Table of Contents
AOld water is like old milk@ says Dr. Rolf Deininger, Professor, University of Michigan School of Public Health. Would you want to drink it? Many of us work hard to treat the water to meet standards and be aesthetically pleasing. But our job is only partly done at that point. Water quality can change significantly as it ages in the distribution system and that change should be of concern to all members of the water profession.
We all respond to customer inquiries about the quality of the drinking water. Water quality deterioration in the distribution system is one of the major causes of customer complaints. Typical complaints concern taste and odor, color, staining of clothes and fixtures, low flow, lead and others. In addition to customer concerns, deterioration of water quality can cause regulatory concerns, such as total coliform, lead and copper corrosion, TTHM and other DDBP increases and others.
So what water quality changes occur in the distribution system? The first item is the water age. Tracer studies can be done to assess areas of low flow/older water. Once these potential problem areas are identified, monitoring can be developed to compare the water quality at these locations to the finished water and locations near the plant. We all monitor for total coliform and chlorine residual, but these parameters only tell a limited part of the picture. Other water quality changes that have been observed include:
WATER QUALITY CHANGE
In addition, water quality parameters which may change (either positive or negative depending on the overall water quality) include pH, alkalinity, hardness, aluminum, calcium, cadmium, and manganese. Many of these parameters are specific to a utility, the type of source and how the water is treated.
For utilities using chloramination, there are additional concerns over nitrification. These utilities should watch for increases in nitrite, increases in nitrate and decreases in ammonia. These changes signal that nitrification is occurring which can adversely affect water quality.
The changes in water quality observed will depend on many factors, such as pipe type, water flow, corrosivity and biofilm. For example, iron tubercles will occur in iron pipe which may increase biofilm development and rusty water occurrences. In areas of low flow, water may become old and stagnant. Many changes are seasonal, being more pronounced during warm weather. Based on these factors, a utility can select which are the most useful parameters to monitor. Monitoring frequency will depend on the severity and likelihood of occurrence. In general, weekly for high risk and monthly for low risk parameters is a reasonable place to start. This frequency can be adjusted based on historical records.
So what do you do when the water quality in the distribution system starts to deteriorate? Well, that=s another story for another time. Until then, there are several AWWARF (Distribution System Performance Evaluation 1995; Nitrification Occurrence and Control in Chloraminated Water Systems 1995), Journal AWWA and WQTC Proceedings publications which further detail these changes in water quality if you want to learn more.
Submitted by Research and Technical Practices Committee
Janice Skadsen
The Michigan Section AWWA is soliciting nominations for the 1998 Research and Technical Practices Award. This award seeks to recognize efforts taken by Michigan water utilities to solve specific problems. The Michigan Section hopes to share your findings with other utilities, recognize outstanding efforts, and encourage new research and technical practices.
If your utility has conducted investigations or research within the past two years to resolve a specific problem, please complete the "RTP Abstract Nomination" below. Nominations must be received before May 11, 1998, to be considered for this award.If your nomination is selected for further consideration, up to 0.5 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) can be awarded to up to two individuals involved in the project.
Complete and Return To: Michigan Section AWWA
Research and Technical Practices Award
c/o MDEQ Drinking Water & Radiological Protection Div.
P.O. Box 30630
Lansing, MI 48909-8130
1) Name of Utility(s) Involved in Research or Technical Practice
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2) Names of Individuals Involved in Research or Technical Practice
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3) Goals or Purpose of Research or Technical Practice:
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4) Conclusions of Research or Technical Practice:
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5) Nominated By: __________________________________________ Telephone ( )__________________________
Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date:__________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________
Selected abstract nominations will be contacted to submit a more detailed completed nomination.
