President - Sean Greig, Vice President - Gerry Curran, Secretary - Ray Vermette, Treasurer - Nancy Lesieur, 1st Director - David Lovely, 2nd Director - Kristin Noel, 3rd Director - John Adie, 1st Director-at-large - Peter Goodwin, 2nd Director-at-large - Kevin MacLean, Administrative Assistant - Linda Gaudette....

BOARD of DIRECTORSBOARD of DIRECTORSBOARD of DIRECTORSBOARD of DIRECTORS

Page 1. Smart Planning Page 3. Too Much Detergent is Not a Good Thing! Page 4. Safety Corner Page 5. Thoughts from the Bench Page 6. Wastewater Management Candidate School Program

Page 7. OPS Challenge 2010 Page 8. What Can I Expect During an Upgrade Page 10. A Successful Operator Exchange Program Page 12. Winter Meeting Inside Back Cover: Sponsor Page

January 14, 2011 January 14, 2011 January 14, 2011 January 14, 2011 ---- Deadline for Poster Contest Entries (for details go to www.nhwpca.org.

January 23 January 23 January 23 January 23 ---- 26, 2011 26, 2011 26, 2011 26, 2011 ---- NEWEA Annual Conference & Exhibition.

January 31, 2011 January 31, 2011 January 31, 2011 January 31, 2011 ---- Deadline for Newsletter Sponsor Forms.

January 31, 2011 January 31, 2011 January 31, 2011 January 31, 2011 ---- Due date for NWPCA membership renewal.

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEENEWSLETTER COMMITTEENEWSLETTER COMMITTEENEWSLETTER COMMITTEE Steve Clifton, Mary Jane Meier, Chris Hipkiss, Stephanie Rochefort, Steve Clifton, Mary Jane Meier, Chris Hipkiss, Stephanie Rochefort, Steve Clifton, Mary Jane Meier, Chris Hipkiss, Stephanie Rochefort, Steve Clifton, Mary Jane Meier, Chris Hipkiss, Stephanie Rochefort, Todd Gianotti, Dave Michelsen, and Joseph Laliberte. We welcome Todd Gianotti, Dave Michelsen, and Joseph Laliberte. We welcome Todd Gianotti, Dave Michelsen, and Joseph Laliberte. We welcome Todd Gianotti, Dave Michelsen, and Joseph Laliberte. We welcome additional members. We are looking for meaningful articles for the additional members. We are looking for meaningful articles for the additional members. We are looking for meaningful articles for the additional members. We are looking for meaningful articles for the

Wastewater Operator in a timely fashion. Send submission articles for Wastewater Operator in a timely fashion. Send submission articles for Wastewater Operator in a timely fashion. Send submission articles for Wastewater Operator in a timely fashion. Send submission articles for THE COLLECTORTHE COLLECTORTHE COLLECTORTHE COLLECTOR totototo

Steve Clifton via email atSteve Clifton via email atSteve Clifton via email atSteve Clifton via email at

wscliftonwscliftonwscliftonwsclifton@@@@underwoodengineers.comunderwoodengineers.comunderwoodengineers.comunderwoodengineers.com

EditorEditorEditorEditor ---- Steve Clifton, Steve Clifton, Steve Clifton, Steve Clifton,

“THE COLLECTOR” “THE COLLECTOR” “THE COLLECTOR” “THE COLLECTOR” is the Official Newsletter of the NHWPCAis the Official Newsletter of the NHWPCAis the Official Newsletter of the NHWPCAis the Official Newsletter of the NHWPCA

President - Gerry Curran Vice President - Dave Lovely Secretary - David Mercier Treasurer - Nancy Lesieur 1st Director - Kristin Noel 2nd Director - John Adie 3rd Director - Peter Goodwin Director-at-large - Kevin MacLean Director-at-large - Joe Laliberte Administrative Assistant - Linda Gaudette

NHWPCA HERE IS YOUR 2011HERE IS YOUR 2011HERE IS YOUR 2011HERE IS YOUR 2011

BBBBOARD of DIRECTORSOARD of DIRECTORSOARD of DIRECTORSOARD of DIRECTORS

Ryan Wingard, & Jason Wise, Steve Clifton,

Mary Jane Meier, &

Phil Ryan

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SMART PLANNING SMART PLANNING SMART PLANNING SMART PLANNING Integrating GIS and Mapping to Manage the Wastewater Collection SystemIntegrating GIS and Mapping to Manage the Wastewater Collection SystemIntegrating GIS and Mapping to Manage the Wastewater Collection SystemIntegrating GIS and Mapping to Manage the Wastewater Collection System

