Long Island Revitalization and Wastewater Infrastructure Also Inside: Spring Meeting in LI Climate Resilience Floatables Surveillance and More! K O E S T E R

Spring 2014, Vol. 44, No. 1 ClearWatersNew York Water Environment Association, Inc.

Long Island Revitalization and Wastewater Infrastructure Also Inside: Spring Meeting in LI Climate Resilience Floatables Surveillance and more! K O E S T E R

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Clear Waters Spring 2014 ClearWatersSpring 2014, Vol. 44, No. 1 NYWEA Board of Directors New York Water Environment Association, Inc. Offi cers President ...... Steven Fangmann, Woodbury President’s Message ...... 4 President–Elect ...... Michael Garland, Rochester Steven Fangmann Vice President ...... Joseph L. Fiegl, Buffalo Executive Director’s Message ...... 5 Vice President–Elect ...... Paul McGarvey, Amherst Treasurer ...... Thomas Lauro, New Rochelle Patricia Cerro-Reehil Assistant Treasurer ...... Anthony DellaValle, White Plains Highlights of 86th Annual NYWEA Annual Meeting ...... 6–7, 39 Immediate Past President...... Mark Koester, Canastota WEF House of Delegates ...... Bruce Munn, Cazenovia Water Views ...... 9 James Tierney Chapter Representatives Capital ...... Adam R. Siewert, Ballston Spa Focus on Safety ...... 9 Central ...... Wendi Richards, Fayetteville Eileen Reynolds Genesee ...... Adam Cummings, Rochester Long Island ...... Richard Hults, Babylon Sewer Infrastructure and Suffolk County: Lower Hudson ...... Robert DeGiorgio, White Plains Urban Revitalization and at What Cost? ...... 10 Metropolitan ...... Dominic DiSalvo, White Plains Nicholas F. Bono and Frank M. Russo Western...... Oluwole (OJ) McFoy, Buffalo Patchogue Revitalization Sustainable with “Smart” WWTP Improvements . . . 13 Committee Representatives Ivana Nitzova Kelly Chorba, New York Kathleen O’Connor, Saratoga Springs Wyandanch Rising – Hamlet Grows with Sewer Extension ...... 16 Mike Manning, Rochester Steven Hearl Young Professionals Representative Investigation of Alternative Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems ...... 20 William Nylic, Woodbury Eliora Bujari and Frank M. Russo Operator Representative The Long Island Sound Benthic Mapping Program ...... 24 William Grandner, Staten Island Kevin O’Brien WEF House of Delegates...... Bruce Munn, Cazenovia Success Story for Nitrogen Load Reduction in Long Island Sound ...... 26 Committee Chairpersons Mark Tedesco Awards ...... Karen Clark, Albany Spring Technical Conference and Exhibition Energy/Research ...... Kathleen O’Connor, Albany Hosted by Long Island Chapter ...... 30–31 Environmental Science ...... Kara Pho, New York Exhibits...... Joyette Tyler, White Plains Donna Bee and Thomas Immerso Government Affairs...... Boris Rukovets, Yaphank Overview of Long Island Wastewater Infrastructure ...... 32 Hall of Fame ...... David Cross, Rochester Joseph L. Davenport, Benjamin Wright and Boris Rukovets Humanitarian Assistance...... Tom Schoettle, New York Industrial Wastewater/ Ground Water Cleanup Begins Near New Cassel Industrial Area ...... 34 Pretreatment ...... Dave Colbert, Syracuse Member Education ...... Peter Radosta, Canastota LISS Publishes Science Book on Long Island Sound Research ...... 36 Membership ...... Toby Siegman, New York CREATing Climate Resilience ...... 37 PDH Sub-committee ...... Paul McGarvey, Amherst Daniel D’Agostino Program ...... Geoffrey Baldwin, New York City, Lauren Livermore, Syracuse Floatables Surveillance over the Internet ...... 40 Public Outreach...... Khris Dodson, Syracuse Charles Schnabolk Publications ...... Doug Daley, Syracuse Residuals & Biosolids ...... Jeff LeBlanc, Jordan New Use for Sewage: Producing Heat and Electricity ...... 48 Scholarship...... Alfonso Lopez, New York Sandy Bauers Spring Meeting Conf. Management . . . David Barnes, Buffalo Strategic Planning ...... Joseph L. Fiegl, Buffalo Energy-Saving Wastewater Treatment Technology ...... 51 Student/University ...... Stefan Grimberg, Potsdam Alex Wright Sustainability ...... Vincent Rubino, New York Utility Executives...... David Comerford, Buffalo What Goes In, Comes Out Clean: Ithaca Facility “Floats” WW Awareness . . . 52 Wastewater Collection Systems . . . . . Robert Albright, Syracuse Hank Curtin Spencer Wastewater Facilities ...... George Bevington, Johnstown Watershed...... William Harding, Peekskill Operator’s Quiz – Test No. 103: Biological Treatment ...... 59 Young Professionals ...... Will Stradling, Troy Of Interest ...... 60 Executive Director and Staff Cover Image: The water environment comprising the Patchogue River and Executive Director...... Patricia Cerro-Reehil Great South Bay in Long Island. (Photo by Jim Lennon) Advertising Manager/IT ...... Maureen Kozol Administrative Manager ...... Margaret Hoose The concepts, ideas, procedures and opinions contained in the articles in this publication are those as ex- Operator Certifi cation Administrator ...... Tanya Jennings pressed by the various authors who submit the material for publication. The New York Water Environment Association, its board of directors, the editor, the executive director, and administrative staff hereby assume no Clear Waters Magazine responsibility for any errors or omissions in the articles as presented in this publication; nor are the concepts, Editor ...... Lois Hickey ideas, procedures and opinions contained in these articles necessarily recommended or endorsed as valid by Design...... Sabach Design NYWEA, its board of directors, the editor, the executive director, or staff. Clear Waters (USPS 004-595) (ISSN 01642030) is published quarterly with a directory every four years in the fall by the New York Water Environment Association, Inc., 525 Plum Street, Suite 102, Syracuse, NY 13204. Subscription is through membership; public subscription is $25.00/year. PERIODICALS postage paid at Syracuse, NY. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the New York Water Environment Association, Inc., 525 Plum Street, Suite 102, Syracuse, NY 13204. Ph: 315-422-7811, Fax: 315-422-3851. www.nywea.org C Clear Waters is printed on recycled paper, using soy-based ink. Clear Waters Spring 2014 3 President’s Message | Spring 2014 WATER’S WORTH IT®! VRegional Operations Challenge New in 2014 – preparing for After accepting the gavel from President national competition – initiated by the Long Island Chapter and Mark Koester during the awards luncheon at endorsed by the Wastewater Facilities Committee and Board – the Annual Meeting February 6, I expressed other MA operations teams are invited to our state spring meeting what is foremost on my mind as incoming to compete. NYWEA president. Our national organiza- VEnergy Conference – We look forward to continuing this biennial tion, the Water Environment Federation, meeting, and building on the successful 2012 event, in November. chose the WATER’S WORTH IT® theme – as have others like the National Association of Annual and Spring Meetings Clean Water Agencies – to show that funding The 86th Annual Meeting held in New York City was a resounding is critical for municipal infrastructure beyond success and details are in this issue (pages 6–7 and 38). I encourage roads and bridges. While all these areas need funding, George all to attend the Spring 2014 meeting to be held in Long Island Hawkins of DC Water stated at the meeting that no matter how well from June 2–4 at the Hyatt Regency in Hauppauge. New events and we “sell” this issue, ratepayers cannot handle the entire cost. Recent surprises are planned to benefi t all participants. events throughout New York State have shown how fragile (as well as how resilient) our water systems are. Summer and fall storms NYWEA Serving the Future like Lee, Irene and Sandy, followed by winter storms (now also The goals I listed earlier are also included in NYWEA’s strategic being named), don’t begin to tell the whole story. The number of and business plans, and are able to happen because of the work of water main breaks this winter alone is staggering and snow clearing our Association’s past presidents, the board of directors, chapter budgets have become depleted. Where do the municipalities pick offi cers, and its committees and Task Forces. I ask for every mem- up the extra cash to meet these unanticipated expenses? In many ber to volunteer in some way as this is how we accomplish these cases, maintenance budgets are tapped, pushing normal activities goals, beginning with each chapter and percolating up to our state down the list. committees. WATER’S WORTH IT® and NYWEA needs to make As these same municipalities are trying to reach new goals of asset it happen! management, sustainability, energy recovery and higher levels of I would like to thank Mark Koester for leading NYWEA in 2013. treatment, the weight of maintaining existing infrastructure under From framing the strategic and business plans to implementing the new strains and pressures is immense. Yes, rates must increase and Build-a-Bike event for children, he has led with enthusiasm and they have. Surveys show that spending by local municipalities has challenged the organization to move forward – and it will! steadily increased in the area of water infrastructure, far outstripping I also thank Nick Bartilucci, our outgoing treasurer, for his the annual rise in the cost of living. This is why we need to invest in many years of service to NYWEA. The Association has created a our water infrastructure. In the future, we know that we must pre- $5,000 annual scholarship in his name. Not only will he continue as pare for many storms, in addition to the new regulations and new treasurer emeritus, but scholarships will be given out in his name to goals. In maintaining existing infrastructure we need innovation students entering our profession. to meet future requirements and goals. We need good roads and I welcome Tom Lauro serving as our new treasurer. Tom comes bridges, but as George Hawkins reminded us, you can last only three well prepared having served as assistant treasurer under Nick’s days without water. A commitment is needed from elected offi cials tutelage. We welcome back our delegate to the Water Environment to assist their communities in paying at the local level, while funding Federation Tony Della Valle (and NYWEA’s past president) now needs to increase at the state and federal levels for all communities serving as assistant treasurer to the board. I also welcome Dominic to maintain existing infrastructure and attain proposed goals. DiSalvo as the new Metropolitan Chapter Representative. Finally, the The NYWEA will continue to advance WEF’s WATER’S WORTH executive board welcomes Paul McGarvey as vice president–elect. IT® initiative and be a leader and advocate for the appropriate Paul has worked for NYWEA on many committees and has previ- infrastructure funding needed to promote clean water in New York. ously served on NYWEA’s Board of Directors and is the fi rst “Young Additionally, I will be supporting other ongoing goals of past presi- Professional” to be in line to become NYWEA president. dents and leaders of NYWEA, as follows: In my position, I am happy to inherit NYWEA’s executive staff VStrategic and Business Plans – including key initiatives of mem- in Syracuse. Our executive director, Patricia Cerro-Reehil, keeps bership growth through Young Professionals (YPs) and operators NYWEA “Best in Class.” When attending the WEFMAX leadership groups, and utility membership – all vital to the organization’s events with other state organizations, NYWEA has a lot to give based success. on innovations and best practices – added with Patricia at the helm. VScholarship Phase III – assessing the metrics and need for member Along with a quality NYWEA staff, our members are well served in outreach to reach the annual goal of $50,000 in scholarships. Syracuse. VWEFMAX Event with NJWEA – continuing partnerships with the leadership of other Member Associations (MAs) to learn what can be done better and shared, with goal of including YPs in programs. VCHAPEX (Chapter Exchange) New in 2014 – initiating leadership training for chapters during a one-day meeting to share what works statewide and explore ways NYWEA can assist local chapters further. Steven A. Fangmann

4 Clear Waters Spring 2014 Executive Director’s Message | Spring 2014

April is National Volunteers Month many scholarships are granted, how many people visit the website, I recently had the opportunity to attend a and more. If this document doesn’t have the information you are retirement dinner for the Operator Repre- looking for, please reach out to me ([email protected]). We welcome sen ta tive to the NYWEA Board of Directors, your questions and ideas! Bill Grandner, who was retiring from the New York City Department of Environmental Utility Executives Meet with Riverkeeper Staff Protection after 30 years of service. Billy is During NYWEA’s 86th Annual Meeting, utility executives from an example of someone who gives back to several large municipalities across the state met with key staff from NYWEA. What I witnessed during the even- the Hudson Riverkeeper. This was a follow-up meeting to one held ing held in his honor, was that he also gave in November in Albany with staff from Audubon, Environmental 110 percent to his work. I wasn’t surprised, Advocates and the NY League of Conservation Voters. This was because that’s the same kind of energy Billy always displays as a yet another venue by which NYWEA is directly connecting with NYWEA volunteer. Isn’t that often the case? Great employees make grass roots advocacy organizations to collaborate on environmental great volunteers and vice versa. It’s just how they are wired. When you policy issues. want something done, you give it to someone who is busy. Perhaps we’re just lucky, but we seem to attract people like Billy. We have so many volunteers who go above and beyond in all facets of their lives. Nick Bartilucci is a perfect example. Nick recently stepped down as NYWEA’s treasurer after more than 35 years of service! Thirty-fi ve years! He will now serve as our treasurer emeritus and is a great example of a volunteer who goes above and beyond, not just for one term – for many years in a variety of positions for the local chapter, statewide, and even with the national Water Environment Federation. Involvement in NYWEA is a two-way street, while giving back to the organization it also gives each member the opportunity to foster his or her leadership skills. Volunteering for NYWEA can help members fi nd their “Inner Leader,” polish their public speaking skills and share innovative ideas that help sustain the core values of the Photo by Patricia Cerro-Reehil Front row (l–r): Phil Musegaas, Michael Garland, Chris Hawkins, Tracy organization. If you are not already involved, I invite you to make Brown, Richard Lyons. Back row (l–r): Julie O’Neill, David Comerford, a connection. As shown in our recent membership testimonials Paul Gallay, Joseph Fiegl and Thomas Lauro (found at www.nywea.org), active and involved individuals fi nd their experiences to be tremendously gratifying. Legislative Initiatives and A New Legislative Liaison Each year NYWEA publishes a directory of all volunteers – those The NYWEA Government Affairs Committee, under the leadership serving in each chapter and on all committees and task forces – titled of Boris Rukovets, William McMillin and Libby Ford, has been hard at our “Who’s Who.” For 2014, we can boast a record 446 volunteers. work tracking and monitoring pending legislation. Since the passage These are people, like Billy Grandner and Nick Bartilucci, who are of the Sewage Pollution Right to Know Law, our Board of Directors making a real difference for this Association. Whether you are a included within its Business Plan monies to hire a Legislative Liaison. volunteer or not, I hope you share my pride in those who give of their I’m very pleased to report that we hired David Miller to fi ll this capa- time and expertise to NYWEA, and the important part they play in city. Many of you may know Dave from the days he worked for USDA this organization’s success Rural Development (formerly Farmers Home Administration) and, more recently, for his work as CMOM Coordinator for Onondaga How Do We Gauge Success? County. We look forward to Dave’s assistance, leadership and inter- One way to measure our success is to make sure we communicate face with the elected offi cials in New York State. clearly to members about what is going on in the organization. The As we continue to push forward with such initiatives, we give tribute updated Administrative Dashboard Report is one way this is done, so to the many volunteers who work alongside our staff, and who literally be sure to review this NYWEA document which highlights important make this organization tick! administrative functions of the organization. In a nutshell, it’s a one- page report that will give each member a better understanding of the Patricia Cerro-Reehil organization’s budget, how many members are in each chapter, how [email protected]

“ There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer. With it beats the spirit of service, generosity, and compassion … and the health and well-being of our community, our country and our world.” – Don Zendra, The Heart of a Volunteer

Clear Waters Spring 2014 5 Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York City, NY Highlights of 86th Annual Meeting February 4–6, 2014

A Great Success! Over 1,200 people attended NYWEA’s 86th Annual Meet- ing. With 23 technical sessions to select from, attend ees were busy and able to obtain many contact hours. You’ll see some photo highlights of the meetings here and on page 39 in this issue. You can also ﬁ nd photos featured on NYWEA’s Facebook page. Chris Hawkins gives the NYCDEP George Hawkins, General Manager of DC Water, inspires update at the Opening Session. NYWEA members during the Opening Session.

