Rocky Mountain Water Quality Analysts Association Newsletter

To Err is Human...

Jasmine Koster — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:31:16 GMT

Jasmine Koster is the Laboratory Manager for Plum Creek Water Reclamation Authority. She has over 20 years of lab experience spanning indoor air quality, drinking water, and wastewater analyses. She currently serves as the Membership Communication board member for RMWQAA.

Have you ever had one of those days, weeks, or months where it felt like you couldn’t do anything without making some sort of mistake? When these instances happen to us at work it can be especially discouraging since we work in an industry that is so dependent on accuracy and attention to detail. The data we produce can drive important decisions or affect the ability to meet permit or regulation requirements. So, at times, little mistakes can have big consequences. Alas, we are all human and mistakes are going to happen. So how do we recover when a mistake is made and most importantly, how do we keep it from happening again?

First and foremost, if you recognize that you’ve made a mistake, admit it! Talk to a lead, supervisor, or manager to get guidance on if and how the mistake can be corrected or accounted for.

Secondly, whether you or someone else discovered your mistake, take responsibility. This is not the time to shift blame onto others. Remember, this is not personal, it’s business and the goal should be to correct the issue and prevent recurrence in a timely and constructive manner. Even in our personal lives, admitting when we are wrong and being accountable for our actions goes a long way in mending, maintaining, and/or restoring relationships and trust.

Next you will want to create a plan to fix the mistake and follow through with it, don’t assume that someone else will fix it for you. Again, this should involve help and guidance from those with the necessary knowledge, experience, and training to ensure the appropriate corrections are made. The resolution may involve as little as documentation of the error or making a correction to a report. Or the remedy may have much larger ramifications and require actions such as reanalysis of affected samples, resampling, or recalling data.

Once the mistake has been, or is in process of being corrected, the next step is to determine and understand what led to the error. This is an important part of correcting the mistake and preventing it from happening again (you know we love a root cause analysis!). For example, was it due to a lack of attention to detail or distraction? Could it have been a misunderstanding of directions or miscommunication? Was it because you were rushing or taking shortcuts?

In some cases, once you have a good idea of what led to the mistake you can use it as an opportunity for growth. You can take action to create and put in systems to prevent you and others from repeating it and apply your new knowledge going forward. In other instances, you may only be able to reflect on what you learned from the experience.

Most importantly, be kind to yourself. Although we want to prevent them as much as possible, mistakes are a natural part of life. If you spend too much time dwelling on past mistakes it can hinder your progress and prevent you from focusing on the present (and distract you and lead to more mistakes!). Treat yourself with the same understanding and compassion you would give a friend. Once the correction has been made, you have learned from it and done what you can to prevent it from happening again—allow yourself to move on.

By following these steps, you demonstrate your commitment to doing the right thing. This level of accountability will not go unnoticed and who knows, maybe your mistake can lead to good things-process or training improvements, learning opportunities, and resiliency. By sharing your mistakes, you can invite empathy and connection with others; because what’s better than learning from our own mistakes? Learning from others’ mistakes!

Learning Beyond Our Own Benchtop

Jasmine Koster — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:17:23 GMT

Danny McCausland is a Senior Water Quality Analyst with the City of Thornton. He has 12 years' experience working in the water quality field. Danny also serves as the Vice President of RMWQAA.

It’s easy to get comfortable in our own labs. We know where everything is, we know our methods inside and out, and we’ve figured out workflows that make sense for our team. Once an analysis has gone through development and is finalized, we often don’t think about optimization. But sometimes that comfort can also limit us. We don’t always realize there’s a better way to do something until we see it in action somewhere else.

The City of Thornton’s Water Quality group recently had the chance to visit the new City of Aurora laboratory at the Binney Water Purification Facility. I was most interested in seeing how they had setup for extracting and running PFAS samples. We were in the process of obtaining an automated solid-phase extraction system and wanted to see how it ran and the workflow they had developed around it. Seeing and learning how the extractor worked really solidified for us our need for obtaining the system due to its ease of use and time saved for analysts. Walking through their process and talking with their PFAS analysts was a great reminder of how much we can learn just by observing and asking questions.

One thing that Aurora Water Laboratory Supervisor, Susan Oster shared with us, was their use of positive displacement pipettes for working with methanol. Most of us have dealt with the frustration of using standard air-displacement pipettes with volatile solvents. Methanol doesn’t always behave well in a regular tip. It can drip, lose volume, or just feel inconsistent. Aurora’s team showed us the positive displacement pipettes they use, and the difference was obvious. No dripping. Better precision. More confidence in the volume being delivered. It’s such a simple piece of equipment, but it solves a real problem in organic prep work. I wouldn’t have known about another pipetting option if I hadn’t seen it in the Aurora lab.

That visit reinforced something I think we sometimes overlook: RMWQAA is full of this kind of practical knowledge. Across our member labs, there are countless small improvements, clever workarounds, and hard-earned lessons that don’t always make it into formal presentations or written guidance. They live in conversations, walkthroughs, and side discussions during tours.

Reaching out to another lab for advice shouldn’t feel like a last resort, it should be normal. Whether you’re setting up a new method, troubleshooting QC issues, or trying to make a workflow more efficient, chances are someone in this association has already been there. Taking part in lab visits, technical sessions, and even just informal conversations helps all of us raise our game.

There’s also real value in the relationships themselves. When you’ve met someone in person and talked shop for an hour, it’s much easier to pick up the phone later and ask, “Hey, have you run into this before?”

We all work toward the same goal: producing high-quality, defensible data to protect public health and the environment. Sharing what we’ve learned openly and generously, makes that work stronger across the region.

If you haven’t visited another member lab recently or attended one of our monthly events, I’d encourage you to consider it. You might come back with a small idea that makes a big difference.

Where Westminster Water Comes From...

Jasmine Koster — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:37:18 GMT

Lindie Aragon has been with the City of Westminster for ten years. She is a Senior Water Quality Analyst at the Big Dry Creek Wastewater Facility.

The Westminster Water Quality Team conducts monitoring of Standley Lake throughout the year. Here is their report on January’s sampling event.

Standley Lake Update 1.12.26

Samplers: Eric Scott and Peter Wethington

For the ﬁrst sampling trip in 2026 and a rare January outing, it was a really nice day. It was partly cloudy, 59.6°F, with winds from 2-3 mph out of the South and a relative humidity of 37.8%. The lake parameters remain uniform from top to bottom. There was a little bit of ice on a few of the west side coves. With colder water temperatures, the algae and chlorophyll are very low. In short, the lake is doing great and other than not being iced over, is performing exactly as it usually does at this time of year. We witnessed many more bird species active around the lake than would be expected for January. Probably due to the open water.

A Splash of Holiday Spirit: How AI Chatbots Use Water Behind the Scenes

Jasmine Koster — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 23:25:05 GMT

Contributed by Lauren Gossett

Lauren Gossett is a Senior Water Quality Technician at Denver Water. She moved from Tennessee to Colorado after earning a B.S. in Geology, started in the field, and transitioned to the lab in 2024. She’s still growing her experience on instruments but has fully embraced her unofficial role as the lab’s social director. When she’s not in the lab, Lauren is chasing live music and will show up for almost any artist if there’s a stage and sound.

Disclaimer: This blog post was generated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

As the holidays approach, many of us cozy up with hot cocoa, decorate trees, and—more than ever—turn to AI helpers for gift ideas, recipes, or even writing blog posts like this one! But did you know that every time you chat with an AI, there’s a hidden water footprint behind the magic?

Why Does AI Use Water?

Large language models like ChatGPT and Copilot run on powerful servers housed in data centers. These servers generate heat as they process your requests, and just like we cool down after a brisk winter walk, servers need cooling too. That’s where water comes in.

Most data centers use evaporative cooling systems, which rely on water to keep equipment from overheating. The type of water varies:

Potable water: Clean drinking water, often used in regions without alternatives.
Non-potable or recycled water: Increasingly common in sustainable facilities.
Closed-loop systems: Advanced setups that minimize water loss by recirculating water.

How Much Water Are We Talking About?

It’s less than you might think—but it adds up across billions of queries. Here’s a festive way to picture it:

Quick Facts (from least to most water):

Writing this blog post (short conversation): 20 mL → about four teaspoons → enough to fill a tiny jingle bell.
Reviewing a large file or attachment: 25 mL → about half a shot.
Generating an Excel or PowerPoint document: 40 mL → about two tablespoons, or enough to make icing for one gingerbread cookie.
Average-length holiday chat (~20 prompts): 50 mL → enough to fill a small Christmas ornament.
Generating a festive AI image: 200 mL → almost a full mug of hot cocoa.
Generating 190 AI images: 3.8 liters (1 gallon) → Watering a Christmas tree for one day!

Note: Estimates vary widely. Some studies include the entire lifecycle of AI models (training + inference), which can make per-query water use appear much higher—hundreds of milliliters or more. The numbers above reflect real-time inference only, which is the water used to process your request in the moment.

Why It Matters

As professionals in the drinking water and wastewater industries, we are stewards of our natural resources. While AI tools can be incredibly helpful at work and in our personal lives, we must be mindful of their environmental impact. By using these tools responsibly, we set an example and help protect the very resource we all work for—water.

So next time you ask an AI to write your holiday poem or design a festive card, remember there’s a little splash of water behind every word.

Water Used for This Blog Post:
Including writing, calculations, planning, and sourcing, this interaction likely consumed about 20 mL (four teaspoons). Just enough to fill a jingle bell!

Sources and Further Reading:

Wishing you a joyful, sustainable holiday season! May your celebrations be merry, bright, and mindful of the resources that make life possible.

Navigating PFAS Analysis in Wastewater and Biosolids

Jasmine Koster — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:17:05 GMT

Contributed by Sarah Choyke

Sarah Choyke, Ph.D. is the Technical Director at Eurofins Environment Testing in Arvada, Colorado. She has 15 years of experience analyzing emerging contaminants in the environment with expertise in sample preparation, mass spectrometry, and analytical chemistry. She received her Ph.D. from Duke University (NC) and B.S. from Haverford College (PA).

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of synthetic fluorinated compounds known for their chemical stability and resistance to water (hydrophobicity) and oil (lipophobicity). These properties have made PFAS valuable in industrial manufacturing, certain firefighting foams, and a wide range of consumer products. However, decades of use have led to their pervasive presence in both industrial and residential waste streams. Today, municipalities and industrial dischargers face growing pressure to detect and manage PFAS in wastewater and biosolids.

Complex Matrices, Complex Challenges

Just as PFAS cannot be represented by a single compound, wastewater and biosolids encompass a broad spectrum of sample matrices. Influent and effluent may contain flocculant solids up to 5% while biosolids can range from liquid to dewatered or dried with moisture content spanning from 5-99%. These variations significantly affect the reliability and reproducibility of PFAS analysis.

Laboratory Tools and Limitation

PFAS Laboratories have limited but critical tools to mitigate matrix effects during sample extractions.

For aqueous samples, subsampling or centrifuging can be used to reduce Total Suspended Solids (TSS).
Subsampling maintains data integrity by representing the “whole bottle” but results in elevated reporting limits (RLs).
Centrifugating preserves the lowest possible RLs but may compromise EIS recoveries due to sorption losses.
For biosolid, physical removal of debris (large rocks, vegetation, invertebrates, foreign objects) and integration of pooled liquids ensure the extracted aliquot reflects the bulk material.
The best way to ensure sample homogeneity and data quality is to use proper sampling techniques when collecting the sample.

The Gold Standard: Extracted Internal Standards

Quantitation using Extracted Internal Standards (EIS) remains the benchmark for PFAS analysis. This quantitation method relies on the recovery of isotopically labeled analogs (e.g., Carbon-13 and Deuterium) to internally quantify individual PFAS. It compensates for biases introduced during sample preparation and analysis due to matrix variability.

Partnering with Your PFAS Laboratory

PFAS Laboratories have highly skilled chemists, but they are not magicians. Clear communication and collaboration are essential – especially when dealing with complex matrices. Reach out to your lab if:

Your aqueous samples contain unavoidable solids, perpetual colloids, or polymers.
Your biosolids are viscous liquids or dried solids.
Your samples have elevated PFAS concentrations (>10 ppb).
Your samples are not homogeneous.
You have specific reporting limits (RLs) or data quality objectives (DQOs) that must be met.

Ensure confidence in your PFAS results. Partner with Eurofins Environment Testing, with a dedicated PFAS-certified laboratory in Denver, CO, for expert guidance, robust methodologies, and reliable data across even the most challenging wastewater and biosolid matrices. Visit www.EurofinsPFAS.com.

Planning Ahead: WEFTEC 2026-Why you should attend

Jasmine Koster — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:57:11 GMT

Contributed by Adele Rucker

Adele Rucker is the RMWQAA President and Lab Manager at South Platte Renew.

WEFTEC

“Solving water challenges takes more than great ideas—it takes connection, collaboration, and action. At WEFTEC 2025, you’ll find all three through cutting-edge solutions, hands-on learning experiences, and a global network of water professionals.” experiences, and a

That is the headline from WEF’s website for WEFTEC, the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference, this year. This large annual conference featured presentations about anything and everything water related. I had the privilege of attending again this year. Here are three reasons you should attend next year:

Operations Challenge

Four teams from the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association (RMWEA) competed in the Ops Challenge at WEFTEC this year. I was able to participate as a judge in the laboratory event again this year. The RMWEA teams swept Division I, winning 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place, that is a big deal! All the teams worked hard to compete, and we congratulate them all for their hard work and dedication.

Exposition

With over 1,000 exhibitors at the expo this year there is an exciting trend emerging: 3 utilities had booths at the expo this year. Last year only South Platte Renew had a booth and prior to that only vendors had booths at WEFTEC. This is our industry, and we should be represented at a conference that highlights what we do every day.

Technical Sessions

If it is related to water, whether it’s a hot topic like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), or a not so hot topic like cooling towers, J, there is a technical session about it at WEFTEC. Along with facility tours, WEFTEC offers education and a variety of solutions to problems faced by the entire industry. Education, idea exchanges, connections, and networking are available for everyone.

Did you know that RMWEA offers a scholarship for members to attend WEFTEC? Many RMWQAA members are RMWEA members as well. This is a potential source of funding if you would like to attend WEFTEC and your employer did not or will not allocate travel in the budget next year.

Here’s my summary, we need more- more ops challenge teams, more utility booths, and more participation from our great region.

Excerpts taken from Water Environment Federation, WEF, www.wef.org and RMWEA, rmwea.org

Innovation and Improvement are Alive and Well at the 2025 RMWC!

Jasmine Koster — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 18:58:35 GMT

Contributed by Rich MacAlpine

Rich MacAlpine is a lab supervisor at Metro Water Recovery. He has 20 years of lab leadership experience and is motivated to improve lab processes for optimized throughput, better data quality, and more sanity.

I was fortunate enough to attend the Rocky Mountain Water Conference (RMWC) in Keystone in August. Per the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association (RMWEA) website, the RMWC “is the premier water focused conference in our region.” Well, I guess they haven’t heard of the Rocky Mountain Water Quality Analysts Association (RMWQAA) Symposium!

Bragging rights aside, the RMWC was a great experience for me, and I want to share the common themes there that are hugely evident in the water sector and are also increasingly applied to laboratories. These are innovation, continuous improvement, problem solving, meeting challenges, “doing more with less”, collaboration, focusing on customer needs, and experimentation. All the great things that drive us forward and make us better!

Attendee days at the RMWC consist of travelling between half hour presentations from leaders in the industry given in multiple rooms across the convention center. It’s a quick pace that allows for exposure to a wide variety of information. And although the presentations ranged widely from water to distribution to laboratory to wastewater to energy to land use to permitting to wells to customer service and employee engagement, the themes of innovation, problem solving, and process improvement were strongly represented in almost every session I attended.

I highlighted just a few sessions at the RMWC that really showed innovation and improvement:

An Engineering leader from Metro discussing the importance of change management for people. (This is a big step forward from the old way engineers look at problems! The acceptance of a change by the team greatly increases the likelihood that it will be successful, and that’s just fact.)

Lab leaders at South Platte Renew (SPR) showing how to do internal lab audits to not only get ready for external audits, but to assess where you are in relation to where you want to be. (Measuring where you are is an important part of improving, otherwise how do you know you’ve improved or not?)

An Xcel/City of Denver/Metro collaboration to use wastewater to power heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) in buildings. (Resource recovery in action!)

Pilot and Research Center (PARC) Innovation Live – Discussing many of the innovative projects that SPR can experiment with in their new PARC. (Establishing innovation as a core part of everyday work, not something squeezed in after everything else.)

There were also so many other sessions highlighting innovation and improvement, too many to check out. If you work in the industry, you already know that we are a highly innovative, resilient, and dedicated group of people. Seeing so much innovation and improvement all together was so satisfying. The vibe and the knowledge were highly motivating for me to get back to the lab and start improving!

I am already looking forward to RMWC 2026! It will be in Keystone again, and the RMWQAA Education sub-committee and LPC will be hosting a “Lab Track”, a room (or rooms!) dedicated to sequential sessions with lab-specific info.

Anyone interested in presenting their lab experience, that has an idea of something to present, or wants any more information, are encouraged to reach out to Rich MacAlpine at rmacalpine@metrowaterrecovery.com.

There will be a helpful (and not required) gathering of potential presenters on November 6 so that we can support each other in getting our abstracts in by the due date, which is in January. This early due date normally catches us off guard, so this time we are getting ahead of it (small, incremental improvements!).

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better” - Maya Angelou

How is your utility approaching workforce development?

Natalie Love — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 13:31:07 GMT

Contributed by Natalie Monacelli

Natalie Monacelli is a Senior Water Quality Analyst for the City and County of Broomfield’s Environmental Lab. She has a M.S in Environmental Biology and over ten years of experience working in water quality laboratories. Outside of the lab she enjoys spending time with her two huskies, reading, climbing and snowboarding.

It’s becoming a bigger concern across the water industry, many of our experienced professionals are getting closer to retirement, and there just aren’t enough young people entering the field to fill those shoes. On top of that, most students don’t learn much, if anything, about water treatment and distribution in school, so they don’t even know these careers exist, let alone consider them. But there’s good news, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) recently launched a program that could really help utilities step up their outreach game in an effort to support the workforce.

The Teacher Externship Program, created through Colorado House Bill 23-1198, connects local teachers with STEM-based industries like ours. The idea is simple but powerful: give teachers real-world, hands-on experiences in technical careers, so they can bring that knowledge back to the classroom and inspire students to explore those same fields.

I recently proposed that the City and County of Broomfield’s (CCOB) Water Utility Department become a host business for this program. It seemed like a realistic and feasible project as well as a great opportunity for us to both support workforce development and build stronger collaboration across our departments.

So, what would that look like at CCOB (or your utility)? The first step is for our various departments, like water and wastewater treatment, distribution, instrumentation and controls, and others, to team up and design an externship program that gives local teachers a full picture of what we do and the career paths available in each area. While CDLE offers support and guidance, each host business gets to shape the experience in a way that makes the most sense for them. Our tentative plan? A 5 day externship that touches all aspects of water utility work here in Broomfield. Think:

Guided tours of our treatment facilities
Shadowing stormwater inspections
Ride-alongs with distribution foremen
Hands-on training with water quality monitoring tools
and so much more…

At the end of the week, we’ll sit down with the teachers to reflect on their experience, what they learned, what surprised them, and how they can weave these insights into their lesson plans.

The real goal is impact. We want these teachers to go back to their classrooms with stories of their hands-on experiences and examples that bring STEM lessons to life. And the most important piece? Following up! Staying in touch with the teachers to understand how their students respond and whether it’s sparking interest in water treatment related careers is perhaps one of the most important parts of the externship program.

If all goes well, we hope more students will start to see the water industry not just as essential infrastructure, but as an exciting and meaningful career path. With initiatives like CDLE’s Teacher Externship Program helping us reach students early in their school careers, we’re optimistic about the future of our workforce.

If you’re interested in learning more about CDLE’s Teacher Externship Program, visit their website here: https://cdle.colorado.gov/jobs-training/teacher-externship-program

Summer SAD

Natalie Love — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 03:48:58 GMT

Contributed by Michelle Neilson

Michelle Neilson, Water Quality Scientist, has been with Metro Wastewater since 2008. She has a B.S. in Chemistry and many years of laboratory and field work. Michelle has worked for USGS, contract laboratories, and several municipal wastewater and drinking water labs prior to Metro Wastewater.

Yay, Summer is here! But, is it all it’s cracked up to be?
Not for everyone. I’ve never been a fan of summer and have always been made to feel like a grumpy person or a buzzkill during the summer season. I don’t know why I never looked into this before but there is such a thing as Summertime Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). What?!? How could this be? Everyone loves summer… I decided to do a comparison with a friend to figure out some reasons for our differences, myths of Summer Bliss and how to best manage the Summer Bleck.

Summer can be really stressful whether it be financial, physical, or social. Maybe you don’t want to go hiking because your allergies take days to recover. You may need to figure out what to do with your bored kids all summer. You don’t want to drive to that far vacation destination but can’t afford flights for a whole family. All your friends are going to Water World and you can’t imagine putting on a bathing suit in public. Maybe your medication makes you more photo-sensitive. There seems to be a lot of pressure to be doing amazing fun things outside while looking great and spending money. Everyone has different family, work and personal circumstances that can also add stress and discomfort. Here's a sample of things people love about summer and the reasons why others may not. If you have any of the alternate replies, you might not be alone. Not all of these “negative” replies are actually mine, just examples. Occasionally I can handle, and even enjoy, any of these things. It’s the pressure and expectation of an entire summer of all of these things that makes me want to hang out in the walk-in cooler alone, and I’m an extrovert!

Summer Bliss	Summer Bleck
Hot hot weather	Unbearably hot
My kid being out of school and not stressing about homework	Me stressing about what to do with my kids and how to pay for it
Being rid of my seasonal depression	Experiencing Summer depression
Not having to wear a coat in the morning	Afternoon hail
Wearing cute skirts	Social media ruins everything
Longer days / more sunlight	Good but don’t sacrifice sleep. Schedules being completely off can be pretty disruptive and exhausting
Festivals	Sweaty dusty festivals
Outdoor drinking	Extreme dehydration and headaches
Splash pads at the park or outdoor malls	This seems helpful
Reading by the pool	Reading In the pool can actually be nice
Reading in the park	Sneezing in the park
The perfect time to invite neighbors over for a barbecue	Trying to force neighborhood social time and putting in a lot of extra work.
Vacation - the beach!	Stressing about vacation expense and time off. Not to mention crowded destinations.
Time to show off my pedicure	Ok sure
Warm enough for me to hike	Too hot to hike anywhere near Denver Also, rattlesnakes
The only time to comfortably camp in the mountains	Is there such a thing as “comfortable camping”?
Everything is so green! (except in droughts)	The green part is good but so much yard work
Iced tea on the patio	Iced tea alone on the basement couch
My spouse grilling every night	This could be nice
Increased energy	Low energy from the heat
Birds chirping wildly all day	Birds are good! Yellowjackets are not
Fireworks	Wildfire danger
Outdoor movies	Starting too late for the kids
Free music in the park	With ticks and mosquitos
The sun legit makes me happy	The sun legit makes me burn

Here are a few ways I’ve learned to adapt and handle my summers over the years:

Set up the kid pool on your patio and use it.
Drink more water and listen to your body. Heat exhaustion is no joke and also no fun.
Know your limits and what sounds fun vs what will actually be fun for you. Plan shorter times at events or earlier morning outings instead of afternoons. I like early morning kayaking and bird watching.
Voice your need to sit in the shade whenever you have the option.
Recognize and practice your need to feel comfortable. Self-preservation does not mean you hate everyone and are never happy. I think everyone is happier when they feel good.
Unapologetically bring hats, sunscreen, extra water, umbrellas and anything else that helps you feel well physically and mentally.
Give yourself a break for trying to stay alive and happy.

Resources

https://www.webmd.com/depression/summer-depression

https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/summertime-sadness-ways-to-chase-away-the-warm-weather-blues/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-deeper-wellness/202405/understanding-and-managing-summer-sad?msockid=2f1f6f00fca6648a1c817b7efd2865ca

Hummingbird Season

Natalie Love — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:35:04 GMT

Contributed by Ashley Romero
Ashley Romero is a Water Quality Scientist at GEI Consultants, Inc. and has a background in ecotoxicology.

It’s hummingbird season!! Well actually there are two peak periods in our area, the first is the initial migratory period from mid-April to the end of May and the second is from July to the end of September. I’ve had the pleasure last year of watching a hummingbird build a nest and lay two tiny eggs that were the size of small jellybeans. There were two very small hummingbird chicks that I got to see grow up into healthy hummingbirds, very quickly it seemed like! And I learned that it is typical for the chicks to fledge, or leave the nest, after 18 to 28 days from hatching. It was such a special occurrence that I wanted to make sure I did all I could to have the chance to see it again. And so I decided to share some helpful tips on how to attract and make the most hummingbird friendly environment.

I have a typical feeder that is red and yellow, and while hummingbirds do have a proclivity to those colors, it’s mostly because they are the easiest to spot. These birds have a high metabolism, so they live to eat! But don’t feel like you are isolated to those colors, hummingbirds can see a wide variety of colors, including in the ultraviolet spectrum, and will come as long as nectar is consistently available.

Speaking of nectar, a problem I have experienced in the past is to put the feeder in a really sunny spot without changing the sugar water as often as needed. This can cause the solution to ferment and turn moldy which hummingbirds are not fond of. It is important to keep the feeder clean, in a shadier spot, and replace the solution on a regular basis, including more frequently, depending on the warm weather. When selecting what type of nectar to use, make sure to check the label on store bought solutions to determine whether it is pre-diluted or concentrated so that it can be prepared properly. But you can also make your own by simply boiling one part table sugar with four parts water and if making a larger volume, making sure to keep it refrigerated in the interim.

Hummingbirds also enjoy the nectar from native plants and flowers in addition to small insects such as fruit flies or gnats. The USDA has some helpful information on the types of hummingbirds that can be found in Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming and which plants are suitable to grow based on ecoregion (brochure provided with this link). You can also encourage the presence of small insects by keeping overripe fruit or banana peels close to the feeder. Also, hummingbirds like to bathe frequently! But just a misting, they also prefer droplets on leaves, and very shallow water that mimics natural environments. Please also be mindful if you have an outdoor cat to keep them away from feeders and plants.

Lastly, find a good spot in the yard to relax and watch! Hummingbirds are super fast and can be hard to see, but they also do like to perch and hang out on feeders so make sure that they have plenty of room to do so. Have fun this season!

References

www.audubon.org/community-science/hummingbirds/how-create-hummingbird-friendly-yard

www.birdconservancy.org/attracting-spring-and-summer-hummingbirds/

www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/hummingbird-guides.shtml

On the Dark Side – of the Symposium!

Natalie Love — Thu, 15 May 2025 01:53:55 GMT

Contributed by Sherry Scaggiari

Sherry Scaggiari is the Water Quality Compliance Coordinator for the City of Brighton. Her chemistry degree afforded her a start as an elementary education teacher. She quickly moved on and has over 17 years in water and wastewater laboratories, regulations, and prior experience in commercial labs. In the end, she still gets to teach regularly through the RMWEA Operator Schools. Sherry is the current Chair for SPCURE, participates in CWUC, LPC, and of course, RMWQAA.

Analysts are so adaptable. We can pivot and change directions in a split second. Want proof? Well, you should have been at the 2025 Symposium April 18. There we were, listening to some great presentations.

The History of WET Testing

Natalie Love — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 12:32:01 GMT

Contributed by Cat Cash

Cat Cash (Laboratory Manager) works at SeaCrest Group, where they focus on conducting Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) tests and culturing Ceriodaphnia dubia and fathead minnow.

Water is one of the most precious resources, and protecting its quality is vital to public health, environmental preservation, and the sustainability of ecosystems. WET testing is a method in which we can utilize to understand the impacts of effluent discharges on aquatic environments.

WET testing or Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing is used to assess the potential toxic effects of discharges on aquatic life. Unlike chemical tests that examine specific pollutants in water, WET Testing looks at a holistic effect of a water sample on living organisms, providing a broader view of the toxicity of effluent discharges.

The test involves exposing aquatic organisms to treated wastewater, or effluent, to observe any harmful effects. The results of WET testing help determine whether the water source meets the environmental standards set by regulatory agencies such as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to protect aquatic ecosystems and human health.

The origin of WET testing can be traced back to the 1970’s, when environmental awareness was on the rise. In 1972 the United States passed the Clean Water Act (CWA), marking a turning point in the environmental regulation. The CWA set forth goals to improve the quality of U.S. waters, and the regulatory framework established for wastewater treatment plants emphasized the importance of testing to ensure that discharges did not harm our aquatic environments.

At that time, most water monitoring focused on detecting specific pollutants, such as heavy metals or pesticides. However, this limited our scope because it didn’t provide a comprehensive picture of the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. Scientists began to realize an integrated approach to testing that considered the combined effects of all pollutants in wastewater on aquatic life was needed.

In 1985, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formalized Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing in order to “identify, characterize, and eliminate toxic impacts of discharges on aquatic ecosystems.” The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, authorized under the Clean Water Act, manages water pollution by regulating effluent discharges across the United States.

The EPA published its first WET Testing guidance document, titled "Short-Term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Freshwater Organisms” in 1991. This document established the standardized protocols for using specific organisms, such as fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) and water fleas (Ceriodaphnia dubia), to test the effects of effluents.

A variety of organisms, including both freshwater and marine species, can measure a wide range of toxic effects, from acute lethality to sublethal impacts such as reproductive impairment and behavioral changes.

Since these publications, the regulatory role of WET Testing has also expanded. In the United States, WET Testing is now required under the Clean Water Act for many wastewater treatment facilities that discharge to surface waters. State and federal agencies use WET testing results to set limits on the types and concentrations of pollutants that can be released into the environment, ensuring that water quality is maintained, and aquatic life is protected.

In addition, WET Testing is now used in broader environmental management practices, such as monitoring the health of watersheds, assessing the impact of industrial discharges, and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment technologies i.e. chemical evaluations. It has become an integral part of risk assessment studies for new industrial processes, ensuring that potential environmental hazards are identified and mitigated.

By focusing on the biological effects of pollutants, WET Testing provides invaluable insight into the true impact of wastewater discharges on aquatic ecosystems. As technology advances and the importance of environmental protection grows, the history of WET testing highlights a success story of innovation and scientific collaboration in the pursuit of cleaner, healthier waters for all.

This is how we've always done it

Natalie Love — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:17 GMT

Contributed by Melissa Mimna

Melissa Mimna is Laboratory Manager for the City of Boulder Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) where she has worked in the WRRF Lab for the past 12 years. Melissa is a certified Water Quality Analyst and Wastewater D Operator. When she isn’t in the lab or writing poetry, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets, gardening, and traveling.

Feeling uninspired about topics, I’ve opted to write you a rhyme

About how our industry sometimes feels like it’s stuck in time

“This is how we’ve always done it”- we’ve all heard that phrase

But perhaps that thinking is better for things like hollandaise?

Some techniques from decades ago might be outdated

In fact, many of them maybe even slightly antiquated

So, how do we know when the old techniques have merit?

Or whether it’s a method we should try to disinherit?

Some say the proof is in the pudding, or in the lab- we say in the QC

(We avoid the term pudding in wastewater labs, as you can imagine to be)

If the QC look great and the data make sense

Maybe the old method works fine in the present tense

To question a convention, you might ask “why” 5 times in a row

Why we still analyze for BOD… that we may never know

Why did they decide to sample with that weird dipper cup?

And what would happen if we try to switch it all up?

Why this method, location, frequency, or sample type?

Are these fancy TnTs worth all the hype?

The series of whys might help to decide which changes are worth making

Because a simple method change can be quite an undertaking

And sometimes we need to produce more data to know

If that old ISE probe is still the best way to go

Some old methods might still be quite effective

And each Lab has our own goals and perspective

Try something new, especially if the cost is low

Because, unless you try, you’ll never know

Try a new local vendor- save some money on bottles or gloves

Because saving money and buying local is something most everyone loves

On the other hand, no one has time to reinvent the wheel

Some of these methods are gold standards and might keep their appeal

A key skill to develop is knowing when a change could do more harm

And listening to your gut about the old methods having charm

Like anything in life, it’s a balancing act

And even though it is science, it’s not always exact

The decisions made decades ago might still ring true

(A good reminder to document your changes for the next crew)

While this blog post may not have provided you with any new insight

I hope it reminds you that it’s not black and white

Knowing when to question or just go with the flow

That’s a big part of life and we learn as we go

We’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again

In the end, we’re all doing the best that we can

The South-North Water Transfer Project: A Significant Endeavor to Solve Water Scarcity

Natalie Love — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 15:07:33 GMT

Contributed by Danny McCausland
Danny McCausland is a Senior Water Quality Analyst with the City of Thornton. He has 11 years working in the water quality field.

Water is a vital resource, but its distribution is far from even. Here, in the western United States, we understand this well. When looking for solutions, I think it’s important to look at how other parts of the world are tackling this water scarcity. In China, this imbalance has spurred one of the most ambitious engineering projects in history: the South-North Water Transfer Project (SNWTP). This initiative aims to move water from the water-abundant south to the arid north, tackling critical shortages and supporting economic growth. But what exactly is the SNWTP, why is it necessary, and what lessons can we learn from it? Let’s take a closer look.

What is the South-North Water Transfer Project?
The SNWTP is a massive infrastructure project designed to redistribute water across China. It consists of three main routes.

1. The Eastern Route
The Eastern Route is the first of the three routes and is already operational. It leverages the ancient Grand Canal, one of the world’s oldest and longest man-made waterways, to transfer water from the lower Yangtze River to northern regions like Shandong Province and the city of Tianjin.

Source: The route begins at Jiangdu, a city in Jiangsu Province, where water is drawn from the Yangtze River.

Pathway: The water travels northward through the Grand Canal, a network of canals and rivers that has been upgraded and expanded for the project.

Pumping Stations: Because the terrain is relatively flat, the route relies on a series of pumping stations to move water uphill. There are over 50 pumping stations along the route, making it one of the most energy-intensive sections of the project.

Destination: The water is delivered to Shandong Province and Tianjin, two regions that have long struggled with water scarcity.

Challenges
Water Quality: The Eastern Route passes through heavily industrialized and urbanized areas, raising concerns about pollution. Efforts to clean up the Grand Canal and monitor water quality are ongoing.

Energy Use: The reliance on pumping stations makes this route energy-intensive, increasing operational costs and environmental impacts.

2. The Central Route
The Central Route is the most ambitious and impactful of the three routes. It transfers water from the Danjiangkou Reservoir in Hubei Province to major cities like Beijing and Tianjin, as well as other parts of northern China.

Source: The route begins at the Danjiangkou Reservoir, which was expanded to increase its capacity for the project.

Pathway: The water travels over 1,200 kilometers (746 miles) through a combination of canals, tunnels, and aqueducts. It crosses the Yellow River, a significant engineering feat.

Gravity-Fed System: Unlike the Eastern Route, the Central Route primarily relies on gravity to move water, reducing energy consumption.

Destination: The water is delivered to Beijing, Tianjin, and other northern regions, providing a critical water source for over 50 million people.

Challenges
Resettlement: The expansion of the Danjiangkou Reservoir required the relocation of over 300,000 people, creating social and economic challenges.

Environmental Impact: The diversion of water has affected local ecosystems, including reduced water flow in the Han River, a major tributary of the Yangtze River.

Sedimentation and Algae Blooms: The reservoir and canals have faced issues with sedimentation and algae blooms, which can affect water quality.

3. The Western Route
The Western Route is the most complex and challenging of the three routes and is still in the planning stages. It aims to divert water from the Tibetan Plateau to the Yellow River Basin, addressing water shortages in the country’s northwest.

Source: The route would draw water from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, including its tributaries on the Tibetan Plateau.

Pathway: The water would travel through a series of tunnels and pipelines across some of the most rugged and remote terrain in China, including the Himalayas.

High Altitude: The route involves transferring water at extremely high altitudes, presenting significant engineering and logistical challenges.

Destination: The water would be delivered to the Yellow River Basin, supporting regions like Qinghai, Gansu, and Ningxia, which face severe water scarcity.

Challenges
Engineering Complexity: The harsh terrain and high altitude make this route the most technically challenging. Building tunnels and pipelines in such conditions is both difficult and expensive.

Environmental Concerns: The Tibetan Plateau is a fragile ecosystem, and diverting water could have significant environmental impacts, including effects on downstream regions.

Geopolitical Sensitivity: The Tibetan Plateau is a politically sensitive area, and the project could face opposition from local communities and international stakeholders.

Why is the SNWTP Necessary?
The project was born out of necessity due to several critical challenges:

Northern China is home to over 40% of the country’s population but has only about 20% of its freshwater resources. Rapid urbanization and industrialization have exacerbated water shortages, threatening economic stability and quality of life.
The south, with its abundant rainfall and extensive river systems, often faces flooding, while the north struggles with droughts. The SNWTP aims to balance these disparities by sharing water resources more equitably.
Over-extraction of groundwater in the north has led to land subsidence and ecological damage. By providing an alternative water source, the project helps reduce reliance on groundwater and promotes environmental recovery.

The South-North Water Transfer Project is a remarkable example of human ingenuity in tackling resource challenges. While it has provided much-needed relief to water-scarce regions, it also highlights the complexities of large-scale infrastructure projects. For other regions facing similar issues, the SNWTP serves as both an inspiration and a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of sustainable and holistic approaches to water management. Could such a project help the western United States with its water scarcity challenges?

2024 Water Consumption Trends for Westminster

Lindie Aragon — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 21:47:13 GMT

Take a moment to look at the water use trends that Drew Beckwith with the City of Westminster put together.

Highlights from the analysis:

Drinking water production was +15%, and reclaim production +52%, by comparison to 2023.
50% of Westminster’s water was used outdoors in 2024, with the water needs of Kentucky bluegrass measuring at the 2^nd highest level since 1954.
A decade ago, average water use for a single-family home was 15,000 gallons in the hottest month, today it’s closer to 12,000.
During summer, nearly 40% of our customers never use more than 8,000 gallons of water – the switch to Tier 2 rates.

blog.pdf

Any comments, questions, or ideas of different analyses of data can be sent to dbeckwit@westminsterco.gov.

The Power of Water

Natalie Love — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 01:39:42 GMT

Contributed by Michael Hendricks

Michael Hendricks is a Water Quality & Treatment Lead for Denver Water

As the holiday season arrives, we often find ourselves surrounded by the warmth of family gatherings, the sparkle of holiday lights, and the joy of giving and receiving. Yet in the midst of all the festive bustle, it’s easy to overlook something that is fundamental to life itself: water. Water might not be the first thing that comes to mind when we think about the holidays, but it's a reminder of how interconnected we are with the world around us and how we can carry that gratitude into our holiday season.

Think about the moments that define the holiday season: the hot cocoa shared by the fireplace, the warm meals served at family feasts, the soothing baths that help us relax after a long day, or the water used in toasts as we celebrate the year gone by. Water is there in almost every holiday tradition, whether it's a part of a recipe, a decorative element like snowflakes or ice sculptures, or a symbol of renewal and celebration.

While many of us take clean, running water for granted, there are millions of people who do not have easy access to it. In some places, finding safe drinking water is a daily struggle that shapes every aspect of life. During the holiday season, a time that often centers around helping others, this is a poignant reminder of how much we can give to make a difference. Simple acts of kindness, such as donating to water charities or supporting local initiatives that promote water conservation and sustainability, can have a meaningful impact.

The holidays are not only a time to celebrate but also a time to reflect. Water has been a symbol of renewal and purification in various cultures for centuries. From the deep blue oceans that represent the vastness of possibilities to the calming rain that replenishes the earth, water represents a fresh start. It’s a perfect metaphor for the end of the year and the beginning of a new one.

Water is everywhere and in everything. It nourishes us, renews us, and keeps us going through all the seasons. During the holidays, it’s easy to become wrapped up in the excitement of gifts and meals, but taking a moment to remember the importance of water in our lives, and in the lives of others, makes this season not just one of celebration but also of reflection and gratitude. Let’s make a toast—not just to the holiday spirit, but to the water that makes all of it possible. Cheers to the gift that gives life and connects us all.

Need a Helping Hand? An Internship Might be the Right Move

Natalie Love — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 14:16:03 GMT

Contributed by Natalie Love

Natalie Love is the Laboratory Research Manager at Metro Water Recovery and has enjoyed working with all of Metro’s interns. She is hoping to bring one into the lab this spring.

The Rocky Mountains brought Salina Loer from Wisconsin to Colorado. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2022 and took an internship designing and building an incubation system for hydrogen sulfide metabolizing bacteria. While her biogas internship provided excellent hands-on engineering experience, she was ready for something new. Salina came to Colorado, got a job at a ski shop, and found an internship with Metro Water Recovery. The internship provided her experience working through cool wastewater projects, all while allowing her flexibility to enjoy the Colorado outdoors.

Metro Water Recovery offers a well-established paid internship program through the Technology and Innovation Department (TID). This program has been in place for over six years with most past interns still working in the wastewater sector. Currently TID has three “Temporary Engineers”, each with a unique skillset that is utilized all over the plant. Metro’s Industrial Pretreatment Division also has a formal summer internship program, and the Laboratory Research Team is considering hosting its first intern in 2025.

One common concern among interns in poorly structured programs is being assigned only menial tasks. This is not the case with Metro. Metro TID intern Alex Chavez-Maldonado has taken on projects as diverse as struvite removal from pipes, activity testing to assess nutrient removal kinetics from activated sludge microbiology, to assessing orthophosphate spikes in the secondaries. According to Alex, “From the start, I knew the internship would be a hands-on, highly applicable experience to my career aspirations, and it has lived up to that.” The Lab Research Team is hoping to foster just as much learning as the TID program has supported, while also getting a valuable helping hand.

Our goal would be to train the Lab Research Team intern on some of the daily tasks and projects that would significantly help staff. These tasks include sample collection onsite, sample filtration and preservation, analyses on specialized instrumentation, and data compilation and presentation. In return, the interns would be gaining hands-on lab and wastewater treatment experience. Are you wondering whether your lab could support an intern? Some things to consider include:

Scheduling does require some flexibility, but most students are still able to block out a few full days each week.
Training is less intensive than it would be for a full-time, permanent employee who must learn everything in the lab. By focusing on a subset of tasks, interns can still gain valuable experience in less training time.
Interns often become excellent candidates for open permanent positions allowing both parties to “test the waters” before committing.

Internships are true win-win situations with all parties gaining from the experience. Metro’s third temporary engineer, David Hood, was looking for a career change and hoped for a job that would allow him to get outdoors after many years in medical science labs. Working with instrumentation at Metro provided that along with perspective on the massive quantities of data coming from a large utility. While each day doesn’t always go as planned, David has learned a ton about instrumentation and how to manage all the little quirks and Metro has benefited from his instrumentation knowledge. All three interns have provided incredible value to Metro, significantly contributing their expertise and skills to the projects they have worked on.

Operations Challenge

Natalie Love — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:59:46 GMT

Contributed by Adele Rucker
Adele Rucker is the RMWQAA President and Laboratory Services Manager in South Platte Renew’s Laboratory.

Where can you see over 55 teams compete in what is called The Wastewater Olympics?

Operations Challenge at WEFTEC of course!

Ops challenge is a competition, organized by WEF, the Water Environment Federation, where teams of wastewater collection and treatment professionals compete and display their skills.

In the competition, teams compete to earn the highest score in five different events. Each team includes four members and often a coach as well. Each event is designed to test the diverse skills required for the operation and maintenance of water resource recovery facilities, collection systems, and laboratories. The five events are collections systems, laboratory, process control, maintenance and safety. Here is a summary of each event:

Collections Event

The event simulates connecting a 4-inch PVC lateral sewer to an 8-inch PVC sewer pipe; replacing a leaking section of existing 8-inch PVC sewer pipe while in service; and the construction of the Victaulic Pipe Tower per defined procedures.

