CWEA One-Day Specialty Workshop
Biosolids: Energizing Your Gas Production.
FOG and Food Waste Co-Digestion Workshop
Get the latest information you need to know about
co-digesting FOG and food waste from suppliers to
operators. This workshop will provide information
about the state of the regulations, availability and
competition for FOG and food waste, operational
experiences, and considerations that can be
incorporated into new designs.
Who Should Attend:
Operators, practitioners, and managers practicing in
the wastewater, and resource recovery industries
throughout California.
Approved for CWEA Contact Hours:
- Environmental Compliance Inspector (ECI)
- Laboratory Analyst (LAB)
- Operator (OP)
- Biosolids Land Application Management (BLAM)
Earn up to 8.9 CWEA Contact Hours
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
City of LA Hyperion WTP
12000 Vista Del Mar
Playa del Rey, CA 90293
See flyer for more information
FOG clogs sewers and costs sewer customers additional money. Every day, large amounts are illegally washed into sewers mainly from food preparation establishments (usually through kitchen sinks and floor drains) that do not have adequate grease control measures in place. FOG attaches to the inner lining of the private plumbing system on your property, as well as the public sewer system in city streets.
Tons of trash normally swept to the ocean by the Los Angeles River should be captured by thousands of trash screens that have been installed beneath nearly every storm drain in the lower reaches of the river. The project is believed to be the largest debris-capturing effort in the nation and marks the most aggressive attack yet on river trash in the Los Angeles region. The project spans 16 cities and is expected to keep 840,000 pounds of debris — the equivalent of about 450 Volkswagen Beetles — from reaching the ocean each year, according to the Gateway Authority, a coalition of cities and public water agencies in southeastern L.A. County.
The biggest winner from the project is Long Beach, where workers routinely have to scoop floating islands of plastic bottles, grocery bags and other debris flowing from dozens of communities upstream before it litters the city’s coastline. In August 2010, crews began installing the stainless-steel, full-capture trash devices inside nearly 12,000 catch basins. The simple mesh contraptions sit just below the drains where water from city streets flows into the storm-water system and can catch debris as small as a cigarette butt.
Another 5,400 drains in the most-littered areas also were outfitted with street-level retractable screens as a second layer of defense.
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.
When: Sunday, October 16, 2011
Time: 8:30 am to Noon
Location: Bikes and Hikes
8743 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90046
Cost: $75 for riders with bike & helmet
$100 for riders renting a bike & helmet
Join your WEFTEC friends as we pedal to raise awareness and funds to support Water For People. In the three years, we have raised over $10,000. We are able to raise money by the generosity of our sponsors who pay to have their logo printed on the back of our event T-Shirt.
A great ride is planned for 2011. We will start at Bikes and Hikes in West Hollywood and pedal through Bel Aire and Beverly Hills. We’ll ride 10 miles through jaw dropping neighborhood as we pass many celebrity homes, take in the sights and scents of world class gardens, and ride along the infamous Sunset Boulevard. During the ride, we’ll park our bikes and take a foot tour of Rodeo Drive and Greystone Mansion. For the serious cyclists, a hammerhead option along Mulholland Drive in the Santa Monica Mountains will be offered. All rides will be guided by professional tour guides from Bikes and Hikes LA (www.bikesandhikesla.com).
All participants will be provided with a multi-speed, fully suspended hybrid bicycle, vest, helmet and fluids. We will receive a colorful T-Shirt with the logo of our sponsors on the back of the T-Shirt. Registration will close on September 30 or when we reach 75 riders.
Participants should wear comfortable shirts and pants. Closed-toed shoes are required. Remember to bring sunscreen. Depending upon the weather, a light wind breaker may be needed. We will be arranging transportation from downtown LA to the bicycle shop and return. We will provide details of the transportation later.
After you have registered, George Patrick will contact you by email to obtain your T-Shirt size, your bike preference and other specific information. If you have questions, please contact George Patrick by email (georgepatrickatl@bellsouth.net) or 404/434-2149. If your company is interested in sponsoring the ride, please contact George Patrick.
See flyer for more information.
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.