Opening Session Many thanks to the 180 exhib i- Town Hall Discussion on tors, sponsors and ad ver tisers the theme of the conference–Net who continue to support this Positive/Utility meeting and are a large part of Enhancements (l–r): Dave Comerford its success. (Buffalo), Tom Lauro (Westchester), George Bevington (Gloversville), Richard Lyons (Albany), Vinnie Sapienza and Angela Licata (both of New York City)

Opening Session of the 86th Annual Meeting was well attended.

6 Clear Waters Spring 2014 Many thanks to the Geyser Sponsors! Treasurer Nicholas J. Bartilucci is presented with a photo album that captured his 35+ years of involvement in NYWEA.

Steve Fangmann accepts NYWEA’s Presidential gavel from Mark Koester during the Awards Luncheon.

President Koester presents Tara Saber-Khiabani with the Jim Anderson Memorial Scholarship Certiﬁcate.

Richard J. Lyons accepts Albany County’s Sustainability Award from President Mark Koester.

Vice President–Elect Joe Fiegl Carter Strickland, NYCDEP’s Commis- shares with members the posi- sioner, accepts the Water Hero Award tive contributions of the Frank as well as NYCDEP’s Sustainability E. VanLare awardee, Legislator Award. Kelly Chorba receives the outgoing John Mills. Committee Service Award for her tenure as chair of the Humanitarian Assistance Committee.

Steve Fangmann receives the John Chester Brigham Award.

Joyette Tyler presents Vince Mazza Above: WEF President–Elect Ed Dan Jean, right, of Onondaga of Applied Analytics with award McCormick, left, presents the County receives the WEF for the best single booth exhibit. Arthur Sidney Bedell Award to William T. Hatﬁeld Award Robert Kukenberger. from Ed McCormick.

Right: Dave Comerford responds to questions during Openings Session’s More photos from Annual Meeting on page 39. Town Hall Discussion. Clear Waters Spring 2014 7 Upcoming NYWEA Meetings & Chapter Training Sessions

Confined Space Awareness April 8, 2014, Middletown, NY April 18, 2014, Rexford, NY (Sold Out)

Solids Handling and Dewatering May 16, 2014, Rexford, NY

NYWEA Spring Technical Conference and Exhibition June 2–4, 2014 Hyatt Regency, Hauppauge, NY

Disinfection Optimization June 17, 2014, Hopewell Junction, NY

Occupational Chemical Exposure July 17, 2014, Lockport, NY

Sequencing Batch Reactor Design and Operations August 14, 2014, Lyons, NY November 20, 2014, Babylon, NY

DMR: Proper Completion and Electronic Reporting September 10, 2014, Watertown, NY October 28, 2014, Monticello, NY

Solids Handling and Dewatering October 23, 2014, Babylon, NY October 29, 2014, Bath, NY November 5, 2014, Syracuse, NY

Disinfection Optimization November 13, 2014, Chautauqua, NY

Sequencing Batch Reactor Design and Operations November 20, 2014, Babylon, NY

NYWEA 87th Annual Meeting & Exhibition February 2–4, 2015 NYC Marriott Marquis Meetings & Chapter Training Sessions

8 Clear Waters Spring 2014 Water Views | Spring 2014 Progress in Restoring Long Island Sound nitrogen reduction allocation by August 1, 2017. Signifi cant progress I view Long Island Sound as a national has already been made toward that goal, including the fi rst phase treasure. As many Long Islanders know, of upgrades for the Mamaroneck wastewater treatment plant which how ever, hypoxia (a condition that occurs was completed in July 2013. The New Rochelle wastewater treatment when nutrients such as nitrogen cause the plant is scheduled to be completed by July 2014, while the North water’s oxygen level to become so low that Castle treatment upgrade has already been completed. It is possible aquatic life is harmed), has been a major that these upgrades alone will achieve the nitrogen reduction goals issue in portions of Long Island Sound. for Westchester; but if not, Westchester County is set to undertake In 2004, the US Environmental Protection further efforts to remove any remaining increment of nitrogen by Agency (USEPA), Connecticut and New York 2017. completed a technical plan – the Long Island Meanwhile, all wastewater treatment plants in Nassau County have Sound Dissolved Oxygen TMDL (total maximum daily load) – to been upgraded and are meeting their August 2014 Long Island address hypoxia by signifi cantly reducing the amount of nitrogen Sound TMDL permit limits. The consolidated Great Neck wastewater entering the Sound from wastewater treatment plants. Eighty-fi ve treatment plant, which has reached substantial completion two months percent of the goals outlined in the TMDL were targeted to be met by ago, has been fi ne tuning the denitrifi cation process in their oxidation the end of 2014. New York State, with great leadership by the Sound ditch and reported full compliance this month with their 2014 TMDL com munities, is making substantial progress on implementing this limit. In addition, all Suffolk County wastewater treatment plants either plan. have been upgraded and are meeting their permit limits, or are under As of 2012, New York had achieved reduced discharges of nitrogen construction and on target to be in conformity with the TMDL limit by equal to 64 percent of the overall goal. As many large scale projects August 1, 2014. are now being completed, these reductions are accelerating dramat- New York’s work on Long Island Sound wastewater treatment ically. New York expects to achieve the scheduled 85 percent plants, at an estimated cost of over $2 billion, is impressive and high- ni tro gen discharge reduction goal by the end of 2014 (it might lights an effective local and state partnership. Even with the hard- well exceed this goal), and meet 100 percent of the goal by the end pressed circumstances of government fi nances, projects are being of 2017. built and the nitrogen levels in the Sound are falling. The NYSDEC The majority of the reductions from New York result from has been and will continue to be diligent in efforts to improve and treatment upgrades at New York City wastewater treatment plants. protect the Sound by other efforts including addressing polluted As of 2012, New York City reduced its nitrogen discharges by over runoff, reducing emissions that cause the atmospheric deposition 50 percent. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s of nitrogen, implementing comprehensive marine sanitation no- (NYSDEC) projection is that New York City will achieve 90 percent of discharge zones, and habitat restoration. its required reductions by 2014 and 100 percent by 2017. – James Tierney, Assistant Commissioner for Water Resources Westchester County is implementing a program to meet its NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Focus on Safety | Spring 2014 Forewarned is Forearmed Now Governor Andrew Cuomo has taken up the banner and Natural and man-made disasters are announced the creation of the Citizen Preparedness Corps to assist often a catalyst for change. The events of others to think like Mom did. The press release indicates it was September 11, 2001 spurred a national fl urry developed, “so residents have the tools and resources to prepare for of governmental programs and policies, in any type of disaster, respond accordingly and recover as quickly as addition to citizen awareness. Similarly, the possible.” This training initiative starts in Long Island (fi ttingly for aftermaths of Hurricanes Irene and Sandy this edition) but will be provided across the state in coordination have prompted changes on both local gov- with several governmental agencies and each county’s emergency ern ments and citizenry. Travel through my management. local landscape in the Southern Tier is a So how does this fi t into the role of a water treatment operator? con stant reminder of Irene, with houses I suspect that many of you have been recalled into work during a abandoned or still undergoing repair, new large emergency and have had to leave your families. Having your bridges, gouged land scapes, and some roadside crosses. Sandy family aware and prepared to survive for the time you are not home – produced her own scale of destruction along the coasts of New York possibly for days – provides both you and your family the confi dence and Long Island, and into New England. Both weather events caused that they will manage. Also, we all need to rid ourselves of the notion imme diate disruptions in power delivery, transportation, and life in that the lights and/or heat will always be on or only be out for a short general. time. Recent emergencies have shown that we must be able to tough However, disasters such as these, while untypical, aren’t uncom- it out several days or even a couple of weeks! mon either. Being prepared at home and at work for such events The only surprise with an emergency should be when it happens, makes the event much more bearable – “forewarned is forearmed,” not if it could happen. It defi nitely will happen sometime and we as they say. I am a self-confessed poster girl for personal prepared- need the tools of self-reliance to make it as easy as possible. ness. Self-reliance and the ability to think ahead are my guiding – Eileen M. Reynolds, Certifi ed Safety Professional lights. Owner, Coracle Safety Management Clear Waters Spring 2014 9 Sewer Infrastructure and Suffolk County Urban Revitalization and at What Cost? by Nicholas F. Bono and Frank M. Russo pproximately 70 percent of sanitary wastewater gener- Areas that currently do not have existing sanitary infrastructure ated in Suffolk County is discharged to onsite disposal have a much greater financial hurdle to overcome. These areas find systems consisting of septic tanks or cesspools. The use themselves unable to identify boundaries that allow them to balance of these onsite disposal systems provides a direct pathway a firm tax basis on which to affordably support the wastewater forA nitrogen, pathogens and a variety of other contaminants to enter infrastructure needed to stimulate development. In order for these the environment. The negative environmental impacts resulting areas to realize their development visions, their overall costs need to from the ongoing use of onsite disposal systems have long been be subsidized by debt-free funding to make financing affordable and recognized and studied by Suffolk County. In 1980, Suffolk County tax assessments palatable to in-district property owners. enacted Article 6 of the Suffolk County Sanitary Code to minimize Suffolk County has instituted a Suffolk County Sewer Infrastruc- environmental degradation and impacts to the sole source aquifer ture program, which is funded through sales taxes paid by Suffolk by placing limitations on residential and commercial development County residents. This program provides funding for eligible densities in unsewered areas. projects through both grants and/or low interest loans. Other Article 6 regulations do protect Suffolk County’s groundwater by potential funding sources are from private developers looking to regulating density that, for many downtowns and hamlets, hin ders develop select locations throughout Suffolk County. Although these their “smart growth” development visions. Smart growth develop- two funding mechanisms are available, many areas find themselves ment focuses on creating downtown business districts combined requiring more subsidies to make their project affordable; and that with affordable housing nearby public transportation hubs in is the ongoing dilemma with expanding sanitary infrastructure into order to detract Long Island’s youth from moving elsewhere, give unsewered areas in Suffolk County. communities a locale to congregate, and improve overall economic The three articles that follow concern Suffolk County and the strength. However, the relatively high real estate costs coupled with revitalization efforts taking place in the communities of Patchogue high construction costs associated with the sanitary infrastructure and Wyandanch – how they met regulatory requirements and necessary to make this type of development possible, makes most of improved upon their sewer infrastructure systems for urban expan- these projects unfeasible without the aid of grant money. sion. The third article describes onsite sewer system alternative Locations where the smart growth movement can be witnessed technologies for both residential and commercial applications and firsthand are those that already have pre-existing sanitary infra- how, in a study requested by the Suffolk County Department of structure. A prime example of this is in the Village of Patchogue. Health Services, these technologies were analyzed for cost and bene- The Village of Patchogue recognized the dynamic relationship that fit. Each subject provides insight into the critical issues of sewer/ existed between development and its ability to economically provide waste water infrastructure and the future health and development of central sewage collection, conveyance and treatment. In so doing, Long Island communities. the village was able to expand and upgrade its infrastructure and at the same time minimize sewer tax increases. This was due to the Nicholas F. Bono, PE ([email protected]), Senior Project Engineer, and revenue growth realized from increased real estate values resulting Frank M. Russo, PE (frusso@ h2m.com), Vice President for Wastewater from the ongoing improvements to its downtown. Engineering, are with H2M architects + engineers in Melville, NY.

Sewered Areas and Sewage Treatment Plants

10 Clear Waters Spring 2014 Photo courtesy of H2M Preparing to lay new sewer lines in Wyandanch, Long Island Photo courtesy of H2M Wastewater infrastructure projects like this one help efforts in downtown revitalization. Photo courtesy of H2M Infrastructure development for the mixed use “New Village” of Patchogue, Long Island Clear Waters Spring 2014 11 12 Clear Waters Spring 2014 Patchogue Revitalization Sustainable with “Smart” WWTP Improvements by Ivana Nitzova he Village of Patchogue, with a population of only 12,000, is an improbable success story for “smart growth” within the T New York metropolitan area. However, recent development along the village’s borders beside the Patchogue River and Great South Bay has made this village an economic, residential, and recreational attraction on Long Island. Patchogue’s growth and revitalization, which began in 2004, is the result of the village’s vision to build new sewers and upgrade its existing 84-year-old wastewater treatment plant from 0.5 mgd (million gallons per day) to 0.8 mgd, with future expansion to 1.2 mgd. Photo by Jim Lennon A time of downtown revitalization for the Village of Patchogue in Suffolk County, Long Island is made possible by “smart” wastewater treatment plant improvements.

Project Challenges and Solutions The efficient use of tax payer dollars was a clear project priority for the Village of Patchogue. This led to a three-fold project goal: V Complete the project with no tax increase V Build a facility with reduced operations and maintenance costs Photo by Jim Lennon Protection of the water environment comprising the Patchogue River and V Use the project to spur economic development in the village and Long Island’s Great South Bay (the South Bay Marina is seen here) is criti- surrounding area cal to revitalization efforts in and around the Village of Patchogue. In addition to these challenges, the site available for construction was constrained to one acre. A new, modern wastewater treatment Environmental Accountability plant replaced the existing 84-year-old facility by utilizing much of The village constructed a tertiary treatment facility and volun- the existing tankage as possible on a tight $11 million construction tarily abided by the stricter TMDL (total maximum daily load) budget. Fast tracking the design allowed the village to meet the 2010 requirement of the Long Island South Shore Estuary Council’s “shovel ready” American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Comprehensive Management Plan. Willingly undertaking stricter (ARRA) deadline. This resulted in Patchogue securing $7.3 million treatment standards further reduced point source pollution and in grants from the Green Project Reserve, an ARRA grant program prioritized the health of the Patchogue River, to which the treatment for green infrastructure projects. Additional funding was obtained facility discharges. The river in turn discharges to the Great South through the New York State Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, which Bay, a sensitive Long Island estuary and a precious natural resource funds clean water projects. to Long Island’s population of 3.6 million. The area provides edu- The existing and additional land acquired by the village for the cational opportunities for nearly 420,000 school-age children and treatment facility upgrade was limited to one acre due to zoning teachers who visit the bay each year. and setback distances from neighboring businesses, residential Improvements to water quality in the Patchogue River and Great properties, and the Patchogue River and bordering wetlands along South Bay not only stimulated planned development along the river the entire western boundary of the property. Because of the limited and Patchogue’s South Shore border, but also improved opportuni- real estate, the selected treatment technology had to maximize treat- ties for economic growth for water-based businesses, which depend ment within minimal space. Innovative technology and design was on the Great South Bay. Activities within the South Shore estuary implemented – namely, an IFAS or integrated fixed-film activated range from commercial and recreational fishing, to boating and sludge treatment process, a fixed membrane sludge thickening or tourism. The estuary is home to a variety of diverse populations of MBT system, and an inventive reuse of existing tankage – all key to fish, shellfish and waterfowl, and this precious natural resource also making the project a success. supports approximately 3,000 water-dependent businesses which IFAS: The IFAS system provides superior effluent quality using employ nearly 30,000 people. By implementing more rigorous rotating assemblies fitted with innovative hollow discs which deliver treatment standards, the village reduced the average point source oxygen to the wastewater without the use of blowers, associated pip- nitrogen pollutant loading by 80 percent, from 47.5 pounds per day ing and diffusers. The IFAS process reduced energy consumption to less than nine pounds per day. continued on page 15 Clear Waters Spring 2014 13 Water, Agua, L’eau, Wasser, Acqua, Água . In any language, Flowserve is the proven leader.