Safety Event

Scenario: While a facility crew is working, one of the workers collapses inside a manhole. The coworker is found at the bottom of a lift station (confined space) unconscious. It is suspected that he/she has been overcome with an unknown gas or lack of oxygen due to a worn 4” check valve gasket in the station. The in-plant rescue/repair team is immediately called to the scene. The Ops challenge team then safely rescues the coworker.

Maintenance Event

The purpose of this event is to test the skills of a maintenance team in response to issues at a sanitary pumping station.

Process Control

The Process Control event consists of handwritten and computerized activities and simulations to test the relative process control skills of the teams. This event highlights skills used to run a wastewater treatment plant. The questions include all areas of wastewater treatment.

Laboratory Event

Laboratory results are valuable as a record of plant operations. This data lets the operator know how efficiently the plant is running and help predict and prevent troubles that may be developing within the various processes. Laboratory results are required as a record of performance for regulatory agencies and are of value to the operations staff and design engineers for performance optimization, troubleshooting, determination of loadings, and for determining when plant expansions are necessary. For these reasons, laboratory tests should be conducted as carefully and consistently as possible and according to appropriate analytical methods.

The entire event fosters cross training, professional development, leadership and teamwork. Improve old skills, learn new skills, and prepare for the unexpected that is a win, win situation no matter the outcome of the competition.

Four teams from the Rocky Mountain Region competed in Ops Challenge at WEFTEC this year. I had the privilege of being a judge in the laboratory event this year. All of the teams worked hard to compete and we congratulate them all for their hard work and dedication.

Excerpts taken from Water Environment Federation, WEF, www.wef.org and RMWEA, rmwea.org

Reawaken Your Inner (Micro)Biologist

Tyler Eldridge — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 17:45:00 GMT

Contributed by Tyler Eldridge

Tyler Eldridge is a volunteer member of the RMWQAA Board, prior laboratory analyst, and current manager of Greeley’s Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Facility.

My interest in biology as a child helped foster my love for science as I grew older. I used to collect as many books and fact sheets of animals as I could. Growing up, I was fascinated with the nature documentaries, raised on “The Crocodile Hunter,” “Planet Earth,” and “Blue Planet.” You can imagine the older nature books and documentaries didn’t put a whole lot of focus microbial organisms, as all the fun seemed to be in finding which animal was the biggest, heaviest, fastest, strongest. As course work expanded, lab work became more incorporated, and work with microscopy

led to a new interest in microbiology, a study focused on the incredibly diverse microbiological organisms and systems that impact nearly every facet of our day-to-day lives.

I wasn’t sure where exactly my biology degree would take me. I had high hopes of being a marine biologist at one point, but that is tough to do when much of your time is spent a mile above sea level and thousands of miles from the ocean. I certainly didn’t anticipate wastewater treatment as an opportunity to put my degree to the test, and it’s safe to say I was even quite ignorant as to what the process of treating wastewater looked like. Even when I began working in the City of Greeley’s Wastewater lab, the focus seemed to be on the chemistry side, analyzing concentrations of ammonia, phosphorus, and BOD to prove our worth. As I saw how these microscopic entities, such as bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, play a pivotal role in breaking down organic matter and nutrients I started to wonder why the lab didn’t also have a microscope like Operation’s. After all, outside of compliance monitoring, much of the work the lab performs is to help inform how the process is operating overall, and the efficiency of treatment processes largely depends on the microbial communities present. Operational challenges, such as odor complaints or excessive foam, can often be traced back to microbial imbalances. Microscopy provides insights into these issues, enabling teams to pinpoint causes and develop solutions. Why not combine efforts and allow for a more robust chemical and biological focus between Lab and Ops? The more eyes you have on a sample, the better opportunity you have to collaborate, interpret, and understand what microbiology is telling you about your plant.

It wasn’t until recently that we went an entire year without having to replace something expensive in the lab, leaving us with a little extra in the budget as the year closed. This seemed to be the perfect opportunity to see if there was any interest in getting the lab a microscope and some training in microbial analysis. Luckily, that interest was apparent, and a microscope was purchased for the plant’s compliance and process lab. While this was not new to Operations staff, it would be new to the Lab staff, and we felt that including the lab in microbial analysis would be a great opportunity to further develop a collaborative approach to problem-solving across the plant while improving process knowledge amongst those not in Operations. This past year we sent Ian (Operations) and Callie (Lab) to a local two-day Wastewater Microbiology & Process Control course, and the returns were instantaneous. Both came back with a new and refreshed understanding of what we can learn from analyzing the microbial systems in our plant, and the ability to put a numeric value on the biological system based on several factors they can determine from microscopic evaluation. They put in place a more frequent and robust microscopy plan and generate plenty of chatter amongst staff when they find and share new or exciting microbes from the process. Increasing the frequency while expanding the number of analysts able to do the work has allowed for more extensive evaluation of a system that may be more subjective at times than other lab parameters.

I’ve noticed more process-related discussions occurring between Lab and Operations staff, which ultimately helps build a more informed treatment plant. One thing I struggled with early in my lab career was understanding the process implications from our findings, so helping foster additional communication and collaboration between staff was something I set my sights on. Wastewater is a complex mix of organic and inorganic materials. The efficiency of treatment processes largely depends on the microbial communities present, and it can be challenging to build a full understanding when the processes responsible are invisible to the naked eye. By examining samples under a microscope, we can identify key species that contribute to effective biodegradation, which informs process optimization.

I understand there are likely many places where this overlap between Ops and Lab staff on the microscopy side may be common practice, but for us it was a new adventure. Looking under the microscope has helped break up some of the day-to-day monotony that can build up over time, and the excitement when a particularly large bristle worm or strange looking suctoria is found is palpable. I even have the chance to jump out and grab a sample to look at for myself from time to time, which brings me a calming sense of wonder (assuming no filaments are present) about nature and biology that I often miss. If you don’t often get to see what’s under the scope, reach out to your operations team to get an understanding of just how much they learn from their microscope analysis, or get you a microscope and start fostering additional communication yourself!

Reconnect with Water

Natalie Love — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 01:07:11 GMT

Contributed By Rich MacAlpine

Rich MacAlpine is a volunteer member of the RMWQAA Board, Co-chair of the Laboratory Practices Committee, and a supervisor at Metro Water Recovery.

As water professionals, we spend a lot of time analyzing, verifying, thinking about, and using water quality data. That is good! It is needed, and it can be fun work. I enjoy working in water quality, I enjoy my co-workers, associates in the field, the challenges, and I believe that this work provides a benefit to the world.

Speaking for myself though, sometimes I can get totally wrapped up in the purely scientific qualities of water. Suspended solids, conductivity, BOD, ammonia levels, pH, metals levels, Kjeldahl nitrogen, PFAS, dissolved phosphorous, emerging contaminants, salinity, all of these can become the only way that I view water.

However, I was recently able to go on a trip where I was able to reacquaint myself with other, non-purely scientific qualities of water. Many of these are the qualities of water that attracted me to a career in water quality to begin with. It was great to align myself again with what I will call the more fun qualities of water.

Listening to waves crashing on shore while falling asleep is a wonderfully relaxing experience. Jumping into a cold lake is fun, refreshing, and invigorating. Standing under a waterfall is a powerful feeling. Diving and snorkeling give views into a whole other wonderful world. Listening to a creek is rejuvenating. Watching barges on a river is inspiring and contemplative. Watching birds land on a pond is inspiring (and can also be hilarious!). Kayaking is (somehow, magically) both relaxing and great exercise. Going to an aquarium is still fun and still educational.

I felt a renewed connection with water and with my work by being able to get out of the purely laboratory qualities of water and into the more existential qualities of water. For anyone in the water field feeling a little run down or overwhelmed at work, getting out and enjoying water on a different level (be that physical, emotional, spiritual, visual, etc.) is highly recommended! There are so many great opportunities to enjoy and get out and be amazed again by the resource that you work so hard to preserve. When you find your water outside of the lab, it can inspire your work with water in the lab!

Summer Algal Blooms

Natalie Love — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 16:17:06 GMT

Contributed by Curtis Collins
Curtis Collins is a Water Quality Technician for the City and County of Broomfield and has a background in Fisheries Biology. His favorite activity is fishing for Cutthroat trout in high alpine lakes across Colorado.

Summer is here! As the weather heats up, so do water temperatures in our local ponds. Warm water temperatures can cause multiple issues for ponds, including algal blooms. Algal blooms occur in water when warm temperatures, abundant nutrients, and prolonged periods of light are present.

Negative effects of algal blooms:

● Dense algal mats that can hinder recreational activities such as fishing.

● Reduce dissolved oxygen levels in the pond which can lead to a fish kill.

● A strong “decaying” smell when the algae dies.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are of most concern because they are algae or cyanobacteria blooms that produce toxins that are harmful to both humans and animals.

Potential health effects to humans or animals:

● Skin and eye irritation

● Nausea

● Vomiting

● Diarrhea

● Liver damage

● In some cases for animals, even death

It is important that microcystin toxin levels are evaluated when algal blooms occur and appropriate actions are taken if toxin numbers exceed safe levels for human and animal health. Waterbody closures and posting of signs to warn the public help deter direct contact with the impacted water.

How residents can help:

● Limit the amount of fertilizer used on lawns to reduce nutrient levels in runoff.

● Prevent leaves, grass, and other yard debris from entering our storm drainage system.

Rain Barrels - History and Colorado Rules

Natalie Love — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 00:55:46 GMT

The History around rain harvesting is rich with human ingenuity. Every culture has developed some method of capturing rainwater – from India, to Greece, to Machu Picchu, Peru. Rainwater collection systems have been as simple as a banana leaf to a coconut or as elaborate as an underground cistern network for an entire fort or town. The practice of harvesting rainwater dates back at least 3,000 years. History has finally caught up to Colorado. Colorado law makers legalized rain barrels on August 10^th, 2016.

Colorado Rules help remind everyone that water is very precious in Colorado, and it is owned by users downstream. Rain that lands on a rooftop is a property right that is owned by someone downstream. Every drop counts, and water rights holders depend upon the runoff from snowmelt and rainfall.

The arid west is unique when it comes to managing water. The use of water is governed by what is known as the prior appropriation doctrine. This doctrine of water allocation controls who uses water, how much water may be used, the types of uses allowed, and when those waters can be used. Understanding the water laws can provide valuable insight into the way water is shared in Colorado.

After a couple of attempts at the state capital, House Bill 16-1005 was passed in 2016. It is now legal to capture rainwater at your house. For rain barrels to be legal in Colorado, downstream water rights owners must still be able to use their water rights. To guarantee that the captured rainwater will not change the flows in the river, there are a few guidelines that rain barrel owners must follow:

Anyone who lives in a house or townhouse with fewer than 4 units can use a rain barrel.
A maximum of two rain barrels can be used at each household, and the combined storage of the two rain barrels cannot exceed 110 gallons.
Rain barrels can only be used to capture rainwater from rooftop downspouts.
The captured rainwater must be used on the same property from which the rainwater was captured, for only outdoor purposes.
Rain barrel water cannot be used for drinking or other indoor water uses.
The captured rainwater can be used for watering lawns, plants, and/or gardens.
The capture and use of rainwater using rain barrels does not constitute a water right, and no permits are necessary.
If a water right holder can prove that rain barrels have impacted their ability to receive the water that they are entitled to, then the State Engineer can curtail the use of individual rain barrels.
Rain barrels need to be sealable to keep out mosquitos.
For people on well water, there is a different set of guidelines that include a need for a collection permit. Water can be used outdoors and indoors and match the well use, and they can collect as much water as they want.
A homeowner’s association cannot ban the use of rain barrels; however, it can impose “reasonable” aesthetic requirements about the location and/or appearance of rain barrels.

Good practices will prolong the life of your rain barrel system and save you time and money. Like any other household appliance, rain barrels need to be inspected and cared for. Here are some recommendations:

Rain barrels should be emptied periodically to clean out debris.
If you plan to be away from the home for more than a week, you should disconnect your rain barrel from the downspout. A thunderstorm can easily overfill your barrel.
Drain and disconnect during the winter. Water can freeze and crack your rain barrel. Don’t forget to adjust your gutter downspout so the water will run away from your house and not into a window well.
Shade or cover your barrel to avoid weathering from the sun. Plastic will eventually get brittle and crack if left in direct sunlight.
An overflow hose is a good idea. Have it drain at least 6 feet from the house.
There are various ways to build and connect your rain barrel and each will depend on the location of a drain and individual property. A little bit of thought and planning will help you maximize your results.

Are you Curious About How to Build, Install, and Maintain a Rain Barrel?

Below is a summary of helpful ideas and suggestions on how to have a successful rain barrel.

Colorado State Law (2016): Maximum of two 55-gal barrels, outdoor water use only, use at site where collected, no drinking, it is not a water right, avoid mosquitos.

Be Ready: 1 inch of rain on 1,000 sq. foot roof equals 600 gallons of water. That is 12 barrels worth of water. Rain barrels fill up very quickly.

Water Quality: Rain barrels are good for water conservation and also water quality.

Location: A full rain barrel weighs close to 480 pounds. Make sure it is in a safe location on level ground. Know how much water comes down your downspout. Decide if you want it invisible or visible, left/center/right of downspout, and if you want it on the north or south side of the building.

Materials: Barrels can be plastic or steel and can be any size. Conversion kits are available and easy to install but are not always the best choice. It is good to use quality bulkhead tank fittings to attach drains, spigots, and other barrels.

Spigot: Drill a hole the proper size about 3” from the bottom. Use ¾” size parts, and the spigot should be a quarter turn spigot.

Inlet: Drill/cut proper size on the side or top of barrel. Good to put a cleanable screen on the inlet.

Overflow: Drill a proper size overflow hole. Make sure it is lower than the inlet.

Install: Pick location and level the ground. Use strong material to build the base. Get the barrel into final position. Have the spigot high enough for a bucket or hose to fit underneath.

Connect to Downspout: There are two kinds – Split-Flow and All-Flow. Split-Flow is when you use a diverter. They are good for handling high flows, have a built-in overflow by using the downspout, and can disconnect from your house. Downside - Split-Flow diverters are harder to install, you don’t get all the water, they can leak, and they can clog more. All-Flow is when you alter your downspout so that all the water goes to the barrel. These are easier to install, clog less, divert more water, and are good for light rains. Downside - All-Flow systems are permanent, you cannot turn them off, and you must build an overflow system.

Split-flow Diverters: The ones that insert into the downspout are not the best because they clog and are not cleanable and overflow easily. The “Y” diverter is a good one to use because it can be easily turned on and off. There are others that flip down a spout but can be messier during big rains.

Annual Maintenance: Protect the plastic barrel from the sun or it will get brittle and crack. Drain and clean at least once a year. For the winter, disconnect and drain so that it does not freeze.

Daily Maintenance: Check the volume in the barrel and drain it if a storm is coming. Clean the inlet screen of any gutter material. Check for debris and leaks around the barrel. Check the base to make sure it is still stable.

Safety: To avoid mosquitos, keep it dry, keep the water moving, and keep it sealed. You can use larvicides. Make sure it is stable and keep the water away from your foundation.

Steve Lundt is a Senior Water Quality Scientist at Metro Water Recovery. He has over 22 years of experience managing lakes and reservoirs in Colorado and the Pacific Northwest. If you don’t find Steve on a boat working, you can find him on a bike path in Denver.

World Bee Day

Natalie Love — Thu, 23 May 2024 04:04:29 GMT

In light of the upcoming World Bee Day, celebrated on May 20^th, I thought I would give a shout out to the bees, but also would like to give recognition to all the native pollinators of Colorado. Pollinator species include ants, bees, beetles, butterflies, flies, birds, hummingbirds, and moths. A pollinator will move in an orderly fashion between flowers of the same plant species and gather pollen grains on their body which is then transferred from plant to plant resulting in cross-pollination. This is essential for plant reproduction and the production of most fruits and vegetables. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, about 80% of all flowering plants and over three-quarters of the staple crop plants rely on pollinators. However, this incredibly important species is facing various challenges such as habitat loss, misuse of pesticides, monocropping, pests, and disease. Given that May is a prime month for folks to begin planting and gardening, an important consideration is to plan a garden that is beneficial to pollinators. Pollinator habitats consist of a variety of flowering plants that provide nutrition and nesting space. These habitats can be big or small and consist of a variety of flowering plants that are attractive to both you and pollinators. An important factor to consider is to include a mixture of plant species that have bloom times ranging from early spring to late fall to provide pollen and nectar throughout the pollinator activity season. Other factors to be mindful of are providing flowers that are attractive to different species of pollinators. For example, bees prefer a broad range of plants and depending on the size of the bee, prefer larger or smaller flowers to be able to work more effectively. Even the structure of the flower can be more or less advantageous to different pollinator species. It is beneficial to plant in groups of flowers with similar structure rather than single plants scattered in the landscape. Planting native flowering plants is cost effective, adapted to local soils and climate, and are usually the best sources of resources for pollinators. A list of flowers for all seasons can be found in the Colorado State University fact sheet: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/creating-pollinator-habitat-5-616/. For more information on the best practices to avoid and prevent impacts to pollinators, the Colorado Department of Agriculture has drafted a Pollinator Protection Plan containing guidelines in support of the health and proper management of pollinators and their habitats: https://ag.colorado.gov/plants/apiary-program-page/pollinator-protection.Ashley Romero is a Water Quality Scientist at GEI Consultants, Inc. and has a background in ecotoxicology.

Image from Pixaby

Ashley Romero is a Water Quality Scientist at GEI Consultants, Inc. and has a background in ecotoxicology.

Regulatory Update

Natalie Love — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 03:12:32 GMT

Does anyone besides me feel like there are new regulations flying at you and trying to keep up is just HARD? I thought maybe a summary of some of those I have on the radar might help someone.

1. Lead or the LCRR and LCRI

a. Acronym Definitions: Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, GRR – Galvanized Requiring Replacement

b. The most important thing about complying with this rule right now is that systems must complete their inventory by October 16, 2024. However, the word “complete” is a misnomer. I have been using the word “refining” rather than completing. If you can report that you have no lead that’s awesome and you should go ahead and get that form submitted to the state. If you have or suspect or have no idea if you have lead then everything is considered an “unknown”. You can report your lead, galvanized requiring replacement and unknowns and keep working on identifying the unknowns. The trick will be, once the LCRI is in effect (on Oct 16th), the unknowns get counted in your placement requirement which will be 10% of your inventory. We will need to report another inventory number sometime after 2027 so there’s time to refine your inventory. Once you do the report to the state you have to notify everyone with lead, GRR and unknowns within 30 days.

c. After the rule in in effect, everyone will have to sample schools and daycares – even if you don’t have lead. The state did some sampling and we probably won’t have to re-sample those schools. A good starting point would be to build our list of schools, but I wouldn’t sample just yet because daycares and schools could change before LCRI takes effect after 2027.

d. There’s tons more to this rule, if you have questions, call! The state is also able to help!

2. PFAS

a. I heard recently the final rule should be out by April 8th.

b. This is the draft proposed to regulate PFOS and PFOA at 4 PPT and there are four other compounds which will use a new concept for drinking water of how the Hazard Index is calculated.

c. The drinking water rule could have ramifications for discharge permits. I expect they will use the drinking water MCLs to decide permit limits for discharges.

3. Dredge and Fill

a. This work seeks to protect the waters that the current WOTUS ruling does not. There are two bills working through the legislature and if you want more information, let me know.

HB24-1379 - this bill will require CDPHE to set up the entire program of 404 permitting.
SB24-127 - this bill sets up the program in the department of natural resources and will provide protection for the gap waters (ephemeral streams and wetlands).

4. COG641000 Water Treatment Plant Wastewater Discharge Permit Renewal

If you have a general permit to discharge from your treatment plant, it might be changing. This does not impact individual permits. I do not know where the state landed on this as it has been a while since the meetings were held and the meeting this week is said to be the final stakeholder meeting.

a. The last stakeholder meeting was Apr 2nd and I can give people an overview later if they are interested. As I am writing this, the meeting has not been held.

5. Reg 100 Mandatory Regulatory Training (MRT) and TU matrix

a. There is supposed to be a stakeholder process to update the TU matrix which could impact operators holding certifications throughout the state. I have not seen any announcements but, please get involved.

b. A workgroup has been working to refine the MRT class. The Reg 100 board will have a stakeholder process to finish this work. Operators are encouraged to represent themselves in this process.

Sherry Scaggiari is the Environmental Compliance Principal at the City of Aurora. Sherry has a chemistry degree from CSU and made her start in environmental contract labs over 30 years ago. She has worked for the city of Aurora for 16 years. She is responsible for compliance for Aurora Water including supervising the MS4 inspections group, Environmental compliance and the Quality Control Laboratory.

World Water Day

Natalie Love — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:41:53 GMT

Coming up with a topic to write about was harder than expected. Shouldn’t it be easy to think of a topic related to what we spend about 25% of our week focused on? We started reading through old blog posts to get some ideas and stumbled upon one written about Earth Day from a couple of years ago. We started googling holidays in March that could be beneficial to write about and it just so happens that World Water Day is coming up! Water Day sounded familiar, but we honestly could not tell you what day it was on. (For anyone else who’s like us, it’s on March 22^nd). So, with all of that being said, we present to you some background on World Water Day and a list of 5 ways we can honor it on March 22^nd.

World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance that has been held on March 22^nd since 1993. Its purpose is to celebrate water and inspire action to tackle the global water crisis. The United Nations has a total of 17 sustainable development goals to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. Goal 6 is directly correlated to World Water Day. This goal hopes to ensure access to water and sanitation for all by the year 2030. We only have 6 more years to make this goal happen and we are still far from it. The UN website describes the progress like this, “Despite great progress, billions of people still lack access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. Achieving universal coverage by 2030 will require a substantial increase in current global rates of progress: sixfold for drinking water, fivefold for sanitation and threefold for hygiene.”

The 2024 theme of World Water Day is Water for Peace. The key messages listed on un.org are:

Water can create peace or spark conflict. When water is scarce or polluted, or when people struggle for access, tensions can rise. By cooperating on water, we can balance everyone’s water needs and help stabilize the world.
Prosperity and peace rely on water. As nations manage climate change, mass migration and political unrest, they must put water cooperation at the heart of their plans.
Water can lead us out of crisis. We can foster harmony between communities and countries by uniting around the fair and sustainable use of water – from United Nations conventions at the international level, to actions at the local level.

Here are some easy, sustainable options for you to do and encourage others to participate in to support World Water Day:

Consider switching to laundry detergent sheets. Look for brands that are plant-based and do not contain phosphates, surfactants, dyes, formaldehyde, or brighteners. These detergent sheets do not damage ecosystems like traditional detergents do.
Consider switching to a metal/glass water bottle. These reusable water bottles reduce waste and minimize the release of micro plastics and other harmful contaminants like pfas into our water.
Use a Dishwasher. Washing dishes by hand uses 7x more water than using a modern dishwasher.
Eat locally. Support local farmers who use water-efficient irrigation methods and promote organic farming practices that minimize water pollution from pesticides and fertilizers.
Plant Trees and Native Plants Trees and native vegetation help prevent soil erosion, recharge groundwater, and improve water quality. Encourage others to participate in tree planting and native plant restoration projects.

As we go back to our daily routines here in Colorado, we hope you remember World Water Day 2024 and its theme of peace. As a state we are lucky to have access to such amazing facilities that provide us with clean water, and we should remember that this is not the case for many. By adjusting how we think of using this precious resource and embracing simple yet impactful actions such as reducing water waste and supporting clean water initiatives, we are not only safeguarding our way of life but also fostering peace and equity among communities. We hope you will join us in committing to spreading awareness, engaging in sustainable practices, and educating others about the importance of water conservation.

References:

https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/

Haley West (Senior Laboratory Manager) and Catherine McDonald (Laboratory Manager) work at SeaCrest Group, where they focus on conducting Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) tests and culturing Ceriodaphnia dubia and fathead minnow.

I don’t know who needs to hear this but - You’re doing a great job

Natalie Love — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 22:43:21 GMT

In the lab, we strive for 100% every single day. We want everything to be exactly by the method, documented, within specs… we aim for perfection. And that’s fantastic. But that’s not how real life always works. Sometimes stuff goes wrong, or at least partially not right.

There is biology in our analytical lab. Personally, the most challenging tests for my program are WET, E. coli, and BOD - at times, these tests drive me insane. They are biological! It doesn’t always go perfectly in the analytical realm- throw in some biology and good luck! But we are all biology. We are human. We have off days and make mistakes. And it’s ok to be human.

Even analytical requirements have error built in. Known standards need to be within 90-110% to be considered acceptable. Heck, some of the more wobbly tests even stretch to 70-130% acceptability limits. So, why don’t we give ourselves similar margins of error? Why do we understand that analytical tests have a small range of error but do not grant ourselves the same grace?

Perfection is tough under optimal conditions. But we all face challenges - aging equipment, juggling multiple priorities, short on staff and budgets, lower and lower detection limits, etc. Yet we still want to be perfect. It’s ingrained in our analytical brains - everything has a set procedure, we can’t deviate, and we know there is a precise right answer. We always seek that 100% recovery, perfect slope, and not missing anything. This degree of perfectionism has an important role in the lab. But it can also make us crazy.

Even in the lab, it’s not always black and white. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been trying to find out the answer to my question only to determine that it is a grey area and up to some level of interpretation. Who would have thought there was art to our science?! And the further we dig in, the more complicated it gets. We are juggling priorities and facing difficult questions where sometimes we must choose the lesser evil. We do the best we can with the resources we have. Personally, I used to think that I’d have it figured out by this point in my life. But the truth is - if we keep advancing and taking on bigger challenges, it never gets any easier. The questions and challenges just keep getting harder. And I think most of us would be bored if they weren’t. But the fact remains- we keep raising that bar.

It’s great to strive for perfection and I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t. But it’s also important to know when good enough is good enough. I’m not saying to cut corners or to lower the bar. But we are human and can only do our best. I’ve noticed that people who are drawn to the lab often have an analytical mindset that is such an advantage. But if you are one of those people who wakes up in the middle of the night worrying about something in the lab, can’t turn off during vacation, or stress about the increasing cost of service contracts or how you’re going to attract or retain top notch chemists - I implore you to reevaluate where you’re putting your energy. When we set our sights on perfection, we don’t give ourselves credit for all the amazing things that we ARE accomplishing. Like anything, it’s a balance, right? Continual improvement is a good goal but not at the cost of undervaluing all the stuff that we get right every single day. Sometimes, instead of stressing about hold times, sig figs, and whether we remembered to pH-adjust that buffer - our energy is better spent on nominating a colleague for recognition on a special project, chatting with Operations about upcoming data needs, or just taking a moment to appreciate how much our labs and teams accomplish every single day. We do great work. Take the time to give yourself a pat on the back.

Melissa Mimna is Laboratory Manager for the City of Boulder Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) where she has worked in the WRRF Lab for the past 12 years.

A Splash of Change: New Year Resolutions for Sustainable Water Usage

Natalie Love — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 14:12:57 GMT

As we bid farewell to one year and welcome another, it's an opportune time to reflect on our habits and consider making positive changes for the future. One crucial aspect that often escapes our resolution lists is water usage. With water scarcity becoming an increasingly prevalent issue, setting resolutions for sustainable water practices is not only responsible but essential. Let's dive into some meaningful New Year resolutions that can help us become more conscious and responsible stewards of this precious resource.

Conserve Water at Home:

The first step toward sustainable water usage begins at home. Make it a resolution to fix any leaks, install water-efficient appliances, and be mindful of water consumption during daily activities such as showering, dishwashing, and laundry. Simple adjustments like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or fixing a dripping faucet can collectively make a significant impact.

Adopt Xeriscaping Practices:

In our water scarce region, xeriscaping – a landscaping method that promotes water conservation – can be a game-changer. Resolve to redesign your outdoor spaces with native, drought-resistant plants that require less water. This not only contributes to water conservation but also adds a touch of local beauty to your surroundings.

The Colorado State University Extension is a valuable resource for information on xeriscaping. They often provide guides, articles, and workshops on water-wise landscaping practices suitable for Colorado's climate. Visit their website or contact the local extension office for specific resources. Https://extension.colostate.edu

Rainwater Harvesting Goals:

Consider making 2024 the year you start harvesting rainwater. Collecting rainwater can significantly reduce reliance on traditional water sources for activities like gardening and watering plants. Invest in a rain barrel or explore more elaborate rainwater harvesting systems depending on your needs and the local regulations. The Colorado State University Extension is again a great resource for those looking for guidance.

Educate Yourself and Others:

Resolve to learn more about the water situation in your region. Understand where your water comes from, how it's treated, and the challenges it faces. Share this knowledge with friends and family, raising awareness about the importance of sustainable water usage. The more people are informed, the more likely they are to adopt water-saving habits.

This month, the third Climate Change in Colorado report was released. Created by researchers at the Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State University, the report has valuable insights for water providers and planners regarding temperature increases, runoff effects, and precipitation. Read CSU’s press release here for highlights. There’s also a nice summary from Heather Sackett writing for Aspen Journalism.

As we embark on a new year, let's make a splash with resolutions that go beyond personal betterment, extending to the well-being of our planet. Sustainable water usage is not just an environmental responsibility; it's a necessity for the survival of our communities and ecosystems. By adopting these resolutions, you become an integral part of the solution, contributing to a more water-conscious and sustainable future. Cheers to a year filled with positive change and mindful water stewardship!

Danny McCausland is a Senior Water Quality Analyst with the City of Thornton. He has 10 years working in the water quality field.

Take a Moment to Laugh!

Lindie Aragon — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 21:12:47 GMT

The holiday season is FULL of stress. So many things to get done with less daylight than you need. Money is tight, the anxiety of gift selections is at an all-time max, wrapping is difficult and looks nothing like the one you pinned on Pinterest, family is determined to throw consecutive shindigs, you drank to much at your company party, the list goes on and on!

Instead of writing a blog that is informative, educational, or beneficial, I decided to take the time to gather some jokes. Hoping at least one makes you smile and escape from the craziness for just a moment. Even with the pressure and madness, I truly hope each and every person reading this has an amazing holiday doing what you love most! Cheers to 2023 and cannot wait to see you in the New Year!

What do you call it when a guy throws his laptop into the ocean?

Adele, Rollin’ in the Deep.

H20 is water, but what is H204?

It’s for swimming and drinking, of course.

There are two reasons why you should never drink toilet water.

Number one. And number two.

How do you know if an ant is a boy or a girl?

If you toss it in the water and it sinks, it’s a girl. If the ant floats, it’s a buoyant.

Why do scuba divers fall backwards into the water?

Because if they fell forwards, they would still be in the boat.

My friend keeps saying “Cheer up man it could be worse, you could be stuck underground in a hole full of water.”

I know he means well.

Just opened my water bill and my electricity bill at the same time…

I was shocked.

What did the river say when it saw beavers for the first time?

“Well, I’ll be dammed.”

How do you find Will Smith in a snowstorm?

Look for Fresh Prints!

What did one snowman say to the other?

Do you smell carrots?

Thankful for Water

Natalie Love — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 23:23:08 GMT

This month many of us will gather with friends and family and give thanks for the things that we are thankful for – our family, friends, a roof over our heads or the wonderful meals before us. But one of the most important things that many of us are grateful for is often overlooked and never mentioned at Thanksgiving dinner…water. It is something that is a part of everyone’s daily lives and is often taken for granted. For most people in the US, we don’t have to worry whether the water we get from the tap is clean or where the water goes when we flush our toilet.

Water is the core of all the things that we are thankful for daily. It allows us to cook our food, keeps our bodies nourished, keeps our environment clean. The list of reasons to be thankful for water can go on and on but at its core, water is essential for life and something that I know I am very grateful for. I personally have been fortunate enough to work in water quality for my professional career and had the privilege of working with many great people who dedicated their lives to providing our communities with clean water. From the treatment of wastewater to the distribution of safe drinking water, we have a great community that keeps water flowing through our daily lives.

As we gather this Thanksgiving let us be reminded of the things that are sometimes overlooked in our daily lives such as clean water and the people who put in the hard work to provide us this resource. Water is the core of life, and it is important that we continue to make improvements to water infrastructure and work on providing safe water to those communities who may not have access to clean water as many of us do.

Michael Hendricks is a Water Quality Senior Technician for Denver Water

Interview with the Podcaster

Natalie Love — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 00:55:27 GMT

For many in the wastewater industry, the association with autumn and conferences comes naturally. The Rocky Mountain Water Conference (RMWC) occurs in September and WEFTEC takes place at the beginning of October. This was my first year participating in back-to-back wastewater conferences in less than one month. While both conferences lived up to the hype with all the free drinks (and interesting talks) it got me thinking about the collective experience at one of those conferences. I estimate there was roughly 7,500 years of knowledge at the RMWC alone.

In this vein, I was hoping to exploit my friend Blair Corning and his vast experience. Blair is currently the Deputy Director of Environmental Programs at South Platte Renew and was my boss at South Adams County Water and Sanitation District (SACWSD) in my first stint in wastewater. Blair was the reason I got involved in the RMWQAA and I’m reaching out to him to share his perspective. We’ll start out with a standard, base-level interview question. How did you get involved in the wastewater field….is it something you knew you wanted to do your whole life?

I didn’t even think about being in water treatment when I was young. I wanted to be a veterinarian in high school and college. No one ever tells you about water and wastewater when you’re young and if they do it’s certainly not sexy enough to think about. Until you realize benefits and job stability and steady exciting work helping the community is sexy too. I got in when I applied for a job as a way to run from the USDA. I was a food safety inspector there, which meant long hours on a giant assembly line cutting into cow parts. Two years is all I could handle and fortunately I found my first job in water at SACWSD.

I never thought I’d hear the words “sexy” and “cow parts” in that close of proximity to each other. Thank you for that. What was your trajectory from there? What did you start out doing at SACWSD and how did you get to where you are now?

I started as an environmental “technician”. I worked in the water lab, wastewater lab, and industrial pretreatment all at once. It was a new position that had been created and looking back it was the best job ever for seeing everything about the water business. I am currently a Deputy Director at South Platte Renew. I got there by being patient, learning all I could in every job, and never saying no or I’m too busy to do that.

I like that….never saying no is a very consulting mindset to have, but it really takes you far because you never stop learning. What has been your favorite job/role over the years?

I’ve loved them all. The lab is great because you get a result and it’s real and it’s done and you feel good. The further you get from the bench, the more things seem to be less concrete. My favorite role though is my current position. The other day I was on a boat in Barr Lake in the morning looking at lake monitoring probes and in a Denver high rise in the afternoon talking about the facility master plan. It reinforced to me that I have the best job in the world.

Variety is great! And the boat sounds so awesome! Especially with this amazing fall weather we have been having. Name one lab-related challenge you faced in your career and how you overcame it.

The one I can think of is operating the lab during a remodel. Imagine the effects of dust and vibration and construction on a TSS test. We set up quarters in a tent in the garage and did the best we could. It was a lesson in no whining. We got it done and met permit requirements.

I remember that remodel! The best thing about it was not having to wash BOD bottles. You let us splurge on the disposable bottles. But that was really the only good thing about it. You have done so many cool things in your free time….writing, comedy, and now your podcast. How did the podcast come about?

When I switched jobs and started at South Platte Renew my commute lengthened (I live in Arvada). I started listening to podcasts on the way to and from work. I looked for Colorado Water podcasts but didn’t find too many. Then of course I thought “I could do that” and went about figuring out how to do it. It’s fun. I love interviewing different guests and talking water. It’s therapeutic. Which is good because therapy ain’t cheap. If any lab folks want to be on the podcast I’d love to do an episode on the laboratory side of water and wastewater.

If any of our readers are interested, you can shoot Blair a message at: bcorning@englewoodco.gov. Be sure to follow the Streaming Water Podcast….there are some really awesome episodes. My favorite is Season 3, Episode 4, Airborne Snow Measurement with Taylor Winchell and Jeff Deems. I learned some awesome stuff about snowpack in Colorado. Tell the readers about how you first came across the RMWQAA and about your involvement in the group when you joined.

I got involved because of Joan Chavez, my wastewater lab supervisor. She had been in the group and encouraged me to get involved and introduced me to some members. I’m glad she did that because it is just what I needed at that time. I was new to the industry and didn’t know what I knew or didn’t know so it really helped having some lab friends. Joan was unselfish and wanted to build people up. It was something I tried to carry on.

You carried that on by doing the same for me when I was in your lab! I joined in 2005 and I met so many awesome people, many of whom I’m still friends with today. What advice do you have for someone just starting out in the wastewater industry, besides getting involved in a professional organization? That’s always my number one piece of advice since it helped me so much in my career.

My biggest piece of advice is Give the people what they want. It’s that simple. Whether it’s your boss, your board, the public, etc., just give them what they want. I spent years giving people what I thought they should want or I wanted them to want but when I learned to understand what they wanted everything became easier.

That’s some really sound advice Blair. Thanks so much for taking part in this interview!! To wrap it up, if you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room, what would you choose and why?

This one is easy. There’s a dive bar by my house and before I go in I play Muskrat Love by Captain and Tennille on TouchTunes. I did this for two years before they finally made the Pavlovian connection that when that song came on - I walked in. It was a bonus because this is a metal, Creedence, Lynard Skynard type place, so Muskrat Love totally disrupts everything. That’s the beauty of it.

Ha!! That’s amazing….you legit have a walk-in song!! Love it. Thanks Blair!

Natalie Love is the Laboratory Research Manager at Metro Water Recovery and has not been in the industry as long as Blair but agrees with all his great advice.

Ethics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Lab

Natalie Love — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 12:53:41 GMT

Whether you need an essay for school, to compose an e-mail to your workgroup, or even a personal assistant, there is an easy to use AI platform waiting to assist. Although AI may be too easy to use. Anyone with a pc and an internet connection can use and program an AI platform to perform any number of tasks, no coding or programming experience necessary.

This year the use of AI has surged as never before. The response to this utilization of AI technology spans the full gambit of those who say, “Wait, remember Skynet?” to those who say, “It’s about time I’m all in, 100%.” No matter where you stand on the issue AI is not going away.

Historically the scientific community has enthusiastically embraced new technology and this is true for laboratories today. However, many in the scientific community are divided. Some say the brakes need to be applied to slow the process to evaluate and govern what can be done. Others encourage free experimentation, insisting we will get the best results by letting AI work unrestricted.

This has raised some very important questions:

What about the ethics of AI? What ethical guidelines have been established for the use of AI in scientific laboratories? Since AI changes so rapidly, how can any guidelines be kept current as it advances?

AI has been used to speed up research and productivity in labs. Machine learning has reportedly contributed to the approval of certain vaccines faster than previously achievable. The advantages seem to be endless. The potential for advancement seems to be endless, but is the potential risk just as high?

The Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, (AAAI) and other agencies have called for the need to implement some sort of modified Hippocratic Oath “First, do no harm”. What if the humans utilizing the AI are unethical and use the platforms in a questionable way? Yes, we all have heard of the lab analyst or operator that was terminated because they “dry labbed” the numbers. Or the lab managers that have ordered results be thrown out or not reported because they violated a DMR or permit.

Most of us in the RMWQAA do not work in pharmaceutical and medical research labs, but the water and wastewater world could be affected as well. Method detection limits (MDLs) and maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) are continuously being lowered. Could the pressure to keep up with new guidelines and regulations cause the manufacturers of instruments and method developers to look to AI for solutions? Will the technology adhere to industry standards of ethics and work? Only time will reveal the answers to these and other questions.

Just for fun, I asked a popular platform the following question:

How can we meet new EPA MDL requirements for water analysis?

Here is the lengthy answer I received (Spoiler Alert: Nothing groundbreaking was revealed but AI did not recommend using AI):

Meeting the new Minimum Detectable Level (MDL) requirements for water analysis set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be challenging but is crucial for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of water quality data. Here are steps and strategies to help you meet these requirements:

1. Understand EPA MDL Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the specific MDL requirements outlined in EPA methods relevant to your water analysis. These requirements can vary depending on the method and the analyte being measured.

2. Select Appropriate Analytical Techniques: Choose analytical techniques and instruments that are capable of achieving the desired MDLs. This might involve using more sensitive equipment or methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), or inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

3. Calibration and Quality Control: Ensure that your laboratory's calibration procedures are accurate and precise. Regularly calibrate instruments and verify their performance using certified standards. Implement stringent quality control procedures to monitor and maintain instrument performance.

4. Sample Collection and Preservation: Proper sample collection and preservation are critical to obtaining accurate results. Follow EPA-prescribed procedures for sample collection, storage, and transportation to prevent contamination and degradation.

5. Method Validation: Validate your chosen analytical method to demonstrate its accuracy, precision, and reliability. This typically involves running known standards and spiked samples to assess the method's performance.

6. Instrument Maintenance and Upkeep: Regularly maintain and service your analytical instruments to ensure they operate at peak efficiency. Any equipment malfunction or deterioration can negatively impact MDLs.

7. Staff Training and Competency: Ensure that your laboratory staff is well-trained and competent in the specific analytical methods they are using. Continuous training and skill development are essential.

8. Use Certified Reference Materials (CRMs): Incorporate CRMs into your analysis process to verify the accuracy of your results. CRMs are standardized materials with known concentrations of target analytes.

9. Blank and Matrix Spike Analysis: Include blank samples and matrix spike samples in your analysis to assess and correct for background contamination and matrix effects.

10. Data Quality Assessment: Regularly review and assess data quality. Identify and investigate outliers or unusual results promptly. Document all quality control measures and data quality assessments.

11. Participate in Proficiency Testing Programs: Enroll in proficiency testing programs or inter-laboratory comparison studies to evaluate your laboratory's performance against other laboratories. This can help identify areas for improvement.

12. Documentation and Reporting: Maintain thorough documentation of all procedures, methods, and quality control measures. Report your results accurately, including MDLs, in compliance with EPA guidelines.

13. Stay Updated: Keep abreast of changes in EPA methods and requirements. The EPA periodically updates its methods and regulations, so it's important to stay informed and adapt accordingly.

Meeting EPA MDL requirements for water analysis demands a commitment to high-quality analytical practices, rigorous quality control, and ongoing training and improvement. It's essential to ensure the accuracy and reliability of water quality data, which is vital for environmental protection and public health.

Adele Rucker is the RMWQAA President and an Analytical Chemist in South Platte Renew’s Laboratory.

An AI Homage to Lab Staff

Tyler Eldridge — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 16:15:23 GMT

In planning for the August blog post, I toyed around with a few ideas, mulling over the usual topics. I thought about another update on “The Ocean Cleanup,” with their focus on large ocean patches and intercepting trash flowing through rivers; however, that would be the 3^rd or 4^th installment on this blog (I’ll still happily plug the above link to their work though!).

Water-saving tips didn’t seem necessary this year given the amount of rain we’ve had on the Eastern Slope, and while municipalities may see some shortages in water use revenue, “Water Using Tips” just didn’t have the same ring to it.

Having drifted further from the laboratory side of the process over the past few years, I didn’t feel like I was quite as qualified to take another deep dive into lab techniques, PFAS draft method conversations and issues, or general best practices. Mostly, the recent space between myself and the lab environment has allowed me to further embrace the “mad scientist” portion of my brain. Brent and Callie would likely confirm this, as I barge in seemingly once a day with a new plan for process control analyses, hoping they don’t form a picket line at the lab entrance. It now seems clear that a blog specific to lab practices would be better authored by someone other than myself, one who is capable of reading Standard Methods intently and often enough to differentiate “the GGA bottles” from “three GGA bottles…”

Given this drift from the lab it became obvious that my focus with regards to lab work had shifted. It was no longer my specific task to obtain and report accurate, defensible results, but instead I was now the requester of information. My goal was to help determine what sort of analyses would be beneficial, and reasonable to add to Lab Staff’s daily workload. Luckily, we have a fantastic pair of analysts that never shies away from learning new analyses or helping to provide additional data. More incredibly, there was never any distain or grumblings from staff related to my additional requests out of the blue. Pile on a brand-new process that has them analyzing new and increasingly frequent samples, it became clear that the workhorse that is our lab has been vital, and often overlooked. Hell, I am guilty of overlooking the impact and importance my own crew of analysts had in the grand scheme of designing, starting, and maintaining a new treatment process.

