The past three decades have seen dramatic growth in the development and commercialization of technologies designed to improve water quality and comply with tightening federal regulations. The future of water treatment appears to be closed systems using mul-tiple-barrier approaches, demonstrated by the increasing number of pilot plants being installed and operated throughout North America. 



The days of simple gravity sand filters and a chemical feed pump are slipping away. Advanced treatment technologies such as carbon adsorption, membrane treatment, ozonation, ultraviolet disinfection, electrodialysis, and biofiltration go beyond traditional treatment processes, often with the goal of producing potable water through indirect or direct potable reuse. Table 1 is just a partial list of emerging water treatment methods.

To keep up with water treatment’s evolution, treatment plant operators need to be skilled in chemistry, biology, engineering, mechanics, and computer technology. Many states don’t require textbook learning and assessment of innovative treatment techniques as part of operator licensing examinations, widening the gap between classroom and practical knowledge. It seems the responsibility for workforce training will fall upon employers.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

The transition from pilot plants to full-scale operations is a common occurrence in today’s water treatment plants. Employers have reached a tip-ping point, where the skill levels of their treatment plant operators no longer match technology requirements. It’s time to look for answers to some important workforce questions.

Who can provide operator training in these technologies? Professional industry societies, learning centers, manufacturers, technology developers, professional train-ers, and schools can provide platforms for training programs. A quick online search can help you locate expert trainers in your area.

What are good examples of a training syllabus? Useful topics include equipment troubleshooting, repair, and calibrations; quality assurance and control; cleaning and shutdown for downtime and repairs; and hands-on practice, setup, and use of equipment. Direct learning techniques, such as with side streams constructed specifically for reuse water, provide real-life situations that allow staff to respond to occurrences such as upsets and equipment failures without permit violations occurring. Use of portable wireless devices, including tablets, mobile analyzers, and the expanding world of the Internet of Things are important technological subjects. more

Join forest landowners, utilities, conservation groups, state agencies, and other individuals interested in protecting Florida forests and drinking water on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 22-23, 2024 at Austin Cary Forest Campus in Gainesville for the 2024 Florida Partnership for Forests & Water Forum.

Do you have a presentation idea you'd like to see or share? Contact groundwater@frwa.net to submit your ideas.

Continuing education (CEU) credits are available for the forestry and utility sectors.

https://southeasternpartnership.org/florida

11:30 AM EDT Friday, August 16, 2024 Hurricane Ernesto

Distant Ernesto Increasing Ocean Swells, Rough Surf, & Dangerous Rip Currents Along the Florida East Coast Post-Debby Outlook & River Flooding

Computer forecast models are in very good agreement that the influences from the upper-level frontal system are beginning to leave Ernesto behind, resulting in a slower forward motion over the next 24 hours while moving north-northeastward. Computer models this morning show another frontal system over the eastern U.S. will nudge Ernesto to accelerate northeastward around periphery of the dominant Atlantic high pressure system.

For more information on the tropics, click here.

NATIONAL NEWS

Celebrate Women in Rural Water Only 10 seats left! The 5th annual Women in Rural Water event will bring numerous Rural Water Champions together from across the country to network and share experiences over lunch. We will host a very special panel of guest speakers who will describe their rise to success in a male-dominated industry and take questions from the audience. Join us as we celebrate women everywhere and, especially, Women in Rural Water. more

Rural Water Profile: John Montgomery From our latest edition! John Montgomery's journey to becoming a key figure in the rural water movement began in a pivotal moment during his student years. Ultimately, his collaboration with others would prove instrumental in achieving monumental accomplishments for the water sector. more

Volunteer Hackers to Help Protect Water Systems, Schools NBC News reports that DEF CON, the world’s largest hacker conference, is trying to put its legions of experts to work by creating a volunteer army to help protect America's vulnerable water systems and schools. more

EPA Announces $188.3 Million WIFIA Loan to Upgrade and Expand Water Services in ... U.S. Representative Darren Soto, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water Mae Wu announced a $188.3 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the Toho Water Authority. With this WIFIA loan, the authority will modernize water infrastructure in Polk and Osceola counties to help ensure a resilient water supply for over 450,000 residents. more

