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 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
The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) invites new test sites for the research project Transforming our Cities: High Performance Green Infrastructure.
Recent advances in information technology infrastructure as well as hardware systems and software solutions are providing the foundation for a future of ubiquitous, digitally-connected, green infrastructure. Intelligent management of such infrastructure will change the way we understand and control our urban environments and impact natural systems.
The availability of a new breed of robust, extremely low cost, highly functional, internet accessible, programmable logic controller systems coupled with the ease of wired and wireless communications are making onsite real-time and dynamic controls viable options for both new construction as well as retrofits with green infrastructure based stormwater systems.
The total costs for design, equipment, and installation of the active components for demonstrations will be partially subsidized with in-kind contributions from WERF and the project team. Typical costs for an installation are $20-25K. However, under this research project the costs for participating test sites will be in the range of $10-15K resulting in significant savings to participants. Actual costs will depend on site specific conditions. The costs do not include the cost of implementing the BMP itself (e.g. cistern, green roof, bioretention, etc.).
In many cases, retrofitting an existing BMP may be the most effective approach. In addition to the improving the effectiveness of the BMP and saving cost on implementation, other benefits to test site participants include gaining experience with high performance green infrastructure, learning efficient ways to meet stormwater regulations and requirements, identifying new approaches for stormwater reuse, and taking part in a significant research study to help transform the infrastructure of cities and towns.
To learn more about or to express interest in participating as a test site in this targeted collaborative research (TCR) project, contact Senior Program Director Jeff Moeller at jmoeller@werf.org or 571-384-2104 by Oct 31, 2011.
(photos by Alec Mackie, JWCE)
LONG BEACH — Laundry day has taken on a whole new meaning in Long Beach as the city unveiled its latest water conservation project Tuesday – Laundry to Landscape.
According to city officials, the program will allow residents to conserve resources by using water from their washing machines, also known as graywater, for backyard irrigation systems for trees, shrubs and gardens.
In March, the City Council approved the program, which was co-sponsored by council members James Johnson, Patrick O’Donnell and Suja Lowenthal.
“Today, Long Beach leads the way by being one of the first cities to test this innovative way to conserve scarce water,” said Johnson. “By reusing water on site, graywater has the potential to both save water and money for Long Beach residents.
Photos by Kent McIntosh, LACSD and Miluska Propersi, RMC Water & Environment
From the LA Times "City Manager Jim Thorsen walks along the path flanked by hydro seed at the new Legacy Park in Malibu which is the centerpiece of its efforts to clean Malibu Creek and Lagoon. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)"
On July 28th CWEA Tri-Counties and LABS members will travel to Malibu for an informative look at the cities innovative new stormwater treatment system and surrounding park. Join LABS and tour this amazing new park. The tour is followed by a dinner meeting presentation by Malibu’s Public Works Director Bob Brager. The parks design engineers from RMC Water & Environment will also speak.
Click here for event info and to RSVP.
The park was profiled in an Oct. 2, 2010 LA Times article…
Less obvious, however, will be the park’s reason for being: reducing water pollution. Buried beneath visitors’ feet is a sophisticated network of pipes and filters engineered to remove bacteria, metals and trash from the storm-water runoff that has long contaminated Malibu Creek, Malibu Lagoon and the point break at Surfrider Beach.
The $38-million Malibu Legacy Park is considered to be the centerpiece of the city’s commitment to clean water, a commitment that coastal activists say is welcome, if long overdue.
A year after work was completed on an elaborate system in Hermosa Beach that prevents storm water from reaching the ocean, the project has earned the city another prestigious prize.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week named the Strand Infiltration Project as the winner of the 2010 Performance and Innovation in the State Revolving Fund Creating Environmental Success – or PISCES – Award.
The award was created in 2005 and recognizes public works projects aimed at cutting down environmental pollution that are efficiently designed, managed and financed.
“It is truly an honor for the city and everyone involved in this project to have this recognition for all of the hard work and planning that went into the Strand Infiltration Trench Project,” Hermosa Beach Mayor Peter Tucker said in a statement. “Our city is committed to exploring new opportunities to make Hermosa Beach green.”