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14 Clear Waters Spring 2014 continued from page 13 by 60 percent on a footprint that is 40 percent to that of a conventional activated sludge system. By simply extending the leading edge of the aeration tank wall 10 feet with masonry block and adding a concrete mezzanine deck, space was created for a new motor control center, control panel lean-to, chemical tank and pumps, and working surface for a jib crane. Utilizing a common wall shared by the process tank and motor control center provided an inex- pensive heat sink that reduced the need for air conditioning. The common deck, foundation and walls provide parallel functions to protect important pieces of equipment without the need

for separate buildings. Using the Photo by Jim Lennon IFAS process and replacing chlo- The Village of Patchogue Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility – the new headworks is seen front right, and rine disinfection with a flow-paced directly behind is the formerly underutilized digester, repurposed and retrofitted to provide influent grit and flow handling and waste sludge thickening. Repurposed MBT tanks, center, and new IFAS process structure, back left, ultraviolet radiation (UV) disin- provide superior effluent quality. fection system eliminated chlorine residual and reduced nitrogen 80 percent to less than nine pounds converted to a fixed membrane sludge thickening (MBT) system. per day in the effluent discharge. An overhead bridge crane was designed which spans the converted Mechanical Biological Treatment: The MBT system was selected tanks and provides lift for every piece of equipment installed. New because it required no new buildings or tanks resulting in a total concrete deck surfaces on either side allow for maintenance work installed cost of $1.5 million. The MBT process thickens auto- space for any equipment to be lifted out of the tanks. Nearly every matically and continuously with no polymer. When compared to cubic foot of these original tanks, converted for the fourth time, conven tional gravity belt and thickeners, this represents a significant were used for wastewater treatment activity. reduction in sludge thickening operation and maintenance. The MBT process reduces sludge hauled to another Suffolk County Outcome of New WWTP facility saving Patchogue $330,000 per year at the current flow rate The project construction commenced in January 2010. The IFAS and a potential $1.1 million per year at design flow. and UV systems were started up and fully operational on schedule in Resourceful Reuse: The reuse of the existing buildings and struc- June 2011. The waste sludge handling and thickening system went tures represented the most challenging and rewarding feature of the online in October 2011. The construction project came in under plant design. The most dynamic reuse of existing tanks involved the budget at $10.1 million and created an engine for revitalization of transformation of three primary tanks originally constructed in 1926 the Village of Patchogue downtown and surrounding areas. The as Imhoff and chlorine contact tanks. Two of the existing primary increased capacity at the treatment facility and subsequent new tanks were converted to grit removal chambers along with a pump connections to the sewer system have encouraged new businesses station which feed the IFAS process. The third primary tank was to open in Patchogue, and have allowed existing businesses to change use to more water-intensive applications. What used to be a desolate downtown is now a bustling community with many new bars, restaurants and services attracting visitors and new residents. This has resulted in additional revenue for the village that offsets maintenance, operation, and future expansion costs. A staggering $235 million has already been invested in Patcho- gue’s revitalization efforts: “Over the past eight years there has been over $150 million dollars’ worth of public and private investment in the 2.2 square miles of the Village of Patchogue, with another $150 million currently underway,” said Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri. “This type of investment doesn’t happen without a wastewater treatment plant. This plant will continue to play a critical role in the revitalization of the Village of Patchogue and the protection of the waters of the Great South Bay.” Photo by Jim Lennon The facility’s newly revamped IFAS treatment process with its control panel Ivana Nitzova is a wastewater engineer for H2M architects + engineers inside, right, is 60 percent more energy efficient. located in Melville, NY. She may be reached at [email protected]. Clear Waters Spring 2014 15 Wyandanch Rising – Hamlet Grows with Sewer Extension by Steven Hearl

he Town of Babylon is committed to the development of a viable downtown and business district in the hamlet of Wyandanch. Wyandanch has been characterized as one of the most economically distressed communities on TLong Island. Among the goals of the town is to create a model for transit oriented development (TOD) centered around a Long Island Railroad commuter rail station with connecting Suffolk County Transit Bus service and an improved quality of life for the residents. Photo by Julia Schneider, H2M

A portion of the main road (Straight Path) through Wyandanch where redevelopment opportunities are now possible due to sewer availability. tions (heavy rain events, long periods of precipitation, etc.). This impacts the effectiveness of existing conventional septic systems. Onsite sanitary systems contribute to the degradation of groundwater quality of Long Island’s sole source groundwater supply.

Feasibility Study: Sewer Extension Viable As part of the subsequent implementation planning, H2M archi-

Photo by Julia Schneider, H2M tects + engineers prepared a Feasibility Study for Babylon to evaluate Welcome to Wyandanch, Long Island, a model for transit oriented devel- a cost effective, environmentally accepted alternative to sewering the opment which was subject to the successful completion of new sewerage collection and conveyance systems. Wyandanch Commercial/Industrial Corridor to aid its revitalization and improve environmental conditions. The lack of large parcels, A five-day community based planning event called, “Wyandanch location of water supply wells, depth to groundwater and setback Rising,” was held in June 2003. This event brought together over 500 requirements are among the factors that made the potential alter- homeowners, renters, business and property owners, civic groups, native of constructing a separate wastewater treatment plant to serve clergy and government officials. The participants created a compre- the area less viable. Consequently, construction of a sewer extension hensive plan for the community, the first in several decades. The to serve this area was considered viable for providing wastewater Long Island Regional Economic Development Council has identi- treatment and disposal. fied Wyandanch Rising as a priority project. Regulatory and permit requirements associated with installation A significant obstacle to redevelopment was the lack of a cen- of wastewater collection and conveyance systems were identified in tral sewerage collection system for the disposal of wastewater. The the study. Potential financing sources were also discussed. Based Wyandanch Commercial and Industrial Corridor planning area on SCDHS guidelines, the study area has an average daily design is located in Groundwater Management Zones I and VII. Suffolk wastewater flow of 380,000 gallons per day (GPD). Three wastewater County Sanitary Code Article 6 limits the discharge of wastewater collection and conveyance system alternatives to connect to Suffolk through conventional onsite sanitary systems in these zones to 600 County Sewer District (SCSD) No. 3-Southwest were evaluated. To gallons per day per acre. This quantity limits density. For example, eliminate the current practice of using tanker trucks to transport based on Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) leachate from the Town Solid Waste Management Facilities, a leach- guidelines, only two single-family homes per acre may be construct- ate sewer connection was also evaluated. The average daily design ed unless a wastewater collection and treatment system is provided. wastewater flow based on evaluation of leachate generation data over A greater variety of development opportunities are possible when a 14-year period was determined to be 36,000 GPD. The cost opin- sewers are available as part of the community infrastructure. The ion for the leachate conveyance system considered that the gravity revitalization of the subject study area is not feasible without the sewer associated with the Wyandanch corridor would be installed disposal of wastewater at a treatment facility. and that a portion of the corridor sewer system costs downstream of Much of the existing development pre-dates Article 6 limits. the leachate connection would be allocated on a design flow basis. Localized groundwater elevations have been observed at five feet Preparation of the DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement) below grade or less, depending on seasonal hydrogeologic condi- was done concurrently with the Feasibility Study.

16 Clear Waters Spring 2014 To assist in the evaluation, the Suffolk County GIS base map main- veyance system alternatives considered in this report. Other layers tained by Suffolk County Real Property Tax Service was obtained. added to the GIS included bus routes, bicycle routes, potable water From the base map, different layers were overlaid to present differ- supply wells, county and town parks, NYSDEC mapped wetlands, ent conditions. The planning area boundary was defined. A ground- significant buildings and public facilities, as well as potential stra- water contour layer was used to aid in preparing the cost opinion tegic redevelopment sites within the boundaries of the Wyandanch for the conveyance system. The groundwater contours were used to Downtown Revitalization Plan. identify locations where dewatering was necessary to install sewers. Support from New York State has been critical to moving this A layer with town, county, and state owned parcels was used to aid transformational project forward. Wyandanch Rising received the in identifying potential locations for the wastewater pump station. A largest funding award in the Long Island region through the separate layer was created to indicate the preliminary layout of the first two rounds of the Regional Council initiative, along with the sewers, manholes and force mains for each of the wastewater con- support of five state agencies: Empire State Development (ESD), Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of State (DOS), NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation (NYSEFC), and Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). Suffolk County is also waiving sewer connection fees for five years from the date the sewerage collection system was completed.

New Sewer System Paves Way to Success Construction of the sewage collection and conveyance systems has been completed. With the depth to groundwater less than five feet below grade, dewatering was required to install portions of the sewer system, the influent chamber and the wet well. Three submersible pumps have been installed at the pump station. A fourth guide rail was installed in the wet well to facilitate the installation of one additional pump should the service area increase. A standby generator, odor control systems, motor control centers and the pump control panel were housed in a precast concrete building. Exterior finishes Photo by Steven Hearl, H2M New wastewater pump station continued on page 19 Map courtesy of H2M A map showing the sewer service area for the project is outlined in red (down the middle).

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18 Clear Waters Spring 2014 continued from page 17 installed on the building shell were selected to be in character with the nearby homes. The 10-inch diameter force main is more than 4,900 feet long. From the force main discharge manhole, a gravity sewer more than 5,800 feet long was installed to connect to an existing SCSD No. 3 interceptor. The sewer construction allowed the town to rebuild the roads with streetscape and traffic calming improvements. Groundbreaking of a five-story mixed use building with retail space on the ground floor by the master developer, the first major initiative in the $500 million revitalization project, took place in July 2013. The building is designed to achieve LEED certification by the US Green Building Council. The building is being constructed on the site of a former shopping center that the town purchased through eminent domain. The public-private effort to revitalize the hamlet’s downtown also includes building a transit plaza near the Long Island Rail Road station, enhanced public green spaces, and construction of several mixed use buildings. The train station offers service to commuters of a train ride on the main line to New York City’s Penn Station in less than one hour. Photo by Julia Schneider, H2M Geiger Lake as seen from Geiger Park where a “green” wetland was constructed to help control stormwater. Photo by Julia Schneider, H2M The Wyandanch Long Island Railroad Station offers one-hour commuter service to New York City’s Penn Station. Downtown transformation centers around the station, seen across the street here, and includes a new transit plaza, mixed use building and public green spaces. Photo by Steven Hearl, H2M A major part of the redevelopment is construction taking place of this five-story mixed use building. An $810,000 Green Innovation Grant from the NYSEFC has also assisted with the community environmental revitalization. Babylon Investments by the NYSEFC and the ESD have enabled the used the funds to construct a stormwater wetland in the nearby Town of Babylon to construct new sewers to serve the community. 25-acre Geiger Park that will protect stream banks and the shoreline Installation of the sewers has paved the way for private sector devel- of Geiger Lake while also demonstrating the advantages of low cost, opment and investment as an essential component of Wyandanch sustainable projects to control stormwater. Rising. Dormant and under-utilized properties can now be put to Wyandanch Rising is currently planned to feature over 120,000 productive use, thereby creating jobs, increasing tax revenue, and square feet of retail and almost 900 dwelling units where 575 will be enhancing the quality of the downtown. The community visioning rental units. Residential density will be approximately nine dwelling process that began in 2004 is now becoming a reality. units per gross acre. To train residents for future jobs and assist small business development by prospective local business owners, the town Steven Hearl, PE, LEED AP is Vice President and Department Manager opened a Community Resource Center. of Collection and Conveyance Systems for H2M architects + engineers in Melville, NY. He may be contacted at [email protected].

Clear Waters Spring 2014 19 Investigation of Alternative Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems by Eliora Bujari and Frank M. Russo

he Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) Figure 1. Residential System Schematic Diagram: Courtesy of H2M architects + engineers retained the services of H2M architects + engineers (H2M) Tto determine the feasibility of instituting alternative onsite wastewater treatment systems in decentralized sewered communities and in single family residential properties. These systems would potentially replace the conventional septic tank/leaching pool systems in order to improve the treated water being reintroduced into the sole source drinking water aquifer. The project objective was to investigate the performance, installation and design costs, economic benefi ts, and operation and maintenance requirements for alternative onsite sewage disposal systems for projects generating a fl ow less than 30,000 gallons per day (GPD). The investigation was broken down into two fl ow categories. Wastewater infl uent from residence enters Stage 1 where primary The fi rst category was defi ned as single-family residential dwellings settling and partial digestion takes place. The clear liquid fl ows to (residential) with fl ows from 300 to 1,000 GPD; and the second Stage 2. Stage 2 consists of the alternate technologies that provide category was defi ned as other than single family dwellings (commer- nitrifi cation and denitrifi cation. Nitrifi cation is accomplished by cial) comprised of commercial, industrial or high-density residential recirculating wastewater through randomly packed media and intro- properties, with fl ows from 1,000 to 30,000 GPD. ducing oxygen to the system. Denitrifi cation is realized by recycling a percentage of the wastewater back to the septic tank’s anoxic Evaluating the Technologies environment or by adding a denitrifi cation fi lter following the nitri- In the fi rst phase of the investigation, an evaluation of existing fi cation process. alternate technologies was conducted. These technologies included Treated effl uent fl ows by gravity would be pumped to leaching the following treatment processes: pools in Stage 3. In the event of power failure, the treatment system VFEK@ELFLJTFN JLJGIFNK?898K:?I<8:KFI-,JPJKSCKP Sampling Methodology VKNFSO<;8:K@M8K<;JCL;>United States. Since many of the sampling 1. conventional septic tank sites were scattered throughout the country, H2M subcontracted 2. advanced treatment technology by the selected manufacturers the sampling portion to CDM Smith. The Wastewater Engineering 3. leaching pools continued on page 22

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Clear Waters Spring 2014 21 continued from page 20 Division of H2M coordinated the sampling for each site with the Further Study Required Woodbury, NY office of CDM Smith and H2M Labs of Melville, NY. Suffolk County currently limits building density in order to pro- CDM’s Woodbury project manager enlisted the staff performing the tect both the drinking and surface water supplies, in addition to actual sampling who were engineers or technicians trained in sam- conventional sanitary systems. At this point in time, further study pling techniques. Empty sample bottles and coolers were shipped and modeling are necessary to determine if additional nitrogen by H2M Labs to the CDM staff performing the field samplings. The controls are required and to what extent. The modeling should collected samples were packed in ice and shipped overnight back to take into account the different levels of treatment through the use H2M Labs. Two samples were collected one week apart at two differ- of alternative technologies. The modeling may provide information ent sites per selected technology. Influent and effluent grab samples indicating the areas of Suffolk County that should be required to were taken at each site. install alternative systems to protect groundwater and surface waters. The parameters considered for each grab sample included TKN Based on these findings, house values and average incomes in the (Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen) TN (total nitrogen), nitrates, nitrites, areas required to install these systems can be compared to the instal- BOD (biochemical oxygen demand), TSS (total suspended solids), lation and operation costs of alternative systems to determine the pH, and wastewater temperature. The samples were analyzed and true economic benefits. In addition, a more in-depth analysis should presented to the SCDHS. Only one onsite treatment system consis- be undertaken to evaluate the fluctuations in influent strength and tently met the 10 mg/L TN discharge requirement in a residential inconsistent flow patterns commonly seen in residential sewage dis- application. In the commercial application, three technologies posal systems. consistently met the 10 mg/L total nitrogen discharge requirement. The application of alternative sewage treatment systems in individual residences does not appear to be a viable solution at this point. Cost-Benefit Analysis However, in commercial applications, as a result of this investigation, Following the sampling, a cost and benefit analysis was undertak- three technologies were added to the list of technologies that would en to develop estimates for the design, construction, installation, be approved by the SCDHS. and operation and maintenance (O&M) of the selected alternate technologies. In residential applications, the selected alternative Eliora Bujari, EIT ([email protected]) is Wastewater Engineer for H2M systems are expected to reduce influent nitrogen concentrations architects + engineers. Frank M. Russo, PE ([email protected]), is Vice by 87 percent, compared to only a 50 percent reduction in a con- President of the Division of Wastewater Engineering for H2M architects + ventional system. The costs associated with the design, construction engineers, located in Melville, NY. and installation range from $25,000 to $41,500. Comparatively, a conventional Article 6 (of the Suffolk County Sanitary Code) sewage disposal system consisting of a conventional septic tank and leaching pool would cost $5,080. In commercial applications, the initial costs of the systems recommended are relatively high, with a unit price range of $64–$116 per gpd for a 5,000 gpd system. As the design flow increases, the costs level off to a unit price in the range of $36–$50 per gpd for a 30,000 gpd system. Photo courtesy of H2M Field installation of a pump chamber (Advantex® Unit - Biotube® Filter) 22 Clear Waters Spring 2014 Pump Protection Fine Screens Sludge Grinding Septage Receiving