By Ryan Wingard, PE, Senior Project Manger Jason Wise, GISP, GIS Manager, WrightBy Ryan Wingard, PE, Senior Project Manger Jason Wise, GISP, GIS Manager, WrightBy Ryan Wingard, PE, Senior Project Manger Jason Wise, GISP, GIS Manager, WrightBy Ryan Wingard, PE, Senior Project Manger Jason Wise, GISP, GIS Manager, Wright----Pierce.Pierce.Pierce.Pierce.

Many New England communities are starting to see more stringent collection system mapping and O&M requirements within their NPDES discharge permits. Between national market drivers such as CMOM, GASB-34 and Asset Management, and regional market drivers through the state regulatory agencies, communities are tasked with compliance to these new requirements with limited resources. A major component of compliance centers on knowing where and what collection system assets exist that need to be maintained in the community. GIS mapping is an excellent tool that many communities and districts use to manage their collection systems and comply with the more demanding regulatory requirements.

Understanding NPDES RequirementsUnderstanding NPDES RequirementsUnderstanding NPDES RequirementsUnderstanding NPDES Requirements

Recent draft and final NPDES discharge permits have very specific collection system mapping and O&M requirements tied to specific dates for adherence. The core of the O&M requirements deal with maintenance staff, preventative maintenance programs, infiltration and in-flow control, and developing a collection system O&M plan. Most of the O&M plans need to be finalized within 6 months of permit issu-ance. Each of these items is directly influenced by the size of the collection system and requires a detailed knowledge of the collection sys-tem assets. Because knowledge of the collection system is so closely tied to O&M of the collection system, many NPDES permits have additional mapping requirements.

NPDES Mapping Requirements NPDES Mapping Requirements NPDES Mapping Requirements NPDES Mapping Requirements

A trend can be noticed in the mapping requirements found in recent NPDES discharge permits. In general, the permits require that mapping show the following:

• All sanitary sewer lines and related manholes • All combined sewer lines and related manholes • All combined sewer regulators • All outfalls • All pump stations and force mains • All surface waters • Other major structures (inverted siphons, air release structures, etc.) • Numbering system to ID major structures • Pipe information including diameter, age, type, length, and direction of flow

Some permits have also required rim and invert elevations, but future permits may not require elevations. Most permits require that mapping be completed within three years of permit issuance.

GIS Mapping for Collection Systems GIS Mapping for Collection Systems GIS Mapping for Collection Systems GIS Mapping for Collection Systems

The first step in creating a GIS is to gather all existing information, such as record drawings and institutional knowledge. Local staff with knowledge of the system can mark up preliminary maps or copies of the record drawings. Technicians scan paper drawings and georeference them, or orient them to a base map. This allows users to overlay the drawings on other information, such as aerial photography.

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The mapping may require field work, such as locating and opening manholes. However, if a community has detailed orthophotos (aerial pho-tography) and comprehensive record drawings, field work may not be necessary.

The next step is to digitize the collection system. In other words, technicians draw pipes, manholes, and other features in the GIS. Each pipe or manhole has information associated with it, such as pipe diameter, material, and year of installation. At the same time, the technicians can create a simple network model in the GIS, which automatically determines flow directions and ensures that there aren’t gaps in the data.

With the resulting GIS, users can print a variety of maps, including wall maps and portable map books. The GIS can also be linked to other data, such as scanned manhole inspection forms, pipeline videos, or a work order database. Beyond satisfying mapping requirements, the GIS will be a helpful tool for maintenance and capital planning.

A variety of software is available for creating and using a GIS. To build a GIS from record drawings and other data, technicians typically use Esri's ArcView or ArcEditor software, though other options -- including free, open-source software -- are available. If fieldwork is neces-sary, a GPS receiver and related software come in handy.