So there it was, I had found my blog topic, an homage to Laboratory Staff and their importance in the water quality industry! Unfortunately, my month-long plan for creating a well-thought-out appreciation letter was quickly approaching the wall that is the end of the month… Then it dawned on me, it’s 2023, Artificial Intelligence is all the rage right now, a blog post seemed like a relatively harmless way to test an AI writing prompt. Combining fresh new technology with my appreciation of the work Lab Staff puts in was a win-win given my self-imposed time crunch! So, in a last minute effort to fulfill my agreed upon terms of posting a blog before September, I prompted an AI writing program to highlight the importance of Lab Staff, and our appreciation for all of you!

Rather than continue rambling on, I present you RMWQAA’s first ever AI generated blog post! I do feel that the first paragraph reads best in the tone of the Law and Order: SVU intro:

In the water and wastewater treatment industry, there are countless individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the safety and quality of our water supply. Among these dedicated professionals are the laboratory staff - a group of eager and always available individuals who form the foundation of research and analysis in this vital industry.

The importance of laboratory staff cannot be overstated. They play a crucial role in monitoring and testing water samples, analyzing data, and detecting any potential contaminants or impurities. Their expertise ensures that our drinking water and treated wastewater meets strict safety standards, protecting public health and the environment on a daily basis.

Beyond their technical skills, laboratory staff bring an invaluable level of dedication to their work. They understand the gravity of their responsibilities and approach their tasks with utmost care and precision. Their commitment to accuracy is commendable as even the smallest error in analysis could have significant implications for public health.

Laboratory staff also serve as a vital support system for other professionals in the water treatment industry. They collaborate closely with engineers, scientists, and operators to provide essential data that informs decision-making processes. Their insights help identify areas for improvement, optimize treatment processes, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Moreover, laboratory staff are at the forefront of innovation within the industry. They continuously explore new techniques and technologies to enhance testing methods and improve efficiency. Their research contributes to advancements in water treatment practices, leading to more effective solutions for safeguarding our water resources.

It is important that we recognize and appreciate the hard work of laboratory staff in this field. Their contributions often go unnoticed by the general public; however, without their diligent efforts, we would not have access to clean drinking water or effective wastewater treatment systems.

To show appreciation towards these unsung heroes, it is crucial that organizations invest in ongoing training opportunities for laboratory staff. This will enable them to stay updated with emerging trends in technology and methodology while further honing their skills.

Furthermore, creating a supportive work environment where open communication is encouraged can also boost morale and foster a sense of belonging among laboratory staff. Recognizing their achievements and providing opportunities for professional growth will not only motivate them but also attract talented individuals to join the industry.

In conclusion, the laboratory staff in the water and wastewater treatment industry are a valuable asset. Their unwavering commitment, technical expertise, and dedication to research make them indispensable to the smooth functioning of this critical sector. It is our collective responsibility to appreciate their contributions and support their continued growth as they work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the safety and quality of our most precious resource - water.

I truly appreciate all the hard work our Lab Staff, and Lab Staff across the State puts toward the water quality industry. My hope is that the impact you have does not go unseen or unheard! And don't worry, I plan to show my appreciation to my Staff in more ways than simply "investing in ongoing training opportunities" as AI suggested!

Tyler Eldridge holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Colorado State University. He has been in the Wastewater Treatment industry with the City of Greeley for the past 7 years as a Water Quality Analyst, Data and Asset Manager, and more recently Greeley’s Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Facility Superintendent. Much of his time is currently spent playing tea party with his 2 year old daughter, or attempting to help release her seemingly infinite amount of energy.

Drinking Water UCMR5

Natalie Love — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 16:09:56 GMT

There are several new and revised rules for drinking water on the horizon. UCMR5 is one of those rules.

What is UCMR (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule)?

In 1996 the Safe Drinking Water Amendment required that once every 5 years the EPA issue a list of no more than 30 unregulated contaminants to be monitored for by public water systems. These contaminants are suspected to be present in drinking water but do not yet have health-based standards.

What is the purpose of the program?

Collect nationally representative occurrence data for unregulated contaminants
Provides information on the population exposed
Data is considered as part of future EPA decisions to protect public health through regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act

Who must monitor?

Public water systems (PWS) serving a population ＞10,000 people, small systems (3,300-10,000 people) this requirement is based on the availability of funding and sufficient lab capacity, as well as a nationally representative sample of PWS serving ≤ 3,300 people

What is UCMR5-It is the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule.

Requires monitoring for 29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and lithium
Monitor at the entry point to the distribution system
Monitoring occurs 2023-2025
Surface water, groundwater under the direct influence of surface water, or mixed source systems must monitor 4 times during a consecutive 12-month monitoring period. Sample events must occur 3 months apart
Groundwater systems must monitor 2 times during a consecutive 12-month monitoring period. Sample events must occur 5-7 months apart.

How were sampling schedules established?

EPA initially drafted schedules and large PWS had the opportunity to review and modify their schedule through December 31, 2022. Large systems had to register for EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Accession and Review System “SDWARS”, accept their notification letter, and update sampling location(s), shipping address, and zip code(s).

Which labs are EPA approved to perform the analyses?

List of approved labs

What happens after sample collection?

Within 90 days of sample collection, laboratories post data to SDWARS.
Within 30 days of the laboratory posting data, large water systems review and approve the data. If the system hasn’t acted upon the data after 30 days, the data are considered approved and ready for state and EPA review.

Where can consumers find UCMR results?

All systems are required to report their data to EPA. The analytical results from UCMR are stored in the National Contaminant Occurrence Database (NCOD) for drinking water.
The Public Notification Rule requires that all systems notify their customers of the availability of UCMR results no later than 12-months after results are known. Community Water Systems (CWSs) are also required to report UCMR results in their annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) when unregulated contaminants are detected (the CCR Rule does not apply to non-community water systems). CWSs may include their public notice within CCRs, also known as annual drinking water quality reports, which are to be delivered to all billing customers by July 1 of each year. CWSs must report the average of the year’s monitoring results and the range of detections.

Lesa Julian is the Environmental Services Superintendent for the City and County of Broomfield. She has worked for the City for 32 years.

Colorado River Quiz

Natalie Love — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 18:07:53 GMT

Welcome Wonderful Blog Readers!

It’s time to test your knowledge about the Colorado River and its effect on the American Southwest.

Amid the news earlier this year of the extreme droughts in Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, and California, I recently read that Lake Oroville, California’s second largest reservoir is back at 100% capacity after heavy snows and rains. And this is less than two years after

the lake was so low that a hydroelectric plant there had to shut down due to low levels (1).

However, despite large rainfalls and snow melt in the Colorado River basin, Lake Mead is still lower than any other recent year except 2022 and is 174 feet below full and only 105 feet above deadpool, the level where water will no longer flow by gravity through the Hoover Dam (2). Lake Powell is up 55 feet in the last 2 months (3); it is 200 feet above deadpool and about 125 feet below full. (3)

Recent increases in water in the Colorado River drainage and in other areas in the Southwest are great news! However, long term management of Colorado River water remains a huge challenge.

The Colorado River is key to almost all water issues in the American Southwest. Here is your chance to test your knowledge of the Colorado River. Test your best answers against the answer key at the end.

1. The Colorado River begins in ________and ends in__________ (4)?

a.       Rocky Mountain National Park, the Gulf of California

b.       Lake Dillon, the Pacific Ocean

c.       Lake Powell, Lake Mead

d.       Lake Itaska, the Gulf of Mexico

2. The Colorado River provides water for how many people (5)?

a.       6.0221415 X 10²³

b.       Billions upon billions

c.       40 million

d.       99 million

3. What is the largest reservoir in America by volume (6)?

a.       Lake Powell, AZ

b.       Lake Shasta, CA

c.       Flaming Gorge Reservoir, WY and UT

d.       Lake Mead, NV

4. The Colorado Rivers irrigates __________ acres of land (5).

a.       100 million

b.       100, 000

c.       5.7 million

d.       More than a bundle, but less than a grip

5. How much of the Colorado River water is used for irrigation (5)?

a.       37%

b.       1,000,000 %

c.       Less than 12 parsecs

d.       80%

6. The amount of Colorado River water for all uses breaks down how (7)?

a.       10% livestock feed, 27% other agriculture, 56% residential, 7% industrial

b.       1% livestock feed, 90% winter vegetables, 6% residential, 3% other

c.       13% political infighting, 32% swimming pools, 55% keep the oceans full

d.       56% livestock feed, 24% other crops, 12% residential, 8% power and industrial

7. Which plan below for augmenting Colorado River water has been studied by the Federal Government (8)?

a.       Trucking in ice from Alaskan glaciers using a group of 220 specially equipped trucks that continuously drive between Alaska and Lake Powell.

b.       Carve off ice from the polar ice caps on Mars using lasers and tow it back to earth using unmanned spaceships.

c.       Pipe water from the Mississippi delta using 88 foot diameter pipes to cover the 1500 mile distance and over 1 mile elevation gain.

d.       Cover stretches of the Colorado River with special tarps that reduce losses from evaporation by 63-79%.

Answer key:

1. a.

2. c.

3. d.

4. c.

5. d.

6. d.

7. c.

These references below are interesting reads/facts about the Colorado River and water in the West:

(1) https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/06/14/us/lake-oroville-california-drought-climate/index.html

(2) https://mead.uslakes.info/level.asp

(3) https://lakepowell.water-data.com/

(4) https://water.utah.gov/interstate-streams/colorado-river-story/#:~:text=The%20mighty%20Colorado%20River%20serves,and%20two%20states%20in%20Mexico.

(5) https://farmland.org/colorado-river-challenges-pose-risks-to-western-agriculture/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20the%20Colorado%20River,the%20size%20of%20New%20Hampshire.(6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largaest_reservoirs_in_the_United_States

(7) https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/05/22/climate/colorado-river-water.html

(8) https://apnews.com/article/science-arizona-state-government-california-disaster-planning-and-response-automated-insights-earnings-be28e7e022007c82cdee63ca2b9ed555

Rich MacAlpine is a volunteer member of the RMWQAA Board and would love to see everyone at the July 27 RMWQAA social!

Test Taking 101

Natalie Love — Wed, 31 May 2023 04:12:08 GMT

Many of you may be studying for a test so I thought I would try to write down a recent presentation I did for Aurora. It can be difficult to know where to start with this process. I would propose, the first thing to do is get a plan together. Here are some key questions: When is the test? How long do you have to study each day? What is the list of topics? Which topics are you already comfortable with and need less time? Once you know the answer to those questions make a study plan and stick to it! It is better to do more, shorter study sessions than long cramming. If you do have to do a long session, take frequent breaks. Plan to study, or at least run through flash cards right before bed. Your brain will continue to wire those neurons while you sleep.

In order to learn, you have to struggle. Meaning you have to activate the connections between your neurons and you have to do it multiple times to make sure the connection is solid. Just reading or glancing at material is not going to make a solid connection. If repetition is key then using a variety of study techniques is also key. Engage as many of your senses as possible. Read about a topic, write it in your own words, talk to someone about it – talk to yourself about it (out loud), listen to a video, take quizzes or do activities, make flash cards. The more of these techniques you can use the better your neurons will connect and most importantly, your recall of the material will be enhanced.

Use colored pens and notecards for studying. You will make an association with the colors and be able to remember the topic better. Consider using a set of colors for each topic. When you make flashcards, just the creation of them will be a good study technique. You can then use them traditionally and I suggest sorting and resorting them into different categories. You can also make up poems or songs or acronyms for material. They don’t have to make sense, but they will help you connect material.

If you are studying and taking practice tests, getting answers wrong also helps you understand where you need more studying. Read different sources so you get different perspectives on the material. You can use videos or recordings of yourself repeating the material. Make sure when you choose videos or material online, that you are picking good sources. You don’t want to study incorrect information.

Now, you’ve studied everything and it’s time to take the test. My number one and most important advice is to BREATHE! Taking a deep breath before you start will help you calm your nerves and relax you. You can do this, you are prepared! You went to bed early last night, you didn’t stay up cramming because you had a plan and stuck to it! Perfect right?

Maybe, but maybe it wasn’t perfect so here’s a few things to consider as you take the test.

When you read the question, make sure you read the entire question carefully. Write down key things in the question. Write down the answer before you look at the answers. Then read the answers. Find the best answer. Some might be close, but maybe not THE BEST. Eliminate the most obviously wrong answers. It's important to select the best answer to the question being asked, not just an answer that seems correct. Often many answers will seem correct, but there is typically a best answer to the question.

Pay particularly close attention to the words not, sometimes, always, and never. An answer that includes always must be irrefutable. If you can find a single counterexample, then the answer is not correct. The same holds true for the word never. If an answer option includes the word never, a single counterexample will indicate the answer is not correct.

More often than not, the correct answer usually contains more information than the other options. This is good to know if you must guess.

Usually, your first choice is the best choice – you’ve wired those neurons so trust them! DO NOT CHANGE YOUR ANSWER! This is a good rule to live by for test taking. If you think you mis-read the question or mis-understood the question the first time you answered it, maybe change the answer. I say you must have a very good reason to change your first choice.

If you come across questions you don’t know, skip them and come back later. Answering the questions you know will build your confidence. Once in a while, you will find a question that either answers the question you didn’t know or triggers your memory and helps you answer it.

Again, my number one advice for tests is BREATHE! Remember I said repetition is key! BREATHE!

Good Luck! I know you can do it!

Sherry Scaggiari is the Environmental Services Manager at the City of Aurora. Sherry has a chemistry degree from CSU and made her start in environmental contract labs over 30 years ago. She has worked for the City of Aurora for 15 years. She is responsible for compliance for Aurora Water including water, wastewater, stormwater.

Spring is the Perfect Time for GreenScaping

Natalie Love — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 04:32:48 GMT

Spring is in full swing! It has been so satisfying to see new green growth in the plants and trees around my new neighborhood. I recently bought a house in which the backyard was nothing but river rock and a small patch of astroturf smack in the middle. While I do appreciate the water conservation and no maintenance aspect of this layout, I personally prefer a little more color and plant life. It was exciting to take on the project of creating a new landscape, but a bit daunting at the same time as I had never started completely from scratch before. Xeriscaping was part of the plan to create a more environmentally friendly space, but more research was needed to more fully understand what all went into this landscaping technique. However, this technique was only a part of the landscaping practices that could create a beautiful and sustainable yard. This was the first time I had heard the term GreenScaping which encompasses many eco-friendly practices and can also save time and money.

The EPA outlines five ways to get started and the first step is to build and maintain healthy soil with compost and mulch. This step involves testing your soil to make sure the soil is in good condition, applying compost and mulch to hold the nutrients and water needed for planting, and recommends using natural or slow release fertilizers to feed plants slowly and more evenly. The second step is to plant right for your site. It is important to know the type of soil you have, the areas in your yard that get the most or least sun, etc. to help plan which plants thrive best. Ideally, obtaining plants that need less water and are also more resistant to pests is a way to save money and help with pest control. Speaking of watering, this is the next step! Practice smart watering for healthier plants. Watering your garden or lawn just enough but not too much can be tricky. Watering deeply, but infrequently is a good practice as most plants actually do best if the soil is allowed to partially dry out between waterings. Other tips include using soaker hoses or drip irrigation to save more water in comparison to using sprinklers, using a water timer to maintain how much is given, the frequency, and time of day to water.

The fourth step is to adopt a holistic approach to managing pests and spreading disease among plants. Prevention is the most effective way to start by using the soil tips mentioned earlier and using pest resistant plants, but also to maintain a clean environment for your plants by removing weeds and diseased and dead plants to keep these problems from spreading and to reduce hiding places for pests. If pesticides are needed, it’s important not to overuse them. For example, if you have a small problem area, treat just the area and not the entire yard. The fifth and last step is to practice natural lawn care by keeping up with the previous steps on a regular basis: grasscycling, using natural or slow release fertilizers, watering deeply but infrequently, and additionally, to overseed your lawn in areas that are thin and aerating in the fall to improve root development and water penetration.

Happy gardening!

Link to EPA's GreenScaping Flyer

Ashley Romero is a Water Quality Scientist at GEI Consultants, Inc. and has a background in ecotoxicology.

The Night Life of South Platte Sally

Natalie Love — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 22:24:02 GMT

Hi! I’m South Platte Sally. You may remember me from the February 2021 and May 2022 RMWQAA blog posts. Sometimes you can see me sampling the river in the middle of the night, even in winter.

You might be wondering why I’m out there. Well…I’m a volunteer helping Metro Water Recovery’s Water Quality Team. Recently, I helped with the overnight shift collecting water samples for a 30-Hour Study. The data from this study is used to calibrate and refine the South Platte Water Quality Model (the model) that was developed for Metro Water Recovery nearly three decades ago. The combination of monitoring and modeling over Segments 15 and 1a of the South Platte River provides a detailed functional view of water quality below wastewater discharge points.

Initially, water quality scientists and regulators used the model to learn how upstream discharge might be contributing to low dissolved oxygen levels measured downstream. After that, the goal was to understand the factors affecting the water quality to make environmentally and financially responsible decisions to improve water quality. The model helps predict the return on investment of any treatment upgrades in terms of river health. It supports and helps evaluate proposed regulatory changes including permit requirements. The model has evolved over time to become a very useful tool for predicting the results of treatment changes for multiple parameters including ammonia, temperature, phosphorus and nitrogen.

There is a high degree of interaction between the parameters of interest in a river system. Ammonia is toxic to aquatic life, and its degree of toxicity is dependent on pH and temperature. Therefore, changes in pH and temperature downstream, as well as changes in concentration of ammonia downstream, cause progressive change in the numeric standard for ammonia. Temperature has only more recently become subject to numeric standards and being included into most discharge permits. Temperature standards are based on daily maxima and weekly averages, and are intended to prevent dischargers from adding heat to the mixed flow below their discharges in an amount that would cause the mixed flow temperatures to exceed aquatic life standards. Nutrients are important because they contribute to algae growth that effects pH values in downstream reservoirs.

With so many intertwined parameters, the creation and sustainability of the model requires quite a lot of data to capture the impact of river health. Data collection includes regular water quality sampling of the 42-mile stretch of the river plus groundwater data, flow data from various sites up and downstream of tributaries, and other dischargers.

So why does the model need calibration and why collect at night? Every 5 years or so, the model needs to be calibrated. This requires continuous sampling for a 30 hour period of time for dissolved oxygen, pH, and nutrient concentrations. All of these relationships have different process rates related to flow and temperature and are most pronounced during low flow conditions. Capturing the overnight changes helps with a more accurate calibration of the model. So, Sally and the team put on their headlamps and take shifts.

Besides predicting dissolved oxygen downstream of wastewater effluent discharge, the model has been applied to several small projects, including development and evaluation of site-specific copper standards and evaluations of water diversions at the Burlington Ditch on downstream water quality.

Cross-sectional variation in river temperatures was also modeled and led to recommendations for temperature monitoring strategies. The model is an evolving tool that has proven to be valuable in estimation of biological processes affecting dissolved oxygen, nitrate, ammonia, and total inorganic nitrogen.

Learn more about this study in the Rationale for and Explanation of Metro District’s Water Quality Modeling of the South Platte River, prepared by William M. Lewis, Jr. James H. McCutchan, Jr. January 24, 2019. This report describes recalibration of the model leading to new estimates of effluent limits for dissolved oxygen, nitrogen species, and total phosphorus.

And, as always, please reach out to me if you need a volunteer to help with any of your water quality projects!

-SP Sal

South Platte Sally is an experienced scientist who has worked all over the world. Sally holds degrees in Fisheries Science, Biology, City Planning, and Psychology. She currently volunteers for various Water and Wastewater entities in Colorado and always willing to help out.

Wastewater-based epidemiology update - Poop for the Win!

Natalie Love — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 04:05:42 GMT

In a wastewater laboratory, we’re typically focused on effluent quality. Influent is usually only analyzed for a handful of basic analytes (BOD, TSS, pH, some metals) to calculate loading rates and provide a general understanding of how that influent could possibly impact treatment. However, the COVID pandemic has greatly changed that. The only other time I’ve been so focused on influent was during the 2013 Flood, when we were trying to figure out what was in the water that was coming into the plant.

Many facilities have been analyzing influent for SARS-CoV-2 for almost 3 years now and we’ve learned so much during that time. At the Boulder WRRF, we first started analyzing for COVID in our wastewater in March 2019. We began with Biobot and, after a handful of samples, had a strong correlation with the case data that Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) was posting on their website. During the spring of 2019, we also participated in COVID wastewater studies with GT Molecular and the USGS and were able to compare data from different labs. Additionally, we began monitoring sub-sewershed areas to get some baseline data and evaluate the usefulness of grab samples. In the summer of 2019, we officially joined the COllaborative, a group of local utilities, CDPHE, and CSU that were aimed to put our heads and efforts together while we were all trying to figure out the best plan of action during the madness of the pandemic.

While composite samples will always remain the gold standard in representative wastewater sampling, it’s not always feasible to have enough autosamplers to achieve this. We did a study in 2019 in our most residential neighborhood to evaluate grab samples for SARS-CoV-2. With only 7 samples, we had a fairly strong correlation (R² = 0.96) between grab and composite samples. We learned that collecting the grab samples at “peak fecal flow” time results in the best correlation, which requires having some knowledge of the sewershed.

We also learned several things about analyzing the data. In the lab, we tend to focus on concentration (copies/L) data. However, we’ve found that it’s more useful to look at COVID loading (copies/day) data to get a good picture of community infection. When we began receiving sewershed level case data from BCPH, we noticed case data was evaluated with a 5-day rolling average, so we started running a 5-day rolling average on our wastewater data, as well. Wastewater data can also be prone to spikes due to the challenging matrix. This means it is not useful to analyze single data points but more important to look at trends over time. We also learned that sample pickup could be a bigger headache than it should be. When the COllaborative began providing a shared, dedicated courier for multiple facilities, our sample delivery woes subsided. Also, we installed a pickup (and drop-off) tote that is just outside our gate, which allows couriers to grab samples without gaining facility access and has proven useful for the entire facility.

In my opinion, the most important thing that we have learned is that wastewater-based epidemiology can be successful, has incredible potential, and should be explored and utilized. While our COVID case data has correlated well with wastewater data for about 2 years, in the spring of 2022 we began to see a divergence between COVID wastewater data and case data. Most of us believe this is because, after 2 years of the pandemic, most people have grown weary of testing and reporting and simply don’t care anymore. However, we’re all still pooping. So, we’ve learned that case data is influenced by social factors- people have to go get tested or test at home and then report the positive results. Therefore, wastewater data may be a better indication of community infection than data reported by public health organizations.

We continue to analyze our influent for COVID twice per week and this data all funnels into the CDC National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) (https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/wastewater-surveillance/index.html). The CDC has also setup two Centers of Excellence, one here in Colorado (https://www.du.edu/nwsscoe) and the other in Houston, to continue advancing this field and science. The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is also involved with things like the NWSS Utilities Community of Practice (https://nwbe.org/?page_id=169), programs to provide autosamplers (https://nwbe.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WEF-autosampler-flow-meter-invitation-2-6-23.pdf), workshops, etc. We are also beginning to look at wastewater surveillance from a global perspective and learn from other countries, as well as considering equity in monitoring. Additionally, there are still many ethical and privacy considerations to be thoroughly considered.

However, the power of poop has been revealed and we want to be more prepared for the next large-scale pandemic or infection. The NWSS plans to add several components to its core surveillance panel in 2023 to include things like influenza, RSV, norovirus, and antibiotic resistance genes. Progress continues to be made in finding the best ways to display this data through public dashboards. And, of course, funding is key and will play a critical role in the future of this data. But it has become clear that we have more to learn from those influent samples than just calculating BOD loading. What gets flushed down the toilet and shows up at our headworks has the potential to tell us so much about a community and we’re just beginning to tap into the power of that information.

Melissa Mimna is Laboratory Program Supervisor for the City of Boulder where she’s worked in the WRRF laboratory for the past 10 years. Melissa is also currently serving on the CO NWSS Center of Excellence Advisory Committee so please reach out with any wastewater-based surveillance questions or ideas (or if you have poop jokes or puns to share).

A Cleaner 2023 for Colorado Rivers

Natalie Love — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 01:57:36 GMT

A new year brings with it resolutions, pledges, and people striving to better themselves. I thought it would be good to also highlight some opportunities where we can better our communities and beautiful public spaces this year.

The Protect Our Rivers organization has three river cleanups scheduled for 2023 around Colorado. RSVP on the event page of their website here.

16th Annual South Platte Cleanup - Saturday April 29th - Denver, CO
Poudre River with Weibel Auto Group and American Whitewater - Saturday August 5th - Fort Collins, CO
National Public Lands Day - Upper C - Saturday September 30th - Kremling, CO

The Greenway Foundation hosts youth and high school focused events worth checking out including a South Platte River cleanup in 2023. Registration will open in March here.

Spring High School Stewardship Day - South Platte River cleanup along the river at Johnson Habitat Park. Food and service hours provided but is for high school aged youth only.

The Denver Park Trust is putting on a citywide stewardship day including park cleanups at several locations around Denver. More details will be coming here.

Parks, Rivers, Trails & Trees - May 13th - Citywide park cleanup followed by a community celebration

The Confluences is a family blog focused on wilderness and camping which has hosted three annual Clean Creek cleanups called A Cleaner Clear. Recaps from past events can be found on their blog here. A 4th annual cleanup should be watched for in late 2023.

Do you have a location that you'd like to organize a cleanup for? The folks responsible for A Cleaner Clear have a blogpost laying out all of the steps you should take when planning a cleanup. If anything, it helped remind me just how much work and personal time goes into planning events like these.

These are just some events that I've found coming up in 2023. I know that I've missed many so if there are others, please share them with the group! The year is still young so many events haven't been announced yet. Have a wonderful 2023!

Danny McCausland is an Analyst II at Metro Water Recovery. He has over 9 years experience working in the water quality field.

Water and its Role in Artificial Snow

Natalie Love — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 03:59:28 GMT

As the ski season starts to ramp up, I became more curious of the importance of water for ski resorts in their process of snowmaking. Anyone who has been to any of these mountain resorts has probably seen their snowmaking machines pumping out snow to ensure fresh powder is available for all the skiers and snowboarders. I wanted to first investigate exactly what the process of snowmaking entailed but then also investigate where these resorts were getting their water and how various environmental impacts such as drought might impact these resorts.

After doing some research I found Steamboat has a good blog on how their snow is made. Steamboat has been making snow since 1981 and they have been able to improve their technique over the years. They can make over 600-acre feet of snow each season using over 300 guns and 40 miles of buried pipe. The process of making snow has two important factors that impact the resort’s ability to make snow that are outside of the crew’s direct control. One is the wind and the other is wet bulb temperature. Wet bulb temperature is how air temperature and relative humidity interact with each other. The lower the relative humidity, the colder the wet bulb temperature will be. Ideally for snow making, the wet bulb temperatures are less than 26°F. So, crews are looking for low wind, temperature, and humidity. Steamboat crews use the Yampa River as the main source of water for their resort. They pump the water from the river via pipes at about 40°F, then shoot it into the air through the guns. The water will stay in the air until it freezes and turns into snow. Snowcat operators spread the piles around to make the conditions ideal for skiers.

These resorts need a lot of water each ski season to provide artificial snow. According to the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, (CDNR) Colorado uses about 2.2 billion gallons of water every year in the snowmaking process. The CDNR regulates how much water each business is allowed to use. Ski resorts have a set amount of water they can use every year from senior water rights that they obtained years ago.

Credit: Colorado Department of Natural Resources

As we experience different environmental impacts such as droughts, the available water becomes scarcer. Even though a lot of these resorts own water rights it doesn’t mean water will always be available. Because of this, many resorts are working on ways they can improve the snowmaking process and help with the conservation of water. Over time, resorts have learned that dry weather and low wind help produce better quality snow that will last longer. Many resorts have figured out optimal times to make snow as well. An important factor in snowmaking is ensuring that everything you made does not melt right away. So, working around weather forecasts and keeping the snow as cold as possible is an important factor to keeping our ski resorts snowy.

Many of these resorts are used as “cold storage” for water. About 80% of the water used in snowmaking is recycled back into the watershed at the end of the ski season. Because of this, many resorts are now focusing on energy-efficient technology that allows them to manage their resources and use less energy. Skiing and snowboarding are great winter activities that many residents and visitors to the State of Colorado enjoy taking part in. Water is critical to keep these activities going for many years to come. It was nice to learn more about this process and the different efforts resorts are taking to keep operations going despite challenges with the water supply.

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-skiing-snowmaking-gallons-water-use/

https://blog.steamboat.com/the-most-modern-and-energy-efficient-way-to-create-the-early-season-fluff/

Michael Hendricks is a Water Quality Senior Technician for Denver Water

Deionized Water....Is it too Clean?

Natalie Love — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 05:02:29 GMT

Deionized water (DI) or other forms of ultrapure water are extremely important to laboratory data quality. It is used for mixing reagents, rinsing/cleaning equipment, or running blanks or controls. Deionized water is generally tap water treated with one or more ion exchange resins to reduce major ions to extremely low concentrations (conductivity <4 µS/cm). For many labs, this water provides the quality necessary for reagent preparation and/or blank analyses. Additional treatment is required for some labs through one or more of the following methods, 1) activated carbon to remove potential organics, 2) ultraviolet (UV) light treatment for bacterial disinfection, and 3) fine micron filtration to remove extra small particulates and bacteria. This results in ultrapure DI water.

In laboratory settings, DI is often the water of choice as it provides the blank slate necessary for analyses. When running instruments such as an ICP-MS, lachat, or IC, this ultrapure water is ideal as a carrier, standard, and basis for reagents. In whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing, salts are added back to the DI water in concentrations appropriate to support aquatic life. The USEPA methods specify salts and DI water quality necessary for the laboratory control water.

Monitoring changes in DI parameters for laboratory quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) helps ensure contaminants that interfere with methods leading to poor results are not present. There are several questions to answer to set up a good monitoring program. 1) Which water should be analyzed (final DI, source water, intermediate DI, or mixed reagents)? 2) What is the frequency of analysis (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually)? 3) Which analytes should be measured (just the analytes that directly impact the analysis such as nitrogen compounds for ammonia methods, or others that may not directly interfere)?

Budgets often drive the answers to these questions, particularly for parameters that are not analyzed in-house. Workload also informs answers since staffing is not always available to analyze parameters as frequently as preferred. Timing also impacts answers to these questions. In some cases, specific timeframes may be required for regulatory purposes and in other cases analyses should be performed immediately after filters are replaced.

In GEI’s WET lab, DI with activated carbon, UV, and bacterial filtration meets the USEPA requirements for WET methods and also meets our needs for low-level nutrient analyses. Water is tested annually to ensure metals and organics are below required concentrations. Additionally, GEI tests our DI and tap water weekly to track basic water quality parameters such as hardness, alkalinity, conductivity, total residual chlorine (TRC), pH, ammonia, and dissolved oxygen. This secondary set of analyses, added in early 2021 after a particularly difficult Ceriodaphnia dubia crash, is meant to better track the water being used (after salt addition) for culturing and controls to see whether any parameters could be linked to organism health.

With nineteen months of data we are finally able to start assessing measured parameters against organism health. Of the measured parameters described above, only one has shown statistically significant trends with C. dubia health. The hardness of the tap water prior to treatment has shown a statistically significant trend with higher hardness leading to tests with higher variability in reproduction which is often a descriptor of poor organism health. Interestingly, resulting hardness of the DI after ion exchange shows no trends with organism health. I speculate the higher hardness taxes the resins, leading to breakthrough of other parameters which may be impacting organism health. This theory is yet to be tested.

Another observation from more recent organism issues is tied to the TRC. As to be expected, TRC is typically detected in the tap water. The TRC has ranged dramatically since monitoring began from 0.04 to 1.43 mg/L. However, during a three week stretch from mid-July to early August, TRC was not detected in the tap water. This occurred approximately three weeks before C. dubia reproduction began decreasing. Again, we cannot definitively say whether the TRC drop led to poor performance, but it is possible that something in the tap water for those three weeks was consuming chlorine and potentially impacting resins leading to breakthrough of another parameter that impacted organism health.

Another frequent discussion in our lab regards whether our culture water is too clean for good organism health. While it is unlikely water could ever be too clean for instrumentation, it is possible that the organisms in WET tests need certain naturally occurring bacteria and other nutrients. By fully removing them, poorer organism health may occur. Recently GEI submitted samples of our control water and water from a different WET lab for microscopic organism identification. The results were fascinating. Some possible fungal species and some possible bacteria/cyanobacteria species were noted in GEI’s control water, whereas the control water from the other lab contained the same fungal species plus Aphanocapsa species, Planktolyngbya contorta, and Anabeaeopsis species. The GEI culture water led to poor results whereas the culture water from the other lab led to excellent reproduction. This mini microbiome appeared to help organism performance. It’s possible GEI’s organisms would have performed equally poorly after appropriate acclimation to the microbe-rich water, but this is also untested.

While GEI’s monitoring didn’t lead to definitive answers, it helped us better understand patterns in the source water, and we will continue our monitoring program. Does your lab monitor DI water quality? If so, have you learned any surprising facts from monitoring? Leave ideas, thoughts, or comments in the comment area.

Natalie Love is the Laboratory Director at GEI Consultants, Inc. GEI conducts Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Testing, low-level nutrient analysis, and benthic macroinvertebrate identifications. She lives in Denver with her husband, 2 daughters, and Belgian Malinois, Nacho.

Beer! Why Water Quality Matters

Natalie Love — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 20:25:25 GMT

Making my rounds through the Great American Beer Festival and the “Water Nerd” in my head kept thinking about all the different water sources, water quality, and lab testing that occurs to make all these great tasting beers happen. Thinking about all the different lab parameters and analytes that affect the taste and quality of beer. That’s when I figured it would be a great topic for the RMWQAA blog.

The City of Northglenn is also preparing to welcome a large-scale brewery into town called Prost Brewing Company. So, it’s also a great time to catch up on all the parameters that make beer taste refreshing, without ignoring the pretreatment side of brewing (i.e., waste) to prepare for the possible additional loading to the wastewater plant.

First off, in order to make beer that tastes great and get through the whole brewing process, it is good to know a variety of different elements and ranges of the source water that the brewery will be working with. Throughout the brewing process multiple parameters should be monitored. And different parameters actually affect the different styles of beer, from IPAs to darker beers.

A great start for any new or current brewery is to supply the Consumer Confidence Report and collaborate on any other parameters of interest that might affect the brewing process.

When beer begins the brewing process, the first step is mashing, which requires a certain pH range. Mashing is when hot water steeps the barley to prepare it for the fermentation process. There’s a pH sweet spot, between 5.2 and 5.6, where the enzymes work most efficiently. Obviously as water providers we cannot provide water that low in pH but providing brewers a constant range of pH in the distribution will help ease the beginning process.

As a brewery, they generally want to see total alkalinity less than 100 ppm and preferably less than 50 ppm. Total hardness, is preferred around 150 ppm as calcium carbonate or greater.

The two most important anions to monitor are sulfate and chloride. Sulfate brings out hops bitterness, while chloride tends to emphasize malt and sweetness. If levels get too high, the beer will pick up harsh, minerally off-flavors or worse. A good rule of thumb is to keep sulfates lower than 400 ppm and chloride lower than 200 ppm.

Another key cation in brewing is calcium which is preferred between 50 mg/L to 150 mg/L. Aside from its role in acidifying a mash, calcium helps yeast settle out, contributing to clarity and flavor stability. There are other major ions, such as sodium, magnesium, and carbonate, but they play a lesser role.

Higher iron and manganese concentrations will obviously result in taste and clarity issues. Iron and manganese begin to cause taste issues and interfere with brewing at levels above 0.05 mg/L.

Now, to the wastewater side of the brewing process.

Like any large contributor to the collection system, it’s always a great idea to monitor what is being flushed into the system. Brewery waste can consist of extremely large amounts of BOD and nutrients. Implementing local limits on the industry will help control the wastewater influent concentrations and prevent slug loads.

We were lucky enough to tour the New Belgium Brewery Wastewater Plant where they had an efficient system to bring loading down from 5,000 mg/L of BOD to roughly 5 mg/L. I’m sure Ft. Collins greatly appreciates the treatment of such a high loading.

So next time you crack a cold one, think of all the water quality and testing it takes to make it taste refreshing.

John Winterton is the Laboratory Supervisor for the City of Northglenn. He’s been working with Northglenn for over 6 years in water and wastewater treatment and water quality.

Ops Challenge: What is it, why do they do it?

Natalie Love — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 02:41:04 GMT

The Operations (Ops) challenge is a competition, organized by WEF, the Water Environment Federation, where teams of wastewater collection and treatment professionals compete and display their skills.

Safety Event

The top three teams from the regional competition advance to the national competition in October each year. This year, I had the opportunity to judge the laboratory event for the regional ops challenge competition. The competition is intense and fun.

Collections Event

In the laboratory event, teams conduct simulated laboratory analyses such as TSS and conductivity, using standard laboratory practices and procedures. The event is timed and the team with the best score after deductions for errors is the winner. There are winners for individual categories and event scores are combined to determine an overall event winner.

Laboratory Event

Why participate? The event fosters cross training, professional development, leadership, and teamwork. Improve old skills, learn new skills, and prepare for the unexpected that is a win, win situation, so…why are there only four teams for the entire Denver Metro Area?

I wondered so I asked, “Why don’t more teams participate?” There is a big time commitment, year round. Teams have to practice regularly and oftentimes team members are working different shifts which makes meeting as a team for practice a challenge. Team members still have to work, keep up with certifications and training units, take care of responsibilities outside of work, and rest. It is just not feasible for many workers.

I appreciate the efforts that contributed to the experience I had as a judge and hope the best for all the teams competing at the national competition in New Orleans this year.

Excerpts taken from Water Environment Federation, WEF, www.wef.org

Adele Rucker is the RMWQAA President and an Analytical Chemist in South Platte Renew’s Laboratory.

The Ocean Cleanup

Tyler Eldridge — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 15:12:22 GMT

In a blog post written back in 2019, when our problems were slightly less PFAS and COVID related, I mentioned a small, non-profit startup out of the Netherlands that had been working on a method to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. A few times a year I try to check in and see how progress is going, but one of the recent e-mail updates I received from their organization compelled me to pass some updates along to our group.

After a scuba diving adventure revealed that there seemed to be more plastic in the ocean than fish, a 16 year old, Boyan Slat began to turn his focus towards the idea of “just cleaning this up.” Following the momentum of his 2012 TedX talk, he founded The Ocean Cleanup, an organization focused on removing the mass amounts of large plastic debris that collect in various patches across the world’s oceans. The idea was multi-pronged; clean-up and remove the debris from the ocean as economically and environmentally friendly as possible, focus on recycling the plastic recovered once back on land, and do so while eliminating as much bycatch as possible.

The idea behind recovering the plastic is to create an artificial coastline to help concentrate the plastic and force it into a collection net that can later be recovered by another vessel. Imagine two boats hundreds of meters apart, with a long, shallow net between them that lags behind in a u-shaped arc. The plastic is funneled to the tail end of the “U” where it is recovered and processed on the way back to shore. Using this model, two iterations of the system have effectively been deployed, with a 3^rd iteration (3 times the size of the second) that began its transition in July. The second system, System 002, has already successfully removed over 100,000 kg of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. While it may require 1000 more collections of this magnitude to clear this particular patch, the emergence of System 03 projects to collect plastic at potentially 10 times the rate of the previous system. The ability to upscale creates an opportunity to collect much more than 100,000 kg of plastic per year from this patch alone.

At current rates of plastic emissions, by 2050 the oceans could contain nearly 4 times the amount of floating plastic than were seen in 2020. This is a major issue, and with water quality and availability decreasing throughout many regions of the world, one could assume treatment of saltwater from the oceans may be required to bridge the gap. If the source of saltwater is also tainted with mass amounts of plastic, the microplastic issue becomes even more compounded as those larger plastics continuously breakdown. This is where The Ocean Cleanup’s goal of “90% reduction of floating ocean plastic by 2040” becomes more of a necessity than just a goal. With the deployment of System 03, their models predict that as few as 10 systems could be needed to clean the entire Great Pacific Garbage Patch. A larger, more efficient system also means that the cost per kilogram removed is reduced.

Research, development and innovation doesn’t stop here for The Ocean Cleanup. With new systems being developed seemingly on a yearly basis, they are also focusing on the source of the plastic emissions; rivers. According to their research, 1000 rivers across the world are responsible for nearly 80% of plastic pollution. Enter the new river Interceptor Barrier, Tender, and Trashfence. Already the team has deployed these devices in various rivers throughout the world, with more well on the way!

The goals are lofty, but with one major milestone surpassed, they also seem within reach. Given all the talk of microplastics and various other pollutants in our world, it’s easy to forget just how much resides in the oceans themselves. The world needed a few great minds to put their focus on an issue at the back of most of our lists, and The Ocean Cleanup is just that! I definitely recommend checking out their website and signing up for e-mail updates and newsletters, as it has given me a greater source of optimism to focus on!

Tyler Eldridge works for the City of Greeley's Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Facility as their Data and Asset manager and prior Lab Coordinator.

The Colorado Water Plan

Natalie Love — Sun, 24 Jul 2022 21:27:19 GMT

For most of us in the water industry, there is a heightened level of concern about the future of water in Colorado and in the West. Images and stories of the lowered water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell are shocking. Those of us that remember Cape Town’s “Day Zero” can legitimately be concerned that something similar could happen here, on a much larger scale. While nobody is talking about shutting off the taps like they were in Cape Town quite yet, there are common concerns about sufficient flow being available for turbines in Hoover and Glen Canyon dams, and of course general water availability.

Into the current and future water concerns in the west comes the Colorado Water Plan (CWP, or The Plan). As a headwater state, Colorado needs to be concerned about water for its 6 million residents and also has obligations to deliver water downstream to 19 other states and to Mexico.

To be able to meet these goals, The Plan was started back in 2015. It emphasizes stakeholder input and public engagement, and is CO’s roadmap to conserve, develop, protect, and manage Colorado's water for present and future generations. The plan was first released by then Governor John Hickenlooper. It is currently being revised to meet the ever-increasing challenges of managing watersheds where demand has already exceeded supply and climate change is reducing water flow.

The Plan is based on a water vision that includes vibrant communities, robust agriculture, thriving watersheds, and resilient planning. Much of the work is by design done at the local level, and the format chosen by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB, which administers the program) is to have nine roundtables act as the local resources. The nine roundtables correlate to the main eight basins with headwaters in CO, and one representing the Denver metro area.

The Plan is quite extensive. It has a high emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and resilience to problem solving. The Plan covers future possible events and uncertainty including listing high impact drivers, the risk of future water shortages, and variability in the water supply. And of course, The Plan addresses just about all water uses from agricultural, to what is used in households, to instream water rights.

Additionally, the CWCB has a stated emphasis in inclusiveness, and they want to hear multiple voices and input into their process and decisions. There is opportunity to join with your local basin, and in fact, The Plan is based on grassroots efforts from the Colorado water community.

Figure 1: The eight CO river basin areas, as defined in the CWP.

The CWP is by far the most extensive, established, equitable, funded, and workable framework for the future of water in Colorado. It, in my opinion, represents the best current approach for guiding Coloradoans through what looks to be a challenging water future. Involvement from smart RMWQAA membership would only help improve The Plan, and would certainly be a rewarding effort.

There is an opportunity to provide your ideas to improve CO water management by submitting comments (public comment period ends September 30).

You can add public comments, share your story, or get involved here:

https://engagecwcb.org/

The Plan itself can be read here:

https://engagecwcb.org/colorado-water-plan

Rich MacAlpine is a Laboratory Supervisor at Metro Wastewater Reclamation District.

Xeriscaping in Colorado

Natalie Love — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 16:10:09 GMT

I grew up in a small town in South Carolina and we never had to water our yards because we typically had plenty of rain, sometimes too much. We had lush green lawns that would have to be mowed at least once and week and a plethora of flowers and weeds.

