Texas Water Is Right Around the Corner! Conference Highlights | Page 3 Keynote Speaker | Page 13 Value of Water - Texas | Page 17

| Preconference 2018 |

 TEXThe Official Newsletter of the Texas Section S AWWA | Everyh2o Drop, Every Day, Everywhere©

Texas Water is Right Around the Corner! Conference Highlights | Page 3 Keynote Speaker | Page 13 Value of Water - Texas | Page 17

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE TAWWA Launches Water Geek Website | Page 9 TCEQ Executive Director Retires | Page 14

Texas Almanac Essay | TAWWA Mentoring Program | And More!

| texas water |

Take a Stroll Along the Riverwalk at Texas Water 2018TM! April 23-26, 2018 » Henry B. González Convention Center

oin your friends and colleagues in San Antonio for Don't miss out on the sold-out Exhibit Hall featuring Texas Water 2018TM! This year, Texas Water will be more than 500 booths, the informative technical Jheld at the Henry B. González Convention Center sessions and the networking opportunities with April 23-26, 2018. Visit www.txwater.org for more thousands of representatives of the Texas water/ information and to register! wastewater industry! Dedicated volunteers from the Texas Section AWWA Here are some conference highlights: and the Water Environment Association of Texas have worked countless hours to make Texas Water 2018TM, MONDAY, APRIL 23 the groups' annual joint conference, a seamless event The day begins at 7 a.m. as players gather at the that will bring home the knowledge to advance the Brackenridge Park Golf Course in San Antonio for the water and wastewater industry. annual Texas Water Golf Tournament. The tournament raises money for scholarships for TAWWA and WEAT. At 2 p.m., the Texas Section's Board of Trustees will hold its annual meeting at the Hyatt Hotel in the Regency West Ballroom. All members of TAWWA are welcome to attend the Board meeting. After the exhibitors have put their booths in order, the Texas Water Exhibit Hall will open at 5 p.m. for a Meet-and-Greet reception for attendees. Texas Water 2018TM has officially begun.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24 The morning kicks off with the Dodson's Drive Fun Run, which benefits the Dodson's Drive and raises funds to support TAWWA/WEAT Young Professional activities around Texas. Visit https://www.facebook. com/YPDD5k for more information. At 9 a.m., Robert Puente, president and chief executive officer of San Antonio Water System, will address the opening session. Read more about Puente on page 13. The Awards Lunch at 11:30 a.m. spotlights TAWWA members who have made special contributions to the industry. Technical sessions begin their three-day run that CONTINUED PAGE 33 | texas water

www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o PRECONFERENCE 2018 | 3 | | letter from the texas section chair |

Why I am a Member of AWWA — and Why You Should be Too! Texas Section American Water Works Association BY BRUCE CURTIS P.O. Box 80150 texas section chair Austin, Texas 78708 www.tawwa.org

y fellow Texas Section AWWA members, Bruce Curtis, Chair 972-602-1001 believe it or not, it’s been approximately 38 years that I’ve been a member of Ron Tamada, Chair-Elect M 817-493-5100 AWWA. I’ve told this story a number of times during the last few years, but when I’m asked as Elston Johnson, Vice-Chair to why I joined AWWA back in 1982, I am usually 512-809-7552 fairly blunt with my response by merely saying, Daniel Nix, Imm. Past Chair "…because my boss said I had to." While this blunt 940-691-1153 directive (without any further explanation) from BRUCE CURTIS Mike Howe my immediate supervisor seemed coarse at the 972-602-1001 Executive Director/Secretary-Treasurer time, I took heed to his directive and promptly [email protected] 512-238-9292 Fax: 512-238-0496 filled out an AWWA membership card and mailed [email protected] it to the AWWA headquarters in Denver, CO. (NOTE: Yes, this was before the ease of signing up over the Internet and we This publication is distributed bi-monthly to the more than 3,500 members and actually used postage stamps.) After all these years, I am forever thankful friends of the Texas Section – American for his sage advice because being a member of AWWA has been extremely Water Works Association. fulfilling and a very rewarding experience for me throughout my entire career. Contributing writers can contact the editor: I’m quite sure that my boss' blunt directive was probably not consistent Cliff Avery with the preferred marketing and recruiting tactics that AWWA used at GCP Association Services the time for recruiting new members, but what if we turned the concept PO Box 676 around? For example, if you’re currently employed (or wish to be) within the Pflugerville, TX 78691 waterworks industry, why not ask yourself why you’re not a member—or for 512-251-8101 Fax: 512-251-8152 [email protected] that matter, bluntly ask your boss how you can be? Sometimes you have to take the initiative and make a concerted effort to accomplish your own goals The publication name, TexasH2O: © 1996-2018 by yourself. I recall the famous line from President John F. Kennedy's Texas Section – American Water Works Association, Inc. presidential inaugural speech in 1962 where he stated, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but for what you can do for your country." Thus, if © 2018 Texas Section – American Water Works Association, Inc. you’re truly interested in participating and/or giving back to your association, commit yourself to becoming a member of AWWA. And if you FOLLOW TAWWA ON really want to contribute to your association, seek out a mentor and ask for FACEBOOK AND TWITTER! guidance on how you can participate more so in AWWA activities on a section level or local chapter level. If you have specific interests in mind, seek out an existing AWWA member who can help get you involved in a Texas AWWA @txawwa CONTINUED PAGE 26 | letter from the texas section chair

| 4 | PRECONFERENCE 2018 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org Serving Texas Since 1943