Putting Your GIS to UsePutting Your GIS to UsePutting Your GIS to UsePutting Your GIS to Use

If your only goal is to meet NPDES requirements, then you might build a GIS and then just print a map to give to regulators. However, if you use a GIS daily and keep it updated, you'll find that it's a useful, maybe even indispensable, tool. Using a GIS is easier than pulling out a set of plans, and it might save you many trips to the file cabinet, the flat file, and wherever else your information is hiding. Most GIS software allows hyperlinking to any kind of files, such as scanned tie sheets, record drawings, and easement deeds. If you load your data onto a low-cost netbook and take it in the field, you can save trips back to the office. If you want to know statistics about your sys-tem, such as the total length of 6" pipe, a GIS can tell you in seconds.

If one person creates a GIS, many people can use it. A lot of software is available for using a GIS, and some of it is free. For example, Google Earth and ArcGIS Explorer are both free and good for viewing data in the office. ArcReader is also free and works well both in the office and in the field, though it requires some additional software to create the files that it uses. If you create a GIS website, using either open-source (free) or proprietary (paid) software, then users only need a Web browser to see the data. In some organizations, field work-ers use smart phones or iPads to view GIS data through a secure website.

One of the major uses of a GIS, in addition to showing where the pipes go, is asset management. If you want to keep track of assets you have and how old those assets are, you'll most likely start with a GIS. Most of the asset management software on the market can tie into a GIS. Asset management programs can be integrated with GIS to form a powerful decision making and planning tool. Queries of asset man-agement systems will allow managers to establish sewer piping programs and manhole rehabilitation schedules. Managers of wastewater collec-tion systems suffering from excessive inflow and infiltration can use GIS and asset management to guide sewer system evaluation studies by using age of pipe and pipe materials as indicators of potential leaky pipes. GIS can also be used to develop hydraulic models (SWMM, SewerCAD, etc.) of collection systems for use in determining capacity deficiencies.

GIS can be very valuable for the management of wastewater collection systems…and may be more affordable than you think. Keep your eyes open for free programs that can be used with GIS and watch your collection system management thrive with minimal impact to your operating and maintenance budget.

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By Steve Clifton, Underwood EngineersBy Steve Clifton, Underwood EngineersBy Steve Clifton, Underwood EngineersBy Steve Clifton, Underwood Engineers

On November 2nd the Lebanon Wastewater Treatment Facility started to experience serious foam-ing issues in their aeration tank that was on-line. The foam was clearly a detergent based foam ra-ther than filamentous growth from a plant gone wild. Following an initial “Holy…. @#!*!*”, the staff quickly went to work to identify the cause of and the solution to the foaming situation.

Suspecting an industrial user that utilizes concentrated detergents, the staff quickly traced the foam along manholes to the connection to a commercial laundry. After some inquiries, it was discovered that approximately 150 gallons of concentrated detergent spilled onto the floor and into the sewer system at this location. The industry thought the spill occurred on November 1st, and it took sever-al days to reach the WWTF and react in the aeration tank.

When the mechanical aerators stirred up the detergent, as much as four feet of foam was generated in the tanks, covering a 45 foot by 186 foot area. The foam quickly surcharged over the effluent weirs and back into the empty aeration tank. This appears to have minimized the impact of the foam on the secondary clarifiers and chlorine contact tanks and the eventual carry over into the Connecticut River.

When an event like this occurs, it helps to have resources available to assist in the troubleshooting. The plant staff contacted the always helpful Operations Group at the New Hampshire Depart-ment of Environmental Services, along with Underwood Engineers. Paul Heirtzler’s Wastewater Engineering Group is always helpful and very knowledgeable. It helps that they get out to all the WWTF’s and see a lot of unusual things.

The inclination of most people is to quickly resolve the problem and put it to rest. There is not much discussion on how things could have been different and what other improvements to the process of troubleshooting could occur. To everyone’s credit, they are asking these important questions and want to make improvements and share their experiences.

As the dust cleared and the problem resolved itself, some self-reflection is occurring. As they say, hindsight is 20 / 20. I posed a few ques-tions that we will be thinking about so that in the future, others may benefit from where we have been.

