By Alec Mackie
LABS of CWEA

The LA Basin’s water situation is looking grim – aging infrastructure, tighter regulations, rising energy costs, falling municipal budgets, pumping restrictions in the Sacramento Delta and a drought along the Colorado River. It all adds up less water for LA.

Despite all the challenges there are glimmers of hope, according to speakers at LABS’ World Water Day LA Seminar held March 22 at the LA Chamber of Commerce. LA’s water future actually looks pretty bright if we recycle more water, capture more rainwater and rethink how cities work with water.

LABS’ Past President Hala Titus of Black & Veatch started the seminar by listing cities and the amount they import – from 50% for Long Beach to 60% for Pasadena and 85% for the City of Los Angeles. Ms. Titus then shared an inspiring story about the City of Santa Monica. The City and Black & Veatch recently finished a groundwater filtration plant to remove MTBE and purify the drinking water, and the City cut its water supply needs to only 22% imported. The City wants to get to 100% local supplies by 2020.

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All photos by Kent McIntosh, LACSD

CONFERENCE PHOTOS

 

FRIDAY NIGHT CWEA BANQUET
“A Night In New Orleans” 

(our thanks to LABS photographer Kent McIntosh, LACSD)

Dry Winter? Where Will Our Water Come From?

Can we find new sources of water to quench SoCal’s thirst before the old sources are cut-off ? Join LABS of CWEA for a robust conversation about the LA Basin’s new direction for clean water projects, and show your support for clean, healthy and sustainable water supplies. During lunch Townhall LA hosts a panel of experts discussing our water future. Seminar moderator: Hala Titus, LABS Past President, Black & Veatch. Everyone is welcome, no additional charge.

*Update - Mark Gold Joins Panel Discussion

*Mark Gold is the legendary former Executive Director of Heal the Bay who recently moved to UCLA to become an Associate Director of their Institute of the Environment and Sustainability

See Flyer for additional details.

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.

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The American Academy of Environmental Engineers is dedicated to excellence in the practice of environmental engineering to ensure the public health safety and welfare. In Southern California a key component of the practice focuses on meeting the challenge of securing future water supplies. Historically, water purchased from outside the region, such as from the Colorado River and the State Water Project provided a reliable source. However, reduction in imported water supplies, combined with recurring droughts and population growth, clearly indicate that demand for water will overwhelm supply unless new sources are are identified.

OCWD and OCSD A Pioneering Partnership. After evaluating numerous supply options, OCWD and OCSD entered into a pioneering partnership which focused their efforts on an advanced water purification project know as the Groundwater Replenishment (GWR) System. Join General Managers, Mike Markus and Jim Herberg as they discuss the progress of the GWR System on ensuring a reliable, high-quality water supply for north and central Orange County; the financial impacts of deferring the immediate need for another ocean outfall pipe for wastewater; the diversification of local water supplies; and long-term quality improvements to the groundwater basin.

Mike Markus is the General Manager for the Orange County Water District (OCWD). OCWD provides reliable, high quality groundwater to 20 cities (2.3 million customers) using environmentally sustainable practices.

Jim Herberg is the Assistant General Manager for the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD). OCSD collects, treats and or reclaims the wastewater generated by 2.5 million people about 230 MGD of wastewater.

Program: 5 PM Tour of GWRS
6 PM Networking
6:30 Dinner
7:30 Presentations
8:30 Adjourn
Cost: $40

Dinner includes: Sesame Almond Chicken w/Brandied Cherry Sauce, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Vegetable Medley, Baby Mixed Greens Salad w/feta cheese and berries, Rolls & Butters and Asst. Cookies, Brownies & Dipped Strawberries

RSVP by September 15, 2011
Preferred method send check payable to: “LACSD-AAEE event” attn: Sylvia Williams 1955 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601
LACSD Employees: Send Employee #, BU#, and UID# for direct payment via Professional Development funds.
*Contact Denice Guerrero via email dguerrero@lacsd.org if you have questions, need help with registration, or wish to join the Academy

See flyer for more information

Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET

Webinar Overview:
The City of Los Angeles is the first of five 2011 U.S. Water Prize Winners profiled in this webinar series. Sponsored and administered by the Clean Water America Alliance, the United States Water Prize Program is a celebration of sustainable solutions that advance holistic, watershed-based approaches to water quality and quantity challenges. The City of Los Angeles’ Water Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) started with a simple yet ambitious vision: City Departments working with the community to manage water resources holistically. This innovative approach led the City down a seven-year path toward a plan for Los Angeles’ future. The IRP integrates supply, conservation, recycling and runoff management with wastewater facilities planning through a regional watershed approach, enlisting the public in the planning and design development process. Attendees to this webinar earn one Professional Development Hour.