AWWA D110 Type III Tanks

888-PRELOAD • www.PRELOAD.com • [email protected] | executive director report |

A Brief Look at San Antonio's History BY MIKE HOWE tawwa executive director

an Antonio is the place to be in April. As March Twenty-five years passed Madness ends, two big events will roll into San before a permanent SAntonio. settlement was built along One is Fiesta San Antonio, the annual celebration of the San Antonio River as the diverse heritage, culture and spirit of San Antonio. a halfway point between The other, of course, is Texas Water 2018™, the northern Mexico and Largest Regional Water Conference in the U.S.©, and Spanish settlement areas the annual celebration of water professionals doing in eastern Texas. Two what they do best: protecting public health. And, they years later, on the 1st of MIKE HOWE are both happening the same week—in San Antonio. May of 1718, Martín de 512-238-9292 I’m not joking. Alarcón, Governor of [email protected] San Antonio is going to be very busy the week of Coahuila y Tejas, and Fray April 23rd. But don’t let that discourage you—we have Antonio de San Buenaventura y Olivares established made plans to co-exist with Fiesta and, heck, it will be the Mission San Antonio de Valero (later known as one big party! the Alamo). Four days later the Presidio San Antonio Before I go any further, let me explain that I am not de Béjar, a garrison to protect the new mission, was comparing Texas Water™ to the amazing story of San formed. A few civilian settlers and families of Antonio. Far from it. soldiers settled in the area called the Villa de Béjar. Did you know that right after Texas WaterTM, on May 1, 2018, San Antonio will celebrate 300 years of The town would soon grow as four new missions being? A Tricentennial event like no other, that like were established nearby and 55 Canary Islanders many communities, begins its story around water. arrived in 1731. By order of the King of Spain, San Below is an edited history of this amazing city from Antonio was officially and legally declared a the San Antonio Tricentennial Commission: municipality known as Villa de San Fernando de Béjar. By 1773, San Antonio was the capital of San Antonio was once a remote encampment on a Spanish Texas. In the years that followed, pioneering gentle river. An indigenous tribe, the Payaya people, settlers from varied cultures and regions streamed called this welcoming area Yanaguana, which meant into San Antonio, all looking for a better life. "the Clear Water" in their native language. As the Spanish Empire declined, Texas became On June 13th, 1691, Domingo Terán de los Ríos, the increasingly discontent with Mexico’s governance. first governor of the new Spanish province of Tejas, Calls for independence grew, and the Texas and Fray Damián Mazanet led an expedition through Revolution began, leading to the Battle of the Alamo the area. June 13th being the feast day of St. in 1836. After the defeat of Mexican forces at San Anthony of Padua, they gave it the Spanish name Jacinto, the new Republic of Texas established Bexar "San Antonio de Padua." CONTINUED PAGE 24 | executive director report

| 6 | PRECONFERENCE 2018 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org Water Covers 2/3 of the Earth… Flowserve Covers It All

With its highly engineered pump brands, technical expertise and worldwide service support, Flowserve is dedicated to meeting Flowserve supplies pumps for moving the Earth’s water resources: the needs of the global water industries. And with over 50 years • Source Water experience and four Texas locations, Smith Pump’s partnership • Water Transmission with Flowserve provides the combined benefits of vast expertise, • Water Treatment and Distribution product breadth and offerings for every essential water resource • Wastewater pumping requirement. • Irrigation • Flood Control and Drainage Flowserve offers the world’s most trusted line of pumps and • Industrial systems for water applications, featuring brands such as IDP®, • Reuse • Worthington®, Durco®, Pleuger® and Byron Jackson®. Desalination

To learn more about how Flowserve pumps can cover all your water resource pumping needs, please visit www.flowserve.com Smith Pump Company or www.smithpump.com. Fort Worth • Waco • Austin • Houston Phone: 1 800 299 8909

Experience In Motion flowserve.com Leaders in Corrosion Prevention

PETROLATUM TAPES • SEALING & MOLDING • PROTECTIVE OUTERWRAPS Avoid corroding connections or having to use expensive stainless steel bolts on your water and wastewater projects. The Denso Petrolatum Tape System, which includes Denso Paste, Denso Pro ling Mastic & Densyl Tape will provide long-term corrosion protection to pipes,  anges, couplings, restraints, valves and water in ltration corrosion to municipal exterior chambers.

Meets AWWA C217 Standard Save Up To 60% On Your Flanged Connection Cost www.densona.com

PHONE: 1-281-821-3355 FAX: 1-281-821-0304 E-MAIL: [email protected] | water geek |

Leaders in Corrosion Prevention TAWWA Launches Water Geek Website

BY CLIFF AVERY texas h2o editor

AN ANTONIO — At Texas Water 2018, Texas AWWA will launch a new initiative to share water Sknowledge with consumers. WaterGeek.org will feature videos that provide information about how safe, sufficient drinking water gets to the homes of Texans. It will also invite Texans to contact their local utilities for more information. The effort began in the summer of 2016 with discussions between AWWA headquarters staff and Texas Section leaders about reaching out to the general public. CONTINUED PAGE 28 | water geek

Meets AWWA C217 Standard Save Up To 60% On Your Flanged Connection Cost www.densona.com

PHONE: 1-281-821-3355 FAX: 1-281-821-0304 E-MAIL: [email protected] www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o PRECONFERENCE 2018 | 9 | | state of texas water |

Texas Almanac Essay Highlights Water Challenges

BY CLIFF AVERY texas h2o editor

he greatest threat to Texas’s water supplies is and a surge of reservoir-building sprang from the ignorance. so-called "drought of record" in the 1950s. The T That’s the theme underlying Andrew Sansom’s assumption was, he writes, "that’s as bad as it’s going essay, "The State of Texas Water," in the hot-off-the to get." presses edition of the Texas Almanac. "Today, with the widespread consensus that the Sansom, the former director of the Texas Parks climate is indeed changing as a result of both natural and Wildlife Department, is now research professor and human-induced phenomena, such thinking is of geography and executive director of The Meadows outdated and unhelpful," he writes. Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State Even though recent state water planning has University. downplayed the impacts of climate change, "educated Sansom notes that modern Texas water planning CONTINUED PAGE 22 | state of texas water

Pumping Technology for Tomorrow’s World

Represented By: Three locations to serve you: Pump Solutions, Inc. Houston: 281-399-9400 18594 U.S. Hwy 59 Austin: 512-809-2302 New Caney, TX. 77357 Dallas: 817-684-0900 www.pumpsolutions.net [email protected]

| 10 | PRECONFERENCE 2018 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org

Meet our professionals at Texas Water 2018.