The Michigan Historic Preservation Network, Michigan's statewide preservation organization, presents its 18th Annual Preservation Conference on Friday and Saturday, April 3-4, 1998, in Lansing. "Of The People, By The People, For The People: Working With Government To Get The Job Done," features 40 speakers in two concurrent tracks - one track focusing on the "How To" of preservation, and the other addressing the conference theme. Friday's special events are open to the public with advance tickets and include a luncheon with keynote address by State Senator John J.H. Schwarz, M.D., a long-time advocate of historic preservation in Michigan; a late afternoon reception and presentation of the Annual Preservation Awards at the State Capitol; and a Friday evening benefit dinner dance at the Country Club of Lansing, including the announcement of the day's silent auction winners. Saturday includes the Network's Annual Meeting and laboratory tours. Conference fees go up to $150, with discounts for Network members, single-day attendees, seniors, students, groups, and UP residents. For information: write M.H.P.N., P.O. Box #398, Clarkston, MI 48347-0398; fax 248-625-3010, or phone 248-625-8181.
Michigan Section, AWWA
Remember Challenge Number One: Continue to be involved and encourage others to volunteer! At our Shanty Creek Section meeting, over twenty people volunteered to serve our Section on different committees. And there is more. In the directory, you will find a lot of new names listed on the committee rosters. Our Section continues to be a leader. Don't let it happen without you. If you are interested in joining a committee, give me a call or contact the committee chair directly.
While the future holds a lot of opportunities and challenges, the past is evidence of several major accomplishments. Creation of the Drinking Water Revolving Fund which provides qualified water suppliers low interest loans to plan, design and construct eligible water supply projects. This one is about money! Our Section with the support of several utilities and a textbook stakeholder process, was able to introduce HB 5136. This bill will allow Michigan's Safe Drinking Water Act to remain in compliance with the reauthorized Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. As of December 2, 1997, this bill was passed in the House and was ready to move into the Senate. Local Arrangements along with the Program Committee are preparing an exciting program for our annual Section meeting to be held in Grand Rapids, September 22-26, 1998. You won't want to miss this one! Your Section is currently working with the Michigan Water Environment Association to explore ways we can jointly serve our membership and our customers. The list goes on and on.
You might say our Section is like the train of success, picking up speed. We cannot stop it, nor would we want to. So, lets climb aboard, put the pedal to the metal and keep it on track. Thanks for all your hard work.
University Club, East Lansing
Awards and Honors: National AWWA election results report that Steve Gorden of Detroit was elected President Elect of the National AWWA. Steve will begin his term during the 1999 Annual Conference & Exposition in Chicago. Congratulations Steve! Water For People, Denver thanked the Section for two $8000 project donations in 1997. The city of Coldwater will be presented the Exemplary Wellhead Protection Award for small systems at this year's Annual Conference & Exposition in Dallas.
Budget: Board approved an operating budget for 1998 with budgeted revenue/expenses of over $360,000. Board instructed that $3,600 from the 1997 surplus be deposited into the Faust Scholarship fund.
Meetings and Projects: Board member attendance at each Spring Regional Meeting was established. Due to the popularity of the "hands-on" portion of the regional meetings, water utilities will be limited to three individuals on the 2nd-day, unless additional space is available after the registration deadline. Program agenda and local arrangements for Annual Conference in Grand Rapids are nearly complete. Time & Place is currently exploring sites for the 2002 & 2003 Annual Conferences. A committee was established to review the bylaws of the association. The board meeting schedule for the rest of 1998 is as follows:
Spring Board Meeting; May 4 at 2:30 p.m.; - City of Marquette Water Plant, Marquette
Summer Board Meeting; July 17 at 10:00 a.m.; - Bill Dixon's house
Joint Board Meeting with MRWA; August 20; (time and location T.B.A.)
Conference Board Meeting; September 22 at 9:00 a.m. Amway Grand Plaza, Grand Rapids
by: William A. Kelley
National Director
Your Association is doing well and is in a position to continue doing well. You can help by providing input to me and to my successor, Sue McCormick. We can provide input to AWWA on the basis of how we see things, but it is much more valuable if we can take concerns, comments and accolades to our meetings of the Officers, Board of Directors, Councils, Committees, etc. of AWWA from members. Get active in the Michigan Section, AWWA and help to continue our section's activities at a high level. I also urge you to get involved at the international level of AWWA. As chair of the Michigan Section's National Service Nomination Committee, I would like to process nominations of many of our members to AWWA committees, divisions and councils. If I don't hear from you, you may be receiving a call from me in the next couple of years asking you to consider membership on one or more committees. Do yourself a favor and participate at both the section and the international levels. The more active you are in AWWA, the more you will get out of your membership.