It is the second award the city has received for the ambitious project, which prevents filthy storm water from reaching local waters off the coast. In December, the Strand Infiltration Trench was named Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association.
City engineers designed the project to take advantage of the city’s location – on a massive sand dune – by using sand as a natural filtration system for polluted urban water runoff.
Work was completed in April and funded with about $950,850 in American Recovery and Reinvestment
The infiltration trench lies underground and stretches about 1,000 feet south of the city’s pier, collecting storm water and filtering it before returning it to groundwater tables.
Water is collected in city storm drains and processed through a pretreatment system, which removes trash, sediment and other toxins. The storm water is then filtered by sand to remove bacteria as it slowly flows safely to replenish ground water.
The infiltration trench is the second public works project completed by city engineers within the last year aimed at reducing the beach town’s environmental footprint.
In October, work was completed on the Pier Avenue Beautification Project. Improvements to the city’s main thoroughfare include wider sidewalks, a landscape center median and an additional storm drain and water-filtration system that further keeps polluted water from reaching the ocean.
The recent EPA award is the second the city has received from the agency for the pair of recently completed public works projects.
In December, the Pier Avenue project earned a 2010 Environmental Achievement Award from the EPA.
Hermosa Beach officials say the successful projects – and the national attention they are receiving – are proof the city is moving forward with bold environmental initiatives.
“We’re pushing the envelope when it comes to improving the environment,” Councilman Michael DiVirgilio, who has been leading the city’s environmental agenda, said in December. “And we’re doing it aggressively.”
City Manager Steve Burrell, who traveled to Sacramento last week on behalf of the city to accept the award, touted city engineers for their work on the project and said the new system has not encountered any problems, despite recent heavy rains.
“It’s a demonstration project and the idea is to show that this type of system could work,” Burrell said.
Here is the presentation (PDF):
2011 - Power Generation Facility Steam Cycle Modifications - Tom Fang (139)
Story tk…
The Clean Water America Alliance is proud to announce the 2011 U.S. Water Prize winners. Each winner has been recognized for their watershed-based models and programs that advance our country toward greater water sustainability. “These five water champions reflect the diversity of America and set a shining example for innovating, integrating, and collaborating from coast to coast to sustain America’s most precious liquid asset,” explained Alliance President Ben Grumbles. U.S. Water Prize winners by alphabetical order are:
- The City of Los Angeles
- Milwaukee Water Council
- National Great Rivers Research & Education Center
- New York City Department of Environmental Protection
- Pacific Institute.
The City of Los Angeles, particularly the Bureau of Sanitation, and New York City Department of Environmental Protection are planning, integrating, and incorporating innovative green infrastructure approaches and increasing resource recovery through water reuse and other cutting edge technologies. Both cities are maximizing their resources through community partnerships and involvement.
“These five water champions reflect the diversity of America and set a shining example for innovating, integrating, and collaborating from coast to coast to sustain America’s most precious liquid asset,” explained Alliance President Ben Grumbles.
The Milwaukee Water Council (Wis.) is establishing public-private collaborations that advance water technology and promote economic development. As a result, the Milwaukee area is becoming known as a “World Water Hub.” A state-of-the-art facility, the National Great Rivers Research & Education Center (Alton, Ill.) is mobilizing volunteer communities around the confluence of two rivers and creating a national and international center for science, education and public outreach. The Pacific Institute is consistently in the vanguard of water issues from water use efficiency to climate change, informing political debate and elevating public awareness.
U.S. Water Prize winners will be honored in a special ceremony on May 9, 2011, at 5:30 p.m., in the Hotel Monaco of Washington, D.C. National water and environmental leaders will attend the celebration. Each recipient will receive a handcrafted ceramic art work commissioned from internationally acclaimed potter Miranda Thomas.
The Clean Water America Alliance created and administers the U.S. Water Prize to recognize achievement and inspire action for water sustainability. Black & Veatch, CDM, CH2M Hill, Pirnie/ARCADIS, Veolia, and Brown and Caldwell are proud sponsors of the inaugural 2011 award. For more information, visit www.CWAA.us.
