupled with the global concerns of climate change and sanitation make this a challenging and exciting time to practice in the field.

Many local section winners continue to state level competition at the CWEA 2011 annual conference in Sacramento.  Congratulations to all LABS award winners and good luck at the annual conference!

www.labsofcwea.com/databases/presentations/?category=25

(Photos by Kent McKintosh, LACSD)

On Nov 10th 45 members of LABS participated in a unique, behind the scenes tour of the rapidly expanding Space X manufacturing facility in Hawthorne. The event was LABS’ annual Industrial Waste tour and arranged by members of the Los Angeles County Sanitations Districts’ Industrial Waste Section.

Founded just a few years ago by Elon Musk, the entrepeanuer behind PayPal and Tesla electric cars, Space X is working on designing and building the next generation of rockets that will take people and supplies to the international space station, whicle also cutting the cost of building, launching and recovering the rockets. The company is building new rockets in response to competitions created by NASA to fund the next generate of private rocket launching companies.

According to tour guide and speaker Dustin Doud Space X has already secured roughly $3-billion in rocket launch orders from NASA and others. The firm has roughly 1,500 employees and is growing rapidly.

The firm has successfully launched and recovered two Falcon 1  rockets and two Falcon 9 Dragon rockets. The Dragon has a reusable capsule which they successfully launched and recovered and which the LABS tour group was able to take a close-up look at. It looks a bit like the Apollo capsules and will shuttle people and supplies to the ISS. Space X is working on the February 2012 launch of a Falcon 9 that is under NASA contract to take supplies to the International Space Station. They are the first commercial company to successfully launch and recover a capsule.

Based in City of Hawthorne just south of Hawthorne airport the firm took over an old 747 component assembly factory with over 1-million sf of space. Originally the facility was going to be turned into an RV storage facility, but today is a bustling rocket assembly factory.

Space X prides itself on designing and building its rockets from scratch looking for ways to improve reliability, provide additional safety factors and save resources. Their core competencies are manufacturing, production and testing. More than 70% of the rocket and systems are built in-house to improve quality control and reliability. The rockets are assembled horizontally because it is less expensive and less hazardous.

Once the massive rockets are completed, one end of  the rocket tube is hooked to truck wheels and the front  is hooked to a big-rig. The rocket itself forms the structure of the trailer. Space X  launches from Cape Canaveral and from islands in the mid-Pacific. The firm will also be launching rockets from Vandenberg Air Force base in California.

To learn more visit www.spacex.com.

(PDF formats)

Photos by Kent McIntosh, LACSD

● All nominations must be received or postmarked by November 16, 2011 ●

Each year LABS, CWEA and WEF present awards to deserving professionals in the water pollution control field. These prestigious awards acknowledge personal achievement and dedication to the profession. Now is the time for you to nominate those deserving individuals with whom you work or associate.

There are so many deserving wastewater professionals – who will you nominate?

1) Download LABS / Hala Titus cover letter. Award submissions must be mailed to:

Black & Veatch Corporation
Attn: Hala Titus
800 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 600

Los Angeles, California 90017

2) Visit www.cwea.org/mlr_member_awards_forms to choose and download your award submission forms.

NOMINEES MAY SELF NOMINATE.
NOMINEES MUST BE MEMBERS OF LABS TO WIN AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
For more information contact: Hala Titus.

(photos by Alec Mackie, JWCE)

Vander Lans AWTF

A new GapVax combo truck delivered to the City of Gardena by Plumbers Depot.

LABS welcomes our newest sponsor – Plumbers Depot Inc. From their website…

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome you to Plumbers Depot Inc. We are a family-oriented company serving cities, municipalities and plumbers nation-wide. My family name is well-known throughout the industry for the superior services we have given. My aim is to provide our customers with the best quality and quantity of services and supplies, offering competitive prices and discount for volume purchases; we can provide you with everything from cable repairs to relining systems.

In the years I have been in this industry I have gotten to know my clients not only on a business level, but on a personal level also, establishing great working relationships. My goal is to keep my customers happy and in order to succeed we strive to meet our customers’ needs and excel in customer service. We welcome you to review our prices and compare them to our competitors’ prices and feel free to give us a call for a free quote. Thank you for your interest in our company, we look forward to doing
business with you.

Sincerely,
Jose Martin
President

The Plumbers Depot website is: www.plumbersdepotinc.com

The GapVax website is: www.gapvax.com