I think a little research is needed to figure out things. First thing to do is determine what questions we want answered. Here is the start of a list: Will EPA or NHDES have any opinion on defoaming agents Will the defoaming agent impact my process: settling issues, activated sludge inhibition, disinfection with hypochlorite, sludge thickening

and dewatering impacts Will the defoaming agent impact my effluent quality: what is the BOD5 of the product, COD, etc. Will the cure be worst or better that the sickness? ie, foam higher/lower BOD5 than defoaming agent, etc. Are there other solutions for dealing with foaming What have other municipalities done Are there pretreatment improvements that can be made to prevent this; or how can a spill get in to the sewer and if it is inevitable, can the

industry have a solution available What does the soap industry say about this

I hope to follow-up this article with some answers in the future. I want to know whether there were NPDES violations, what the industry has done to assist the City in the cleanup and whether WWTF’s can use defoaming agents and to what volume and rate so that permit violations are not an issue. And finally, I want to share it with the operator’s, so that we can all benefit from a situation and solution that may occur more often than you would think.

Photo 1 Photo 1 Photo 1 Photo 1 ---- Foam Overflowing Effluent Channel Back into Empty Foam Overflowing Effluent Channel Back into Empty Foam Overflowing Effluent Channel Back into Empty Foam Overflowing Effluent Channel Back into Empty Aeration TankAeration TankAeration TankAeration Tank

Photo 2 Photo 2 Photo 2 Photo 2 ---- Foam Balls Coming out of the Effluent DFoam Balls Coming out of the Effluent DFoam Balls Coming out of the Effluent DFoam Balls Coming out of the Effluent D----BoxBoxBoxBox

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BY CHRIS HIPKISS, Franklin WWTF

Three deadly wastewater accidents that should never have happened are discussed below. I wish to acknowledge Patty Passariello, the chair-person of our Association’s Safety Committee, for bringing them to my attention. Situation OneSituation OneSituation OneSituation One In September of this year at 6:30 in the evening a 48 year old Tarrytown, NY Public Works Department foreman went down a 15 foot deep sewer manhole to check out a clogged sewer line. Along with the foremen at the site was a 51 year old childhood friend and fellow Tar-rytown volunteer fireman. The reason the foreman went down the manhole without a harness or a gas meter, let alone setting up a tripod, will never be known. Maybe it was the lateness of the day, but for whatever reason, when he did not come back up his fellow firemen went down the manhole to attempt a rescue and he too was overcome by unknown fumes and died. Later officials determined that the oxygen levels in the manhole were about 14% which is well below the normal 21%. With all the training and stories of confined space accidents in our business why are they still happening? In this case it may have been the lateness of the day or not wanting to go back to the shop to get the proper equipment or the all too famous and dangerous “I’ve done this before with no problems” and in this case two people died. Situation TwoSituation TwoSituation TwoSituation Two In May of this year in Middletown Ohio, a three man sewer crew was preparing to conduct a TV inspection of a sewer line in an industrial part of town. They had removed the manhole cover and while two of the men went back to get equipment from the truck the third man was last seen kneeling at the opening to the sewer. When the men at the truck looked back a short while latter the third man was gone. He had fallen into the manhole. The fire department was called and believing they were responding to a falling accident started to enter the manhole and they too were overcome by unknown fumes serious enough to require hospitalization with one fireman at the time listed in critical condition. It was latter determined that the oxygen level in the sewer was at 2% and the unknown fumes were nitrogen gas. An industrial facility near the manhole in question produced nitrogen gas for use in the steel industry and the gas was piped both above and below ground to a near by steel mill. It was suspected that leaking underground piping was allowing nitrogen gas to enter the sewer system. In this case it would appear the crew was doing everything by the book but got caught by an unusual situation. The question: Is there a way to prevent this accident from happening again? My only suggestion would be to make it a practice to always have a gas meter present when opening a manhole and to check the contents of the air in the sewer even if you do not plan to enter the sewer. This may seem like overkill but then in this case it would have saved a life. Situation ThreeSituation ThreeSituation ThreeSituation Three This past summer at an Atlanta, Georgia treatment plant, a new plant operator which had been on the job for only six months, apparently fell into a mixed liquor tank and drowned. I say apparently because know one witnessed the accident and when he did not return from his sampling rounds the operators who went looking for him found sampling containers next to the mixed liquor tanks. I have always heard that it is impossible to swim in a mixed liquor tank with fine bubble aeration and being a person with an inquiring mind I decided to conduct a physics 101 experiment at the treatment plant where I work. I took a gallon plastic jug and filled it with water so that it just barley floated and suspended it in a mix liquor tank with mixers but with no aeration and it floated. I then suspended the jug in a tank with fine bubble aeration and the gallon jug sank. Add to fact that the jug sank and then throw in some steel toed work boots and I would suggest that falling into a mixed liquor tank would indeed most likely be fatal.