Speaker:
Adel Hagekhalil, P.E., BCEE
Assistant Director
Board Certified Environmental Engineer
Bureau of Sanitation – City of Los Angeles

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. He has participated in many leadership development programs including the Water and Wastewater Development Program at the University of North Carolina.

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, storm water and watershed protection program, water quality compliance, and facilities and advance planning.
 

Register online: http://video.webcasts.com/events/pmny001/viewer/index.jsp?eventid=39294

CWEA is proud to announce that Justin Choe of Rancho Palos Verdes High School is the state winner of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.  He received $250 and a trip with his teacher to attend the National Competition in Chicago in June.  His winning paper “The efficacy of harnessing and induced magnetic field for the purpose of recycling and reusing Ag-Fe nanoparticles in the wastewater treatment process,” will run in the August Wastewater Professional.

Bill Garrett retires today from the Industrial Waste section of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts. In honor of Bill’s achievements in the wastewater industry the Board of Directors for both LABS and CWEA’s P3S Committee unanimously approved the following resolution…

PRETREATMENT, POLLUTION PREVENTION  & STORMWATER (P3S) COMMITTEE
and LOS ANGELES BASIN SECTION

Resolution No. 3 • July 7, 2011

Commending William C. Garrett III

WHEREAS, Mr. Garrett has committed his professional life to protecting the water environment, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garrett has been an active member of the California Water Environment Association and the Pretreatment, Pollution Prevention, and Storm Water Committee (formerly the Industrial & Hazardous Waste Committee) for 31 years, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garrett has been a member of the Water Environment Federation throughout his career, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garrett has served as Local Arrangements Chair, Session Chair, Moderator, Speaker, and all-around “go to guy” at numerous P3S and CWEA annual conferences and Chair of the 1990 Industrial & Hazardous Waste Conference, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garrett was inducted into the Order of the Silver Cover in 1991 for long-term, dedicated, high effort-level service to the Industrial & Hazardous Waste Committee, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garrett was recognized in 1990 by the Los Angeles Basin Section as Industrial & Hazardous Waste Control Person of the Year, and was inducted into the elite Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers (5S) in 1994, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garrett has been a longtime active and committee member of the Los Angeles Basin Section (LABS) of CWEA, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garrett has mentored past, current, and future leaders working in both the wastewater industry and the California Water Environment Association, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garrett “wrote the book” on source control inspection guidelines and techniques, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garrett was a leader and dedicated contributor to the CWEA Technical Certification Program since its inception, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garrett has actively supported involvement of his staff in California Water Environment Association activities as Supervising Industrial Waste Inspector at the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:  That the California Water Environment Association commends William C. Garrett III, for his years of dedicated service to the wastewater industry on this occasion of his retirement from the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:  The California Water Environment Association wishes Mr. Garrett every success in his future endeavors.

UNANIMOUSLY PASSED AND ADOPTED this 29th day of June 2011.

John Boyd
Chair, P3S Committee

Wendy Wert
President, LABS of CWEA

Link to photos

Photos by Kent McIntosh, LACSD

On Friday June 24th Sun Valley based fountain company WET Designs hosted a party and booksigning for author Charles Fishman who just released The Big Thirst. Proceeds from books sold at the event were donated to Water for People Los Angeles and the vent raised nearly $600.

WET was featured in one of the chapters of Charles’ new book where he talks about our strong emotional bonds to water – the joy of jumping into a swimming pool or playing on a slip-n-slide or watching a water fall. WET’s fountains make water playful, fun and interactive.

Started in 1983 by designer Mark Fuller, WET designs is now an internationally acclaimed designer of fountains and water features including several famous ones here in Los Angeles:  the dancing fountains at The Grove; the fountain you can walk through in the Music Center Courtyard; the water feature at the California Center; the wave fountain at Fashion Island in Newport Beach; the Gas Co. Tower’s lobby and more.