A committee was organized this past year to review the status of the 21st Century program. In general, the many changes which were made in the organization and operation of AWWA are in place and are working well. A few clarifications and relatively minor changes were suggested as a result of the committee deliberations and were forwarded to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors for approval. The recommendations are not controversial and will simply smooth out a few bumps which have developed with the implementation of the major changes made a few years ago. I expect these suggestions will generally be approved after the Board has the opportunity to review them and consider them.
The Prioritization Committee met in Denver early in December and reviewed various programs which are in place and which are proposed for implementation in AWWA. The discussions lead to some interesting views of what programs should be provided in the future. I will not go into detail with this subject at this time since the committee report will go to the Board late in January. I will try to summarize the results of Board action after the report has been reviewed. For now, it is great to see the association move to set priorities for programs.
The QualServe program is off to a fast start. Many water suppliers have signed up for the self-assessment and the peer-review program which was made available beginning at the annual conference in Atlanta. This program has been developed with the goal of assisting water suppliers do the best possible job in all aspects of the operation.
The Partnership for Safe Water was developed to assist water suppliers that use surface water sources in voluntarily optimizing filtration plants and their operations for removal of particulates. The number of water suppliers participating in this program continues to increase. More importantly, the water suppliers actively participating in the program have seen improvement in their operations. A higher quality water is being provided to the public. It seems to me that this effort could ultimately be blended into the QualServe program. Until this happens, I urge you to consider participating in both of these programs if you have a surface water source. If you use protected groundwater, look into active participation in the QualServe program.
The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) and the National Rural Water Association are considering working cooperatively with AWWA in the development of a useable format for the completion of the Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR). It is hoped that this material will be available in the electronic format as well as hard copy. If this relationship can be developed, a good tool will be made available to help water suppliers meet the CCR requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. This cannot be completed until the federal requirements are finalized and released by EPA.
The Board will review the possibility of moving ahead with a project to expand the AWWA Headquarters building in Denver. This has become necessary with the expansion of the Research Foundation, Water for People as well as AWWA staff. You should plan to stop by the Headquarters building when you are in the Denver area. It is a nice facility in a beautiful location, but it is very crowded. You have a wonderful resource available to you with the staff in Denver and Washington. I support moving ahead with the expansion of the building. The Board will be dealing with this question at their upcoming meeting in January.
Please contact me if you would like to discuss any of these points. Get active in the Michigan Section and AWWA to maximize your return on being a member. If you are not a member, I urge you to become a member. I would be happy to assist you in joining AWWA.
A Resource Guide
Cyanobacteria algae can form dense mats or blooms. Bloom formation is promoted by warm climates, low turbulence, and surface water eutrophication. Over 150 genera and 2,000 species of cyanobacteria algae exist. Not all strains induce toxicity. Anabaena and Aphanizomenon are neurotoxic. Some strains of Microcystin induce liver toxicity. Microcystin aeruginosa is believed to be the most encountered toxic strain of cyanobacteria. When intact cyanobacteria cells are consumed directly in large amounts by animals or humans, death can occur.
Microcystin LX is a cyclic polypeptide toxin that can be released at various stages in the life cycle of Microcystin aeruginosa. The toxin can also be released as a result of natural cell death or as a result of direct cell lysis following chemical treatment of algal bloom. Released toxins can exist in aqueous environments for months. Even when microbes are present that might degrade the free toxins, degradation is expected to take several weeks. These toxins may survive common water treatment processes.
North American water utilities managers have recognized the adverse impacts of cyanobacteria could have on water quality. Interference with certain treatment processes and production of tastes and odors are common problems water utilities face with the presence of cyanobacteria. When present in considerable amount, the water is unsafe for consumptions by animals and humans. Scientific literature as far back as 1878 has reported cases of livestock and wildlife poisonings related to algae blooms.