(Continued on page 11)

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By: Stephanie Rochefort, City of Somersworth WWTPBy: Stephanie Rochefort, City of Somersworth WWTPBy: Stephanie Rochefort, City of Somersworth WWTPBy: Stephanie Rochefort, City of Somersworth WWTP

As a diligent municipal employee, I’m always looking for ways to save money for the City that pays me. Well, saving time equals saving money and so the IDEXX Quanti-tray system has been a win-win situa-tion. The test only takes minutes to set up, minutes to read, is easy enough for all employees to be profi-cient and there’s no QA/QC requirements. Wait a minute, we are talking about a test that generates results for our NPDES permit, so there has to be QA/QC requirements. You think? You think? You think? You think? The QA/QC require-ments are probably difficult and time-consuming, too. There has to be a down-side to something this good. Maybe I should have looked into this more before I recommended that the City buy this method.

Luckily, the reality is that the QA/QC requirements for the IDEXX method are really, really easy compared to what I was doing for a membrane filtration method. Here’s the run-down:

1. QC standards – none required, except for doing the annual DMRQA sample.

2. QC duplicates – one every ten analyses. You could easily come up with some kind of a schedule or count on a calendar to keep track of every ten analyses. Or you could just do what I do and run a duplicate once per week. I do this every Tuesday. We call it “twofer Tuesdays” to easily remember.

3. QC blanks – none. Unless you’re using the regular Quanti-tray instead of the Quanti-tray 2000 and running dilutions, in which case you’d need to run a blank every one in ten. I don’t recommend this – just use the 2000.

4. QC splits – one every three months. This is the same requirement that we’ve been doing forever. So, just keep doing your quarterly splits with your next-door neighbor treatment plant like you have been.

5. Dilution water quality – Don’t use it and then you don’t need to worry about sterility checks, etc. Have I mentioned that I recom-mend using the 2000?

6. Reagent quality – Run positive and negative controls on each batch of reagent powder. There are 200 packets of powder in each batch, so this does not have to be done frequently at all! There are a couple of different makers of these controls out there – just do a little internet searching or ask your favorite vendor of micro-stuff and you’ll find them. Look for “EZ” in the product name and you won’t have any trouble at all. I make sure to order a batch of controls right after I order the reagent powder so I’m good to go!

My favorite helpful hint for the IDEXX system is to use your comparator. Reading the trays is so easy that one soon feels that the comparator is unnecessary. Yellow is obvious and glowing is obvious. BUT, if you get in the habit of dragging out that comparator each time, you’ll notice that it has an expiration date on it and you’ll have that date in the front of your mind. (my comparator expires next month!) It is fairly inexpensive to replace and then you won’t be caught with an expired comparator when your friendly inspector comes to visit. I’d also like to say that sometimes effluent is well within permit limits, but it IS wastewater effluent, not drinking water, and so some-times that comparator comes in handy when the removal efficiencies are in the low 90s instead of the high 90s.

I don’t really have any other helpful hints, because this method is so easy that I haven’t needed to do any trouble-shooting. Next time, I’ll write about what I’m doing with my time now that I’m not consumed with a membrane filtration method!

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Wastewater Management Candidate School ProgramWastewater Management Candidate School ProgramWastewater Management Candidate School ProgramWastewater Management Candidate School Program By: Mary Jane Meier, NHDESBy: Mary Jane Meier, NHDESBy: Mary Jane Meier, NHDESBy: Mary Jane Meier, NHDES

The Wastewater Management Candidate School Program is a joint venture between the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES), the NH Water Pollution Control Association (NHWPCA), the US Environmental Protection Agency and with assis-tance from Chuck Conway of NEIWPCC.

NH has joined the New England States in offering a Management Candidate School program, referred to as “Operator Boot Camp” in RI, CT, MA and ME. This program is designed to groom front-line and mid-level wastewater operators for upper management. “Operator Boot Camp” will graduate its first class in December 2011. The April 2012 Trade Fair event will celebrate the graduates’ accomplishments.