Who's to blame for PFAS in our drinking water? Here's what hundreds of cities say - USA Today A USA TODAY analysis of new EPA data shows local officials most frequently blame airports; utilities, such as sewage treatment plants; and military bases as likely sources of toxic "forever chemicals" in their drinking water. more

Water Sector Cyber Resilience Briefing - WaterISAC | August 28, 2024 | 1:00 pm CT On August 28, WaterISAC will convene its monthly Water Sector Cyber Resilience Briefing. Presenters will cover the latest cyber threats facing the water and wastewater sector. more

'How long?': Cumberland, Bladen seek relief from PFAs pollutants - The Fayetteville Observer In July, the NC Environmental Management Commission (EMC) did not take any action on PFAS regulations for the third time. more

EPA Seeks Input from Small Water Systems on Microbial and Disinfection Byproducts Rulemaking Revisions On Friday, August 9, EPA released an invitation for small public water systems to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) providing advice and recommendations to a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel. more

GAO Releases Report on Water Cybersecurity & Recommends EPA Develop a National Cybersecurity Strategy On Thursday, August 1, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on cybersecurity for water and wastewater systems, and recommended that EPA develop a national cybersecurity. more

USDA Invests Up To $400M To Address Drought, Conserve Water Through Production Of Water-Saving Commodities USDA also announces record $2.3B investments under the Western Water Framework; Funding builds on Administration’s historic water conservation efforts, which have stabilized short-term western water supply and are investing in long-term solutions. more

Effective New Catalyst Brings Hope For Cleaner Energy, Wastewater Treatment, And Green Chemistry A catalyst that significantly enhances ammonia conversion could improve wastewater treatment, green chemical and hydrogen production. more

Documents citing 88 FR 18638 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes the Semiannual Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions online at https://www.reginfo.gov



STATE NEWS

Bartow leaders address concerns about possible Peace River flooding | ABC Action News The Peace River in Bartow is elevated because of rain dumped by Hurricane Debby. more

City News | City of Melbourne, FL During the August 13 City Council meeting, Mayor Paul Alfrey read a proclamation designating August as Florida Water Professionals Month in the more

Concerns arise over Milton plan to discharge contaminants near drinking water wells The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has added its voice to those of water utilities and conservationists in expressing concerns about the level of dangerous contaminants known as forever chemicals, or PFAS , the city of Milton could potentially be discharging into the ground within the boundaries of the Santa Rosa County's Wellfield Protection District. more

Water upgrades coming to Osceola County as population grows | WESH Toho Water Authority was given more than $188 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade and expand water services. more

Southwest Florida water quality to benefit from new Lake O management plan | WINK  “Historic. Collaborative. Important.” Chauncey Goss, Chairman of the South Florida Water Management District Board, used those powerful words to describe the new Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM). more

FWC to use helicopters to spray invasive plants on Lake O | Okeechobee News The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will be conducting aquatic plant management on Lake Okeechobee starting Aug. 12. The project is expected to last two days, weather permitting. more

Naples Wastewater Collections shuts down section of Banyan Blvd. for repairs - WINK News Wastewater Collections in Naples had to shut down a section of Banyan Boulevard to complete an emergency sanitary sewer repair. more

August 16, 1933: First day of amoebic dysentery outbreak at the Chicago World’s Fair. American Journal of Public Health editorial. “There are many reasons why the outbreak of amebic dysentery in Chicago in 1933 still holds intense interest. Some of these are practical and some scientific. On the practical side it will be recalled that the Exposition for 1934 opened in May. Already some of the daily papers are asking whether precautions have been taken to make the city safe for visitors, and repeating the charge that the news last year was suppressed. On the scientific side it must be pointed out that, as far as we have been able to determine, this is the first epidemic of the sort which has ever been recorded. The health officers had an entirely new problem to deal with, and there is no question that it took them by surprise, as it did everyone else. The paper read before this Association on October 9, 1933, attracted little attention; so little, in fact, that a prominent officer of the Public Health Service who heard it went back to Washington and did not even mention it. Some days later the report of a physician in Indianapolis that there were 5 or 6 cases of the disease in that city, all traceable to Chicago, gave the first intimation of its seriousness. Following this, on November 25, came from Boston what was probably the first information which showed how widespread the infection was, cases in Canada and elsewhere being reported. There was no official publication from the Board of Health of Chicago, as such, until November 18, though on November 14, the radio was used.

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