Based on limited data in laboratory animals and incidental exposures in humans, acute health effects from short-term, high-dose exposures to cyanobacterial-contaminated water include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and headache. High acute exposures or repeated intermittent exposures can also induce liver toxicity. Intermittent exposures at critical times in fetal development may induce birth defects. Microcystin LX has been described as a potent tumor promoter, implying that the toxin may lead to the earlier onset of tumors initiated by some earlier gene-altering event (e.g., exposure to chemical-inducing changes in DNA).
Water utilities need to be aware, beside the health risks, of the following:
· nature and the causes of cyanobacteria algae blooms
· methods of monitoring and control of such blooms
· effectiveness of water treatment practices in removing microcystins and other related toxins
· strategies for preventing and mitigating toxic bloom development
Treatment studies involving Microcystin are limited. Early bench-scale studies with combinations of alum, ferric sulfate, synthetic polymer, free chlorine, and/or sand filtration showed little to no reduction in toxicity. Later studies indicated that the best powdered activated carbon (25 to 30 mg/l), chlorine (at 0.5 mg/l, 30-minute contact, and pH<8) and dissolved air flotation removed significant amounts, but not necessarily all the toxins from finished waters. Ozonation has been reported to consistently reduce toxin levels.
Khalil Z. Atasi, Ph.D., P.E., DEE
Research and Technical Practices Committee
A number of operator training opportunities are available this spring. Additional information and enrollment materials for any of these courses and others can be obtained from Eric Way at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality by telephoning 517-373-4752.
These annual short courses, covering the subjects of water chemistry and water bacteriology have been scheduled. The MSU Short Course in Water Chemistry will be held March 10-12. The MSU Short Course in Water Bacteriology will be held May 12-15.
The courses will be held on the campus of Michigan State University, East Lansing. The Water Chemistry course is three days long (3.0 continuing education credits) and the Water Bacteriology course is four days (3.5 continuing education credits).
Brochures announcing the courses were mailed in January. Because of limited enrollment, pre-registration is recommended as soon as possible. The enrollment fee is $175.00 per person.
The Basic Math and Hydraulics Short Course, covering many basic mathematics and hydraulic principles important to water system personnel, will be held March 24-26 at the KBS Gull Lake Conference Center, Hickory Corners. Course enrollment materials were mailed to Water Departments in January.
The Limited Treatment Short Course will be repeated on April 6-8 at Higgins Lake. This course will cover topics including; basic math, chlorination, fluoridation, safety, iron removal, wells and pumps and miscellaneous treatment.
Water Treatment Short Course I will be held March 24-26 at the KBS Gull Lake Conference Center. Water Treatment Short Course II will be held April 6-8 at the Higgins Lake Conference Center. It is recommended that students enrolling in either course have a good general understanding of mathematics and basic chemistry. Course announcement brochures were mailed in January.
The Supervisor's Workshop will be repeated at the KBS Gull Lake Conference Center, Hickory Corners, on May 27-28. "Improving Employee Performance" will be conducted by Penny Griffith of PG Associates, Ann Arbor. The workshop presents a practical, step-by-step method for analyzing the problems of human performance and provides a variety of new approaches for manager/supervisors to implement in correcting these problems.
AWWA will conduct its next Teleconference March 12. The program is entitled, "Maintaining Water Quality in the Distribution System". The 3.5 hour program is eligible for 0.3 CEC's and will cover the following topics:
· Learning how changes in treatment affect the distribution system
· Current & proposed regulatory compliance issues
· Strategies for developing a thorough water quality monitoring program
· Information on biofilms
· Optimizing disinfection
· How to implement a successful unidirectional flushing program
Water distribution system and water treatment plant operators, water quality managers, supervisors, engineers and inspectors; water utility superintendents, regulatory personnel will all find this Teleconference interesting and valuable.