My family and I moved to Colorado when I was 12 and I remember my mom complaining about having to water the yard, by hand, since we didn’t have an automatic sprinkler system. This was a new concept for my family. At that time, I didn’t think too much about it since I wasn’t the one going outside every 15-20 minutes to move the sprinklers.

Fast forward 12 years and with the purchase of my first house I had the pleasure of watering my own lawn and trying to keep the grass from dying so I didn’t get a nasty gram from my HOA. At least I was fortunate to have a sprinkler system, but I had the same clay soil that my parents had and the same problem of trying to keep the grass green without using too much water.

At that time, I became interested in gardening, and I had heard about xeriscaping. This was a term created by Denver Water in 1981 by combining “landscape” and the Greek word “xeros” which means dry. So I did a little research and removed some areas of grass and started planting flowers. I planted flowers that were recommended for xeriscaping such as yarrow, bearded iris, lavender, penstemon, and valerian to name a few. I found I had a ‘light green’ thumb and enjoyed watching the flowers grow.

A few years later my husband and I moved to our second house, and I knew I wanted more than a yard full of grass. It was a new build, so the builder put in the front yard (grass, a tree, and a couple of shrubs) and we were responsible for the backyard. We spent that summer designing and creating our backyard retreat. We added a gazebo, garden (with many plants recommended for xeriscaping), patio, playset, and grass. We added grass because we had a small child that loved to play ball outside and also because it was much cheaper than plants.

Over time the yard has gone through some renovations. The garden has matured, the playset has been removed and a playhouse and small pond have been constructed in its place.

So, you might ask, where is she going with this story? I wanted to show you that if you want to xeriscape, you don’t have to do it all at once. You can start small, maybe with a problematic area in your yard that gets too much sun, and no matter how much you water, the grass doesn’t grow. Water efficiency is becoming more important and as our streams and reservoirs continue to dry up every drop of water that we can save matters.

Below are some photos of my garden. Maybe it will inspire someone to give xeriscaping a try!

Lesa Julian is the Environmental Services Superintendent for the City and County of Broomfield. She lives in Frederick and loves spending time with her family, traveling, trying new restaurants (especially BBQ), gardening, and reading.

South Platte Sally visits the Joint Aquatic Science Meeting (JASM) in Grand Rapids, Michigan!

Natalie Love — Wed, 25 May 2022 03:46:14 GMT

South Platte Sally ready for a full conference week!

South Platte Sally visits the Joint Aquatic Science Meeting (JASM) in Grand Rapids, Michigan! This conference is mostly held every five years where all nine Consortium of Aquatic Science Societies (CASS) gather for a large collaborative conference. Those societies include: American Fisheries Society (AFS), Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF), Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society (FMCS), International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), North American Lake Management Society (NALMS), Phycological Society of America (PSA), Society for Freshwater Sciences (SFS), and Society of Wetland Scientist (SWS). Sally already has professional memberships in AFS, NALMS, and SFS and could not wait to meet other scientists and professionals within her passionate field of study!

South Platte Sally checking the scene from the podium.

Sally began a week of invigorating talks by listening to “Nutrients and Interactions that Impact Integrity in Surface Water,” she particularly enjoyed listening to Dr. Sylvia Seuble Lee from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and her review of Response of Chlorophyll to Total Nutrient Concentration in Lotic Ecosystems: a Systematic Review. Shortly after listening to Lester Yuan present their topic, Sally had an important meeting with Dr. Janice Brahney who studies environmental biogeochemistry and paleolimnology within watersheds at Utah State University. Dr. Janice Brahney and South Platte Sally discussed several potential anthropogenic factors that could control the nutrient cycle problems within the South Platte River.

South Platte Sally and Dr. Janice Brahney catching up.

Throughout the week Sally listened to different talks from “Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination in Aquatic Systems” to “Conservation of urban aquatic systems: Interdisciplinary solutions to complicated problems.” After listening to the lamprey nuisance within the Great Lakes, Sally knew she had to see the one in the exhibition hall being exhibited by IAGLR. Lampreys can grow approximately 3 times Sally’s height and she was thrilled to be able to sit next to one! Once the poster sessions were up, Sally perused the 550 posters to listen to different students talk about their research. A particular poster caught her attention from Daemen University called Excess chloride impairs over-winter quality of stream algal assemblages which was published by two undergraduates: Cassandra Mayle and Jessica Bieler, in BIOS. An interesting presentation to say the least!

South Platte Sally visiting the LIVE Lamprey.

Most of Sally’s evenings were spent outside the conference, looking over the Grand River which runs in the middle of Grand Rapids, Michigan and hanging with colleagues she had not seen for a long time. It was great interacting with others who are working on their own rivers within their own state and noticing the differences in work each member contributes. She cannot wait until the next JASM and is incredibly sad that it will take another five years before she sees her oceanographic and wetland friends again.

South Platte Sally exploring the excellent student poster session.

Blanca Hinojosa is a Water Quality Scientist at Metro Water Recovery in Denver, Colorado. Blanca moved from Houston, Texas where she monitored 144 different stream sites in the Greater Houston Area while working as a specialized Water Pollution Investigator for the Bureau of Environmental Health in the Houston Health Department.

Happy Earth Day!

Natalie Love — Sun, 24 Apr 2022 01:55:38 GMT

Happy Earth Day!! But what is Earth Day really? The first Earth Day goes back to 1970 and starts with the organization of campus teach-ins to raise awareness about air and water pollution. The day of choice was April 22^nd which fell in between spring break and final exams in order to achieve maximum student participation. The effort expanded nationally across a number of organizations and the day was officially deemed Earth Day. At the time, 20 million Americans were inspired to demonstrate against the deterioration of the environment and all across the nation, rallies and protests were organized. By the end of 1970, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) was created from which environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act were written and passed by Congress. In 1990, Earth Day became a global phenomenon which further increased the focus to address environmental issues such as enhancing the efforts towards recycling.

As the years went by, Earth Day continued to provide a stage for many environmental campaigns and further bolstered the environmental movement all over the world. Today, Earth Day has evolved into a day of action that engages more than a billion people every year to improve the health of our planet. With the growing urgency for a clean environment made apparent by the growing adverse effects of climate change, Earth Day has become more important than ever. For more on Earth Day and what you can do to help build a healthier planet for generations to come, Earthday.org is a great resource to keep engaged within the environmental community and provides volunteer and donation opportunities in support of a more sustainable and green future.

Link to the website: https://www.earthday.org

Image from Pixabay.com

Ashley Romero is the Laboratory Manager at GEI Consultants, Inc. and has a background in ecotoxicology.

Biosolid Basics: Sewage to Soil

Natalie Love — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 03:53:47 GMT

Spring has sprung! Like many gardeners, I am spending my weekends starting seeds, purchasing compost, and readying my beds for the upcoming growing season. Before entering the wastewater field, I had not anticipated that this hobby could be so closely tied together with my profession. While I was familiar with using animal manure as a garden amendment, I hadn’t realized that a byproduct from wastewater treatment could also be used to enrich my soil.

During the wastewater treatment process, liquids get separated from solids during primary and secondary treatment. Those solids are treated physically, chemically, and biologically to produce a nutrient-rich “sewage sludge” or “biosolid”. The solids can be disposed of as a waste, or they can be further processed, tested, and used as a source of nutrients for agricultural land and reclamation sites. This has many benefits, including:

Adding nutrients without the use of synthetic fertilizers
Improving soil structure and preventing erosion
Diverting solid waste from landfills

For biosolids to be used for land application, they must meet federal and state requirements. This includes limiting concentrations of pathogens and pollutants such as heavy metals, as well as reducing the material’s attractiveness to vectors such as flies and mosquitoes. The biosolids are classified as Class A or Class B. The different classes have different treatment methods (e.g., digestion, composting, drying) and different requirements for contaminant levels and land application.

Class A Biosolids are treated in a way that significantly reduces fecal coliforms, along with other bacteria and viruses. Class A’s strict limits must be met for the biosolids to be publicly available. Exceptional Quality (EQ) Class A biosolids can be bagged and sold to the public and can be applied to home lawns and gardens.
Class B Biosolids have higher contaminant limits compared to Class A. As a result, site restrictions are necessary. Public access must be limited for a time period after land application. On agricultural land, there are also “resting periods” after application before harvesting and/or grazing can occur.

The EPA annual biosolids reports estimates that over 4.75 million dry metric tons of biosolids were produced in the U.S. in 2019. Over half of this (~2.4 million dry metric tons) was beneficially used for land application. A survey from the National Biosolids Data Project breaks down biosolids use for each state and estimates that Colorado beneficially reuses a larger portion of our biosolids – with 86% going to land application.

Buying Biosolids

Some wastewater treatment facilities sell their Class A compost directly to consumers. The City of Santa Fe mixes biosolids from their wastewater treatment plant with other material to create their “Santa Fe Biosolids Compost”. Others send their biosolids to commercial composters. In Colorado, A1 Organics advertises that their compost product BioComp® contains biosolids and other organic material that might otherwise be disposed of in landfills (such as brewery and food waste).

PFAS and Steps Forward

While the positives of land application of biosolids are plentiful, it’s probably no surprise that the “forever chemicals” PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are an upcoming concern for biosolids – just as they are everywhere else in the industry. These persistent chemicals have been used since the 1940s and are found in many common products such as household cleaners, floss, food packaging, and clothing. PFAS are not utilized in the wastewater treatment process, but may be present in the waste stream received by the facilities.

New studies have identified trace levels of PFAS in biosolids, which has sparked fear in some. However, biosolids have not been found to be a primary exposure pathway for PFAS. The concentrations being reported are generally very small, below the most stringent direct contact standards for soils.

While the PFAS spotlight is largely on drinking water, much research is still being done on the impact of PFAS in biosolids. The EPA plans to complete a risk assessment of PFAS in biosolids by winter of 2024, which will serve as the basis for determining whether regulation of PFAS in biosolids is appropriate.

Reducing PFAS in biosolids will best done by preventing their introduction to the waste stream in the first place. Reducing the commercial use of PFAS and stopping their discharge through industrial pretreatment programs will significantly reduce the PFAS received by wastewater reclamation facilities, and will therefore reduce their concentrations in biosolids.

References:

1. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-O/part-503
2. https://www.epa.gov/biosolids/basic-information-about-biosolids
3. National Biosolids Data Project, 2022. Data on biosolids management in the U. S.: Colorado Biosolids Management 2018, https://www.biosolidsdata.org/colorado, visited 03/20/22.
4. https://www.metrowaterrecovery.com/business/metrogro-biosolids/
5. https://www.santafenm.gov/purchase_compost
6. https://a1organics.com/product/biocomp/
7. https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-2024
8. https://www.nebiosolids.org/pfas-biosolids

Jessica DeHerrera is an Analyst II at Metro Water Recovery, where she is responsible for the laboratory’s metals analyses. She has 10 years of experience working in the water quality field. She enjoys hiking, cuddling her dog Pearl, and leading her neighborhood community garden.

A Plastic Problem; Bringing Sustainability into Everyday Lab Practices

Natalie Love — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 02:39:20 GMT

Anyone working in an environmental laboratory can tell you that the work occasionally feels more detrimental to the environment than helpful. It’s difficult to feel like you’re working in favor of the Earth when ending a task means throwing away plastic pipettes and tips, cups, sample containers, and of course, nitrile gloves. This feeling isn’t unjustified either; the wide-spread use of single-use plastics and nitriles in laboratory work create an estimated 5.5 million tons of plastic waste in a single year [1]. This equates to almost 2% of all plastic waste created annually across the globe, despite researchers and scientists making up only 0.1% of the population [2]. Between plastic pipettes, pipette tips, tubing, plastic cups, disposable sample containers, and nitrile gloves, it can seem that there is little used in daily lab life that isn’t single-use, but how did the research field come to rely on these materials so heavily, and how can we steer toward a greener, more eco-friendly future?

It is difficult to deny that plastic is a convenient, reliable material that works well for many scientific purposes. Plastics gained popularity in lab settings due to their low cost, durability, sterility, and disposability, and in many labs single-use plastics continue to make up a majority of equipment. Plastic beakers and cylinders will not shatter when dropped, plastic pipettes do not need sterilization before and after use, plastic sample containers are lightweight and easily disposed of, and yet it’s hard to ignore that throwing all of these things away feels, and is, bad. In pursuit of a more eco-friendly field, we as scientists are beginning to seek out ways that we can implement ‘reduce, reuse, and recycle’ in our daily activities.

Reduction of single-use plastics is the clearest way to ensure that labs create less pollution. One option for this is to replace disposable plastic equipment with reusable glassware. Our WET testing lab has become more reliant on plastic over the last five years and is currently in the process of switching back from 12 oz. disposable plastic cups to 300 ml glass bowls for our Pimephales promelas tests, saving at least 30 plastic cups from the energy-intensive recycling process each time we run a test with the bowls instead. Sure, 30 cups may not seem like a substantial amount but we run up to 6 of these tests a week, every week of the year.

Even if only two P. promelas tests are run every week of the year, a total of 3,120 cups would be saved by using bowls. When plastic-ware cannot be replaced it can often be optimized to create the least amount of waste. Making these sort of changes isn’t necessarily easy or convenient (for example, the plastic cups are easier to decant effluent from and don’t require washing at the end of a test like the bowls do), and it certainly costs more initially to outfit a lab with glassware rather than plastics, but the reduced cost on the environment makes the monetary cost and effort well worth it.

Reuse of plastics in laboratory settings is often not feasible or safe due to the threat of contamination. Often times laboratory samples must be kept separate and sterile, and any cross-contamination could jeopardize the integrity of tests or experiments. That being said, keeping some materials, such as plastic pipettes, to be used multiple times with the same sample is an easy way to reduce single-use plastics while maintaining sample integrity.

Not all laboratory plastics can, or should be recycled, however, every step should be taken to properly dispose of the ones that can. Educating laboratory technicians on which of their materials are recyclable and not, as well as providing any necessary instruction on their disposal is a key part of ensuring a more environmentally-friendly lab. Keeping handy reference lists or guides for what materials can be recycled can be helpful in empowering employees to be more confident about their disposal decisions.

The responsibility of making these changes to create a more eco-friendly field lies on all of our shoulders. We can all make conscious choices in the designs of our experiments, our use of materials, and our allocation of funds to create workplaces that maintain efficiency and credibility while also becoming more sustainable.

[1] Urbina, M. A., Watts, A. J., & Reardon, E. E. (2015). Labs should cut plastic waste too. Nature, 528(7583), 479–479. https://doi.org/10.1038/528479c

[2] Facts and figures: Human resources. UNESCO. (2015, December 8). Retrieved February 18, 2022, from https://en.unesco.org/node/252277

[3] Niraula, A., Gautam, K., Gazda, M. A., & Krause, M. (2020, May 5). Reducing plastic waste in the lab. Chemistry World. Retrieved February 18, 2022, from https://www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/reducing-plastic-waste-in-the-lab/4011550.article

Ivy Sklenar Murphy is a laboratory technician at GEI Consultants, Inc., where she helps conduct Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing for clients across the United States. She lives in the Denver area with her family and a myriad of animals, and enjoys spending time camping, foraging, and looking at things under her microscope.

Jar Testing for Treatment Process Optimization

Natalie Love — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 20:40:45 GMT

As water treatment facilities are faced with ever-increasing challenges, it is important for utility staff to proactively evaluate treatment plant performance and implement actions to improve operations, energy efficiency, and treated water quality. The jar test is recognized throughout the water industry as a valuable and proven tool for treatment process optimization. Jar tests are routinely conducted by water treatment plant operators, laboratory staff, consultants, and chemical suppliers. The jar test is conducted in the laboratory and is used to simulate full-scale conventional treatment processes. Laboratory staff can work together with operators in conducting these tests, particularly in the preparation of stock solutions, in which operators may have little or no experience.

Jar testing may be carried out for a variety of reasons including but not limited to the following: 1) to optimize chemical dosages and / or points of application, 2) to determine the effectiveness of alternative coagulants or coagulant aids, 3) to optimize mixing times and intensities, or 4) to evaluate the impact of other changes in water chemistry and conditions. A typical jar test apparatus (Figure 1) consists of four to six jars with sample ports and paddle mixers,

which can be programmed to stir at particular speeds for particular amounts of time, to simulate the coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes. Stock solutions of treatment chemicals are prepared ahead of time and added to the jars in the same sequence and dosage as they are added in the full-scale plant (additionally, the plant dosage is typically bracketed by higher and lower dosages during the jar tests to determine the optimal dosage).

Figure 1: Northglenn Jar Test Apparatus

It is critical that the conditions used in the jar test accurately simulate the full-scale plant. This requires knowledge of the hydraulic characteristics of the plant as well as the properties and dosages of any chemical additions. However, even when theoretical conditions (e.g., velocity gradient, detention times, and surface loading rates) are matched closely, there is often a need to empirically tweak the parameters to make the jar test results match the full-scale results. Therefore, customizing a jar testing procedure so it can yield results indicative of plant performance is iterative and can be time consuming. Facilities with successful jar testing procedures have often used the theoretical parameters as a starting point and then made minor adjustments by trial and error until the full-scale plant results are accurately simulated by the jar test¹.

The City of Northglenn Water Treatment Facility (WTF) is in the process of calibrating their jar test procedure. Once the jar testing procedure has been successfully dialed in, the tests will be used to optimize the dosage of chemical coagulants (i.e., alum and polymer) and oxidants (i.e., sodium permanganate). Optimal coagulant dosages are critical to proper floc formation and filter performance. Higher coagulant dosages do not necessarily provide more effective removal of contaminants, such as particles and organic compounds. In fact, a law of diminishing returns often applies with the addition of coagulants (Figure 2), where further increases in coagulant dosage can reduce total organic carbon (TOC) removal. In addition, coagulant dosages that are too high can result in the production of excess sludge, which increases the cost of sludge disposal. It should also be noted that the coagulant dosage which results in the best turbidity removal does not always correspond to the best TOC removal (Figure 3). Therefore, jar tests can provide comprehensive insight into the relationship between particle and organics removal, and how it relates to chemical dosage, cost, and sludge production.

Figure 2: Law of Diminishing Returns with Coagulant Dosage²

Figure 3: Turbidity and TOC Removal by Coagulant Dosage²

Once successful, the jar testing procedure will be used to optimize the addition of other treatment chemicals used at the Northglenn WTF, such as sodium permanganate. Sodium permanganate is a chemical oxidant used to remove iron and manganese, and to control taste and odor compounds. It can also help to reduce the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) by oxidizing precursors and reducing the demand for disinfectants, such as chlorine. High dosages of sodium permanganate can result in pink water, which can be avoided through dosage optimization with jar tests.

The processes downstream of pretreatment will also operate more efficiently when pretreatment processes are optimized. For example, filters succeeding an optimized pretreatment process will have longer filter run times between backwashes, which results in less energy and finished water use. Further, enhanced TOC removal due to pretreatment optimization helps water plants meet DBP regulations, since organic material is a precursor to DBP formation.

In addition to the potential to dramatically improve treatment process operations, energy efficiency, and treated water quality, the total cost savings associated with optimized treatment can be significant. The City of Englewood saved greater than $100,000 in one year in chemical and sludge disposal costs by optimizing their pretreatment process with jar testing results². Armed with the knowledge gained from conducting jar tests, water plants can ensure the plant is optimized to the fullest extent possible and deliver the highest quality water to customers.

References

[1] American Water Works Association. 2011. Operational Control of Coagulation and Filtration Processes.

[2] American Water Works Association California-Nevada Section. Improved Jar Testing Optimization with TOC Analysis. https://ca-nv-awwa.org/CANV/downloads/2015/afc15presentations/ImprovedJarTesting.pdf. Accessed: January 19, 2022.

Emily von Hagen is the Laboratory Technician at the Northglenn Water Treatment Facility. She has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering and a Class C Water Treatment Plant Operator license in Colorado. She is passionate about everything water and lives in Denver with her parrot, Zappa.

Square Shoulders

Natalie Love — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 04:40:23 GMT

I was once called to a meeting with a high management-level supervisor and I asked what I should do to be prepared for this meeting (I didn’t know what I was being called in for). His answer was no need to prepare but “Wear your square shoulders”. Well, I wasn’t sure exactly what that meant so Google helped me: to prepare to deal with something difficult in a determined way, or to show that you are prepared to do this. In the end, I wasn’t in trouble, exactly, but I was asked to do things differently and he knew I wasn’t going to like it. The rest of that story isn’t important, but the phrase has stuck with me.

I think preparing for a sanitary survey or any audit fits this phrase perfectly. Do something difficult in a determined way and show you are prepared to do this.

A sanitary survey is usually associated with a drinking water system and it is essentially an audit of everything you do in a water system. This type of audit is basically the same as a lab audit or inspection for a discharge permit. No matter what you call it, an audit can be scary and very stressful. There are things you can do to prepare yourself and your organization to help alleviate this stress, albeit not all of it!

First, every aspect of our work requires documentation. If you don’t write it down, it didn’t happen. You must do the documentation required every day, day in and day out! You can’t put this off. When you are preparing for an audit, you can check the documentation, know where it is kept and make sure any cross-outs are done correctly (ONE line, date and initials). If you find the documentation is not in order, make sure it is done correctly from that point on. You can’t go back and re-create documentation. You can write a memo to clarify that your entity made procedural changes to correct the issue, but that’s really about all you can do. When the auditor finds it – because let’s face it – they ALWAYS do! Then you explain, yes, we found that as well. Here is our corrective action memo (yes, write it down) and as you can see, from the date of this memo forward, we have been documenting this properly.

Second, clean and then clean some more. I’m talking white glove style, like your in-laws are coming to visit. I really believe auditors have a sixth sense. They can find things you never would have even considered. The thing is, if your plant, lab, etc. are clean then the perception is you have your act together. Now that doesn’t mean they won’t come across something you’ve let slip or have an observation of a different way to do things, but it leaves a good impression. Just like when the in-laws visit! An oil stain could lead them to ask about what kind of oil you use, which could lead to asking if it is NSF approved and if it isn’t, that could lead to a significant deficiency or violation. Clean.

Control the audit as much as possible. Set the schedule so you can have the appropriate people available for the auditor to talk to. Plan this out and make sure everyone knows they will be participating. I like to send an agenda with the appointment (or follow up to their appointment) along with specific meeting place maps. One time I didn’t do this and the auditor was waiting at the hand pump instead of the office. Not a big deal but wasted some time for sure. You know they will want to see just about everything in your system so plan the routes and time it will take to tour the sites.

Next, talk to your friends and neighbors. See what challenges they have faced during recent audits. There’s usually something auditors focus on every year. When a new rule is implemented, for instance, they will be making sure you have met the requirements of the rule. Speaking of your friends and neighbors – maybe ask someone to do a “pre-survey” of your system. This can really help point out things you may have been overlooking for years.

Prepare people or yourself to talk to auditors. I’m not suggesting you hide anything; however, you also don’t have to point out things you know you could do better. When an auditor asks a question, make sure you understand what they are asking then answer it concisely. This isn’t the time to tell stories or add extra information. If you don’t understand the question, ask the auditor to re-phrase it. If you don’t know the answer, do not pretend like you do. It is ok to not know the answer! You could say, "I don’t know, I would have to look at my SOP or ask my supervisor". Then the auditor can choose to ask for the SOP or ask your supervisor. That’s OK! Silence…prepare for the auditor to leave very awkward pauses and silence. Don’t try to fill in the silence. Politely wait for them to get to their next question. You can also move the tour along by asking if they would like to go to whatever the next stop is. It is uncomfortable to stand there and wait for them to ask the next question. It’s a tactic. I’m not suggesting that auditors are mean and nasty, but it is a trained tactic of auditing to get you to keep talking and tell them something which will lead them down another path.

Also, make sure people are respectful to the auditors. Do NOT argue with them. If you disagree, you can ask them to show you the regulation they are referring to so you can understand their point of view. If at that point, you still disagree, you can discuss it after the report comes out and go from there. It is rarely to your benefit to argue with them. Say thank you. Yes, basic manners but you’d be surprised.

An audit should be approached as a learning experience. Improving what we do to protect public health is a good thing. I know we all take a lot of pride in our work, so it hurts when someone says we are doing it wrong. Learn from it and make corrections – “Wear you square shoulders”!

If anyone would like more information or help with an upcoming audit – let me know – I’d be happy to help!

Sherry Scaggiari is the Environmental Compliance Principal at the City of Aurora. Sherry has a chemistry degree from CSU and made her start in environmental contract labs over 30 years ago. She has worked for the city of Aurora for 14 years. She is responsible for compliance for Aurora Water including supervising the Quality Control Laboratory.

City of Westminster's Weevils

Natalie Love — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 05:22:28 GMT

We’ve had a major success in our Milfoil Weevil program. Some of the preliminary results are shown in cute pictures from Bob Krugmire – see below!

When we talk about the Standley Lake Weevils – it’s often with a lighthearted tone. They’ve got names like Wilber and Wilma Weevil. We joke about our new job titles of weevil farmers – definitely atypical water utilities work. And a couple of us even have stuffed animal weevils. (Note – if anyone is looking for a good Christmas present for me…I want one.)

But in truth, this is so much more than a fun pastime. This program represents what our Westy team excels at: Seeing the big picture, getting to the root of a problem, and finding the right solution – even if it’s far outside the box. And – we’re not afraid to get our hands dirty and try new things in the process.

Figure 1 - Mature Weevil on fingertip.

Many entities treat their water supplies with chemicals to keep algae and other unwanted contaminants at bay. Here at Westminster though, we have an entirely different approach. We work hard to keep our water supply clean and healthy to begin with – so that those expensive and unhealthy chemical treatments aren’t necessary. The health of Standley Lake’s ecosystem is the basis of our raw water supply program - Mother Nature is one of our best tools in the effort to maintain exceptional water quality. And through decades of hard work, Standley Lake is now one of the best source waters in the State. Seriously.

A healthy lake ecosystem results in cleaner source water. Clean source water results in substantially reduced water treatment costs. It reduces unhealthy treatment residuals in our drinking water and results in better tasting water for our customers.

But Standley Lake does have a health issue that staff works hard to mitigate - an invasive species called Eurasian Milfoil. This milfoil chokes out native plants, reduces biodiversity, and ultimately increases the potential for blue-green algae blooms (which can cause taste/odor issues and can release cyanotoxins which are extremely dangerous). Additionally, beds of milfoil will create areas of low oxygen that can increase the release of nutrients, sulfur, and even metals from the soils.

Use of chemicals to treat for milfoil can be extraordinarily expensive (think $1M+ per treatment) and they run the potential of killing a lot more than milfoil - even causing fish kills. (Yum yum! Who wants to drink that water?) Instead of using chemicals, Westminster developed one of the only sustained Milfoil Weevil populations in the West – a program that started back in 2002. These weevils eat the invasive milfoil and keep it under control naturally. The program has worked fantastically and has had a measurable impact on the health of the lake.

But the population isn’t as big as it could be. And there isn’t a vendor that can provide us with more weevils…the last vendor closed back in 2011.

Figure 2 - Weevil on Eurasian Milfoil Plants

So, our water quality staff went to work to find an alternative solution, and started piloting a program to harvest existing weevils in the lake and put them in safe enclosures where they can grow and thrive with less fear of predation. (They are tasty fish snacks.) Yesterday – we had our first look into the success of the pilot – and we are so excited to share that we have a lot of weevils! Staff identified at least three healthy, adult weevils in that enclosure – which is more direct observations of adult weevils than we’ve seen in years of observations across the lake. (There are many more weevils that aren’t directly visible.) Our pilot enclosures have had their first significant success, and it is looking promising that we will be able to successfully increase our weevil population – ultimately resulting in an even healthier lake!

The grand total cost of this water quality solution? Less than $500 plus staff time.

Finally, we would like to give a big shout out to Kelly Cline, John Conor Creber, and the rest of the water quality team for their ingenuity, curiosity, and willingness to go the extra mile for the benefit of our community. But truly – the shout out goes to the team across PWU. This is one program of many that sets Westminster apart as a leader in our respective fields.

This month’s blog post was written by Sarah Borgers, with photos by Bob Krugmire, and was provided by Lindie Aragon, all of whom are with the City of Westminster.

Ghosts, Goblins, Ghouls, and Water Shortages?

Natalie Love — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 02:38:17 GMT

The month of October is always a scary time of the year. It’s a time to binge scary movies, visit all the haunted houses and decorate your house as spooky as possible. However, if you’re looking for something truly scary this month, look no further than the Colorado River Basin shortage.

On August 16, 2021, the Bureau of Reclamation declared the first-ever water shortage for the Colorado River Basin. An exceptionally dry spring in the Upper Basin (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming) and low runoff conditions have left Lake Mead and Lake Powell at record low reservoir levels.

Five-year projections released from the Bureau of Reclamation (https://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/riverops/crss-5year-projections.html) show Lake Mead with a 66% chance of dipping below 1,025 feet of elevation in 2025. When reservoir elevations start dropping, the government will enact mandatory water cuts. This is scary for states on the Lower Basin (Nevada, Arizona, California) who rely on these reservoirs for drinking water. With a water shortage declared with Lake Mead dropping below 1,075 feet in elevation, Arizona and Nevada can expect water allocation slashes starting in 2022. The next set of federal cuts would come once the reservoir hits 1,050 feet in elevation and could realistically happen next year.

This graph taken from http://mead.uslakes.info/level.asp shows Lake Mead’s water level for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021 up until October 18.

Projections are not only scary for Lake Mead but also for Lake Powell which shows a 3 percent chance of dropping to levels next year where the Glen Canyon Dam cannot generate power. While 3 percent may seem unlikely, the projections show a jump to 34 percent in 2023. The Glen Canyon Dam produces around five billion kilowatt-hours of hydroelectric power annually and provides power to a Western population that is rapidly growing.

This graph taken from http://powell.uslakes.info/level.asp shows Lake Powell’s water level for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021 up until October 18.

The Colorado River’s existing management guidelines are set to expire in 2026 with very important negotiations looming. Can a balance be agreed upon that provides enough inflow to the Lower Basin but still leaves enough for the Upper? With so many parties interesting in securing water, the future of the Colorado River Basin is indeed enough of a scare to get you through this Halloween season.

Danny McCausland is an Analyst II at Metro Water Recovery. He has 8 years experience working in the water quality field.

Mudslide Impacts on Water Quality

Natalie Love — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 05:28:58 GMT

During a recent road trip to Utah, I found myself having to navigate around the I-70 road closures due to the recent mudslides the state has seen. This got me thinking of how these mudslides are not only having an impact on infrastructure but also the environmental impact they have on things such as water quality.

But what exactly is a mudslide? A mudslide is a type of landslide that is the fast-moving flow of debris, earth, or rock that moves down a slope. As defined by the CDC, ”Mudslides develop when water rapidly accumulates in the ground and results in a surge of water-saturated rock, earth, and debris”. This debris then flows down the slope, often with such a force that it destroys anything in its path. Depending on the location of the mudslide it can often cause damage to things from roads to rivers. These natural disasters are often seen in areas that have had wildfires, previous landslides, steep slopes, recent downpours, and high exposure to surface runoff.

As seen from the recent road closures in Colorado, these natural disasters can cause some serious damage. But where do the mudslides stop? These slides have a difficult time crossing rivers and this often leads to the contents of the slide flowing through the river. As a result, we see major increases in the amount of sediment (or turbidity) in these rivers which leads to less clear water. This increase in turbidity tends to increase temperature and decrease dissolved oxygen levels which can often harm aquatic life.

With high turbidity, there is also a decrease in UV exposure which can potentially lead to the growth of harmful algae blooms such as cyanobacteria. During my trip, I had some direct experience with high cyanobacteria blooms at Zion National Park. Though this was caused by a monsoon rather than a mudslide, it was interesting seeing the impact that these blooms have on the water. These toxic blooms create a film on top of the water that can contribute to the decrease in UV exposure in the river as well as a decrease in oxygen and nutrients that are needed for aquatic life. It is also toxic to ingest and will often leave any person or animal that drinks the water very sick. There are no known remedies for curing these effects and in severe cases can lead to death.

The environmental impacts of mudslides are large, and we can see their dramatic effects anywhere in the world, including here in Colorado. With mudslides comes an increase in turbidity, which can lead to an increase in water temperatures, a decrease in dissolved oxygen, and potentially a decrease in UV exposure. All these factors can cause harm to aquatic life in our natural water systems. All this said, while mudslides often feel like a nuisance with the various road closures they can cause, mudslides also have a detrimental impact on our ecosystem that I believe is important to be aware of.

References

https://www.aquasana.com/info/how-mudslides-contaminate-your-water-supply-pd.html

https://www.cdc.gov/habs/general.html

https://www.analyticaltechnology.com/analyticaltechnology/gas-water-monitors/blog.aspx?ID=1324&Title=What%20Happens%20if%20Water%20Turbidity%20Gets%20Too%20High

https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/toxic-cyanobacteria-bloom-in-the-virgin-river-and-the-streams-of-zion-national-park.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/landslides.html

https://www.denverpost.com/2021/06/27/glenwood-canyon-mudslide-i70-closure/

This blog was written by Michael Hendricks, a Water Quality Supervisor for GEI Consultants He has 7 years of experience in the industry and holds a BA in Biological Science from Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

Wildfires in Colorado

Natalie Love — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 03:42:09 GMT

After studying fire ecology, I decided to abandon pre-med to pursue a career in Ecology. I never knew there were species of plants that needed forest fires for their seeds to germinate. I learned that a truly healthy forest is often only possible after the clearing of undergrowth from fire. Fascinating facts of fire ecology drive home the importance of fire. But the drying out of once-wet places (i.e the Pacific Northwest) combined with human encroachment have resulted in devastation. In many paces this is becoming the norm. Fires are more intense and spread larger than ever due in part to years of fire suppression. In Colorado we’ve had a wetter than usual start to 2021. I was curious about the forecast for our regional fire season.

Before I dive into the data, I want to say that this was a “quick and dirty” search. I make a lot of generalizations and recognize that there isn’t always a perfect comparison between location and precipitation/fires. To keep it broad, I started by googling current fires in Colorado and found a map showing all 2021 fires. I overlaid it with a precipitation map showing 2021 rainfall (Figure 1). I was curious whether areas where fires occurred were drier than the rest of the state.

Figure 1: Map of Colorado precipitation from January 1, 2021 through August 13, 2021 overlaid with Colorado’s 2021 fires from Coloradoan.com. The numbers correspond with the numbers in Table 1.

The largest of the fires in Colorado this year was the June Oil Springs Fire which burned near the Utah border (Figure 1, #4). Based on the precipitation map, there were numerous green dots indicating less rainfall relatively close to the fire. The Western Slope clearly did not get as much rainfall as the mountains and Front Range early in 2021.

The second largest fire in Colorado this year was the Morgan Creek Fire outside of Steamboat Springs in the Northeast-Central part of the state. Nearby precipitation totals were a lot higher than the Grand Junction area with some red dots indicating high rainfall relatively close the location of the fire. I had a hard time finding an update on the Morgan Creek fire. As of a few weeks ago, it was only 24% contained. Hopefully the higher precipitation is helping control that fire. Two very small fires also occurred in the southwest portion of the state where rainfall was moderate (Figure 1, #’s 6 and 7).

2020 was one of the most devastating wildfire years in Colorado history. I wanted to compare the 2020 fire season to 2021’s fire season. I tracked down monthly precipitation data for August 2019 through July 2020 and August 2020 through July 2021 for four different locations, 1) the Denver area, where tons of spring rain forced the cancellation of many of my kid’s soccer practices, 2) the Yampa weather station which is relatively close to the 2021 Morgan Creek Fire, 3) the Grand Lake Station which was relatively close to the extremely destructive 2020 Cameron Peak Fire (Colorado’s Largest in history) and East Troublesome Fire which burned a combined 402,725 acres or 520 square miles (9News 2021), and finally, 4) a weather station in Grand Junction which is close to 2020’s third largest fire, Pine Gulch which burned 139,007 acres and is also relatively close to the 2021 Oil Springs Fire.

There are a few things that are apparent from these figures (Figures 2-5), 1) Denver received much more rain in early 2021 than any of the other three sites graphed. 2) Grand Junction was particularly dry in the graphed timeframe which explains the fires in both years. 3) The Grand Lake dataset is fairly interesting. February 2020 saw a relatively high amount of precipitation. While months leading up to the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome Fires were by no means wet, there was still some decent rainfall which would make you think that the extreme fires that occurred should not have been as bad as they were. However, none of the data tell the full picture on the rainfall patterns (all at once vs spread over time), which might help explain the extreme fire situation. The beetle kill was also a particularly destructive component of the 2020 fires.

Figures 2-5: Monthly precipitation for four sites from August 2019 through July 2021. Data from Colorado State University's Colorado Climate Center.

What does all this mean for the rest of the 2021 fire season? Well, based on the data I looked at, I have no idea. Clearly the Western Slope needs more rain. I turned to the experts for predictions for the rest of the fire season. According to the Predictive Services National Interagency Fire Center (who knew there was such a thing!):

“Above normal significant fire potential is predicted in August and September across the northwest corner of Colorado through much of Wyoming, South Dakota, and northwest Nebraska.”

“Late June and July precipitation and moderating fire weather conditions resulted in a decrease in new significant fire activity as well as reduced growth on existing large fires.”

“The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) outlook for August indicates drier and warmer than normal conditions over northern portions of the Rocky Mountain Area. More extensive warming and drying is projected for the autumn period, especially west of the Continental Divide.”

Check out the link in the references to read the full story, but it appears the wetter weather is helping reduce fire risk for parts of the state, but unfortunately the rain has not been reaching the entire state leaving many areas at risk for more fires.

When compiling the data on the fires that have occurred in 2021 in Colorado (Table 1), I was surprised to find that all were either confirmed to have been started by lighting or are being investigated but likely started by lighting. After briefly discussing wildfires in California with a colleague, I learned that more than one of those extremely destructive fires was started by transmission lines rather than natural factors. While wildfires these days are becoming more and more destructive, it is frustrating to learn that some of California’s wildfires were preventable. Despite the benefits fire brings to forests, with the spread of people deeper into the forest, fires must be minimized and controlled.

Table 1: Colorado’s 2021 wildfires as of August 23, 2021 from Coloradoan.com.

Name of Fire	Location on Map	% Contained	Date Started	Cause	# Acres Burned
Morgan Creek Fire	1	24 as of 8/12/21	7/9/21	Lightning	7,505
Muddy Slide Fire	2	70 as of 8/6/21	6/20/21	Lightning	4,093
Sylvan Fire	3	90 as of 8/20/21	6/20/21	Lightning	3,792
Oil Springs Fire	4	99 as of 7/6/21	6/18/21	Lightning	12,613
Wild Cow Fire	5	100 as of 6/28/21	6/21/21	Lightning Suspected	560
Trail Canyon	6	90 as of 6/22/21	6/18/21	Lightning	881
Vosburg Pike	7	100 as of 7/17/21	6/16/21	Under Investigation	67

References

9News. https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/wildfire/colorado-2020-historic-wildfire-season/73-c9458147-c945-45e6-bea9-a1d426cca102 Accessed August 23, 2021.

Colorado State University; Colorado Climate Center. Precipitation map and precipitation data. https://climate.colostate.edu/ Accessed August 13, 2021.

Coloradoan.com. Hazard Mapping System: Fire and Smoke. https://data.coloradoan.com/fires/ Accessed August 13, 2021.

Predictive Services National Interagency Fire Center. 2021. National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook. Issued: August 1, 2021.

The Fun in Water Complaint Solutions

Natalie Love — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 14:45:57 GMT

Do you ever feel like you’re in a Parks and Rec episode when dealing with resident water quality complaints?

“There’s a sign in the park that says DO NOT DRINK the sprinkler water and I made some tea with it and now I have an infection” -Parks and Rec episode

I got the idea for this month’s blog recently when I was asked by a resident, “Why does my washing machine smell like doo-doo water”. Easy fix, bleach and sanitize your washing machine for mold and mildew.

It can always be tricky trying to diagnose water quality issues at a residence or business when there are multiple factors that can affect the taste and odor. As I am very confident in our water quality and take great pride in our water, I find it a fun challenge to be able to troubleshoot residents’ water quality issues and teach them about water quality and our treatment techniques. Many complaints start with water heater issues or old refrigerator filters. Yes, I’ve been asked multiple times to test resident’s ice cubes!

If we can’t resolve a problem over the phone, we offer to test the resident’s tap water to compare any differences to our distribution lab data. Here are some of the questions to ask and ways to troubleshoot possible water quality issues to help you determine whether the issue is related to taste/odor problems from the water itself or something within the residence.

Make sure the water is always cold out of the kitchen tap when comparing water quality between sources; hot water chemistry can be completely different due to water heater conditions
Suggest annual or bi-annual water heater preventative maintenance to the resident to mitigate issues by flushing out iron and manganese sediment and keep the unit running efficiently
Recommend cleaning out tap diffusers, especially if new galvanized plumbing has been installed
Water softeners or any other separate treatment systems like reverse osmosis can cause issues if not properly maintained or cleaned regularly
New filters and water softener media should be flushed or seasoned when installed
Old refrigerator filters/water lines and scale build up on fridge water lines can cause taste and cloudiness issues
Clean scaling in small water lines with vinegar solution for different appliances; check out Youtube for instructions on specific brands
New residents to the area often have a different taste for the water and it takes time to acclimate to the taste
Taking new medications can alter you taste of drinking water and COVD symptoms has raised new issues with loss of taste
Is the glassware actually clean? Dishwasher performance or residual detergent left on glassware can create taste problems
Solar Water heaters on the top of the roof can also cause issues (yes, I’ve actually run across this issue)
If there is an odor coming from the sink, it is most likely coming from the drain and can be improved by cleaning with baking soda, vinegar, hot water, and even orange peels ground up with a garbage disposal
Chlorine taste/odor can be mitigated by filling a pitcher of water and storing it in the fridge overnight to allow the chlorine to dissipate out
Cloudiness in the water often happens with temperature fluctuation and will also dissipate within 5 minutes
Color issues, often an orange or black tint, are most likely iron or manganese, potentially from hot water heaters
Compare the outside tap water quality with the kitchen tap water quality or nearby distribution sampling site to assess the location of the problem
There could also potentially be a change in water quality from the change in seasons that is messing with the chemistry in the water which should pass soon
Lastly, are staff flushing hydrants in the area or was there a watermain break that disrupted services?

If all else fails, have the Distribution Department flush the area to bring in fresh water and hopefully resolve the issue. There are multiple issues than can occur that could potentially cause taste and odor issues so having a few questions in your pocket to help diagnose the problem can make the resident feel at-ease and be more willing to help and hopefully figure out the issue faster. It also helps to keep an ongoing list of water complaints to help with future issues and diagnosis if certain locations or neighborhoods experience similar problems.

I figured this blog could help staff that deal with water complaints as well as distribution samplers that are asked questions by residents while sampling throughout the community. It is always fun working and troubleshooting with the public! Keep calm and Enjoy!

John Winterton is the Laboratory Supervisor at the City of Northglenn. He’s been working with Northglenn for over 5 years in water treatment and water quality.

Aurora’s Lead and Copper Study, Preparing for the Future

Natalie Love — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 19:41:37 GMT

Ah Summer, (queue your favorite summer song playing in the background). For some that means children are out of school, crowded swimming pools, garden fresh tomatoes and zucchini, and vacations especially after lockdown for over a year. For the quality control lab at Aurora Water that means Lead and Copper season. Yes, from June to September each year Lead and Copper are the masters of my work day.

The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) is changing so this year’s sampling event is different. Although we are still governed by the “old” rule, we want to prepare for implementation of the revisions to the rule. This year we are essentially working both rules. As a result, we identified a few goals to accomplish this year in relation to lead and copper sampling:

Encourage increased participation under the current rule. Many of our repeat participants are customers whose homes have copper pipe with lead solder, which will not be valid samples under the new rule but for now we are still welcoming samples from those customers. The challenge is that many of these customers have been participating in the study for years but recently we have seen a decrease in participation. So this year we offered an incentive for those customers to continue to participate in the study.
Help our repeat customers that qualify to sample under both rules adjust to the change from sampling 1 liter to 5 liters. We revised our sampling instructions with simplified language and included photographs of the sampling process.
Identify areas that potentially have lead service lines and encourage those customers to participate in the study. We worked with other city departments to identify which areas potentially have lead service lines and added those to our sampling pool. We initiated a postcard campaign to reach out to these customers requesting participation and we offered an incentive to encourage participation of these new customers. We also removed any households that are confirmed to not have lead service lines.
We determined it would be prudent to gather as much data as possible. We do not know what to expect from these new sample sites that have not been tested before. As we identify any potential lead lines through sampling we can work to get those service lines verified and replaced, if they are determined to be lead lines. As GI Joe would say, “ Knowing is half the battle.”