Brent Haddad studies water in a place where water is often in short supply: California.
Haddad is a professor of environmental studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz. About 14 years ago, he became very interested in the issue of water reuse.
At the time, a number of California’s local water agencies were proposing a different approach to the state’s perennial water problems. They wanted to build plants that would clean local wastewater — aka sewage water — and after that cleaning, make it available as drinking water. But, says Haddad, these proposals were consistently shot down by an unwilling public.
“The public wasn’t really examining the science involved,” Haddad says. “They were just saying no.” This infuriated the water engineers, who thought the public’s response was fundamentally irrational, Haddad says.
“That’s what I would hear at these water agency meetings,” Haddad says, “these very frustrated water engineers saying, ‘My public is irrational! They are irrational! They simply won’t listen!’ ”
***POSTPONED TO 2012***
Sustainable Infrastructure is the foundation for creating a strong and prosperous economy in communities around the world. The Los Angeles Basin Section (LABS) of California Water Environment Association is organizing a Sept. 8th specialty conference to promote sustainable practices that help ensure we continue to enjoy the benefits of clean and safe water.
We will hear from industry leaders about projects and practices that will help us realize and maintain sustainable communities.
• Jim Clark, Senior Vice President, Black & Veatch
• Mark Gold, President, Heal the Bay
• Adel Hagekhalil, Asst. Director, Watershed Protection, City of Los Angeles, Dept. of Public Works, Bureau of Sanitation
• Nancy Steele, President, Los Angeles & San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council
• Deborah Weinstein, TreePeople
• Jim Yannotta, Asst Director of Water Resources, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
See flyer for more information
***Due to popular demand, this event is Sold Out***
It’s an environmental learning experience for children of all ages. It’s home to five coastal habitats and SoCal’s only coastal prairie. It’s an oasis. It’s an environmental cleaning machine for the ocean.
It’s the heart of Malibu. It’s one smart park. The Legacy Park Project, the centerpiece of the City of Malibu’s $50 million dollar commitment to clean water, is a cutting-edge concept with far-reaching civic, educational, and environmental benefits for residents, visitors, and the generations to come.
Employing state-of-the-art technology, it is a central park that will work as an environmental cleaning machine, reducing pollution impacts in Malibu Creek, Malibu Lagoon, and the world famous Surfrider Beach, and will provide a
living learning center for five coastal habitats.
Featured Dinner Speakers:
Bob Brager, Public Works Director, City of Malibu
Elizabeth Shavelson, Public Works Analyst, City of Malibu
Steve Clary, Principal, RMC Water & Environment
When:
Thursday, July 29, 2011
5:00 p.m. Tour
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Presentation
Where:
Tour: Stormwater Treatment Facility
(salmon colored building):
Legacy Park
23500 Civic Center Way
Malibu 90265
Dinner: Guido’s Malibu (walk next door)
3874 Cross Creek Road, Malibu
RSVP:
By July 22nd with meal choice to:
alecm@jwce.com or call Alec Mackie
at (714) 428-4614.
See flyer for more information
New BMP Database Results for Four Pollutant Categories and Volume Control Too!
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Time: 02:00 to 03:00 PM EDT
Duration: 60 Minutes
Price: FREE TO WERF SUBSCRIBERS
What level of treatment is typical for various BMPs and green infrastructure practices? What pollutant removal mechanisms do they employ? How can I use this information to help select and design effective stormwater controls?
Representatives from the International Stormwater BMP Database will answer these questions and more, as they provide stormwater managers, consultants, and others with the latest BMP performance evaluation results for four pollutant categories – bacteria, nutrients, sediment, and metals – as well as volume reduction.
This evaluation is based on analysis of the data contained in the International Stormwater BMP Database and is summarized in a new series of technical memos. To learn more, visit www.bmpdatabase.org.
LOS ANGELES, CA— What do Heal the Bay Founder Dorothy Green, Southern California Public Radio, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Carpet Manufacturer Bentley Prince Street, Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz and Temple City Councilman Carl Blum all have in common? The answer: they’ve all worked to end Southern California’s dependence on imported sources of water.