We’re presenting at Texas Water 2018 on 10 different topics, from phosphate harvesting and operator training to polymer manholes and everything in between.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24

TIME PRESENTATION TRACK

Nutrient Management: A Holistic Whole Plant Evaluation for Managing 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM Biosolids Phosphorus and Nitrogen (with TRA and CH2M)

Construction Fail! How Improved Communication Between Operators, 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM Construction Issues Engineers, and Contractors Can Improve Facilities (with TRA)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25

TIME PRESENTATION TRACK

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM TRA’s Integration of Innovative Disinfection Technologies (with TRA) Young Professionals

Cloth Media Filter Pilot Study Shows a Path for Improved Total Suspended Solids 11:30 AM - NOON and Phosphorus Removal at the Garland Wastewater Treatment Centers MRRDC (with City of Garland)

Engineering Design in the Developing World: Iron Remediation of Groundwater 11:30 AM - NOON Diversity/International in Rwanda

Charting a New Course: A Curriculum for Operator Training with Advanced 1:45 PM - 2:15 PM Water Reuse Technology like UV AOP (with City of Wichita Falls)

The New Polymer Concrete Manholes: Breaking Down the Structures Made to 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM Wastewater Collection Not Break Down (with City of Frisco)

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM Pump Selection 101: The Nuts and Bolts for New Designers Young Professionals

THURSDAY, APRIL 26

TIME PRESENTATION TRACK

A Gritty Topic: What Grit Technology is Really Superior? An Analysis of 11:30 AM - NOON Odor & Corrosion Control Mechanical Vortex Versus Stacked Tray Systems (with Laguna Madre Water District)

Prioritizing DWUs System Wide Raw Water Facilities Rehab Program Utilizing a 11:30 AM - NOON Water Resources Business Risk Exposure Tool (with Dallas Water Utilities)

+ For more information, contact: [email protected] | 972.377.7480 | GarverUSA.com

E Pecan St

N Alamo St GARVER INVITES YOU TO AN EVENINGSt Mary’s St N Jeﬀerson OUT!

3rd St 4th St

E Travis St Broadway St Texas Water Conference attendees are invited to join Garver for appetizers,

drinks, and the musical stylings of the Dallas-based Central Snappers Band! Bowie St E Houston E Houston 37 TUESDAY, APRIL 24 | 6:30 P.M.-11:00 P.M. College St College St HYATT REGENCY E SAN ANTONIO RIVERWALK H Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk, Chula Vista (first-floor lobby) ou st 37 Losoya St on 123 Losoya St., San Antonio, TX 78205 St W Crocket St E Crocket St The hotel is accessible from the Riverwalk. E Commerce St N Presa St

N Alamo St

Bowie St E Market St E Commerce St | tw keynote |

Texas Water Keynote: SAW's Robert Puente

AN ANTONIO—Robert Puente, the longest "'I could not have done it serving chief executive of the San Antonio Water without the 1,700 employees SSystem, will keynote Texas Water 2018TM April 24. who really do what’s best for Puente made front-page headlines in the Alamo City San Antonio and so I want to in March when he declined a $96,500 bonus from the protect their backs,' he said." SAWS Board. Puente joined SAWS as According to the San Antonio Express-News, Puente, president and CEO in 2008. He a former state legislator, compared his efforts to had previously served 16 years explain water and wastewater rate increases with in the Texas House of being on the campaign trail. Representatives, rising to "Puente said the SAWS workforce deserves credit chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee. for completion of one of the nation’s largest inland From his legislative perch, he was a key player in desalination plants, changes in contractors for the Vista creation of the Edwards Aquifer Authority, in Ridge pipeline and development of a 50-year water establishment of an environmental flows study process management plan," the newspaper reported. CONTINUED PAGE 25 | tw keynote

Hartwell Environmental Corporation

Hartwell Environmental Corporation represents leading manufacturers of water and wastewater treatment equipment used in municipal and industrial treatment facilities. Our manufacturers provide the latest technology in the industry and we are dedicated to providing this equipment to our Texas and Oklahoma markets.

Houston Austin Dallas Tulsa 281.351.8501 Tel 512.347.7676 Tel 817.446.9500 Tel 918.299.8555 Tel 281.351.8323 Fax 512.347.7730 Fax 817.446.7200 Fax 918.299.8554 Fax www.hartwellenv.com www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o PRECONFERENCE 2018 | 13 | | tceq executive director |

TCEQ Executive Director Hyde Retires

CEQ Executive Director Richard A. Hyde, P.E, has worked in several areas of the agency, including is retiring. Hyde stepped down as executive director of the Air Permits Division, deputy director Tdirector at the end of March, but will remain at of the Office of Permitting and Registration, deputy the TCEQ throughout April to allow the agency to director of the Office of Compliance and Enforcement, transition smoothly, according to a TCEQ news release. deputy executive director and executive director since "It has been a privilege to work for the people of this January 2014. great state, but now it’s time for myself and my family "Throughout his many years at the TCEQ, Richard to begin the next chapter in our lives," Hyde said. has worked tirelessly for the state of Texas and the "I’m thankful to have worked with so many dedicated employees of the TCEQ," said TCEQ Chairman Bryan W. employees at the TCEQ. TCEQ’s employees work hard Shaw, Ph.D., P.E. "As someone who has grown within every day to protect the environment using good the agency, he knows the agency process inside and science and common sense." out. We owe a tremendous debt to Richard for his Hyde began his career in state government more service and leadership of this agency." than 25 years ago as a permit writer with the Texas Air "With all the demands of running a large state Control Board, a predecessor agency of the TCEQ. He CONTINUED PAGE 21 | tceq executive director

| 14 | PRECONFERENCE 2018 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org

THM removal at its best. Watch our new “Everything THM” whiteboard video series!