The Need for such a program has grown as many communities are facing an exodus of proficient wastewater managers. Succession planning is critical for transitioning current operators into management. Operator Boot Camp is designed to achieve a necessary high degree of professional development without a high level of expense or program management.

Program Goals:Program Goals:Program Goals:Program Goals: 1. Focusing on self-starting candidates with recognized potential for management.

2. Building the candidates’ knowledge base, confidence and contacts.

3. Providing a wide range of training from the highly technical (such as basic engineering, microscopic evaluation, and process control), hard-management skills (such as budgeting and labor relations), and—importantly—often overlooked “soft” management skills such as media relations and regulatory relations.

4.Using local, home-grown, and well recognized experts as trainers. Many of the trainers are volunteers

Training will be conducted on the 3333rdrdrdrd Tuesday of every month during 2011Tuesday of every month during 2011Tuesday of every month during 2011Tuesday of every month during 2011. All classroom sessions will be held at the DES Office Building on 29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH. The course will be based on the text book Manage for Success – Effective Utility Leadership Practices, published by the Office of Water Programs, California State University at Sacramento (CSU). Students who complete the course will earn 6.6 CEUs for their participation in the year long core training program. Additional credit can be earned through participation in additional events.

The names of the 17 registrants admitted to the 2011 class are: The names of the 17 registrants admitted to the 2011 class are: The names of the 17 registrants admitted to the 2011 class are: The names of the 17 registrants admitted to the 2011 class are: Jeff Backman- Allenstown; John Baron- Manchester; Nate Brown- Peterborough; Roxanna Chomas- Portsmouth ; John Clark- Hooksett; Paul Collins- Nashua; Ken Conaty- Merrimack; Mark Corliss- Franklin; Dan Driscoll- Manchester; Todd Gianotti- Newmar-ket; Scott Kilmer- Manchester; Kevin MacLean- Hanover; Andrea Martel- Allenstown; Kristin Noel- Concord; Kurt Robichaud- Henni-ker; Patrick Sheehan- Nashua; and Ray Vermette- Dover.

A special thanks and recognition goes out to Ray Gordon of NH DES for his continuing effort to develop the program content, arrange for trainers and speakers, and add that extra pound of energy to get this program off the ground in time for January 2011. Ray works as the Septage Coordinator for the NH DES. His training includes Certification in Information Technology, and he has completed the Certified Public Supervisor training. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from U of Maine in Natural Resources and his Masters in Public Administra-tion from UNH. He is truly in his element as he handily manages the coordination challenges of this endeavor. He incorporates his personal educational experiences into the choices he suggests and makes to the program. He draws from his experience in the DES Waste Manage-ment Division and the successful Solid waste operator’s certification and training program.

NH’s Boot Camp has already received endorsement from the New England Water Environment Association. Our hope is to gain the support of the state’s WWTF professionals, assist 17 operators’ growth as wastewater professionals, and galvanize the wastewater community around a common hope for continued excellence in the assuring clean water for New Hampshire’s future.

We hope to make this an annual program. Please contact Ray or Mary Jane Meier with interest and questions on future classes if you wish to get involved and/or register for 2012.

7777 Paula Anania, Tim Vadney, Paul Fritz, Sean Greig (kneeling), John Sykoro

8888

CAN YOU GUESS

WHAT THIS IS?

(ANSWER ON PAGE 12)

Editor’s Note: Kevin MacLean, from the Hanover Water Reclamation Facility, has spent the last two years dealing with construction upgrades at his wastewater treatment facility. He has kindly offered to share his experiences by giving presentations at the Franklin Training Center and at the 2010 Winter Meeting. Here is what he had to say about the process and what to expect:

What can I expect during an

upgrade? Prepare to dedicate as much time as possible to the project Include staff as much as practical in decision making process Create a good rapport with all parties Be prepared to make concessions Track as much data as possible during start up

Remain flexible – coordination is key

Remember – Bells and whistles don’t always make pretty music

Call references with similar applications – EVEN better - VISIT Be prepared to get inundated by sales reps

What can I expect during an

upgrade? Don’t be afraid to reexamine where you’re headed and why Process Maintenance Plan-talk, talk and review Attend as many meetings as possible