The Michigan Section will sponsor Teleconference in Escanaba, Lansing and at Delta College, University Center. Water utilities and their local officials are encouraged to attend. Teleconference registration materials were mailed to all AWWA members in late January.
A training session to discuss basic cross connection information will be offered March 5 at the Midway Motor Lodge, Lansing. The information presented will included lectures, slides and videotapes on the subject. Individuals attending this program will learn what cross connections are, where they are found and how to eliminate them. The $30.00 course fee will include a luncheon and handout materials. Manufacturer's representatives will be invited to display and discuss various cross connection control devices. Individuals completing this program will be awarded 0.5 CEC's.
Midway Hotel, Lansing
The Michigan Section Maintenance Committee encourages members to attend this one-day seminar. Topics include: Packing selection & application; Packing installation & maintenance; Mechanical seal selection & application; Mechanical seal installation & maintenance. The program will have special emphasis on "hands-on demos." To register, contact MWEA at 248-375-0548.
The Michigan Backflow Prevention Association (MBPA) is pleased to announce the seventh annual Backflow Prevention Conference. This year's educational conference will be held at the Midway Best Western Hotel in Lansing, Michigan, on March 9-10, 1998. This year's conference theme is: "Medical/Health Care Facilities".
March 9, 1998 _ The speaker list will include representatives from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Dental Association, State of Michigan Plumbing Board, Cleveland Clinic. We will also have legal counsel to explain liabilities and a hospital maintenance contractor. At the end of the first day, there will be a round table discussion followed by a question and answer period.
March 10, 1998 - Workshops will commence, starting with "Direction of Flow Testing", American Society of Sanitary Engineering on the New ASSE Series 5000 Standards, Testing and Professional Qualifications. This will be the new standard for testing when the State of Michigan adopts the International Plumbing Code.
MBPA Annual Business Meeting followed by a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Stu Asay. The panel will be comprised of ASSE Series 5000 committee members, contractor representative. There will also be a manufacturers open house for all interested parties on March 9, 1998, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Before 2/1/98 After 2/1/98
Members $95.00 $115.00
Non-Members $115.00 $135.00
For additional information or registration, contact:
Darryl Dooley at 313-845-4084 or DDOOLEY@aol.com
Ron Chapman at 313-337-1241 or RCHAP8508@aol.com
Mark Evans at 313-388-7855 or NOBACKFLOW@worldnet.att.net
or look for infor at http://members.aol.com\backflows\
Certified operators are reminded that MDEQ needs your current mailing address so that we can notify you when it is time to renew your operator certificate. If you will be moving or have recently done so, be sure to obtain a change of address card from the post office and send it to Eric Way at the address below:
Eric J. Way, P.E., Program Manager Operator Certification and Training Unit, EAD Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 30457 Lansing, MI 48909-7957 FAX: 517-373-3675We do not have a current mailing address for each of the following individuals who were scheduled to renew their license by January 15, 1998.
The Community Relations Committee would like to extend its congratulations to the Village of Port Austin on being the Winner of the Best Tasting Water in Michigan contest for 1997.
We would like to remind everyone that they also could win this title. The search for the 1998 winner begins at the Spring Regional Meetings and the Upper Peninsula Institute in April. The contest is open to all utilities that operate their own supply. Just bring a sample to one (and only one) of the meetings. Details will be in the Spring Regional Meeting announcement. Come and join the fun!
