LABS of CWEA is now accepting nominations for openings on the 2012/2013 Board of Directors.  Volunteers help make LABS and CWEA important contributors to the California wastewater industry, while also providing opportunities for training, networking and development.

Please feel free to contact LABS Vice-President Alec Mackie to discuss oppotunities and how to make a difference at CWEA!

This is a great chance to get involved. Last call for nominations is at the March 16th LABS meeting.

Contact: Alec Mackie
Phone: 714-428-4614
Email: alecm@jwce.com

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!

In 2011 the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded Dr Hoffman $400,000 to design and build a prototype. The system cleans wastewater and turns residuals into reusable energy. The design also needs to be easy and affordable to install and maintain.

$35 members, $40 non-members, $20 students

When:
Thursday, April 26, 2012
6PM Mixer | 7PM Dinner

Where:
El Portal, Pasadena
695 East Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 795-8553

RSVP by 4/20:
https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e5ie00hw95698b79&oseq=
alecm@jwce.com
Or call 714-428-4614

See flyer for more information

The presentation by David Haug, LACSD Senior Engineer, will provide an overview on the progression of the Districts’ Clearwater Program and focus on the technical aspects of the four tunnel alternatives being evaluated in the EIR/EIS.
$40 members, $45 non-members, $20 students

When:
Thursday, February 23, 2012
6PM Mixer | 7PM Dinner
Where:
Proud Bird
11022 Aviation Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 670-3093

RSVP by 2/16 with
meal choice to:
alecm@jwce.com
Or call 714-428-4614

See flyer for more information

(photos by Nicole You, E2 Consulting Engineers Inc.)

(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.

When:
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Drinks: 6 p.m.
Dinner: 7 p.m.

Where:
Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth Dining Room
1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach

Pay at the door cash/check: $50 CWEA members or $60 non-members
Parking $12

RSVP by Jan 13

See flyer for more information

Biosolids: Energing Your Gas Production. FOG and Food Waste Co-Digestion Workshop

When: January 18, 2012 – Southern California
City of Los Angeles Hyperion WTP
12000 Vista Del Mar
Los Angeles, CA

View flyer for more information!
For additional information/questions contact Serena Miller at 510-382-7800 x 115 or visit: www.cwea.org/conferences

 Established in 2002 by Elon Musk , the founder of PayPal and the Zip2 Corporation, SpaceX has already developed two brand new launch vehicles, established an impressive launch manifest, and been awarded COTS funding by NASA to demonstrate delivery and return of cargo to the Space Station.

SpaceX is privately developing the Dragon crew and cargo capsule and the Falcon family of rockets from the ground up, including main and upper stage engines, the cryogenic tank structure, avionics, guidance & control software and ground support equipment. Sign-up to tour this amazing new facility in Hawthorne and learn more about the next generation of space travel.

$30 CWEA members; $35 non-members; $15 students

Notes: ITAR Security regulations allow only US citizens to take the tour; please bring ID; closed toe shoes. RSVP today – tour limited to 40 people.

Dinner
Buffet dinner at Nat’s Airport Ballroom next door, including choice of chicken, beef, veggies and carrot cake for dessert.

RSVP
RSVP by 11/8 please:
alecm@jwce.com
or call Alec Mackie
(714) 428-4614

See flyer for more information

New for the 2010/2011 LABS program year, Cortech Engineering has stepped up to cover LABS’ expenses for our website, email outreach and a possible new event registration system. This support is critical in helping move LABS forward in the digital age. Thank you Cortech Engineering!

The municipal sales contacts are Marc Sanchez or Gabriel Zink.

A bit about Cortech:

Cortech Engineering offers a broad range of pumps, process equipment products and services for industrial applications in chemical processing, food and beverage, electric utilities, pulp and paper, Oil and Gas, Refining, OEM, and general industry.

Cortech Engineering also has three separate business divisions; Industrial Pumps, Engineered Skids with Pumps and Controls and Municipal Pumps and Process Equipment.

Serving the California and Nevada for 20 years, Cortech Engineering has the knowledge, products, and expertise to help solve your pump and process equipment applications.

Cortech Engineering brings added value to our customers with expert product knowledge and implementation. You can count on Cortech Engineering to assist you in:

• Product selection
• Basic design support
• Training (on and off site)
• Installation support
• Turn-key support
• Hot and cold alignment
• Troubleshooting
• Spare parts
• Full service capabilities for most product lines
• Modular Process Systems including metering pump skids

Their website is www.CortechPumps.com

Interested in supporting LABS as a regular sponsor, contact LABS Corporate Director Alec Mackie at alecm@jwce.com or by calling 714-428-4614.