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Clear Waters Spring 2014 23 The Long Island Sound Benthic Mapping Program: Background and Organization by Kevin O’Brien

ften, making the best possible decisions can be diffi cult. agement and potential for further development. Using these high In 2002, a Connecticut legislative task force found there priority areas as a guide, a technical scope of work was co-developed was a lack of substantial scientifi c information regarding to implement a pilot effort. Once the contracting mechanisms were the seafl oor habitats of Long Island Sound (LIS), which completed, the pilot began in Fall 2012 within a corridor from Ohampered the ability to properly respond to and address topics Bridgeport, CT to Port Jefferson, NY. Project teams are producing such as the placement of large scale in-water utility infrastructure. mapping and data products focused on acoustic intensity; seafl oor A subsequent review by the Connecticut Academy of Science and topography; benthic habitat and ecological processes; sediment Engineering identifi ed similar data gaps and defi ciencies with texture and grain size distribution; sedimentary, physical and chemi- respect to benthic species and habitat identifi cation, as well as gen- cal environments; and a project data management system. eral mapping and ocean management needs. The results of the pilot will be delivered in Spring 2014 and fol- In 2004, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental lowing a review, full scale implementation will commence in addi- Protection (DEEP) resolved two non-compliance issues with LIS tional high priority areas, beginning with an area in eastern LIS and electric cable projects involving both Connecticut and New York continuing to an area in western LIS and beyond as funding allows. utility companies. As part of the settlement, a fund seeded with $6 million for research and restoration was created. The Long Island Kevin O’Brien ([email protected]) is an environmental analyst with the Sound Study signed an agreement among members of its policy Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Offi ce committee and determined the fund should support new projects of Long Island Sound Programs. This article, reprinted with permission, that enhance Long Island Sound, promote improved scientifi c fi rst appeared in the Long Island Sound Study’s newsletter, Sound Update. understanding of potential energy infrastructure effects/mitigation of their impacts, and emphasize benthic mapping as a priority need for improved management decisions. LEARN MORE To manage this effort, a Steering Committee was formed consisting The Long Island Sound Study has a webpage devoted to the of representatives from DEEP, US Environmental Protection Agency Long Island Sound Seafl oor Mapping Program: Regions 1 and 2, New York State Department of Environmental http://LongIslandSoundStudy.net/research-monitoring/sea Conservation, NYS Department of State, and the SeaGrant offi ces fl oor-mapping/ of Connecticut and New York. While the committee works in a joint At this page, you will fi nd information on the program and administrative capacity, management of the fund is the sole responsi- additional reading materials and resources. bility of DEEP staff. By 2007, the Steering Committee, DEEP and the University of Connecticut hosted a workshop that tasked regional, state, federal and non-governmental groups to further identify the specifi c management needs of LIS and how a mapping program could address them. Beginning in 2009, the Steering Committee began to develop a benthic mapping program for LIS and formed a collaborative partnership combining national and local expertise and resources. The partners include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Biogeography Branch and two regional academic consortiums led by the University of Connecticut and Columbia University’s Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory. By 2011, the Steering Committee and partners developed a plan to prioritize areas of LIS by evaluating areas of interest identifi ed by stake- holders based on issues including CT DEEP ecological value, multiple use con- Areas prioritized for data collection and processing as part of the LIS Benthic Mapping Program. Additional areas fl icts, compliance, resource man- may be collected as funds permit.

24 Clear Waters Spring 2014 Clear Waters Spring 2014 25 Success Story for Nitrogen Load Reduction in Long Island Sound: The Eelgrass Element by Mark Tedesco

he Long Island Sound bi-state nitrogen TMDL (total max- 88 percent of the TMDL goal, which means 98,000 fewer pounds of imum daily load), developed by the states of Connecticut nitrogen are discharged into Long Island Sound every day. and New York and approved by the US Environmental How can reducing nitrogen improve water quality? Mumford Protection Agency (USEPA) in 2001, relies on flexible Cove, an embayment along the eastern shore of Connecticut in Tand innovative approaches, notably bubble permits, management Long Island Sound is an example of the benefits of nutrient reduc- zones, and exchange ratios that allow sewage treatment plant tion to improving water quality and restoring habitat. (STP) operators to trade nitrogen reduction obligations with Restoring Eelgrass Beds each other. This approach helps The placement of a discharge from a sewage treatment plant into attain water quality improve- Mum ford Cove caused a rapid conversion from a system domin ated ment goals, while allowing by eelgrass, an important habitat for shellfish and nursery for juvenile com munities to save an estimat- fish, to one dominated by sea lettuce (the macrophyte, Ulva lactuca). ed $800 million by allocating The dense layers of sea lettuce smothered the bottom, killing off the reductions to those STPs where eelgrass and leading to low night-time levels of dissolved oxygen. In they can be achieved most eco- 1987, the discharge was relocated out of Mumford Cove, decreas- nomically and with the greatest ing nitrogen levels and improving water quality. One year later, impact on water quality. the macro phyte beds of Ulva had disappeared and spontaneous res- By the end of 2013, reduc- toration of eelgrass beds have occurred over the course of 15 years. tions of nitrogen from sewage Between 2009 and 2012, eelgrass, a rooted underwater plant with treatment plants have achieved ribbon-like strands that forms meadows ecologically important for Courtesy of the US Fish & Wildlife Service (Tiner et al. 2013) Aerial photo shows areas of eelgrass beds in Mumford Cove (left) and Palmer Cove, Groton, CT. 26 Clear Waters Spring 2014 fish and shellfish, increased by 4.5 percent in Long Island Sound, tioned, Mumford Cove, as an example, saw a dramatic increase according to a recently released report by the US Fish and Wildlife in eelgrass in the late 1990s after a wastewater treatment plant Service (Tiner et al. 2013). discharge into the cove was removed. In 2012, eelgrass beds in The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetlands Mumford Cove totaled 91 acres, an increase of nine acres from 2009. Inventory Program assessed 2012 aerial photography for eelgrass at The USFWS report is available through a link on the Long Island 17 coves, embayments, harbors and other locations in Connecticut Sound Study eelgrass indicator web page: http://longislandsound and New York. In total, healthy beds of eelgrass covered an area of study.net/indicator/eelgrass-abundance/. The page also provides a 2,061 acres. This compares to 1,980 acres of eelgrass from a 2009 link to the National Wetlands Inventory website, as well as instruc- survey. Eelgrass beds increased in 13 of 16 locations, while three tions on how to use an online mapping tool on the website to view showed a decrease. maps of the extent of eelgrass beds at each of the locations. The surveys, conducted every three or four years, have been funded by the USEPA through the Long Island Sound Study. Compared Future of Water Quality to the first survey in 2002, the area of eelgrass has grown by 29 More broadly, the reductions in nitrogen to Long Island Sound percent. achieved through upgrades to STPs may be starting to have effect. An increase in eelgrass is very good news for resource managers In the summer of 2013, water quality monitoring of Long Island trying to protect fish and other wildlife that live along the coast, and Sound recorded the third smallest area of hypoxia (or low dissolved it’s a good sign that water quality is improving. In addition to serving oxygen levels in the water) in the past 27 years. Additional actions to as a vital nursery habitat for many desirable fish and shellfish species, control nitrogen runoff from streets and farms, along with further eelgrass can also help prevent erosion and reduce wave turbulence STP upgrades, are underway to attain the TMDL reduction goals by and the impact of storm surges. Eelgrass has since returned to east- 2017, further improving water quality. ern Long Island Sound but beds have never recovered in the central and western portions, in part due to water quality impairments from Mark Tedesco ([email protected]) is Director of the USEPA Long excess nitrogen. Island Sound Office. Eelgrass was once common along the entire coastline of the Sound and in sheltered bays, harbors, rivers and creeks. In the 1930s, Reference at least 90 percent of eelgrass beds disappeared due to a “wasting Tiner, R., K. McGuckin, and A. MacLachlan. 2013. 2012 Eelgrass disease” along the Atlantic Ocean in Europe and North America. Survey for Eastern Long Island Sound, Connecticut and New York. Eelgrass has since returned to eastern Long Island Sound. US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wetlands Inventory Program, Scientists and resource managers believe that improving water Northeast Region, Hadley, MA. National Wetlands Inventory report. quality, including reducing nutrient pollution, contributes to an 20 pp. including Appendix. environment that will favor eelgrass growth. As previously men-

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Clear Waters Spring 2014 29 Spring Technical Conference and Exhibition Hosted by Long Island Chapter, June 2–4, 2014 by Donna Bee and Thomas Immerso

he Long Island Chapter of the New York Water Environment Association began its planning last year in anticipation T of hosting the 2014 Spring Technical Conference and Exhibition to take place on Long Island, NY, June 2-4. The base of operations will be the newly refurbished Hyatt Regency Hotel in Hauppauge, NY. Attendees will be centrally located for the many unique amenities of “The Island,” inclusive of its numerous museums, historical landmarks, unparalleled beaches and bays – in addition to being slightly over an hour of either New York City or Montauk Point State Park, known for its historic lighthouse on the Island’s eastern most point!

Resiliency Following Superstorm Sandy An Island Transformed by the Storm ong Island has primarily been noted for its pristine beaches and Lembayments, offering swimming, ﬁshing, boating and a host of other water-related activities along its 120-mile coastline along the

north and south shores. However, this idyllic waterfront lifestyle Photo by Joe Nye, OnMontauk.com came to a crashing halt in late October 2012 with the arrival of Montauk Lighthouse Superstorm Sandy, which in its wake not only devastated many lives the promise of over $800 million in FEMA funding inspired those but also destroyed homes, businesses and personal property. Barrier directly affected to ﬁnally look with real promise to truly recovering island communities, such as Fire Island on the south shore, were all and “hardening” these facilities for similar future catastrophes. but eradicated due to a 10-foot or more storm surge, culminating in new inlets actually being carved into the Island’s geography. On a more tangible level to those afﬁliated with NYWEA, the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant, a nearly 60-mgd facility also located on the south shore, was knocked off line for two full days before temporary power could even be provided to operate major processes again. Nearly a month and a half elapsed before the facility was substantially operable again, albeit still utilizing temporary power for nearly all processes. Only recently, more than 18 months later, has Photos courtesy of Long Island facilities

Above: During storm Sandy, an unexpected guest in the form of a boat arrives at the front gate of the Long Island Bay Park plant. Left: Some examples of sand and water damage inside plants after the storm

30 Clear Waters Spring 2014 Looking Toward the Future A Must-See Program – Learn and Enjoy! ven though recovery and restoration continues, the lifestyle he Spring Technical Conference will provide an outstand- common to Long Islanders has once again returned for the most E ing opportunity to network with other operators, engi- part. Museums abound and have reopened, many with maritime T neers, regulators and equipment suppliers. In addition to the themes. Similarly, the Riverhead Aquarium is once again entertain- program’s technical sessions, the conference offers an Exhibit ing families with its huge array of viewing tanks, shows and education- Hall for vendors, State Meeting Forums for the various commit- al opportunities. Historical tees, and the newly expanded Operations Challenge that invites sites are prevalent as well, regional as well as New York State teams to compete. Of course, including former President an entertaining Lifestyle Program will be offered as well. Theodore Roosevelt’s sum- You won’t be sorry you made the trip! mer residence at Sagamore While not all program details were available at the time of this Hill in bucolic Oyster Bay printing, everyone can stay apprised by checking the NYWEA on the north shore; the website for up-to-date program and registration information at magnifi cent “Gold Coast” www.nywea.org. mansions of northwestern Long Island; the trendy Photo, OnMontauk.com Hamptons of the east end; and, of course, as Long Islanders know it, “The End,” or Montauk Point at the extreme eastern end of the Island. Not only is Montauk famous for its lighthouse – which was authorized and commissioned by President George Washington in the late 1700s – but it has been a renowned fi shing village since native Indians fi rst inhabited the Island more than a century prior.

Pick a shoreline – north or south – and enjoy a leisurely day on Photo courtesy NYWEA some of the best beaches in the world! Hiking trails, canoeing/kay- aking, immaculate golf courses and numerous nature preserves, all Donna Bee, Wastewater Plant Operator for the Village of Northport, NY, offer opportunities to enjoy the outdoor life on Long Island. And, may be reached at [email protected]. Thomas Immerso (timmerso it goes without saying, that the cuisine covers all nationalities and @nassaucountyny.gov) is Sanitary Engineer II for the Nassau County is ﬂ at out fabulous – from pizza to exotic waterfront dinners. Take Department of Public Works at the Cedar Creek Water Pollution Control advantage of these amenities before you leave! Plant in Wantagh, NY.