This seems to be working out so far. We have about 200 customers that have agreed to collect samples this year. We began delivering sample kits earlier this month and already have 80 samples returned. Which is encouraging because in 2020 we only received 54 samples total.

Once this year’s samples have been analyzed we will have a better indication of what we are facing for the future under the revised rule. Hopefully by the time the revised rule changes are implemented we will have all the kinks worked out and have our new sampling pool in place full of customers that are ready to sample when requested.

Happy Summer!

Adele Rucker is the RMWQAA President and a Sr. Laboratory Analyst at the City of Aurora's Quality Control Laboratory.

Spring and Summer Water Saving Tips

Tyler Eldridge — Thu, 13 May 2021 16:59:25 GMT

As a water and scientific centric community, much of our focus is centered on emerging contaminants, challenges in treatment, new technologies, or whether that beer made from recycled water can really be trusted. These topics often leave me brain-drained, wondering if I will be able to retain or understand any of the information I just received. That drain is relatively easy to overcome once I get back home, get some rest, and focus on life outside of work. There is however, a lingering drain on my psyche this time of year, leaving myself and likely others, feeling pressured to make major changes at all levels when it comes to the conservation of water. Reading about droughts, water shortages, or companies taking water improperly with little to no punishment (*ahem* Nestle!) can be mentally taxing.

I often wonder if I am doing enough to help conserve water and reduce usage in my household, while simultaneously convincing myself “there’s only so much I can do.” In fact, there is SO MUCH I can do! Lately I have found that the smallest of changes throughout my day have improved my mentality with regards to being water conscious, and I wanted to use this month’s blog to remind us of some well-known, as well as relatively unknown methods of conserving water. If I can reduce my water usage by just one gallon a day, then that means one to two days’ worth of an individual’s recommended fluid intake is available for use elsewhere, or at least not being used unnecessarily! Stringing any number of the methods below can increase that number drastically. How many measures can you add to your daily routine?

The Obvious:

You’ve likely heard of or implemented these steps already, but it wouldn’t be a list of water saving tips without them!

-Fix leaks, replace washers, limit drips: One of the best ways to reduce water use is to eliminate uncontrolled use of water. Washers are cheap, and in hoses they are simple to replace, start there if you find leaks on the way to the yard or garden. Sink faucets take a bit more time, but washers can easily be replaced (a quick google helps if you are unsure). A leak that drips just once a minute can amount to roughly a liter of water a day, but often drips occur at ten times that rate.¹

-Reduce shower time: One minute off your shower time can save 2.5 gallons based on the average showerhead, according to the EPA. Any amount of time you can shave off here adds up quickly!

-Install low-flow shower heads and toilets: More efficiency and less flow means less water use, easy fix here if you can install your own. If renting like myself, you can always reach out to the landlord about making these minor changes and the importance of reducing water usage. If not for you, maybe they will think about making the switch between tenants!

-Don’t let water run in general if not in use: This goes for all tasks water related, if it’s not actively in use, make sure the faucet is off. Brushing your teeth, washing your hands, doing the dishes, all of these involve the use of the faucet, but not the entire time. One minute of faucet use can equate to a gallon of water at an average flow setting.²

The Less Obvious:

Some of these may come into play on a daily basis already, but some less apparent methods for saving could be added in!

-Collect water for general use rather than letting it flow down the drain: Nobody wants to jump in the shower right as you turn the faucet on. If you really want to go into full water savings mode, use a bucket to collect the cold water as the shower warms up, then use it on general tasks around the house: watering plants, watering pets, rinsing dishes, cleaning in general! This can work in any scenario where you may need to run water until it reaches a desired temperature. Collect water in a pitcher to put in the fridge for cold drinking water later rather than running the faucet until it is cold (I suppose ice is a thing too…)

-Drink tap water over bottled: Aside from the impact plastic has on the environment, it also takes at least twice as much water to make a plastic bottle than then bottle can hold. Reusable bottles or cups all the way!³

-Defrost food ahead of time in the fridge: Rather than setting the food in water, or running water over it to defrost.

-Use the garbage disposal less frequently: Scrape food waste off into the trash as much as possible, disposals require running water to be effective. This can also reduce the time required to rinse off dishes in general.

-Wash dishes and laundry in full loads: Math would dictate that 2 large loads of laundry uses less water than 3 medium loads. I can always count on finding random clothes or hand towels that can fill up a load if I really need to get a smaller set of clothes washed!

-Find efficiency in the garden: I could create a whole blog on garden efficiency itself! There are plenty of venues to save water here:⁴

Mulch around plants to allow for less evaporation of water
Water locally near the base of the plant
Don’t water if the soil is still visibly wet
Use drip irrigation if possible
Collect water for outdoor use during rain events – Most areas in Colorado now allow for the collection of up to 110 gallons of rain water to use on the lawn or garden.⁵ Or use that water collected from the methods above!
Water in ground plants in the morning to reduce evaporation
Plant native vegetation where possible, they are used to our arid climate
Mow the lawn higher and with sharp blades, both can reduce water use of lawns
Install timers, forgetting a running sprinkler is great for the lawn in the short term, but terrible for water conservation all around (guilty as charged..) They can also be delayed, or sense rain events to reduce unnecessary watering

The Unknown or “Life Changers”:

These methods are further removed from water itself and may require a good deal of work to implement on your own and as a population. Producers will produce so long as customers continue to use their products, so it takes a large group of individuals making adjustments over time to see real change, but it can be done! Props to those of you who may already be participating in the following:

-Eat less meat: Some of you reading this have likely already taken this route, so you are well ahead of my water saving footprint! Meat products require water use in keeping the animals alive directly with water, as well as growing their food source. Fruits and veggies cut out the middle man (middle cow?) and only require a water source and some TLC. Even substituting a beef meal with a chicken meal can provide a major reduction in water usage! Denver Water helps highlight the differences in water usage among food sources in this article.

-Drive less when possible: It requires roughly 2.5 gallons of water to refine a single gallon of gas. Why not combine climate benefits with water resource benefits and walk or bike to those nearby locations instead? If nothing else, do your best to avoid hoarding gasoline in general… https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gas-shortage-panic-colonial-pipeline-cyberattack/

-Opt in to Xeriscape Rebate Programs: A number of cities across the state offer programs that help rebate or mitigate the cost of replacing water guzzling lawns. Greeley, for example, will rebate $1 per square foot of bluegrass turf removed and replaced up to 2000 square feet! Obviously there are some stipulations and applications involved, but it is possible to receive money, use less water, and reduce time spent mowing every week. Check in with your City to see if they have similar options, and if not, reach out to City Council to see if they have plans or are interested in creating a similar program!

This is by no means a comprehensive list, so feel free to find methods that fit with your lifestyle. Even implementing just one of the above tips into your daily routine can make an impact on water usage, and leave you feeling happy with the effort you’ve made!

References:

1. https://water.usgs.gov/edu/activity-drip.html

2. https://www.greenamerica.org/save65gallons

3. https://www.watercalculator.org/footprint/the-hidden-water-in-everyday-products/

4. https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/planting-and-maintenance/25-ways-to-conserve-water-in-your-garden-pictures

5. https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/natural-resources/rainwater-collection-colorado-6-707/

*Tyler Eldridge is the Data and Asset Manager for the City of Greeley's Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Facility, he also helps maintain the website and memberships for the RMWQAA.

PFAS “forever chemicals”

Natalie Love — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 20:29:11 GMT

If you work in the water or wastewater field you have probably heard a lot lately about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). So what is PFAS? It is a group of man-made chemicals that have been manufactured and used throughout the world, including the US since the 1940s, and are found in many consumer products such as microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, fast food wrappers, shampoo, dental floss, stain repellents, and non-stick cookware. PFAS manufacturing and processing facilities, airports, and military installations that use firefighting foams are some of the main sources of PFAS. PFAS may be released into the air, soil, and water, including sources of drinking water. Scientists call them “forever chemicals'' because their chemistry keeps them from breaking down under typical environmental conditions.

The two main PFAS chemicals that we hear a lot about are: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) which is used in the process of making Teflon and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) which was the key ingredient in Scotchgard, a fabric protector made by 3M, and numerous stain repellents. I can remember having my carpets professionally cleaned and being offered (at an additional charge of course) the application of Scotchgard. This would make my carpet repel and block stains and with three kids why wouldn’t I want it!? It sounded like a miracle product.

So, why are PFAS important? There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse health outcomes in humans. The most consistent findings include higher cholesterol rates. Some studies have also noted low infant birth weights, effects on the immune system, cancer (PFOA), and thyroid hormone disruption (PFOS). In May 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a revised lifetime health advisory of 70 ng/L for individual, or combined, PFOA and PFOS concentrations. This is a health advisory, not a standard. Certain PFAS can accumulate and stay in the human body for long periods of time.

What does this mean for drinking water and wastewater facilities? Currently, PFAS chemicals aren’t regulated in Colorado and the EPA hasn’t established drinking water regulations yet. However, many drinking water facilities participated in the 2020 Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment’s free testing program that was offered to public drinking water systems serving communities, schools, and workplaces and also to fire districts with wells. This project tested for PFAS throughout the state in treated drinking water from public water systems, groundwater and surface water sources used for drinking water, and wells serving fire districts. The results can be found here.

On March 11, 2021, the EPA published the proposed fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5). UCMR 5, as proposed, would require drinking water facilities to sample for 30 chemical contaminants between 2023 and 2025. These chemicals include 29 PFAS and lithium. EPA is currently accepting public comment on the proposed UCMR 5. Labs will be able to use either of two EPA validated analytical methods for potable (drinking) waters (Methods 533 and 537.1).

As for wastewater, the Water Quality Control Commission’s Policy 20-1 was approved in July 2020. The policy provides guidance on how to implement permit conditions for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances under the existing narrative standard. The policy also sets values for a subset of PFAS, called translation levels. These translation levels may be used to implement permit effluent limits for PFAS in Colorado Discharge Permit System permits and to develop Colorado’s impaired waters list. However, there are currently no analytical methods for analyzing PFAS in wastewaters (non-potable) that are approved for Clean Water Act monitoring per 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 136 (Appendix B). Despite the fact that there are no analytical methods, monitoring for these parameters made it into the first Colorado permit on March 31, 2021.

So what can we expect in the future? On November 22, 2020, the EPA released a memo that describes recommendations for an interim Federal NPDES permitting strategy for PFAS. The memo was developed by an internal workgroup, in which all EPA regions were represented. The memo presented three primary recommendations:

The inclusion of PFAS in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit monitoring requirements, using a phased-in approach to account for ongoing EPA analytical method development.
Stormwater monitoring and pollutant control for municipal and industrial stormwater permits, addressing PFAS using traditional controls such as control measures, monitoring, stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs)
Information sharing, using established platforms, such as a PFAS-permitting compendium on the EPA’s NPDES Municipal Sources Resources website, and information sharing on the EPA’s NPDES Permit Writers’ Clearinghouse.

Structure of PFOA

Lesa Julian has worked for the City and County of Broomfield for 30 years. She is currently the Environmental Services Superintendent.

Do you believe in the Mpemba Effect?

Natalie Love — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 04:22:56 GMT

The Mpemba effect is the curious phenomenon that hot water can freeze faster than cold water. Consider that! A container of hot water, identical in all other aspects except temperature to another container of water, can freeze before the cooler water. Surprised? Confused? You are not alone! The question of whether this is real or not has been discussed for over 2300 years.

The Mpemba effect is named after Erasto Mpemba. As a high school student in Tanzania, he re-invigorated the scientific discussion about this effect, along with a professor that worked with him. Mpemba was making ice cream by boiling milk and adding sugar, then freezing it. He noticed that the boiling hot mixture that he put into a freezer formed into ice cream faster than a cooler similar milk and sugar mixture that a fellow student had added to the freezer. (I think it is important that this fascinating effect was elevated in scientific circles through making ice cream faster than your friends.) At first Mpemba was more mocked than believed for his assertion, but through dogged determination Mpemba got a professor interested, and a series of university experiments supported Mpemba’s observation. Mpemba and the professor, Dr. Osborne, put out a paper together in 1969 entitled simply “Cool?” This increased scientific interest in this odd cooling effect.

Mpemba was one in a long line of people looking into this effect. It had been noticed by none other than Aristotle in the 300s BC. Aristotle wrote that “The fact that water has previously been warmed contributes to its freezing quickly…” and implied that this was well known (if not well understood) by saying that “Many people, when they want to cool water quickly begin by putting it in the sun”. Aristotle was unable to empirically prove, or even put forth a reasonable mechanism for this effect.

In the 1200s, Roger Bacon, an English philosopher and scientist, experimented with this then-called ‘hot begets cold quicker’ phenomenon without resolution. In the 1400s (now 1700 years after Aristotle), the Italian physicist, doctor, and mathematician Giovanni Marliani is said to have the first empirical proof of this effect, although the reasons why were not understood. Francis Bacon wrote about hot water freezing quicker than cool water in 1620 in his “Novum Organum Vol VIII”, as did Rene’ Descartes in his 1637 “Les Meteores”. Over three hundred years later when Mpemba revived interest in this effect it was still not understood.

After Mpemba reinvigorated discussion about this effect there was of course considerable doubt in the scientific community. And why not? The very idea of it seems to contradict or at least skirt basic rules of thermodynamics. The fact that the mechanism could not be explained, and that the Mpemba effect only worked (if it indeed did work) in certain circumstances and seemingly none of the experiments were able to isolate all other factors or be reproducible also cast doubt.

Forty some years after the publication of “Cool?”, there was still controversy. In 2012 Britain’s Royal Society of Chemistry had a worldwide competition to find the best explanation of the Mpemba effect. It had 22,000 submissions (including one from the author). The winning submission (not this author’s) focused on four possible reasons for the effect. While none are proven to be the single reason for the effect, some think that a combination of these four plus an additional fifth possible reason known as “Super cooling” might account for the effect. Others deny still that the effect exists and point to some experiments showing this.

Here are the explanations put forth for the Mpemba effect:

Evaporation – hotter water evaporates more. Evaporation itself is a cooling effect, besides which hot water would have less mass to cool due to evaporation.
Dissolved gasses – hot water contains less dissolved gasses (and boiling water removes almost all gasses). Less gasses could change the ability of the water to conduct heat, could reduce thermal insulation in the water, or could change the freezing point of the water.
Convection – hot water will have greater temperature gradients and as water density is a product of temperature the cooling effect of convection currents from temperature gradients will affect the total cooling of the water.
Surroundings – the theory that hot water somehow affects the surrounding of its container in such a way that facilitates quicker cooling. For example, a container of hot water might melt ice that the container is on, increasing physical contact between the container and the ice, which would assist cooling.
Supercooling – the idea that cooler water would possibly need to supercool below 0 degrees C in order to actually freeze. This idea also incorporates the idea that a nucleation site might be needed in the cooler water in order to form ice crystals, while something called temperature shear in non-thermally homogenous cooling hot water would cause freezing closer to 0 degrees C for hot water.

This is all just fascinating to me! The Mpemba effect to date has neither been totally disproved or proved. As they say, “We can put a human on the moon, but we still don’t know if cold water freezes before hot water.” Also, a great learning subtext to this story is that a young student put forth a proposition that seems preposterous, but that may be true. It is a lesson in keeping an open mind and not dismissing different ideas out of hand.

What do you think? Could the Mpemba effect be true? Would it defy accepted laws of thermodynamics? Could it be the key to other learning? Or maybe more importantly, would it change how you make ice cubes at home? (We tried to test this several times in our freezer, but our experimental plan failed every time due to “Look – squirrel!”. However, my wife and I do agree that boiled water makes much prettier ice cubes).

Thanks!

Richard MacAlpine

Richard is a Lab Supervisor at Metro Wastewater Reclamation District in Denver. His opinions and any facts presented in this blog are his responsibility solely and do not reflect at all on his employer. Richard is also the RMWEA Lab Practices (LPC) Committee Chair and is on the RMWQAA Board.

Resources:

https://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/hot_water.html More detail on the five main mechanisms considered to cause the Mpemba effect

https://edu.rsc.org/download?ac=13093 Copy of Erasto Mpemba and Dr. Osborne’s 1969 paper “Cool?” in Physics Education, 1969

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/health/18real.html A quick article arguing that while the Mpemba effect is real, its obverse (cold water boiling faster than hot water) is not

https://www.nature.com/articles/srep37665#:~:text=The%20Mpemba%20effect%20is%20the,to%20the%20writings%20of%20Aristotle. Nature article arguing against the Mpemba effect

http://www.eoht.info/page/Aristotle-Mpemba%20effect Brief history of the Mpemba effect, general info, and how the Mpemba effect may apply to the Cold War (the social Mpemba effect).

https://www.rsc.org/news-events/articles/2012/06-june/rsc-offers-1000-for-explanation-of-an-unsolved-legendary-phenomenon/ Royal Society of Chemistry Mpemba effect competition from 2012 (which again, the author did not win), and other info

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Marliani#cite_note-Hot_water_freezes_faster_than_cold_water-1 Marliani’s supposed empirical proof of the Mpemba effect, and his inability to ascribe a mechanism to it

http://www.eoht.info/page/Roger%20Bacon Info on Roger Bacon, who was called the first scientist, was the originator of the scientific method, and one in a line of people who did not solve the Mpemba effect

Introducing South Platte Sally

Natalie Love — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 05:14:52 GMT

South Platte Sally came to help out in 2020 quarantine times after traveling throughout the US and overseas. As many folks, Sally came home to be close to family and friends and help those from her home state of Colorado. Along with several degrees in Fisheries Science, Biology, City Planning, and Psychology, Sally has worked in various labs and performed field work across the country. Due to her unique DNA, Sally is immune to Covid-19, which makes her the perfect volunteer. She is also lucky enough to be independently wealthy due to her family’s successful line of toys. She only volunteers and never takes a paycheck. Maybe that’s why she always has a smile on her face.

Her recent work on the South Platte River has been full of adventure. She started with a season of electroshocking last Fall. Sally was able to score a prize-winning green sunfish at 72mm and 5g. Of course, she is a fan of catch and release. Other skills in her bag include sampling and analysis of rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Sally assisted in a recent invasive aquatic plant survey and study, but results are still pending. In the lab she’s working with other chemists to develop PFAS methodology.

Look for future posts from Sally about all field and lab related topics.

Michelle Neilson, Water Quality Scientist, has been with Metro Wastewater for over 12 years. She has a B.S. in Chemistry, and has 23 years of experience in the Environmental field. Michelle has worked for USGS, contract laboratories, and several municipal wastewater and drinking water labs prior to Metro Wastewater.

Happy New Year and good riddance 2020!!

Natalie Love — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 15:52:52 GMT

Besides popping a bottle of champagne with friends, staying up until midnight dancing the night away, and watching the count down to the ball drop in Times Square in anticipation of a kiss or a hug from that special so and so……wait, let me re-phrase, it was the end of 2020 after all. Besides drinking a bottle of wine by yourself, watching the Twilight Zone marathon, then falling asleep on the couch at 9:30 pm, another tradition that comes with a new year is the procrastination of a half-hearted attempt at coming up with personal goals to improve the essential aspects of daily life, or the new years resolution. Research has shown that 50% of adults in the U.S. make New Year's resolutions, but fewer than 10% actually keep them for more than a few months (1). But come on people its 2021! We can do better than that! Below are a few links to help you keep on track with your new years resolutions!

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2019/12/21/the-top-3-reasons-new-years-resolutions-fail-and-how-yours-can-succeed/?sh=3bab1c196992

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions-2795719

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/seven-steps-for-making-your-new-years-resolutions-stick

https://www.nytimes.com/guides/smarterliving/resolution-ideas

References

1: https://www.westernconnecticuthealthnetwork.org/newsroom/article-listing/new-years-resolutions#:~:text=re%20not%20alone.-,Research%20shows%20that%20as%20many%20as%2050%20percent%20of%20adults,from%20the%20COVID%2D19%20pandemic.

Ashley Romero is the Laboratory Manager at GEI Consultants, Inc. and has a background in ecotoxicology.

The incompatibility that we never knew about until 2020 - masks and glasses!

Natalie Love — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 15:58:52 GMT

Whether you wear prescription glasses, safety glasses, or sunglasses, you're sure to notice the imminent fog caused by the required masks. This fog can be annoying and downright dangerous, and it is only going to get worse as the temperatures continue to decrease. Because I am blind without my glasses and rely on my mask for COVID-19 protection, I decided to research to find a way to make these two necessities work together.

Let's discuss why your glasses fog up in the first place. As you exhale, the water molecules in your breath hit your face mask. Depending on how porous the material is, some will penetrate, some will be absorbed, and most will be directed to the path of least resistance - typically the space at the top between your mask and cheeks. Because your glasses are colder than the air inside your mask, your breath will condensate on them, causing the annoying fog.

One way to keep your glasses from fogging up is to ensure that your mask fits properly with an adjustable noseband. If your mask does not have a noseband, you can always make one out of pipe cleaners and secure it to the top of your mask. After trying several different types of masks with built-in nosebands, it still allows for some air to come through and fog your glasses. The noseband helps but is not the best solution.

A method that works well with some of the masks I own is using your glasses to seal the top of the mask. If you pull your mask up higher on the bridge of your nose, you can set your glasses on your mask, ensuring that there is no gap for your breath to escape. I have found that some mask material allows my glasses to slide down my nose, and other masks create a gap between my chin and mask when I pull it up for this method. It works in a pinch, but there has to be a better way!

Healthcare workers insist that their secret for fogging glasses is using soap and water. When they wash their hands, they also give their glasses a lather and rinse. The soap is supposed to leave a film on the glasses that keeps them from fogging up. I tried with a mild hand soap first then moved onto dishwasher soap, both with no avail. Maybe the healthcare workers have a stronger detergent that works better for the anti-fogging, but as far as I have seen, the soap and water do not provide any added benefit.

Mask extenders claim to help with the fogging issue by linking the ear loops of your mask on the back of your head, providing a tighter fit of your mask on your face. Not only are mask extenders more comfortable for your ears, they narrow the space where your breath typically escapes between your mask and cheeks. You can buy these online, ask your bored mother to knit you one, or even improvise with some paper clips. Using the mask extenders with a mask that has an adjustable noseband will give you the best results. When trying this method, I only had fogging when I exhaled really big breaths, so this could be a reasonable solution to the fogging issue.

Using a tissue to block the space between your cheeks and mask was mentioned on Facebook as a fogging solution. I folded a tissue neatly and placed it along the top of my mask. It took some trial and error to get it right without blocking my nostrils. The space was minimized along with the fogging, but the tissue did get damp over time. I suggest if you use this method, replace your tissue often!

Dr. Daniel Heiferman, a neurosurgeon in Memphis, tweeted a tip that he uses in the operating room to keep his loupes from fogging during surgery. A BANDAID! He realized that a bandaid placed on the bridge of the nose eliminated the fogging and provided protection against irritation. Simply secure the bandaid with the cotton part on the bridge of your nose, with half the sticky part on the mask and the other half on your face. This completely eradicates the gap between your face and the mask, which shifts the escaping air to a different gap, eliminating fogging completely! The bandaid is also textured enough to prevent your glasses from sliding down the bridge of your nose. After trying all the other methods, this is the one that I recommend!

There are some other suggestions out there that I did not get to try. Some of these include anti-fog wipes and sprays, using random household items (raw potato, toothpaste, or shaving cream) on your lenses to prevent fogging. Before doing any of these, ensure that the special coatings on your glasses will not be affected!

It does not sound like we will be out of masks anytime soon, so if you have fogging issues, give these methods a shot! Stay safe out there and wash your hands!

Lindie Aragon is a Chemist for the City of Westminster’s Big Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Wastewater-Based Epidemiology

Natalie Love — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 23:32:08 GMT

Before Covid-19 changed our lives as we know it, I personally had only been exposed to the world of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) through some conference presentations here and there. With the state-wide WBE work this year to monitor the levels of SARS-CoV-2 in the front range population, I thought it would be interesting to look at the different ways WBE is used to protect our communities.

Collective drug use in a community

WBE provides a way to look at drug use in areas, both licit and illicit, and has the benefit of avoiding surveys and the sampling bias that comes with general studies. Spatial snapshots of a location's wastewater help us to understand geographical trends in drug consumption. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction analyzed the wastewater of 70 European cities in 2019 to discover geographical trends and patterns of cocaine, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (also known as MDMA, Ecstasy, or Molly to name a few), amphetamine and methamphetamine. Data and findings can be found here.

Analyzing WBE data over time gives us an idea of how drug use in a location is affected by outside factors. A study in the state of Washington looked to analyze the impact that legalization of cannabis had on the state's rate of usage. To evaluate cannabis use, the study measured wastewater concentrations of the byproduct of the active compound in cannabis. The wastewater pointed to a doubling in consumption over the 3-year period of testing. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14641

Population and Health Behavior

Wastewater provides us with so much information about ourselves. A study in Australia during 2016 looked at wastewater for a range of diet, drug, pharmaceutical, and lifestyle biomarkers. These markers were compared to the population's social, demographic, and economic properties. Some findings include higher use of the opioid-based pain reliever tramadol in areas with more physical laborers. Higher antidepressant use and lower levels of dietary fiber were found in less educated areas. . https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1910242116

Virus monitoring/eradication

WBE provides us with a way to monitor the spread and emergence of viruses in an environment. Polio is an example of a virus that can be closely monitored with a high-quality WBE surveillance system to avoid wild-type polio from spreading in areas. A study performed between 2010 and 2013 explains how two sewage plants in Japan monitored trace polioviruses and how this surveillance is key in controlling polio’s spread. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.03575-14

WBE is being used worldwide to gather information to complement health agencies and epidemiologists in our fight against SARS-CoV-2. By providing a total account of increasing and decreasing levels of the virus, the potential for WBE to help with the current pandemic is promising. The water research foundation provides more information regarding the numerous efforts across the United States https://www.waterrf.org/. For more information about the Colorado Front Range WBE program, please reach out to CDPHE’s Communications Manager – MaryAnn Nason at maryann.nason@state.co.us.

Danny McCausland is an Analyst II at the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District. He has 7 years experience working in the water quality field.

References

Burgard, D. A., Williams, J., Westerman, D., Rushing, R., Carpenter, R., LaRock, A., Sadetsky, J., Clarke, J., Fryhle, H., Pellman, M., & Banta‐Green, C. J. (2019). Using wastewater‐based analysis to monitor the effects of legalized retail sales on cannabis consumption in Washington State, USA. Addiction, 114(9), 1582–1590. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14641

Choi, P. M., Tscharke, B., Samanipour, S., Hall, W. D., Gartner, C. E., Mueller, J. F., Thomas, K. V., & O’Brien, J. W. (2019). Social, demographic, and economic correlates of food and chemical consumption measured by wastewater-based epidemiology. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(43), 21864–21873. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1910242116

European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. (2020, March 12). Wastewater analysis and drugs: A European multi-city study. https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/system/files/publications/2757/POD_Wastewater%20analysis_update2020.pdf

Nakamura, T., Hamasaki, M., Yoshitomi, H., Ishibashi, T., Yoshiyama, C., Maeda, E., Sera, N., & Yoshida, H. (2015). Environmental Surveillance of Poliovirus in Sewage Water around the Introduction Period for Inactivated Polio Vaccine in Japan. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 81(5), 1859–1864. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.03575-14

National Energy Action Month

Natalie Love — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:56:07 GMT

October is National Energy Action Month, a time to raise awareness of energy sustainability and the important role you can provide to help ensure a healthier future for everyone. Whether you realize it or not, it requires a lot of energy to provide clean water to your community. According to the EPA, "[for] many municipal governments, drinking water and wastewater plants typically are the largest energy consumers, often accounting for 30 to 40 percent of total energy consumed. Overall, drinking water and wastewater systems account for approximately 2 percent of energy use in the United States, adding over 45 million tons of greenhouse gases annually."

Below are some fast facts on drinking water and wastewater utility energy as covered in the EPA’s Ensuring a Sustainable Future: An Energy Management Guidebook for Wastewater and Water Utilities (PDF).

Water and wastewater industries account for an estimated 75 billion kWh of overall U.S. electricity demand.
Drinking water and wastewater systems in the U.S. spend about $4 billion a year on energy to pump, treat, deliver, collect, and clean water.
Energy efficiency investments often have outstanding rates of return and can reduce costs at a facility by 5%, 10%, 25%, or more.
Energy costs for water and wastewater can be 1/3 of a municipality's total energy bill.
If drinking water and wastewater systems reduce energy use by just 10% through cost-effective investments, collectively they could save approximately $400 million and 5 billion kWh annually.

Overall, there are many benefits to energy conservation. Not only can it be eco-friendly, but also can help reduce cost on expensive bills. There are many actions that can be taken both in the workplace and at home to create energy efficiency. If you want to learn more about energy efficiency for water utilities, the EPA’s website has a great section that covers all of the different ways to cut energy usage and cost. Let’s do our part and help create a more energy efficient future.

Website links:

https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/energy-efficiency-water-utilities

https://www.energy.gov/eere/office-energy-efficiency-renewable-energy

https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P1003Y1G.PDF?Dockey=P1003Y1G.PDF

https://blog.epa.gov/2015/10/29/dont-be-scared-to-save-water-and-energy-with-watersense/

Michael Hendricks is the Water Quality Supervisor for GEI Consultants He has worked in the industry since 2014 and holds a BA in Biological Science from Colorado State University.

Innovation Roundup!

Tyler Eldridge — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 19:08:22 GMT

This year has brought challenges to us all, and in the era of a 24-hour news cycle and social media, it can be difficult to siphon through the negatives to find some positive news. There are still, however, uplifting and exciting efforts being put forth daily, so to kick off Fall 2020 I have put together a short list of some positive stories pertaining to water, or water byproducts, that might otherwise go under the radar.

1) You may have heard that many of the beautiful, biodiversity-filled, tourist attractions known as coral reefs are in danger of disappearing entirely over the course of the next decade. Wait, wasn’t this supposed to be a list of positive news? Luckily, Rolex (yes that Rolex) has helped support individuals taking on major challenges to help improve our natural world. One of those individuals is explorer and marine biologist Emma Camp. Corals typically thrive in clean waters that boast little sediment and nutrients, along with a stable temperature and lots of oxygen. Many of these habitats are being threatened by climate change and acidifying oceans, but recently Camp has observed corals with the ability to survive in conditions that are more extreme than what is expected in the next few centuries. These species of corals survive, and thrive, in murky waters of mangroves and show resiliency to the conditions many of the world’s reefs are experiencing. Camp goes on to describe similar locations, or “hotspots of resilience,” found in the Great Barrier Reef. While reversing the destruction of the oceans that humanity has caused is of great importance, it is also important to learn how these corals survive, and use the resiliency of nature itself to help rebuild what has been lost. Her research, focused on the behavior and genetics of these hearty corals, will ideally be used to help repopulate reefs impacted by changing conditions, allowing them to maintain vibrant and diverse ecosystems throughout the world. Rolex has this story, and numerous others focused on meaningful change on their Awards Website. If only there were more efforts being put towards carbon capture and reversing the effects climate change have had on the oceans themselves…

2) ...Never fear, aquatic plants are to the rescue! We all know how effective trees are with respect to carbon capture, but that carbon can also quickly be released (see wildfire examples across the country). What if that carbon could be sequestered for millennia or longer at the bottom of the ocean? A startup in Maine, Running Tide, is hoping for just that. Originally a shellfish farming company, they are shifting their sights towards a radical kelp project to help take some pressure off of forests on land. Offsets will be necessary if we are to change the course of our planet’s future, and a 2019 study showed that using just a small fraction of California coastal waters to grow kelp could fully offset the entire state’s agricultural emissions. Shopify, a tech company investing in other companies focused on sustainability solutions, believes this could have a huge impact on the environment and put Running Tide on their list of investments. Kelp farms typically require a good bit of attention to maintain quality and ability to harvest, but in this case the kelp would be grown specifically to sink carbon to the depths and once up and running, would require little effort to maintain. Targeted ocean currents with the right nutrients and biodegradable buoys that will allow the farms to sink after a certain amount of time, are the basis of this idea. More research will be done farther into the ocean to see how the farms perform, but the hope is that they provide long-term carbon removal that will become oil or sediment at the bottom of the ocean over the course of centuries. Given the rate at which carbon has been thrust into the atmosphere over the past few decades, this seems like a logical, effective solution nature has given us to combat climate change and our carbon footprint. The whole story, written by Adele Peters, can be found at the Fast Company website.

3) The most valuable writer in this blog post, Adele Peters, continues her quest for ocean plant awareness with another hopeful article on seaweed. This article also has a bit to do with carbon capture, but far more to do with reducing emissions. Another startup with a brilliant idea, Volta Greentech, is about to begin commercial production of a red variety of seaweed. Asparagopsis taxiformis can help reduce emissions in a far more unique way than you might think, by feeding it to cows. According to some estimates, cows produce the equivalent of 4-5% of total greenhouse gas emissions simply by belching methane. Researchers at UC Davis found that cattle feed consisting of just 1% seaweed reduced methane emissions by 60%, and tests in Australia noted that increasing the seaweed to 2% of the feed resulted in 99% reduced emissions! Production would ideally begin later this year, and the facility itself would use CO₂ from carbon capture technology at polluting companies to feed the seaweed. This would provide an outlet for some captured carbon to be recycled into a process that would further limit emissions once fed to the cattle. While burgers and steaks still come at a cost environmentally, this option might at least be effective at reducing the equivalent of the airline industry’s emissions each year. Get the full details of their sustainability effort through this link to the Fast Company website.

4) Sticking with the apparently ocean based vibe of this blog post, I bring you a statistic about fish waste in the UK: 492,020 tons of it. Rebecca Smithers of The Guardian summarizes a brilliant idea from University of Sussex graduate designer Lucy Hughes. Hughes tackles the issue of single use plastic waste alongside the large volume of waste that processing fish produces. She created a biodegradable plastic alternative, MarinaTex, that could be used in place of single-use plastic products. Through her research she found that fish skins and scales were a great source for a plastic alternative. Combining fish scale proteins and red algae created bonds that could be formed into sheets that look and feel very similar to plastic. The product appears as though it could be stronger and safer than oil-based plastics, while also having the ability to break down in soil in 4-6 weeks. Hughes determined that the waste from one Atlantic cod could produce 1,400 bags of MarinaTex. Now she has the opportunity to win £30,000 in the final leg of her James Dyson award nomination, and help prevent single-use plastics from continuously polluting landfills and the environment. Guess I’ll have to switch to shrimp ramen to make sure my chicken flavor doesn’t taste fishy… Glean more information and links via The Guardian website.

Honorable mentions:

If you’re into "hacking" and gardening, check out this article by Andy Corbley about researchers modifying plant proteins and enzymes to produce more yield with less water here.
The Ocean Cleanup has upped it’s game to preventing plastic pollution from even making it to the oceans, by intercepting plastic in rivers! Keep up to date with their progress since deploying their first system in 2019 on The Ocean Cleanup website.

This blog was written by Tyler Eldridge, a Wastewater Laboratory Coordinator for the City of Greeley, and volunteers with RMWQAA as the main contact for website related issues. He has 3 years of experience in the industry and holds a BA in Biological Science from Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

Full website links:

-https://www.rolex.org/rolex-awards/environment/emma-camp

-https://www.fastcompany.com/90548820/forget-planting-trees-this-company-is-making-carbon-offsets-by-putting-seaweed-on-the-ocean-floor

-https://www.fastcompany.com/90510673/this-factory-is-growing-a-new-kind-of-food-for-cows-a-seaweed-that-reduces-their-burps

-https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/19/scaling-back-graduate-invents-plastic-alternative-from-fish-waste

-https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/scientists-hack-photosynthesis-boosting-plant-yields-with-less-water/

-https://theoceancleanup.com/

Wildfire’s Impact on Water Quality

Natalie Love — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 02:38:22 GMT

I know this topic is on everyone’s mind as you walk outside to see and smell the smokey wildfires burning around the state. With the devastation of wildfires burning precious land and polluting the air, comes the aftermath of the detrimental effects on water quality in the watershed. After the fire burns, vegetation is burned up leaving ash and nutrients to flow into the source water.

Immediate impacts may occur as soot and ash increase solids loading, adding to the possibility of destruction to source water infrastructure and alterations to the physical watershed. It’s the aftermath and long-term effects on the ecology of the fire scorched landscape that will be costly. Runoff from burned areas contain elevated nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus with higher levels of organic carbon, turbidity, sediment and heavy metals which may have significant effects on the chemistry of the receiving water. Higher nutrient loads from runoff could have an effect the on the water treatment process, which in turn, could create algae blooms in the storage reservoirs and lakes. Increases in organic carbon and turbidity will have a major impact on treatment abilities with higher chemical cost. Elevated carbon levels in raw water can result in higher total organic carbon (TOC) and turbidity in the distribution and result in higher disinfection byproduct (DBP) levels. Already low maximum contaminant levels (MCL) for DBPs, could cause non-compliance issues very easily with contaminated source water. There are also issues with pH adjustments and swings in alkalinity which need to be closely monitored in the water quality and treatment process.

Severe occurrences of heavy rainfall after a burn will cause mudslides, severe erosion and large debris running off into water delivery systems. These occurrences can make the water unusable or inaccessible, requiring a quick decision for switching to alternative water sources. Depending on the location of the fire, there also poses a threat of higher concentrations of contaminating heavy metals. In Colorado, there are possibilities of historic mining areas containing large amounts of iron, manganese, sulfates or even fire retardant that will runoff into the water. Even more severe is increased levels of naturally occurring mercury in the soil that could contaminate the source water and even elevate levels of mercury in native fish.

Be smart, prepared, and develop a plan to monitor when a wildfire occurs in your watershed. Some things to consider: What analytes are of concern, what locations are impacted, upstream comparison data, long term solutions, and how to prevent excessive nutrient ash runoff or mudslides with debris.

Now is the time to create an emergency plan or update a previous plan that suites your water system. Some ideas to think about when planning for the future:

-Put a plan in place to fund mitigation of wildfire destruction and spread. Support local forest services or the Unites States Forest Service (USFS) to help remove mountain pine beetle destroyed trees that act as fuel for these fires. They can also utilize GIS- based decision support tools which can manage sensitive areas and create buffer strips.

-Plan ways to adapt to problems with redundancy in infrastructure and alternative canals or source water. Consider adjustable intake locations for canals and reservoirs due to broken trees, debris, and sedimentation causing blockages at intakes. Create redundancy with surrounding cities water sources and water towers in case of disruption of service.

-Plan for increased water treatment cost in chemicals with elevated turbidity levels and sediment with more monitoring for water quality issues throughout the system. Have an internal troubleshooting guide.

-Review other utilities case studies on wildfire management occurrences and possible solutions.

If you are interested in preventing wildfire and water treatment, I recommend getting involved with the Watershed Wildfire Protection Group. They consist of a broad range of utilities and companies that have great ideas to solutions with a proactive stance of protecting watersheds from wildfires.

I don’t mean to bring up another harsh issue as we are all dealing with COVID effects but now is the time to make proactive plans, write grants for forest mitigation, and prepare for possible catastrophic events with climate change making these events even worse or more frequent. To end on a positive note….forest fires also help in the natural cycle of forest growth, replenishment, and help new plants grow!

John Winterton is the Laboratory Supervisor at the City of Northglenn.

A New Way to Stop Formation of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Natalie Love — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 03:04:02 GMT

Antibiotic resistance strains have been an issue of concern for many years. Researchers at Rice University have come up with a new strategy to deal with them in wastewater treatment, they call it “wrap, trap, and zap.”

Read the article below which was taken from Science Daily.

Better wastewater treatment? It's a wrap

A shield of graphene helps particles destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria and free-floating antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment plants.

The labs of Rice environmental scientist Pedro Alvarez and Yalei Zhang, a professor of environmental engineering at Tongji University, Shanghai, introduced microspheres wrapped in graphene oxide in the Elsevier journal Water Research.

Alvarez and his partners in the Rice-based Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT) have worked toward quenching antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" since first finding them in wastewater treatment plants in 2013.

"Superbugs are known to breed in wastewater treatment plants and release extracellular antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) when they are killed as the effluent is disinfected," Alvarez said. "These ARGs are then discharged and may transform indigenous bacteria in the receiving environment, which become resistome reservoirs.

"Our innovation would minimize the discharge of extracellular ARGs, and thus mitigate dissemination of antibiotic resistance from wastewater treatment plants," he said.

The Rice lab showed its spheres -- cores of bismuth, oxygen and carbon wrapped with nitrogen-doped graphene oxide -- inactivated multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli bacteria and degraded plasmid-encoded antibiotic-resistant genes in secondary wastewater effluent.

The graphene-wrapped spheres kill nasties in effluent by producing three times the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as compared to the spheres alone.

The spheres themselves are photocatalysts that produce ROS when exposed to light. Lab tests showed that wrapping the spheres minimized the ability of ROS scavengers to curtail their ability to disinfect the solution.

The researchers said nitrogen-doping the shells increases their ability to capture bacteria, giving the catalytic spheres more time to kill them. The enhanced particles then immediately capture and degrade the resistant genes released by the dead bacteria before they contaminate the effluent.

"Wrapping improved bacterial affinity for the microspheres through enhanced hydrophobic interaction between the bacterial surface and the shell," said co-lead author Pingfeng Yu, a postdoctoral research associate at Rice's Brown School of Engineering. "This mitigated ROS dilution and scavenging by background constituents and facilitated immediate capture and degradation of the released ARGs."

Because the wrapped spheres are large enough to be filtered out of the disinfected effluent, they can be reused, Yu said. Tests showed the photocatalytic activity of the spheres was relatively stable, with no significant decrease in activity after 10 cycles. That was significantly better than the cycle lifetime of the same spheres minus the wrap.

Story Source:

Materials provided by Rice University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference:

1. Deyi Li, Pingfeng Yu, Xuefei Zhou, Jae-Hong Kim, Yalei Zhang, Pedro J.J. Alvarez. Hierarchical Bi2O2CO3 wrapped with modified graphene oxide for adsorption-enhanced photocatalytic inactivation of antibiotic resistant bacteria and resistance genes. Water Research, 2020; 184: 116157 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116157

Rice University. "Better wastewater treatment? It's a wrap: Trap-and-zap strategy for antibiotic resistant bugs becomes wrap, trap and zap." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 July 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200720164522.htm>

Blog post provided by Adele Rucker, City of Aurora and RMWQAA President.

The Season of the Miller Moth

Natalie Love — Sat, 27 Jun 2020 16:33:47 GMT

It’s 9:00 pm and I’m tidying up after my 8-year-old who is running through the house with the 11-year-old on her tail. They aren’t playing tag or hide and seek. They are saving moths from the evil clutches of our ravenous puppy. Like everyone in town, our house is overrun with moths – Miller Moths to be exact. The puppy loves to eat them, the kids don’t want innocent lives to be lost. It’s a continuous battle.

Miller Moths are a normal part of life in Colorado in the summer. Their lives begin as eggs which hatch into cutworms on the plains. The cutworms feed voraciously on alfalfa, wheat, and other plants and continue growing all winter. Then in the spring, they pupate underground and after a few weeks, they emerge as moths and migrate west to feed on nectar in the Rockies. The migration generally begins in late May to early June and lasts for 4-5 weeks with the first 2-3 being the worst. The number of moths flying around town depends on many things; cutworm predation, moth predation, weather conditions, and availability of vegetation to eat.