On July 14, to celebrate its 15th Anniversary, the Los Angeles & San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council will present awards to those who have worked to ensure a sustainable future for the Los Angeles region, home to almost one-third of all Californians. The Watershed Council will also make a major announcement at the event, marking a positive strategic move forward for the organization. Policy makers, environmentalist and citizens concerned with sustainability won’t want to miss this fun event that will feature great food, special guests, music, unique auction items and actors portraying pioneers of California’s water past. LA City Councilman Ed Reyes has confirmed his attendance and several other local elected officials are tentatively scheduled to attend.
About the Honorees:
Southern California Public Radio/89.3 KPCC is being honored for its consistent and comprehensive coverage of local environmental issues by journalists such as Molly Peterson, Patt Morrison, Ilsa Setziol, and Larry Mantle. In addition to consistent high quality reporting on stormwater management and other water issues, the station’s commitment to becoming the “greenest radio station in the nation” has taken an important first step in the building of its new LEED certified studio and office headquarters in Pasadena.
Zev Yaroslavsky is in his fourth term on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Since first being elected in 1994, Zev has been a leader in environmental issues. His major priorities and accomplishments include leading efforts to conserve public lands and save open space especially in the Santa Monica Mountains, ban the use of plastic bags in grocery stores, and implementing the County’s Low Impact Development ordinance to capture stormwater. The Supervisor championed the Sun Valley Watershed Project, which has been a boon to local environmental efforts while also helping residents solve very serious flooding issues. Zev authored Proposition A, which provided funding to preserve open space lands and triggered the development of urban parks throughout Los Angeles County and coauthored the North Area Plan in 2000, which reined in development in the Santa Monica Mountains. Thanks to his efforts, he was able to save significant mountain ridgelines and notable parcels of land, such as Ahmanson Ranch, King Gillette Ranch and others.
Bentley Prince Street is committed to sustainable commerce and innovations to integrate style and function with environmental practices through its Mission Zero goal of eliminating any negative impact it has on the environment by the year 2020. For 30 years the company has manufactured and marketed award-winning broadloom and carpet tile products for commercial interiors across the globe. With the industry’s most comprehensive vertical carpet manufacturing facility, the company maintains third-party certification to the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System and the ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System. Statistics back up the company’s commitment to sustainability – over the past 15 years water use per unit has been reduced by 52 percent, waste sent to landfills has been reduced by 97 percent, absolute greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 48 percent, and energy use per unit has been reduced by 40%. Today, renewable sources provide 100 percent of electrical energy requirements.
Mary Ann Lutz was elected as Mayor of the City of Monrovia in 2009 and re-elected in 2011 having served on the City Council since 2003. Prior to elected office, Mary Ann led a successful campaign to have the City of Monrovia purchase and create a wilderness preserve in the foothills. In her current role, Mary Ann has been a champion of water independence and was appointed the Vice Chair of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2003. She is the Founding Chair and current Vice Chair of the Environmental, Energy, and Natural Resources Committee for the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, Chair of the Water Resources Working Group for SGVCOG, and a member of the Los Angeles County Integrated Waste Management Task Force.
Carl Blum was an early board member of the Los Angeles & San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council, and served as Vice- President from 2000-2002. Over his 36-year career working for the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and Department of Public Works, Carl led a shift in thinking toward a broader watershed management perspective including the creation in 2000 of the Watershed Management Division at the Department of Public Works. Notable accomplishments include the development of the Los Angeles River Master Plan and the formation of a steering committee for the development of a master plan on the San Gabriel River. Carl was influential in the formation of the Mountains and Rivers Conservancy, a state agency, and the formation of the Sun Valley Watershed Project. Since retiring from the District, Carl has remained active in leadership positions with the American Society of Civil Engineers. In 2010, Carl was appointed to the Temple City Council and was elected for a four year term in 2011.
About the Watershed Council
The Watershed Council supports a healthy watershed for the region by serving as a robust center for the generation of objective research and analysis. The Council has established a platform for meaningful collaboration between governmental organizations, academic institutions, businesses and other nonprofit organizations with a vested interest in preserving the watershed.