Newly-Expanded Operations Challenge A round is also held, modeled after the game, Jeopardy, to see he NYWEA is a proud supporter of its Operations Challenge how well the teams can come up with solutions under pressure! Tteams. There has been a statewide competition held at the The planning and execution of an Operations Challenge is an Spring Meeting for over two decades. Most years, it showcases local enormous undertaking. The State Committee headed by John Fortin operators and their know-how in a competition; while every fi ve has numerous details to execute. There are coordinators and judges years, NYWEA joins with the New England Water Environment needed for each event. Heavy equipment needs to be transported to Association to combine both of their conferences and challenge and from the venue. A new process control test needs to be compiled events (which took place last in 2011). each year. The teams put in countless hours of practice to hone their In 2014, the NYWEA membership arrives at a new and exciting skills and represent their chapters and state. This entirely volunteer juncture in its conference history. For the fi rst time ever, NYWEA effort, while an arduous task, makes for an exciting addition to the will open its Operations Challenge events to teams throughout the spring conference. Come on down and cheer on your favorite team! US and Canada. The New York teams will still be pitted against each other to determine who will represent the state at WEFTEC (an annual meeting of the Water Environment Federation) in the fall; but the teams also will have the opportunity to share their strategies and knowledge with team members from other regions and Canada. This networking opportunity will reap benefi ts for all involved! If you’ve never attended an Operations Challenge, make the effort to come and watch. Teams of four are tasked with completing fi ve different events on which they are graded for both speed and accu- racy. The events include: VSafety – a manhole rescue is simulated VPump Maintenance – teams must service both a pump and a mixer VCollections – a broken pipe must be repaired VLaboratory – a steady hand is required to perform complicated testing procedures

VProcess Control – a written test is taken to evaluate knowledge and Photo provided by NYWEA LI Chapter understanding of what it takes to run a wastewater facility The Long Island Brown Tide team shown competing at the WEFTEC Operations Challenge Clear Waters Spring 2014 31 Overview of Long Island’s Wastewater Infrastructure NASSAU COUNTY 55 mgd of wastewater on average. Similar to Bay Park, the majority by Joseph L. Davenport of the sanitary flow is from residential and commercial areas, with the same minimal industrial flows. The plant discharges its treated he Nassau County Department of Public Works (NCDPW) is effluent into the Atlantic Ocean via an 84-inch diameter outfall pipe responsible for the operation and maintenance of county sew- T approximately 2.5 miles off the Jones Beach shore. age facilities which include three wastewater treatment plants – Bay Glen Cove WWTP: The sewage service area tributary to the Glen Park Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), Cedar Creek Water Pollution Cove WWTP is approximately 19 square miles in the northern por- Control Plant and Glen Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant – 54 sew- tion with a populace of about 27,000. Originally constructed in the age pump stations and approximately 3,000 miles of sewers. The 54 1920s, the plant was upgraded to secondary treatment in 1950 with sewage pump stations transport sanitary wastes where gravity is not the addition of trickling filters and secondary clarifiers. In 1980, a viable transport option. There are 22 pump stations delivering a new plant was constructed with a secondary treatment activated sanitary wastes to the Bay Park STP, 15 to the Cedar Creek WPCP, sludge process, and the old plant was decommissioned and demol- and 17 to the Glen Cove WWTP. The wastewater collection system ished. In 2002, the WWTP was upgraded to include processes for operated by the county is comprised of about 3,000 miles of sanitary nitrogen removal from the wastewater, and it is permitted for an sewers (ranging 8 to 108 inches in diameter), 64,000 manholes average 5.5 mgd. With sanitary flow all from residential and commer- and 300,000 individual service connections. In addition, there are cial areas, the plant actually treats about 3 mgd of wastewater and six village-owned and operated collection systems that discharge discharges treated effluent into Glen Cove Creek. to the county’s sewage collection system: Freeport, Garden City, Maintenance and Rehabilitation: Each year, the NCDPW imple- Hempstead, Mineola, Rockville Centre and Roslyn, for which Nassau ments a sewer maintenance program to inspect and clean sewers County has no operation or maintenance responsibilities. and manholes within its jurisdiction. There is also an ongoing Bay Park STP: The sewage service area tributary to the Bay Park rehabilitation program which includes construction contracts for STP is approximately 70 square miles in the county’s western portion the cleaning, televising and internal lining of the sanitary sewers, for a population of approximately 524,000. It opened for operation and for structural replacements, as identified. There are currently in 1950, initially permitted for the treatment of 27 million gallons four active sewer rehabilitation contracts totaling approximately $3 per day (mgd) of municipal sanitary waste. The plant was expanded million. twice for secondary treatment and capacity and today it treats an average of 50 mgd of wastewater. The majority of the sanitary flow is from residential housing, then commercial establishments, with a SUFFOLK COUNTY relatively insignificant flow (1.5 percent) from industrial facilities. by Benjamin Wright and Boris Rukovets The facility discharges its treated effluent into Reynolds Channel via he Suffolk County Department of Public Works (SCDPW) is an 84-inch diameter outfall pipe approximately 2.3 miles long. Tresponsible for 23 WWTPs, ranging in capacity from 45,000 gpd Cedar Creek WPCP: The sewage service area tributary to the to 30.5 mgd, and operates a wastewater collection system comprised Cedar Creek WPCP is approximately 105 square miles in the of approximately 1,300 miles of sanitary sewers (ranging from 8 to eastern portion populated by approximately 600,000. Placed into 102 inches in diameter) and 103 pump stations. operation in 1974 to treat 56 mgd of municipal sanitary waste, the In some cases, there is more than one county wastewater treat- plant complied with secondary treatment standards through the ment facility within a hamlet or town. Generally, the county’s WWTP utilization of the activated sludge process. Expanded as part of a service areas include Port Jefferson, South Huntington, Kings Park, capital improvements program in the 80s through the early-90s to Medford, Selden, Holbrook, Islandia, Hauppauge, Ridge, Stony achieve secondary treatment for 72 mgd, the plant currently treats Brook, St. James, Yaphank, Mount Sinai and Westhampton. In total, there are 195 WWTPs serving Suffolk County communities. The WWTPs serve approximately 30 percent of the county’s population of 1.5 million people, while the remaining 70 percent of the population is served by conventional onsite systems consisting of septic tanks and leaching pools. Bergen Point WWTP: The largest district is Suffolk County’s Sewer District No. 3–Southwest with the Bergen Point WWTP designed for 30.5 mgd. This WWTP serves the majority of the towns of Islip and Babylon with other connections from surrounding hamlets and villages. The estimated population served by Sewer District No. 3– Southwest is approximately 346,000 people. The plant and sewer system have a number of improvement capital projects: a $70 million project to add 10 mgd of capacity; an ongoing infiltration and inflow (I/I) reduction program for a significant portion of Sewer District No. 3; $20 million improvements to the grit removal facility; construction of an ultraviolet disinfection system ($15 million); rehabilitation of a final effluent pumping station ($25 million); and pro- Photo courtesy of Nassau Co. DPW Earthwork and excavation for construction of a new biofilter at the Cedar posed replacement of over 14,000 feet of the outfall pipe beneath Creek WPCP the Great South Bay with a total project cost of $242 million. Various

32 Clear Waters Spring 2014 other improvement projects, including installation of an odor control system and equipment rehabilitation/replacement, continue. County Sewer Projects: The SCDPW is currently undertaking sewering feasibility studies in over 20 study areas across the county. Two of the key study areas that have a potential to move forward with sewering include the North Babylon/Deer Park area north of Sewer District No. 3, and the Mastic/Shirley area which is a phased project with a proposed new wastewater treatment facility. Oakdale/Sayville is the third priority area for sewering. These three projects are of the highest priority due to the projected signiﬁ cant reduction in nitrogen in the groundwater and, therefore, underﬂ ow to the surface waters, and the positive impact on the various wetlands and marshes due to the stimulation of algae growth. Preliminary estimates require approximately $750 million to complete these three projects. Concurrently, Suffolk County is evaluating improved and alter nate methods of onsite treatment systems where sewering may not be the most appropriate alternative to improve the environment and protect the groundwater and surface waters. Comprehensive wastewater management and water quality improvements throughout the county are being achieved through the completion of the Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan, as well as a technical report and proposed pilot study of alternate onsite disposal systems.

Joseph Davenport, PE, ([email protected]) is Chief Sani tation Engineer and Unit Head of the Water/Wastewater Engineering Unit of the Nassau County Department of Public Works in Wantagh, NY. Benjamin Wright, PE, ([email protected]) is Principal Civil Engi neer, and Boris Rukovets, PE, ([email protected]) Photo courtesy of Suffolk Co. DPW is Public Works Special Projects Supervisor, both with the Suffolk County Construction on an ultraviolet disinfection system project in Sewer District Department of Public Works in Yaphank, NY. 3–Southwest, Suffolk County

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Clear Waters Spring 2014 33 Ground Water Cleanup Begins Near New Cassel Industrial Area in Nassau County he US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has specifically addresses one portion of the site. The USEPA held a Tfinalized its plan to clean up a portion of contaminated public meeting in Westbury, NY on August 15, 2013 to explain its ground water beneath the New Cassel/Hicksville Ground Water plan, and the agency received public comment for 60 days and Contamination Superfund site in the towns of Hempstead, North considered public input before finalizing the plan. Hempstead and Oyster Bay in Nassau County, NY. Ground water at the site is contaminated with harmful volatile organic compounds, Aquifer Contamination which are often found in paint, solvents, aerosol sprays, clean- The Magothy aquifer, Nassau County’s primary source of drink- ers, disinfectants, automotive products and dry cleaning fluids. ing water, has been contaminated by the volatile organic com- Repeated and direct exposure to volatile organic compounds can pounds. This contaminated drinking water has been treated since damage health. 1990 before it is provided to area residents. The water supply is “Virtually everyone on Long Island relies on ground water as monitored regularly to ensure that the water quality meets federal their source of drinking water, making it imperative that Long and state drinking water standards. Island’s drinking water is protected from pollution,” said EPA Ground water testing by the USEPA in 2010 confirmed the Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “This cleanup will help presence of elevated levels of volatile organic compounds in the protect people’s health and the drinking water supplies on which ground water feeding 11 public water supply wells, six in Hicksville, people and commerce depend.” four in Hempstead and one in Westbury. The site was added to the Because of the nature and complexity of the contamination at federal Superfund list of contaminated hazardous waste sites in the site, the USEPA is dividing the investigation and cleanup into 2011. phases. The plan is in the first USEPA phase of the cleanup and Cleanup Plan Components The final cleanup plan for this portion of the cleanup includes construction of a plant to extract and treat ground water contaminated with volatile organic compounds above a specific level. If used to full capacity, the treatment plant would treat up to 500,000 gallons per day. In some areas, a vapor stripper would be used on individual wells to force air through contaminated ground water to remove the volatile organic compounds. The air in the stripper causes the chemicals to change from a liquid to a gas, which is then collected and cleaned. Depending on the results of a study, the most heavily contaminated ground water would be treated using a process such as chemical oxidation to break down the harmful contaminants in the ground water into water and by-products such as carbon dioxide. The oxidants would be pumped into the ground water at different depths in the contaminated area. Each injection would be followed by monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of Map showing the USEPA’s Record Of Decision the treatment, and the USEPA will require periodic collection (ROD) for Operable Unit One (OU1) of the New Cassel/Hicksville Ground Water Contamination Superfund Site. It identifies the and analysis of ground water samples to verify that the levels and 11 public water supply wells and the OU1, the area where the cleanup will occur. extent of contaminants are declining. The Superfund program operates on the principle that polluters should pay for the cleanups, rather than passing the costs to taxpayers. After sites are placed on the Superfund list of the most contaminated waste sites, the USEPA searches for parties legally responsible for the contamination and seeks to hold them accountable for the costs of investigations and cleanups. The USEPA estimates the cost of this cleanup will be about $22.9 million. Consistent with its policy, the USEPA will seek to engage those parties legally responsible for the contamination in implementing the cleanup at the site. To view the USEPA’s Record of Decision for the New Cassel/Hicksville Ground Water Contamination Superfund site, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/new cassel/index.html. Maps: USEPA, ROD New Cassel/Hicksville Ground Water Contamination Superfund Site, OU1, Sept. 2013. This shows the conceptual design for the remedy selected in the USEPA’s ROD for This information was provided by USEPA Region 2 information Phase 1 at the selected site. The “target circles” represent vapor stripping wells. office. 34 Clear Waters Spring 2014 TOTAL WATER MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS ADAPTABLE FOR TODAY'S CHANGING DEMANDS

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Clear Waters Spring 2014 35 LISS Publishes Science Book Synthesizing Decades of Long Island Sound Research

he Long Island Sound Study (LISS) recently announced coordinator at the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve that the most comprehensive review and synthesis of in Durham, NH; and Corey Garza, a professor at the Division of scientifi c research of the Long Island Sound in 35 years Science and Environmental Policy at California State University in is now available as a book published by Springer titled, Monterey Bay, CA. TLong Island Sound: Prospects for the Urban Sea. It was written by Long Island Sound, which has been described as “The Urban scientists, resource managers, and historians, working with LISS who Sea,” is an estuary that provides economic and recreational benefi ts gathered nearly 1,500 research to millions of people, while also providing habitat for more than papers to summarize what is 1,200 invertebrates, 170 species of fi sh, and dozens of species of known about the historic and recent trends of the ecological migratory birds. The LISS is a cooperative effort between the USEPA health of Long Island Sound. and the states of Connecticut and New York to restore and protect Six technical chapters describe the Sound and its ecosystem. To learn more about LISS, visit www. the Sound’s human history, longislandsoundstudy.net. geology, physical oceanogra- phy, geochemistry, pollutant This information was provided through communications staff on behalf of history, and biology and ecol- the Long Island Sound Offi ce of the US Environmental Protection Agency. ogy. A seventh chapter details Contact Robert Burg, communications coordinator, at rburg@longisland the cross-cutting issues and soundstudy.net. the complex interrelationships between different environmental and socio-economic trends to help provide guidance to planners, environmental managers, and policy makers on how to manage coastal waters such as the Sound. “Synthesizing decades of research into one volume will be of enormous value for environmental managers and policy makers,” said James S. Latimer, a research scientist with the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the lead editor on the volume. “They will have access to knowledge from the best research available about the Sound as they make critical decisions on protecting natural resources valued by citizens and vital to the region’s economy.” Among the new and enduring challenges addressed in the book’s technical chapters and synthesis chapter are climate change, coastal development and use confl icts, fi sheries management goals, emerg- ing contaminants, invasive species, and nutrient pollution. As described in the book’s preface, the Science and Technical Advisory Committee of the Long Island Sound Study identifi ed the need for a synthesis of new science on the Sound, and fi rst developed an outline of the book at a workshop. The LISS, part of the National Estuary Program and charged with restoring and protecting the Sound, had developed a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan in 1994. But the science upon which the plan was based was approaching 20 years old and the management lexicon of the time didn’t even include climate change. The USEPA provided funding for the development of the book through cooperative agree- ments with the Connecticut and New York Sea Grant Programs. Besides Latimer, the book’s other editors are: Mark A. Tedesco, director of the USEPA Long Island Sound Offi ce in Stamford; R. Lawrence Swanson, a professor at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University; Charles Yarish, a professor at the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut in Stamford; Paul E. Stacey, a research

36 Clear Waters Spring 2014 CREATing Climate Resilience by Daniel D’Agostino

he effects of climate change will pose an unavoidable chal- Specifying Threats lenge to the water utility sector. Changes in the frequency The threats examined in CREAT can have multiple consequences Tand severity of rain events, extreme weather, sea level that vary in severity. These consequences include things like Utility rise, droughts, increased energy demand and rising temperatures Business Impacts, Utility Equipment Damage, Source/Receiving all directly impact water utilities, municipalities and ratepayers. Water Impacts, Environmental Impacts and Community Public The potential for critical service disruptions will increase, with Health Impacts. The tool can be directed to assign the highest Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Irene serving as the most recent consequence value to each of these impacts or the user can elect to examples of this. With municipal and federal budgets at their nadir, weight them differently. decisions regarding climate change resiliency have never been more critical. Now is the time to make informed decisions, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT) can help utilities decide how to best achieve resilience to climate change in the future and extreme events occurring now. Pronounced “create,” it enables utility managers and operators to assess the impact climate change will have on utilities. Utility managers can use CREAT to compare the risk reduction that various adaptation plans offer and select, and asses their implementation. It is not a hydrologic model, nor is it a process model. It cannot determine if a speciﬁc building will ﬂood, or if a certain type of pump will stop working if it is submerged. What CREAT does do is guide utility managers and operators in the process of risk analysis and assists them in planning for climate change from a risk-based approach. The USEPA is committed to assist- ing utilities in their prepa- rations for climate change and extreme weather events, and using CREAT is a way to become better prepared.