Experts say this is actually just an average year. The last four years have been below average, skewing memories to make this year appear particularly bad. It turns out 1991 was the “heaviest, most prolonged flight of Miller Moths across Eastern Colorado.” I remember spending hours setting up buckets and bowls of soapy water under lamps in attempts to capture the Miller Moths for removal. The moths were so bad that year they would pile up an inch deep in garage window frames.

In addition to our short memories, why does this “average” year seem so bad? Drier spring conditions in Colorado combined with the late April frost wiped out some of the vegetation, leaving less food and condensing the Millers around Denver to feed on the nectar from the remaining flowers. Whatever the reason, these moths have brought a level of excitement to our house every night. And you may be wondering why they are called Miller moths? According to the interwebs, the scales on the wings that frequently flake off reminded people of the flour dust that millers were covered in after their shift at the mill.

To learn more about Miller Moths, check out these great websites that I referenced to write this blog post: 1) www.denver.cbslocal.com. Think Those Miller Moths are Everywhere? You’ll Be Seeing More of Them. By Karen Morfitt. May 25, 2020. 2) www.animalsake.com Looking for Information About the Miller Moths? Read These Facts. Accessed June 26, 2020.

Natalie Love is the Lab Director at GEI Consultants, Inc. and realizes this story has nothing to do with water or the lab but has been curious about Miller Moths since at least 1991.

Public Works Week

Natalie Love — Fri, 29 May 2020 01:52:57 GMT

In celebration of National Public Works Week which ran from May 17th through the 23rd, the City of Broomfield created this awesome video to celebrate the workers that are keeping the city running. See how many RMWQAA members you can count!

2020 NPWW Video.mp4

Lesa Julian has worked for the City and County of Broomfield for 29 years. She is currently the Environmental Services Superintendent.

Blog in the Time of Corona, and more potential benefits of wastewater

Natalie Love — Fri, 01 May 2020 02:59:47 GMT

Hi! We hope this finds you and yours safe and healthy during this time!

In this era of COVID, most drinking water professionals, wastewater professionals, and those that work in labs and other professions that provide assistance to maintain critical infrastructure have been classified as “necessary”, and most are required to go in to work, even if it is on a modified schedule. This requirement exposes many to vectors that those that are working from home are not exposed to. Most are not ‘on the front lines’, but their services keep permit requirements intact, water quality high, and reassure the public that a new public health crisis does not evolve from failing water treatment. Remember, through all of the craziness your contribution matters, and we appreciate all that you do!

One positive thing about coronavirus; it does not ‘survive’ water treatment. There have been no cases of coronavirus in drinking water. Likewise, standard wastewater disinfection also renders coronavirus incapable of transmitting disease. Just imagine how much worse everything would be if this was not the case!

However, coronavirus is known to be present in wastewater. This can cause extra concern for wastewater operators, lab analysts, and others exposed to raw wastewater. Whether or not the coronavirus in wastewater can cause disease is still an open question that needs more study. Some studies show that coronavirus can survive for several days in wastewater, while other testing has shown that coronavirus is inactivated by going through a human gut. In any case, the good news is that no known case of COVID 19 is known to have been transmitted via wastewater. The CDC calls wastewater ‘low risk’ for COVID 19. The CDC, OSHA, and WEF all agree that the normal engineered and administrative measures, PPE, and hygiene measures protect wastewater workers sufficiently from COVID 19. While the risk is low, wastewater workers must exercise extra diligence at work, even while already taking added measures like wearing masks and social distancing. Additionally, WRRFs are not assured of being able to get sufficient PPE because of the higher world demand.

While we hope that wastewater does not have extra risks for workers, the coronavirus in wastewater has the possibility of becoming an important weapon in the fight against COVID 19. Because coronavirus is excreted in the feces and urine of affected persons, coronavirus in a sewer can be an early warning of COVID 19, and can be representative of the spread in the sewershed. It can also give important and timely information to public health decision-makers. This is known as Water Based Epidemiology (WBE), or Environmental Surveillance (ES). This is a developing field related to COVID 19 and has several hurdles before becoming relevant, but it is looking hopeful.

Researchers in The Netherlands are credited for being first to test wastewater for coronavirus. They found coronavirus in wastewater even before the first reported COVID infection in the sewershed. Thus, they established that coronavirus in the wastewater can be an early warning of COVID 19 in the population.

There are also currently several efforts to analyze levels of coronavirus in wastewater, and then to correlate those levels to an estimated number of affected people in the service area. Wastewater is a different and more complex matrix that those normally used in virology labs and is analytically challenging. Additionally there is an unknown distribution of the viral pieces between liquid and solid in the wastewater. Known levels of quantification are not yet known, but would have to be low enough to be able to compensate for the dilution of the virus in the wastewater in order to be useful. Already a researcher at Arizona State University (ASU) claims to be able to detect one affected individual in a population of 2 million. Others estimate 1-3 cases per 100,000 people. Additional problems on the analytical side are getting representative samples, developing rigorous QA/QC protocols, unknown matrix effects, and unknown fate and transport of coronavirus.

Once detected in wastewater, there are additional formidable challenges of correlating the level of coronavirus in the wastewater to the level of COVID infection in the population. This requires knowledge of the population, flow, temperature, time in the sewer, industrial/residential discharge ratios, the fecal shedding rate per person, and many other factors. It will apparently also require knowledge of the average size of human poop. (No need to set up a study for this though. A professor at MIT has already determined this. It is 200 grams.)

Despite the challenges, the promise of WBE/ES - that wastewater could give us both an early warning of, and an accurate measure of COVID in the population – is enticing. It could detect COVID 19 in a population before there have been any confirmed cases. It could indicate when a second or third wave is beginning. It would be faster than individual testing. It would include asymptomatic carriers and would be more representative of the spread of the disease than the current biased numbers that are low since they are hindered by testing availability. It would be specific to each sewershed, so response measures could better meet specific needs. It could be scalable; from the entire service area of a large WRRF down to a sewer from a single neighborhood, school, or assisted living facility. Testing would be cheap, the sample abundantly available.

The study of analytes in wastewater as they relate to current issues in the service population is not new. Illicit drugs, malaria, salmonella, other viruses, etc. have all been looked at in wastewater. Each case provides its own challenges, but they all confirm the interesting hidden value of wastewater, and its important relationship to its service area. And in this current crisis, it is another reminder of the important work that everyone in the water field does!

Please find references below. I also used some information from the Closing Ceremony of the WRF Virtual International Water Research Summit on Environmental Surveillance of Indicators of COVID 19 in Sewersheds, April 30, 2020. Please let me know if you would like more information, or if you have an interesting addition!

Rich MacAlpine is a Laboratory Supervisor at Metro Wastewater Reclamation District.

References

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bostonherald.com/2020/04/09/massachusetts-scientists-probe-nations-sewage-for-coronavirus-clues/amp/

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.29.20045880v1

https://www.wired.com/story/one-way-to-potentially-track-covid-19-sewage-surveillance/

Arizona State University. "Novel coronavirus detected, monitored in wastewater." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 April 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases

The World of Wessex Water

Natalie Love — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 03:02:17 GMT

A few weeks ago, I was finalizing details for an upcoming trip to Paris and Bath, UK when I received an email from Natalie reminding me that I was due for a Blog post for the RMWQAA website. It just so happened that I was simultaneously looking at a map of the small town of Saltford where the Airbnb I had booked for the trip was located. Less than a mile from the cottage was the Saltford Treatment Works. “Brilliant idea!” I thought to myself. I hoped I could pop over to the wastewater plant and see how the Brits are doing things. I did some searching online, found Wessex Water on Facebook, and sent a message. They were happy to arrange a tour of their facility for me. Splendid!

Wessex Water is a district that serves about 2.8 million people in the areas of Bristol, Bath, Somerset, Dorset and nearby areas. These cities are all in southwest England, west of London, and bordering Wales. Although Wessex runs like a district, it is owned by YTL Power International out of Malaysia.

On the morning of my visit, I drove past the Avon River where Wessex Water discharges. Due to a storm named Henry, the river had recently topped its banks and flooded the road so I felt lucky to have a clear day for the Assistant Treatment Manager Julian Collins to show me around.

Originally built in 1914, the Saltford Treatment Works originally had four (4) basins made of brick. They are still in use today. Across the pond, they report in Liters per Second, which meant I had to do some conversions to figure out the facility’s current capacity. Side note: When looking for conversion calculators, I discovered there are American gallons and English gallons. Plant capacity is between 11 and 13 MGD depending on which factors you use.

Much of the treatment is the same as in Colorado. The difference is they have combined sewer and storm systems. Large dedicated basins catch the overflow and provide containment during rain events. Their Environment Agency regulates the industry and has minimum and maximum “consents” comparable to permit limits of similar capacity facilities.

Their Guidance Document details permit regulations.

In contrast to the older, smaller Saltford plant is the Wessex Water Operations Center in Bath also within the Wessex District. The district runs all operations from their state-of-the-art green building, built using as much recycled material as possible. The building is equipped with solar power heating, rainwater collection and use, and eco-friendly everything! Security is top notch too. They even use fingerprint and retina scans.

Wessex Water’s sister company, Geneco, operates multiple liquid waste treatment facilities that handle a variety of industrial and domestic wasteloads including dairy, septic, industrial cleaning products, landfill leachate, and food waste. All residents have a food waste bin that is put out for regular collection along with the recycle and rubbish bins each week. Food waste goes to the main facility in Bristol for large scale composting. Sludge from the Saltford Treatment Works is also processed in Bristol for later biosolids application and generation of power from biogas.

There’s much more to Wessex Water and all of their operations, but I will have to check out the rest on my next visit. In the meantime, it’s great to have new colleagues and contacts across the pond. Cheers!

Map taken from WessexWater.org

Michelle Neilson, Water Quality Technician, has been with Metro Wastewater for over 11 years. She has a B.S. in Chemistry, and has 22 years of experience in the Environmental field. Michelle has worked for USGS, contract laboratories, and several municipal wastewater and drinking water labs prior to Metro Wastewater.

World Wetland Day

Natalie Love — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 04:46:20 GMT

The prominent days that we think of for the month of February are typically Valentine’s day and President’s day celebrated on February 14^th and 17^th respectively. However, there is another important day that is celebrated worldwide on February 2^nd: World Wetlands day. World Wetlands day (WWD) raises global awareness about the value of wetlands and originated in 1971 when the Convention on Wetlands was formed in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.¹ The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.² The first celebration of WWD was in 1997 and continues to be celebrated today by government and community groups by promoting conservation, restoration, and the proper use of wetlands.

According to the EPA, Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. ³ There are two general categories of wetlands, coastal or tidal and inland or non-tidal wetlands, which support various types of vegetation and both aquatic and terrestrial animal species largely determined by the hydrology of the habitat. The functionality of wetlands is also essential in an ecosystem by acting as a water filter, through the absorption of excess nutrients and other pollutants before they reach larger bodies of water, and providing flood and erosion control, by slowing and absorbing floodwaters during periods of excessive rain.⁴ Additionally, wetlands are economically important due to recreational popularity and the commercial fish and shellfish industry. However, these vital habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate.

Wetlands only account for 6% of the Earth’s land surface and are disappearing three times faster than forests due to factors such as development and climate change.⁵This impacts 40% of the world’s plant and animal species that live or breed in wetland areas and threatens to deplete the rich biodiversity that these habitats provide.⁶ Thankfully, governments and other organizations recognized the enormity of these impacts and have now increased efforts toward the conservation and restoration of wetlands. The general public is encouraged to get involved through volunteer monitoring programs, participating in restoration projects, providing support through donations, and to continue the education outreach of why wetlands are so essential to our environment.

References

1.) https://sws.org/Education-and-Outreach/world-wetlands-day.html

2.) https://www.ramsar.org/

3.) https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/what-wetland

4.) https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/wetland.html

5.) https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/wetlands-and-biodiversity-theme-world-wetlands-day-2020

6.) https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2081

Ashley Romero is the Laboratory Manager at GEI Consultants, Inc. and has a background in ecotoxicology.

How to Replace a Bad Habit With a Good One

Natalie Love — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 03:03:03 GMT

Habits can have an enormous impact in the workplace—and we’re not just talking about nail-biting, junk food and cigarettes. Habits affect all aspects of a person’s behavior and they can influence how that person responds to the rules and regulations of a company, how they interact with their fellow employees and ultimately determine their performance level on the job.

For most people, their habits are so ingrained it’s like they’re operating on autopilot when the habit kicks in. This is true for both good and bad habits; good habits can make us more efficient, and bad ones can get in the way of reaching goals.

Overcoming bad habits can be challenging, but being consciously aware of the change that needs to happen is the first step to establishing more effective habits.

When creating new habits there are a few do’s and don’ts you should follow to make those habits stick. These same rules apply to replace a bad habit with a good one.

First, you need to understand how habits work. Charles Duhigg, the author of The Power of Habit, presented a simple neurological loop at the core of every habit consisting of three components: cue, routine and reward. In order to more fully understand your habits, you need to break down your own habit loop.

Start by asking yourself two questions: When does your bad habit happen? What is the cue (trigger) that sets it in motion?

It’s important to identify the cue as the beginning of the routine. The reward that comes at the end is what prompts the routine to continue. Here are a few tips when trying to override a bad habit.

Change your cue. Without first identifying the trigger, it’s hard to make an adjustment when trying to change your habits. If you can control the cue it’s easier to maintain your commitment to change the habit. But you need to be aware of what triggers your habit. Once you’re able to consciously attribute the cue to the routine, you need to adjust that pattern to achieve a change in behavior. For example, if going to the cafeteria on break ultimately leads to you buying junk food, then you need to find a new location to have your break. The cafeteria is the cue that leads to the routine of buying the sweet reward of junk food. Because you want to change that pattern, a good start is to change the cue.
Make a substitution. Cutting out the cues isn’t always going to be an option when it comes to an emotional trigger like stress. If you try eliminating a bad habit based on willpower alone or by quitting cold turkey, you could be setting yourself up for failure. Once the cue is identified, substitute a good habit for your bad habit so that the trigger will inspire a new routine of actions with a similar reward. For example, often people go for smoke breaks at work to handle stress. Cue: Stress. Routine: Go outside for a smoke. Reward: Relief from stress. In order to change the bad habit to a good habit, when the stress trigger sets in, keep the habit of going outside the same but don’t go where the smokers are. Instead, take a walk. You’re still getting the break and taking time to calm down from the stress but you’re getting exercise instead of smoking. Often in this situation, the smoker finds it wasn’t really the cigarette that brought them relief after all but the break of being outside.
Be realistic. When making habits, one rule of advice is that you have to be prepared to fail. This is not to say that you should give up before you start, rather it indicates that it’s going to be hard so you should anticipate setbacks and not allow them to derail you completely. There are a lot of things that people tell themselves when it comes to habits. These excuses include thinking you need to start all over when you’ve had a slip up. Rather than give up when you slip up, just be sure to get back on track and move forward in a positive and healthy way. Another thing to keep in mind is that you should start small. Rome wasn’t built in a day and your habits aren’t going to become automatic immediately either.

Don’t forget, you don’t have to do it alone. Letting people know about your intentions of changing your bad habits will also invite those people to keep you accountable. And who knows, you may inspire them to make a positive change themselves.

This Blog was originally posted by SafeStart and is re-posted here for educational purposes. Click here to link to the original blog post: https://safestart.com/news/how-to-replace-a-bad-habit-with-a-good-one/

Algae and Wastewater

Natalie Love — Sat, 21 Dec 2019 05:38:44 GMT

Wastewater is a valuable resource that can be reclaimed into many beneficial products. The mix of biological, chemical, and physical techniques used in this form of reclamation is forced to become more creative as discharge requirements become stricter. Nutrient requirements are a good example. As phosphorus and nitrogen limits drop for many wastewater treatment plants, we have to get creative to find new and cost effective ways to remove these analytes from our treated waters.

Algae is one solution to our nutrient woes that is getting attention from different utilities and research groups. Algal treatment can be applied to treat for ammonia, nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (cBOD). Low operational costs paired with the added sales of harvested fertilizer makes this technology realistic for many utilities.

Gross-Wen technologies (GWT) has developed a revolving algal biofilm (RAB) system where algae grows on a treadmill-like belt that is suspended vertically above the wastewater. The belt rotates in and out of the wastewater allowing the algae to consume CO₂, nitrogen, and phosphorus until it is harvested and used to make bioplastics and/or fertilizer.

Fig. 1. Gross-Wen Algae Treatment Technology.

Unlike most off the shelf organic brands of fertilizer, this algae fertilizer has slow-release properties that prevents nutrient leaching and polluting of our waterways.

GWT installed a commercial pilot program at Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation District in Chicago, Illinois. During the three-year study, 64 tons of algae was produced per day and $30 million a year was made from selling the pelletized algae. Researchers at GWT project that a commercial-scale facility could process between 200,000 and 1 million gallons of wastewater per day.

CLEARAS is another research company using algae to clean wastewater and harvest recycled algal biomass. Their technique is different than GWT in that it directly mixes the algae into the nutrient-rich wastewater. After the recovery of nutrients and CO₂, the mixture is filtered apart, leaving a clean water stream and a return activated algal stream. Results of their nutrient reductions are shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Fig. 2. Total phosphorus results comparing influent and effluent. Data set includes 234 separate trials. Average incoming phosphorus = 1.91 mg/L. Average treated phosphorus = 0.02 mg/L.

Fig. 3. Ammonia results comparing influent and effluent. Data set includes 234 separate trials. Average incoming ammonia = 14.09 mg/L. Average treated ammonia = 0.49 mg/L.

CLEARAS claims that their system is zero-waste, incurs lower operation and maintenance costs due to the lack of chemicals used and disposed, produces ultra low-levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, biochemical oxygen demand, and total solids, and the ability to easily scale to your facility.

Regulatory changes and needs of our communities create the opportunity for utilities to innovate systems to become more sustainable, clean energy based, and cost effective. When making choices in the future regarding nutrient removal, algal treatment systems may be a good fit for your utility.

Danny McCausland is a Laboratory Analyst for MWRD. He has 6 years of experience in the industry and holds a BA in Environmental Science from Metropolitan University of Denver.

Full Website Links:

1. https://algae.com/

2. https://www.clearaswater.com/

Holiday Water Conservation Tips

Natalie Love — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 05:15:07 GMT

The holidays are approaching fast, and with everything that needs to be done, this usually involves a higher level of water usage. Think: cooking a big meal, thawing out your turkey, and more bathroom breaks during the big Thanksgiving game. To help you cut down on your water usage, I’ve compiled some helpful tips to get you through the holidays:

Rather than thawing frozen food under running water, consider letting it thaw in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on the microwave. According to FoodSafety, the recommended time for thawing a turkey in the fridge is approximately 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds.
Consider washing all your produce in a bowl of cold water instead of rinsing it under running tap water. This change can help to reduce the amount of water lost down the drain. Plus, the water leftover in the bowl can be reused for other purposes, such as watering plants around the house.
Rethink rinsing the dishes with running tap water and instead, let your dishes soak in a sink filled with soapy water. This simple shift uses significantly less water and has the added benefit of making clean-up a bit easier.
Food waste often leads to unnecessary water waste via the garbage disposal. To cut down on water usage, try to cook only what you need and cut down on the garbage disposal usage. Compost food scraps whenever possible, and when they are not compostable, tossing scraps in the trash is a better option than down the sink. Be sure also to avoid pouring any oils or grease down the drain as this can lead to clogged pipes -- and yes, resulting in more water usage.
When cooking vegetables, consider steaming as opposed to boiling. Steaming is a great way to conserve your water usage and has the added benefit of maintaining the nutritional value of the vegetables.
Make the conscious decision only to run your dishwasher with full loads. Especially if you're hosting guests for a big meal, this shouldn't be too big of a problem with the high amount of dishes that you will be using. Cutting down on the number of times you run the dishwasher is a great way to reduce your household's water consumption.

The holidays are a great time to spend time with the ones we love and to be thankful for all the wonderful things that our life provides. So, let us enjoy the holiday season, while also helping with water conservation in the process.

Michael Hendricks is the Water Quality Supervisor for GEI Consultants, Inc. He has 4 years of experience in the industry and holds a BA in Biological Science from Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

Water News Around the World

Tyler Eldridge — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 15:41:06 GMT

In response to Richard’s Local Water News blog from earlier this year, this blog has been written to highlight some worldwide water news. As the new water year begins and the end of the calendar year approaches, here are five uplifting water stories that could help improve our quality of life down the road!

1) Agreements signed for the Reintroduction of Salmon to the Upper Columbia River:

From Victoria News in Canada, three leaders of Indigenous groups and two governmental groups have agreed to begin the process of ensuring salmon can reach their once thriving numbers in the Upper Coloumbia River. For the last 80 years dams have prevented the salmon from traveling along their traditional migratory routes, many of these through the state of Washington. The lack of salmon making their traditional runs effects the entire ecosystem, so the First Nations and several governmental agencies made sure an agreement was signed to explore the best ways to reintroduce salmon. In turn, a way of life for the Syilx Okanagan, Ktunaxa, and Secwepemc peoples and their communities could be restored as they will have access to these fish once again. There are, however, plenty of things to consider, such as the best way to manage dams to allow the fish through, climate change, and how the reintroduced salmon will interact with some endangered species now in the basin. This is progress though, and in a world where so many of our ecosystems are consistently fragmented, progress towards reconnecting them is what we need. Read the full story at Vicnews.

2) Global Science Award Given to Teen for Microplastic Removal:

From The Journal in Ireland, an 18 year old from Ballydehob was given the top award in the 2019 Google Science Fair. His project focused on the removal of microplastics from water using ferrofluids and magnets. The teen did point out that while not as effective on polypropylene plastics, it did show effectiveness with fibers found in washing machines. The experiment showed removal of 87% of microplastics in water samples, with a sample size of 1,000 tests. Could ferrofluids be our answer to the rising microplastic issues? Meet the 18 year old who believes so and watch his presentation video at TheJournal.

3) Microfragmenting of Coral to Help Grow Back Coral Reefs:

This story is from late 2018 and comes from Tech Maven. Coral reefs can take up to 75 years to reach sexual maturity in nature, however after a coral broke into pieces in the lab a new study was born! Researchers at the International Centre for Coral Reef Research and Restoration found that the corals grew back to their initial sizes in a few weeks rather than the three years it took to grow the original coral piece. What scientists found even more amazing was that once these fragments grew and they touched each other, they recognized themselves and fused together forming one large coral. This process speeds up coral growth by nearly 40 times! The restoration process is in full swing along the Florida Keys. Read more about the crew and check out their BBC Earth Video online at Sci-Techmaven.

4) Creating Drinking Water from Air:

A story from March this year in the Jerusalem Post provides insight on the Isreali company Watergen, a group determined to bring clean water to just about anywhere in the world just by pulling it out of the atmosphere. Their devices have been improved yearly since they were established in 2009, and have already provided aid in disaster locations across the world, included the United States! Essentially, the device pulls in air, filters the air, then through their heat exchange and cooling process condenses into water. Once filtered and hardened the water can be used as fresh drinking water. With just an electricity supply, the largest generator can create 5000 gallons of drinking water in a day. For more information on the company tackling a shortage of water around the globe visit the JPost.

5) The Ocean Cleanup is Successfully Gathering Trash in the Pacific Ocean:

This story comes out of the Netherlands and is the most recently updated story on this list. If you haven’t heard of The Ocean Cleanup it is worth following. The group was founded in 2013 with a goal of cleaning up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch using drifting systems and the ocean currents. The devices drift along the currents and collect plastic, and would just need to be “harvested” for their contents every few months by a small fleet of ships. In early October of this year they announced that the most recent prototype launched in June was successful in collecting and retaining both visible plastics and microplastics as small as 1mm. They still have much work to do in improving their design and growing their fleet, but once fully functional they hope to reduce the size of the garbage patch by half within the first 5 years! Obviously there is much to be done when it comes to cleaning up our oceans, but with companies like The Ocean Cleanup we are moving in the right direction. To learn more about the group, their design, and its sustainability check out their website at TheOceanCleanup.

Full Website Links:

The Season of Algae Blooms

Natalie Love — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 03:00:19 GMT

Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) are not only a rapidly growing environmental and health concern but are increasingly being broadcasted in the news and raising public concerns. Hearing about a resident or pet’s health issues from a local lake can make you ask yourself, could this happen in my city’s local body of water and am I prepared to resolve the issue?

Finding solutions to drinking water problems caused by algae is an ongoing challenge to the water industry from taste and odor, to filter clogging Diatoms, to harmful algal blooms of toxin-producing cyanobacteria. There is a widespread belief that the frequency and severity of surface water impairment by algae is increasing due to human impact, leading to higher nutrient levels in-stream and increased eutrophication. Algae may also be linked to droughts and the result of climate change. In addition to drinking water quality, there are growing concerns for lake and reservoir ecosystems.

The EPA and CDPHE are moving in the direction of additionally creating more recreational guidelines and regulations to monitor concentrations of certain blue green algae, mainly Cylindrospermopsin, Anotoxin-A, and Microsystins. Dependent on whether the body of water must meet swimming standards or recreational standards, there are different guidelines for criteria excursions.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends the criteria in Table 1, but it is up to individual states to adopt these criteria. Table 2 summarizes the World Health Organization’s recreational guidance and action levels.

Table 1: Recommended recreational criteria and swimming advisory criteria. Swimming advisory not to exceed on any day and recreation criteria not to exceed more than 10 percent of days per recreational season.

Microcystins	Cylindrospermopsin
8 ug/l	15 ug/l

Table 2: WHO recreational guidelines.

Relative probability of Acute Health Effects	Cyanobacteria (cells/mL)	Chlorophyll a (ug/L)	Estimated Microcystin Levels (ug/L
Low	<20,000	10	< 10
Moderate	20,000-100,000	10 - 50	10 – 20
High	>100,000 – 10,000,000	50 – 5,00	20 – 2,000
Very High	>10,000,000	>5,000	>2,000

If these numbers indicate a potential risk or vulnerability of HABs, it is recommended that your organization start implementing or update a proactive plan or SOP to monitor local lakes. This can be done in conjunction with local Parks Departments and/or water utilities department members. Monitor and set levels of concentrations at which potential risk for relative probability of acute health effects could affect the public. Look at modifying warning signs to prevent public contamination, research treatment options, and identify species with the CDPHE lab or a private lab to know for certain what you are dealing with. Check out CDPHE’s “Algae bloom risk-management toolkit for recreational waters” for more help in managing risk.

There are options for treatment and monitoring that are becoming more advanced but also expensive. Chemical treatment has always been an option but is a recurring expense that might cause more harm to the ecological environment and potentially a temporary release of toxins depending on chemical solutions and concentrations. The addition of dissolved oxygen through blowers, aerators or mixers are all treatment options but also could come with energy costs. Ultrasonic treatment is another option but is depended on surface area of the body of water.

Ultimately, it is a growing issue of concern, like all other emerging contaminants like TENORM and PFAS that needs more research and technology to mitigate the issue and understand prevention of toxin production, monitoring and identifying strategies and possible treatment options for the goal of public health and safety.

John Winterton works for the City of Northglenn as the Laboratory Supervisor. He's been with Northglenn for 3.5 years for lab and operations but recently moved to his current position. Prior to that, he worked as a lab technician for the Chicago land area for 5 years. He holds a Class A wastewater license in Colorado and a Class B Water for Illinois. John is not an expert in the field of HABs and identifying algae species, but he has taken on the topic as it has been a growing concern in Northglenn and statewide.

References:

CDPHE Algae Bloom Risk-Management Toolkit

EPA Recommendations for Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxin Monitoring in Recreational Waters

Science Fair Fun - Inspire and Be Inspired

Natalie Love — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 00:00:16 GMT

Have you ever judged a science fair? Science fairs are held on levels from individual school fairs up to the state science fair. I have been volunteering for several years now and I am always amazed at the ideas many young scientists are developing. Science fair participants are budding young scientists and as a judge you can help them to improve their scientific method and investigative skills. Inspire them to be better researchers and problem solvers.

There is also an exchange of inspiration. These are not the typical solar system model, lava volcano science fair projects that were presented in the days of old. Many students are aware of issues we deal with in the world around us and they are looking for solutions. Some of the projects from this year include:

Development of imaging tools used for medical diagnosis, faster MRI scanning;
A computer aided surgical tool for precision spinal surgery;
Studying the effects of antibiotics consumed by humans on resistance of E. coli in water systems.

Participant’s passion is displayed when they are explaining their projects. The reward of seeing the twinkle in their eye, even when they know you don’t grasp all the information they are presenting. A lot of time and energy are invested in the research for these projects and science fairs are not possible without judges.

The new school year has started, and science fair season will begin soon as well. If you have the opportunity, judge a science fair and share in fostering the next generation of scientists.

By Adele Rucker

Why is it so Hard to do the Right Thing with Chemical Disposal?

Natalie Love — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 14:16:20 GMT

Has this situation ever happened to you in your lab?

Something goes wrong with a test, so you order a new chemical and the new chemical fixes the problem. You are happy your problem is fixed, but you are stuck with a batch of chemical that you don’t want to keep around in your lab since it may have been the source of the problem. You decide to dispose of it, but when you pull out your Safety Data Sheet (SDS), under disposal considerations, it says: “Dispose of in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.” You think, what the heck does that mean? Where do I go to track down this information? You are stuck holding on to a bottle of chemical that you are 95% sure can go into the trash but you want to do things correctly for the environment and follow all the rules. What do you do?

I went to a few different places to scope it out. I started on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) website and checked out their SDS page. There I learned that the disposal considerations section is listed as “Non-Mandatory”. Huh? I guess proper disposal isn’t so important. In fact, sections on regulatory, transport, and ecological information are also non-mandatory. Sorry little fishes and other creatures of the world. That isn’t to say that disposal doesn’t matter to OSHA, they still have high expectations that hazardous materials are properly disposed of. Upon further reading, the reason they don’t enforce disposal is because other agencies enforce it and someone else has it covered.

Who is that someone else? How do you know what jurisdiction disposal falls under? Well, that’s a good question. The American Veterinary Medical Association explained waste regulation the best, “Simply put, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the disposal of products with environmental impact; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates factors associated with potential employee exposure to hazardous substances; the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides guidance pertaining to products used in the workplace that impact human and public health; and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulates the disposal of controlled substances.” That’s a lot of regulators!

Despite all these agencies involvement, ultimately proper disposal is up to the disposer. So how do you figure out what to do? I eventually stumbled upon a citation for an actual list of regulated hazardous waste listed in the Code of Federal Regulations. In 40 CFR § 261 Subpart D lists out the categories of hazardous wastes, and within each category, the types of waste or the specific chemicals that are classified as hazardous. For the individual chemicals, the list includes the chemical name, hazardous waste classification number, CAS number, and information on why it is listed as hazardous (i.e. toxic, flammable, corrosive, etc…).

Verification of your chemical on EPA’s list is not enough. In some cases, state regulations are more stringent than the EPA regulations, so you still need to check with your state to see if the compound is hazardous or not. All states should have some guidance on this. In Colorado, it is the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s “Colorado Hazardous Waste Regulations, Part 261 Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste”. Pages 84-105 have a similar list to the EPA’s where you can check to see if it is on the list.

Even then it may not be enough. If you are planning on dumping the chemical down the drain, you will also need to check with your local wastewater treatment plant. If you are the local WWTP, hopefully you already know what is allowed down the drain and what isn’t. If not, check in with your pretreatment department to see what guidance document they have on waste disposal. You should also check with your solid waste provider. I had a hard time finding any info on hazardous waste disposal for Denver, but Denver actually has a customer technical assistance line that could likely answer some questions.

Unfortunately, the search for the appropriate disposal does not end here. Once you know whether you are dealing with hazardous or non-hazardous compounds, you still need to dispose of it properly. This is still a bit of a mystery to me. It appears non-hazardous waste can be disposed of in the trash, but I don’t know of that is 100% true. Some guidance mentioned that bottles should be rinsed and the label removed, but it didn’t sound like a must. I searched 40 CFR and CDPHE’s website for non-hazardous waste disposal and came up with nothing. I’m sure this information is out there. The search continues…

If you have knowledge of more in depth instructions or information on waste disposal, please contact a RMWQAA board member, reply to this post, or start a discussion in the forum, so that our membership can be more informed.

Laboratory Succession Planning

Natalie Love — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 02:36:36 GMT

Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. ~ John F. Kennedy

The Broomfield Wastewater Laboratory has been undergoing change for the past 4 months. Several analysts have been promoted and assumed new duties. Even with the process working relatively smoothly, it took 4 months for the laboratory to be completely staffed. We were lucky that we had such dedicated and competent analysts that wanted to advance. This process made me think about the importance of succession planning.

So, what is succession planning? It is a process designed to ensure the continued effective performance of an organization by creating a steady and reliable pipeline of talent that will meet its future needs in leadership and other key roles.

In a laboratory it is important to train at least two analysts on the same procedure. The procedure can be the primary duty of one analyst and the other analyst can be used for back-up. That way you have coverage for vacations and sick leave. This is also beneficial when a person decides to quit or retire, because you aren’t left without someone who can step-up and fill the gap.

It is the lab supervisor’s job to make their staff successful. Don’t put roadblocks in their way.

McKinsey said there are seven obstacles to successful talent management:

1. Senior managers don’t spend enough high-quality time on talent management

2. Organization is “siloed” and does not encourage constructive collaboration and sharing of resources

3. Line managers are not sufficiently committed to development of people’s capabilities and careers

4. Line managers are unwilling to differentiate their people as top-average and under-performers

5. Senior leaders are not sufficiently involved in shaping talent management strategy

6. Senior leaders do not align talent management strategy with business strategy

7. Line managers do not address under-performance effectively, even when chronic

Take the time and look at your team and talk to them about their future plans. Establish a process to start succession planning. Some stats to consider: 66% of senior managers hired from the outside usually fail within the first 18 months (Center for Creative Leadership); companies with a succession plan that results in an internal hire “are less likely to experience this negative effect on employee morale” (Making Transitions Work,” Canadian Center for Management Development)

Lesa Julian has worked for the City and County of Broomfield for 28 years. She is currently the Environmental Services Superintendent.

Local Water News

Natalie Love — Sat, 25 May 2019 20:58:11 GMT

After bouncing around some ideas for this month’s RMWQAA blog, I decided that what I wanted to do was to present some good local news in the water field. So I poked around a little bit, found some tidbits of good water news from the Rocky Mountain area, and decided to share.

A disclaimer: Since good news, very much like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, these represent good news in my own personal opinion.

#1: 2019 is a very good year for snowfall!

There are a slew of different snow pack estimates out there, but the general consensus is that this year’s runoff could lift Colorado out of drought, at least for now. This oft referred to SNOTEL map from the USDA shows that the total Colorado Snow Water Equivalent is 240% of median (on 5/23/2019).

Of course, the actual amount of usable water depends on factors such as temperature, runoff, and evaporation. However, the United States Drought Monitor, which had estimated that 77% of Colorado was experiencing drought conditions as late as July 2018, earlier this month estimated that less than 1% of the state is classified as being in drought conditions.

This is also very good news for New Mexico, where predictions of flow into Elephant Butte Lake (one of the major agricultural reservoirs for southern New Mexico, and fed by Colorado’s Upper Rio Grande Basin) are at 155% of average. That is compared to 13% of average last year. This bodes well for water use and storage for all other states downstream from Colorado too.

#2: There was a new Colorado River drought plan signed on May 19

Speaking of states downstream from Colorado, all seven states (CO, NM, CA, AZ, WY, NV, and UT) in the Colorado River compact and the federal government have signed an agreement to keep Lake Powell and Lake Mead (the two largest reservoirs in the US) from being depleted. Under the agreement, water deliveries would be reduced to states based on varying water levels in the reservoirs.

This is not a perfect agreement, but it does mention the future need to adjust for global warming and the likely scenario that future water allocations may be curtailed by 15-35%. So, progress.

#3: Colorado is pushing back against lax Clean Water Act (CWA) protections

Moving on from water quantity to water quality.

Colorado’s Attorney General has called for a halt to proposed new USEPA rules that dismantle key parts of the CWA and remove important wetland and headwater protections in Colorado. These new rules would leave thousands of miles of Colorado waters without protections.

Colorado is making a stand by showing that what happens in their headwaters affects everyone downstream and is fighting for clean water for fishing, recreation (which are both important economic considerations), and animal habitat.

Colorado is one of a group of states urging the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers (who administer the CWA) not to use the new, looser guidelines.

#4: Local water conservation taxes passed

This goes back to the 2018 November elections, but I was unaware that while state tax proposals for infrastructure and education failed (indicating a general anti-tax bias in Colorado), local water conservation taxes in Denver, Eagle, Chaffee, and Park counties passed. These local tax successes were the result of lots of groundwork - including input from local shareholders - and indicate that voters will agree to increased taxes if there is a direct need and there is a sound and fair plan for spending the money.

Hopefully this local approval of tax-based water conservation projects bodes well for funding the Colorado Water Plan (CWP), which may be offered as a ballot measure in 2020. The CWP is a huge statewide initiative that would fund new water projects, protect stream quality and aquatic life, implement conservation programs, protect agriculture, and keep up with increased demand. The estimated cost will be about $100,000,000 per year for 20 years. If offered as a ballot issue, it will be the biggest direct water issue ever put in front of Colorado voters.

I know that for water professionals there isn’t always a lot of good news right in front of us. Look for and appreciate the good news that is out there!

Rich MacAlpine, whose opinions here are solely his own, is currently a Laboratory Supervisor at Metro Wastewater Reclamation District

Lockheed Martin Tour Recap

Natalie Love — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 20:21:23 GMT

On March 21st, members of the RMWEA/RMSAWWA Lab Practices
Committee(LPC) and RMWQAA toured the wastewater treatment plant at the Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Waterton Canyon located in Littleton, Colorado. This treatment plant serves the 6200-acre facility with a rich history of industrial use. The site was first constructed in the mid 1950’s to build the Titan I intercontinental ballistic missile. Since the initial build, the company had experienced several mergers and different focuses and has been known as Lockheed Martin since 1997.

Over the years, the plant has manufactured hundreds of rockets designed to carry missiles, and communications satellites into space. Crafts such as the Titan, Gemini, Viking, Voyager, and Cassini were all built at the Waterton Canyon facility. Waterton Canyon was chosen specifically because the natural geology of the area provided more security and noise control than other sites. In fact, the location tops a 1,700-foot-deep bedrock formation that isolates it from even the smallest seismic movement and provides the ultimate environment for testing the stability of various systems.

Early years of rocket launch testing contaminated the soil and groundwater with rocket fuel and manufacturing chemicals. The EPA declared it a Superfund site in 1989, however, this designation was soon removed. Initial clean-up efforts included removal of contaminated soil, wells, and solid waste. Decades later the main contaminant remaining in the groundwater is N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a breakdown product of hydrazine rocket fuel. Lockheed’s industrial wastewater treatment plant is responsible for treating the groundwater as well as production waste from space component manufacturing processes. Domestic waste is collected and piped to South Platte Water Renewal Partners (previously known as Littleton/Englewood Wastewater Treatment Plant) where it is treated and discharged into segment 6a of the South Platte River.

The NDMA contaminated groundwater treatment has been going on continually for the past 20 years. Luckily, the geography of the area funnels groundwater into two main channels making it easy to reclaim all of it for treatment. NDMA is treated via UV Photolysis where it’s degraded using high levels of UV irradiation. The Nitrogen bonds are broken leaving NO and (CH3-N=CH2). The NO then gets oxidized into nitrite and then nitrate. The dimethylamine oxidizes to form bicarbonate. The UV bulbs are similar to the bulbs used in domestic wastewater plants, but instead of having a group of bulbs in a grid, only one very high-powered bulb is used.

Initial levels of NDMA in the groundwater were around 300 ppb. After 20 years of continual treatment, the levels have dropped to about half, and through treatment, they are able to meet their permit limit for NDMA.

Other waste streams contain high levels of chromium and zinc from manufacturing or washing processes. Aluminum is etched off of casings of crafts to minimize the weight and fuel it takes to launch. Chromium plating is used to prevent oxidation. The metals are treated using hydroxide precipitation, followed by polymer flocculation. The sludge is then dewatered with a sludge press and dried for disposal. The final effluent water goes through sand filtration, Nitrite oxidation, carbon feed, granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange, and final pH adjustment.

The industrial wastewater treatment plant discharges just upstream of Chatfield Reservoir, which requires discharges to meet stringent fishery, recreation, and drinking water standards outlined in Control Regulation Reg 73 that can be found here: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/73_2009%2803%29header.pdf

Lockheed Martin hasn’t had a permit violation for decades and has actively participated in the Chatfield Watershed Authority. The tour was very informative and interesting. Although we didn’t get to tour any of the rest of the top-secret, high-security site, we did see the hillside that they once launched rockets into as well as a peek at the new $350 million dollar Gateway Center right next door to the plant. You can read more about that here: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/space/gateway-center.html

Michelle Neilson, Water Quality Technician, has been with Metro Wastewater for 8.5 years. She has a B.S. in Chemistry, and has 19 years of experience in the Environmental field. Michelle has worked for USGS, contract laboratories, and several municipal wastewater and drinking water labs prior to Metro Wastewater.

Persistent PFASs

Natalie Love — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 04:18:13 GMT

PFASs or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances have become a growing concern over the last decade due to widespread use and persistence in the environment and in the human body. According to the ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry), PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1950s. The most common types of PFAS include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), however, there are many other forms which are not studied as well and used throughout the world. They can be found in non-stick cookware, water repellent clothing, stain resistant fabrics and carpets, firefighting foams, and products resistant to grease, water, and oil. The widespread production and use of PFAS contributes to its ubiquity not only in the environment, but also leads to its accumulation and persistence in the human body.

Environmental exposure to PFAS could occur through multiple methods from contact with the manufacturing process, usage, and disposal of PFAS products. For example, surface water or groundwater and the surrounding soil becoming contaminated after receiving run-off in areas where firefighting foam was used. According to the EPA, human exposure can occur through daily usage of popular consumer products such as cookware, stain repellants, and even pizza boxes. A major concern with PFAS exposure is its persistence and ability to stay in the environment and in living organisms for a long period of time. As a result of repeated exposure, the amount of chemical in the bodies of humans and animals alike can accumulate and lead to adverse health effects.

Researchers have been studying the adverse health effects in animal models to better understand how these chemicals cause toxicity and what organ systems are being affected. Studies indicate that the PFAS can disrupt endocrine activity, reduce immune function, and can cause adverse effects on multiple organs including the liver, kidneys, and pancreas (NIH, 2019). Epidemiological studies with humans, though limited, have shown an increase in cholesterol levels, cancer, and thyroid hormone disruption (EPA, 2019). Although more research is needed to fully understand the health risks and impacts of PFAS, actions have been taken to limit the exposure to these chemicals.

The EPA lowered the non-binding health advisory limit for some PFAS compounds found in public water systems. However, because of the growing concern that these chemicals may cause adverse effects to human health at lower levels, further action was taken to reduce exposure in some states. In Fountain, Colorado, the EPA announced the first-ever comprehensive nationwide PFAS action plan. The plan consists of expanding PFAS monitoring in the environment, enhancing scientific research for addressing PFAS by developing new analytical methods and tools, and clarifying clean up strategies. Furthermore, two chemical classes of PFAS have been phased out of industry in the United States, PFOA and PFOS, and the EPA is working to list these chemicals as hazardous substances under the Superfund Program (ATSDR, 2018). Future strategies and regulations include recommendations in the clean-up of the persisting PFOA and PFOS levels in groundwater and expanding limitations to other chemical classes of PFAS.

References:

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2018 January 10). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and your health. Retrieved from https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/overview.html

Brady, J., Hurdle, J. Phillips, S. (2019 February 14). EPA says it plans to limit toxic PFAS chemicals, but not soon enough for critics. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2019/02/14/694660716/epa-says-it-will-regulate-toxic-pfas-chemicals-but-not-soon-enough-for-critics

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (2019, March 8). Retrieved from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pfc/index.cfm

United States Environmental Protection Agency (2019 February 13). News release: EPA to announce first-ever comprehensive nationwide PFAS action plan in Fountain, Colorado. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announce-first-ever-comprehensive-nationwide-pfas-action-plan-fountain-colorado

United States Environmental Protection Agency. Basic Information on PFAS. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/pfas/basic-information-pfas#main-content

Ashley Romero is the Laboratory Manager at GEI Consultants, Inc. and has a background in ecotoxicology.