Founded in 1996 by leading environmental activist Dorothy Green and others, the Watershed Council produces continuing research programs that examine water usage and quality as well as create and enhance preservation and conservation tactics. The trustworthy expertise and analysis that comes from the Watershed Council’s ongoing programs connects a diverse set of groups with overlapping missions in an effort to drive polices that will continually improve watershed quality.
Tickets are only $50 and can be purchased by visiting the Watershed Council’s website at www.lasgrwc.org
Tickets are tax-deducible to the amount allowed under the law.
The 2011 Water Quality Symposium, 21st Century Science and Technology, promises to enlighten. Research projects that have taken many years and thousands of hours of analysis are ready for presentation. Subjects range from water quality source identification to the economics of sea level rise. This event will provide a unique opportunity to interact with recognized experts and researchers who have studied our rich coastal habitats.
Please join us for a day of learning, exploration, and discussion.
See event flyer for more information
http://www.malibucity.org/news/index.cfm/fuseaction/story/ID/1182/
Please join us for our next collection systems luncheon to be held on June 23, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
AQMD Fleet Rules (15 min)
Dean Saito, AQMD
An explanation of AQMD’s Clean Natural Gas vehicle requirements for new municipal equipment operating within the LA Basin as well as recent examples of the waiver process.
Equipment Options and Capabilities (15 min)
Dave Thomas, Haaker
The options available for purchasing CNG vehicles and equipment specifications and capabilities.
Clean Fleet Success Story (30 min panel discussion)
Barry Berggren, City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Sanitation
The panel includes Mr. Berggren and members of the BOS field crew and fleet staff. They’ll describe the challenges CNG equipment poses in the field and for fleet management, along with ways the City of Los Angeles is addressing those challenges.
Please RSVP by June 22nd to:
Cathy Macklin,
RMC Water & Environment
cmacklin@rmcwater.com
(310) 566-6460
Location:
City of Los Angeles
Bureau of Sanitation
Media Center
2714 Media Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90065
See flyer for more information
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
The next GREEN workshop, dealing with Injury Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP) Preparation, is scheduled for Friday June 3, 2011 from 8 am – 12 noon at the South Whittier Education Center.
The South Whittier Education Center is located at 14307 E. Telegraph Rd., Whittier Ca 90604 and is in front of the Sheriff’s Training Center. There is free parking at the center.
All existing GREEN participants should bring your GREEN Training Binders to this next event. You will also be given the next set of training materials for your GREEN library. If you do not have a GREEN binder, one will be provided for you at the workshop.
If you know of any company or individual that can use and/or benefit from this much needed IIPP training, please invite them to attend this next training event.
Please contact Steve Katnik at 562-463-7501 or email me at skatnik@riohondo.edu if you have questions.
Map to South Whittier Education Center
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a new strategy to promote the use of green infrastructure by cities and towns to reduce stormwater runoff that pollutes the nation’s streams, creeks, rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Green infrastructure decreases pollution to local waterways by treating rain where it falls and keeping polluted stormwater from entering sewer systems. In addition to protecting Americans’ health by decreasing water pollution, green infrastructure provides many community benefits including increased economic activity and neighborhood revitalization, job creation, energy savings and increased recreational and green space.
Large volumes of polluted stormwater degrade the nation’s rivers, lakes and aquatic habitats and contribute to downstream flooding. Green infrastructure captures and filters pollutants by passing stormwater through soils and retaining it on site. Effective green infrastructure tools and techniques include green roofs, permeable materials, alternative designs for streets and buildings, trees, rain gardens and rain harvesting systems.
As part of the strategy, EPA will work with partners including local governments, watershed groups, tribes and others in ten cities that have utilized green infrastructure and have plans for additional projects. EPA will encourage and support expanded use of green infrastructure in these cities and highlight them as models for other municipalities around the country. The ten cities are: Austin, TX; Boston, MA; Cleveland, OH; Denver, CO; Jacksonville, FL.; Kansas City, MO.; Los Angeles, CA; Puyallup, WA; Syracuse, N.Y.; and Washington, D.C. and neighboring Anacostia Watershed communities.