Tool Setup The CREAT program guides users through an intuitive set-up process. To start, a user will be required to enter basic information about the utility to be examined. This basic information for a wastewater or drinking water utility will include items like design capacity, daily average influent, or average household water costs and length Coastal evacuation sign for storm readiness of the distribution systems. The locations and elevations of all facilities are required inputs for CREAT to provide the user access The user must specify which type of threats will be assessed. This to localized historical climate data and future climate predictions. is a necessary step, as all possible threats from climate change may The CREAT tool determines three representative climate models not affect every utility. For example, an inland utility will not be that may be used to calculate risk. These models include a “Hot and affected by sea-level rise. These threats include the loss of coastal Dry,” a “Midrange” and a “Warm and Wet” climate scenario, along wetlands, loss of coastal landforms, altered surface water quality, with a “Central” model projection and a “Historical” projection that coastal storm surges, high flow events and many others. Lastly, if utilizes current climate conditions. the user previously selected the “Assess Likelihood” analysis option, The user can specify up to five time periods that are to be exam- the user must assign a likelihood of each threat at each of the time ined using CREAT. Time periods can be chosen to coincide with intervals specified. municipal funding cycles or projected timing of climate change impacts. Selecting Physical Assets Next, the user will specify the type of likelihood approach the The tool then requires the user to select which physical assets tool will use. The first scenario, “Conditional Likelihood” assumes are to be included in the risk analysis. Assets can be categorized that all examined threats will occur. The second scenario, “Assess as natural resources or infrastructure. For example, if a wastewater Likelihood,” will calculate risk based on the probability that a threat plant is being analyzed, the user may specify natural resources such may occur. These likelihood values are assigned later. as wetlands and receiving waters, and infrastructure assets such as continued on page 38 Clear Waters Spring 2014 37 continued from page 37 pump stations and treatment plant surface structures. The user will which adaptation measures merit further investigation. The CREAT then identify which assets are affected by which threats. So, for a tool can be used iteratively, whereby the user can review calculated wastewater or drinking water plant building located in a floodplain, results and go back and make modifications to selected adaptation the user would assign a relevant threat like “coastal storm surges.” measures or select completely different measures. The tool can be used to compare options like grey and green infrastructure in order Analysis and Determining Adaptive Measures to determine the most cost-effective risk management option. Once all of the setup requirements are entered by the user, the tool can be used to conduct a “Baseline Analysis.” It will be per- Valuable to Utility Managers and Engineers formed for each of the identified assets, for each of the selected While CREAT is a useful tool for guiding decisions, it is only as climate models and for each of the identified time intervals. The accurate and as powerful as the information that is entered into it. concept of “risk” is the product of an event’s occurrence and the Input data and assumptions need to be founded in reality. severity of its consequences. A Baseline Analysis uses the probability When starting out with CREAT, users should also understand that threats will occur, and the severity of these threats, to give the that the model can perform calculations on a specific part of the user an interpretation of the risk posed by a specific climate change system to be analyzed. For example, a drinking water plant can threat. just use CREAT to determine the risks of climate change on their After the baseline analysis is performed the user can then select source waters, and not enter assets like plant buildings into the tool. adaptation measures from within the Adaptation Planning section of Similarly, a user can elect to only analyze one particular climate sce- the tool. A library of adaptive technologies and measures to choose nario, or only one particular time interval. This will provide fewer from is provided. The user will determine what threats each mea- conclusions, but the time required to use the tool will be decreased. sure will address, and can also enter in estimated initial capital and The CREAT instrument has the potential to be a valuable tool to Operations and Maintenance costs. Groups of adaptive measures utility managers and engineers and should be investigated by those can be combined and organized into “Adaptation Packages” for looking to have a guide or framework for their adaptation decisions. which CREAT can determine the reduction in risk each measure It should be used by utility managers to identify the most cost-effec- will provide. It also calculates risk reduction per dollar invested in a tive adaptation decisions. Should funding be available, the USEPA particular adaptation measure or each adaptation package. will be providing webinars and training events in the near future. After adaptation measures are selected, CREAT is used to conduct a “Resilience Analysis.” Risk is calculated as in the previous analysis, Daniel D’Agostino ([email protected]) holds a master’s in envi- but this time, the adaptive measures are included in the risk calcu- ronmental engineering and is an environmental engineer with the US lation. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 in New York, NY. He also works on the State Revolving Fund Program. The USEPA Region 2 is committed Tool Output to offering assistance to all who use CREAT. Please also refer to the URLs below for more information: Results are tabulated and presented in a variety of user-friendly http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/climate/creat.cfm reports, graphs and matrices. Both the baseline and resilience sce- http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/climate/ narios are presented side by side so the user can readily determine Photos provided by D. D’Agostino A water treatment utility

38 Clear Waters Spring 2014 continued from page 7 Highlights of 86th Annual Meeting continued Right (l-r): Darlene Ciuffetelli, Anthony DellaValle and Joyette Tyler

Above (l-r): Richard Lyons (President in 2012), Warren Schlickenrieder (President in 1965), Executive Director Patricia Cerro-Reehil and outgoing Treasurer (and President in 1977) Nicholas J. Bartilucci

NYWEA Board Members Wendi Richards, left, and Kathleen O’Connor

Left: Valentine Lehr is recognized as a long standing member of Right: Joe Fiegl accepts NYWEA’s 50 years during the Collection System Safety Award on Awards Luncheon. behalf of Erie County.

Allen Fok of Manhattan College Florence Braunius, Chief Operator Adam Cummings receives the receives the Student Chapter in Speculator, is recognized for her Young Professionals Award. Service Award. service on the Wastewater Operator Certiﬁcation Governance Council.

Above: Represen ta- tives from Monroe County DES, (left) Mike Garland, Director, and Daniel DeLaus, Deputy County Executive, accept the Municipal Achievement Award.

Photos courtesy of Members of the Public Outreach Committee (Back row, l-r), Robin Gillespie, Khris Dodson, Keneck Skibinski and Bob Adamski, Joe Corrado, Mike Garland, Richard Pope, Joe Brilling and Chris Korzenko. Bruce Munn is inducted into the McCormick Photography (Front row, l-r): Beth Petrillo and Donna Hager NYWEA Hall of Fame. Clear Waters Spring 2014 39 Floatables Surveillance over the Internet by Charles Schnabolk

ewer systems throughout the nation face the problem of aims to reduce the number of ocean beach closings due to floatable preventing water-borne waste and other debris from pollut- debris ending up on the sand. There is also the Combined Sewer Sing beaches and washing into shipping lanes. This buoyant Overflow Studies Program, initiated by the US Environmental garbage consists of street litter, medical waste, industrial plant efflu- Protection Agency (USEPA) to gather information on storm over- via, plain old sewage and even galley waste from ships. Attempts to flows that discharge floatables into waterways. The International lower the amount of floatables over the last decade has involved Coastal Campaign aims to increase public awareness about the more frequent cleaning of the catch basins and installing hangers adverse impact of marine debris and a five-year study, known as and hoods inside these basins. Federal, state and municipal author- the National Marine Debris Monitoring Program was established ities have enacted laws and regulations to address the problem of to describe the various types of debris washing onto beaches. In floatables but many of the rules overlap and some are redundant. addition, there is the Storm Drain Sentries Program, developed to Maintaining compliance with all these rules and regulations is a address the impact floatables have on storm drain systems and sur- never-ending task for local environmental protection agencies. rounding watersheds. Disposing of rain and wastewater has been a continuous and major challenge to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) simply because of the sheer size and growing population of New York City. This wastewater problem is in contrast to the city’s fresh water supply system, which is the most extensive municipal water system in the world. Almost 95 percent of the fresh water flowing into New York is supplied by gravity from the Catskill/ Delaware reservoir. This elevation difference removes most of the problems associated with fresh waterlines located in regions that can’t rely on gravity feed. New York City may appear to have ben- efitted by being surrounded by rivers and bays when disposing of Although a liquid environment can safely disperse and dissolve rain and treated wastewater, but that advantage, to a great extent, biodegradable pollutants and debris to a large degree, solid waste actually magnifies the problem instead of mitigating it. Escaping creates another problem since it is often made up of synthetic floatables accumulating at containment sites and at other outflows in materials, which remain in the marine environment for many years the nearby bays are literally out of the sight of supervisory authorities without decomposing harmlessly in rivers and oceans. This buoyant at land-based NYCDEP facilities. The bureau in charge of waste and material can travel long distances over the waters and ultimately rain water control had to find another way to monitor the out-of- find itself far from its source resulting in injuries from sharp objects sight floatable debris which appears to have been accomplished by and health risks from disease transmission. Such debris has even using state-of-the-art closed circuit television surveillance (CCTV) been known to disable vessels. Floatables are also eyesores which can technology. contaminate beaches and adversely impact a region’s recreation and tourist industry. In a recent year, the State of New York listed about Containment Boom Barriers 140 beaches that had experienced closure or received advisories Over 148,000 catch basins are located in New York City. Most of about water quality, and 50 percent of these events were due directly them are equipped with hoods and hangers, which are credited with to combined sewer overflows (CSOs) discharge. The deleterious capturing 90 percent of the floatables that, otherwise, would have impact of this material can also cause shellfish bed closures and entered the storm sewer and combined overflows system. A signifi- reduce the prospect of fish survival. cant amount of floatables still manage to get through all the screens A sample of environmental regulations related to rain and waste- and barriers because of the configuration of the hood and hanger, water treatment include: a two-piece system that has to be removed periodically to flush the V Beach Environmental Assessment and Coastal (BEACH) Act basins with clamshell buckets (see illustration). During the cleaning of V Clean Water Act (considered the “Master Plan” to clean the nation’s the outgoing pipes, there is a 50 waterways) percent chance of the improper V Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act replacement of the hoods, allow- V Water Quality Act ing greater quantities of waste V Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act material to escape into the sewer V National Marine Debris Monitoring Program system and eventually to flow into V National CSO Control Strategy the nearby rivers and bays where V Marine Protection & Sanctuaries Act the floatables gather within the V The Shore Protection Act boom areas at containment sites. V The Shore Protection Act Some cities, Boston for example, attach the hoods to the hang- Tracking Floatables into Waterways ers so they can’t be completely Several other related programs have been developed to deal with removed, but not all cities contain water discharge. One of these is the Floatable Action Plan, which basins wide enough to attach the Pages 40–41 images courtesy of National Water Main Cleaning, www.nwmcc.com 40 Clear Waters Spring 2014 hoods in this manner. ators was stolen, forcing the department to hire an around-the-clock Floatables remain contained until they either overflow the barrier security guard service to protect the six sites. booms and enter the adjacent waterway or are removed by skimmer The NYCDEP Division of Engineering, working with the consult- vessels before that occurs. These sites are somewhat inaccessible. ing engineering firm, modified the design of the solar-powered The usually shallow water level at the sites necessitates the use of low surveillance system so it could be used for security as well as in the draft jet-powered boats rather than propeller-driven craft to gain monitoring of the six pumping stations. It took about a month to access, especially at low tide. Visibly inspecting the sites is the only install the units for a total cost of $150,000, replacing the guard ser- way to know if large quantities of floatables are about to overflow vice that would have cost over $400,000 for the year needed to repair the booms. Sending skimmer boats to the sites when there were no the original pumps. The wireless surveillance units not only solved floatables to be collected proved to be a waste of time and money. the theft problem but proved to cost far less than the initial purchase Using helicopters to conduct visual inspection of the sites is not a price since the six surveillance units were scheduled to be removed long-term solution, nor is it very cost effective. and reused at containment sites the following year. In order to adequately monitor the sites before dispatching skimmer boats, the NYCDEP developed, in 2012, a pilot program to Component Selection conduct the monitoring remotely. The agency installed a wireless, Solar-powered mobile TV systems have been available for many self-sustaining solar-powered CCTV system that relies on a cellular years and are sometimes used by police departments to monitor service to transmit real time images. It allows video to be viewed from special events and by several government agencies in charge of anywhere in the world via the internet. With the assistance of Tec protecting sensitive property all over the nation and in foreign Solutions, a NYC-based consulting engineering firm, the first system lands. In recent years, there has been a concerted effort by security was installed in Flushing Bay and became the pilot program that integrators to use the more efficient solar panel surveillance systems ultimately will be expanded to all the containment sites surrounding to replace many stationary camera installations, even where a local the city. The cost for the surveillance system will be covered by the power source is available. money saved from eliminating the need to dispatch boats and crews There are wireless systems being developed that can monitor a unnecessarily to outflow sites that have no floatables. When complet- 1000-foot long fence using only two thermal CCTV cameras mounted in 2014, this wireless solar-powered CCTV surveillance system will ed back-to-back in the middle section of the fence. be one of, if not the largest such self-sustaining system in the nation. Overall, the acceptance of self-standing wireless solar systems has been less than overwhelming and conventional hard-wired cable Monitoring Remote Areas CCTV surveillance that connects cameras to fixed monitors still com- The NYCDEP has a staff of 6,300 employees which, among its prise up to 99 percent of the surveillance industry. The engineering many responsibilities, oversees the upstate water supply, the munic- design process for a solar-powered CCTV surveillance system, like ipal water and sewer operations and the wastewater treatment. The the one used at NYCDEP pumping stations and containment sites, agency operates 14 water pollution control plants, 96 wastewater requires a great deal of compatible components and special software pump stations, six de-watering facilities and 490 sewer regulators that are not required at sites where power and a communication link with six thousand miles of sewers, all of which treat an average of 1.5 is available. billion gallons of wastewater a day. Except for its size, the challenges Network server it faces are not unique and are indeed common throughout the captures, records, This application environmental protection field. Continuous surveillance of critical and archives video allows you to view thus allowing the capture, record, combined sewer overflow containment sites is essential in order for user to retrieve and view video a municipal sewer system, in any size city, to come into compliance stored video from anywhere in with codes and regulations. surveillance. the world via the internet. The same need for remote surveillance can also be found at Wireless solar certain land-based NYCDEP sites at which there is no infrastructure powered surveillance and are inaccessible by vehicle. In such areas, the only practical system solution is to install a solar-powered wireless CCTV surveillance system. Besides CSO outflows, there are other sensitive sites that lack infrastructure but require continuous surveillance including storage areas, construction sites, marine terminals and especially reservoirs and aqueducts. Solar system components not only have to be the right size and Uniformed Guard versus Electronic Technology configuration but they should be designed to operate almost with- Even the most carefully planned and efficiently operated sewage out maintenance at open but mostly inaccessible sites in all types treatment systems are not always capable of handling calamities of adverse weather conditions. Images of floatables should be pro- caused by Mother Nature. The best recent example of this is the grammed to be sent at least three times a day for a few seconds: the flooding last year caused by Hurricane Sandy. Six NYC underground first one at 9 a.m. every morning, and then at each low and high pumping stations were drowned in 10 feet of water, rendering them tide. The software programs also allows streaming images when an powerless and inoperative for an extended period of time. While the authorized NYCDEP official uses the on-demand feature (after a rain restoration work went on underground, the NYCDEP was forced to storm, etc.), to interrogate the system. purchase generators and pumping equipment that were temporarily placed above the flooded underground stations at a cost of over $100,000 for each of the six units. After a month, one of the gener- continued on page 43