“Medora Corporation is the best company I have dealt with Proven and trusted industry in my 23 years with the city.” leader for better water quality. For more of our customer experiences, visit www.medoraco.com/goldstar • Best equipment • Best support • Best price Any size tank, any size system. And, no need to drain the tank or change the infrastructure! Guaranteed results. Trusted solutions for over 40 years Check out our operation demonstration videos to see our SN Series THM POTABLE WATER WASTEWATER LAKES, RAW WATER Removal Systems in action. Reduce THMs Improve mixing Reduce cyanobacteria Active tank mixing Save energy Mitigate taste, odor, toxins Manage residuals Improve compliance Reduce manganese, iron www.medoraco.com/THMs 844-825-1232 • [email protected] | value of water |

Value of Water – Texas

Tuesday, April 24 | 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm Room 221 C

ith Texas population expected to increase by nearly 30% during the next 20 years Wand the effect of climate change on our natural resources, it is vitally important partnerships are created within our communities for utilities to manage sustainable solutions for reliable water and waste water service. Join us for the Value of Water – Texas as we spotlight engagement success stories for resource sustainability, specifically biosolids, water waste water utilities of all sizes focusing on the conservation and desalination. community outreach component of a project or The Value of Water – Texas program is designed challenges experienced with responding, to foster networking and dialogue among water and THM removal at its best. CONTINUED PAGE 18 | value of water Watch our new “Everything THM” whiteboard video series! AMERICAN Zinc: “Medora Corporation is the best company I have dealt with A SMaRT Product for Smart Cities Proven and trusted industry in my 23 years with the city.” leader for better water quality. For more of our customer experiences, visit www.medoraco.com/goldstar • Best equipment • Best support • Best price

Any size tank, any size system. And, no need to drain the tank or change the infrastructure! Guaranteed results.

Trusted solutions for over 40 years Check out our operation demonstration videos to see our SN Series THM POTABLE WATER WASTEWATER LAKES, RAW WATER Removal Systems in action. Reduce THMs Improve mixing Reduce cyanobacteria Active tank mixing Save energy Mitigate taste, odor, toxins Manage residuals Improve compliance Reduce manganese, iron www.medoraco.com/THMs 844-825-1232 • [email protected]

www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o PRECONFERENCE 2018 | 17 | | value of water |

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 | value of water 4:00–4:30 pm: Panel Discussion: Helping Customers to Manage Cost and Consumption Through Strategic interacting or communicating to end users. Real-life Engagement, Michelle Camp, WaterSmart Software, experiences and lessons learned will be told. This Karen Guz, San Antonio Water System, JoAnn Perez, City Keep the cash flowing. Reduce Non-Revenue program includes oral presentations, interactive of Leander and Ed Archuleta, WaterSmart Software Water with advanced technology designed and discussions and an opportunity to meet and discuss ® outreach with the program speakers in a dynamic 4:30–5:00 pm: Dynamic Interview: The Power of engineered by Neptune for the business of water. environment. Storytelling – Ideation and Scripting Within the • Capture highly-accurate reads without Join us in a collaborative, storytelling environment Realm of Utility Outreach, Greg Wukasch, San on April 24 as we learn more about the tools and Antonio Water System, Lynne Christopher, San Antonio data handling errors resources used by the Trinity River Authority, the Water System and Carlos Maestas, Key Ideas • Identify inaccurate meters and cities of El Paso, Leander, and San Antonio and the prioritize replacement San Antonio Water System as they created agricultural and community partnerships. Get Involved & Impact • Pinpoint anomalies in consumption Water Education in Texas! activity for specific accounts Value of Water Schedule: Tuesday, April 24: • Compare similar groups of 3:30–4:00 pm: Springboard Discussion: Engaging Join us for the TAWWA Education users with AMR/AMI data the Agricultural Community in Support of Division Meeting, Tuesday, April 24 Biosolids Beneficial Reuse, Sherri Van der Wege, Trinity at 1:30 pm in Room 301 A River Authority and Matt Berg, CH2M

TANKS | DOMES | COVERS | INSPECTIONS | TANK LIFECYCLE SERVICES

America’s leading storage tank contractor is now proudly serving

TEXAS Non-Revenue Water Time is money. So is water.

Steven LeBlanc 469-354-9700 www.EngAmerica.com

neptunetg.com/NRW Interested in advertising in TEXASh2o? Call 512-251-8101 today!

| 18 | PRECONFERENCE 2018 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org Keep the cash flowing. Reduce Non-Revenue Water with advanced technology designed and engineered by Neptune® for the business of water.

• Capture highly-accurate reads without data handling errors • Identify inaccurate meters and prioritize replacement • Pinpoint anomalies in consumption activity for specific accounts • Compare similar groups of users with AMR/AMI data

Non-Revenue Water Time is money. So is water.

neptunetg.com/NRW Your Vertical Pump Specialists 6” - 30” Hydraulics; Flows to: 25,000 GPM; Heads to: 2,500 feet; up to 2,000 HP Cast Iron, Ductile Iron or Fabricated Steel Discharge Heads Components available in Cast & Ductile Iron; Silicon Aluminum Bronze; 316 Stainless Steel and Duplex Stainless Steel construction Water Lubricated or Water Injection line shaft Threaded or Flanged Column Construction Packing or Mechanical Seals Certifications (when specified): ISO 9001 Certified Quality Management System, NSF61 & 372 Pump Certification Testing to Hydraulic Institute compliance standards

Glendale, Arizona

National Pump is Proud to be Represented by Pump Solutions in Texas Certificate No. 13778 | tceq executive| swift director program | |

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 | tceq executive director agency, Richard has remained laser-focused on protecting public health and the environment," TCEQ Commissioner Jon Niermann said. "He has approached this mission with excellent judgment and superb leadership. Texans have been fortunate to have a public servant of Richard’s caliber." "The executive director of the TCEQ is a tough and often thankless job, and Richard did it with the highest degree of competence and integrity," TCEQ Commissioner Toby Baker said. "He has served this agency and the state of Texas honorably over a long and impressive career, and we wish him the very best."

Interested in advertising in TEXASh2o? Call Tracy at 512-251-8101 today! Realize More

Direct potable reuse uses proven technologies to produce water that exceeds drinking water regulations, but presents new challenges to facility operators.