Shoulda, coulda, woulda – YOU WILL MISS THINGS Try and look at the “bigger” picture The preferred equipment/technology, may not be the best fit Even new equipment fails

Figure 1 Figure 1 Figure 1 Figure 1 ---- Discoloration of New BafflesDiscoloration of New BafflesDiscoloration of New BafflesDiscoloration of New Baffles

Figure 2 Figure 2 Figure 2 Figure 2 ---- Dewatering FailureDewatering FailureDewatering FailureDewatering Failure

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A Successful Operator Exchange Program By Phil Ryan Haverhill, Massachusetts Wastewater Treatment FacilityBy Phil Ryan Haverhill, Massachusetts Wastewater Treatment FacilityBy Phil Ryan Haverhill, Massachusetts Wastewater Treatment FacilityBy Phil Ryan Haverhill, Massachusetts Wastewater Treatment Facility

The New Hampshire Water Pollution Control Association hosted a Massachusetts Operator this year. My name is Philip Ryan, a Grade VI Wastewater Operator and a Grade IV Collections Operator from Haverhill, Massachusetts. I recently participated in the Operator Ex-change Program, which brings Operators from one New England state to another to visit different Wastewater Facilities. No matter how long one has been in the business, there is always something new to see or learn.

My New Hampshire tour began on Tuesday morning, at the Pease International Tradeport wastewater treatment facility in Portsmouth. Sequential Batch Reactors (SBR’S) are used to treat a mainly commercial and industrial flow, with Redhook Ale Brewery and a biopharma-ceutical company contributing the majority of the flow. A well run plant, with Roxanne and Judy, wearers of many hats, as guides.

Then on to Dover, one of the cleanest and progressive plants I’ve been to. Class “A” composting, covered tanks with odor control, and a new screw press on the horizon were highlights of the visit, led by Ray Vermette.

The day ended in Somersworth, where biological nutrient removal is key, using an advanced process known as Modified University of Cape Town (MUCT), developed in South Africa. Jamie Wood and Pete Fistera have forgotten more than I’ll ever know about BNR. This facility, designed by Underwood Engineers, removes nitrogen and phosphorus to very low levels.

After a comfortable night at a Portsmouth hotel, Wednesday’s activities started in Nashua, where Mario Leclerc led me through the plant, which has undergone whole scale upgrades. These upgrades include a 1.3 MG “egg” digester which halves sludge production, as well as signifi-cant energy savings realized with methane reuse. A wet weather facility was built to increase capture of stormwater, thereby decreasing CSO occurrences.

Then it was on to Manchester in the afternoon, the State of New Hampshire’s largest wastewater facility. Major changes have been made, with new centrifuges, odor control measures, and CSO mitigation already in process. An interesting tour with Kirk included a yard cart ride through a quarter mile tunnel housing miles of process piping, linking the Process Building with the Disinfection end of the Facility.

After another comfortable hotel stay, Thursday morning brought me to Jaffrey. Previously a lagoon facility, a new plant was built featuring the Carrousel Oxidation Ditch Process for BNR. SCADA, a centrifuge, and planned digester with methane reuse highlight this state of the art facility. When I asked what was to be done with the now empty lagoons, I was told they’re available for free, but must be moved. At least a hundred people participated in this tour, as it was the Association’s annual Fall Meeting.

The NH Water Pollution Control Association held they’re quarterly meeting at the Shattuck Country Club after the plant tour. Business and pleasure were mixed, as Association items were discussed over a prime rib luncheon. There was an interesting and entertaining overview given of the Jaffrey Plant project by Wright Pierce. I was able to continue my fellowship with new friends with a round of golf after the meet-ing.