Clear Waters Spring 2014 41 42 Clear Waters Spring 2014 continued from page 41 Description and Operation zones and the batteries should have enough power to operate at least The following component descriptions may appear overly cautious four or five days without sun. In southern states, which experience since they include the basic mounting pole, but each component, if hurricanes, there may be consecutive cloudy periods that could not chosen correctly, can cause the failure of a surveillance system cause a problem. Battery packs must also have a built-in “low-battery” that can cost well over $20,000 after installation. Each non-corrosive warning signal that is activated when the batteries fall below 40 per- component has to be mounted securely on the metal pole, which cent of their full capacity. must withstand wind gusts that might blow off the solar panel. Under Camera: This component is obviously the heart of any CCTV sys- certain conditions, the solar panel may actually fly off like a kite. tem, whether it involves a solar-powered unit in an outdoor environ- Solar Panel: The energy needed to power the camera and other ment or conventional wireless cameras mounted in a controlled area pole-mounted components has to be balanced against the topogra- with a local power source. Units in either location transmit video phy and amount of sunlight the site receives during the changing images through the Internet cellular service to the control center or seasons. For example, the panels will have to be twice as large in to any hand-held communication device. That is the only similarity Buffalo as they would have to be in Miami. If the site is shaded part between the two differently-powered camera systems. Solar powered of the day by trees and buildings, that should be another factor that cameras have to operate with as little maintenance as possible since has to be calculated into the size selection process. The panel should servicing a camera in the middle of the East River or at remote res- always be selected for a worst-case scenario, such as when storm ervoirs in the Catskills is more difficult than repairing a wireless unit clouds hide the sun for a week or longer. If the sun shines four hours in a pre-school nursery. a day then the unit will have to generate enough power to charge the Many sites will require the internet protocol or IP-addressable battery for the remaining 20 hours. camera to be in the middle of the boom area, which creates a far Solar panels have to be mounted at the proper angle to face the greater challenge to the installation company than units mounted moving sun in order to collect as much energy as possible. There is on a cement base on land. A dual-lens camera is often preferred data available that identifies each site by zip code, which includes because it can operate in the day (color) and in at night (back & recommendations for the proper angle at any particular location white). The few cameras specifically designed for all- weather out- during the day light hours. In the northern hemisphere, the panel door use should contain a temperature sensor that automatically must face south and, logically, in the southern hemisphere it should sends an image when the water around the camera site freezes. face north. There are published charts available from solar panel Image Quality: The expected mediocrity of a cellular-transmitted distributors that can be helpful in the selection process but the final picture is not a significant shortcoming since the only image to be selection should involve experts who have some experience in the captured is floating garbage. Some of the newer cameras do offer complex field of solar energy output. amazing 41-megapixel picture quality, however, the megapixel count Batteries: The battery should be housed in a NEMA 3-type water is not important since there is no need to capture high-definition tight enclosure and, in certain situations, two sealed lead-acid stor- images of license plates on a car traveling 80 mph. A 2-megapix- age batteries will be required. In general, one large battery is suffi- el camera is ideal and sometimes offers more quality than a cient, unless streaming video for long periods of time is required. 20-megapixel camera. It is known how many hours of sunlight there are in different time Misconceptions still arise about zoom lenses in a digital IP camera since it has no lens moving in and out to capture the telephoto image as most hand-held cameras have. Some manufacturers claim a 3X digital zoom but their claim – which is usually applied to the image of a small area expanded onto a larger print – is disingenuous at best. Basically, the higher the definition of the picture (the more pixels) the more bandwidth is required. So when using a surveillance system to capture images of floating garbage, low quality pictures are not only perfectly acceptable but they will also allow more image transmission. Under a 5G (generation bandwidth) monthly cellular service cap, the system could stream the following bandwidth times which can be used to balance the clarity of the picture and bandwidth availability before hitting the cap. The clearer the picture, the more bandwidth is consumed: V Low-picture quality (50 kilobytes) – 200 hours V Medium quality (100 kilobytes) – 100 hours V Very-high quality (2 megabytes) – five (5) hours Special Camera Features: Flash pictures are needed in situations where security is paramount, like capturing someone stealing a pump or trespassing at a reservoir. When at a floatable containment site, the low-light level camera provides more than adequate images day and night. Motion detectors built into many digital cameras include the passive infrared detector (PIR), which may not be applicable at water sites but is very useful at sites where there may be trespassing or risk of theft, such as those at pumping stations or marine terminals. The SD memory card is an essential feature since a waterborne camera is

Photo courtesy of TEC Solutions continued on page 45 Clear Waters Spring 2014 43 It’s not just our business, it’s our responsibility.

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Imagine the result 44 Clear Waters Spring 2014 continued from page 43 diffi cult to service and lance system is not concerned with a cellular provider, but is now at cellular service may the mercy of the building’s IT department which dictates how the sometimes be unavail- bandwidth is shared. able, all of which Modems–Router. These digitally operated devices are an essential makes it important part of an internet-based system and the end-user should be aware that the camera unit that selection of the modem (sometimes referred to as cellular is capable of storing modem) differs from the one in a home. It is used to connect to the images for up to a internet but the modem for 3G service cannot be used when the ser- week when cellular vice changes to 4G but the 4G modem has a backward capacity and service is unavailable. can be used with a 3G service. In other words, if there is a possibility The imagery remains that a 3G will become 4G in the future – install the 4G modem or captured in the cam- router. The router is used to allow multiple devices to share the con- era for later retrieval. nection to the Internet. Either unit will send images via the Internet Lens: A wide angle to a server, whether the server is located on the NYCDEP premises lens (11mm to 22 or on a storage Cloud. mm) provides the Photo courtesy of TEC Solutions Hot Swap Maintenance: Wireless surveillance systems, when Example of fl oatables in a river proper fi eld of view installed at sites where repairs and even simple component adjust- for a typical containment site. A color lens provides daylight images ments can become a very diffi cult task so the entire system should while a second lens provides black-and-white observation at night. be serviced under a “hot-swap” arrangement. This means that, when Black-and-white lens provide images that offer 10 times the defi ni- adjustments and/or repairs are required, the pole with the compo- tion of color lenses. One lens can be telephoto while another may nents be removed entirely and replaced with a spare working system have wide angle capabilities and they are many other choices of while the problem unit is repaired at the factory for a future swap. interchangeable lens. Designing a wireless solar-powered system may appear to be a There are relatively few manufacturers that make a camera that simple task since it involves the combining of commercially available offer all the recommended features and there are even fewer sales- components – but there are some basic technical limitations that men that understand the basic operating features needed for an out- have to be carefully evaluated before designing and installing such a door camera to be installed in a harsh environment and which will system. Furthermore, video images at the sites need to be captured rely on a cellular provider and be powered by the sun. It is advisable on a dedicated network server located on the NYCDEP premises that a complex CCTV system not be purchased as an off-the-shelf or sent to the Cloud, where they are recorded and archived, thus conventional surveillance system since it likely will not long outlast allowing the user to retrieve stored video surveillance at any time. the standard warranty period. The images should also be stored on the camera’s SD memory card, Cellular Service: This has proven to be the most troublesome a feature not all cameras can offer. There are other important fac- problem in designing and selecting a solar-powered wireless sur- tors that have to be addressed for each situation since there is no veillance system. Mobile broadband was originally envisioned as a cookie-cutter system that meets all the environmental challenges to sporadic service for sales people and not as a substitute for a hard- be found in unprotected and inaccessible outdoor locations. The wired connection. That concept has changed and cellular service is areas to be protected are sometimes so remote that cellular service now used every part of the day by millions of people and entities, is unavailable or inadequate, but in most situations where there is no including environmental protection agencies. infrastructure, a solar powered CCTV surveillance system provides Remote or waterborne sites have to be tested to determine cel- the only reliable solution for video surveillance. It will also provide lular signal strength since there is a real possibility that there is no images 24/7 on any digital device that has access to the Internet. acceptable cellular provider covering certain remote low-use areas, particularly around reservoirs surrounded by hundreds of acres of Charles Schnabolk, PE, EE, PSP (certifi ed Physical Security Professional) forests and state-owned land. The test can rely on a smart phone to is a consulting engineer and senior partner with the Security Design Group determine signal coverage or signal strength can be found on the in New York City. He has designed security systems for large and complex “coverage area maps” issued by cellular providers. institutions since 1970 when he designed the security system for the World Trade Center. He is the author of the book “Physical Security: Practices Bandwidth is a factor that few security integrators or end-users and Technology” and has been on the faculty of several universities. He take into account when selecting a monthly service program offered may be contacted at [email protected] or 917-597-8462. by cellular providers. Needless to say, this is far more complicated than selecting a two-year package for a phone or lap top. In general, the monthly fee usually covers a bandwidth of fi ve megabytes (MB), which is enough for almost all environmental protection sites, though not enough for capturing live “streaming” pictures for long stretches of time. Proper software can solve 99 percent of the bandwidth problem by programming the system to transmit images at pre-set times and to limit streaming video to short video clips only if motion is detected. Conventional hard-wired CCTV systems have no need to rely on a cellular network or have a large bandwidth unless there are many cameras in a building where video images are shared through an internal network with other digital devices. Then the CCTV surveil-

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The orange flare along I-95 near Castor Avenue isn’t lit anymore. Today, “we’re moving toward a new name,” said Philadelphia It used to burn off excess methane produced at this Philadelphia Water Commissioner Howard Neukrug. “The industry is calling sewage treatment plant. But with the completion of a $47.5 million them ‘water resource recovery facilities.’ ” project, the gas now is transformed into heat and electricity, putting At Philadelphia’s Southeast plant, a system recently was installed the plant front and center in a sewage paradigm shift. These days, to recover the heat in the sewage stream, which is about 60 degrees the stinky sludge, the stuff of our toilets, has a new future. Experts in winter, 75 degrees or more in summer. see not an abomination, but a resource. The York County plant has a process that recovers phosphorus – a “We are just at the beginning of what we can do with sewage,” said fertilizer in limited supply worldwide – for processing and reuse. Allison Deines, director of special projects at the Water Environment Some day, Neukrug and others say, it may be both technologically Research Foundation, a Virginia-based nonprofit for wastewater and and economically feasible to mine sludge for other nutrients and storm water issues. heavy metals. She and colleague Lauren Fillmore, senior program director for At the city’s Northeast plant in Bridesburg, the resource is “bio- energy, lauded Philadelphia as an early adopter. gas.” “It takes a long time just to get a few supporters of innovative There, sewage solids are separated and sent to eight 2.1 mil- technology,” Fillmore said. “I definitely want to credit Philadelphia lion-gallon tanks, where bacteria digest the material and reduce its with being a leader.” volume. In the process, they give off a flammable gas that is roughly When municipalities started piping sewage away from residential 63 percent methane. areas, the receiving facilities were known as sewage treatment plants. Christopher Crockett, Water Department deputy commissioner They did little but settle out the solids. for planning and environmental services, likens the process to that In the 1980s, in the wake of national clean-water legislation, they in the human stomach, gas and all. Stuff arrives; microbes digest it. became “water pollution control plants.” “This is just a larger, industrial-size scale,” he said. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Water Department A General Electric Jenbacher 420 engine at the Northeast Combined Heat and Power Facility is designed to run on biogas produced when bacteria digest sewage. The flammable gas is roughly 63 percent methane. 48 Clear Waters Spring 2014 The remaining solid matter used to go to a landfi ll. Now, it’s sent tons a year – the equivalent of taking 4,833 cars off I-95, or planting to a plant near Philadelphia International Airport, to be converted 5,390 acres of pine forest – by Water Department calculations. into pellets to fertilize golf courses and farms, or fuel cement kilns. Department offi cials had mulled a biogas cogeneration plant for But back to the gas. a while. But, ironically, electricity rates were low enough that the It is piped to the new biogas “cogeneration” facility on the site of project would not be economically feasible. the Northeast plant. Recently, however, rates increased to a point where it made fi nan- In essence, cogeneration is the simultaneous production of elec- cial sense. tricity and heat from a single fuel source, according to the U.S. The city partnered with Ameresco Inc., a Massachusetts-based Environmental Protection Agency, which endorsed the technology. company that specializes in energy effi ciency and infrastructure After treatment to remove moisture, hydrogen sulfi de, and “silox- upgrades for facilities across North America. anes” – residue from the decomposition of soap, shampoo, and Financing came from Bank of America, which technically owns other personal-care products – the gas is burned in four massive the facility; the city is leasing it for 16 years, with an early buyout reciprocating engines. option. The result is 43 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year, enough The project also qualifi es for an investment tax credit of about $14 to power more than 4,000 typical homes – or, more pertinent to the million and a $3.9 million state energy effi ciency rebate. project, enough to meet 85 percent of the power needs of the sewage The plant gets praise not only for producing electricity from waste, treatment plant. but also for producing it onsite, avoiding the electricity losses from The combustion also produces heat. Much of it is captured and transmission. returned to the digesters, where it helps keep the sludge mix at 95 The next goal: producing all the plant’s electricity needs, to create degrees, the optimal temperature for microbes to do their job. a net-zero facility. “Very simple,” said Paul M. Kohl, Water Department energy pro- The beauty of it, in Kohl’s view, is that the plant’s core mission gram manager. What’s not simple, he said, is getting there – the – “to treat [wastewater] and discharge high quality effl uent and miles of piping, the heat exchangers, the monitors, computers and cost-effectively use the solids” – isn’t compromised by the newbie other instrumentation, all in communication. operation. All told, the process captures more than 80 percent of the Capturing waste methane and putting it to work, Kohl added, is available energy for heat and electricity, according to the Water “a bonus.” Department. In contrast, a coal-fi red electricity generating station is about 35 percent effi cient. Sandy Bauers is an environmental reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer The plant’s carbon emissions have been reduced by about 22,000 and may be contacted at [email protected].

Clear Waters Spring 2014 49 50 Clear Waters Spring 2014 Energy-Saving Wastewater Treatment Technology Piloted at Two Upstate Sites by Alex Wright

he New York State Energy Research and Development wastewater treatment plants to be more sustainable through a com- Authority (NYSERDA) has awarded the Rochester company bination of energy savings and onsite energy production,” according TClearCove, Inc. funding to demonstrate a new wastewater to ClearCove CEO Greg Westbrook. treatment system that is expected to save energy while reducing Installation of the patented screening system will take place at treatment costs. The technology also is expected to bring an addi- the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Nott Road tional benefit: the creation of a carbon-rich byproduct that can be Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Town of Guilderland. The used as an efficient fuel for generating biogas through anaerobic screening technology enhances the settling techniques that water digestion. The demonstration will take place at two sites in upstate treatment plants typically use to process sewage. The process reduces New York. For the two projects, NYSERDA has provided $300,000 energy use by removing more organic matter from the waste stream and ClearCove is contributing an additional $300,000. before it undergoes aeration or secondary treatment. “We believe our technology supports NYSERDA’s goal of allowing Byproduct Fuel: At the same time, the study seeks to show an additional benefit: that ClearCove’s system creates an organic byproduct Conventional System that can be used for anaerobic digestion – the process of breaking down organic materials to create a biogas that is burned to generate electricity. Studies have demonstrated that the organic matter captured by its primary treatment system and used in anaerobic digestion generates three times more biogas than organic matter that is typically taken from secondary treatment systems does. This will allow facilities to even further offset their energy use with onsite renewable energy generation. The Ithaca plant already has onsite digesters. The Nott Road plant is currently looking into bringing its byproduct to a nearby digester, which would reduce the facility’s current cost of transporting and disposing the waste. Advisory Committee: Jason Turgeon of the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Region 1, Lauren Fillmore of the Water Environment Research Foundation, and Richard Lyons, executive