Working with the only operating DPR facilities in the country, we've gained unique insight into how to put operators in a position to succeed and protect the health of our community.

If you’re trusted to protect public health and the environment, we can help.

hazenandsawyer.com

www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o PRECONFERENCE 2018 | 21 | | state of texas water |

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 | state of texas water directly related to the state’s water problems, as well," Sansom declares. consideration of climate change is the essential in the Sansom notes there are a number of complex discussion of future water resource planning and problems that water policy makers and stakeholders management in Texas. have to confront. Water planning in the 21st century, Sansom points One is the uneven distribution of rain in the state. out, is complicated by demographic changes. The eastern portion gets abundant rain, but doesn’t In that 1950s "drought of record," much of the Texas have the robust economy found along the corridors of population lived in rural areas and immediately felt I35 and I45, where rain isn’t nearly so generous. the impact of declining rainfall. In the 21st century, While there’s been no large-scale success in an urbanized Texas is slow to feel the effects. reallocating these resources, Sansom writes that "Unfortunately, for most of our citizens, especially "water planners, policy makers and utility managers Texas children who will be the leaders of tomorrow, will continue to find ways to move water westward in as long as water continues to flow from the tap, the the years ahead." perception is that there is no problem," Sansom writes. While he praises the ground-up process for Another demographic factor is that almost all land in statewide water planning begun by 1997’s Senate Bill 1, Texas watersheds is privately owned. "[A]ccelerating he notes that the current plan calls for 26 new "major urban encroachment, combined with the pressure impoundments" of surface water, and the plan would on heirs who are often left with as much tax burden cost $63 billion. as land, contributes to an inexorable process of land Challenges from environmental interests and fragmentation. property owners stretch out the time to build new "That fragmentation is the single greatest reservoirs. Texas hasn’t completed a new reservoir in environmental problem Texas faces today, and it is more than 25 years.

"[E]ven if state leaders can find a way to generate expertise to do their jobs," he writes. that amount of financing, the reality of other water "[M]anaging these resources will be ineffective challenges is such that we simply can’t build our way unless there is more participation by groundwater out of them," Sansom writes. conservation districts, greater public education and Other challenges include protecting watersheds, laws and policies linking groundwater and surface insuring freshwater flows to bays and estuaries and water." improving groundwater management. Sansom praises utilities—such as SAWS and Sansom notes that groundwater resources provide El Paso Water Utilities—and agricultural sectors who substantial reserves, but Texas’s regulatory model has are implementing aggressive water conservation barely progressed past the early 20th Century when strategies. the Texas Supreme Court upheld the "right of "One of the most promising ways to extend our capture"—a landowner could pump as much water supplies of water is through increased efficiency and from underneath his property as he wanted. conservation in both agricultural and municipal use," Texas tried to address the problem with the creation he writes. of groundwater conservation districts, but Sansom The Texas Almanac, including the full version of finds many of the districts "problematic." Sansom’s essay, is available on the Texas State "They are organized along county lines rather than Historical Association website, www.tshaonline.org. the natural boundaries of the aquifers, are poorly funded and lack either the fundamental science or the

www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o PRECONFERENCE 2018 | 23 | | executive director report |

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 | executive director report

County in December of 1836. In January of 1837, San Antonio was chartered as the county seat. After a period of Texan independence, on December 19, 1845, Texas became the 28th state to enter the Union.

San Antonio is now the 7th largest city in the country, and our Texas Water™ partner utility, the San Antonio Water System, is, true to the storied history of this incredible community, a leader in securing water resources for the future. Where else can we celebrate water this year except in San Antonio? I’ll see you there for the (my) 23rd Texas Water™ conference.

Want to advertise in TEXASh2o? Call Tracy at 512-251-8101 today!

Clean, safe and reliable water is a basic building block of a modern community. Residents and industry depend on your system. You need proactive communications regarding system needs and innovative, comprehensive solutions. As a national leader with long-time relationships in water- focused services, Bartlett & West is your ally for success. Water Solutions for community growth

4500 Mercantile Plaza Dr, Ste 301 Ft Worth, TX (817) 306-1980 www.bartlettwest.com

| 24 | PRECONFERENCE 2018 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org | tw keynote |

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 | tw keynote

and on state initiatives to spur water conservation for local governments. Since he joined SAWS, the utility worked through the acquisition of BexarMet, an entity that was the size of a medium-sized municipal utility.

Puente spearheaded partnerships, including a Dallas / Fort Worth Austin regional water alliance with the cities of Schertz and Houston Seguin, to develop a non-Edwards Aquifer water San Antonio resource. The effort saved ratepayers $88 million, stantec.com SAWS says. Puente led the effort to work with a private company so SAWS could become the first utility in the nation to capture sewer gasses, which had been flared off as waste, and return them to the natural gas grid. Puente will address the Opening Session of Texas Water 2018TM at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 24 at the Henry Imagine it. B. González Convention Center in San Antonio. TW18 Delivered. kicks off with a meet-and-greet in the Exhibit Hall Monday, April 23 and offers a wide range of activities www.aecom.com through April 26.

Few things in the waterworks industry have been as innovative as the Mechanical Joint. Times have changed. And so has AMERICAN. Introducing the AMERICAN Flow Control Series 2500 with ALPHATM restrained joint ends. Now, you can use the same valve for ductile iron, HDPE, PVC, and even cast iron pipe. Unlike MJ, the restraint accessories come attached, leaving only one bolt on each end to tighten. That saves you time and money.

The AMERICAN Series 2500 with ALPHATM restrained joint ends – it’s the only gate valve you’ll ever need.