One of WET’s first signature designs is the laminar stream – a perfect arc of glassy water that looks like it is suspended in mid-air. The technology behind the arc was Mark’s university thesis – axisymmetric laminar flow.

The facility in Sun Valley includes the factory, administrative offices, engineering offices and a large “playground” where WET designers pulled out several interactive fountains for the partygoers to experience. Over 200 people work in the complex of offices.  From their catalog:

How do you know it’s WET? The signature WET experience is a powerful social attractor, a magnetic north for anyone searching for a genuine human connection. In an increasingly urban and digital work. WET shapes lifescapes where the community gather, where children play and where a sense of wonder envelops all.

For details on WET Designs visit: www.wetdesigns.com

For info on The Big Thirst visit: www.thebigthirst.com

LABS is saddened to report wastewater operator Fred Crumb was killed last week in a tank explosion at the City of Redding’s Clear Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Fred was a CWEA member.

Marcia Ames Industrial Waste Supervisor from City of Redding, CA writes…

The City of Redding recently had a tragic accident at one of our wastewater treatment plants when the recycled plant water (or #2 water) tank exploded.  One of the operators was nearby and was fatally wounded.  The 4500 gallon tank was installed in the 1970’s during the original plant construction.  Since this is a pressurized water tank, there is no OSHA requirement to test this type of tank.

Please inform your own wastewater staff and other treatment plants in your area, particularly if they are older treatment plants, about the potential dangers of these systems.

http://www.redding.com/news/2011/jun/16/city-osha-investigate-explosion/

LABS, SARBS and others are organizing several talks by best-selling author Charles Fishman. His new book ’The Big Thirst‘ is a deep dive into the wonderful world of water and filled with amazing stories about the people and projects providing clean, safe water in America and around the world.

The book asks blunt questions about America’s relationship with water and how we care for it. In a country with an abundance of clean water, available 24/7 and for less than a penny a gallon, are we missing a bigger picture? What happens when the water runs out.

If you’re interested in speaking with Charles about a speaking engagement, site visit or have a media interview suggestion please contact LABS VP Alec Mackie at 714-428-4614 or alecm@jwce.com.

About the author: Charles Fishman is the author of The Wal-Mart Effect, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. Fishman is a former metro and national reporter for The Washington Post. Since 1996, he has worked for the business magazine Fast Company. He has won numerous awards, including twice winning UCLA’s Gerald Loeb Award for outstanding business writing, the most prestigious award in business journalism. His story about bottled water, “Message in a Bottle,” was a finalist for the 2008 Gerald Loeb Award for magazine writing.

Join Fast Company writer and bestselling author Charles Fishman for a deep dive into the wonderful world of water and hear amazing stories about the people and projects providing clean, safe water in America and around the world. In a country with an abundance of clean water, available 24/7 and for less than a penny a gallon, are we missing a bigger picture? What happens when the water runs out.

Hosted by the UCLA Chapter of ASCE we’ll also discuss the state of America’s infrastructure, where the jobs will be in the water industry and the business opportunities available in cleaning water.

Join us as Charles takes us on a journey to cities who went to the abyss of massive water issues only to pull themselves back with smart, innovative and economical water management solutions.

Read the book and join us for a lively discussion about water and the engineers and workers who clean it, deliver it, and then take it away in the Los Angeles Basin and around the world.

 To learn about water industry careers visit the Water Environment Federation website www.WorkForWater.org <http://www.workforwater.org/>

FREE Event
FREE refreshments

Wednesday, June 22, 2011
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
UCLA Boelter Penthouse, Samueli School
Use NW elevator in Boelter Hall (Elevator #137). 8th Floor.

Please RSVP by June 20th: kendrarusinek@gmail.com<mailto:kendrarusinek@gmail.com>

To view the event flyer click here<https://mail.jwce.com/media_IOE/files/June-22_UCLA-ASCE_Fishman_Big-Thirst-ff-n3j.pdf>.

Special Instructions:

Directions: Use Westwood Plaza entrance and Park in Lot #9. $8. Boelter Hall is north of Lot 9, to the right of large brick building with brown glass windows (Engineering IV bldg). Boelter Hall cannot be seen from the street, so ask parking attendant for precise directions.

www.ascebruins.org<http://www.ascebruins.org/>

Join bestselling author Charles Fishman for a deep dive into the wonderful world of water and hear amazing stories about the people and projects providing clean, safe water in America and around the world. In a country with an abundance of clean water, available 24/7 and for less than a penny a gallon, are we missing a bigger picture? What happens when the water runs out.