EPA will continue to work with other federal agencies, state and local governments, tribes, municipalities, and the private sector to identify opportunities for using green infrastructure and provide assistance to communities implementing green approaches to control stormwater. EPA will also provide additional tools to help states and communities leverage green infrastructure opportunities within other innovative environmental projects.
For more information on EPA’s green infrastructure agenda: http://epa.gov/greeninfrastructure
By Tom Fang, PE and Alec Mackie
Where can LA County get more green energy for the future? One source is an extensive power generation project at the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP) in Carson. When completed, the state-of-the-art facility will turn wastewater sent into Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts’ (LACSD) sewer system into as much as 36 megawatts (MW) of clean, green power every day.
When JWPCP flips the switch later this year, the Power Generation Facility, known as the Total Energy Facility, will produce enough electricity to run the entire plant and, at times, sell surplus to the power grid. Turning sewage biogas into electricity is the goal of the Steam Cycle Modifications Project, according to LACSD Engineer Tom Fang who spoke during a March 17th dinner meeting of the Los Angeles Basin Section (LABS) of CWEA.
JWPCP’s Total Energy Facility dates back to the 1980s and is an important source of power for the facility. Steam can be produced at the facility to heat the anaerobic digesters, and methane from the digesters, in turn, is used to fuel the power plant.
What’s unique about the Total Energy Facility is the combined cycle power plant. First, up to three 9.9 MW gas turbines burn digester gas much like a jet engine to directly generate electricity (the Brayton power cycle). The exhaust heat is then tapped to make steam that powers an 8.7 MW steam turbine generator (the Rankine cycle). Known as cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP), the upgraded facility will have 36 MW capacity and is expected to generate 23 MW on average. That’s enough power for the entire JWPCP and then some.
Tom explained project planning dates back to late 1990s when LACSD expanded JWPCP to full secondary treatment. As part of the expansion, digesters were added requiring more heat and generating more digester gas.
In 2008 the upgrade took on greater urgency when the former steam turbine generator suffered a catastrophic failure. The reduced capacity meant more purchased power, raising the facility’s electric bill by $2-million per year.
Tom took the audience step by step through the project’s phased construction and major elements. The equipment being replaced in the project includes a steam turbine generator (STG), heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), cooling towers, condenser, steam-to-steam generator, HVAC Chillers, High Pressure Gas Treatment System, and the Plant Control System. The three combustion turbines were previously upsized in 2001 and thus not part of recent upgrades. Startup is planned in late 2011.
Tom pointed out the project has taken years to become reality, but the payoff for the agency and its customers will be huge. Benefits include energy savings, reliable power and steam for the plant, less dependence on the grid, and avoiding utility emissions – thus fulfilling LACSD’s commitment to cost-effective, environmentally friendly operations.
In January, the project team was honored by LABS with the Engineering Achievement Award for 2010. Tom’s presentation is available on the LABS website at www.labsofcwea.com.
The Long Beach Water Department is holding a Free Earth Day event in front of the Aquarium of the Pacific on April 9th from 9AM – 4PM
LONG BEACH, CA – On Saturday, April 9th, the Long Beach Water Department will join the Aquarium of the Pacific in hosting its annual Earth Day Celebration. The event will be held from 9AM to 4PM and is free to the public. A coupon good for $10 off admission to the Aquarium on the day of the event has been made available on the Water Department’s website at www.lbwater.org.
Last year’s Earth Day Celebration at the Aquarium drew an estimated 7,000 people. This year’s event will offer kids’ games, an interactive local wildlife exhibit and live music. It will also feature a California Friendly landscaping section, which will include a plant giveaway by the Long Beach City College Horticulture Program and local landscape designers that will be on site to answer general landscaping questions. Earlier in the day, the Water Department will offer a free landscape design class in the Aquarium that will run from 8:30 AM to Noon.
The combined Long Beach Water Department and Aquarium of the Pacific Earth Day event is the largest Earth Day event in Long Beach and draws broad participation from a variety of local and national environmental organizations.
The Long Beach Water Department is an urban, southern California, retail water supply agency and the standard in water conservation and environmental stewardship.
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.