ALMOST ANY MATERIAL. NO TIME AT ALL.

www.american-usa.com PO Box 2727, Birmingham, AL 35207 • Ph: 1-800-326-8051 • Fx: 1-800-610-3569 EOE/Vets/Disabilites ALPHA™ is a licensed trademark of Romac Industries Inc. (U.S. Patent 8,894,100)

DUCTILE IRON PIPE FLOW CONTROL INTERNATIONAL SPIRALWELD PIPE STEEL PIPE www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o PRECONFERENCE 2018 | 25 | | letter from the texas section chair |

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 | manufacturers, utility contractors, waterworks letter from the texas section chair distributors and suppliers, independent sales reps and the like). So, if you’re from one of these type of particular field of interest that you’re passionate about. membership categories and you’re not a member of Don’t wait to be told! AWWA, ask yourself why not? If you need convincing Thankfully, the Texas section of AWWA has shown as to why you should be, feel free to reach out to me a nice upward trend during the last few years in or any other passionate AWWA member and we'll be obtaining "new" members. However, in order to happy to share with you the multitude of reasons why maintain the strength of our section, we must continue you should be a member of AWWA. to grow this particular membership category. Frankly, As my 12-month term as Chair for the Texas section renewals of existing members are great, but the future comes to a close, I want to express my sincere of our section depends on recruiting new members appreciation and gratitude to my fellow board and getting more people from within our waterworks members, committee chairpersons and support staff for industry more involved and engaged in our the enormous support they’ve given me this past year. association—and that includes within all membership The mutual passion that we all seemingly have towards type of categories, not just within the water/wastewater our industry and our association will bind us forever. utility sector. We must continue to seek out more "new" Additionally, I want to thank everyone with whom I’ve members from the educational/institutional sector, the had the pleasure to interact with over this past year regulatory and legislative sector, the service provider while I served as Chair. This past year has been very sector (which includes consultants, engineers, enlightening and a highly educational experience for VITA-D-CHLORTM Responsible Dechlorination Made Easy Vita-D-Chlor tablets offer simple and fast set up for treating potable water in dewatering and ﬂ ushing applications. ZDe-Chlorinator: Our tablets are produced using Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) LIGHT WEIGHT chemistry. Vita-D-Chlor is 100% organic. Just place a few Under 12 pounds Vita-D-Chlor tablets in a ZDe-Chlorinator and you will be able QUICK SET-UP 1–3 Minutes to dechlorinate up to 4 ppm. DURABLE This device uses less than Aluminum 3 tablets on a 15 minute ﬂ ush at 150 to 900+ gpm.

Vita-D-Chlor and ZDe-Chlorinator making all your ﬂ ushing FAST, safe and EASY!

Visit our website for use calculations, technical data, pricing and related dechlorination tools.

VITA-D-CHLOR.com (800) 322-6646 [email protected]

| 26 | PRECONFERENCE 2018 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org | letter from the texas section chair |

me. It has truly been an immense a pleasure to serve my fellow Texas section members as Chair. I look forward to continuing to serve on the board for one more year as Past Chair and going forward as an ongoing ambassador-at-large for AWWA. In closing, I look forward to seeing all of my fellow Texas section members and industry associates at the upcoming Texas Water 2018TM annual conference and exhibition event being held in San Antonio from April 23 through 26. God bless Texas and our wonderful waterworks industry!

JUNE 11–14 | LAS VEGAS, NEVADA AWWA.ORG/ACE18

www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o PRECONFERENCE 2018 | 27 | | water geek |

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 | water geek Antonio company with a true 21st century name— Raining Popcorn. "It really got us talking internally, trying to determine Nix praised Wukash’s efforts: "Greg did a what that outreach would look like," recalls former tremendous job. Greg is the one that really picked up Texas Section Chair Daniel Nix, the Public Utilities the ball and moved it forward. I really give him the Operation manager for the City of Wichita Falls. credit for how it turned out." At a Texas Section leadership meeting later that Castleberry said that while the video was designed year, Nix presented the idea and turned it over to the for younger viewers, "these videos will make knowing Section’s Education Division, including Division Chair the basics of water services more accessible and Christianne Castleberry (Castleberry Engineering & enjoyable for all ages." Consulting, PLLC) and Greg Wukash (SAWS), who leads The first video, after its debut before the Texas the division’s K-12+ education effort. Water 2018TM audience, will live on the website "The goal is to help educate the general public to www.watergeek.org, as well as being accessible from raise awareness and appreciation for the value of the Texas Section website, www.tawwa.org. water, or community water systems, and all the great The portal to the video will also offer a fact sheet work our industry does to provide safe water to our with more detailed information about the topic. "You communities," Castleberry said. can only put so much information into a three-minute Wukash and Angela Zuniga, one of SAWS’s Education video," Nix acknowledges. Coordinators, wrote the script for the first video, which As the library of Texas Section videos grows, Nix is focuses on elevated water storage tanks. They confident that the public will turn to it and other AWWA coordinated the production efforts through a San education offerings for reliable information about their water systems. "If the public doesn’t have information readily at hand from valued, trusted sources, they invariably go the Internet, and nine times out of 10 it’s going to be wrong," he said. The idea is that the more that end-users understand the massive effort it takes to get healthy drinking water into their home, the more supportive they’ll be when utilities have to raise rates or deal with an unexpected contaminant. The Water Geek effort will encourage consumers to consult their local utilities for information about their water systems. "The best place for information is your local utility. If they don’t have the information, they can direct you to where it’s at," Nix said. The Water Geek video will be unveiled during the Texas Water 2018TM Awards Breakfast on April 25 at the Henry B. González Convention Center, Ballroom B4. With the elevated storage tank video "in the can," Nix said that the Section will review a list of potential topic created by Section divisions. "We developed a long list of potential topics," Nix said, many of which began as questions that the pubic wanted answered.

| 28 | PRECONFERENCE 2018 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org | education division |

Education Division: Public Outreach Efforts By Christianne Castleberry, P.E. Education Division Chair

The TAWWA Education Division is constantly drawing on our members to work with utilities, partners and educators—all with the end goal to heighten the value of water throughout our Texas communities. While the Division doesn’t often reach out directly to the public and instead tries to make a bigger impact through H www.sueriortan.com change leaders, raising awareness for the value of water within the general public is always the end goal. Current Division initiatives focused on public outreach, by individual committee, are:

K-12+ Education Committee – • Strengthening and expanding a statewide network of informal water educators; Catalyst Summit focused Water Loss on water education communication for these informal educators is scheduled for June 21-22 in San Antonio Solutions • Developing a Water Educator of the Year award to help expand awareness of TAWWA and celebrate education successes • Continuing involvement in Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST) to provide resources to teachers Consumer Outreach Committee – • Developing a survey for how we can best help provide utilities resources (training, information and people) that utilities need to tailor value-of-water messages to their local customers Pipeline Production / • Continuing development of memes with fun value- Condition Master Meter of-water messaging for distribution on our members’ social media to the general public Assessment Testing & Partnership Committee – • Continue expanding partnerships with other water Calibration organizations and partner on initiatives where educational outreach interests align mesimpson.com Value of Water Committee – • Along with our partner, WEAT, the Committee WATER SYSTEM SPECIALISTS 800.255.1521 develops, annually, a utility resources program at the Texas Water Conference to share sustainable solutions for reliable water and wastewater service among utilities, spotlighting engagement success Want to advertise stories for resource sustainability. Competitions Committee – in TEXASh2o? • Continuing to partner with existing competitions to encourage and support students pursuing water- Call Tracy at 512-251-8101 today! related interests www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o PRECONFERENCE 2018 | 29 | | mentoring program |

TAWWA Mentoring Program

he 2018 Mentoring Program kick-off has begun! development! Mentors can range between young The Mentoring Program is open to all students, professionals willing to mentor students and Tyoung professionals and experienced experienced professionals with decades of experience professionals in the water industry throughout Texas. to offer. All applications received by May 11 will be included in the 2018 matching process. Mentoring Committee If interested, please fill out the form on page 31 and return it to Theresa Pedrazas, or you can fill out the The Mentoring Committee was established by the form online at www.tawwa.org/mentoringprogram. TAWWA Board to: Mentees can be students, young professionals or mid-career professionals seeking a support system • Increase member involvement in the organization for success and an accelerant for professional • Provide tools for members to facilitate communication • Encourage discussions among members for Using state-of-the-art technologies, our networking opportunities experienced technicians offer solutions well • Offer volunteering career paths beyond traditional leak detection capabilities to • Meet committee volunteering needs help you improve the performance of your utility system. Volunteers are needed from all of the local chapters These advanced services include: and past or current board members to join the Pro-Active Leak Detection Preventive Maintenance Programs Mentoring Committee. The Committee helps: System-Wide Water Accountability Assessments GIS Mapping and Asset Management Services Drinking Water Regulatory Support • Develop vision and path forward for the Committee • Brainstorm on tools to provide mentoring Benefits of Utilizing SAMCO Services Reduce water production and distribution costs • Gather mentoring documents from other sources Improve overall efficiency and gain knowledge • Facilitate formal mentoring program in the of your distribution system organization Improve water quality and assure adequate pressure to help safeguard public health Improve public water system compliance If you are interested in volunteering or would like more with State and Federal regulations information, please contact Theresa Pedrazas at [email protected] or 512-338-2850.

"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction" – John C. Crosby 901 Mopac Expressway South, Suite 300 Austin, TX 78746 512-263-7043 (Office) 512-751-5325 (Mobile) [email protected] www.samco-leakservice.com

| 30 | PRECONFERENCE 2018 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org

2018 MENTORING PROGRAM SIGN-UP SHEET Name: Date: Email: Phone: Organization: City of work: Gender: M F Years in water industry:

I would like to: Get a Mentor Prefer to be contacted by: Email Be a Mentor Phone

Involvement in TAWWA and/or WEAT:

Experience and/or Technical Expertise:

Education (list school and degree/certifications held):

Interests and Hobbies:

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this form. We are excited you decided to be part of this Mentoring Program to help foster the water industry in Texas. We value to feedback.

Email completed forms by May 11, 2018 to Theresa Pedrazas at [email protected].

Or, fill it out online at tawwa.org, Communities, Mentoring.