Courtesy of ClearCove, Inc. director of the Albany County Sewer Authority, have agreed to serve Conventional activated-sludge systems typically allow 70 percent of the as advisory committee members for the project. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) to flow downstream for secondary treatment in aeration tanks. In the new system, solids settle to the bottom and the cleaner water above is drawn from a decanter with a fine screen. Energy Expectations On average the process allows 35 percent of BOD to flow downstream. The USEPA estimates that a typical municipal wastewater treat- Adding a coagulant further reduces the downstream BOD concentration to ment plant spends 40 percent of its total operating costs on 10 percent. The primary sludge byproduct of the process enhances biogas production in an anaerobic digester. removing organic matter from wastewater – a significant amount, since wastewater treatment can represent one-third or more of a municipality’s entire utility bill. The new process removes most of the organic waste using a low-energy, gravity-driven process. “We hope to bring our wastewater plant in Ithaca to the point where we are not only meeting our energy needs with onsite biogas production, but are also generating surplus energy for outside use,” said Ithaca Chief Operator Dan Ramer. “We anticipate that this primary treatment process will be instrumental in lowering our energy consumption and in increasing the amount of bio-methane we are generating in our anaerobic digesters.” Keith Edwards, chief operator of the Nott Road Waste- water Treatment Plant, believes that installing this type of technology “could have a dramatic impact on the entire operational efficiency of the plant, from energy usage to substantial savings in sludge processing and disposal.” Courtesy of ClearCove, Inc. A model in achieving self-sufficiency from an energy standpoint is shown in this Alex Wright is Marketing Strategist for ClearCove, Inc. (www. illustration. clearcovesystems.com) in Rochester, NY. Clear Waters Spring 2014 51 What Goes In, Comes Out Clean! Ithaca Facility “Floats” Wastewater Community Awareness by Hank Curtin Spencer We Love a Parade! for the Ithaca Festival which runs through that weekend. Watching Toilets, wastewater treatment, digesters, and renewable energy…. the various floats passing by, I wondered if the IAWWTF had ever not the kind of subjects that come to mind when one thinks of thought of having a float in the parade depicting and celebrating its parades. On the contrary, most people think of gigantic helium contribution to the community. balloons of Mickey Mouse and Snoopy, along with colorful floats and With a lot of training ahead of me learning the multiple tasks marching bands. But when it comes to Ithaca’s annual springtime associated with treating wastewater, I put this idea on the back parade, the city prides burner. Then, one day in the lunch room I seized the opportunity itself on thinking “outside to ask fellow staff members what they thought of participating in the the box.” The Ithaca parade. I was met with very positive feedback followed by permission Festival Parade boasts from the chief operator to go ahead with it. As I have always been such floats as the Chain interested in advocating for environmental awareness, this parade Saw Orchestra and the project really fit the bill! Volvo Ballet, mixed in For in-facility training I still had about two years to go before I was with an array of unique scheduled to begin the required wastewater treatment operations entertainment, including courses at the Environmental Training Center in Morrisville, NY. stilt walkers, jugglers and Photo by Kim Buhl So aside from getting a handle on the various daily routines that Some IAWWTF participants pose in take place in a wastewater facility, I used some flex time to set the all sorts of musicians. costume prior to the start of Ithaca’s Included also has been a spring parade. wheels in motion in making the concept of a wastewater parade float first-of-its-kind “float” that a reality. celebrates the dedicated professionals who comprise the Ithaca Staff Interest and Collaboration: With the support and assistance Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF) and the important of my colleagues, the idea of a parade float blossomed. First, parade environmental work they perform on behalf of the community. organizers were contacted to see if a wastewater treatment facility float would be acceptable as a parade entry. Well received verbally, What It’s All About they required a thorough description of our facility’s presentation, Located on Third Street in Ithaca, the IAWWTF is a 4A activated or float, in an application form that must be reviewed and approved sludge facility that treats 6.5 to 7 million gallons of raw sewage each in order to be in the following year’s parade. The approval came day – with noticeable seasonal variations tied to school schedules, three week later! rainfall and snowmelt. The facility also takes in raw sewage from In an initial lunchroom poll, about 40 percent of the staff outlying homes with septic tanks as well as dairy waste, whey from a had expressed interest in being involved in a parade project. yogurt manufacturer, and hydrolysate from a carcass digester at the Understandably, they all wanted to see what type of ideas I would Cornell Veterinary School. come up with first. The initial design took the form of a science The benefit of what happens here does not solely encompass project: showing town folk a sample of the actual incoming turning “gray” water into pristine effluent which is released into the wastewater in a clear glass tank; then another tank with a sample of Cayuga Lake Basin. Several recent upgrades at the IAWWTF now the aeration tank contents (a major component of the treatment enhance its renewable energy production and make it possible to process); followed by a third tank containing the treated effluent, put into storage and use a portion of the methane previously burned showing how well the process works. This would be mounted on top off. Upgrades include the replacement of old generators with micro of a table secured in the back of a pickup truck. turbines, new mixing equipment and a modified cover for a digester, This idea was met with skepticism by my co-workers for its as well as a biogas storage dome. These, combined with the incoming impracticality. The motion of the truck might cause spillover, waste mentioned, has the plant generating about 60 percent of its possibly into the crowd of onlookers. That was not the type of own energy, compared to 30 percent using its previous systems. message I, or any of us, wished to send! So, it was back to the drawing How to Spread the Good News: Positive news like this should board. be shared with the community it affects. What, in addition to the Then, an idea generated over coffee with a friend, got the float conventional press releases, website and facility tours, could the moving again – why doesn’t the float utilize a fixture related to the IAWWTF do to reach out to the community? The staff wanted to not origins of wastewater – such as a toilet or sink? Another thought: only reach a large group of people but use a more personal approach what if there were costumes that facility employees could wear in publicly showcasing its work to create a cleaner environment and symbolizing the “before and after” process of wastewater treatment produce renewable energy. It eventually became quite clear and and walk in the parade without any motorized vehicles as an added simple – everyone loves a parade! feature of our commitment to sustainability? With this new concept I went to my co-workers for approval, and An Idea that Blossomed this time it was met with all thumbs up. The participation level rose I began working at the IAWWTF in 2008 as a Grade 3 Operator to about 60 percent and included two summer interns. Much to my trainee. During that year, I attended the Ithaca Festival Parade relief, it was now a group project. Additional ideas came pouring which takes place the last Thursday in May. It serves as a kick-off in, such as the lab technician suggesting that since we would show 52 Clear Waters Spring 2014 a toilet, on our parade banner we could say, “We’re Flushed with The year 2013 brought several upgrades to the IAWWTF. Among Pride,” and another theme we could use: “What Goes In … Comes these were the biogas storage dome (mentioned earlier) which Out Clean!” allows the storage of methane for future use when, previously, the Next, I made a presentation using rough sketches describing the plant was forced to burn off a percentage of methane because it fl oat before the Special Joint Committee - a group of representatives was produced faster than it could be utilized. Naturally, this new from the three towns that own the IAWWTF – and was met with addition should be replicated in the parade, so two extra-large white applause and encouragement. We were on our way! balloons were purchased (one put inside the other for strength). It Making the Float: First, searching online, I ordered a toilet was infl ated with letters applied for the logo OVIVO, as the actual costume for about $85. Then a variety of materials needed, such as dome reads. This was attached to the back of the digester costume, stick-on lettering and brick wallpaper were purchased (about $20). and an added sign carried would also identify it. Two lengths of dryer hose – one painted brown and the other bluish This past year our offi ce manager devised and implemented – would symbolize the incoming and outgoing effl uent pipes. A another addition: the designs for four bacteria species involved recycled cardboard box, wrapped in brick paper with stick-on letters, in wastewater treatment. Two each of stalk ciliates, paramecium, became the actual treatment facility. My blue college graduation crawling ciliates and amoebas that break down the wastewater are gown was decorated with prints of fi sh, wildlife and clean water shown by the designs stitched into aprons. These were worn by activities to become the lake. A sampling scoop and dip net became eight children, some of whom are related to employees of both the handles for the signs reading, “What Goes In … Comes Out Clean”. wastewater plant and the city’s water plant. The customized printed banner naming our facility with the “We’re I estimate about 40 hours, and a total cost of approximately $225 Flushed with Pride” motto, came in at a cost of $125. (paid out of facility funds), were spent on producing the IAWWTF’s These elements became our parade fl oat, unveiled for the fi rst contribution to the community parade. time in the 2010 parade. In 2011, we added an anaerobic digester costume to the mix, since The Crowd’s Reaction this is where the energy-rich methane gas is produced. For this I The fi rst year when the big day arrived, what one of our found a 20-inch diameter cutting from a PVC pipe, wrapped half of participants said afterward seemed to sum it up for all of us: “I felt it in some left-over brick paper and that became the digester. A giant like a Rock star!” light bulb hat was purchased online too. Donned by the person who We were met with waves of applause, whistling and cheering from wore the digester costume, this would represent how the methane the onlookers who were lined up four deep along the mile-long gas produced in the digester runs the facility’s generators which, in parade route as we marched in our wastewater treatment plant turn, provides lighting as well as heat – in other words, renewable costumes. During the hour it takes to get to the end of the parade energy. route, hearing and seeing the outpouring of gratitude and support continued on page 55 Photo by Kim Buhl Main “characters” of the fl oat, fl anked by children in biota apron costumes, walk in the parade. Clear Waters Spring 2014 53

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54 Clear Waters Spring 2014 continued from page 53 from the people of this community for our services has been more than worth the hours of planning and physical effort put into participating. I think I can speak for everyone at the IAWWTF, that our parade ﬂoat has been a pleasure to be involved in every year. We have enjoyed watching it grow as new ideas arise through staff collaboration. I am very grateful that I am a contributing member of this industry and in a community I am so proud to be a part. So, mark your calendar and come see us at the Ithaca Festival Parade, May 29, 2014. You may enjoy it so much that you will want to stay for the whole weekend festival. But most importantly, I hope you come away inspired for what your own facility accomplishes on behalf of your community.

Hank Curtin Spencer is Grade 3 Operator at the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility, 525 Third Street in Ithaca, NY. He may be reached at 607-273- 8381. Additional information including a video tour about the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treat ment Facility may be found online through the City of Ithaca’s website at www.cityoﬁthaca.org/departments/dpw/ water&sewer. Photo by Kim Buhl The parade banner says it all for the wastewater facility: “We’re ﬂushed with pride!”

Clear Waters Spring 2014 55 56 Clear Waters Spring 2014 Thank You to Our Sponsors and Advertisers of the 86th Annual Meeting Our Sponsors Our Advertisers O’Brien & Gere Aftek, Inc. ADS Environmental Services Pollardwater.com Bendlin Incorporated AECOM Water Precast Concrete Association of New York CDM Smith AKRF, Inc. PSI Process & Equipment – CH2M Hill ARCADIS Pumping Services Inc. Clear Flo Technologies, Inc. Bendlin Incorporated Rapid Pump & Meter Service Co., Inc. Doer Products & Services Cameron Engineering Reiner Pump Systems, Inc. G. A. Fleet Associates CDM Smith Revere Control Systems GA Industries LLC CES–Creative Environment Rodney Hunt-Fontaine Inc. Gabriel Novac & Associates Limited Solutions Corp. Shand & Jurs, GHD Consulting Engineers, LLC CHA an L&J Technologies Company Greeley and Hansen ClearBrook Stratis Contracting Corp. Hazen and Sawyer Clear Flo Technologies, Inc. URS Corporation HDR Engineering, Inc. Conestoga-Rovers & Associates (CRA) Varec/G.A. Fleet National Association of Clean Water D&B Consulting Engineers & WeCare Companies Agencies (NACWA) Architects, PC Wendel O’Brien & Gere Duke’s Root Control Rodney Hunt-Fontaine Inc. Earth Repair, LLC Emerson Process Management Geyser Level G.A. Fleet Associates ARCADIS G.P. Jager & Associates, Inc. Conestoga-Rovers & Associates (CRA) GA Industries LLC D&B Consulting Engineers Gabriel Novac & Associates Limited & Architects, PC GHD Consulting Engineers, LLC G.P. Jager & Associates, Inc. Greeley and Hansen H2M architects + engineers H2M architects + engineers Hatch Mott MacDonald Harper-Haines Fluid Control Koester Associates, Inc. Hatch Mott MacDonald Hazen and Sawyer Waterfall Level HDR Engineering, Inc. AECOM HISCO Pump, Inc. HAKS Engineers & Land Surveyors Hitachi Maxco, Ltd

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Clear Waters Spring 2014 57 58 Clear Waters Spring 2014 Operator Quiz Test No. 103 – Biological Treatment he following questions are designed for trainees as they prepare to take the ABC wastewater operator test. It is also designed for existing operators to test their knowledge. Each issue of Clear Waters will have more questions from a different section of Twastewater treatment. Good luck! 1. Distribution of fl ow over a trickling fi lter can best be determined using which 8. The biggest advantage of a pure oxygen activated sludge process is: method? a. Requiring less tank volume a. Dye testing b. Improving the nitrifi cation process b. Flooding c. Reducing chlorine demand c. Pan test d. Requiring less mechanical equipment d. Measuring rotational speed of the arm 9. A low respiration rate value (less than 4 mg O2/hr/gm MLSS) indicates: 2. Which activated sludge mode is best able to treat high fl ows due to Infl ow/ a. Rapidly biodegradable organic matter Infi ltration? b. Over-stabilized organic matter a. Complete mix c. Normal rate for conventional activated sludge process b. Extended aeration d. Typical rate for high rate processes c. Kraus process d. Step feed 10. The fi rst indication that your treatment plant is receiving a high organic load is: 3. The main purpose of covering trickling fi lters is to: a. Flow increases by 20 percent a. Prevent algae growth on the media b. BOD result of the infl uent composite sample is 50 percent higher than b. Control odors normal c. Control growth of fl ies and snails c. DO residual drops in the aeration tank d. Prevent heat loss and increase effi ciency d. Effl uent more turbid than usual

4. Your MLSS level is 1,800 mg/L and your return sludge suspended solids value 11. What is the main reason why MCRT is increased during the winter season? is 2,300 mg/L in a conventional activated sludge plant. What change would a. To improve sludge settling typically be made to the return sludge fl ow? b. To increase DO levels in the aeration tank a. Decrease the fl ow rate c. To reduce straggler fl oc in the effl uent b. Increase the fl ow rate d. To increase solids inventory since bacteria activity is slower c. Keep the fl ow rate steady d. Keep the fl ow rate steady but increase the sludge wasting rate 12. Sludge wasting rates affect: a. Nitrifi cation ability 5. Which of the following biological processes can produce alkalinity? b. Growth rate of microorganisms a. Carbonaceous BOD removal c. Aeration tank solids inventory b. Denitrifi cation d. All of the above c. Nitrifi cation d. Phosphorus removal by chemical addition with ferrous chloride Answers on page 61. 6. The nitrifi cation process is controlled by temperature and what other factor? a. SRT For those who have questions concerning operator certifi cation re quire - ments and sched ul ing, please contact Tanya May Jennings at 315-422-7811 b. Sludge settling rate ext. 4, [email protected], or visit www.nywea.org/OpCert. c. Phosphorus levels d. Hydraulic loading

7. The conventional activated sludge process: a. Is a physical/chemical process b. Is a suspended growth process that is primarily anoxic and recycles solids from the secondary clariﬁ er c. Requires little or no oxygen d. Utilizes a living community of microorganisms Clear Waters Spring 2014 59 Of Interest

NYWEA Honors Members of D&B Engineers and Architects The D&B Engineers and Architects, PC, Woodbury, NY, was Award was recently named after former D&B President Nick honored last fall by the Long Island Chapter of the New York Water Bartilucci and this was the ﬁ rst time he presented his namesake Environment Association, Inc. (NYWEA). The Long Island Chapter award. held its annual dinner dance at the Woodbury Country Club. The Also recognized mission of the Long Island Chapter is to support the preservation was D&B waste- and enhancement of Long Island water quality. water engineer, One of the highlights of the event was the recognition awards Anthony Bacchus. presented to two D&B veterans: Senior Vice President Dennis He was present- Koehler and recently retired Associate Joe Baader. They both were ed the prestigious presented the Nicholas J. Bartilucci Lifetime Achievement Award for Select Society of their commitment, dedi- Sanitary Sludge cation and overall accom- Shovelers (SSSSS) plishments in advancing Award in the young and fostering water pollu- professional cat- tion control programs on egory. The SSSSS Long Island throughout society was found- NYWEA Long Island Chapter Chair Greg Smith, their careers. Koehler and ed in Arizona in left, makes the presentation to Anthony Bacchus. Baader each spent over 1940 and Bacchus 40 years as D&B employ- joins a select group of 108 members in the Long Island Chapter. ees and members of the Congratulations are extended to all the recipients for working so Nick Bartilucci, left, presents the Lifetime Long Island Chapter. The diligently in protecting our most precious natural resource, water, Achievement Award to Dennis Kohler. Lifetime Achievement and enhancing the quality of life for all Long Islanders.

60 Clear Waters Spring 2014 To advertise or to become a member, contact Maureen Kozol at 315-422-7811 or e-mail her at [email protected]. Resources} Visit our website for information, www.nywea.org or see us on Facebook.

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