(Continued on page 11)

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Since the accident was not observed we really don’t know how the operator ended up in the tank or how his body got wedged in a channel further down stream where it was recovered. Here are some precautions I would suggest that we can take with our every day sampling rounds to make them safer. 1) Use appropriate sampling equipment so that you do not need to lean over a guard rail to get the samples. 2) Never lean on guard rails when sampling. 3) Routinely check your guard rail bolts from time to time to insure they are secure. 4) In closingIn closingIn closingIn closing The three deadly accidents outline above needs to be a reminder to all of us that we work in a profession that has a lot of dangers and that we must always keep “Safety First” as our motto. If you have a safety area that you would like to see covered in the safety corner give me a call. You can reach me at (603)-934-2809 or e-mail me at vernon.hipkiss@des.nh.gov. Editor’s Note: Chris Hipkiss will be retiring at the end of the year and will no longer be a contributor to this newsletter. Editor’s Note: Chris Hipkiss will be retiring at the end of the year and will no longer be a contributor to this newsletter. Editor’s Note: Chris Hipkiss will be retiring at the end of the year and will no longer be a contributor to this newsletter. Editor’s Note: Chris Hipkiss will be retiring at the end of the year and will no longer be a contributor to this newsletter. ThaThaThaThank you, Chris, nk you, Chris, nk you, Chris, nk you, Chris, for all your efforts and Godspeed. for all your efforts and Godspeed. for all your efforts and Godspeed. for all your efforts and Godspeed.

(Safety Corner - Continued from page 4)

I wish to thank the communities listed above, and the Wastewater Professionals who gave their time and energy to share their knowledge and experiences. All were courteous, interesting, and very dedicated to their craft. I also wish to thank the many people behind the scenes that helped make the Ops Exchange a success: John Connor of MWPCA, Vinnie Melendez of GSRWA, Mike Sullivan of Sullivan and Associates, who handled the itinerary and accommodations, Sean Greig, President of NHWPCA who was the initial guide, and a very special thanks to Judy from the office of Sullivan and Associates, who handled my constant questions with aplomb. I shared meals with most of the above, as well as Fred McNeill of the Manchester Plant- thank you all!

The Ops Exchange Program is a wonderful way to meet other Professionals to see how they run day to day operations, as well as inevitable problems that arise. We all face similar obsta-cles; be they budgetary, mechanical or process. How does a 3 MGD plant deal with four inches of rain or a 30 MGD handle algae blooms? Being able to see a situation from someone else’s shoes gives it a fresh perspective and therefore may offer new alternatives.

I strongly advocate for this program and urge Association members, from whichever state you represent, to get involved. I visited Vermont a few years ago, and helped Joe Witts, Mass. Director of NEWEA host a R.I. Operator last year. I hope to visit facilities in all the New England states. Please participate in programs our Associations offer. It is why we pay dues, and, at least for me, reaffirms why I chose water pollution control as a career. I welcome any questions, comments, or advice.

pryan@haverhillwater.com

(A Successful Operator Exchange Program - Continued from page 10)

12121212

2010 NHWPCA Winter Meeting Awards2010 NHWPCA Winter Meeting Awards2010 NHWPCA Winter Meeting Awards2010 NHWPCA Winter Meeting Awards

Plant of the YearPlant of the YearPlant of the YearPlant of the Year

1st Place: Town of Newmarket. 2nd Place: Town of Hampton. 3rd Place: Town of Allenstown.

2010 NEWEA Award Announcements2010 NEWEA Award Announcements2010 NEWEA Award Announcements2010 NEWEA Award Announcements

Operator of the Year Operator of the Year Operator of the Year Operator of the Year Todd Gianotti from Newmarket

Hatfield Award Hatfield Award Hatfield Award Hatfield Award Dana Clement from Allenstown

Peloquin Award Peloquin Award Peloquin Award Peloquin Award Harry Baldoumas from Manchester

Congratulations to allCongratulations to allCongratulations to allCongratulations to all

ANSWER TO “ CAN YOU GUESS WHAT THIS IS? “ ON PAGE 8ANSWER TO “ CAN YOU GUESS WHAT THIS IS? “ ON PAGE 8ANSWER TO “ CAN YOU GUESS WHAT THIS IS? “ ON PAGE 8ANSWER TO “ CAN YOU GUESS WHAT THIS IS? “ ON PAGE 8

A covered tip-cart for catch basin refuse.

SANTA’S LISTSANTA’S LISTSANTA’S LISTSANTA’S LIST WWTF A - New Pumps. WWTF B - New Lab Equipment.. WWTF C - New Tools. WWTF D - Bigger Budget. WWTF E - Employee Raises. WWTF F - New Digesters. WWTF G - New Plant. All WWTF - New NPDES Permit With Reasonable Nitrogen Limits.

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the United States Military, for all they do and risk everyday for our

country and our freedom.

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