TAWWA & WEAT Mentoring Sign-Up Sheet updated 03/09/2018 | new members |

TAWWA Welcomes New Members Joining Feb. 1, 2018–March 31, 2018

Efrain Aguirre Marc Cottingame David Flores Jr Rajeev Datta Benjamin Munster Sayantan Samanta San Antonio, TX Dallas, TX Falfurrias, TX Kamalampet College Station, TX Bryan, TX Bryan, TX Ryan Alumbaugh Tracey Cottrell Scot Foltz Camden O'Toole Miguel Sanchez Haslet, TX McKinney, TX Austin, TX Jacob Kasowski Houston, TX Eagle Pass, TX Palmer, TX AriesPro Brian Craig Daniel Frazier Gabrielle Obkirchner Andrew Schlosser Sugar Land, TX Seabrook, TX Austin, TX Bansi Khajuria College Station, TX Wayne, PA College Station, TX David Atwood Holly Credit Debbie Garrett Kevin Odom Cody Shannon Melissa, TX Conroe, TX Pattison, TX Sanders Kilpatrick Katy, TX Brownwood, TX Bryan, TX Dagmar Babcock Armando De La Garza John Gjendem Denise Ortega Craig Sherwood Temple, TX Eagle Pass, TX San Antonio, TX Abena Koom-Dadzie McAllen, TX McKinney, TX Spring, TX John Bailey Carlos Delacruz Laura Gloria R. Lance Overstreet Carrie Smith Sugar Land, TX Euless, TX Eagle Pass, TX Ace Kumar San Angelo, TX Austin, TX Sugar Land, TX Banyan Water Jiangang Deng Juan Gonzalez Paula Paciorek Madison Smith Austin, TX Corpus Christi, TX El Paso, TX Gary LaForge Webster, TX College Station, TX Houston, TX Elliott Barner Kirk Diaz Eva Gorgi Jessica Paredez Terrell Smith Houston, TX League City, TX Dallas, TX Colton Lauer Beaumont, TX Sugar Land, TX Fort Worth, TX Sydney Beckner Brandon Dickson Robert Green John-Michael Perkins Alicia Solis Bryan, TX San Angelo, TX Temple, TX Rosalyn Le Fort Worth, TX West Lake Hills, TX Frisco, TX Ken Beul Barry Dobbs Raul Guardiola Pine Village Public Daryl Spillmann Haslet, TX Bastrop, TX Eagle Pass, TX Laurence Lin Utility District Castroville, TX Cypress, TX Houston, TX Michael Bruck Ryan Dolezal Dorrena Guerrero Monsuru Suara San Antonio, TX Dallas, TX San Antonio, TX Erik Luna Fernando Quintanilla Kingsville, TX Austin, TX Aransas Pass, TX Michael Burnside Jennifer Dorsey Shawn Halle Gillan Taddune Anna, TX Austin, TX Dallas, TX Saheli Majumdar Griselda Quintero Austin, TX College Station, TX College Station, TX Todd Calvin Matthew Duffy Sharon Hamilton Quynh Van Tang Houston, TX Katy, TX Austin, TX John Mangan Timothy Raines Sugar Land, TX Georgetown, TX Austin, TX Nancy Carrizales Sally Ellertson Alfonso Hernandez Jason Tarver San Antonio, TX Fort Worth, TX Eagle Pass, TX Monica Marin Alfredo Resendez Conroe, TX San Antonio, TX Brownsville, TX Michael Carter Josh Ferguson Ray Hernandez Dillon Thomas Hurst, TX Midland, TX Austin, TX DeAndre Martin Nereyda Reyes Houston, TX Midlothian, TX Houston, TX Dacia Coffey Hannah Finley Charles Hickman Polly Thornton Keller, TX Austin, TX Seguin, TX Daniel May Jeremy Rice Carrollton, TX Odessa, TX Fort Worth, TX Craig Collins Sami Firoz Syd Jones Jarred Tompkins Rockdale, TX Houston, TX Montgomery, TX Mark McClure Alejandro Rodriguez Porter, TX Spring, TX Rio Hondo, TX Hunter Underwood Jose Mendiola Juan Rodriguez Anahuac, TX Houston, TX Live Oak, TX Chad Unrau Cheryl Metzler Ray Rogers Houston, TX Seadrift, TX Fort Worth, TX Eduardo Valerio Don Michlin Raquel Roulin Dallas, TX The Woodlands, TX Sugar Land, TX Ernest Villarreal Amanda Mitchell Nicole Rutigliano San Antonio, TX Mesquite, TX Fort Worth, TX Carmen Zhang Raul Morales Helen Salama Katy, TX San Benito, TX San Antonio, TX

Wade Morgan Farhikhteh Samadi West Lake Hills, TX Arlington, TX kimley-horn.com

| 32 | PRECONFERENCE 2018 TEXASh2o www.tawwa.org | texas water |

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 | texas water

afternoon, with more than 120 topics from which to choose. Tuesday is also the first day for competitions in the Exhibit Hall, with Meter Madness and Junior Meter Madness. Be sure to come cheer on these competitors!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 The doors open at 7:15 a.m. for the popular Awards Breakfast. Competitions—including the quiz-show style Top Ops, Pipe Tapping, the Best-Tasting Drinking Water Contest and Hydrant Hysteria—put a fun spin on the day. After the Exhibit Hall closes at 4 p.m., it's time to get ready for the night out at the Briscoe Western Art PRECISION CHEMICAL METERING Museum. FOR THE TREATMENT OF MUNICIPAL THURSDAY, APRIL 26 WATER & Facility tours depart from the Convention Center WASTEWATER. Thursday morning. Back at the conference, the morning is spent in the last of the technical sessions, ProSeries-M® Peristaltic with theTRWA conference Ad 2016 (bleeds).pdf adjourning 1 2/2/2016 7:57:33 at noon.PM Metering Pumps are currently For more information and to register, visit offered in IP66 three models, www.txwater.org. providing a NEMA 4X wide range of WASH DOWN feed rates from C as low as .0002 GPH/.0007 LPH M up to 158.5

Standard 61 GPH/600 LPH, Y and is SCADA ready. CM

CY HEAVY-DUTY PERISTALTIC PUMP TUBING CMY Flex-A-Prene® is a multi-channel pump tube assembly designed by Blue-White® exclusively for Proseries-M® K Planning and Design Services for your Water System 877.572.3647 and Flex-Pro® Peristaltic Metering Pumps. Flex-A-Prene® Tubing has up to 4X the tube life than others. TREATMENT ∙ STORAGE ∙ DISTRIBUTION KSAENG.COM CONTACT: MACAULAY CONTROLS COMPANY 1-800-299-1148 Houston: 281-282-0100 Dallas: 972-769-1226 Austin: 512-458-1148 www.proseries-m.com Affiliate - Sendero South: 956-233-5784

Want to advertise in TEXASh2o? Call Tracy at 512-251-8101 today!

www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o PRECONFERENCE 2018 | 33 | | meme |

Irrational Risk

“...The water in the pit could create a cross-connection... whether the test cocks are opened or closed...” - USC-FCCHR Crosstalk, Spring, 2014

800-245-6333

[email protected] www.safe-t-cover.com

What’s Happening Across Texas

DATE ACTIVITY TIME LOCATION INFORMATION

Pappasitos/Bachman WTP APRIL 12 NCT Plant Tour 5:00 pm www.tawwa.org Dallas

Texas A&M Water Texas A&M AGLS Building Rm 116 APRIL 19 5:30 pm www.tawwa.org Network March Meeting College Station

APRIL 23 Texas Water 2018TM San Antonio Convention Center www.txwater.org

Want to share your event with the Texas water community? Contact Mike Howe, 512-238-9292, or [email protected].

Check the Section’s website, www.tawwa.org, for the latest information on Section activities.

• ADA Accessibility Compliance

www.tawwa.org TEXASh2o PRECONFERENCE 2018 | 35 | TEXAS PRESORTED FIRST CLASS MAIL h2o U.S. POSTAGE c/o GCP Association Services, LLC PAID PO Box 676 | Pflugerville, TX 78691 AUSTIN, TEXAS PERMIT NO. 1 512-251-8101 | (f) 512-251-812 [email protected] | www.tawwa.org