Arnold Dohn.... Madison Heights
Robert Dust ....Saginaw
Art Luhtanen ....Kaleva
Anthony Zalewski....Wyandotte
The regional meeting planning committee met in January to develop this year's spring meeting program. Based on last year's positive response, the two-day format will continue for this year. The second day will again be divided into a series of "hands-on" training sessions in small groups. We think you'll find the spring meeting program interesting and we hope to see you there. The meetings are scheduled for:
April 14-15 Grayling
April 16-17 Saginaw
April 21-22 Holland
April 23-24 Battle Creek
April 29-30 Southfield
Cross Connection Seminar, Lansing
M.S.U. Short Course in Water Chemistry
AWWA Teleconference - "Distribution Systems", Escanaba, Lansing, Delta College
March 23
Application Deadline for May Cert Exams
Basic Math & Hydraulics Short Course, Gull Lake
Water Treatment Short Course I,
Gull Lake
Limited Treatment Short Course,
Higgins Lake
Water Treatment Short Course II,
Higgins Lake
Drinking Water Advisory Board of Examiners, Lansing
Spring Regional Meeting, Grayling
Spring Regional Meeting, Saginaw
Spring Regional Meeting, Holland
Spring Regional Meeting, Battle Creek
Spring Regional Meeting, Southfield
U.P. Institute, Ramada Inn, Marquette
F (1,2,3,4), D (1,2,3,4) and S-4 Exams, Several Locations
MSU Short Course in Water Bacteriology, Michigan State University
Improving Employee Performance,
Gull Lake
MSU Short Course in Water Bacteriology, Bay de Noc C.C., Escanaba
"Meeting SDWA Future Water Quality Challenges: Control & Technology", Best Western Midway Hotel, Lansing
AWWA Annual Conference & Exposition, Dallas, Texas
The Michigan Section, AWWA is soliciting nominations of individuals to be considered for the 1998 Operator's Meritorious Service Award. The purpose of the award is to provide recognition to a Section member for special performance in one or more of the following areas:
1. Continuous compliance with public health standards in finished water.
2. Consistent and outstanding contribution to plant maintenance thereby prolonging the useful lives of equipment.
3. The development of new and/or modified equipment or significant process modifications to provide for a more efficient or effective treatment.
4. Special efforts in the training of treatment plant operators.
5. Special acts not directly related to water treatment but which demonstrate dedication to the public beyond the normal operating responsibilities.
6. Constant and outstanding contribution to operation and/or maintenance of distribution lines, pump stations and reservoirs.
For more information and nomination forms regarding this award, contact Jerry Plume, Committee Chair, Operator's Meritorious Service Award at 517-356-0757.
Following is a breakdown of the written portion of the November 1997 certification examination results.
Passed Failed Total % Passed
S-1 47 27 74 64%
S-2 66 47 113 58%
S-3 103 87 190 54%
S-4 142 44 186 76%
F-3 14 15 29 48%
F-4 18 13 31 58%
D-4 29 10 39 74%
Total 419 243 662 63%
Those listed have completed the requirements for certification in the following classifications.
S-1
S-2
S-3
S-4
F-3
F-4
D-4
Water/Wastewater Superintendent _ City of Boyne City, population 3,478. Directs staff of five union employees. Michigan Class B Wastewater license with technical knowledge of treatment process, lift stations, IPP, and collection required. Minimum of D-3 and S-3 Water licenses with ability to obtain D-2 and S-2. Individual with strong background in personnel management, leadership skills preferred. Salary low to mid 30K, DOQ + benefits. Resumes accepted until April 3, 1998 to City Manager, 319 North Lake Street, Boyne City, MI 49712.
Water/WastewaterTreatment Plant Operator _ Leoni Township, Jackson County, Michigan is seeking a wastewater treatment plant operator with a Class B Operators License for an aerated lagoon rated at 1.3 mgd. Also need a class D-3 and S-3 Water license. This position will include the operation and maintenance of the wastewater collection system and its lift stations. Persons must have technical knowledge of lagoon/treatment process as well as management of the lift stations and collection system. Also must be capable of preparing and maintaining budgets and performing cost-effective analyses of the various phases of the operation. Approximately 4,300 customers are served by this collection system. Send resume to: Leoni Township, P.O. Box 375, Michigan Center, MI 49254. Resumes due February 28, 1998. EOE.
Nearly 1300 attendees were treated to an outstanding show of water and wastewater products and services in February at the 7th Annual Joint Expo and Operators' Day. Over 125 exhibitors occupied 156 booths, displaying the latest and greatest information to the water and wastewater industry. Each afternoon, several prizes were given away to attendees. Congratulations!