February RMWQAA Event Recap.

Natalie Love — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 05:07:04 GMT

February was a busy month for the RMWQAA with a brewery tour and participation in the Metropolitan State University of Denver's Water Career Fair. The Breckenridge Brewery’s Littleton campus hosted a group of nearly 30 analysts for a FREE, fun-filled tour of the beautiful brewery and tasting room. After having all our questions answered by the tour guide and laboratory guru, we wrapped up in the restaurant with a rousing game of telephone. Just as much fun as elementary school with pink pigs flying!

Five RMWQAA members manned a booth at Metro’s water career fair on Tuesday February 26th. RMWQAA flyers and handouts summarizing other resources for water careers were provided to attendees. Many students stopped by the fair to chat with our RMWQAA leaders about their jobs in the water field, promoting the value of water careers.

Don’t miss out on future RMWQAA and RMWEA-LPC sponsored events! There are still open spots in the upcoming Lockheed Martin Tour. Sign up today!!

ERA Tour 2019!

Tyler Eldridge — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 20:28:46 GMT

To kick off 2019, RMWQAA was pleased to sponsor a tour of the ERA lab in Golden, Colorado. Tucked up aside one of the many beautiful hills that dot the Front range, about 18 people were treated to an inside look at a premier proficiency testing laboratory. ERA was founded in 1977 in Chicago, Illinois by a pair of cousins who were also prominent members with Test America and Colorado Analytical. ERA was acquired in 2006 by Waters Corp, the worldwide leader in liquid chromatography, mass spec, and thermal analyses. Waters Corp now houses the lab we were visiting on the 9^th of January, where they have been located since 2011.

After a quick introduction to our tour guides Daniel, Colleen, and Curtis and an emergency exit protocol reminder, we were off in groups of 5 or 6 to check out the lab and surrounding offices. Being the largest proficiency testing company in the U.S. requires quite a large lab and a hefty workforce to go with it. This was apparent when we were shown to the laboratory, where nearly half of ERA’s 86 employees work. The lab is split into sections, with an inorganic side and an organics side. The inorganic side is responsible for much of the proficiency testing and quality control work. They also run IC and mercury analyses, as well as TOC and conductivity for ultra pure water systems. To the side and in a separate room is where they work with their soil samples. It was interesting to find out later on that they typically collect enough soil to work with the same batch for 6-7 years.

On the opposite site of the lab we found organics analyses being performed. These included radio-chem testing, gas and liquid chromatography, and a separate room for microbiological testing. This side of the lab was also where Waters Corp employees did work with their standards and reagents. Just outside the laboratory we found the shipping department, a highly organized and well-oiled machine of a workforce. Even in January they were already prepared to ship hundreds of orders and prepare thousands

more! I couldn’t exactly pinpoint their method of organization, but it was clear they knew what they were doing and where every item could be found!

As we looped back towards the start of the tour, we were introduced to the various customer service teams at ERA. The IT department consisted of 5 individuals, highlighted by Harlan, who was responsible for creating the eDATA platform that ERA and its customers use to analyze data. This was implemented in 2015 and is an impressive piece of programming worth digging into! Next to the IT department was a group of 8 people who handle the large volume of calls and e-mails received nationally and internationally. Between them they typically take over 200 calls per day! The remaining positions taken in the customer service department of ERA were the 3 individuals who communicate with state and regulatory bodies, check data for accuracy, and handle reports. In 2014 Waters ERA established a 2-day turn around for final study reports following the end of a PT run. These three people manage to double check reports and data for errors AND get the reports sent out quickly. Clearly the 12-15 years of experience, on average, between the three of them has produced some high quality work!

The tour concluded with a walk through the main room, where it was pointed out that each of the conference rooms were named for elements. Meeting in the Hydrogen room, ASAP! Once we settled into the original meeting room with some cookies to snack on, we were treated to a solid Q&A session with five prominent members of the ERA staff. Between Tom, Curtis, Mike, Tom, and Brian we attempted to gain all the insight from the decades of experience standing before us. While we weren’t able to acquire the answers to this years DMRQA’s (sorry all), we did find out a couple of interesting bits of information:

-Most, if not all of the customer service department teams also have Biology or

Chemistry degrees, and typically everyone began work in a lab prior to joining their team.

-ERA handles over 600,000 individual data points each year.

-If you are looking to receive a proficiency test for a certain analyte and it isn’t available, chances are not enough labs are looking to participate in the same test. It takes 15-20 labs in order for ERA to develop enough quality data to permit sending proficiency testing materials for a certain test. Some labs running the more obscure analyses may have to look elsewhere or talk some other labs into requesting some proficiency testing.

-Ever wonder what the most failed DMRQA analysis is? Surprisingly it’s pH!! Due to the sheer volume of data points taken, the high confidence level on QC for pH correlates to a range much smaller than other tests. Flip that and look at the least failed DMRQA: BOD! With the widest range of acceptable values, this test tends to hit most often, though that still doesn’t seem to make the BOD setup any less stressful.

Thanks to all of the people involved in putting this tour together as well as those employed by ERA in helping create accurate QC and PT data! Personally, I walked away with a great amount of respect for the process that goes into creating our proficiency tests that we rely on to prove our accuracy to the state, and really enjoyed touring Waters’ ERA facility! They also sent us home with a sweet color changing mug, some always needed pens, and a flash drive for all those data points!

*Photos were not allowed to be taken in the lab, my apologies for the lack of pictures to go with the newsletter*

Tyler Eldridge has a BA in Biology from CSU. He is a Water Quality Analyst for the City of Greeley, volunteers for the RMWQAA, and maintains the RMWQAA website.

Do you know your DOC?

Natalie Love — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 00:26:09 GMT

Dissolved Organic Carbon is one of the key water quality components affecting aluminum toxicity and the EPA has taken DOC into account in the newest version of the aluminum criteria. The EPA read through hundreds of comments on the draft aluminum criteria and has made significant improvements over the previous 1988 version that reflect the newest science. The new criteria was only published this month and it will be a while before Colorado and other states fully adopt the new criteria. The EPA has created a tool to help dischargers calculate the aluminum criteria for their site. All you need are the pH, hardness, and DOC concentrations for the receiving water and you can find out the expected new aluminum criteria for your site. So get out there and collect your data now so you can be prepared when the new criteria are implemented in your state. Click here to read the full aluminum criteria document.

Water Sampling with Drones

Natalie Love — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 03:56:22 GMT

These days drones are everywhere in the news….drones surveying landscapes, drones taking pictures, even drones delivering pizza. At a recent conference, drones were again at the center of the conversation, but this time, the talk was about drones collecting water samples.

For anyone who has spent a day launching a boat, and fighting waves, seagulls, and other hazards, the idea of drones doing all that work for you sounds pretty good. While there are numerous benefits to drone sampling, there are significant costs associated with it too.

Let’s start with the positives. Drones can provide an excellent tool for reaching hard to access waterbodies. Much of the drone water sampling currently is at pit lakes at mine sites where access to the water’s edge is risky. Drones allow personnel to work safely, well away from the water’s surface.

Another benefit is the ability to collect samples at numerous depths using Kemmerer or Van Dorn-type samplers. This allows the sampler to get the same quality data from various depths without being in unsafe conditions. Drones can even be fitted with probes that collect a full suite of standard water column profile data such as depth, pH, temperature, and conductivity.

Even though the upfront cost of a drone sampling system would be high, in the long run, the savings would likely be made up in personnel costs. Typically, launching a boat requires a minimum of two people for safety reasons, and unless the boat is permanently in the water, getting the boat to the site, launching, and all the required sampling can be quite time consuming. Drones can save a significant amount of time by simplifying the entire sampling process.

Drones aren’t for everyone. They do require licensed pilots and many flying restrictions such as keeping the drone within your line of sight and avoiding certain airspace, makes them infeasible for some sites. Battery power is also still a limiting factor. The standard flight time when carrying heavy loads of water can be as short as 15 minutes, meaning numerous sites may not be sampled in a single day without battery replacement or recharging.

As the temperatures drop, you might be imagining piloting a drone from the warmth of your car, rather than sitting in a cold boat, hoping you don’t get splashed. Unfortunately, if high winds or fog are present, the drone may be grounded and you’ll be stuck sampling the old fashioned way. Despite the drawbacks, drones are allowing samplers to work in much safer conditions than ever before. As long as researchers continue to think up new uses for drones, we may one day be able to stay cozy warm while lake sampling is still getting done.

Mycoremediation - Mushrooms Could Help Clean Toxic Groundwater in New Mexico

Natalie Love — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 03:53:29 GMT

This is an excerpt from an article published by the Associated Press

Click the link for access to the full article:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-mexico/articles/2018-10-03/mushrooms-could-help-clean-toxic-groundwater-in-new-mexico

This excerpt was taken from www.USnews.com and reprinted under the Fair Use act of 2007

Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com

Water conservationists and a Native American women's advocacy group believe they've found a potential solution to a massive, decades-old underground plume of toxic chromium that likely has spread from property owned by Los Alamos National Laboratory to San Ildefonso Pueblo land.

The key ingredient? Mushrooms. They want the lab to give their fungi-based idea a try.

At an upcoming meeting, the nonprofit Tewa Women United and Communities for Clean Water will try to convince lab officials to start a pilot project to test whether a bioremediation technique based on mushrooms could help decontaminate the aquifer of hexavalent chromium that lab workers over several decades dumped into a canyon from cooling towers at an old power plant.

It may sound far-fetched, but advocates say the technique, called mycoremediation, could be healthier for the environment and less costly than efforts the lab is currently using to treat contaminated water pumped out of the plume. The lab is testing other remediation methods as well, such as pumping molasses and bacteria into the plume to convert the highly carcinogenic chromium-6 to chromium-3, which is far less toxic.

"Conventional remediation strategies are inherently harmful to a very fragile ecosystem," said Kaitlin Bryson, an Albuquerque-based artist and organic farmer who is helping spearhead the mycoremediation proposal. Bryson, 30, said the idea is in its infancy, and she's not sure exactly how many mushrooms it would take to completely restore the aquifer. "I really can't conceptualize," she said. The group plans to pitch the idea during a public hearing in Los Alamos in early November on a state discharge permit for the lab. The groups contend the permit was approved three years ago without public input. "It's really not a crazy concept," said Peter McCoy, a Portland, Oregon-based mycologist, a scientist who studies fungus, who is helping Bryson with the proposal.

McCoy has experimented with mushrooms for about 17 years and has been leading smaller-scale mycoremediation projects for four years. The results can be significant, he said. The technique uses mycelium, the vegetative body of a fungus, which acts as a magnet to extract heavy metals from soil and water. The first step is to grow molds in a material such as agar, a jelly-like substance found in some types of seaweed. The substance is then inoculated with mycelium and grows. The end result is a mycelial "brick" or "bead," which is used to strip away toxic materials, advocates say.

The method has been used to break down diesel fuel, harmful bacteria and even diapers, according to studies by Paul Stamets, a mycologist who has secured an Environmental Protection Agency contract to research mycoremediation.

The strategy also has been used in the Ecuadorian Amazon, where Chevron is accused of dumping billions of gallons of oil-drilling waste into unlined pits. McCoy sees the chromium plume project as an opportunity to advance the science. "If we are able to move forward, this would be a great proving ground for this technology," he said. "It's really a no-brainer," said Bryson.

She led a mycoremediation workshop in April and again earlier this month at the Regeneration Fest: Youth Water Protectors Gathering in Española, where participants explored ways to care for their communities, land and water. She hopes to hold similar workshops in the future. Bryson envisions a community remediation effort in which homemade mycelial bricks or beads are placed at a contamination site as part of an art-like installation.

Networking 101

Natalie Love — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 03:19:33 GMT

Analysts from Northglenn, Broomfield, Metro, and Aurora display their molecule string art made at the Summer Social 2018

What is Networking? Jockeying for position for a new job? Hob nobbing with more “important” people? Memorizing the names and personal addresses of 50 people in a room? Maybe it’s not as hard as it seems. The best way to network for one person may be the complete opposite for another. This is more of a discussion around why networking is even a thing and how to approach it with a healthy goal in mind. For many of us lab folks, the idea of networking can be exhausting and really freak us out. So, why should we get out of the comfort zone of the lab to mix and mingle with other lab people? Analytical skills don’t always cross-over to people skills but getting to know people in other labs can be important for many different reasons. It can lead to:

Sharing of ideas. What better way to learn about a new process, method, or way of doing things than in a casual setting over a drink or bite to eat?

Solving problems. Our field is not Top Secret. Labs are often reluctant to tell others when things are going wrong, but in this community, people want to help and by opening up and sharing issues you are having in your lab, you can learn other options to solve your problems.

Sharing of instruments/reagents/chemicals. How many times have you realized that you are out of a certain chemical and there is no way to get a new batch in time. Maybe that new person you chatted with at the lab nearby can spare enough to get you out of a pickle.

New friends. The lab community is full of interesting, amazing people who you may have a connection with beyond the basic chit chat. If nothing else, you now have familiar faces to say hello to at future conferences and trainings.

Future job opportunities. Being able to put a face with a name increases the likelihood of standing out in a sea of resumes.

Growing your skill set. Networking can open the door to new programs, projects, and professional organizations that can all help you grow in your professional career.

So, what to do if you like the sound of these outcomes, but don’t feel comfortable at networking events? First of all, not many people truly feel comfortable networking, so keep it in mind that the person standing next to you may be just as uncomfortable as you. If mingling is not your strong suit, try setting a goal of talking to just one or two people or getting an answer to a very specific lab issue at an event. One easy way to get to know others at networking events is to ask lots of questions. A few to get you started:

What lab do you work in and what analyses do you do?

Do you use any contract labs for anything? Do you like them?

What analysis do you have the most issues with? Why?

Are there any new methods you are considering keeping in-house?

What certifications do you have/what auditors have you worked with? What has your experience been with them?

What do you anticipate being the biggest challenge for your lab in the coming year?

What are the biggest successes you have had?

Keep all this in mind when you come to the holiday social this December 6^th! We all love to see new faces as well as catch up with those we haven’t seen in a while.

Low Level Mercury In-House

Natalie Love — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 20:38:31 GMT

The City and County of Broomfield has been contracting low-level mercury analyses for many years. The permit requires monthly sampling of the effluent. We also collect upstream and influent samples for comparison. The sampling requires two people to grab four samples a day (every two hours) and then prepare a flow proportional composite from these samples. The contract lab was awesome because they would provide us with a cooler with everything that we needed for the sampling event (pre-cleaned bottles, bags, gloves). We would send them the individual bottles and then they would composite the samples based on the flow data that we provided. However, on several occasions, the bottles broke during transit. Also, it often took weeks to get the results to us. Since this is a required monthly test, this was stressful, because we would need to know before the end of the month if there was an issue with the sample, so we could resample if necessary.

As we were planning for a laboratory expansion in 2015, we discussed the possibility of bringing this analysis in-house. We visited the City of Ft. Collins wastewater lab and Ginger Wynne and the staff were kind enough to give us a tour of their lab and show us their low-level mercury setup. We realized that we didn’t need a “clean” room, so we started thinking that this could work for us. We worked with the design team to create a metals/mercury lab with PVC fume hoods and polypropylene cabinets. The instrument’s autosampler can be covered to prevent contamination from environmental factors in the laboratory.

We purchased the mercury analyzer with the expansion and waited until we had everything else set-up in the lab before we brought in the instrument. The laboratory was completed in August 2017 and the analyzer setup and training occurred the first week of October 2017. After the initial training, it took a few more weeks to get the argon gas sparging system setup. By April 2018, the method development was complete, and the first monthly samples were analyzed in-house. Starting in August 2018, we will also begin analyzing our industrial pretreatment samples in-house.

So, if you were thinking that you have to have a Class 1 cleanroom to perform low level mercury analyses, maybe this will make you realize that isn’t necessary. You do need to have a dedicated “clean” space that is not near any analyses that have mercury in a reagent (looking at you TKNs) and analysts that are diligent about keeping that space clean.

Lesa Julian is the Wastewater Laboratory Supervisor for the City and County of Broomfield.

RMWEA Georgetown WWTP Tour Recap

Natalie Love — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 12:21:34 GMT

On July 27, 2018 about 13 people braved the gorgeous weather and semi-busy Friday afternoon westbound traffic on I-70 to travel to Georgetown on a RMWEA sponsored tour of the Georgetown Wastewater Treatment Plant. Besides the learning opportunity and the chance to be in the mountains, beer after the tour at the local Guanella Pass Brewery was also offered as enticement. No wonder the tour was fully booked!

The tour focused on the improvements to nutrient and metal removal technologies that were completed in 2011. These treatment upgrades include an Integrated Fixed-film Activated Sludge system (IFAS) and tertiary polishing of the effluent before chlorination and discharge.

The 2009-2011 Georgetown WWTP upgrades increased the rated flow by 40%, up to 1.2 MGD. The current average flow is between 0.3 MGD and 0.6 MGD. There is still a lot of room to grow, but there is a large new construction project about a mile upstream from the WWTP that is expected to increase flows by 30% when it is complete.

Once entering the plant (by the way, all flows to the Georgetown WWTP are gravity fed-the city does not have a single pump station), the influent is screened and then enters the secondary treatment area (no primary clarification needed!).

The upgrades included addition of an additional secondary basin with IFAS included for both basins. The attached biomass on the IFAS media (which always looks like tiny plastic pizzelle cookies to me – sorry if you loved pizzelles!) provides increased nitrogen removal (nitrification/denitrification) and some phosphorus removal, while the traditional flocculated activated sludge provides traditional BOD and TSS removal. On the day we were there we were told that both basins were being used, but that the operators go down to one basin during the winter due to reduced flows. The IFAS media takes up about 40% of the volume of each basin, and while the SRT in the basins for the flocculated activated sludge is about 21 days, the media has yet to be replaced after seven years.

Effluent from the secondary enters an equalization (EQ) tank. This is the old secondary clarifier that has been modified to be used as an EQ tank. After the EQ tank, the effluent enters the new secondary clarifier, where it remains for “a few hours” before going to the sand filters.

The sand filters are the other main technology that was added during the 2009-2011 upgrade. It is an upflow system with two passes. The upflow system allows the effluent to enter at the bottom of the conical shaped filter area and then flow against the flow of the sand. This technology reduces both phosphorous and metals by 90-95% during each pass.

Georgetown is currently discharging phosphorous at well below their permit limit of 0.3 ppm which equates to greater than 90% removal from their influent phosphorus of 3-4 ppm. Metals such as copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead are also greatly reduced using the sand filters.

After polishing in the sand filters, the effluent enters a traditional chlorine contact basin where it has about 30 minutes contact with chlorine before being dechlorinated with sodium bisulfate before being discharged into Clear Creek right below Georgetown Lake. Georgetown WWTP now uses sodium hypochlorite for disinfection, but they used to make chlorine gas on site!

On the solids side, Georgetown uses a screw press to dewater their solids after digestion. Biosolids are then sent to McDonald farms in Denver, as they do not meet land application requirements. Georgetown is happy to have their own screw press (especially since it works great and can achieve 26% solids), as they used to have to share only a mobile screw press between them, Idaho Springs, and Morrison!

Thanks to the City of Georgetown and RMWEA for the great tour. I was unable to make the beer part of the tour, but I still had a great time and learned a lot!

Richard MacAlpine holds an MS in Environmental Science (WQ Emphasis) from CU-Denver, is on the Education Subcommittee of RMWQAA, and has worked in the lab at Metro Wastewater Reclamation District for the last decade plus.

An Island of Habitat in a Sea of Urban Development

Natalie Love — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 14:06:10 GMT

Barr Lake shares a rich history in Colorado and has seen many evolutions in the last 130 years. Today, it is known state-wide as one of the best birding landscapes with over 370 bird species identified. If you’ve ever flown into or out of Denver International Airport you would likely capture a glimpse of the three-square mile body of water. At 1,900 acres, Barr Lake comprises seventy percent of the 2,700-acre State Park. Located 27 miles north of Denver in Brighton, Colorado, Barr Lake is used

today for irrigation, drinking water, and recreation. Major recreational activities include hunting, fishing, birding, biking, hiking, picnicking, and nature studies.

Barr Lake is approximately nine miles around with depths near thirty-five feet. At 2.7 miles long and 1.7 miles wide, much of the southern periphery maintains wallows and flooded cottonwood trees. The lake is divided in half with the north-side dedicated as a recreational area and the south-side designated as a wildlife refuge. The lake is fed by the South Platte River. Barr Lake feeds several canals to support irrigation for agriculture in the surrounding area, the most notable are the Denver and Hudson Canals. Milton reservoir is located north of Hudson and is also fed by the South Platte River. There is a ditch, Beebe Canal, that connects Barr Lake to Milton Reservoir.

Before it was a lake, the area was an extensive wallow. The area was lush with vegetation and supported migrating species. Since the Ice-Age, millions of free-ranging bison migrated through these areas. It wasn’t until 1876 during the American westward expansion that their numbers were nearly eradicated. During this time, cowboys rounded up Spanish steer and drove them along the Goodnight-Loving Trail from Texas to Wyoming through the wallows.

Construction of the Denver-Hudson Canal

The railroads accelerated western expansion and transformed the western landscape into opportunities and dreams. The Barr Depot was established in 1881 bringing settlers, tourists, and entrepreneurs. In 1891, the Denver Reservoir and Irrigation Company inundated the wallows from the South Platte River to create Oasis Reservoir. The newly formed reservoir attracted the affluent from Denver. In 1896, the Oasis Hunting Club was formed and offered “city-dwellers the opportunity to rusticate in the great outdoors.” With great expectations developers tried to create Barr City. However, with the closure of the railroad depot in 1931, a second city for Denver never came to fruition.

Barr Lake was officially created to meet the increasing water demands for a rapidly growing state, the Farmer’s Reservoir and Irrigation Company (FRICO) inundated the reservoir for the second time in 1908. It was boasted the reservoir could irrigate 25,000 acres annually.

Due to seventy years of abuse and diversion of waste water from the South Platte River, the Denver Stockyards, and the sewage treatment plant, Barr Lake needed another transformation. In 1964, the Colorado legislature proclaimed Barr Lake a “menace to health, safety and welfare.” The same year, Metro Wastewater was upgraded and relocated to its current location on York Street. To protect the natural resources, Barr Lake became a state park in 1977.

“On June 16, 1965, a powerful storm swelled the waters of the South Platte. Raging water rushed down the irrigation canals and into Barr Lake, effectively flushing the sewage from the lake. This natural disaster afforded Barr Lake a chance for renewal. Recognizing the need to prevent pollution of this revitalized landscape, Colorado State Parks created Barr lake State Park in 1977. Then, as now, it is preserved as ‘an island of habitat in a sea of urban development.’” (quote taken form Barr Lake State Park pamphlet)

Birding at Barr Lake

Barr Lake is co-managed for irrigation/drinking water and recreation. The reservoir is overseen by FRICO and the Denver-Hudson Canal is overseen by the Henrylyn Irrigation District. Each company owns and operates the respective land and water within. Water quality monitoring is conducted regularly by Barr Lake & Milton Reservoir Watershed Association.

Barr Lake Timeline
(provided by Barr Lake & Milton Reservoir Watershed Association, 2007)

1890’s   –Oasis Reservoir used for Recreation & Irrigation

1900’s   –Doubled in Size and Renamed by FRICO

1950’s   –Water Quality at its Worst

1964     –Metro Wastewater Upgraded and Relocated

1978     –Barr Lake State Park & Wildlife Refuge

1994     –FRICO Started Monitoring Regularly

2002     –303(d) Listed for High pH

2004     –Domestic Water Supply Use Added

2006     –20^th Year for Nesting Bald Eagles

2016       –Awarded People's Choice "2016 Business of the Year" by Brighton Chamber of Commerce

Sunset at Barr Lake by Bernie Ernie Jr.

Gerald Gaper earned a masters and doctoral degree in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago. With fourteen years of laboratory experience, Gerald’s early focus utilized analytical instrumentation to identify and characterize chemical compounds in water, bacteria, and on surfaces. Gerald worked on a variety of research projects for the pharmaceutical and academic sector, including Colorado State University. Over the last four years Gerald served the Denver Zoological Foundation as a Chemical Process Engineer and a Water Systems Manager overseeing the operations of pump stations and small water treatment facilities. Gerald managed the operations of a water quality laboratory while creating a development program for employees and an operational framework for the department.

Gerald lives next to the open space in Westminster and enjoys spending time with his wife and three dogs. In his free time, he works on a 1972 F250 Highboy 4x4 truck and volunteers in the local community. He serves as a volunteer designing exhibits for the Evergreen Autobahn Society, garbage cleanup of waterways for the City of Westminster Open Space, dog walker for City of Aurora Animal Shelter, and photographer for the Kawasaki Kids Foundation. He is the Vice President of Education for Toastmaster International, Lafayette Chapter. Gerald serves as a member of the RMWQAA Education Subcommittee designing presentations and writing newsletters.

Spawning Time

Natalie Love — Thu, 03 May 2018 03:45:13 GMT

Spring is in the air and it’s time to spawn! Each year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) employees aid in the spawning process for millions of fish at reservoirs across the state. These reservoirs are used for sport fishing and recreation and are home to brown trout, kokanee, cutthroat trout, and walleye. Human intervention in the spawning process help to manage and maintain populations. Local walleye spawning happens at Cherry Creek Reservoir, Chatfield Reservoir, and Pueblo Reservoir.

A few Metro Wastewater employees were able to volunteer to help with CPW’s efforts in March. Here’s how things went:

I spent a nice sunny day at Cherry Creek with five CPW employees who work all over the state but come to Denver for the “Walleye Spawn” each year. First, we rode out on a pontoon boat and collected 11 gill nets that were set the previous day. These very long nets (6ft x ~400 meters each) have relatively big holes which are designed to selectively collect larger fish. Large fish like gizzard shad and white suckers get stuck in the nets. We found them, handpicked them out and threw them back. Things are different when a walleye is reeled in. The walleye is carefully removed from the net and placed in the boat’s holding tank.

After a few hours of net pulling, we transported the walleye back to holding tanks on a floating barge where the spawning process happens. The fish are separated into male/female batches. Next, the females are segregated into “ripe” and “not ripe” batches according to how ready they are to release their eggs.

The ripe females are assisted by a firm, but careful, smooth squeezing process on their bellies (similar to a deep tissue massage) to release as many eggs as possible into a tub. A similar process happens with the males to combine their sperm or “milt” with the eggs. A clay-mud solution is prepared and added to the mixture to help prevent clumping and allow for efficient fertilization. Each tub is carefully hand-stirred for 90 seconds with a goose feather to avoid damaging the eggs.

The spawning process is time sensitive. If left too long, the eggs harden and clump together quickly; preventing fertilization. To add to the time crunch, a released egg only accepts sperm for a limited time. After fully mixed, the fertilized eggs are carefully rinsed to remove the mud and placed in a holding tank for a one-hour incubation period. After incubation, the fertilized eggs are transported, in this case, to the CPW fish hatchery in Wray, CO. In the wild, the fertilized eggs normally land on rocks and incubate, but some reservoirs have more sand and silt furthering hindering success.

The spent walleye are then put in large holding tanks in the belly of the boat with flowing lake water until they can be individually measured, weighed, and scanned for fish PIT (passive integrated transponder) tags. Fish that need tags are injected with a tiny PIT tag, similar to the microchips put in your cat or dog, and released back into the reservoir. These tags allow for tracking and data collection each year.

Spawning lasts around 3-4 weeks with an average of 35 spawns per day. The statewide goal is to collect over 130 million eggs to spawn for re-populating the state’s lakes. Spawning methods vary depending on species, location and conditions. CPW operates 19 fish hatcheries around the state. If you are interested in volunteering for Walleye Spawn or another event, go to http://cpw.state.co.us/ and sign up as a volunteer.

2018 Annual Symposium

Tyler Eldridge — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 19:10:56 GMT

The 2018 Annual Symposium was held on Friday, April 13^th at the Ridgeline Hotel in Estes Park. We are happy to announce that we had a great turnout of vendors and RMWQAA members alike. To “pregame” the event there were a number of people who showed up to stay at the hotel the night before the event. The hotel offered access to a game-room room furnished with multiple interactive games like pool, foosball, jumbo-jenga, and air-hockey. Those who rented a room the night before were able to socialize and enjoy the fun offerings that the Ridgeline presented.

On the morning of the event, everyone was able to check into the conference where they were provided a tasty breakfast offering various pastries, fruits, juices, and more. Additionally, the RMWQAA handed out free flash-drives this year as well as a limited number of RMWQAA water bottles. As attendees filtered into the beautiful conference hall, they encountered the traditional perimeter ring of our wonderful participating vendors who boasted their wares and services as well as a myriad of intriguing handouts and useful swag.

With everyone seated, sipping coffees, and perusing the candies splayed out across their tables, we launched the conference with two complementary talks regarding corrosion control (Christina Ankrom; Parker W&SD) and treatment strategies (Jacqueline Rhoades; Hazen & Sawyer). These talks were followed up by a presentation from the always-informative David Dani (CDPHE) regarding turbidity BMPs and log inactivation data.

At this point we took a break to visit with our vendor friends, nibble on fresh supplies of hummus and pita breads, and raffle off a few prizes to a few lucky attendees (I won a gift card to Old Chicago’s!). We returned to hear an interesting talk describing the process of Jar Testing with Organics monitoring from the soft-spoken Amanda Scott (Suez). To wrap up before our lunch break, Randi Brazeau from MSU gave us a glimpse into a number of studies her students are undertaking to review ecological impacts of the Gold King Mine Spill, now two years after the spill.

After lunching on an Asian style lunch buffet followed by pies and cakes for dessert, we returned to the conference hall where we had our vendors to introduce themselves and their companies individually and raffle off a few lovely prizes, ranging from bottles of wine to gift cards to Rockies tickets. After the vendors made their announcements to the crowd we raffled off a few gifts of our own (including a pair of quirky periodic table socks), and then came time to announce the 2018 Analyst of the Year.

It is with great pleasure that I announce that I, Zach Dahlgren, was humbled and grateful to receive this respected award and join the esteemed company of those who have won it before me. I want to give a shout out to Mike Schoenberg and Tyler Eldridge with the City of Greeley for nominating me, and I’d like to thank the RMWQAA Board for selecting me as this year’s recipient as Analyst of the Year. Thank you all!

As we neared the end of the Symposium, we held our Annual RMWQAA Business Meeting. At this time, we recapped the numerous social, educational, and informative events that the RMWQAA and Lab Practices Committee hosted over the last year. We also gave a look into upcoming opportunities for leisure and learning. Natalie Love ran through a number of accomplishments and tasks that the Education Sub-Committee is engaging, as well as a couple of announcements delving into a recently launched MDL Study and the anticipated development of the Exam Certification Board. More information on these topics will be delivered via email, or can be found follow their respective links.

Finally, we were delighted to close out our symposium with an inspirational and passionate presentation regarding the 3s’ of Climate Change (Simple, Serious, Solvable) by the well-respected Scott Denning (CSU Atmospheric Sciences). As Scott wrapped up his riveting speech, we raffled off our grand prize, said our goodbyes, and dispersed back into the world.

If you were unable to make this year’s Symposium, we encourage you to try to take time and attend next year’s conference. Details on the when and where of that event to come. Otherwise, check our events page for upcoming chances to learn, laugh, and be a lab nerd!

Making a Difference in the Community – Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair

Natalie Love — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 04:40:34 GMT

As water professionals, our passion for water began somewhere. In our busy careers we may forget that we are all in the water industry for the same reason: our passion for water; and someone, somewhere—whether we remember it or not— instilled in us this passion.

In the K-12 school system, riddled with pressures of standardized tests and now safety concerns, students in the Denver Metro Region get to take a break and just enjoy science for one day. On February 16, 2018, upwards of 280 middle and high school students came together to showcase their science experiments at the annual Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair. More importantly, over 200 professionals volunteered at the Fair to encourage student’s passion for water. Water professionals served as judges to grant special awards to students ranging from scholarships, cash, and all-expense paid trips to national competitions.

This year at the Fair, students received over 10 water-related special awards. Top prizes and recognitions were awarded to students with innovative solutions to some of the nation’s toughest water issues. Examples of 2018 water-related award winners listed below demonstrates the complexity of projects showcased at the Fair.

Award Winners:

Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association Award: Emma Schmit, 9^th Grade, SkyView Academy: The Effects of Magnetism and Algae on Energy Output
Rocky Mountain Section of the American Water Works Association Award: Gitanjali Rao, 7^th Grade, STEM School Highlands Ranch: Detection of Chemical Contaminants in Water using Carbon Nanotube Sensors
Stormwater Permittees for Local Awareness of Stream Health Award: Ester Mohamed, 8^th Grade, Crescent View Academy: What do Humans do to Produce Algae?
Cherry Creek Basin Water Authority: Shreyas Sriram, 8^th Grade, Challenge School: Using Artificial Intelligence And Raspberry Pi To Monitor And Conserve Household Water Usage
Stockholm Junior Water Prize Winners:
--Zach Chapman, 10^th Grade, Cherry Creek High School: Cost Effectiveness of Using Sn3O4 as a Water-Splitting Photocatalyst for Solar Energy Collection
--Gabriel Lorenz, 9^th Grade, SkyView Academy: Testing How Mangroves Grown in Sand, Silt, and Pebbles Stop Damage from Hurricane Waves

The future of water quality is apparent in these young scientists’ projects. It is important to foster young scientists’ passion for water because these students will be solving our upcoming water issues.

To volunteer for upcoming Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association/Rocky Mountain Section of the American Water Works Association outreach and education events or to sponsor an award at the 2019 Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair contact Jojo La at msjojola@gmail.com.

Jojo La is an environmental engineer in the fields of water resources planning and development, water quality, environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, and public policy issues related to water resources and the management of natural resources. She assists public and private sector clients with Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act compliance including discharge permits, water quality monitoring, 401 certifications, and Section 404 permits.

Water Quality Staff Keep a Close Eye on Standley Lake

Natalie Love — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 01:58:51 GMT

Algae is the enemy and these two warriors have the tools and the talent to help the city tackle it. Laboratory Analysts Eric Scott and Trea Nance head out on Standley Lake about every two weeks to take measurements, check equipment, and investigate the water quality of Standley Lake and the creeks that flow into it.

Standley Lake, the primary source of drinking water for the city, holds about 14 billion gallons of water, or a year’s supply of drinking water for the city. With water constantly flowing in and out of the lake, the water quality needs to be checked almost constantly. Water quality data is transmitted via the anchored testing station, but Scott and Nance also head out on a pontoon boat and check the water themselves.

"The testing station in the middle of the lake is constantly monitoring water quality levels,” said Scott. “However, we head out to get backup measurements and gather water samples for ourselves and other government entities.”

Their primary tool for evaluating the lake water is an EXO2 Sonde. It has sensors that measure the cloudiness of the water (turbidity), salt and inorganic material content (conductivity), gaseous oxygen (dissolved oxygen) and algae content (chlorophyll). One Sonde is stationed at the anchored testing station and Scott brings another to check water quality measurements at certain depth intervals in the lake.

“Algae is important in lakes because it adds oxygen to the water, however, too much algae creates an ‘algae bloom’ which we need to manage via our water treatment systems before it gets into the drinking water,” said Scott.

The other tool they bring along on their trips is a Van Dorn water sampler. The Van Dorn is a water bottle designed for sampling open water at a specific depth.

“I drop the Van Dorn into the lake and lower it to our chosen depth,” said Nance. “When it’s where I want samples, I let go of the drop weight and it snaps shut, thus gathering water at say 20 meters.”

The water is brought up and then portioned out into several sampling bottles for evaluation and dissemination to other cities who take drinking water from the lake, such as the city of Thornton.

Another part of their jaunts into the lake is to check the Sonde and battery at the anchored station. They change out and recharge the battery every trip. They clean muck off the Sonde’s sensors…and clean off any bird poop or the remains of animals consumed by an eagle or owl left on the station.

After getting back to the office, Scott and Nance work with water quality staff at Semper Water Treatment facility evaluating the data received from the Sonde and the Van Dorn. Scott then sends out email to staff and interested parties detailing the results.

Another fun part of the email that Scott sends out are photos he has taken out on the lake. From panoramic scenic shots to up-close photos of geese and ducks, Scott has a photographer’s eye for capturing life out on Standley Lake.

Westminster residents have some of the safest and best tasting water in the region and we have Scott, Nance and all the staff at Westminster’s Department of Public Works and Utilities.

Jonathan Thornton is the Communications and Outreach Coordinator at the City of Westminster

January 2018 - Electrofishing in the South Platte River

Natalie Love — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 15:29:43 GMT

As part of ongoing biomonitoring, scientists from Metro Wastewater participate in an annual electrofishing program. This monitoring program began in 1986 and there are currently thirteen sites spread over a forty-mile stretch of the South Platte River. The same sites are sampled annually in the fall to compare historical data and change over time. The main purpose of the program is to gather information on the species, size, quantity, weight, and health of the fish in Segment 15 of the South Platte River. Various entities, including the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), use the data for river assessment studies, resegmentation, and habitat and aquatic life preservation projects.

CDPHE’s Water Quality Control Commission sets regulations to control surface water quality. Regulation 38 establishes classifications and numeric standards for four rivers including the South Platte River and its tributaries. Each river segment is assigned a stream classification, which may contain up to four designated uses including Aquatic Life, Recreation, Water Supply, and Agriculture. Each combination of designations comes with ranges and standards for temperature, nutrients, and other parameters designed to protect these uses and meet the goals of the Clean Water Act ensuring every river segment is fishable and swimmable.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) does regular fish surveys in the upper South Platte River drainage around the same time. CPW and Metro sometimes survey at different times of the year for a specific study or construction project. The National Park Service in conjunction with the US Fish and Wildlife Service surveys National Parks (like RMNP) rivers and creeks every year as well. Consultants may be hired to conduct fish surveys when projects take place in or near a body of water, such a building a bridge over a river, or destroying a pond for a parking lot. For example, GEI Consultants performs surveys for clients all over the Western US using bank shockers (like MWRD) and backpack shockers. Some dischargers in South Dakota and Idaho are required by their states to monitor the instream fish populations, so they monitor upstream and downstream for fish, bugs, and habitat. Some participating entities have long-term data sets for some rivers going back 20 years, which is valuable information when observing the transitions of fish populations over time through weather events and flood years. Graduate students and researchers may also perform fish surveys as needed.

An electrofishing day begins by taking flow measurements. The river flow must be below 300 cfs (cubic feet/second) on sampling days for safety concerns and accordingly, the flow is slow enough to successfully catch the fish once they are stunned. Flags are placed along a 100-meter reach of the river to mark the sampling zone. Two or three electrodes are connected together by power cords and held by members of the crew in the river. These electrodes are on poles with a circular ring that is dipped into the water the entire time. The electrodes are connected to a generator sitting in the back of a truck parked on the bank that is also attached to a cathode in the water to complete the circuit. About 3-4 amps of alternating current hits the fish within about a 6-foot diameter area in the water. The current temporarily paralyzes the fish much like a stun gun, thus making them easy to catch with nets. Alternating current is used because it causes the least amount of harm to the fish and actually draws them towards the electrode so they do not float away too fast. The amount of current will vary depending on the size of the river, flow, and conductivity levels of the water.

Crewmembers wear waders to keep them dry and to separate themselves from the current in the water. They should still use caution. If the electrodes are in the water and an analyst touches the water directly, they get a shock. Depending on their proximity to the electrode itself, they could feel as little as a slight tingle or as much as a good wake up jolt. Serious damage could occur if the electrode was touched directly, but alternating current does offer some protection. Analysts also watch for frogs, turtles, crawfish or other critters and try to remove them from the electrode path to save them the trauma of being unnecessarily shocked.

The crew zigzags back and forth across the sample reach about 30 times to cover the entire area from bank to bank. As fish are netted, they are taken to coolers of water on the banks while they recover and wait until the process is complete. The cooler keeps the water temperature cool and closer to the temperature of their natural habitat.

Once the shocking and collection process is complete, the counting begins. The fish caught typically range in size from about an inch or two to a foot long, with an occasional larger fish. Some sites have been known to house the occasional 2-foot long carp. A total of 29 different fish species have been counted by Metro in the South Platte over the years including the typical yield of Fathead Minnow, White Sucker, Largemouth Bass, Johnny Darter, Green Sunfish, Longnose Dace, and Sand Shiner. Each fish is measured in millimeters on a fish board, weighed in grams, and identified per species. Any unusual wellness indicators may also be noted during the counting process. Then the fish go back into the river unharmed, although a little confused. (Similar to an alien abduction). All the data is logged and compiled into a database for a variety of future uses.

December 2017 - If It’s Fall It Must Be Conference Season

Natalie Love — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 04:12:13 GMT

When the leaves start turning colors in beautiful Colorado, it’s the signal of what is called the “shoulder” season. Shoulder season is that time when Summer and Winter vacation destination locations try to attract visitors, and offer discounted rates to convention organizers. September and October are chalk full of industry conferences in Colorado and across the country. This year was no exception. I ended up crisscrossing the country for no less than 5 conferences in a period of 5 weeks.

First up was the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association/Rocky Mountain Section of American Water Works Association Joint Annual Conference (now there’s a mouth full!) in Loveland, CO. This year saw the largest attendance ever at a JAC. For those that have never had the opportunity to attend before, it is a chance to meet industry professionals from throughout Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming in both the water and wastewater professions. Operators, engineers, and of course laboratory professionals all gathered for 3 days and 165 technical sessions on that one thing that we all share a passion for; water, in all its glorious forms. This year’s conference began with an exceptional Keynote talk by Charlie Lundquist, Deputy Manager of NASA’s Orion Program. One of the highlights of every annual conference is the annual Toilet Trivia Bowl Contest, hosted by our very own Blair Corning (yes, once ours, always ours), otherwise known as SewerDude. Topics covered such things as WTF, Rhymes with Water, and Movies about Water. There was a fantastic track of Laboratory talks this year covering many aspects of the analytical lab. They attracted standing room only crowds for many of the discussions. Tuesday night was the awards dinner, where Ms. Natalie Love received the prestigious Water Environment Federation, Laboratory Professional Excellence Award. Congratulations Natalie! The award was well deserved, and thank you for all that you do for the Colorado lab community.

Next was the Special Districts Association (SDA) Conference in Keystone. A wonderful conference in the mountains of colorful Colorado during early Fall. There is no more beautiful place to attend a 3 day gathering of Fire Protection, Parks & Rec, and Sanitation professionals. There were numerous technical sessions on issues that are unique to special districts, in law, community relations, politics, and management. All of the Keynote speakers were fantastic! The running theme for each of their talks was valuing employees. There was something to take home from each of the talks that can be applied in all of our jobs. The most poignant for me this year though was “You have to be present to Win”. You can’t just “mail it in” and hope for success. You have to show up every day, be present, and participate, whether an Analyst or Manager, to reap the benefits of team success.

WEFTEC, a gathering of over 22,000 leading professionals in the wastewater industry from around the world. This year’s gathering occurred in Chicago in early October. A very large conference by any standard. So large it can only be held in cities that have very large convention centers. Generally, WEFTEC alternates between Chicago and New Orleans. There were over 500 technical sessions covering every conceivable wastewater topic. The plethora of topics covering new and innovating technologies is mesmerizing. I found myself being drawn to over 12 different technical sessions on peracetic acid disinfection alone. Besides all of the tremendous talks, there were over 3.5 miles of vendor booths to see on the exhibition floor, which included many representing lab equipment, and in-line instrumentation. An annual highlight is the OPS Challenge, where over 60 teams compete nationally for prestigious awards in 5 different categories, one of which is a laboratory event. The teams practice all year long for this competition. Colorado was well represented this with 2 teams from Metro Wastewater Reclamation District and 1 team from Littleton/Englewood Wastewater Treatment Plant. Both Metro and L/E have been National champions in the past. Some members of our organization have even competed on these teams.