Formed in 2008, the Clean Water America Alliance is a nonprofit 501c3 educational organization whose goal is to unite people and policies for water sustainability. A broad cross-section of interests is coming together through the Alliance to advance holistic, watershed-based approaches to water quality and quantity challenges.
Join LABS for their monthly meeting presentation and Board elections!
Macrh 17th at 6 pm – Don’t forget to wear Green!
Monterey Steak House
3700 W Ramona Blvd
Monterey Park 91754
Photos by Kent McIntosh, LACSD.
2011 LABS Awards Banquet
Click here to view more photos of our wonderful members and guests!
On January 8, 2011, the Los Angeles Basin Section (LABS) of California Water Environment Association (CWEA) hosted the 2011 annual LABS awards from the Royal Salon of the Queen Mary. The celebration began with an energized social gathering of CWEA leaders, members, and award winners.
LABS 2009 President, Hala Titus welcomed attendees to the ceremony. Speaker Titus thanked the organizations present for their continuing commitment to CWEA and commended them for their support of training opportunities for their staff.
The West Basin Municipal Water District formally dedicated its new ocean water desalination demonstration facility in Redondo Beach, CA on November 12. The demonstration facility will pull in about 580,000 gallons of ocean water a day. It hosts ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and energy recovery technologies. Similar membrane water purification processes are used at West Basin’s 30 million gallons a day wastewater recycling facility in El Segundo.
Excellence in Environmental Engineering: Chairman Tim Brick and Dr. Kent Sorenson to Speak at MWD on September 23, 2010
The American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE) has organized a dinner meeting to present two Excellence in Environmental Engineering award-winning projects, to be held at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California on September 23, 2010. Details and registration information are contained in the attached flyer. This AAEE annual event will showcase two of California’s winning projects from the international competition, including the overall top prize. Dr. Kent Sorenson will discuss CDM’s Technology for InSitu Biodegradation of Perchlorate and Nitrate, the Superior Achievement Award winner and Chairman Tim Brick will speak about MWD’s Inland Feeder Program, the Environmental Sustainability Honor Award winner. Come and learn from industry leaders about these outstanding projects and AAEE’s initiatives.
Click here to view the flyer for more information!
If you have additional questions about the event or wish to register, please contact Sylvia Williams at swilliams@lacsd.org or phone 562-908-4288 ext 1700.
Thank you,
Wendy Wert
Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE)
FILLMORE – Never has the Santa Clara River been filtered so vigorously, so urgently and at such great cost to tiny towns as it has in the last two years.
At least three brand-new, state-of-the-art water treatment plants, recycling plants and one pump house have been built or are in the planning stage along the river between the Santa Clarita Valley and the Pacific Ocean.
High energy-efficient plants in Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru all started purifying water along the Santa Clara River within the last couple of months.
What motivated each tiny town to spend millions of dollars on infrastructure when each community, like the rest of America, struggles to rebound from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression?
Here is the entire presentation in PDF format as requested…
City of LA Venice VDFM LABS (PDF), Sean Zahedi, PE, Project Manager
By Wendy Wert
On May 20, 2010, the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Los Angeles Basin Section (LABS) presented a regional composting update at the Monterey Hill Steakhouse in Monterey Park. The featured speaker was Jeff Ziegenbein, Deputy Manager of Operations for Inland Empire Regional Composting Facility (IERCF). The IERCA was created in 2002 by a joint powers agreement between the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) and the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (CSDLAC). The agencies have evaluated composting as an economically and environmentally sound method of beneficially reusing biosolids from publically owned treatment works (POTWs).
By Alec Mackie, LABS Corporate Director
The City’s Bureau of Engineering has completed design work on a critically needed second sewer force main to manage peak flows from the Venice Pumping Plant to the Hyperion Wastewater Treatment Plant. The City is ready to start building the $60 million, 2 mile force main but a new court case has stopped the project.