The following individuals each won $100 cash:
The following individuals each won a free registration to the 1998 Michigan Section Annual Conference in Grand Rapids:
James Van De Wege, Holland
Robert Tomasik, Gibraltar
Mark you calendars for Joint Expo '99, February 2 & 3, 1999, again at the Lansing Center!
Some time ago, an award was established to recognize the Section member who recruited our 1900th member into the Michigan Section of the AWWA. Gregory S. Allen of Monroe was our member who recruited that 1900th member. Greg was awarded $100 at the Section Meeting held in September at Shanty Creek.
The Section has established an award for the Section member that recruits the 2000th member into our ranks. This person will also receive an award of $100. Membership for the Michigan Section is currently at 1,957. So, we hope to be able to present this award at our Section meeting this year.
Are you looking for an enticement for a potential new member? Besides the obvious reasons, publications such as Journal AWWA, Mainstream, and Opflow, special rates when ordering AWWA Standards, Handbooks, and Manuals, reduced fees when attending any of the numerous workshops or seminars conducted throughout the year. As an added bonus, you will receive up to a 25% discount on your auto insurance and up to a 24% discount on your homeowner's insurance policy underwritten by Citizens Insurance Company. Use the "Coupon"! Get $10.00 off towards a new Active (Individual) Membership, $5.00 off towards an Operations Membership and $8.00 off towards a Student Membership. Our coupon promotion will run until December 31, 1998.
Good luck recruiting!
Jim VanDeWege, Membership Committee Chair
Welcome to the following new members of Michigan Section, AWWA:
As many of you know, the Michigan Section AWWA Water For People Committee has been involved since 1993 in providing a clean water supply for 300 families in Calahuasig Grande, a village in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador, South America.
The first phase of the water project was completed in 1994. A gravity flow system with over 7 1/2 miles of small diameter water pipe was constructed to transport encapsulated spring water throughout the village of 1,200 people. A series of tanks for storage and pressure control were built to offset the system elevation difference of more than 1,500 feet. Thirty public spigots were installed. All labor was provided by the villagers.
The second phase was completed in the summer, 1997. Latrines were constructed at each residence.
The third phase is currently underway and is scheduled for completion in March, 1998. Three new springs are being encapsulated and connected to the system to increase the source capacity from 15 gallons per minute (gpm), to over 50 gpm. An additional storage reservoir is being added, and individual spigots for each residence are being installed. When completed, all 300 homes will be served with a spigot on each property. Again, all labor is being provided by the villagers.
The Water For People committee plans to provide continuing education to the villagers through health promoters in Ecuador. The teaching of basic health principles and water system maintenance will be stressed. These issues are considered to be very important components of the project.
The Michigan Section can be very proud of the work done in Calahuasig Grande. When completed, this system will be a model for all the communities in the region. The committee has now begun researching new sites for future projects.
Contributions to the Michigan Section AWWA, Water For People project can be mailed to Lynda Dominguez, Michigan Section AWWA, P.O. Box 16337, Lansing, Michigan 48901-6337. Make checks payable to: MICHIGAN SECTION AWWA.
The South Central Water Association Board of Directors approved $500.00 for the Michigan Section AWWA Water for People project in Ecuador.
Michigan Water Works News is the quarterly publication of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Drinking Water and Radiological Protection Division, and the Michigan Section American Water Works Association.
The deadline for submitting material for the May issue is March 31, 1998. Material may be submitted to: Sheryl Topliff, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Drinking Water and Radiological Protection Division, P.O. Box 30630, Lansing, MI 48909-8130, (517)335-8263, FAX: 517-335-8298, or e-mail topliffs@state.mi.us
In addition to the authors listed in the newletter, the following individuals have contributed articles for this issue.
Lynda Dominguez, MDEQ
Jim Lahti, MDEQ
Eric Way, MDEQ
Randy Roost, assistant editor
Sheryl Topliff, editor
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Michigan Section, American Water Works Association
Volume 63, Number 1 February 1998
Michigan
Water Works News