Join us as Charles takes us on a journey to cities who went to the abyss of massive water issues only to pull themselves back with smart, innovative and economical water management solutions.

Hosted by the LA Chamber, Los Angeles & San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council, Water for People LA and LABS of CWEA (LA’s association of wastewater professionals) we’ll also share an interesting story about one of LA’s innovative water projects with Charles and the audience.

Read the book and join us for a lively discussion about water and the people who clean it, deliver it, and then take it away in the LA Basin and around the world.

Author bio: Charles Fishman is the author of The Wal-Mart Effect, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. Fishman is a former metro and national reporter for The Washington Post. Since 1996, he has worked for the business magazine Fast Company. He has won numerous awards, including twice winning UCLA’s Gerald Loeb Award for outstanding business writing, the most prestigious award in business journalism. His story about bottled water, “Message in a Bottle,” was a finalist for the 2008 Gerald Loeb Award for magazine writing.
To attend, please click to RSVP:
http://events.lachamber.com/default.asp?cale_id=2938&details=true

10:30am – Noon
Wednesday, June 22nd
 
Hosted by: Los Angeles & San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council

FREE
Parking $6

LA Chamber
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Come out and get to know Heal the Bay at this very special presentation by Mark Gold, HTB’s President. Mark will discuss California’s response to water scarcity and the opportunity to sustainablly harvest rainwater for reuse and infiltration.

Rainwater harvesting can augment water supplies while providing flood control and minimizing pollution. Efforts to incentivize and encourage small scale and regional rainwater harvesting must expand. Agencies such as MWD can provide economic incentives like the $250 per acre foot subsidy they provide for water recycling and ocean desalination projects. In addition, the State can clarify health requirements for rainwater harvesting. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will soon release a rainwater harvesting matrix for new projects.

We need to move beyond the concept of “one water” to the reality of integrating policies, regulations and funding for water supply and water quality. With these changes, we can treat urban rivers as a resource rather than structures that simply transport stormwater pollution into our rivers, beaches and bays.

Hosted by Hala Titus, LABS Past-President and Vice President for Black & Veatch Los Angeles.

Thursday, June 16
6PM Mixer
7PM Dinner
C&O Cucina
3016 Washington Blvd
Marina del Rey

See flyer for more information

Rsvp:

Online: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=j99uqxdab&oeidk=a07e3rxra58add4d45e

Or Alec Mackie alecm@jwce.com, 714-428-4614

Join LABS as we welcome Professor Marylynn V. Yates of the Dept. of Environmental Sciences at University of California, Riverside to our next dinner meeting on May 19, 2011.

Dr. Yates will Summarize EPA’s Part 503 Rule, which sets pathogen and indicator density limits to verify pathogens are killed through the wastewater and biosolids treatment processes. She will discuss disease-causing microorganisms that may be present in biosolids and the factors that control their survival and movement in the environment. The results of recent studies on indicator organisms and the routes microorganisms take to contaminate water and food will be presented.

When:
Thursday, May 19, 2011
6:00 p.m.

Where:
Swiss Park
Banquet Center
1905 Workman Mill Road
Whittier 90601-1457
(Adjacent to LACSD HQ)

RSVP:
RSVP by May 13 to Alec Mackie
alecm@jwce.com
(714) 428-4614

See attached flyer for more details

Wendy successfully completed another LA Marathon. Through wind, cold and rain. Way to go Wendy!

Beyond Nitrification -  the Benefits of  Higher SRT Operation
Presenter: Michael Stenstrom Ph.D., P.E., BCEE

2011 CWEA Annual Conference
Engineering and Research Committee/American Academy of Environmental Engineers Breakfast
Friday, April 15, 2011
7:00 AM-8:30 AM
View flyer for more information!

Michael Strenstrom is a Distinguished Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department at the University of California, Los Angeles. His research and teaching are in
the field of environmental engineering, with an emphasis on biological treatment methods
and applications of mathematical modeling and optimization to environmental engineering
research.

Be sure to sign up for the ERC Breakfast when you register for the annual conference!