Off to LA. So the forth conference wasn’t for work. It was the 31^st Annual National Hot Wheels Convention. Yes, there really is one, and yes it really was the 31^st annual. There were over 1500 hobby enthusiasts in attendance. I am not going to bore everyone with the rest of the details, except to say, find your passion and play hard! Finding your balance outside of work allows one to grow in every aspect, the yin and yang of life.

So to that end, I rented a sports car and drove down the coast to San Diego for the Association of Lab Managers (ALMA) conference. This is a conference that I have not attended often. When I had attended in the past, I found that most in attendance were from research and pharmaceutical labs. I was pleasantly surprised this year. Over half in attendance were from environmental labs. It was a great opportunity to connect with colleagues facing similar issues and discuss new and innovative ways for managing today’s laboratory. The focus being on managing our most valuable asset; people. There were many half day seminars that provided refreshing ideas on managing the multi-generations that occupy today’s lab. I highly recommend this conference to any lab supervisor that has a chance to attend in the future, but if you go, be sure to attend the workshops prior to the actual conference.

Well that was my Fall. I’m tired, and ready for a long Winter’s nap! March and PittCon in Orlando will be here before you know it!

Kevin Feeley, B.S. Biology, M.B.A, is the Chief of Analytical Services and has been employed with Metro Wastewater Reclamation District for 27 years. Mr. Feeley is the former Chair of the RMWEA Lab Practices Committee, a RMWQAA board participant, and on the Red Rocks Water Quality Program Advisory Board. Outside of the water and wastewater world, Kevin holds a 2^nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and is the owner of 25,000+ Hot Wheels cars.

November 2017 - The Colorado Water Plan

Tyler Eldridge — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 16:36:39 GMT

What’s my role in the Colorado Water Plan?

By Hope Dalton

In May 2013, Governor Hickenlooper requested the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) work with stakeholders to create a plan for managing water collaboratively to meet the demand for growing water needs for agricultural, industrial, recreational, and municipal uses. In 2015, the CWCB released the Colorado Water Plan. Chapter 7 of the Colorado Water examines factors beyond water supply and demand; factors that affect water availability such as natural hazards, watershed health, and water quality.

The Colorado Water Plan established a measurable goal to create Stream Management Plans for 80% of the rivers and streams in Colorado and to create Watershed Protection Plans for 80% of critical watershed by 2030. These plans will address a variety of concerns, including pre- and post-fire mitigation, forest mortality, water quality impairments, potential impacts of legacy mines, flood mitigation and recovery, aquatic and riparian habitat enhancement, and land use changes. The Colorado Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC), regulatory body that develops water quality policies and regulations for surface water and groundwater, will assist in this goal by setting a strategic water quality objective to have fully supported classified uses by 2050. These classified uses may including drinking water, agriculture, recreation, aquatic life, and wetlands.

CWCB’s Colorado Watershed Restoration Grant Program will set aside grant funding to support the creation of Stream Management Plans and Watershed Protection Plans. Both of these plans will have a water quality component. Some have developed a database of existing water quality data as well as reviewing the data to disseminate information, identify trends, and identify gaps or shortfalls in the data. The plans also review the water quality data with the water quantity data to determine strategic locations for stream and wetland enhancement, stream/river restoration, and actions to take to reach water quality and aquatic life goals.

As stakeholders gather to create these protection plans to reach Colorado’s goal by 2030, you may participate as a stakeholder, a data provider, a data analyst, or a writer/reviewer. If you work for a regulated entity, you may also be participating in stakeholder groups working to provide the science for future WQCC regulatory hearings where policy decisions will be made to fully support classified uses by 2050.

References:

· Colorado’s Water Plan https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cowaterplan/plan

· Water Quality Control Commission https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wqcc

· CWCB Colorado Watershed Restoration Grants http://cwcb.state.co.us/LoansGrants/colorado-watershed-restoration-grants/Pages/main.aspx

· Steamboat Springs Stream Management Plan Proposed Scope of Work http://www.co.routt.co.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/5034?fileID=4370

· Friends of the Yampa’s Yampa River Management Plan http://friendsoftheyampa.com/yampa-river-management-plan/

· A Guide to Colorado Programs for Water Quality Management and Safe Drinking Water, Commission Policy #98-2, Updated August 2013, Expiration Date December 31, 2018 https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/A-Guide-To-Colorado-Programs.pdf

· Section 303(d) Listing Methodology 2018 Listing Cycle https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/303d_LM_2018.pdf

October 2017 - Fatbergs!!!

Tyler Eldridge — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 20:04:01 GMT

Octo-berg Newsletter: A “Fatberg” Takes Over a London Sewage System

Last month London sewer workers discovered what has quite accurately been dubbed a “fatberg.” Beneath the streets of East London, tucked away in a sewage system too antiquated for the living style of current Londoners, sits a massive congealed fatty mess that is only now on the final steps of removal. Fatbergs aren’t a new phenomenon, they form in pipes and sewers when fats congeal and mesh together with used diapers, wet wipes, tampons and other various flushed items. However, this fatberg made headlines due to its massive 140 ton size spanning the length of 3 football fields, dwarfing the previous largest fatberg by roughly 10 times.

The project was estimated to take 8 workers up to 3 weeks to fully remove from the sewers, by cutting out large concrete-like blocks piece by piece. This particular fatberg may have grown to this size for a number of compounding reasons. Dr. Tom Curran of University College Dublin’s School of Biosystems and Food Engineering sees the growing population of London and its high concentration of restaurants, pubs, and hotels as a “perfect storm for the phenomenon.” He also lends credit to London’s aging sewage system.

Photo Courtesy of Reuters.com

The sewers of London were built using calcium-rich concrete which creates wastewater with a high calcium content. This causes saponification of the cooking grease in these systems and forms giant masses of cloth and fat.

Though fatbergs are quite an issue in scenarios such as this massive 140 ton monster, there is the possibility of recycling fatbergs pulled from sewer systems into bio-diesel once the cloth and other contaminants are removed. This is taken a gross step further in some locations in China, where there may be an illicit trade in “gutter oil,” or recycled oil from fatbergs used in the cooking of cheap street food. It is nice to know that the bergs can be recycled into bio-diesel (gutter oil not so much) but fatbergs still remain a problem in many locations. The best way to prevent them comes down to public awareness, informing people that only toilet paper should be flushed down the toilets and any cooking grease and oils should be poured into a separate jar and disposed of in the garbage. This includes restaurants, where many in the U.S. have grease traps to help separate the oil and congealed fats so that they can be further recycled and prevent contamination of sewers.

Rererences:

O’Sullivan, F. (2017, September 14) London’s Sewers Are Clogged With Massive Globs of Fat. Here’s Why It’s Hard to Get Rid of Them. Retrieved from https://www.citylab.com/environment/2017/09/why-theres-no-easy-solution-to-fatbergs/539817/

RMSAWWA/RMWEA Conference - Ops Challenge by Adele Rucker

Natalie Love — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 04:54:19 GMT

I attended the RMSAWWA Conference this year in Loveland, CO. There were several different tracts for attendees to learn about the latest techniques, technologies, regulation changes, and equipment for the water industry. Before the afternoon sessions began I had the opportunity to watch the Operations Challenge. Coming from a drinking water laboratory we do not get the chance to participate in such fun activities.

There were four teams participating: Commode Commandos, Sewerside Squad, Elevated Ops, and Heroic Hites. This particular challenge simulated a break in a line and the challenge was to see which team could successfully repair the break in the shortest time.

Challenge set-up: the background pipe was the one with the “break”, the foreground pipe was used to cut a section for insertion into the broken pipe.

There were a quite a few steps involved in the repair that I have simplified here mostly because of a lack of knowledge of the details. First, the area where the cuts were to be made was measured and marked.

Measure twice, cut once!

One crew of the team sawed through the pipe with a hand saw (no power tools were used) and the piece of pipe with the leak was removed. At the same time, another crew sawed the new pipe which was to replace the broken piece.

Next, the new piece of pipe was inserted where the break had been removed. The repair was secured with couplers and ring clamps. The final step was clean up, putting away all of the tools back in the tool box. The time was stopped when the entire crew was back in place behind the starting line.

As with any competition and teams that have practiced together for a while, they made it look very easy. The teams worked well together and encouraged each other even when they hit snags and speed bumps. The times for the teams to complete the challenge ranged from 2-3 minutes.

After watching this challenge I have a new appreciation for our dedicated utility workers who keep everything flowing and flushing as it should.

August of 2017 - Designing a new laboratory

Tyler Eldridge — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 19:08:29 GMT

Designing a new laboratory

In late 2014, Broomfield embarked on a journey that is finally nearing completion. This journey has lasted almost 3 years. In late 2014, a firm was retained to complete a programming study for the existing wastewater laboratory and administrative facility. The study determined that the existing laboratory space was approximately one-half the size that was typical for the staffing and testing performed at the facility.

The laboratory/administration building was constructed in 1987 to accommodate wastewater operations and laboratory staff. Since then, the wastewater plant has gone through two plant expansions:

2001-Due to growth, reclaimed wastewater initiative and more restrictive permit discharge limits, the treatment facility was converted from a secondary treatment technology to a biological nutrient removal with reclaimed wastewater treatment and pumping facility. The capacity was expanded from 5.4 MGD to 8.0 MGD.
2007-Due to growth, expanded the biological nutrient removal treatment capacity to 12.0 MGD.

However, the laboratory/administration building had never been remodeled. Over the years, additional equipment and personnel were added and counter work space and storage space quickly dwindled when new equipment was purchased and staffing increased to meet new regulatory requirements.

In the summer of 2015, an engineering firm and an architectural firm were chosen. In September, staff attended the kick-off meeting with the engineers and architects. Then a few months later a construction company was hired to review the architectural plans and give an estimate of the costs. In August 2016, the contract was issued to start construction. Due to utility lines having to be relocated actual construction of the new lab didn’t start until early 2017. There were several objectives and requirements for the project. The largest requirement was that lab staff had to be able to continue working in the current lab while the new lab was constructed. This was a challenge because the new laboratory was attached to the current administration/lab building. So, construction crews had to build temporary walls to keep the two sides separate. There were numerous days of dust and loud construction noise, but we remained upbeat because we knew that was the sound of progress.

There were lots of fun parts with the project. We toured several other labs and got some great ideas from them. We got to pick out new cabinets and countertops. We also got to assist with the layout of the new lab. With the new lab, we were able to design a work area for all of the staff that included their own cubicles outside of the lab. This was a vast improvement because staff had always had their work stations in the lab and were never able to eat or drink at their desks. They also couldn’t escape from the lab noises and smells (not that wastewater is smelly)!

So, now it is August 2017 and we are moving into our new lab August 18th. This marks the end of Phase 1 of the project. After all staff and equipment are moved into the new lab area, the current lab and administration building will be demoed and phase 2 will start. In phase 2, the current administration area will be redone with new offices and a new conference room. The men’s bathroom will be enlarged by combining it with the women’s bathroom. A new women’s bathroom was constructed in phase 1. The old laboratory will be remodeled into space for the stormwater and industrial pretreatment staff. Barring too many hurdles, phase 2 is scheduled to be completed on November 17, 2017.

New solids lab

July of 2017

Tyler Eldridge — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 18:59:29 GMT

July 5, 2017

Is Your Lab Ready to Support Nutrient Removal with Quality Data?

Basic Nutrient removal in a Difficult Matrix

Advances in nutrient removal and recovery seem to be coming at breakneck speed. This is especially true, perhaps, to those of us in a wastewater lab; associated with a treatment facility but not actually on the front lines of treatment. There are many new technologies available, new configurations for aeration basins, new acronyms, new (read lower) permit limits, even ‘new’ microbes. And there is always a new theory to test, a new idea on the horizon. Most of the new ideas and technologies that I hear about are accompanied by a request from the lab for data: more data on what we are currently doing, more data from a new system that is being tested, a sampling campaign to get critical data for a new technology. Flows and returns, diurnal patterns, changes in concentration and speciation of nutrients, It all must be tested, and the data needs to be as good as possible. It all got me thinking about the basics of nutrient removal, and the need for labs to be able to accurately perform analyses on the complicated matrix of aeration basins.

By basics of nutrient removal, I am referring to traditional biological ammonia removal, in this case in a secondary basin using activated sludge. This is in itself a series of complicated reactions occurring in a complex and delicately balanced system-far from actually being basic!

Most nitrogen coming into wastewater treatment plants is in the form of ammonia (NH₃). Biological removal of ammonia from wastewater involves oxidizing it to nitrite (NO₂) and nitrate (NO₃) and then ultimately to elemental Nitrogen gas (N₂).

This is done by first using bacteria known as ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), which are autotrophic chemolithotrophs, and are also obligate aerobes. That is, they can make organic molecules from elements such as sunlight or chemical bonds in their environment, can oxidize inorganic substrates (NH₃ in this case) for energy, use CO₂ for a carbon source, and require an oxygen rich environment. These are also known as Nitrosomas, and they provide the first step in the Nitrification process that converts ammonia to nitrate:

2NH₄⁺ + 3O₂ --------à 2NO₂- + 2H₂O + 4H⁺ + Biomass (Equation 1)

The next step is performed by Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), which convert nitrite to nitrate. These are also autotrophic chemolithotrophs, as well as obligate aerobes. Their source for energy is the inorganic substrate of nitrite (NO₂):

2NO₂^- + O₂ --------à 2NO₃- + Biomass (Equation 2)

These two reactions together are known as Nitrification, the process of converting ammonia to nitrate.

Notice that nitrification is a purely aerobic process.

Nitrification in a suspended growth/sludge secondary depends on many factors: pH, Alkalinity, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), the presence of any toxic chemicals, temperature, the COD:TKN ratio, and the fact that nitrifying bacteria are outcompeted by heterotrophic bacteria (bacteria that use organic Carbon, and not CO₂, for growth). A pH of less than 7 is detrimental to the process of nitrification. Notice how the equation of ammonia oxidation (Equation 1) adds acidity to the basin. This is where alkalinity comes in. In fact, for each gram of ammonia nitrified, 7.2 grams of CaCO₃ alkalinity are required. Each gram of ammonia nitrified also requires 4.6 grams of O₂. So oxygen must be added constantly, but it must be at a controlled level since adding DO above a level of 3ppm, in general, provides no benefit and is a waste of energy and money. Toxic chemicals reduce nitrification ability, and keeping a secondary basin free from these requires a robust pretreatment program. The COD:TKN ratio is also a factor, as influent loads that are biased higher in organic load (COD) tend to decrease nitrification rates by providing an environment more conducive for aerobic heterotrophs. The slow rate of growth of nitrifiers generally means that activated sludge processes that denitrify have longer sludge retention times (SRT) than ones that only treat for carbon/BOD.

The process of converting nitrate to nitrogen gas is known as denitrification. Denitrification completes the conversion of ammonia to nitrate to nitrogen gas. Denitrification is also bacterially driven, this time by heterotrophic (get their carbon source from organic sources, not CO₂), facultative (able to use oxygen or other substrates as terminal electron acceptors) bacteria known as denitrifiers (i.e. Pseudomanas, Thiobacillus denitrificans). Denitrification-in contrast to nitrification-occurs in an anoxic environment (where nitrate is available but oxygen is not). This means that aeration basins must have different zones with different oxygen levels to accommodate the growth of both nitrifiers and denitrifiers.

Denitrification follows the general reaction (which uses methanol as a general source of organic carbon/BOD/food):

6NO₃^- + 5CH₃OH --------à 3N_{2 (gas)} + 5CO₂ + 7H₂O + 6OH^- (Equation 3)

For every 1 gram of nitrate that is converted to dinitrogen gas, 2.9 grams of BOD are consumed and 3.6 grams of alkalinity (as CaCO₃) are produced. Ideally, operators can configure their basins so that they can take advantage of the alkalinity produced from denitrification to supply some of the alkalinity needed for nitrification. To do this however, denitrification must occur prior to nitrification-another complication.

There is clearly a lot going on even in this basic example of ammonia removal. To assist plant operators, a lab must be able to provide quality and timely values for pH, ALK, BOD, NH₃, NO₂, NO₃, COD, TKN, and Temperature, as well as quite possibly the composition and abundance of microbes. Many of these values can be provided via inline instruments now, but even so, the fact that the lab must have accurate analyses of these parameters does not change since the instruments are calibrated to lab values.

Thus it is very important that any lab analyzing activated sludge samples thinks about the difficulties of analyzing this difficult matrix. Bad data causes bad decision making, and an activated sludge is no place for that!

Here, in no particular order, are some ideas to consider: Do nutrient samples need to be digested/distilled? Do standard hold times even apply in such a biologically active matrix? Does your standard of known concentration actually represent this matrix, or are you using a clean standard that gives a false idea of how well you are doing? Can you spike a mixed liquor sample and get recovery? Are you diluting samples so much that you are raising your method detection limit to the point it is not practically useful? Does the matrix itself cause colorimetric interference? Can you digest and run the same sample twice with comparable results? Can different analysts run the sample with comparable results? Are you pH preserving the sample correctly, or is the alkalinity in the solids in the sample slowly neutralizing acid and raising the pH over time? Is your DO/pH/etc... meter subject to fouling? Are there interferences in the matrix (do reported values increase with dilution)?

Being able to support basic nutrient removal with quality data is paramount for wastewater labs.

Remember, it only gets more complicated from here!

References:

J. Rodziewicz, A. Mielcarek, W. Janczukowicz, and U. Filipkowska. Effect of COD/TKN ratio on the effectiveness of nitrogen compounds transformation in a reactor with immobilized biomass. University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Department of Environment Engineering.

R. Sharma and S. K. Gupta. Influence of Chemical Oxygen Demand/Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen Ratio and Sludge Age on Nitrification of Nitrogenous Wastewater. Water Environment Research. Vol. 76, No. 2 (Mar. - Apr., 2004), pp. 155-161.

S. Okabe, Y. Aoi, H. Satoh, and Y. Suwa. 2011. Nitrification in Wastewater Treatment, p 405-433. In B. Ward, D. Arp, and M. Klotz (ed), Nitrification. ASM Press, Washington, DC.

Steve Polson, P.E. Nutrient Removal 101- Process Fundamentals and Operation. JTAC Presentation May 18, 2017 at AWWA Headquarters, Denver, CO.

June of 2017 - Recap of the Argo Tunnel tour

Tyler Eldridge — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 18:22:45 GMT

June 20, 2017

The Argo Tunnel (Figure 1) was the primary drainage and ore transport tunnel from Nevadaville to Idaho Springs. It was excavated from 1893 and 1910, drained water from several mine workings, and allowed ore carts to be wheeled right up to the Argo Mill next door. Although the tunnel has not been used to transport ore since the 1940s, water still drains through it constantly. The tunnel discharge averages 275 gallons of acidic contaminated water per minute. Approximately 850 pounds of dissolved metals are released from the tunnel each day. The Argo Tunnel Water Treatment Plant began operating in April 1998, treating water from the Argo Tunnel. Flows from the Big Five Tunnel at the west end of Idaho Springs and groundwater from Virginia Canyon were added in 2006 (Figure 2).

Figure1: Entrance to the Argo Tunnel Figure 2: Discharge from Virginia Canyon and Big

Five Tunnel

The Argo Tunnel Flow Control Bulkhead (Figure 3) was completed In August 2015 at a cost of approximately $970,000. A pipe runs through the concrete plug so water treatment plant operators can regulate the flow and control water levels inside the mine pool. The tunnel has a history of surge events that released untreated mine water into Clear Creek. The primary contaminants include acidity and a host of heavy metals, including aluminum, copper, iron, manganese and zinc.

Figure 3: Bulkhead Figure 4: RMWQAA group inside the tunnel

After flowing down from the tunnel, the influent accumulates in an equilibration basin (Figure 5) before entering the plant. From there it is mixed with recycled metal hydroxides and hydrated lime until a pH of 9.9 S.U. is achieved. The lime system includes a silo for storage (Figure 6), a slurry mix tank in the enclosure along with the silo, piping from the lime enclosure to the WTP, a day tank within the WTP and diaphragm metering pumps for feeding the lime into the treatment process. Recent upgrades converted the plant’s conventional process to a high-density sludge (HDS) process. The HDS process sends metal hydroxides into a conditioning tank where they are coated with lime and sent back through the system for up to 30 additional treatment cycles. The process is more efficient at removing metals from the water, resulting in denser filter cake and less material sent to landfills.

Figure 5: Equilibration basin Figure 6: Lime storage silo

This mixture is sent to a sludge thickener where the precipitates settle by the force of gravity from the water, and the clarified water flows off the top. A polymer (Figure 7) is added in a low dose to improve settling and filtration performance. The overflow water is polished using a sand filter, and then treated with hydrochloric acid to achieve a discharge pH of approximately 8.5 S.U. (Figure 8). The precipitates are pumped from the bottom of the sludge thickener and then sent to a plate-and-frame filter press. The solid filter cake contains approximately 35-40% solids and passes testing of the Toxicity Characterization Leaching Procedure (TCLP), characterizing it as a nonhazardous waste and is disposed of in a municipal landfill.

Figure 7: Mary Boardman showing polymer system Figure 8: Outfall

Special thanks to Mary Boardman with the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment for giving the RMWQAA group the tour!

Lindie Aragon is the Chemist at the City of Westminster's Wastewater Lab. She is the head of the RMWQAA scholarship committee and coordinated the Argo tour.

May of 2017 - Discussing Chlorophyll a

Tyler Eldridge — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 18:11:06 GMT

May 6, 2017

Chlorophyll a. Standard Methods 10200H. EPA 445-447. Straightforward, right? Follow the method, and get the concentration of chlorophyll a in the sample. This seems straightforward, but I would argue, and many other scientists would agree, that it is not straightforward at all.

Chlorophyll a is a surrogate measurement for algal biomass at the community level, and is often used to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) additions to a waterbody. Algae incorporate carbon (C), N, P, and other elements, leading to growth, proliferation, and more chlorophyll contained within the waterbody. While this process is fairly definitive, the composition of chlorophyll is not.

The photosynthetic pigments in freshwater algal cells include the chlorophylls (i.e, a, b, and c), the carotenoids (i.e., carotenes, fucoxanthin, and xanthophylls), and depending on the type of algae (i.e., cyanophyta and pyrrophyta), can also include phycobiliproteins or bacteriochlorophylls (Kirk 1994, NALMS 2017). Thus, when a lab is asked to measure chlorophyll a in a water sample, how confident are they that the reported concentration is only chlorophyll a, and not all these other components?

The basic chlorophyll a methods listed above try to account for the numerous other colorful components of algae (pigments) that could potentially be recognized by the spectrophotometer or fluorimeter which may confound the chlorophyll a concentration. In addition, photosynthetic pigments begin to degrade soon after collection so knowing the quantity of active versus degraded pigments is important. Acidification can account for the degradation of chlorophyll to pheophytin, but how can a lab be certain that the chlorophyll a concentration measured with one method is equivalent to the concentration measured with a different method?

The logical answer is a chlorophyll a standard. Chlorophyll a standards are available through a number of sources, but their actual concentration “as chlorophyll a” is not always clear. The standards are typically created through pulverization of spinach, or other chlorophyll-rich leaves, and can be in the form of a solid or liquid. Instructions on how to use the standard are rarely provided, and manufacturers provide little detailed information for their use. Often, these standards do not result in a specific concentration of chlorophyll a, only a concentration of ground spinach leaves. Numerous labs can measure the same “standard”, but who is to say the actual concentration of chlorophyll a?

These uncertainties in quality assurance provided the impetus for the Chlorophyll a Round Robin Event conducted by the City of Northglenn in 2015 (Taylor, et al. 2015). The RMWQAA’s concern in this methodology is not unique, as The State of Florida reiterates the same concerns regarding the numerous available methods and the variety of ways the data can be handled in “Applicability of Chlorophyll a Methods” (FLDEP 2011). A total of 11 analytical laboratories participated in the event, each reporting their chlorophyll a result for a laboratory split sample. The “corrected” (i.e. pheophytin correction taken into account) chlorophyll a values ranged from 77.6 to 162 mg/L, while labs reporting uncorrected chlorophyll a had a much larger range from 10.8 to 178.9 mg/L. These results highlight the uncertainty in laboratory and methodological approaches and confounds the true answer.

While the true concentration remained elusive, the real concern comes in to play when regulatory agencies are making decisions based on these data. Total Maximum Daily Limits (TMDLs) for nutrients are being determined from the chlorophyll a data resulting in more stringent nutrient limits for dischargers to these waterbodies. Thus, the question arises… Are regulatory decisions based on data from comparable chlorophyll a methods, or are different methods being used, potentially skewing the results? Furthermore, are laboratories confident in their results for chlorophyll a and do data users understand the uncertainty associated with the results? All of these questions should be considered before implementing regulatory decisions such as a TMDL that could dramatically impact limits for dischargers.

References

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FLDEP). 2011. Applicability of Chlorophyll a Methods. DEP-SAS-002/10. October 24, 2011.

Kirk, T.O., 1994. Light & Photosynthesis in Aquatic Ecosystems, Second Edition. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, 509 pages.

North American Lake Management Society (NALMS). 2017. Chlorophyll Analysis. The Secchi Dip-In. From: http://www.secchidipin.org/index.php/monitoring-methods/chlorophyll-analysis/ accessed 5/1/17.

Taylor, E., Guilmette, C., Rhodes, E. 2015. Chlorophyll-A Round Robin. City of Northglenn Water Quality Laboratory.

Natalie Love is the Laboratory Director for GEI Consultants, Inc's Laboratory. GEI conducts Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing, benthic macroinvertebrate identifications, and low level nutrient analysis for Regulation 85 and other local monitoring.

April of 2017- Interpreting Discrepancies between Analysis Methods, Machines, and More.

Tyler Eldridge — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 18:09:39 GMT

Interpreting Discrepancies between Analysis Methods, Machines, and More.

As advancements in Water and Wastewater Treatment technologies continue to emerge and regulations provide municipalities with more hurdles in meeting increasingly stringent standards, we also see potential for misinterpreting data and how it affects these complex treatment processes. This idea has not escaped us at our Water Pollution Control Facility in Greeley.

One particular instance arises in the analysis of measuring Volatile Acids. For the last few years our lab has relied on a single method of measuring Volatile Acids, as well as using certain equipment for measuring these results. This method has been a valuable indicator when it comes to determining the health of our anaerobic digester systems, especially in the winter when we experience the most complications in the treatment process.

Recently, with the addition of new treatment processes and new employees that see value in other methods, we have begun to examine alternatives to our original procedure. These alternatives include, but are not limited to using a different method as well as using a different instrument to analyze the data. Our findings were a bit unsettling and confusing.

Although we have only recently begun this study and it is still in progress, we do tend to see relatively significant differences. Now, there is a need to acknowledge that it is no world-changing finding to say that different methods and different instruments can provide different results on duplicate samples. However, the point is that there are certain parameters that exhibit greater discrepancies in results, and these can be difficult to interpret and put to use for operators and analysts alike.

Our initial investigation into this process began when we found an alternative method from the same company that provides our reagents for the original method. This new method appealed to us in that it was a simpler, less time consuming process. However, the spectrophotometer (spec) used to analyze the results was different than the spec used in our original method. Fortunately, the instrument used in the new method could be equipped with an adapter to analyze our original method, so we had the ability to analyze both methods on the same spec.

Here’s where our troubles surfaced: we didn’t know which results to take as our final number when it came to adjusting the operation of different processes in the plant. We had been using the same method for so long and using it as our proverbial ‘canary in the coal-mine,’ that when it came to new methodologies we had no baseline or warning limits to go by. Granted, if our results were close enough between methods and could be considered ‘apples-to-apples’ we wouldn’t need to worry about this. Yet Murphy’s Law had something different to say about this, and we began to see results of the new method on the new spec at 20% and sometimes even 50% higher than the original method on the old spec. Furthermore, this nascent study has shown that the new method produces more accurate results with our stock standard when compared to the old. So, where does this leave us?

It seems that logic would dictate that when it comes to making significant changes in operating procedures we should make our adjustments based on the original method with the support of historical trends to back the decision. This has been our stance as we fight through worrying conditions in a push to stabilize the system before a more predictable and manageable period during the spring and summer.

Fortunately, we will be entering a transition period with the construction and installation of a new primary digester. With this new change and somewhat of a blank slate to work with, we feel justified in converting over to the newer method with its perceivably more accurate results. Suffice it to say, we will continue to run the original method in conjunction with the new method to further establish some semblance of trends to compare.

In closing, there is a desire to point out that this is but one small case study on a topic that any and all plants can be subjected to when put under certain stresses. Whether it be new analysts coming in to a lab, new equipment or methods being instituted by necessity or preference, or even changes to method rules as seen in March’s MDL writing, variability in a lab and its methods can lead to considerable impacts on a treatment plant’s performance and the decisions made in that right.

Zach Dahlgren is a Water Quality Analyst at the Water Pollution Control Facility in Greeley. He has been with the City of Greeley going on 4 years and with the RMWQAA as Website Chair for over 3 years.

March of 2017 - Discussion and Update to the determination of the Methiod Detection Limit (MDL)

Tyler Eldridge — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 18:07:27 GMT

On December 15, 2016 Gina McCarthy (then United States Environmental Protection Agency Administrator) signed the final rule which included an update to 40 CFR 136 Appendix B, the determination of the method detection limit (MDL). While the rule has been signed, it is awaiting publication to the Federal Register and is therefore not officially been released for use. The current MDL procedure has been in place in 40 CFR 136 Appendix B since 1984 with little-to-no changes since.

Why does the MDL method need to change? The biggest concerns around the current MDL measurement procedure is that it does not address contamination in blank samples, inadvertently driving MDLs lower than they realistically should be. Additionally, the current method does not address variability within a lab, again driving the MDLs down.

By definition, the MDL is “the minimum measured concentration of a substance that can be reported with 99% confidence that the measured concentration is distinguishable from method blank results.” In the current method for determining MDLs, seven spiked samples are analyzed and the MDL is calculated by multiplying the appropriate student’s T value by the standard deviation of these spiked samples. No guidelines are provided on the frequency of MDL calculation or timeframe within which these data should be collected for calculation; therefore, variability in analytical measurements by different analysts and variability over time are not taken into account. This procedure may result in MDLs that are higher or lower than they would be if variability were taken into account.

The update attempts to control some of this variability by determining MDLs from a minimum of seven spiked samples which were measured in at least three batches on three separate calendar dates. The MDL of the spiked samples is calculated using the same equation as the current method. To ensure the MDL is distinguishable from the method blanks, the new method requires a blank MDL be calculated by multiplying the appropriate student’s T value by the standard deviation of the blank samples, then adding the mean of the method blank results. The higher of the spiked MDL and blank MDL becomes the new MDL for the method. The MDL is verified annually by analyzing at least two samples quarterly.

Overall, these changes are a significant improvement over the current procedure; however, there are still some concerns with the new procedure. As analytical methods improve and impacts to aquatic life become more and more quantifiable, the water quality criteria continue to decrease along with the associated permit limits required to protect aquatic life. The new MDL calculation procedure is a significant improvement over the previous procedure, but by better accounting for low-level contamination through the use of blank MDLs, the MDL is likely to be driven up.

Higher MDLs can lead to a permitting conundrum. The reporting limit (RL) and associated permit limit must increase with the MDL which would leave it unclear whether aquatic life are being protected. Otherwise, the RL and permit limit would be adjusted down to align with the standard. By decreasing the difference between the MDL and RL, the confidence that the data are truly detected also decreases. Neither regulatory scenario is ideal as it becomes unclear whether aquatic life is truly protected, or whether the quantifiable data are truly quantifiable.

The work required to reduce potential contamination that may lead to higher MDLs may be too much for smaller labs to handle, resulting in the need to outsource samples to other labs with better capacity to reduce low-level contamination. By not conducting tests in-house, dischargers could be faced with increased costs.

The option to maintain the previous MDL as long as it is within 3 times the previous MDL reduces the legitimacy of the new method as it allows for MDLs to increase or decrease based on a decision rather than the data.

Is your lab ready for the new MDL procedure??

Melissa Mimna is the Water Quality Analyst in the City of Boulder's Water Quality and Environmental Services Group. Natalie Love is the Laboratory Director for GEI Consultants, Inc's Laboratory. GEI conducts Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing, benthic macroinvertebrate identifications, and low level nutrient analysis for Regulation 85 and other local monitoring. This excerpt was taken from a poster presented at the Society for Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology national conference in 2015.

February of 2017

Tyler Eldridge — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 18:48:18 GMT

February 16, 2017

On January 26, 2017, RMWQAA hosted a free tour of the Leprino Foods Wastewater Treatment Plant. Leprino Foods Company began operations in Greeley, Colorado in 2011, bringing much needed jobs and economic benefits to Weld County. Over 430 people are employed at the factory, which helps make Leprino Foods the largest producer of mozzarella cheese in the world. The entire production supply chain is localized with over 100 semi-truck loads of milk offloaded into the factory each day.

The raw milk that is delivered to the plant is made up of almost 87% water. Much of this water in the milk is removed during evaporation and then condensed into condensate of whey (COW) water. By capturing this COW water, the plant can rely less on municipal water sources and return around 300,000 gallons more water than it takes in on a daily basis back into the Cache la Poudre River.

During the tour, we witnessed some of the by-products of the wastewater treatment process. Dried biosolids were pressed into a cake-like consistency and loaded slowly into large dump trucks which were transported to local farmers to be used as a soil amendment. Construction on a new digester was underway to allow the plant to utilize methane gas to provide energy to the plant.

The tour was a great chance to see different aspects of the wastewater treatment process, including the testing laboratory, and to get a look inside a large and important contributor to our local economy.

Danny McCausland attended the tour and is the Water Quality Supervisor for GEI's Laboratory. GEI conducts Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) testing, benthic macroinvertebrate identifications, and low level nutrient analysis for Regulation 85 and other local monitoring.

January of 2017 - December Holiday Social Recap

Tyler Eldridge — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 20:42:36 GMT

January 26, 2017

December Holiday Social Recap

On December 1, the Lab Practices Committee of the RMWEA and the Rocky Mountain Water Quality Analyst Association joined forces to host a holiday social event for their members. The event was held at the Lazy Dog in Westminster and there was a fantastic turnout, with about 40 water quality enthusiasts from local laboratories joining in the fun. There were a number of games to keep everyone entertained, including Water Quality Family Feud, Guess the number of stoppers, and Close-up Lab Pic Trivia. It was a good chance for networking, sharing lab stories, discussing future lab issues, and returning borrowed reagents. RMWQAA holds social events every July and December and they are a great way to collaborate with peers… don’t miss the next one!

December of 2016 - RMWQAA Regulatory Workshop

Tyler Eldridge — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 20:38:16 GMT

December 3, 2016

In early November, the RMWQAA education subcommittee hosted a workshop to provide analysts a more solid background on the Drinking Water and Wastewater Regulations that drive their daily work. The workshop was led by Hope Dalton who holds a strong background in regulations, education, and laboratory. Ms. Dalton discussed the history of federal regulations as well as the Colorado-specific regulations and how they are implemented. Natalie Love provided information on the Clean Water Act and Colorado wastewater regulations. There was a strong turnout from across the Front Range as well as attendees from as far away as Eagle County.

The regulatory workshop played a secondary role in piloting a new look for RMWQAA presentations. The goal is to provide more consistency in the training delivered by the organization. The education subcommittee is working towards providing future trainings via the internet so we can reach members in less accessible areas and those who cannot travel often. Stay tuned for future trainings.

November of 2016 - The Importance of In-Line Instrumentation

Tyler Eldridge — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 20:37:00 GMT

November 15, 2016

The Importance of In-Line Instrumentation

Approximately six years ago Metro Wastewater Reclamation District determined that it was imperative that we had a dedicated group of individuals to manage all of the in-line instruments that were engineered into several of our plant upgrade projects, especially in the secondary treatment portion of the plant. A majority of the instrumentation is used for determining the effectiveness of biological nutrient removal, including nitrification/denitrification, and phosphorous uptake. The reliability and accuracy of in-line instruments, at that time, had risen to a point that they provided our Treatment staff a comfort level in making real time process control decisions based on the information received from the instruments.

In-Line instruments were more traditionally only used for dissolved oxygen, pH, and total suspended solids. Now we are seeing tremendous success measuring parameters such as ammonia, nitrite, nitrate/nitrite, orthophosphate, and chlorine, with some instruments able to measure multiple parameters in sequence. We have also had some success with in-line instruments that measure total organic carbon reliably. The ammonia instruments are also tied into a control logics system for aeration to improve nitrification/denitrification efficiencies, while reducing the costs of aeration.

Although most In-Line instruments tend to be less costly than their bench top, more robust, counter parts, an in-line budget is not for the “faint of heart” when you include the original price of the instrument, replacement parts, and a dedicated staff to maintain them. Our In-Line group is “housed” in the Analytical Services Division based on our expertise with analytical instrumentation, but is supported by many other divisions at the facility, as all instruments are tied into our control systems. The In-Line Instrumentation Support group has grown to five Specialists covering our North, South, and Northern Treatment plants.

September of 2016 - Lead and Copper Year

Tyler Eldridge — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 20:34:13 GMT

September 8, 2016

Lead and Copper Year

In 2016 the summer Olympics were held in Rio. On the Chinese calendar, 2016 is the year of the monkey. In the United States, 2016 is a presidential election year. Here in Aurora, it is the year of lead and copper.

Here in the drinking water world some of our regulations are different than in the waste water world. We are required to monitor the distribution system for lead and copper levels in the water. The frequency of this monitoring varies with each utility based on the monitoring plan established by the governing body, in our case the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment.

The sampling is regulated by the lead and copper rule. A common source of lead and copper is the pipes in the home. Some older homes have lead service lines or copper pipes with lead solder. Water being a great dissolver, can leach these metals from pipes. A number of water quality parameters can be controlled to prevent leaching of metals from the pipes into the water. One tool that can be used is the Langolier Index. Based on a formula, this number takes into consideration water quality factors, such as pH, alkalinity, and hardness to determine the likelihood of the water corroding the pipes and leaching metals into the water.

This year Aurora Water is conducting a lead and copper study. After what happened in Michigan, this is a hot topic, and water customers are significantly more aware of the quality of their water. This awareness motivates more customers to participate in the study.

In previous years it was a challenge to obtain the 50 samples without repeated customer contacts. This year is different, the response has been great. In our third week, we had almost received all of the required samples.

The study involves a few steps:

· Notify customers – We send a letter notifying the customers on the pool list that we are conducting a lead and copper study and request their participation. The majority of the samples are collected in July but we are flexible with the customers as long as the collection is within our study window.

· Deliver bottles and instructions – This is time consuming and labor intensive. A bottle is delivered to each home and placed in a secure but visible place. The instructions for filling the bottle are included on a chain of custody form that the sampler must sign and write in the date and time the sample was taken.

· Sampling – We are required to maintain a pool of at least 100 homes and we have to receive a minimum of 50 samples back for analysis. The sample has to be a first draw sample, after the water has been sitting in the pipes for at least 6 hours. This is the reason the customers take their own samples. This year many of our regular participants have moved so we have reached out to the new customers to make sure they understand the process so that the samples are taken correctly.

· Collect bottles – Once the sample is collected the customer will call and let us know. We will have any employees in the area pick-up the sample and bring it back to the lab.

· Analyze samples – The samples will be analyzed for turbidity, lead, and copper. The turbidity is taken when the sample is received in the lab. If the turbidity is greater than 1 the sample has to be digested prior to analysis. The sample is preserved with nitric acid and held at room temperature until it is analyzed.

· Notify customers of results – Once the results are peer reviewed and QC checked the customers are notified of the results from the water tested from their at their home.

· Report results to the state – Once all of the sample are analyzed the results are compiled and reported to the state health department

The action level for lead is 0.015 mg/L and copper is 1.3 mg/L. Results at this level are not an automatic violation. The results are ranked in order from smallest to largest. If the 90^th percentile is above the action level that is referred to as an action level exceedance. Exceedances will result in increased monitoring frequencies. Corrosion studies may also be mandated.

Customers will be anticipating the results of the analysis of the water in their homes. As our study concludes this month, we are hopeful that 2016 will not turn into the year of routine monitoring for lead and copper.

Adele Rucker is the metals analyst for Aurora's Water Quality Control Laboratory.

August of 2016 - Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) Purchasing Process

Tyler Eldridge — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 20:32:10 GMT

August 22, 2016

Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) Purchasing Process

Purchasing a laboratory information management system can be a daunting and overwhelming task. You start asking yourself these questions:

1. Where do I start?

2. What do I really need?

3. How much will it cost?

4. Who will help set it up?

5. What features do I need/want?

6. Will it really be everything that I want it to be?

Don’t let these questions scare you away from the purchase. Our laboratory purchased our first LIMS in 2001. Prior to that, we entered all of our data in excel spreadsheets. Excel spreadsheets work great until your boss starts coming to you with requests for data from 5 years ago and they want the monthly averages, maximums, and minimums. Or they want to compare the total suspended solids from January 2010 to January 2016. You can retrieve that data from excel spreadsheets but it may take hours or days to locate and calculate the data. A LIMS is a powerful data storage warehouse that can hold years of data. The data is readily available with just a few keystrokes on the computer. In 2001, our laboratory was in need of a better system, so we purchased our first LIMS. It worked great for many years, but in 2014, we decided that we needed a more powerful system that both our environmental and wastewater laboratories could purchase and use together.

In 2014, we started researching LIMS vendors and set-up several web demos. We wanted a system that would work for both labs as well as fitting our individual needs. For example, our wastewater laboratory needed a system that would be able to interface with our operations and industrial pretreatment databases, and the environmental lab needed an application that was capable of entering data in the field. We all met as a group and mapped out the current LIMS flow and how we wanted the future LIMS to flow through each step from sample log-in to reporting. This identified areas that we wanted to streamline throughout the process.

During this time, we brought our IT department into the discussion since they would play a major part in installing and maintaining the system. They assisted with the request for proposal and were involved every step of the way. Below is a detailed timeline for this project:

April 2015- Request for proposal was issued
May 12, 2015- Pre-proposal conference with vendors to discuss specifications
May 19, 2015- Questions from vendors were due
June 9, 2015- Request for proposals were due
July 7, 2015- Demonstrations from vendors (on-line)
July-October 2015- Worked with IT and City Attorney to draft contract and completed the Council memo.
September 2015- Created a LIMS administration team which consisted of employees from the wastewater lab, environmental lab, and IT; the team met bi-weekly throughout the process
October 27, 2015- Council approved the purchase of the new LIMS
November 10, 2015- Kickoff meeting with new LIMS vendor, LIMS administrator, IT, purchasing and implementation team
November 15, 2015- Conference call with the vendor’s project manager and the City’s LIMS administrator to discuss the project schedule and items that we needed to submit to the vendor such as: new client checklists, static data tables, and instrument interfaces
December 2015- Static data tables were uploaded to the vendor’s ftp site
January 2016- New LIMS was installed on the administrator’s computer; initiated bi-weekly conference calls with LIMS administrator and vendor
February 2-4, 2016- First on-site training and system set-up
March 8-10, 2016- Second on-site visit and training with the vendor; training on sample entry, quality control, label printing, calculations, and initial set-up of instrument interfaces
April 5-8, 2016- Third on-site training which was customized for each lab; additional work on software and instrument interfaces, label printing, calculations, and mobile devices
April-June 2016- Staff parallel tested the new system with the old system; started using the barcode scanners, auto-logging samples, and working with the instrument and software interfaces
June 29, 2016- Vendor removed practice data in the new LIMS
July 1, 2016- Stopped logging in samples in the old system and started entering samples in the new system
August 2016- IT uploaded old databases to the vendor’s ftp site and 10 years of data will be archived
September 2016- Four analysts will travel to the vendor’s headquarters for four days of on-site training

There is still work to be done, but we are enjoying all the new features that our LIMS has to offer. When you think of taking the plunge, just remember that it can be a long journey but a journey well worth taking.

Lesa Julian is the Wastewater Laboratory Supervisor for the City and County of Broomfield.